WINTER COZY...KEEPING IT PERSONAL

 

It's funny how the word "cozy" is associated with the Winter season.

I heard this term used quite often when living in Maine.

 

One Friday evening in late January, we decided to try a new restaurant located in Portland's West End named Caiola's! The children had given us a gift certificate for our Anniversary, which we had not yet used and after three months of deep snow, we were going a bit stir crazy. Remember, Mainers do not let snow and ice keep them indoors. Quite the opposite, the restaurants and pubs can be quite "cozy" during winter months. Like many of the Old Port and Portland dining establishments, Caiola's is rather small with a private bar seating only eight. There may be a total of twelve tables in the entire dining space. So, we decided to have a glass of wine or two before dinner and sat next to a couple who lived in Falmouth that just happened to be celebrating their anniversary. We struck up a conversation, when the owner kept bringing them these beautiful Hors d'oeuvres to sample. As it turned out, their son was a chef in training and was preparing all of that scrumptious food for them. They kindly offered us to share in their taste testing! We had a marvelous discussion on life in Maine when they learned we were transplanted to Maine after living years in Texas. I remember she asked us how we were surviving the winters in Maine? We replied that we enjoyed the snow, but it sure did last a long, long time. We were not yet used to winter lasting well into the month of May. Winters can be rather isolating up there in New England. She replied, "Yes, but I have always found winter to be very "cozy" in the house.

 

 

 Which leads me to a decorating day in my attempt to make our home "winter cozy!"

 

 

 

Something Old, Something New, Nothing Borrowed and Something Blue

 

 

What speaks more of winter than beautiful deer in the snow covered woodlands?

This was a Christmas gift from the Divine Miss M...she knows me all to well!

I remembered I had this beautiful teal blue throw,

which was the perfect warm accent to this new pillow.

The Windsor chair is a priceless antique which belonged to my paternal Grandfather.

 

A winter vignette created with my mothers cherry serving tray,

my grandmother's pine bough tea cup and saucer,

her antique linen tea towel and yet another beautiful gift from Miss M....

the partridge in a pear tree (actually a little salt and pepper shaker set).

 The motif of birds goes beautifully with winter I believe.

Mae had discovered the pinecones!

Hot Cranberry Tea, chenille throws, buttery Madeleine's and catalogs galore!

Don't you stay at home of evenings ?

Don't you love a cushioned seat in a corner,

by the fireside, with your slippers on your feet?
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

 

Mae! This was not intended to be a "Diva Shot!"

However, this post was all about "cozy" now wasn't it?  And we know the definitions of cozy indicate small, comfortable, and warm spaces. A friendly and pleasant atmosphere. And the suggestion of showing a closeness between two hearts.....and that we are my darling Mae.....we share a real closeness!

 

 

 

OLD FASHIONED CHERRY COBBLER AND THE ROMANCE OF TOILE

I rarely decorate for Valentine's Day!

In fact, after our daughter-in-law, Jenn, had decorated their foyer for this day of romance,

 I thought about the fact that I really do not own much in way of the color red.

Now pink....oh yes, lots and lots of pink.

 

But then I thought, hey wait a minute....

I have red Transferware, which to me, is quite romantic!

 And so the idea began to transform!

Candles are definitely required for a romantic Valentine's Day, right!

I decided to use my mother-in-law's crystal egg plate.

Lovely, isn't it?

Another treasured heirloom.

 

 

Then taking four burgundy colored candles, which I have had for years.....I mean years,

I selected old scrapbooking paper and wrapped them in romantic toile.

Each one in a different pattern.

I went to the ribbon drawer and lo and behold,

found one spool of burgundy and gold ribbon.

There we have it....all dressed up and glowing for valentine's day

 

 Surrounded by chocolate kisses, I think they look revitalized and quite romantic!

  

I decided to display the few pieces I own of red Transferware,

on Mother's cherry wood tray.

Don't you love the romantic scenes on these lovely serving pieces?

I believe I bought this piece when I was shopping in Atlanta with the Divine Miss M

 

I think next week, I will add some greenery or faux hydrangeas to this vase

 

Valentine's Day would not be complete with a

Homemade Cherry Cobbler!

 

OLD FASHIONED CHERRY COBBLER~A Taste of Pisgah
1 stick butter
3/4 cup milk
1 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups canned cherry pie filling
A sprinkle of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter in baking dish. Mix flour, milk and sugar together. Pour over the melted butter. Spoon cherry pie filling over the batter and do not stir. Sprinkle top with a little cinnamon.  Bake for 50-60 minutes. Delicious served warm with ice cream, whipping cream or alone in a beautiful parfait glass.

PUTTIN' ON THE GRITS!

Rise and Shine Babycakes!

We're Puttin' on the Grits!  

 

 

G-R-I-T-S

 

 

Girls Raised in the South

 

 

Well, yes, however in this case. we are talking the best GRITS you ever tasted!

Perhaps it has to do with the comfort quality of this food.

In grits, you will find "comfort"

morning, noon and night!

 

 

 

It's a tradition. Although, I am embarrassed to say, I was not really aware that there are some really quality good tasting grits out there! That is not until I discovered STONE GROUND GRITS FROM CAROLINA CREOLE!

 

Oh honey......grits by any other name will simply not do.

 I cannot believe that for years, I have settled for the grocery store quick cooking grits, when there was a slice of heaven yet to be discovered..just waiting for our breakfast table! If you love grits, you will want to purchase these from Carolina Creole! They are amazing!!!!

 Now you can serve up the BEST Shrimp and Grits

 ever on the entire face of the universe!

 Seriously!

 

 

 

http://carolinacreole.com/

SUNDAY DINNER...KEEPING GOOD COMPANY

What is your typical Sunday day like?

Do you manage to complete all your honey-do"s on Saturday?

Isn't it wonderful to have this one day of the week to relax,

savor the time and do whatever restores your spirit.

 

Sunday night dinner should be simple...no fuss....relaxing,

 but calling your name to the dining table.

You can save your creativity for weeknight meals.

There is no need for throwing a frozen pizza in the oven or

heating a pre-packed dinner in the microwave.

 Do set a pretty table, light a candle, pour a glass of wine,

turn the lights down low and serve some delicious Italian pasta. 

 

 Keep family in your heart every moment....with love!  

 

FETTUCINNE AND ASPARAGUS

1 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed

2 T. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup dry white wine

4 T.  butter

Zest of 2 lemons

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 lb. fettuccine

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives (may use dried)

1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

 

In an asparagus pot or steamer filled halfway with boiling salted water, add the asparagus, tips up. Cover and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Cut the asparagus into 1 1/2-inch lengths; set aside.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Add the wine, bring to a boil and cook until almost evaporated. Add the asparagus, butter and lemon zest, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the butter melts. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot two-thirds full of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.

Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl. Add the asparagus sauce and chives and toss to coat. Add the reserved cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Pass the cheese at the table. 

 

 

WINTER NOTES

Get Yourself a Dream...something to hope for!

It's probably a good thing to take lots of photos in winter.

It is rather magnificent to look back at all the beauty that

wasn't just a figment of our imagination.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take note of the moment and

DO NOT let it go...

for you see, the world is right now so beautifully dressed

Those old family photos.....it was so long ago.

They provide us the grand essentials of happiness,

Something to do, something to love and something to hope for~

First a howling blizzard woke us.

When little things are so nice, they become big things, she thought!

I think we shall have a breakfast party....yes.....

let's have German pancakes, thick-cut bacon and hot maple syrup

poured over the entire plate.....right there, outside under that tree.....

maybe not today, but someday~

The Romance of Home

Cooking Smells are very romantic in a cozy home

It was necessary to throw a sweater over her apron during the winter months.

I will always remember the banana fritters she would make for breakfast.

We ate every bite, along with hot coffee served with lots of milk and sugar.

I was only three.

After careful consideration, she removed all the kitchen cupboard doors and

she placed her most beautiful dishes there for all the world to see.

Now these three things remain~

Faith, Hope and Love

But the greatest of these is

Love ♥

1 Corinthians, 13

THE WINTER MANTLE

 

It took me a few weeks but I have finally gotten around to changing out the fireplace mantle décor from Christmas to a winter display. I did not purchase anything new, rather I just decided to look around the house for items I thought would capture the look of January. Here's what evolved!

 

The Hummels! I have been a collector of Hummel figurines after growing up with these from Grandmother Estelle and Mother. They both collected Hummels and so I have carried forth their tradition. I no longer collect them, but absolutely treasure the ones I have. Some that were passed down through my grandmother and mother are probably quite valuable now. However, this is not the reason I value them......the reason is because of who they once belonged to.

 

 

I moved the Tracy Porter pitcher with the dogwoods from the china cabinet onto the mantle.

It needed a pop of warm color!

 

I love this winter snow globe. It so reminds me of Maine!

This print was an original artwork by our dear friend Mary Jo in Pensacola. She sent this to me when we relocated to Maine. I simply adore this not only because it is so representative of The Maine House, but also that such a dear lady with a lovely talent sketched this especially for me!

 "Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

 for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: 

it is the time for home."
 ~ Edith Sitwell  

WINTER BLONDIES

“There is nothing wrong with the world that a

sensible woman could not settle in an afternoon.”

~Jean Giraudoux

Dessert was on his mind.  Him: “Are we having milk and cookies before bed?” Me: “No! We are starting the New Year right, remember?”  Him: “You mean you did not buy ANY cookies at the store today… not even Little Debbie's?”  Me: “No…nothing but veggies and fruit…the good stuff…raspberries, blackberries, tangerines, eggplant, cabbage and sweet potatoes!”  Him: “I don’t like any of that!”  Me: “Oh yes, and Vanilla Soy Milk!”  Him: “Gross! I think you are going to have to make me some brownies!”  Me: “Really? I think I already knew that...."         WINTER BLONDIES 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour   1/2 teaspoon baking powder   1/8 teaspoon baking soda   1/2 teaspoon salt   1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.

Measure 1 cup sifted flour. Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift again. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Mix well and set aside.

Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter and mix well. Cool slightly.

Mix the beaten egg and vanilla into the brown sugar mixture. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing just until combined.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips on top. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.