A Lovely Lunch

A couple of weeks ago, daughter and I were out shopping. (Planning a wedding requires lots and lots of shopping- good thing I am up for the challenge!) There was a cafe that she had been wanting to try, connected to a plant nursery. I had my doubts, but we walked through the nursery to the cafe.... It was so beautiful! A very pleasant surprise. And then we realized that it was connected to an absolutely gorgeous shop, full of plants, dishes, soaps, jewelry, gardening supplies and furniture..... heaven! We walked around the shop a bit and then headed back to the cafe for lunch.

We started with iced tea and a ginger lime spritzer served in Mason jars, and a loaf of "pot bread"- which, let me tell you- was delicious...

For lunch, we shared a cheese plate full of artisinal cheeses and spreads, and each had a Quinoa Salad with Beet Puree.

(This wooden disc platter is available for purchase in the adjoining shop.)

The decor is really lovely- you feel like you are sitting in the middle of an ancient forest somewhere, with rocks and ferns and moss.... The prices are a bit high, but for a special occasion, I highly recommend it. You can see a menu here. It is located in Glen Mills, PA, and a they have a brand new location in Westport, CT.

Some items from the adjoining shop, called Terrain:

Now, here is a funny story.... the day before we ended up here, I was reading in Country Living Magazine that Anthropologie had a garden store in Glen Mills, PA. I asked my husband how far that was from us- not too far he said. I was so excited- because I love Anthropologie. The name of the garden shop was Terrain. As Daughter and I walked through the nursery and garden shop the very next day, I noticed the tags on the items said "Terrain"... hey, wait- could we really be standing in the very same shop I had read about just the day before??? Yep, we were!!! Obviously, it was meant to be!


Daughter and I leave for Quilt Market tomorrow morning- I will try to post lots of updates and pretty photos on my Facebook page and Twitter.

Pinterest Pick: Washi-What?

Daughter Samantha is back for another Guest Blogger post. Today, she talks about her new favorite crafting find.

I know I may be a little bit behind the ball on this, but I just discovered washi tape (I feel the need to write that in extra large purple letters, because I need to give you an idea of how wonderful it is) and I am in love...


For those of you who don't know, washi tape is considered Japanese masking tape-- but much much prettier.  It is slightly transparent and comes in all different colors, patterns, and widths to use for ANY project you are working on.

I sense your skepticism.  ANY? you ask.  Yes, ANY.  Let me demonstrate with my favorite pins of this week, featuring washi tape...

Source: momastore.org via Samantha on Pinterest

This is the most basic use for washi tape.  Beautiful, beautiful wrapping paper.  With the different patterns, and colors, the possibilities are literally endless!  You could do a sparse pretty plaid, like this one, or even completely cover the package with stripes of tape!

You could also try to cover bottles or vases with washi tape...

Source: sweettidings.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Samantha on Pinterest

I love both of these styles.  The tape dresses up a simple container so easily!  I've also seen washi tape covering the lids of mason jars, making a pretty patchwork pattern.

I tried this myself--

I think they came out really cute!

My personal favorite is using the tape for stationary.

Source: elephantine.typepad.com via Samantha on Pinterest

I cut out some looseleaf paper and taped it together using the tape to make notepads--

You can also make a watermark and personalize a notepad as a gift!
Last, I tried something I had not seen washi tape being used for before... my nails!

I cut the tape into thin strips, added it on top of my base color, and covered it with a top coat! I love the little bit of pattern that the washi tape adds, and it was sooooooo easy!

You can get washi tape online on Etsy at PrettyTape or on Cute Tape, a website totally devoted to washi tape!   You could also get it at a Japanese dollar store if you are lucky enough to be near one.  You can also "cheat" if you are too impatient to wait for yours to come in the mail and purchase "highlighter tape" at A. C. Moore.  It comes in pretty colors, but no patterns, unfortunately.

So, go wild! Go get some washi tape and show us what you come up with!  And remember to follow The Noble Wife on Pinterest!

Happy pinning, and happy weekend!

Samantha

PS- This is our last post before Spring Quilt Market!  If you're going to be there be sure to look for us hanging around the Henry Glass booth! If not, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (thenoblewife)!  Lots of cuteness to come!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

OK, I don't know how this happened.... but I am now the parent of a COLLEGE  GRADUATE!!!
Congratulations, Samantha. We went to her graduation last Friday. The weather started out stormy, but ended up sunny and beautiful by the afternoon ceremony. We are quite proud, as you can imagine.

There was a very nice luncheon, also. Lots of food. Of course, yours truly only photographed the desserts. But you know me pretty well by now, so that shouldn't come as a surprise.

I remember very well the day that we dropped her off for college- I cried and cried on the way home. I was a wreck. And the first few weeks were torture for me... Standing in the chapel for her Baccalaureate service last week, I remembered that little break down of mine... and couldn't believe that she was now graduating. It's amazing how quickly those 4 years flew by...

It is exactly one week till I leave for Quilt Market, and just one month until Daughter's (you know, the COLLEGE GRADUATE's) wedding.... so as you can imagine, things are a bit crazy around here. I don't know how much I will be posting here on the blog over the next month or so (even after the wedding, I plan on taking some time off- we'll see what happens... There will most likely be another little breakdown... and I know you don't want to be a spectator for that) I do have a lot of fun stuff lined up for my Facebook page and Twitter posts, though- recipes, fun crafts, decorating projects, social media tips, random inspiration..... So even if I'm not here at the Blog very much, we can still keep in touch, OK?

To follow my Twitter feed, click here.
To like my page on Facebook, click here.

Believe it or not- I actually got a newsletter together! Don't ask me how, 'cause I don't know... but somehow I did. It will be sent out at the end of this week/beginning of next. If you are not signed up yet, you can subscribe at the top of the right side bar here on my blog. A little sneak peek:

A project that I am SUPER INCREDIBLY EXCITED ABOUT (I guess the caps say it all.)

New Products (and details about free shipping....)

One of my favorite recipes

This issue has 2 Free Embroidery Patterns

I have to get back to work now- yikes! One week till Quilt Market....

PS Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win an autographed copy of my book. Click here.

News from Henry Glass Fabrics

There's also still time to enter the giveaway to win an autographed copy of my book, Fruitful Hands. 

Click here......

Pinterest Pick: In Your Dreams!

Today, another post by Guest Blogger (and daughter extraordinaire), Samantha.

I have many different boards or categories on Pinterest, but there is one real distinction between my "pins" (photos).  There are the realistic pins of things I want or want to do...things that I might actually get to some day.... and then there are things like this:

Source: design-milk.com via Samantha on Pinterest

A flower chandelier? Are you joking?  OF COURSE I want this.  Will I ever ever make it? OF COURSE NOT.  But, it's fun to dream all the same.  I can't help but smiling when I think of myself climbing to change the water for each little test tube flower everyday... alright, that doesn't make me smile as much as cringe, but I smile when I think of seeing that in my home every day.

Or how about this?

Source: shelterness.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Teacup lights.  It's really cute, but I don't know that I would ever actually make it. What I really need is a Fairy CraftMother to make all of these things for me!  And besides, I don't think I could part with such beautiful teacups to hang them from the ceiling (then again- it would be a great excuse for a trip to the flea market.)  Speaking of ceilings...

Source: designspongeonline.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Wallpaper on the ceiling! Who comes up with this stuff?  Who thinks that ANYONE in their right mind would try to wallpaper a ceiling?  I have witnessed people trying to put up wallpaper vertically on walls, and it did not look fun. (These people were my parents.  It was a very stressful time in our house).  I have no idea how you would even attempt it horizontally and UPSIDE DOWN. Again, a Fairy CraftMother or other professional would come in handy.

But, who doesn't love to dream?  I pin these things because maybe when I am a billionaire, I can pay to have someone to change the water in my test tube chandelier and wallpaper my ceiling.  But until then, back to Pinterest I go... for more "eye candy" and dreaming.....

What are your dream pins?  Include a link to one of your favorite pins in the comments below!  And remember to follow The Noble Wife on Pinterest!

Happy pinning, and happy weekend!

Samantha


PS Also don't forget to stop by the Henry Glass Fabrics Blog for your chance to win a copy of my mom's book.

Fruitful Hands Book Giveaway!

Have you checked out the Henry Glass Fabrics blog yet? There you will find the latest new fabric lines, tutorials, designer interviews, and "gossip" from Quilt Market....

Today I am introducing my newest fabric line, called Fruitful Hands. It was inspired by my book of the same name. If you go over to the Henry Glass blog and leave a comment, you will be entered to win an autographed copy of my book- But hurry- you have until next Friday!

P.S. Henry Glass also has a new Facebook page- be sure to check that out and "Like" it as well!

Cinco de Mayo is Coming (Part Dos): Mexican Hot Chocolate & Ice Cream

If you are looking for a delicious dessert, and not just around Cinco de Mayo, you will want to try this. Mexican Hot Chocolate is the perfect combination of classic and caliente and it is soooooooooooo yummy...

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
dash salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
8 squares (3 1/2 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup half & half or whole milk
vanilla ice cream
cayenne pepper

In saucepan, combine milk, sugar, salt, cinnamon and chocolate. Whisk mixture over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture just begins to simmer. Add vanilla and half & half and heat through.

Fill mugs half way with hot chocolate. Add a scoop of ice cream. Sprinkle ice cream with a dash of cayenne and cinnamon.
Makes 4 servings.

Cinco de Mayo is Coming: Mexican Casserole Recipe

Around our house, we are gearing up for Cinco de Mayo. Why? Because we look for any excuse possible to eat Mexican food! This recipe is far from "authentic" Mexican, but it is really quick and easy. Last week we were at the beach house and I had a gang to feed- and this was a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef and/or pork (I used 1 lb. of each)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp. olive oil
16 oz jar of salsa (any kind)
1 cup frozen corn
12 oz. shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 T. parsley flakes
1 large tomato
2 avocados
sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a skillet, brown ground beef and/or pork. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
In same skillet, saute onion  in olive oil until translucent. Return meat to skillet, and add salsa and corn. Cook until bubbly.

Place meat mixture in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with half of cheese. Set aside.

In large bowl, combine Bisquick, eggs, milk, salt, chili powder and parsley flakes. Stir in remaining cheese.

Pour Bisquick mixture over meat mixture. Bake for about 45 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

While casserole is baking, chop tomato and slice avocados. Sprinkle with salt.

Serve casserole with chopped tomatoes, avocado slices and sour cream.

Ole!