Trois Rois

Evacu-ista

2011-08-26T09:26:00.002-04:00

Looks like I'm falling into a blogging habit of taking the summer off and checking back in just time for a hurricane. C'mon Irene.... turn East!! Good opportunity to break out the "foul weather gear" as we pull in the rockers and board up the windows! Hope you are all well, can't wait to check in with you now that we are back inland and have 'inter webs' access!

Heavy duty raincoat and boots, check.
flashlight and LOTS of extra batteries, check.
bottled water out the wazoo, check.
snacks, check.
magazines and charged up Kindle, check.
wine, check... whew.

Evacu-ista by troisrois featuring printed totes

Hunter wellington rubber boots
$125 - zappos.com

Anya Hindmarch printed tote
€118 - my-wardrobe.com

Amazon.com: Maglite M2A01H AA Mini Flashlight and Holster Combo-Pack,...
$11 - amazon.com

The North Face 'Resolve' Rain Jacket (Big Boys) Old Yellow Large
$60 - nordstrom.com

S.PELLEGRINO x BVLGARI Sparkling mineral water
€6,20 - colette.fr

The Hampton Popcorn Company™ "Caramel Corn" Special Edition Tin, 1...
$18 - bloomingdales.com

Easter Break

2011-04-22T18:37:00.000-04:00

We are off to Florida for a week. Starting here:

to enjoy some of this:

then further South to pick some of these:

and listen to this:

Have a safe and happy Easter!

Fruits De Mer Party

2011-04-16T19:17:00.002-04:00

Pottery Barn entertaining:

Genius. Printables, personalized invites, itunes playlists, recipes, all at your fingertips!

and they're free.

http://www.potterybarn.com/stylehouse/entertain/Fruits-De-Mer-Overview.html

go HERE for the complete list of party ideas!

enjoy!

Catholic? Easy Lenten Friday meals!

2011-04-15T13:58:00.001-04:00

Perfect Halibut over Spinach : Recipes : do it Delicious

and how about Jessica Seinfeld's skin? Beautiful. Oh, and kitchen? Beautiful.

Hello, Lover

2011-04-14T09:41:00.000-04:00

60 and raining....

2011-04-10T09:52:00.001-04:00

These cool spring days my thoughts always turn to the beach... ooh to have unlimited funds! All images

from Alys Beach. And the best news.... all these homes are for sale!!

A tip and an invitation

2011-04-07T13:37:00.000-04:00

Don't you hate it when you get home from Whole Foods and in just 15 minutes your flowers have wilted. Two hydrangeas popped right back up but the third still looked like this after 2 hours in fresh water. A trick is to boil some water, then make a fresh cut on the wilted offender. Now dip the stem into the boiling water (after it has been poured into a cup) for 30 seconds, then replace into room temperature water. Stay tuned.

ONTO THE INVITE!

A friend of mine received this and shared it with me.

An evening with Oscar....swoon.

and Miles Redd, swoon swoon.

and possibly the best part? Each Honoree had a special reception at a fabulous Charlotte home like this one. That you would GET TO GO INSIDE OF!!!!!

Sadly, this evening was cost prohibitive for me to attend. I may just dress up and have a glass of wine in reverence. Oh.... and my trick.... in the time in took me to take the photos, upload to iphoto and the blog:

VOILA!!!!!!

More rainy day shopping

2011-03-31T19:43:00.000-04:00

If the sun doesn't come out soon I'm going to be bankrupt ;). In my defense, I've been toiling in the garden for almost 2 weeks nonstop, and with my youngest still in pre school, I only get about 2 1/2 hours to myself a day, so my damage time is minimal.

This time my "target" was TJ Maxx, I really went in to return some flip flops but I got a little sidetracked.
My first find was this Two's Company silver embellished, footed shell. I love that it has so many uses.

Also hit the jackpot in the soaps and lotion department

And some goodies I passed on, these boxes were so cute but the soaps inside did not smell very good, I was proud of myself for walking away because I am such a sucker for packaging and my mind is so on the beach right now.

I also passed on these gorgeous gray eyelet shorts from J. Crack, but I'll be stalking them on the sale

rack!

Here's hoping the sun comes out tomorrow, I need to get my peonies and boxwoods in the ground!

Just a rainy day at Tarjay

2011-03-30T13:23:00.001-04:00

Venti Iced Black Tea... for energy

Miss Trish of Capri for Target back for little girls!

Cute graphic storage or trash bins .67!

Koobu gray wicker lanterns, these are big and substantial... I'm impressed

Gray flameless candles to go in them with no fire hazard.... I really miss Smith & Hawken (the real store)

How do you spend your rainy mornings when the laundry is folded and you just have to get out of the house?

Weekend in photos

2011-03-14T14:10:00.000-04:00

The beginning of this.... which will consume my Spring & Summer:

The ACC tournament, which was good. The championship game, which was bad. Thankfully, we can move on to March Madness and my beloved TarHeels can avenge themselves.

Lots of food, drink, friends and fresh air make for a great weekend:

I hope you all had a great one too, and that losing one hour of precious sleep didn't affect you as much as me!

Spring is in the air....

2011-03-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

I can just feel it. I always breathe a heavy sigh of relief when February bids adieu.

Enjoying the last of my camellias and waiting impatiently for azaleas!

Beach Weekend

2011-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

We had dinner with old friends that we don't see enough of in the winter, lots of homemade bruschetta was enjoyed, I hope the weather was not a tease and that Spring truly will be here soon.

Dinner Party...

2011-02-23T07:51:00.000-05:00

Went great, and it WAS easy, sometimes it's just jumping in and doing that is the hardest thing. Hope everyone had a good, long weekend!

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T08:30:00.002-05:00

Hope it's a sweet one!

I'm back.... is anyone still there?

2011-02-11T16:51:00.000-05:00

My New Year's resolution was two fold.... get back to blogging & entertain more. I'm finally knocking out two today (I know, I know, it's February). I've always been impressed with those ladies who send you an email on Wednesday saying "Having a few couples over Saturday for a casual dinner, love you to join us." No fuss, no muss. They get it, it's more about getting together with friends over good food than about your house being perfect. So, I did it. I invited two couples that we haven't seen in awhile but who's company I always enjoy over for some Barefoot Contessa Beef Bourguignon and mashed potatoes. They each offered to bring something and for once, I accepted! Appetizers and dessert taken care of. Do you find that you put so much pressure on yourself to have things perfect that you get overwhelmed and just forget it?

Happy Weekend....

Redneck Hurricane

2010-09-02T08:19:00.000-04:00

EARL

In my mind he is a mean drunk in a wife beater T (just like in the Dixie Chicks video with Det. Sipowitz playing his part) and he is standing in my driveway with a bazooka aimed at the house my Dad worked his whole life to buy.

The North Carolina beaches an hour North of us were evacuated last night and as of this morning the little 2 lane highway out of the Southern Outer Banks was jammed with with cars going one direction.... West, not the norm the Thursday before Labor Day weekend.

We have loaded up our pickup...not with bikes boogie boards, but with a chainsaw and plywood and bleach. We are lucky to have good neighbors who live there year round and

they will let us know how bad it is, that is, if we can get in touch with them at all.

North Carolina is know as Hurricane Alley and as such the evacuations and re-entry are very scientific. In the days leading up to a major hurricane (category 4, such as Earl, is major.... Katrina was a 3 when it made landfall in LA for some perspective), authorities will evacuate all vacationers and hotels, sometimes they will close major arteries into the beaches and change 4 lane highways into 3 one way lanes with only National Guard trucks and news crews going into the storm. As the storm nears warnings will be put out to property owners but they will not be "forced" to evacuate. This is still the old South and when the sheriff knocks on the door of a lifelong coastal resident to tell them they have to leave he is met with a ton of resistance if not a shotgun barrel. You know it, you've seen these folks on the weather channel promising to never leave their home. I don't get it, but it's their choice. They will be informed that more than likely there will be no emergency help if they are even able to call 911. Most of these beaches in NC are barrier islands... meaning you need to cross a bridge to get to them, so once a cat. 3 or 4 is bearing down, emergency vehicles can't get over the bridges... if they are still there. Hopefully, Earl will stumble, drunk, and start to fall apart on the barroom floor and never make landfall.

I have neglected this little blog and was really hoping to get back on track after all my kids are back in school next Wednesday, hopefully it won't be with pictures like these:

Hope we all have a good Labor Day weekend!

Beachin' it

2010-07-25T00:41:00.000-04:00

Some images of my week... the green bamboo lattice lamps were a Craigslist find, 2 for $15! They are perfect in my daughter's bright, faux bamboo bedroom. Hope you are all having a wonderful, cool week. The heat wave on the East coast is wilting us, even at the beach!

Happy Bastille Day!

2010-07-14T20:46:00.000-04:00

Here's wishing you:

a toast with this:

one of these:

and some of these:

and top of my current French wish list:

The leather trimmed Aix market basket

from The French Basketeer, check out Andrea's blog, she has fabulous style, a house in France, is a savvy business woman and entertains beautifully... I want to be her when I grow up.

google images

and don't forget to go to Parisienne Farmgirl and sign up for her fab giveaway!

Fabulous giveaway!

2010-07-14T10:38:00.000-04:00

Run fast (because I am late in giving you a heads up!) to Parisienne Farmgirl's lovely blog and comment to enter her fantastic summer giveaway! Grab a cup of coffee or tea and peruse for awhile, she's a great hostess.

Our hearts are breaking...

2010-07-13T09:27:00.000-04:00

for Marija's family

Summer libations

2010-07-12T08:39:00.000-04:00

I am not a huge drinker, not even a glass of wine with dinner unless a friend is with me or I'm out at a restaurant... but when I cross this bridge

and this big water tower comes in sight,

I am thankful to know there is a bottle of this effervescent wine cooling in the fridge,

and that my beach bar is stocked with the fixins for my summer faves, G&T and gimlets.

Fun napkins are always on hand, I especially love everything that Mary (a hometown girl) designs..

check her out here

Independence Day

2010-07-02T17:59:00.001-04:00

Please click on the envelope!

Beachy Keen

2010-06-23T19:33:00.001-04:00

I'm off to the "American Alps", Vail, Colorado... land of Chalet style:

Slim Aarons

I am in total beach mode right now, so I leave you with these calm, sea inspired interiors from Phoebe Howard:

Joyeux Ete!

2010-06-21T08:59:00.000-04:00

Happy first day of Summer, and the first official "National Wear your Lilly Day"

via

We say Grace, and we say Ma'am

2010-06-16T10:34:00.000-04:00

It's summertime and that means camp time. I hope that you will enjoy this video of Miss Nancy's manners camp. I went to college with her son and have loved seeing her get this recognition! PLEASE turn up your volume as I guarantee her sweet accent will transport you to a well appointed porch, with a warm breeze and some sweet tea with fresh mint from the garden....

2009 Updated Preview Miss Nancy Minds Their Manners Documentary from Martha Daniel & Caroline Paxton on Vimeo.

Wedges!

2010-06-02T19:54:00.000-04:00

I have always loved the philosophy behind the Tom's shoes brand... and now there is more to love:

these lovely Wedges!

for those not familiar, this cutie patootie is Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Tom's shoes

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

from Tom's

Do y'all eat this?

2010-05-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

I know I promised a documentary preview but that is on hold for now. I do, however, have a new edition of Southern food:

Tall boy mint julep

The late Bill Neal's shrimp & grits from his restaurant in Chapel Hill: Crook's Corner

and to finish it off, available only one week out of the year.... Honeysuckle sorbet

if you ever have a chance to dine here.... take it.

Some contenders...

2010-05-23T16:03:00.001-04:00

For throw pillows at the blue & white themed Maison a la Mer:

Suzani inspired, the middle section and blue dots are raised

ikat

linen and chenille paisley... my fav, but of course the most $$$

Love this if I had a dark bamboo footstool to cover.

Which is your favorite? I'll be down there over Memorial Day and take some pics of the progress.

Early summer garden

2010-05-18T14:46:00.000-04:00

Ready for iced tea or mint juleps

Mixed greens

jasmine

Hydrangeas

Leyland cypress providing shade and privacy

boxwoods and roses

Annabelle hydrangeas getting ready to give us a show

More jasmine

on my wishlist for my tomatoes... I can't bring myself to stake them with those wire trainers...

Ballarddesigns.com

Do y'all eat this?

2010-05-15T08:48:00.000-04:00

New feature at Trois Rois. Whenever we eat something that I'm not sure the rest of the country does I'm going to post and see just how South-centric it is. This is a modified Elvis sandwich (the real one has bacon instead of honey), peanut butter, bananas, and local honey. My boys eat lunch early in their school day and by the time they get home they are ravenous. I'm a big fan of this sandwich because it seems to have the right combination of protein and sugars to get them through homework and on to dinner without the dreaded snacking. While we LOVE pork in the South (NC ranks 7th in hog production in the world with approximately 10 million hogs in the Eastern part of the state), and we LOVE Elvis in the South, I had to commit heresy on his namesake sandwich for the benefit of my children's arteries. Stay tuned this week for a glimpse of a fascinating documentary about the South. Y'all come back now, ye hear?

Great minds...

2010-05-11T16:46:00.000-04:00

Glad Ralph likes the blue and white theme for 'La Plage' as well, his designs are so perfect and timeless.

oh, this room! well, at least I have those espadrilles!

I actually have these glass African beads from Wisteria several years ago, although I don't remember giving Ralph permission to use my image on his site.

all images from Ralphlauren.com

My thoughts turn to....

2010-05-07T20:05:00.000-04:00

decorating our beach house. The weather turns warm and almost overnight I start scanning Craigslist for bamboo, vintage rattan and wicker. Blue and white fabrics, Dash & Albert rugs, and John Robshaw's website are all high on my radar, as are coral clusters and ruffled clams. Sadly, even though it has been in the '80's & '90's here for several weeks, my sons lacrosse games and tournaments have kept us landlocked. All that ends tomorrow and then hopefully my posts will be a little more frequent and coastal themed! As for the beauty above, she is on Craigslist and calling my name... she is new, a reproduction, which is really the only thing that is keeping me from cleaning out my checking account and driving 2 hours to get her and deck her out in some lovely linens like these:

Roberta Roller Rabbit

Rickshaw Design

john robshaw

Floridahhhh!

2010-04-13T09:31:00.000-04:00

We had a perfect 10 days in Florida over the Easter Break. We started our trip in Amelia Island where I got to hit one of my favorite shops ever... the Plantation shop. Can you see why?

Tortoise shells galore

oysters, and starfish, and conchs.. oh my!

4th of July, Bastille day?

I had to take a picture of these stair risers covered in seagrass. A great alternative to covering all stairs with a runner if you have a husband (like mine) who is unwilling to sacrifice the comfort of his feet for style.

2010-04-13T08:56:00.000-04:00

Wishing this was my Flea Marketing outfit for the weekend (I have the shoes and shirt, it's a start). Sunny and 72, couldn't get any better!

Miss Trish of Capri

2010-04-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

for little fashionistas at Target!

completely sold out at all 5 of the Targets in my town so get on line and order in a hurry!

I know one little preppy princess who is getting an Easter basket full.

Southern Spring

2010-04-01T08:15:00.000-04:00

My children woke me up this Saturday screeching "It's snowing!". I knew that meant our weeping willow was in bloom and couldn't wait to see...

accumulation!

Some shots of Easter Egg hunting over the weekend

trees on the state capital lawn

We are off on our spring break for a week so I wish you all a happy Easter!

Rattan Rehab

2010-03-27T18:06:00.000-04:00

My name is Maman, and I'm a rattanaholic. It started innocently enough, I hosted Supper club and received these two lovely rattan hostess gifts. A soap dish and a wine bottle coaster. I loved how they looked in my kitchen, but I also knew they would look great at the beach. Enter my enabler, we'll call him 'google', I typed in rattan coaster and these are some of the treasures that came up:

http://www.bdjeffries.com

cd basket, love the scalloped edge

sugar bowl

OMG!

SSSoooo going on my birthday wishlist!

Egg basket... not really sure how practical this is but it sure is pretty

cutie patootie!

Tailgate must-have

plate stack holder... would look so beautiful with my blue willow plates

More coffee?

I need this before the Derby, with one of these:

all of the above rattan pieces from http://www.rattan-island.com/

I also found these, which would look great holding flour, coffee, sugar

from http://www.organize.com

And the piece de resistance, although technically not rattan, is this bar, made from an antique hot air balloon basket:

You can check out the whole real estate listing here http://beacham.com/propertysearch/propertyDetails.php?id=3991614&db=FMLS

The owner of this beautiful home is Cassandra Tennille who owns Tennille & Co. (locations in the Southeast), which also happens to carry a great selection of rattan serving items!

High Cotton

2010-03-25T19:28:00.000-04:00

Cotton crops covered in snow

Everywhere I look lately I see cotton branches

J. Crew

here

closeup of the sweet bowtie from http://www.southernproper.com

www.ballarddesigns.com

I know I am going to have to pull over on our next drive to the beach and pick some cotton pickin' cotton!

The Boys of Spring...

2010-03-22T14:38:00.000-04:00

One of you will be my summer bag...

2010-03-15T18:12:00.007-04:00

Bosom Buddy Bags

One of you will be my Derby bag...

You will be my Baltimore bag

YOU will go to a dear busy BEE friend (on the condition that you will be lent to moi for Nantucket)

And, last but not least, YOU will all be along for the upcoming ride that is the "Spring/Summer Season"!!

Brought to you by these Fabulously Fashionable Ladies

here

OOOHHHH octopus!

2010-03-06T12:10:00.005-05:00

I am obsessed with Lord Bodner's Octopus triptych. I first saw it here, and then in person here. I have the perfect spot for it at the beach. Blue or brown, I'll make either work...

but the nearly $4000 (yes, no a typo) tag has me looking at other options.....

like these

Junior League

2010-03-01T11:48:00.003-05:00

"Ever since The Junior League of Augusta published its very first cookbook, Recipes from Southern Kitchens, in 1940 to support their community programs, Junior League members have been heading to the kitchen to raise money for important community initiatives. Today there are more than 200 League cookbooks in print, including four compiled by AJLI!" here

I love cookbooks. That does not translate to "I love to cook", but oh, the allure of a good cookbook! The pictures, the straightforward directions, the idea of making something to nourish my family all appeals to me. I have several favorites, all of the Contessa's, the growing Park Avenue series, Southern and Coastal Livings. But when I'm in a rush, or in need of a whole meal and entertainment ideas I go back to my trove of Junior League cookbooks. Looking over my collection, I realize I have all Southern editions with the exception of A Private Collection from my time living in Palo Alto, CA.

Houston reigns supreme in my opinion.

The covers, titles, and photos outshine all the others. From Stop and Smell the Rosemary I can recommend the Bayou Dinner (page 181) and the Fried Green Tomatoes (page 202). I have yet to purchase Peace Meals, their newest offering, but am confidant it will not disappoint. The cover would certainly fit right in on the counter of any hip Houston kitchen... chairs slipcovered in linen, seagrass rug, antique lanterns, and muslin or white painted cabinets.

The Junior League Centennial Cookbook is a compilation of "over 750 of the Most Treasured Recipes from 200 Junior Leagues".

I never have a Spring or Summer get together without having gallons of Salem College Iced Tea (page 52) brewed and chilling in the fridge. It is simply the best iced tea in the world!

Last, but not least, is my own League's contribution, You're Invited. They have great full menus for varied occasions, including the upcoming ACC tourney, a North Carolina Pig Pickin', and my favorite Fall Football Tailgate (sinful caramel squares, page 270).

Happy Valentines!

2010-02-13T16:07:00.001-05:00

here

Gray, blustery, beach day

2010-02-04T10:18:00.003-05:00

I would love to be in a warm little nook at the beach, under this sconce,

Looking at this painting,

Sitting in this chair, falling asleep.

here

snow, sleet, & 'shine

2010-02-02T10:14:00.002-05:00

Moonshine that is. Southern style, in a Mason jar. Not a lot of time to post since all trois petits rois have been in 'da house since last Friday's snow storm. We've actually spent a lot of time sledding and visiting neighbors, since our streets remain unplowed. Lots of chili parties and impromptu frozen pizza gatherings. And although we in the South don't invest in the proper street clearing equipment you would be shocked how many of us have a cousin, uncle, or in my case, high school friend who has a working still. Seriously. Of six families who got together Saturday night, 2 of us had some kind of homemade liquor to contribute to the party, and I'm not talking home brew beer. I'm sure some of you are wondering why, with a Wal-Mart for every 4 people in the Southern US, none of us have bought actual glassware to drink from, I can't answer, it's just how we roll.

Dinner...

2010-01-25T19:54:00.002-05:00

... at the beach last weekend. Mine is in the middle, 'Carolina Dog'. A must stop at Wrightsville Beach is the Trolley Stop.

images from the Trolley Stop FB page and Urban Spoon

Belgian Beauty

2010-01-23T20:12:00.002-05:00

PPitter Patter.... be still, heart. here.

Flower ladies

2010-01-21T16:34:00.002-05:00

During the Great Depression, a small group of African American women started selling garden grown, fresh flowers on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. The small bouquets were made up of flowers grown easily in the South: Sweet William, asters, daisies, and roses. By the 1950's there were about a dozen or so women who lined up a section of the sidewalk with large galvanized buckets or old coffee tins overflowing with blooms. When I was in school at UNC in the late 1980's the flower ladies had moved indoors to a bank hallway off of the sidewalk due to a ruling by the town council that no vendors be allowed on the street. We would often buy a dozen or so daisies in a Community Coffee tin to brighten up our dorm room. Sadly, they are no longer a familiar site, with lovely and affordable flowers available at grocery stores, the competition was too stiff for these ladies to make it worthwhile for them to continue selling. I can't really tell you what inspired this post other than it being a cold, rainy day in the Southeast and I thought searching for images of them might brighten my mood like it did my dreary dorm room.

this picture from the late '50's screams Mayberry, RFD to me!

all images from ChapelHillmemories.com

Packing for Pinehurst (virtually)

2010-01-16T17:52:00.003-05:00

Every year a lucky group of friends gets sent to Pinehurst by our husbands for an all girls/ Valentines/ mid-Winter/ spa getaway. I have been thinking I needed a new pair of pj's for the trip and low and behold today's inbox held the top contenders:

and how 'bout this fabulous bag to carry my wet bathing suit from the spa back to my room?

and I can't forget this little makeup bag to hold my touch-ups and jewelry while in the locker:

Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill

2010-01-14T10:54:00.002-05:00

Dreaming of summer...

Let the bugle blare!

2010-01-11T21:16:00.007-05:00

This month, January 1st to be exact, the Tropical Park Derby at Calder Race Course was held marking the first North American graded stakes of the 2010 Thoroughbred racing season. Thus began the race toward the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown. Here in the Carolinas we usher in Springtime the last weekend in March with the Carolina's Cup in Camden, SC, followed by the Stoneybrook Steeplechase in Pinehurst, NC the first weekend in April, and the Queens Cup the last weekend in April in Charlotte, NC. This is one of my favorite seasons for parties and fashion. What a great excuse to polish the silver, dust off the decanters, and, of course, start the search for the "Derby Dress". These 2 from J. McLaughlin are definite contenders for a win or place. Tally Ho!

Green is Great (expectations)

2010-01-02T11:17:00.006-05:00

I was so inspired by Stephanie's beautiful post today that I am sharing some photos of my favorite movie wardrobe: Gwyneth Paltrow's in Great Expectations. This movie is a visual delight, especially if you love green. Green is after all the color of money and jealousy. Everything is so verdant and alive in green. In researching these stills (all from IMBD), I found that the director had the cast and crew dress in green even when not on set.

The gardens at Vizcaya, in Miami, where the first and final scenes are shot.

Lights Out

2009-12-31T10:03:00.002-05:00

for Tavern on the Green, tonight they will serve their last guests.... fittingly on this last night of the first decade of the new millennium.

Bavaria

2009-12-27T11:15:00.003-05:00

i got this J. Crew tee for Christmas and I LOVE it. I have worn it with greige velvet pants, boyfriend jeans and black velvet blazer, and black leggings. Yes. I know it's only the 27th. I said I love it. Makes me feel I'm at a Bavarian hunting lodge, in the '20's.

from our house to yours, may your days be merry and bright!

2009-12-24T22:11:00.005-05:00

My cousin's house in Belgium

2009-12-21T17:04:00.001-05:00

Joyeux Noel!

brown sugar ham biscuits

2009-12-17T17:52:00.006-05:00

Starting in the fall I try to always have a couple dozen of these in the freezer. They are easily made, especially if you do large batches at a time. They freeze well, defrost quickly and heat up tasting fresh. We take them to tailgates, potlucks, and over the holidays have them on hand for breakfast, brunch, and snacks. I have never seen a written recipe for these and googling different variations of the name turned up nothing. Being an oral recipe, I have heard different measurements and disparate types of rolls or ham. This is my favorite:

1 package of Sister Shubert's Parker House rolls

1 stick of butter

1 cup of brown sugar

1/2 pound shaved country ham (this is a topic of much debate: purists feel only country ham will do to get the salty sweet thing going, others, like me, go for whatever ham is on sale) I think the butter/brown sugar taste overpowers the subtle differences in ham flavor. The non negotiable part is the thickness of the ham. It must be shaved (literally falling apart, NOT just thin slices) in order to pull apart easily with the rolls. Thankfully, my butcher always asks me "shaved? like for the ham biscuits?" love it.

Take rolls out of the wrapper
Using a very sharp bread knife cut the rolls in half, take the top part off and lay it flat top side down.
melt the sugar and butter, stirring continuously, until blended and all butter is melted.
with a spoon or spatula spread the mixture on both side of the rolls
Wait! could someone not wait and take a bite before they were done? No, this is a little trick I do that will help you reassemble. The rolls are pre perforated (for lack of a better explanation), but not cut through. If you take one of the outer rolls out it is much easier to line them back up when you put them back together.

Now lay the ham down, I push it down gently so that it soaks up the butter and brown sugar.

Now, place the top 1/2 of the rolls back on the ham, lining up the empty space.

Take the bottom part of the removed piece, place some ham on it and push it back into the hole.
Place the finished rolls back in the original bag and freeze or refrigerate for up to a day. When you are ready to eat them, defrost and heat according to package instructions. Usually 15- 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Busy Christmas bees

2009-12-17T13:18:00.006-05:00

Since my last post we have hosted 18 for our Advent supper on Sunday, and 72 ladies for a Holiday Coffee yesterday. I have been cooking, baking, and decorating up a storm and am pooped. I thought I would share some pictures over the next few days as we get through this last weekend of parties, school plays, and Advent. Hope you enjoy!

Third Sunday in Advent:

The kids table:

Virtual Tree

2009-12-09T08:06:00.009-05:00

It all starts here....

Mercurcy glass and big glass orbs

cottage living style

garnet hill

Wisteria

White lights

HolidayLEDS

Tree skirt

Ballard Designs

Or one of these sewn into a skirt would be divine:

Antique French Monogrammed sheet from Ebay

Or, if you prefer a living tree, one planted in one of these 19th century French urns

Malleries

or a fantastic basket from Mecox

I would love to have one of these as a tree topper

oneofakindantiques.com

John Rosselli Antiques

and since cost is no object, let's drape this special tree with strands and strands of chunky, perfectly imperfect baroque pearls

Google images

I love our tree with ornaments that have been passed down from generation to generation, handmade by children, thoughtfully store bought, but who doesn't see a tree in a magazine or on a blog occasionally and for a fleeting moment think "if I was starting from scratch..."

Saint Nicholas Day

2009-12-07T15:32:00.002-05:00

I'm a day late and an orange short for this post, je m'excuse. Saint Nicholas' feast day is celebrated on December 6, predominantly in Northern Europe. In Belgium, where my Mother grew up and most of my family still lives, it is a very popular holiday and feast day. Children put their shoes out on December 5, St. Nicholas' Eve, and he comes during the night and places oranges and other treats in them. He is accompanied by a donkey, who helps carry his stash. There is a town in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, known as Flanders, named Sint-Niklaas that holds a huge festival and street fair. The children there have today off to play with the toys they received over the holiday. I love to share this tradition with my children but have had to get a little more creative as they get older and an orange isn't considered such a treat. Trader Joe's has these milk chocolate oranges, that come apart in individually wrapped slices (perfect to take one before school or church, then save the rest for later). I have seen other manufacturers make these but always in dark chocolate (not a favorite in the under 9 set) and not for $2.99!!

Antietam Battlefield tonight...

2009-12-04T23:27:00.004-05:00

is lit up with over 23,000 luminaries representing each casualty of this civil war battle. Stunning and moving.

image from National Parks Traveler

My Southern, Winter, garden

2009-12-03T16:29:00.008-05:00

After I returned from the Farmer's Market, I was inspired to poke around my own garden for some of the same greenery I found there and thought I would share. Camelias, Magnolias, Leyland cypress, Laurel, Holly and Boxwoods abound!

Farmer's market, love it!

2009-12-01T11:31:00.002-05:00

December....

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is really busy. Planning a sleepover party (did you know that the term "slumber party" is just for girls?, apparently) for nine little nine years olds on Friday, trying to get the tree up and the house trimmed before, so my posts are short and sweet.

Some of my favorite hostess gifts... to give and receive:

Low Country Luxe candles are fabulous, eco-friendly, and the deep South based company likes to give back too. The NOLA candle is a limited edition, holiday scented (though not your traditional cinnamon vanilla variety), beautifully packaged gift and a portion of the proceeds go to the preservation trust and music for tomorrow. Smell good while doing good. Especially thoughtful for NOLA natives or Tulane grads!

the

Festive Inspiration

2009-11-21T21:07:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite houses ever from the late, great, Southern Accents.

photos by tria giovan for southern accents

Dear XOXO,

2009-11-17T13:36:00.002-05:00

My Christmas cards have just arrived, now if I can get the addresses organized and printed I might get these out by the 1st of December. If I had a pretty little workspace like this I might be more inspired.

photo from Southern Accents

Sooo Wintery

2009-11-15T17:26:00.003-05:00

All the men in our house are camping right now, and that has me thinking of winter outings and skiing. Look what's new over here, I like your style this year.

Miss Grace...

2009-11-12T13:06:00.004-05:00

The ultimate Main Line Girl...

She would have been 80 today.

A fresh Canvas

2009-11-12T12:28:00.003-05:00

So good to see an old stand by keep evolving. From putting affordable uniform staples for kids at Sears, to this new venture... Good Luck!

God speed

2009-11-10T23:21:00.004-05:00

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

The battle at Ypres salient in the Flemish part of Belgium inspired this haunting poem. To both my Grandfathers who fought in "The Great War" and my Father who fought in the second one, thank you. In Belgium, everyone wears poppies today.... EVERYONE. I wish we had that kind of unity here.

2009-11-10T13:49:00.002-05:00

It's back to feeling like fall again today. My husband went to the gym early this am and he asked if I'd like him to bring home coffee. "Yes, yes! See if they have the red cups yet!"

Bless his heart...
after he left for work, I packed up les petits and headed to the out-of-the-way drive thru SB. Now this is more like it...Merry, merry.

Need anything?

2009-11-10T13:26:00.001-05:00

Indian summer

2009-11-09T10:41:00.002-05:00

It's gonna be 76 degrees here today, ugh. No need for a fire so I'm burning this today so that it at least smells like fall.

I love that this smells like fall or winter without smelling like Christmas or gingerbread!

It's beginning to smell a lot like:

2009-11-05T18:46:00.003-05:00

Great smelling, environmentally kind, and a FREEBIE!

For the Kitchen:

For the guest bath:

For the cleaning of everything:

and... for FREE:

But Hurry... offer ends on 11/08, this Sunday!

yes, please.

2009-11-05T13:10:00.001-05:00

Here

La Belgique

2009-11-03T10:35:00.009-05:00

My favorite home store in Belgium... Flamant

I just skyped with our dear friend who is spending this year in Spain. She asked for a care package filled with American Thanksgiving goodies so that she can make her host family a traditional holiday meal: French's crispy onions, pecans, marshmallows, etc. I started thinking of the Belgian foods & products that I miss:

Sirop de Liege, the main ingredient in the sauce that smothers Belgian meatballs & frites.

This little can of herbs, without which it is impossible to make Soupe Verte, another Beligian classic.

last but not least this magic ingredient:

to make gaufres de Liege, not to be confused with the gaufres de Bruxelles which are what most Americans think of when they think Belgian waffles... with whip cream and strawberries. The gaufres de Liege are made with pearly sugar in the batter that melts and kind of burns when you cook it and look like this:

image from wikipedia

wow, I'm hungry now.

Merci, Merci

2009-11-03T07:44:00.005-05:00

Awards!

Bonjour Madame, a stylish, talented blogger nominated me for 2 awards and I am so thrilled! While it's always great to get an award, to receive one from a true blogland Diva is extra special. My duty now is to tell you 7 things about me that you might not know:

1. Only 2 of my "real life" friends know about my blog (and they both live far away). I'm not a shy person, but so far I like keeping this little part of my world secret to people who know me and my children... can not explain it.

2. French is my first language and one 0f my deepest regrets is that I have not passed this on to my children, not given up yet though!

3. I just re-organized my closets with those slim, velvet hangars and I feel like an evangelist singing their praises to everyone I come in contact with... I have refrained.. so far.. from taking pictures and posting it here.

4. I love projects and without fail forget to take a "before" picture. always.

5. I am an only child and both my parents have passed away. I believe it makes me a fierce friend, as my very close chums are now my extended family.

6. My Mother was from Liege, Belgium and her 4 sisters and 1 brother all still live there with their families. Her oldest sister lives in Florida. She (the older sister) married an American GI that she tended to in a hospital in Liege after he was wounded at Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge. They moved to Philadelphia, Pa after the war and one summer my Mother got a 3 month visa to visit. She met my Dad (also recently returned home from WWII, Navy: Pacific theater) at a party in her last month, they married and she never went back except to visit family.

7. I am a habitually re-decorator. It's a sickness.