Mount Dora

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to treat my Mom, my niece and my kids to a fun day in Mount Dora. We ventured to the Garden Gate Tea Room. They serve tea in such beautiful feminine pots. I had the Famous Herb Crusted Rosemary Baked Chicken Pie. It was absolutely delicious! Now I know why they call it "Our Famous Baked Chicken Pie". The food was really fabulous there and I would not hesitate to go back. I especially liked the ambiance. I felt so feminine sitting around with all of the pillows and cozy decor. Here is a picture of the room that we ate in. Notice the fabric hanging from the wall and the white baby grand piano.

Now here is another picture of the room we dined in. Take a look at the lighted mirror above the fireplace and the trees in the room that have lights on them, not to mention that every chair had a pillow in it for comfort.

I just loved this buffet table that they used for the cold iced tea beverages. Isn't it just gorgeous! I wish I had that in my home!

How about this cozy seating arrangement with these comfy chairs right next to the fireplace! Two could have a romantic date in this Tea Room.

Then we walked around Mount Dora and went in a couple of shops! Mount Dora really caters to visitors and they love to have tourists! One shop that struck my fancy for spring was a shop called the Timeless Keepsakes on 4th Avenue. It is run by the Krill family and they had some of the cutest things for your spring decor. The first thing I saw as I walked in the door was the robin's eggs and the birdies. How cute! Can you find the butterfly pillow and the little rabbit? And don't forget the painted picture of flowers.

They had all kinds of candles and look at the precious little birdie! I especially enjoyed the letters that said family. It made me smile thinking that I had done something special with my family that day.

They also had every color, shape, and pattern that you could imagine to decorate your dining table regarding place mats. There were so many I couldn't count them.

I enjoyed the hanging beach candles. They had starfish and shells and I thought these were adorable decorations. Perfect for a nautical bathroom or for your beach cottage!

After browsing through the store and getting ready to leave, I spotted these adorable black bedroom hangers with vintage knobs on a black wooden plaque. What a great idea! I wanted to buy those but I thought they could easily be duplicated. How fun!

It was such a beautiful day outside for walking and we enjoyed the shops and the food tremendously. It is fun to be with family and to enjoy one another away from the hustle and bustle of home schooling and busy life! Have you taken your family somewhere special just to enjoy one another and the sights around you? If you are interested in the shop from Mount Dora, it is Timeless Keepsakes 128 West 4th Avenue Mt Dora, FL 32757-5558 and the phone number is (352) 383-1221. Don't be afraid to take a day off!

Dreamy Whites Annette Tatum Duvet Giveaway

Here is a view of her new catalog that has just come out!

I have recently learned of a blog called Dreamy Whites that is giving away a Queen size duvet cover. You just need to check out Dreamy White's blog and follow her directions to put your name into the drawing. I am excited, hoping that I might win. Who would have thought I would have won a blog makeover? So, ya just never know when you could win something totally unexpected.

That reminds me, I am going to be working on doing my own giveaway. Keep checking back! I am going to make a special piece of jewelry for my blog followers.

Take a look at this new book out by Annette Tatum called The Well-Dressed Home! You have got to take a close look at Dreamy Whites blog because she shows some fabulous pictures from this amazing book! Think of all that I could learn if I just had this book! http://www.dreamywhites.blogspot.com/

Martha Stewart

Today, I was browsing Martha Stewart and came upon these pictures that remind me of the "Dreamy Whites". Check out this gorgeous table that I found with just a simple bowl filled with water and a pretty flower. I thought, I can do that! I tend to make things so difficult. This is a simple remedy to adding a touch of spring to a pretty table!




Here is a wardrobe that has been dressed on the top with all of the empty vases and containers. I thought this was a super smart idea! Got any unused vases that you don't know where to place? Remember placement is a struggle for me. How about dressing this wardrobe up with cream paint! That is Shabby Chic for sure! Love it! Thanks, Martha Stewart!

Spring FEVER

Look at these precious Easter Bunny's! Buy them at Williams and Sonoma. Doesn't this give you spring fever?

You've just got to check out the Nester's blog for a chance to win a ton of amazing stuff. Check out her blog by clicking her button on the right...The Nester. This is so fun!

Friends

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that all you knew to do was cry and pray? Well, yesterday, I was having one of those days! My house was a mess, the laundry was stacked high, I was not feeling well, so much to do, and my husband has taken a new job and is working these wack hours. Why is it that we don't just fall down on our knees and seek God immediately, knowing that sometimes only he can make sense of things? I am learning that this is the first thing I should do and not the last. God just knows what we need! I had an appointment with a friend to help me arrange my jewelry on the selling tables for craft fairs. She has such a great eye and is more of a decorator than I ever could be. She met me in my area of need and we knocked out all the clothes that stacked so high in my bedroom. With her willing and sensitive heart, she was able to fill a need and bless me more than anyone could have imagined. You see, it is hard for me to ask for help, maybe that is why I am so stubborn in seeking God's help. I know that I need to rely on him, just putting that into action seems to be the most difficult part! So, take it from me, don't make the same mistake, ask God for help before your world starts crumbling!

Well, as you can see my blog has really changed! Fabulous!!!! I won the prize for the new blog design makeover and I am absolutely thrilled! I hope once this is finished to blog away!

I'd like to post about a really cool blog that does blog makeovers...Small Bird Studio. Please look to the right of my blog for the link. I think if I had a makeover on my blog and learned how to work this thing, I might have a few more followers! This takes such a long time to read and figure this stuff out! Whew! Help me Small Bird Studio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED YOU!!!!Check out this link: http://smallbirdstudio.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-giveaway-time-again.html

Can you imagine this beautiful bedding from Anthropology on your bed? They have four colors to chose from. I really loved the white but with four children, it is a little unrealistic. I think it would be hard to keep clean and I would be obsessing about the kids staying off my bed, so I think the grey color adds a nice touch. This reminds me of the gusseted bags that Maggie Whitley makes. Check out her link below. She has some really cute things!

Tahra

Nest with Chocolate Truffle-Filled Eggs | Williams-Sonoma

Nest with Chocolate Truffle-Filled Eggs | Williams-Sonoma

You've got to take a look at the nest with Chocolate Truffle-Filled Eggs. They look so delicious and inviting. Can you imagine having that as not only a decorative piece in your home but also as a guest treat? Fun!

I would like to share my love of baking whole wheat bread with you. I first began baking bread 5 years ago. I have tried quite a few hard white wheat bread recipes and made lots of mistakes. When I began, I used the Zojirushi Bread Machine with the bread beckers recipe. It is really easy to do. It is basically just what I call the dump recipe. Ya just dump it all in and turn it on. I have since progressed to purchasing a used Bosch Universal Mixer on ebay. I have been using the Bosch for a while, now. One of the perks of using a Bosch is that I can make 5-6 loaves of bread which will feed a larger family. I can freeze the extra loaves for convenience purpose if necessary. I hope you like the picture! I will be adding the yummy recipe!