HAPPY PINK SATURDAY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

2011

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com

PINK SATURDAY AT CHRISTMASTIME

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com

I'm also linking to the Christmas Tour of Homes 2010 at www.thenester.com
cottageandvine.blogspot.com
http:/www.allthingsheartandhome.com

Typically, the kitchen is the hub of activity in most homes, and mine is no exception. I've always enjoyed decorating this room, since it's the one I spend the most time in. There seems to be an endless possibility of culinary-related things with which to "Christmas-up" this space!

The first thing I do is to prop up this wooden gingerbread man wreath on the stove hood. I bought this 30 years ago, when my daughter was a baby, and I've used it every year since!

 

The next thing I do is to place this little tree on one end of the island. With Santa and Mrs. Santa standing underneath, it's the first thing we see when coming in the back door. I leave the lights plugged in all the time, so it's a cheery sight when coming home late at night from a Christmas party.

 

 

 

 The cute little baking snow people came from Williams-Sonoma quite a few years ago.

 

The kitchen window sill gets trimmed out with a few pieces from my reindeer collection. They have bobble-heads, which for some silly reason, never fails to delight me! The two green polka-dotted pieces are the work of the late folk artist, Penny McCallister (http://www.christmastraditions.com/Merchand/PenPals/PenPals.htm)

I saw her and her work featured, years ago, in Country Living magazine. Sadly, she passed away earlier this year. I was so excited when I received one at a gift exchange and found another one at one of my favorite shops.  The darling metal wreath is another 30 year-old treasure that I bring out every year.

Don't you love her eyelashes?

...And, a little cheer over the breakfast table, with a garland and some country French animal friends, from one of my favorite shops, Pierre Deaux...

 

PINK SATURDAY

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!



Maybe, you're having a relaxing day...

Or, maybe you have a project planned...

Are you doing some Spring planting?

Or walking the dog?

Maybe you're catching up with friends!

Or going for a ride...

You might be dressing up...

Or, you might be hanging out.

No matter what you're eating...

Yummy!

Healthy!



Or drinking...

Spiked!

Or not...



Whether you live someplace warm,
(in which case, I'm very jealous!)

Or some place cold,
(Bless your heart!)

HAVE

A

VERY

HAPPY

SATURDAY!

MY HAPPY PLACE

This is it: my happy place! Can you tell I'm a beach person?

I recently discovered the wonderful artwork of Laura Trevey. http:lauratrevey.blogspot.com or
http:brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com
Just viewing her vibrant watercolors is like a mini-vacation for my soul. Crabs, lobsters, beach umbrellas! I can't decide which one to order first! Maybe the blue crab, since we catch those at our beach house.

It's part of our daily entertainment to pull up the crab traps and count how many more we have than the day before. When we have enough for a meal, out comes the big crab pot to boil them in. Then we spread newspaper over a table on the wharf or the porch and "pick" the meat. Sometimes, we eat it as we pick, or we might try to have enough discipline to save it for a seafood casserole for dinner.

Occasionally, if all the stars are aligned, my husband can net Gulf shrimp right off of our own wharf. From net, to pot of boiling water, to our plates in just a matter of minutes, produces a taste experience like no other. It gives a new meaning to "fresh"! Here's what we do: Use a good-sized pot, depending on amount of shrimp. To the boiling water, add a can of beer and Old Bay Shrimp and Crab Boil, to taste. Add the shrimp and cook only until they turn pink. Don't overcook! Drain the hot water and run cold water over them to stop the cooking. We like to make a sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup and capers. Peel and enjoy!