Heaven On Earth

Are you prepared for a weeks worth of beach pictures? A week full of aqua blue water, smooth sandy beaches, beautiful mountains and lots of smiles.  That's what you're in for if you come back to visit me this week. That's about all I have for you.  I'm going to relive my amazing vacation and stretch it out as long as possible.  Hope you don't mind.

 The view from our hut.

Yes, the water is this color.  I used no photoshop on these pictures.

 I finished two books.  Should've taken another one.

 A view of the neighbors.  They were evidently, Europeans, and didn't mind tanning in the buff. I really don't want to go into detail.

Our chilly plunge pool. So awesome! See you tomorrow for more!

Home Town Love

I'm heading out of town as you could see by my previous post.  Before I go, I thought I'd schedule this little link up.  Jamie at From Me to You, wrote a guest post about Kansas City. Her amazing photography is definitely worth checking out. Visit her wonderful post on Kansas City at Oh Joy!. The comments give even more great places to check out while visiting, or, for some family members, if you LIVE THERE.

{ask}

Ba-Bye

I'm outta here.

Orange You Sorry You Missed It

My DD2 wanted to take a trip to Bates again this year.

She has to put up with so much!

This is my favorite of the scarecrow competition.

They have a corn maze for kids.  We were kind of tall for it and it is basically a hay bale maze. We also had a little difficulty getting out even though we could see!  

Along with pumpkins, Bates has all kinds of nuts which I bought, but didn't photograph. However, I did take pictures of the pretty barrels of candy.

So, again, I repeat. . . orange you sorry you missed Bates?

Landscape Ideas

So, we got our first bid on our landscape plan today.  Can I say, "OUCH"! Let's just say there's going to need to be some tweaking.  Bigger yard obviously means bigger budget.  But, who's to say I can't still dream?

Source: inspiracionline.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

This idea is so perfect for my back yard. Seriously, it's perfect.

Source: inspiracionline.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Please tell me there's a mirror at work here. I'd go crazy with this much company. 

Source: inspiracionline.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

This is the same house as the first picture.  I love the vine covered pergola and little cafe table and chairs.  We will not have any grass, however.  We also don't have stone walls, shoot.  Somehow, I just know it, we may be able to get this look. I'll keep you posted!

Out of the Fall Box

Sometimes using what you have and being spontaneous just works. Did you know you could save Fall leaves for a very long time?  These leaves were pressed from our yard outside Boston from the early 90's.  They aren't quite a vivid as PSE made them.  But, they're still beautiful after all these years.

Reese's Bars

We met friends for lunch today.  Friend's we haven't seen in at least 6 years, and they only live about 90 minutes away! We ate at Tresino's again, my neighbors' new Italian restaurant that is F A B U L O U S!  I ate there three times this week.  Woah, don't tell. Hey, I'm trying to keep their business going!

Anyway, back to the visiting friends.  Since they were coming to the house after lunch I wanted a little something sweet to offer them. Did I think about this ahead of time? Of course not.  I thought a Fallish pie would be yummy.  Nope, no apples, or peaches.  I thought about a pumpkin pie, but, no evaporated milk.  I thought about Williams-Sonoma pumpkin bars, but no yellow cake mix.  I did not have time to run to the store.  Running to the store is a long run, just an FYI.  So, I made Reese's Bars instead.  They are not particularly Fallish, but are indeed very good. You just might have all the ingredients in your pantry, right now!

REESE'S BARS

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup peanut butter (I use creamy)

1 cup finely crushed graham crackers (about 6 full crackers)

1 stick melted margarine/butter (I use butter)

I used a mortal and pestle to crush the crackers.  This is not fine yet, by the way. 

A food processor would be MUCH faster.

Mix ingredients together.

Spread on the bottom of a small cookie sheet.  This can be tricky, but the back of a metal spoon helps. Melt a 12 oz bag of chocolate chips and spread over the top of the peanut butter mixture. Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes.  Take out and cut into squares.  Replace in refrigerator until hard and ready to serve.  These need to stay cold. 

So rich, so fast and so good!

Floral Fridays

{Rue}

I'm praying for a calmer, quieter, non-eventful weekend. How about you?

Cutest Cheese Platter Ever

Fall Cheese Platter Recipe, originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes.

Wouldn't this be fun for a Fall party? Seriously clever. Now I need to get invited to a party. . .

Light Search

I'm shopping for lighting for several uses in my home. These particular lights are for over my kitchen island. There is a picture of it at the bottom of this post. Right now all I have are several pot lights. I think the kitchen really needs something more interesting. Does any body have any advice on shopping for this type of light?  

This is a Shades of Light industrial cage light fixture. I love this cluster of industrial lights. It has a cap that is 10 inches which would cover the pot light hole adequately. Although, I'm not sure if it's fancy enough for my kitchen.  

Here is another Shades of Light fixture. It is the Hook and Line Chandelier in Gilded Gold. I'm kind of loving the gold and simplicity with this one. 

Lighting Universe has this pretty Gothic Lantern. I could go the lantern route, but is it overdone?  I need a fairly open light in order to not block our fabulous view. 

Circa Lighting has this pretty chandelier. 

Beesthorpe Chandelier is from Currey and Company at Layla Grace. I'm kind of favoring this funky light.  Sort of fancy and rustic at the same time.  

The Beauregard Chandelier is another pretty option.

Here are two pictures of my kitchen.  Both are options for a special light, obviously, not both. The concern with putting the light over the table is how much it would block the view. So, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite? Any advice for this lighting rookie?

What A Weekend!

This last weekend, my VERY healthy husband had a health scare and spent two days in the hospital. I'm so thankful that he was home when it happened so I could take care of him.  I'm convinced it would've been worse if A) he wasn't home and B) he wasn't in such good shape.  Thank you Lord!  

Also, you've seen pictures and heard reports all over the media about Marathon Mom, Amber Miller.  Amber is an amazing young woman, very disciplined and smart.  We are good friends with the family and are convinced that she did the right thing for her.  We're very proud of her.  Here is the link to just one of the many stories.

Hmmm, in light of these two weekend events, I think I better go turn on the treadmill. . .