My Closet Makeover

Lauren at Pure Style Home is doing a series on "organizational projects" in her home throughout 2010 and is challenging others to do the same. I was so inspired by her coat closet challenge in January, that I decided to organize my own clothes closet. I'll be honest, I hate to hang up my clothes and my closet was a mess!

This is the BEFORE picture. I am so embarrassed! It looks "like a bomb went off" - as my Mother used to say! This disaster is a result of the aftermath of the holidays, lack of time and just plain laziness! I made a New Year's resolution to organize my home in 2010 too, so Lauren's challenge was perfect timing.

It took me a couple of hours. I ended up taking out six large shopping bags of clothes to donate. I'm so proud of my closet now!

Ta-da! The AFTER photo!

Thank you Lauren for inspiring me to get organized. I promise to keep my closet this way and not let it get out of hand again. You can read about Lauren's closet challenge here.

I'm linking up to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to visit and view other before and after projects, probably much more inspiring that mine!

Collecting Ceramic Honey Pots

When I was young, my Grandma Carrie gave me a ceramic honey pot. I treasured it so much. Over the years, I would find one here and there in junk stores, or an antique store and buy it. Eventually, I ended up with a collection! So, for Show and Tell Friday, I'm featuring my honey bee collection!

This is the one my Grandma gave me way back when.

My Mother-in-law gave me this precious one. It is old Belleek.

Then I found these Belleek "wanna bees" later that were made in Occupied Japan.

As you can see, I have alot of "wanna bees" in my collection.

These two pots were made in Western Germany by Goebel.

A Goebel "wanna bee." Probably made in Japan.

The group of yellow honey pots on a pedestal.

I love these two brown pots! They go nicely with my majolica.

A tabletop vignette of brown, gold and tan honey pots.

Besides the honey pots, I also have other bee hive treasures. Like this pitcher with the honeycomb relief in green and yellow. I love the twisted handle.

And this little pitcher, also with a cool twisted handle.

Or my everyday creamer and sugar set.

There is even this brown tea pot which is a reproduction.

And this is where most of my bee hive collection "lives!"

I hope you have enjoyed my little "show and tell" of my honey bees.

I'm joining Suzanne at Privet and Holly for "Mrs. Magpie's Collector's Edition."

Wednesday Gratitude - A Birthday Wish

Today, I am grateful for my best friend!

Tomorrow is our birthday and 56 is our lucky number!

So Maureen, I am thankful to share my birthday with you!

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Three years ago, we went to Provence with our husbands. We had always talked about how much fun it would be to go. Well, we made it happen, and what an incredible trip it was! Here is a little stroll down memory lane:

How happy are we? Our first day in Nice, and we are still pinching ourselves!

Our favorite little French restaurant in Cannes.

Listening to the troubadour singing French songs.

In Avignon, our favorite city. We were so lucky to be able to stay at La Mirande, even though we had no reservations. There was no room at the inn, so apologetically they let us stay in their private apartments! We thought we had died and gone to heaven!

In Avignon at night in front of the Palais des Papes.

The French wine country. Mr. A was in heaven!

Wine tasting in a cave in Chateauneuf-du-Pape! The four of us had so much fun touring Provence in our little car. Really, how many couples do you know that you could spend ten days with traveling and still have a blast!

We shopped till we dropped - buying anything Provencal that would fit in our suitcase! Until the last day in Isle sur la Sorgue: a chandelier! It now hangs in Maureen's dining room, a reminder of a wonderful trip to France. I'm ready to go again!

* * * * *

(Taken at our 50th birthday party)

So Maureen, thanks for the memories.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dear Friend!

Love, Your "Evil Twin"

* * * * *

(I'm joining Heidi's first Wednesday Gratitude party at Heart and Home. Be sure to visit her lovely blog and visit the other participants for this special day.)

Our Wine Country Kitchen with Chef Aaron

I am featuring the kitchen in our Wine Country home for "Show and Tell Friday" and "Foodie Friday" as well. It seemed like a logical segue from my last post of the dining room and tablescape.

The view above takes in most of the room, which is basically round, or octagon shaped. The floor is gray/green cement.

Looking to the right is an industrial shelving unit with the cookware and plates, stove and sink. The door leads out to the vegetable garden. The previous owner left us the shelving units, barstools, window coverings, and even the cookware!

Close up of the industrial Thermador range, and the subway tile backsplash.

The ceramic tray of oils, vinegars, salt and herbs at the ready.

One of two sinks. This one looks out to the old oak tree. I love the Carrera marble countertops.

A close up of the Fortuny fabric roman shades used throughout the kitchen. The previous owner has a window covering business, so I feel lucky that all the curtains and blinds in the house are actually to my taste.

Looking to the left of the room is another industrial shelving unit, and a cozy seating area.

Originally, this area was used as a kitchen dining area, but sister-in-law Ann talked me in to getting rid of the table and chairs and creating a seating area instead. The best idea yet! I love sitting here watching whoever is cooking, or having my morning coffee. The chairs are from Crate and Barrel. The pillows are also Fortuny.

The shelving unit to the left with plates, linens, cookbooks and serving pieces.

Close up of my majolica pieces. The green plates in the middle are actually plastic. Perfect for serving outside.

This old wooden wine box came in handy for storing Pellegrino.

The view from the seating area. The island dominates the room with it's higher than usual countertop, two dishwashers and another sink. I find it interesting the mix of high and low end materials in this kitchen. The cabinets are inexpensive MDF Thermofoil, yet expensive Carrera marble tops them. Most of the appliances are high end, yet the refrigerator isn't. Just an interesting side note.

Close up of the island countertop.

The wall cabinet behind the island, which I featured in a previous post.

Close up of inside the wall cabinet with some of my bistro ware.

Back to the beginning. We just made a big circle around the room!

We enjoy cooking in this kitchen, as do our two "foodie" kids. While visiting for the weekend a few weeks ago, Aaron, my "culinary autodidact"son made the most incredible dish. Homemade ricotta gnocchis with a quail boullinaise sauce. Delicious!

I attempted to photograph him in the process of making this dish:

He first assembled his ingredients, or "mise en place."

He pulled all the meat off the four quails.

He then sauted it all together with some tomato sauce and paste.

While the boullinaise was simmering, he made the ricotta gnocchis.

And there you have it: a very hearty meal! Sorry, I don't have the recipe. It's all in Aaron's head!

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for "Show and Tell Friday."

I'm also joining the potluck "Foodie Friday" hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum.

Be sure to check out both of these blogs for recipes and inspiration.