Easter Ivory and Cream

I've been working on collecting a few pieces to pull together my Easter tablescape. They're coming together nicely and I'm pleased with the overall look of it. I do, however, feel that something is missing still. There's no punch in it... no wow factor. Your suggestions are welcome, please lemme know whatcha think!

Easy to Make: Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Here's a little recipe for Chocolate Almond Biscotti. I made some today and was very successful with it. It was simple and these are the ingredients you need. One Devil's Food Cake Mix, two eggs (not pictured), a few bags of whole almonds, chocolate syrup, all purpose flour, spray oil (I like organic olive oil spray) and semi sweet chocolate chips.

This is what the dough looks like after mixing, you can see the whole almonds and chocolate chips in the rich chocolate dough.

I created two logs about 10 inches long and an inch and a half thick using half of the dough for each.

After cooking at 350 degrees for 35 minutes I allowed the biscotti to cool then cut them into inch wide strips and placed it back in the pan to cook again for 12 more minutes.

After cooking the biscotti for the second time, I allowed it to cool, then melted some chocolate and dipped one side of the cookies in it, I put it on a piece of wax paper to cool and harden up.

Here's the finished product, all wrapped up in clear bags and tied up with pretty sheer white ribbon.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 package chocolate cake mix

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup butter melted

1/4 cup chocolate syrup

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I didn't have any so I omitted it.)

2 packages whole almonds (4.5 ounces total)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

10 ounces of melting chocolate for dipping

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, (I used my kitchen aid mixer) combine the dry cake mix, flour, butter, chocolate syrup, eggs and extracts. Stir in the almonds and chocolate chips. Divide dough in half. On lightly greasted baking pan shape each portion into 10 x 2 inch log.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes or until firm to the touch. Cool for 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; carefully cut diagonally with a serrated knife (I used an electric knife) into 1/2 slices. Place cut side down on greased baking sheets. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until firm. (Took mine about 12 minutes). Remove to wire rack to cool.

Melt chocolate for dipping in a plate or glass pan in the microwave, dip one side of biscotti in chocolate; place on waxed paper to cool and harden. Store in airtight container or wrap in plastic.I'm participating in Foodie Friday with Gollum at Designs by Gollum. Click on the image above to go to the website. Links to all the Foodie participants are there for your enjoyment.

Enjoy! ~Katy

Berry Lovin' Boys

When the boys woke from their afternoon nap yesterday they were running low grade fever, we gave them some medicine and after a bit they were feeling better. We prepared some berry bowls for them and they feasted on fresh juicy berries. They love strawberries and blueberries the best and ate em up!

St. Patrick's Day Tablescape

Welcome to my addition to the Thursday Tablescapes with Susan at Between Naps at the Porch blog. Thanks for hosting Susan!

CLICK on the image below to see my photo gallery of St. Patrick's Day tablescape photos.
Tablescape designing is more fun than I ever imagined, now that I have the time to enjoy it I'm always thinking, planning and collecting! It sure does make a home cozy and everyone enjoys the eye candy! Sharing them with my fellow dish obsessed friends and my family on my blog has also been a joy. I love hearing from everyone through the comments and appreciate you leaving one too!

I have a big family meal in the works for Tuesday evening... St. Patrick's Day and Monday is Krista's BDay and Claire's is Wednesday so celebrating smack dab in the middle of them made sense! Have a lovely St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday Honey!

It was Honey Dave's birthday on Friday, March 13th. We celebrated by spending the night in Baton Rouge, spent the afternoon on Friday going to a few favorite stores, ended the evening by having supper at Sullivan's Steakhouse and spent the day on Saturday in Denham Springs antiquing. We had a wonderful time!

His special birthday supper included a fabulous five course meal that ended with the most delicious lobster. afterward we spent a little time at Ring Side which is a little nightclub with live music that is next to Sullivans. We danced a few dances and headed back to the Cambria for the night. Cambria Suites is a new hotel located just across I-10 from Sullivans, it opened in December and the rooms are gorgeous, cozy and immaculate.

We headed to Denham Springs on Saturday, Dave enjoyed perusing the stores for old tools and unique items. I was on the lookout for some special things to go with my Easter Tablescape and collections. I'll describe my finds in a few sentences below. On the way home we were supposed to go to Bass Pro Shop and Cabellas but he declined saying he could do that on another weekend, honestly our feet were just too sore from walking all day in the stores. Even though it drizzled all day Saturday it was relaxing and fun.

On our way through Lafayette, we stopped at my sister Debbie and her husband Normand's house to pick up Erica who spent the weekend there so she could go to swim practice with her cousins on Saturday morning. We ended up spending the better part of the evening with them. Dave and Norm watched a movie with Jacob. Debbie, the girls and I planned our Easter week luncheon and tea. We planned our menu and decided on tablescape themes for the three tables we'll be setting. Party favors and presentation were decided and we even discussed what the girls were going to wear. During the course of the evening Deb and I were discussing how I didn't really enjoy coffee or tea and how much time women spent collecting pots and cups and all the accessories to go with them, when I mentioned that I really wished I enjoyed tea. She whipped out a few types of tea bags and brewed them, suggesting that I give them a try. Surprisingly enough I found one that I just absolutely adore! Raspberry tea by Stash is delightful! Just a tiny bit of sugar and a tiny spritz of lemon and my tastebuds were asking for another cup! I now have a purpose when I see all the lovely unique little tea pots at my favorite shops! What a new and exciting experience this is going to be!

We enjoyed a lovely salad made for us by Jessica, Deb's daughter. Norm went out and picked up pizza and Jacob made yummy drinks. Chris and Greg, who swim with our kiddos came over to visit and enjoyed tea and pizza with us. Greg got in on the party planning, interjecting some odd ideas and Chris entertained us all with his piano playing and hilarious choice of lyrics! Jeanne also played some of her favorite songs, we were all impressed with the girl's natural ability and knack considering one she's only had one year of formal training. She really, really needs to continue piano lessons!

I did find a few little things to bring home... I photographed three of them here and there are a couple that I didn't take pics of... one of those was a sandwich glass tray that matches three bowls I found while antiquing with my sisters a few weekends back the other were two berry bowls and two dinner plates in baby blue bubble glass which match my china. The other three things I got were a pretty little pitcher in ivory, a frog that fits a waterford vase we got for our wedding and a lovely little lavander scented sachet for my delicates drawer. ;) All in all it was a lovely little trip.

While trying a new action on this photograph of my flea market finds I really got lucky. It was free and it worked beautifully. I love the effect! It is a comic action, but its really cool on almost anything, it wasn't really great on people with the standard settings, but I'm going to fiddle around with it again tomorrow.

Alex & Eli Spend the Afternoon

... at out house... with the whole family. We had a wonderful crawfish boil and everyone spent the afternoon. Pop bought the boys and Kali ring pops and they loved them. It was Alex and Eli's first experience with them and they sure did think they were yummy. We sure do love our boys... and totally enjoy the time we spend with them, they're such sweet and lovable little guys! Click on the photo here below to see larger versions of the photos of their afternoon in an online gallery album.

Little Buckeroos

This is the sweetest Cowboy kit I have ever seen, Shabby Miss Jenn really outdid herself! You'll love every paper and element in Little Buckeroos! Its a versatile kit with adorable colors and style and its so useful! I can think of a million ways to use it!

Check out my Shabby Miss Jenn Gallery for larger versions of these layouts and full credits.

St. Patrick's Day Planning

CLICK on the image to see an album with larger images.

I'm preparing for a few birthdays in the next week. The Mister's BDay is tomorrow, Friday the 13th and we're planning a little getaway for the weekend. Kris' BDay is the 16th and Claire's is the 18th. Lots of celebrating this coming week. I'm going to plan a dinner to celebrate both of them on St. Patrick's Day because it falls smack dab in the middle of the two. I've been pulling things out of the cabinets and adding little items that were purchased for other tablescapes. Some items are old and I have picked up a few new things as well. Just wanted to share what I've got in the works. This planning is SO much fun... just like I said with the Easter tablescape planning. Click on the image to see a little album with larger and more detailed photos. Enjoy!

Information on items:
Chicks in cage: Pier 1 Imports
Green Glass Pitcher: Purchased at Crossroads Antiques, Opelousas, Louisiana
Floral Placecard holders, bird nests: Vintage Girl Booth @ Antique Schoolhouse Mall in Washington, Louisiana
Miniature Coffeepot and Silver Spoon: When Pigs Fly Antiques in Lafayette, Louisiana
Green and White Grapevine Patterned Plate and Platter: No Pattern Name/Designer on back. Purchased one @ Antique Schoolhouse Mall in Washington, Louisiana and one at When Pigs Fly Antiques in Lafayette, Louisiana
Green Glassware with etched vines: Target
Napkin rings & Wine Glass: Pier 1 Imports
Bellpepper Salt & Pepper Shakers: Wedding Gift
Cabbage Roses and Greenery in Silver Vase: Target
Fleur De Lis plate holder: Accentrics Gift Store in New Iberia, Louisiana
Irish Kissing Sign: Target

Fun in Planning

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday ... our host is Susan of Between Naps on the Porch Blog. Click the image to see her beautiful blog and find links to all the wonderful tablescapes being shared this week!

Thanks for visiting me today at my blog... I appreciate and adore your comments... and if you aren't on the list today, it gives me the opportunity to check out your blogs too!

One of the most fun things for any dish lover to do is plan and shop for a new tablescape. I'm going to be using an ivory and cream color palette for Easter and I've been finding a few new pieces to go with the adorable salad and dinner plates I already have. The planning is SO MUCH FUN... as all of you dish lovers know! I shot a few photos and am gathering ideas right now. I'm trying to decide on a pretty little cake design for the cake stand. I've got napkins and napkin rings, and have to decide whether or not to do placemats or tablecloth. I will gladly welcome suggestions and can't wait to hear from all of you! I do have a tiny bit of grass/green color involved but only as a tiny accent... nothing I want to add in abundance. I do have one more piece, a pretty ivory iron work tea pot that I need to get out of storage, I'll be buying cream and ivory eggs to put into it for decoration. If I can't find them ... I'll just spray some ;) and store them in the fridge until the holiday.

Now to tell you about a few of my fun finds.... the napkins and rings are from Pier 1 and the napkin rings are only 99 cents right now in the clearance bin. I adore a good sale! The bunny is from Hobby Lobby... all the adorable little Easter bunnies in the 'statue' type section were half off. The cake stand was a real find at TJ Maxx and the fleur de lis ceramic oil bottle was from an adorable gift shop in town called "Sensations". The profits from this store go to a local charitable organization. Kali found the sweet little chicks in the cage at Pier 1 and thought they'd be super sweet on the bar. The girl is already helping find cute things for our table/decorations and is loving dishware at the ripe old age of four and a half! "Lolli, look at this how cute!" comes out of her mouth often when we're shopping!

I will share more information about the dishes as Easter comes closer and I set up table. I can't wait to see what all of you are planning for your Easter tables! Happy Tablescape Thursday!

Layout/Lift

I lifted this precious layout of Gerarda/Nevache's using the same kit called Shabby Babies by Shabby Miss Jenn. I recolored the little deer so that it would 'go' with the girl papers. Hers is the cutest baby kit ever! (So are the printables Jenn made using the sweet kit also!) Kali is the sweet baby girl in this layout. Click on each to see larger versions in the gallery at SMJD! Thanks Gerarda for the inspiration... and thanks Jenn for having me on your Creative Team. Oh The Perks I Have being among your Shabby Girls! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Same Template Different Layouts

I used this same template the other day to create a layout for Kali's dance class photos. These layouts feature our two favorite little boys. They had a visit to the doctor's office and I went with them and their Mama Claire. They were such well behaved little boys and they loved the castle play gym in the waiting room. They're thirteen months old now. This template will be available in our next template pack at Kissed Studio. Don't forget that we have a 50% off sale going on for the entire month of March! Visit us here: Kissed Studio.

Brown Toile Tea and Dessert Service

I found these adorable dishes last night while perusing the clearance shelves at some of my favorite shops in Lafayette. Since I don't really drink tea or coffee, they're sure to be tucked into someone's gift basket for a birthday or holiday gift at one point or another... there's a tea pot, cream pitcher, sugar or lemon dish and eight dessert plates. Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Frame, utensils, recipe card and paper are from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs, ribbon is by Annie Manning of Paint the Moon Designs.

Beautiful Dancer Layout

I created this little layout using photos from Kali's dance photo shoot at home before going to the studio for yearbook photos. She is so pretty in pink! I used Shabby Miss Jenn's kit named "Paris Flea Market" for this layout. I used a plaid b/g from Beach Shack kit and Katie Pertiet's stamps. Click on the image to see a larger version in my gallery at Shabby Miss Jenn Designs. Have a lovely Thursday!

Rose Red and White

Join us in discovering the wonderful tablescapes shared on Susan's Blog for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the image above to go to her site. Thanks for all the visits on my blog and the wonderful comments! I appreciate each and every one!

I went to an antique school house mall last Friday with my sisters, I'm definately going to be setting the table with these very old but elegant rose bouquet patterned dishes. They're well loved, well used and have signs of wear... but I love them none the less. Hopefull in time I will be able to find more sets to add to my dishware collection. Happy Thursday Tablescapes! If you ever get a chance to get away to Washington, Louisiana ... I suggest you make time to spend a day perusing the fabulous shops at The Old Antique Schoolhouse Mall.

These dishes will be lovely with my Valentine's Day Setting or with my Christmas Dishes.

I decided to update my tablescape from last week. Removed a little bit of the clutter, moved the napkin beneath the salad bowl, took the silverware and put it away. I also added a new flower bouquet of bright yellow and white tulips. I love how these look together!

My daddy is a generous and loving man, he juiced a bunch of gallons of blood orange juice and shared some of it with us. Dave and I gave the tree to Mom and Dad a long time ago and it is producing an abundance of oranges, Dad's still juicing the fall crop in his orchard. He's got fresh grapefruit, oranges, blood oranges and lemons on the trees and even though he juices often the trees are still loaded. Its so delicious and very good for us too. Thanks Dad for the delicious juice!

Kissed Studio Template Sale

March is my birthday month and I've decided to have a FIFTY percent off sale for the ENTIRE month!! Kissed Studio is having a 50% sale on all template packs. Kiss-n-Kaboodle are as priced. Click HERE to go to the store.

Tiny Dancer

Another image of our little dancing princess. Dance pictures at the studio went wonderfully and Kali had a great time!