~Reading Nooks~

Whether it’s simple, luxurious, indoors, or outside there is nothing better than a special little area that you can escape to and read quietly. There’s something about a warm cozy space that calls me in and makes me want to stay there for hours reading.

So do you have a special place where you enjoy for books?

~type you soon~

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~Estonian Egg Salad~

Estonian egg salad uses butter and cottage cheese instead of mayo. I think it’s a brilliant combination because I’m not a big fan of mayo.

Ingredients

5 hard boiled eggs

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

1 cup small curd cottage cheese

Salt and pepper

2 Tbsp diced chives

If I want a little crunch I add celery too

Cool hard boiled eggs to room temp then cut in halve and place the yolks into a small bowl. Mash the eggs yolks and then blend with the softened butter. Dice up the eggs whites.  Fold the diced egg whites and cottage cheese into the yolk mixture.  Serve the salad on bread or a croissant.

ENJOY!

Wonder where Estonia is located?

~type you soon~

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~Ivy~

For the love of ivy! No I’m not talking about Blue Ivy, Beyonce's baby; I’m talking about the plant variety.

I love this versatile plant because it can be used indoor or outdoor. A small leaf, slow growing type is perfect for a topiary or a pot. It makes a great filler and there are many different colors, shapes, and sizes. Here in California we do get spider mites so watch for that.

~type you soon~

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~Happy Endings~

It’s my job to create them but in reality is there such a thing? I’d like to think so. Life doesn’t always led us down paths with happy endings however, I think our attitudes and how we response to what life throws at us makes all the difference on how the ending turns out.

My most recent happy ending…waking up to my cat gently purring in my face. The perfect happy ending to a great night of sleep.

The happy ending after a lot of hard work…

The happy ending to that dreaded chore…

The perfect ending for that craving…

The happy ending to the perfect call…

Here’s to happy endings…

~type you soon~

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~Repurposed Antique Windows~

Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend is relaxing and wonderful!

With the warmer weather I have been itching to get in the garden. I love to work outside—whether it is planting, weeding, or simply enjoying my yard and gardens. I have 2 antique windows and I was trying to figure out what to do with them and I thought a miniature greenhouse would be super cute and a lot of fun to make. However, having only 2 windows I have to hunt down some more…Oh, rats!... I guess that means I have to hit some yard sales ;o)

~type you soon~

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~At Home Coffee Station~

Coffee stations make me happy. Seriously I get excited when I see coffee neatly organized and beautifully presented. Something about it makes me want to have a cup and linger…

How cool are these Coffee Stations?

~type you soon~

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~Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie ~

How Yummmy does this look!?!?

3 cups  flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon salt

2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, plus more for buttering the pan

1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

8 ounces chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F . Butter a 10 inch iron skillet and set aside.

Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl.

In another large bowl add the butter and the sugars. Mix just until the butter and sugars are blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until each is combined. Mix in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and until the flour is combined (don’t over mix). Add chocolate chips to the batter. Mix just until the chocolate is evenly incorporated. Scrape the batter out into the skillet, pressing it out into an even layer.

Bake the cookies for 35-45 minutes, or until the dough is a deep golden brown along the edge, and the center has set. Remove from oven and let cool a bit before slicing into.

~type you soon~

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~Authors In Bloom Giveaway Hop~ Win A Kindle or Nook~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you ready to win a Kindle or a Nook & a $25 gift card to buy a ton of books? What about a whole bunch of other cool gifts and swag? Head on over to the Authors in Bloom blog hop page for full details.

Here is the assigned phrase for the grand prize contest.

Line 29: “Passersby gawk and exclaim, but rarely linger.”

I’ll be giving away a cute Mary-Lake Thompson set. All you have to do is follow my blog and sign up for email updates (on the right side of blog). For an extra entry you can follow me on Twitter too (but it’s not mandatory).

Good luck and have fun!

Contest begins 4/9/12 and ends 4/18/12

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~Easter Wishes From Me to You…~

Just a quick post today to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Spring is such a wonderful time of rebirth and rethinking so I shall leave you with a spring bouquet.

Whatever you do, have a lovely day!

~type you soon~

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