Rosemary & Thyme

Hello friends.  It is finally sinking in.  The autumnal equinox is tomorrow and with it come the much anticipated pumpkin spice lattes, cozy interiors, favorite pumpkin picking farms, and the overwhelming urge to decorate for fall. As much as I love summer, I do have to admit that I love fall a nd all the cozy comforts that it brings.  There is something very appealing and welcoming in the burnished color palette that the season brings. I am slowly transitioning our home into fall.  I have put out a few fabric pumpkins, door wreaths, throws and floral arrangements.  But the front and back entrances remain undone.  I feel the temperatures are still a bit warm to bring in the real pumpkins and mums.  So I will wait a week or two before I decorate our two main entrances. Today, I want to share with you a transitional fall tablescape.  I did not use anything new here.  The table setting was put together with items that I already own.   I decided to style this table

I have wanted to make a visit to Laduree for sometime now.  A few weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to visit this beautiful establishment.   Laduree is a Parisian tea salon that began as a bakery in 1862 on the Rue Royale, Paris France and has expanded its locations which now include New York City.  One on Madison Avenue and the other one at 396 West Broadway, New York which is the one I visited. It is a macaroon shop with a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  This "tea salon " is gorgeous.  From looking at its entrance, the place does not say much at all.  It is only when you step inside and pass the retail area that you begin to feel like your are in a very special place.  The first room is a bit dark. Decorated in deep shades of blue, pale green walls and darker lighting.  My favorite area is what I refer to as the grand room or the " Pompadour Salon" .  It is brighter, very elegant and e

Happy Sunday to you.  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.  We have been very busy around here these days.  We have been working on a makeover of our master bedroom.  It has been a large undertaken.  Walls have been painted, floor removed and replaced, lighting has been changed and even our bedroom set is being painted.  My poor husband is working his little tail off.  Lost of work for sure.  I must admit though, it is looking fresh and pretty already.  We still have to add window treatments, trim and finish painting a few more of the bedroom furniture so I say we still have a couple of   more weekends before it is complete. But today, I am sharing this simple recipe for H omemade P each S cones.  These scones have a soft center, crisp edges and crumble lightly.  I also like that they turn out moist and flaky and have a chuck of juicy and sweet peach with every bite.    RECIPE INGREDIENTS 2 3/4 cups all-purp

Thank goodness that peaches have a long growing season.  Most grow from May through October, which gives us plenty of time enjoy this delicious fruit.  I get pretty excited when I see a bucketful of of beautiful fresh peaches.  And making them into peach jam lets us enjoy them even longer.  So today, I am sharing this easy and yummy Peach Jam Recipe that I made a few weeks ago. The peaches I purchased from out local farmer's market were very ripe and sweet, so I was able to use less sugar.  If your peaches are the same, be sure to start out with a bit less sugar and give them peaches a little taste test, and you can add more if needed. (Rinse them really well) I like to cut the peaches in small cubes for cooking. Cook over medium heat. Enjoy with a delicious peach scone of toast,  It is simply delicious. (Recipe for peach scone pictured below will be posted shortly.)   Homemade Peach Jam Recipe Ingredients: 3 1/2 pounds

Hello everyone.  I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful holiday weekend.  It is almost impossible for me to think that it is September already.  The temps here still feel like summer so I am not in any rush to transition into fall decor yet.  I will enjoy every bit of sunshine and summer days while I can. The other day while shopping at Costco, these gorgeous sunflowers caught my attention.  To no surprise, they ended up coming home with me.  And when I see such bright and rich colored blooms, I cannot help but imagine the enchanting landscape and picturesque villages of Provence.  Sadly, I must admit that I have never had the pleasure of visiting this amazing place but my imagination takes me there all the time.  Thought of its delightful cuisine, fresh herbs, warm climate, fields covered with lavender and sunflower live in my mind often.  My table begins with a gorgeous bright patterned striped and floral square cotton Jacquard tablecloth from Provence which I purc