"ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE"

New Year Coming and New Room Do-Overs! I want to share some Inspiring Photos of Rooms with a Theme. The first one is one I would like to do in a similar way(a smaller budget) in my step-down, once-a-porch, to a living room to Entertain in. The stenciling on the dining room ceiling was inspired by a Fortuny fabric, the light fixture is made of Indian lanterns, and a custom-made table is surrounded by 19th-century Italian chairs and Bullard-designed armchairs upholstered in a  Schumacher  linen; the walls are painted in  Farrow & Ball ’s Great White. SHARE A HEART FELT STORY/OPINION/INSPIRATION HERE! WHAT PULLS AT YOUR HEART STRINGS? Follow on my Facebook Page

I wanted to post some of my Holiday Recipes.  The traditional Christmas Dinner of course is Turkey. So how about this Entree for an Extra Choice. From online source of "COOK THIS, NOT THAT". CHICKEN CORDON BLUE It's French in name, but it feels American, right down to its molten cheese core. Normally, this chicken is stuffed, breaded, then deep-fried into submission. But our testing found that a high-heat oven provides all the crunch we want without all the calories we don't. If honey mustard feels a bit like gilding the lily, it is, but at 350 calories for the whole dish, why not? You'll Need: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each), pounded to uniform 1/4" thickness Salt and black pepper to taste 8 thin slices deli ham 4 slices Swiss cheese 2 Tbsp flour 1 egg, beaten 1 cup panko bread crumbs Juice of 1/2 lemon 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp honey 1/2 Tbsp olive oil mayonnaise How to Make It: *Preheat the oven to 450°F. Season the chicken all ove...

Winter Squash with Spiced Butter  Bon Appétit | November 2012 by Victoria Granof Traditional Thanksgiving flavors (squash, cinnamon, butter) are given a beautiful Persian accent. The exotic spiced butter is also a treat mixed into couscous. Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings  Spiced butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon crushed dried rose petals (optional) 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin Kosher salt Squash: 4 pounds assorted small winter squash (such as acorn, kabocha, or delicata) Kosher salt 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds Ingredient info:  Dried rose petals are available at Middle Eastern markets and kalustyans.com. For spiced butter: Mix all ingredients except salt in a small bowl until lime juice is incorporated. Season...

Announcement: On Etsy you can join team to help promote your store! I am a member of the team called, Team ESST. THE GOAL OF Team ESST - Is to PROMOTE our supply shops, not only to the customers already shopping on Etsy, but to EXPAND our customer base to encourage new customers who may be unaware of Etsy, to come to our shops for their crafting supplies. Also here is my Newest Listing. https://www.etsy.com/listing/112413657/for-artists-exposed-sale-on-cameo I am also a member of "Artists Exposed". This team promotes by sharing real pictures and info about the Artist and their Etsy Store! Follow my Facebook Page:  Thanks for visiting!  Cindy from Craftflaire.

I love to find Victorian Themed Gifts, Jewelry and Home Decor!  Photos are from the magazine, Country Living, October 2012 Issue.  Enjoy the photos: Going through my Holiday Decorations and came across One of my Favorites! My Mother made  this  Yucca Pod MOUSE in a Victorian Design!  I miss my Mom and I am going to set up a Special Tablescape of things I have saved over the years that she has Designed and made. I am putting together a collection of items that I have made with my mother's for Thanksgiving!  I will post photo of the finished Thanksgiving Tablescape soon! Oh I am naming these posts, COUNTRY GAL'S HEART STRINGS from now on!   Enjoy the Photos:  SHARE A HEART FELT STORY/OPINION/INSPIRATION HERE! WHAT PULLS AT YOUR HEART STRINGS? Thanks for Visiting! Cindy from CRAFT FLAIRE. Follow on   Facebook . My Shop

WHAT'S BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE, BANANAS AND PEANUT BUTTER! This cake is perfect for beginners—it's moist, forgiving, and easy.  Jif creamy peanut butter is our favorite for the decadent frosting. From Bon Appetit Cake:  Nonstick vegetable oil spray  3 cups all-purpose flour  2 teaspoons baking soda  2 teaspoons kosher salt  1 1/2 cups sugar  1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature  1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar  3 large eggs  1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract  2 cups mashed very ripe bananas  1 cup sour cream  1 10-ounce bag mini chocolate chips  Frosting:  2 cups creamy peanut butter  1 1/2 cups powdered sugar  1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature  2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract  Chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, and chocolate kisses  Special equipment:  Two 8x8x2" cake pans  For cake:  Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat cake pans with nonstick s...

Wanted to share this from a Writer of Think Simple Now.  If only we all could just see everything like children do!!! By Kayla Albert  “Don’t postpone joy until you have learned all of your lessons. Joy is your lesson.” ~Alan Cohen Twirling in her pink tutu, slightly tattered and always a little dirty, my 3 year old niece opens her arms wide, calling for all of us to get up and dance with her. She wants to hold hands while we jump, spin and leap around the room. She shouts along to the music, reminding each of us that we should be joining in. “Papa sing! It’s your turn Papa!” Panting and out of breath, we try our hardest to match her undying energy. After the music starts to fade, she drops our hands and holds out her arms again. “Ok everyone, it’s time for a group hug!” We haven’t purposely partaken in a group hug for years now, but we oblige because her smile is contagious and her enthusiasm is impossible to tame. Three years ago, she struggled her way into this world, red-e...