March, 2014 - Petite Haus

Angelina March 31, 2014 antique

Tulipieres

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Tulip… what? Tulipiere.

One of my favorite parts of Spring are the tulips. Some people love them so much, they designed special vases to hold them!

tulipiere from the 1600s

In the 1600s, tulips were really expensive. They were the thing for the rich to show off as they were so expensive. In fact, “tulipomania” reached its height in the 1620s, with one Dutch tulip grower being offered an entire year’s worth of salary for one bulb!

I think this is Royal Delft

You can’t just put an expensive flower in any old vase. So in the 17th century, the tulipiere was born.

love the beautiful red tulips with the blue/white china

The tulipiere is made to accommodate one single bulb per spout to show off each individual bulb.

Dutch tulip vase, 1680s.

It became popular after it was displayed at Hampton Court in England, although its origins are Dutch.

Dutch tulipiere from the 1690s with the arms of Willem III. Royal collection, Hampton Court.

Other flower bulbs were expensive too, including crocus and hyacinth. So those were displayed in tulipieres as well.

the owner of this trio of tulipieres would have been extremely wealthy to own all three!

The tulipiere is often in a pagoda shape. The Delft factories’ inspiration was Asian porcelain as they just started trading with China in the 1600s.

Delft, circa 1690. This sold at Christie’s in 2005. Price was $57,000!

The tulipieres are often part of a set, so you could break them down and arrange them as you wished.

so pretty!

Not all tulipieres are in the pagoda shape, here are some shaped as fans.

The antique ones are extremely expensive. There are other newer version by other companies, but I only like the antique looking ones so I will only show those!

A blue tulipiere from Juliska.

A newer French version:

Quimper

New ones are usually spendy too. But not this artichoke inspired one:

This one only costs $35, from gumps.com

Another version by Juliska in the original “country estate” pattern. I thought it was interesting to show an empty one, as below…

You can get it here. (I received mine as a wedding gift!)

Do I have you hooked? Do you want a tulipiere to show off your tulips! I do!

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Angelina March 26, 2014 California

Tartine Bakery: A Review

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A San Francisco French Bakery Review

I love French pastries. I love them so much, I used to beg my dad to bring home a smooshed croissant from Paris when he had to go there for business trips! There is nothing like a real French croissant.

So, I decided that I needed to go to to Tartine Bakery located in the Mission District in San Francisco.

Why?

Zagat gives it a 27/30 and says “it’s the best croissant ever”. The NY times declares it “the best croissant on the West Coast”. Well, San Francisco is much closer to me than Paris!

Those are some big expectations to live up to.

1. First up, the frangipane croissant (basically, an almond croissant).
Was it good? Yes, really good. It was oversized (I suppose that’s fitting for a croissant in America!). The filling was good. BUT it was overdone! Yep, too brown. They shouldn’t have served them as they were overdone, but they sold them anyway because they can.

2. A gougere
This gougere was oversized, as big as a softball. It was okay. Gougeres taste best hot out of the oven. They should’ve rewarmed it before they sold it. It is rare to have a bakery sell them though. I’m biased, I like mine better! I would pass on this if you were to go there (unless they were straight from the oven!)

3. Pain au chocolat
Nothing special about this, other than the fact that it was huge. It was also over baked. You can see the super dark brown on this. Overdone!

So far, we are 0/3. I’m not impressed like I feel like I should be. Why is everyone so ga-ga about this place?
I didn’t try a plain croissant. Why? Because they were even more brown than my pain au chocolat! I knew they wouldn’t be what I was looking for.

4. A Buttermilk Currant Scone
Ok. Now this is worth raving about! It was really really good. It had the consistency of a true English scones. I loved it! It would go really good with some afternoon tea. You need to try this! I see why people talk about their scones!

currant scone!

5. Lemon poppyseed bread
I forgot to take a picture. We literally had one bite and threw it away. It was so sickeningly sweet and fatty I literally couldn’t eat it. It was bad, just….bad.

There were some other goodies that caught my eye but since it was 10am, I couldn’t order everything!

Lemon meringue cake…

lemon meringue

Chcolate hazelnut tart and frangipane tart

Lemon tarts….

these look really good

Ok, one more picture!

Verdict: It was good, but not a 27/30 on the zagat and definitely not the best croissant ever. Their ovens seemed to be running hot that day, so all of the delicate puff pastry dough was overbaked and therefore not as good. They should’ve just thrown those batches out and served ones cooked at proper temp. The scone was really good though.

I heard they apparently have excellent bread that sells out before it’s even made, so I may be back for that.

But for now, I will stick to eating croissants only while in France.

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Angelina March 23, 2014 Uncategorized

Antique Cocktail Napkins and Coasters!

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Collecting antique textiles can be fun an practical. There are so many items that don’t involve wrestling 120″ long pieces of linen. In selling linens on Ebay, I found that a lot of people give antique linen as gifts. It is something unusual as a hostess gift: not too expensive, but something really fun for them to use and enjoy.

The one drawback is that you do have to iron them, but they are so much more elegant to use than paper napkins, and ironing only takes a few seconds, because they’re usually about 4″ x 6″. Antique coasters are great to use–don’t necessarily have to iron after every use, unless it gets stained, and the lace ones often don’t need ironing.

If you read my post on hankies, you know that I love Madeira embroidery. Cocktail napkins can originate from many places. They can be home-made, and have lace on them, but mostly they have fun figural designs. I think roosters seem to be the most common, but many animals follow.

Cocktail Napkins

These cocktail napkins have an applique rooster on them. Aren’t they adorable!

These napkins are the most common to find. However finding a large set is very unusual.

These Madeira napkins have the original metal tag on them. Items with this tag indicate the highest quality embroidery from Madeira.

This rooster is very well done. I love the red.

Aren’t these works of art! I love these figural napkins.
Wouldn’t you love to get these as a hostess gift!

These appliqued animals are adorable.
I would like 3 dozen, please!

Can you see these in a summer party? On July 4, cherry red works for me!

These were cute in all the colors. The little reticella bird is adorable.

These look like Marghab napkins, but they are a knockoff. How can you tell? The quality-the embroidery is great on the fish, but the edging is frayed. That doesn’t happen on Marghab. However a scissor trim would solve this.

These are handmade applique, aren’t they cute!

Elegant Madeira grape embroidery.

These for sure should be a gift to an interior designer friend!

The napkins above are harder to find than luncheon napkins. The sets below would make great gifts and work well as a hostess gift. Think of a dozen tied up with vintage ribbon.

Fine Madeira embroidery.

Victorian eyelit embroidery

Fabulous set of a dozen cutwork napkins.

Cream Brussels lace edged napkins

Point de Venise lace with filet lace edge.

Really fun fringed napkins with great monogram

High quality fine monogram and embroidery

Fine yellow applique work.

Coasters

Another plentiful option is coasters. They go for a song on Ebay–and I can’t believe how cheap they are.

Check out the wonderful quality–click on photo to enlarge.
These are Madeira, of course.

Fabulous lace coasters.

Madeira applique

It’s always fun when you find the original box. These are a nice simple design.

Awesome example of drawnwork. Each square is a little different.

These wonderful Quimper coasters were too cute to pass up.

Royal Society silk embroidery coasters are still fairly easy to find.

The more ornate the embroidery, the more expensive they are.

These pink rose ones are killer!

Of course, the quality of Marghab embroidery done in Madeira is superb.

A stunning set of Marghab coasters like these would be an awesome gift.

Didn’t see anything that caught your eye? Think they’re a bit too spendy for your budget? Well, we have another idea: Fingertip towels! Below is a photo of a few Madeira and Marghab designs.

You can always find a set of fingertip towels for $2 to $4 each.

I hope you enjoyed this walk through antique linen! Wouldn’t you love it if someone gave you a unique item like this as a hostess gift? I would!

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Angelina March 21, 2014 Desserts

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER!

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No, really. It is. It is the ONLY chocolate chip cookie recipe you will ever need to know from now on. Trust me. I can’t believe these cookies came out of my kitchen. They give the Girl Scouts a run for their money.

The BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world!!

printable recipe version here

2 cups minus 2 Tbsp. cake flour (8 1/2 oz)
1 2/3 cups bread flour (8 1/2 oz)
1 ¼ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. coarse salt, such as kosher
2 ½ sticks (1 ¼ cups; 10 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups (10 oz.) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. (8 oz.) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ¼ pounds bittersweet chocolate chips, preferably about 60% cacao content, such as Ghirardelli (although I made mine with semi-sweet and they were still delicious)
Sea salt or kosher salt for garnishing

1. Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until very light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low; then add dry ingredients, and mix until just combined, 5-10 seconds. Add the chocolate chips, and mix briefly to incorporate. Press plastic wrap against the dough, and refrigerate. He recommends for 24 to 36 hours. The dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

4. When you’re ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.

5. Scoop about 1/3 cup of six mounds of dough (golf-ball size) onto the baking sheet, making sure to space them evenly. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and bake until light golden brown but still soft, 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies onto the rack to cool a bit more.

Yield: 1.5 dozen 5 inch cookies.
Recipe from: NY Times Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tips:

Use the cake flour and all purpose flour. I honestly think this is the big difference between this cookie and normal chocolate chip cookie recipes.
Chill the dough. As a scientist, I don’t buy the difference between 24-36 hours, and actually for that fact more than several hours. Places I’ve read it says it allows the flavors to “hydrate the dry products and allow flavors to mix”. Frankly, if you’ve mixed it well with the mixer, chemically speaking, it is mixed. I think chilling the dough just allows the batter to set-up, so when it’s time to bake it starts from a cooler temperature. I chilled mine for 4 hours and 30 hours. I can’t taste the difference between the two.
These make bakery worthy sized cookies. Making them smaller I think would dry them out.
They taste better if you sprinkle the salt on it.
As with most cookies, take them out before they are completely done. They will continue to cook on the pan. If you take them out when they’re done, they will be overdone by the time they are done cooling!

unbaked dough on the pan

Some cookies may not have survived the photography session. RIP in my stomach.

Update: This post was featured at Wow Us Wednesdays on 4/1/14!

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Fridays, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Tasty Tuesday’s! Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Written by Orange Blossom at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Angelina March 17, 2014 travel

Celebrate Spring with Keukenhof Gardens

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Keukenhof Gardens, also known as “the Garden of Europe” is starting it’s annual tulip festival today.

And here’s what we’re missing…

Isn’t it absolutely beautiful? It’s on my bucket list. I just had to share it with you, just in case you’ve never heard of this place!

Every year 7 million bulbs are planted. And we get to enjoy the result with none of the work!

The gardens are on 32 hectares!

The tulip festival runs every year from mid-March until mid-May. I would guess the first two weeks in April are probably the best time to go.

It’s so beautiful it almost looks fake.

I just want to go running through the field.

This is an aerial shot of on the fields that Keukenhof gardens uses to grow their tulips!

Does it feel like Spring now?

… sure feels like Spring to me.

Is Keukenhof Gardens now on your bucket list too?

Keukenhof Gardens is located in Holland. It’s just a “short” flight over to Amsterdam. It’s outside of Amsterdam, not too far away.

For more information, visit the official website

Note: none of these pictures are mine, I just found them on the google search. If they are yours, contact me to receive credit or to have them removed.

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Fridays, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Written by Orange Blossom at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Angelina March 15, 2014 france

Europain… aka a whole expo in Paris on baking!

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Due to my insomnia one night… I got sucked into the internet planning my future trip to Paris and ran into EUROPAIN.

What is Europain? It is a world bakery, pastry, ice cream, chocolate and confectionery trade show. Aka, something I need to go to. NOW. This event took place from March 8-12 this year.

Why do I want to go? Because… this.

and this…

The whole industry shows up. And shows off.

This is *the* place they hold all of those competitions. I had no idea it was a whole expo too!

ooh laa laaa

And they make things like these, I don’t know what they are put appear to be full of lemony chocolately berry goodness!

How CUTE are these chocolates?! Or are they cakes?! Who cares they are cute!

this may be the cutest confection I’ve ever seen.

In addition to the competitions, bakeries show off new things with SAMPLES!

Here is hall 5. That means there are at least FOUR OTHER HALLS in this place!

See, it’s an expo! I NEED a pass!!! Je voudrais un billet a Europain! Bustin’ out the French! (I never actually took French, this is just what I’ve picked up over the years, Je voudrais un billet a metro is a phrase I had to learn!)

It is an expo, so we can learn about the 7 trends for 2014 for this industry. One of them includes breaking down the barriers between baking/pastry making and the consumer. The consumer wants to watch it be made and then eat it all at the same time!

apparently this is what future bakeries should look like!

They also have industrial equipment. This one is making lots of caramel. I always get mesmerized watching these machines work.

This one imprints chocolate.

This one makes all different shapes of edible goodies! WHOA!

They also have new products. Like praline powder… so desserts with praline chocolate will be more accessible. GOOD! I loooove praline!

And, I had to include this picture. It’s a cow made of bread.

So, in summary, Europain looks AWESOME! It is in Paris every year in March.

But how do we get tickets?! Ummmm, well, sorry to disappoint. You have to be a member of the industry. Or a student at a baking school. Yet ANOTHER reason why I am trying to convince my Husband and Dad to take French baking classes with me in San Francisco!

For more information, visit their official website

To drool over more photos, VISIT THEIR FLICKR!

The photos in this post were taken from Europain’s facebook page.

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Fridays, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Written by Orange Blossom at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Angelina March 11, 2014 antique

Antique French Bergere Toile Chairs

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My Favorite Toile Chairs!

I’m sharing with you my favorite chairs I have here in my house. It was a project that my mom and I took on one Summer.

We found a pair of antique chairs at one of our FAVORITE antique shops in Portland, Oregon “Harvey & Steve’s Gallery” . The only thing was… they were pretty beat up.

The previous owner of the chairs had a cat and the cat destroyed the fabric portion of the chairs.

That’s okay, that meant two things: 1. A good price and 2. we got to choose some new fabric!

We somehow gained access to the Seattle Design Center and had so much fun looking through all of the designer housewares, furniture, and fabric.

At the design center, I fell in love with Hodsoll Mckenzie’s “Ladies and Gents” toile pattern!

It’s funny, because I actually saw this fabric on a French bergere chair in either Veranda or Architectural Digest. I remember thinking at the time, I wish I could find that fabric. And then one day, I did!!!

Now, let’s take a look at the chairs!

the chairs

The fabric is a linen fabric in a soft blue/grey color in the background with a creme pattern. I think the chairs are from around the 1920s. Not super old, but it will do!

the fabric

A look at the back…

the back

I wish we had more fabric as Hodsoll Mckenzie no longer manufactures it. But it came at a premium price so I know why we don’t have more fabric!

I just love my bergere chairs so much! The fabric really is a home run.

love these chairs!

While I was googling the fabric, I found some other people using the same fabric.

I wish I could find the article when I first saw the fabric in a picture!

A guest room is draped in this blue-gray Hodsoll McKenzie toile. The wall is covered in the same fabric.<br/>

Notice they covered the wall in it, picture from http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/home/hgregents/23.html

UPDATE * This post was just featured at What’s It Wednesday #115 at Ivy & Elephants!

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Fridays, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Written by Orange Blossom at http://peoniesandorangeblossoms.blogspot.com

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Angelina March 8, 2014 Drinks

Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato recipe

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Are you addicted to Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiato?

Delicious!

Yeah, me too. I find myself going to Starbucks just to get this drink these days so I thought… why not make my own?

I’ve watched them make it a hundred times. It’s not that hard to make.

see one, do one, teach one.

All you need is…

Vanilla Syrup
Milk
Espresso
Caramel drizzle

I’ve included two recipes to make this:

The ORIGINAL recipe (that I’ve seen made a hundred times) is this:

3 pumps of vanilla syrup
milk
1-2 shots of espresso (depending on your size tall =1 shot, grande =2)
caramel drizzle.

1. Add 3 pumps of vanilla syrup to your cup. Steam the milk. Pour milk into cup.
2. Add the espresso to the top of the foamed milk.
3. Add caramel drizzle to the top in a criss-cross pattern until you are satisfied. DONE!

This graphic demonstrates the layers.

My recipe

My recipe!

1/8 tsp vanilla extract
1 pack splenda
1 cup milk
1 shot espresso
caramel sauce (I used Ghirardelli’s but the Smucker’s ice cream topper should work too)

1. Steam your milk and froth it either with a frother or whip it up yourself and then pour into cup. Add the vanilla and splenda to the milk and stir.
2. Add the espresso to the top. (For Nespresso users: I used the purple Arpeggio pod. Keurig users: 1/2 cup really dark coffee).
3. Add the caramel sauce to the top. Done!
get the printable recipe here

yummy!

Some recipes ask you to make your own vanilla syrup. I am too lazy to do that and feel like this is a nice alternative. You could always go buy Starbuck’s vanilla syrup too. I might just do that.

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Frida, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato recipe

Nespresso Caramel Macchiato recipe

DIY caramel macchiato recipe

homemade Starbucks caramel macchiato recipe

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Angelina March 6, 2014 Uncategorized

Sarah Jessica Parker’s New Shoes!

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Sarah Jessica Parker’s new shoe line – exclusively at Nordstrom

I spotted SJP’s brand new shoe line that debuted less than 1 week ago at Nordstrom’s yesterday.

Sarah Jessica Parker (or her agent) was smart to come out with a shoe line, as she will always be associated with fabulous shoes thanks to her Sex and the City character, Carrie.

Her shoes run from $200-$400. Other reviewers are calling them “affordable”. I don’t think a $200 is considered affordable, but it definitely cheaper than a pair of Manolo’s.

I’ve included pictures of my favorite shoes. Most of her shoes have a greater than a 3″ heel.

The “Carrie”

I think this shoe is perfect for weddings:

“etta”

“Silvia”

This shoe I love for formal events:

“Pola”

The only flat shoe I thought was remotely cute. I tried it on. It was uncomfortable for my foot. Not impressed with it.

“Wallace”

As cute as her heeled shoes are, they aren’t for me. However, I think that she has a really nice selection and will probably be successful in her endeavor. To get me more interested, she would have to include more flats. Then again, the designer, who is 5 foot tall, probably isn’t all that interested in flat shoes anyway.

For more information, check out Nordstrom’s. Here’s a link.

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Angelina March 5, 2014 Uncategorized

Joining Twitter… forgetting Facebook.

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

I decided to join Twitter today. How can you ignore such a large social media agent after Ellen took that famous celebrity selfie at the Oscars?

I think it will be a nice fit for me. Only 140 characters per post. If I want to write longer posts, then I can blog about it. For other things I will also continue to use pinterest, which I’m totally addicted to.

I’ve been bored of Facebook. Same stuff all the time. However, I don’t plan on sharing my twitter with all of my Facebook friends. I find that I feel like I have more in common with those in blog-land whom I’ve never met but who read the same blogs. We obviously share (some) similar interests than old friends from 10+ years ago that I had a class with once.

I use Facebook to catch up with family more than anything. However, I feel like when people post a gazillion pictures from everyone’s vacation and personal events you lose… something. You know when you go over to a friend or family’s house and the two of you would sit there and flip through your wedding/vacation albums together? That doesn’t happen anymore. So, from now on facebook, I will only a few pictures from vacation. If someone wants to see more, they will have to show interest in me and my life to get more… and vice versa.

On Twitter, I won’t be posting pictures of myself. I am a little shy and prefer some anonymity. If I become internet famous, then hey, great, but I would want to be like Daft Punk, Deadmau5, or Kiss (does anyone know what they really look like?). Famous but anonymous.

It will be a new world of hashtags and tweets. I’m ready!

So, follow me on Twitter, below:

Follow @LePetit_Macaron

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Angelina March 3, 2014 Uncategorized

A Daffodil Show!

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A Daffodil Festival!

I stumbled upon a daffodil festival when I was at one of my favorite nurseries a few weeks ago.

I frankly had no idea there were so many types of daffodils. So when I got home I immediately did some studying.

Daffodils have the genus name of Narcissus, which I find fitting for such a pretty flower.

There are 13 different divisions of daffodils.

In this flower show, they were not clearly separated by division. Below is a mix of large cupped, long cupped, small cupped daffodils.

Below, are the miniatures! How cute are they?!

how cute!

Below is one of the 1st place winners. I have never seen a daffodil that looks like this!

“Crackington” is the name of this beauty!

I didn’t get a picture of the name of this one, but thought it definitely did the Narcissus name proud.

This picture is a little blurry, but it was one of the miniatures. It was just so cute.

:little diane” is the name of this one

I especially love these two below, I need these in my yard. Except… I’ve already missed planting season! Notes for next year…

more first place winners, I love them both!

Some other neat daffodil types I have never seen before…

I also loved this little bunch of white daffodils, called “erlicheer”

I am so happy that I wandered into the daffodil show. I love daffodils and had no idea there were so many. I hope you learned something about them too! For more info, visit The Daffodil Society. They also provide links for bulb growers so you may purchase these very special varieties!

I’ll leave you now with a poem, entitled “Daffodils”. My mother’s favorite poem!

Daffodils

by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed–and gazed–but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Fulfilled a dream of running through a field of daffodils when I was in college, just like the one above. It was in Skagit Valley, Washington which is pictured above. Picture source here

I’ve linked up with The Scoop!, Tablescape Thursday, Wow us Wednesdays!, Open House Party, Feathered Nest Fridays and It’s a Spring Thing, Seasonal Sundays & Oh the places I have been, life of the party, the style sisters, Favorite Things Blog Hop, and What’s it Wednesdays. Be sure to check out all of these fabulous blogging parties! A big thank you to all of the wonderful hosts!

Tulipieres

Tulip… what? Tulipiere.

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Tartine Bakery: A Review

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Antique Cocktail Napkins and Coasters!

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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER!

The BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world!!

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Celebrate Spring with Keukenhof Gardens

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Europain… aka a whole expo in Paris on baking!

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Antique French Bergere Toile Chairs

My Favorite Toile Chairs!

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Copycat Starbucks Caramel Macchiato recipe

The ORIGINAL recipe (that I’ve seen made a hundred times) is this:

My recipe

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Sarah Jessica Parker’s New Shoes!

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Joining Twitter… forgetting Facebook.

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A Daffodil Show!

A Daffodil Festival!

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From the Shop

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