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The Lovely town of Pasadena and Lula Mae's..

  When I have to go to my Oncologist's appointment in the City of Duarte { where City of Hope is} it is only a hop, skip and jump on the freeway to the Town of Pasadena.  So last month I did just that.  Here are some pictures of this historic town I love to visit.

this is the tiniest cupcake shop which I didn't go in there today..should have.  They have the cutest over the top cupcake so cute they are a work of art, couldn't imagine eating one I would of just wanted to look at them.  Not sure if they were over priced or not very good cause there was not one person in the store.   But they were cute to look at.

 
On the main drag there are lots of favorite fun store to look in. Gap, Pottery-barn, Restoration Hardware, A HUGE Forever 21, Paper Source, Crate and Barrel, J. Crew with the cute mine Crew Cuts inside{have you seen their cute kid catalog?  OMG the cutest kids clothes}...and lot of Cafe's and Restaurants.  I went with my BFF a few months back and we had lunch at one of the cutes Cafe's and it was very good.  I wish I took a picture of what we had for lunch..I had a Shrimp Salad in a honey glazed dressing. 

 This day I just headed over to Subway for a quick bite and a store that I've been passing every time because it's not on the main drag I finally stopped  AND so glad I did..it is across from Subway in the Holly Building and that where Lulu Mae is, this store is/was so DARN cute!!! 

 
All dressed up for spring...

See that little white cake stand up in the left corner, the one with teardrops..I was tempted to pick that up.  I saw one in Carrie Raphael's Kitchen once..and wanted one..but I did restrain myself if you can believe it. 

German glass glittered stars hanging from a Tinsel tree....even right for spring.

Sweet Robin's Egg blue display case...  

This is a green damask covered baby book which I thought was unique.

 
I was also very temped to pick up these Caged egg ornaments...with nests.  So what did I buy.   Just one thing...something I needed.  I have been wanting to be better about sending out Cards for Birthdays and Anniversaries and everything in between.  So I picked up a card organizer for each month.  I could make one but this one was so cute I couldn't resist.

It has pocket on the right side to hold all the cards and On the left a place to list all the people and what event.  It has a place to add phone numbers, snail mail and emails and phone numbers.  Now all I have to do is carve out some time to do this.  The book is by Meri, Meri Scrapbooking Company.  Hopefully this will help me with not forgetting those important events and birthdays as time seems to fly by the older you get.  Hope you enjoyed your tour of Old Towne Pasadena and visiting Lula Mae. 

I'm ready..I'm ready...

 

{photo by Coastal Living}

..... for the warm weather so we can think about "living" in the outdoors. 

How about you? are you ready to start cooking outdoors, drinking outdoors and just generally "hanging" out outside..I sure am..How about a good dose of inspiration to get us all in the mood...

{photo by Southern Living}

How many of you have an outdoor "fire pit" or fireplace to enjoy when the sun goes down.  I'm so in love with this look. Love brick and the potted plants make it so inviting and fresh, I hope those ladies are drinking something yummy like a Margarita. {my personal fave}

 
   {photo by Coastal Living}

I love these Bamboo chairs and the white table.  I notice a lot of pictures of porches or lanai's have curtains attached to the ceiling to make more of an outdoor space more cozy.  I think using painters drop cloths would be a very inexpensive way to do this on your space.

 
  This look is something I'd like to do in our backyard {minus the beautiful ocean view}..wouldn't that be great to sit out there on that teak bench and drink Mai Tai's.  Love how the baby tear is squeezing itself between the flagstones.  I love the look of the teak steamer chairs.

    {photo:???}
 having a wrap around porch is a dream of mine..which I lived for a short while...I had one living in Hawai'i but I was not at all in the "nesting" mood so it didn't always live up to it's potential.

 

{photo by Southern Living}

Love the potted plants and the candles in the fire place as well as the double Candlier.

{photo Coastal Living}

One of my favorite designer is Heather Chadduck, she used to have a lot of stylist pictures in the Old Cottage Living {so sad it's not published anymore} Doesn't this scream SUMMER!  I love the Verdigris Lantern on the wall, that says Beach baby, here I come!

 
 {photo :???}

 
 {photo by Coastal Living}

I also love White Wicker, have collected wicker since I was 19.  Over the years a lot of it was traded in for newer outdoor furniture but I have two coffee tables I'm hanging on too until I get that wrap around porch again.

Another favorite designer of mine is Carrie Raphael,  I love her romantic, cottage style. She has been published in a lot of our favorite magazines.  I would love to be drinking a good Chardonnay on this porch and a warm summer night with some good girlfriends talking about the days of our past. 

 
 {photo ; Coastal Living}

Well maybe this photo  is not completely "outdoor" living but almost, maybe it's a sun porch...put I love the old ratty table with the slip-covered denim chairs..and it looks like they have the Chardonnay waiting for us and some Lobster Tails from the grill.  Isn't that Chandy...perfect? 

Which outdoor space is your style of favorite and why?  Could you try to add some of these elements to your space?  Or would you take  a few elements from all to make your Outdoor space unique to you?  Let's hear it?  And you bet I'm ready for the warm weather and cookouts and drinking a cold one on the porch/lanai. 
 

 

passing it along...

One of my favorite English Designers is Christina Strutt.   Her company called Cabbages and Roses , is a line of housewares, clothing etc.  that just speaks to me.   I've seen her style in several of the magazines, it's very romantic and soft.  Over at Ticking and Toile  blog, Shelagh is having a giveaway of Christina's new book along with an interview, as she picks this Brit's Brain for designer ideas, you might be surprised where she finds her inspiration.   Just take a look at the cover..does it look great!  I love blue and white together so crisp and clean and the blue cabbage roses on the towel...devine.    So why don't you hop on over and put your name into the hat...you never know if it is your lucky day and you could be the winner of Christina's New Book .
 

Blah....

I had big plans this week to tootle in my garden this week,  but my treatment has left me feeling lifeless and blah.  I made myself get out earlier in the week and head to Armstrong's Nursery...I usually find myself so happy walking amoung the flowers and plants and usually come out spending more than I should of, but seeing fresh planted plants in our little garden {usually} makes me really happy.  Not so this time.  Here is what the garden looked like last year right about this time...

Happy Day Lillies...

 these guys are coming back for a show...they are called  

the hydrangea...looks like this now but a bit bigger.  I don't see any blooms on it yet. 

 the Bleeding Hearts and Gladiolas....are looking very happy reaching for the sun.  Hopefully time will change the mood and I'll feel like planting before you know it.  Keep your fingers crossed!   I'm linking up to Cindy's Show and Tell

Happy Easter to you!

 

  {Image by Better, Homes and Gardens}

Hope everyone has a great day, hunting for eggs, eating Chocoalate or jelly beans or being with family and friends....
 

Comfort Food...

~~~~~~~~~Chicken in Potato Baskets~~~~~~~~~

One of our familys' favorites, great on a cold, rainy day or just when you want a little comfort food.  I like to make it around this time when I think of Easter Baskets too.  It's from the 2002 Taste of Home Recipe book. 

BASKETS;

4 1/2 cups of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

6 TBSP of butter or margarine, melted

1 1/2 tsps of salt

1/4 tsp of pepper

FILLING:

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup of all purpose flour

2 tsps of chicken bouillon granules

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp dried basil

2 cups of milk

3 cups of cooked chicken, cubed

1 cup of frozen peas or peas and carrots.

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the potatoes, butte, salt and pepper. Press into sic greased 10 oz. custard cups or ramekins.  Set aside. In a saucepan, saute onion in butter.  Add flour, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and basil.  Stir in the milk. Bring to a bowl; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken and peas/carrots.  Spoon in prepared crusts. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  Makes 6 servings.  Serve with one of your favorite dinner rolls.  It is a keeper...so now you know what's for dinner.

a few more food basket ideas..., either in white or black chocolate..

 
   ahhhh, yes comfort food, this cake is from last year..if I feel up to it all make it again and take to my friends house on Sunday, she graciously invited the family for Easter Dinner {thinking I may not feel like cooking,  I have the sweetest friends }, it's my most favorite Carrot Cake recipe, I love CARROT CAKE! 

I'm linking to Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday, have a look and see all the inspiration..lots of eye candy..literally! 

Making Lemonade

When Life gives you Lemons......break out the Tequila and Salt!!

or since I can't have alcohol {not good for the breast cancer the doctors say}  how about making Lemonade....

Yesterday I started my first round of Chemotherapy, I will have 4 treatments every 3 weeks.  Not bad.  As the usual optimist that I am...I think if I lose all the head on my hair...I sure hope the hair that grows under my arms and my chinny chin chins and the ones that grow south of the border will also be "worry free" for the next few months.  Yes..you have to see a silver lining when Life gives you a bowl full of lemons....care to join me in a Margarita or cold glass of Lemonade?

P.S.  got the cute little Lemonade glasses at The Dollar Tree..aren't they cute? Black and white pan came from a Y.S. as did the yellow basket, purple tulips from my Daughter's Class.  The boys and girls wrote the cutest Get Well sayings in the Card....