Cajun Christmas

This is White Oak Plantation; all dressed up for Christmas. 22 acres of southern grandeur; owned by a famous chef, inspired by Houmas House Plantation that was built in the 1800's.

The main entrance opens to a grand staircase and beautiful parlor.

The main parlor with it's 26 foot ceiling and antique crystal chandelier are a impressive sight. The tree is decorated with fleur de lis and poinsettia's. I love how you can see the second story balcony from this room.

Papa Noel vignette...simple and elegant.

More poinsettia's; this fireplace mantle is so pretty.

LeBaron crystal chandeliers are stunning.

These fantastic lead glass doors lead to a court yard. The private dining area was decorated for an event tonight. The elegant Grand French Ballroom features a black and white simulated (insert faux!) marble floor and three chandeliers with matching wall sconces. Fantastique!

I'd love to attend one of the Culinary Garden Seminars that are offered. I'm going to have to keep checking the calendar for upcoming events.

I'll post pictures of the grounds another time.

~Shelly

Weekend Road Trip

I took a road trip this weekend...and spent some time with my family.

I passed this sno-cone stand. Couldn't help myself.....its so cute!

This was growing in my grandfather's backyard - he has a couple things planted. I'm really not sure what it is....

When I stopped at a favorite antique shop I spotted this bike.....how fun for a little one! Too bad it wasn't for sale.

I have a couple projects for this week. Come back when you have a minute!

~Shelly

Christmas Party Pics

Last night was my work Christmas Paty. I snapped some pics during setup last night. Our caterer did a wonderful job with our food and table scape. I really like the way she incorporated fresh fruit, it's so pretty. We have a great arts museum downtown, it's a fantastic place to have a party.

It's a work in progress.....

Yummy eclairs ~ desserts are always a favorite!

Beef Tenderloin anyone???

How about this bowl of buns! Carbo heaven!!!

Ambrosia torte is the best! Forget the crackers, I like it with everything. Gotta find a recipe when I have some time.

This serving piece cover was so pretty, I just love it!

One view from the third floor.

The skyline of the Mississippi River Bridge......It was a beautiful night for a party.

I'm going to spend some time with my family this weekend.

Hope you have a great one too!

Shelly

Snow Day

It snowed like crazy today! We are so not used to this......roads and schools had to be closed. I have never seen such huge snowflakes I found this poem by Julie Gudger, and love it!

Oh To Be A Snowflake
Oh to be a snowflake, gently falling down. It falls ever so gently, down to the ground. Its little white edges twirl with the wind. Ever so quickly does it twist and bend. Falling from the sky to greet the world below. Its almost as if its trying to stop and say hello. And when we see a single flake it doesnt mean that much. But if we stretch our arms out wide we feel its gentle touch. But when the flake has reached its end and is a flake no more. We sadly mourn its short lived life and it we did adore.

Molly did adore the snowflakes! She was running and having a blast! I got lots of pic's of her backside because I am not quick enough!!!

The sweet girl birdfeeder was full of snow......

Love this little train in our antique district.

My little gator was full of snow! It was fun until the snow became too heavy for a branch and broke a power line across the street. I was without power for a lot of the day.

Not a total waste though because the snow filled me with Christmas spirit. When I couldn't get to work because roads were closed and bridges iced over; I came home and went into the attic to get my Christmas decorations down! I had to use a lantern to see the boxes but I was successful!

I ended up having a great Snow Day!

I'll show you my progress soon.....

Are you in the spirit? Maybe you need a little snow, too?

~Shelly

Snow Makes Everything Pretty!

We are waking up to snow in South Louisiana this morning! It's a very big deal, since we don't see it for years, sometimes. I snapped a couple shots with my camera on the night setting - like I said snow makes everything pretty!
Molly is trying to figure out what the wet stuff is - it's new to her!

The wood pile has a little accumulated.

Now, we are getting a white carpet. We'll see how thick it gets. We had lots of rain yesterday, I'm surprised that we have this much now.

This is an iron gator in the flower bed. Now, he's a rare white alligator!

Looking forward to a wonderful winter white Thursday,

Shelly

December Citrus

I usually go to the fruit stand on the weekend, these were fresh picked and displayed on the counter.....I just couldn't resist picking up a few. When I was a kid we had a huge kumquat tree by the back door; sweet ones. I loved them then and I love them now! I was in for a surprise though..... there was a crate of sour kumquats next to the sweet ones - one ended up in the sweet bin and ultimately in my bag! I still don't like the sour ones! I guess that some things never change. Oh well.

Along with sweets and treats, Santa would put fresh fruit and nuts in our Christmas stocking. Can you imagine what a child would think if they received fruit in their christmas stocking, today? Hmmm......I thought about Jo in Little Women, when she walked around with her Christmas orange for days, rolling it in her hands and smelling it. Those were the good ole days!

Maybe if I'm extra good, Santa will leave some fruit in my stocking!

~Shelly

Christmas Decorating

I had a decorating idea; so I made a trip to a dollar store and picked up a table runner.


I gathered a few supplies......

I cut my table runner in half so that I'd have two equal pieces of fabric with tassels.

Then, I hemmed both halves with Heat n Bond (in the sewing section of your craft store). Love this stuff, it's so quick and easy to use!

I hung them on a spring rod to create instant holiday home decor!

A grapevine wreath added a little texture. How about a some sparkle? I added a vintage pin to the ribbon, a glitter snowflake and chandelier bobbles too. Last, I tied some old german keys on a ribbon and slipped them onto the wreath.

Happy Holiday to you!

~Shelly

Are You Ready for Christmas?

This adorable Snowman figure is ready for fun! He is such a cheerful addition to your Christmas decor. He will be the center of attention anywhere you put him.

This snowglobe is the perfect gift for the collector on your list!

Let it snow! This trio of snowmen with their silver accents are so versatile, you can use them as the center of a vignette. Possibilities are endless.

This Snowman family will make the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy person on your list!

Join me at Make Mine Pink for Christmas. It's time to start checking people off of your shopping list. You'll find lots of great gift ideas.

Visit my website for more Christmas ideas!

~Shelly

Holiday Decorating

Are you getting holiday catalogs in the mail, too? Browsing through them is so much fun! I found some inspiration .....I started with a table runner and a throw pillow.
I simply wrapped the table runner around the pillow and tied to add some holiday color.

Then I decided to add some ribbon and vintage millinery for add a little romance! What do you think?

Finally, I decided to add another table runner tied in a bow. I attached at the knot and then found some old lace and a little vintage bling. I love all of them. Now, I have four dining room chairs, maybe I'll do something a little different for each! What inspires you?

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is... more beautiful.-Norman Vincent Peale

Brocante

French translation: flea market

Brocante Antiques ~ I just loved the look of this place.....but was terribly disappointed not to be able to browse. The shop was closed! I couldn't resist a pic, thou. I'll have to go back so that "we" can see what's inside.

I'll keep you posted!

~Shelly

Sweet Simple Things

It looks like the Zinnia's are just about finished. I picked the last of them and made a small bouquet. I tied a fall ribbon around the vase. (I cut off the wire edges and scrunched the ribbon, so that it looks a little tattered) Sweet and Simple don't you think?

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dangerous Chocolate Cake

Sunday night, home alone who wants cake? I do, I do! But just a little bit of cake.....so what to do? Make a cake in a mug! hugh?

This recipe came to me via email a while back and I hadn't had a chance to try it yet....so here's what you do (the recipe follows). Mix ingredients and microwave.

I used a big mug because I wasn't sure how much space the ingredients would take.It did reach the top of this mug, but went back down after cooking!

Transfer to a plate for dining!

Yummy! I have to tell you it wasn't bad at all. All of my chocolate chips ended up in the center for some reason, though. It was very sweet and didn't need icing! This fall when it's too cold to get out I'll probably experiment with a few different versions. It's a pretty good emergency gotta have cake recipe! All the mixing was in the mug ~ I used the measuring spoons and a fork to stir. The kids will love this, it's pretty fun, too!!

Dangerous Chocolate Cake-in-a-Mug

* 1 coffee mug
* 4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, not self-rising)

* 4 Tbsp. sugar
* 2 Tbsp. cocoa
* 1 egg (used a jumbo egg - all I had on hand)
* 3 Tbsp. milk
* 3 Tbsp. oil (used Enova oil)
* Small splash of vanilla
* 3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional (you can add a few chopped walnuts)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well with a fork.
Add egg then mix thoroughly.
Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well.
Add chips, if using.
Put mug in microwave and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts.
(Really fun to watch) I stopped at 2 1/2)
Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!
Allow to cool slightly; tip onto a plate if desired. (Comes out great
and cut into four long pieces)
Add some drizzles of chocolate syrup and some Cool Whip, or you could add canned frosting, too.

I was told that the batter does rise up 'way over the top of the mug, but doesn't run down the side. Fun to watch!
Note: Be careful not to overcook-some microwaves are higher than 1000 watts, and three minutes was a dab too long--dried the cakes out a little bit.
Be sure to watch it the whole time it's baking in the microwave, although
they say it's not good to stand near the microwave!!!

Q. Why is this cake the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
A. Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!!!