Fleur Stained Glass

I finished this piece last week and I'm very happy with how it turned out. Love the colors and the texture of the glass I used.

A wee bit of St. Patrick's Day decor

Friends gave me this little leprechaun many years ago and I bring him out every year. I added some moss and beading and a tag that Dee from Alapinlife blog sent me.

I use this basket each seaon in my mudroom, just change out the flowers.

I picked up this little glitter tag this year and added the little leprechaun that I had on hand. Quick and easy decorating.

My new "antique" mirror!

It's big!!!

Love the detail of even the rosettes.

I adore the basket and etching. I love it!

I put this on layaway 2 weeks ago and picked it up today. It's old and weighs a ton...that's why it's not up yet, but I had to snap some pictures...I love it!! It was a spur of the moment buy...just browsing and it was 225$, very high for an impulse buy for me but I learned if you love something to buy it right away because it won't be there when you go back.

Crafting ideas from the Philadelphia Flower Show

I have a favorite vendor at the show that I always buy from, not this year though, there was nothing I had to have. These candles were attached to the tray. Too many candles on the tray for my liking but I can see a bunch of mismathed candles painted and used this way outdoors.

I had to laugh when I saw these. I had a bunch of these bags left from my nieces wedding, I filled them with lavender, attached another ribbon and tag and tried to sell them for 1$ at a craft fair...I think I sold one...Good luck on getting 2.50 each!

I'll buy a lantern at hobby lobby with a 40% off coupon and recreate this...love anything with birds...though I'll use a flameless candle!

This was nice, a print layered over burlap. Nice cheap update for an old frame. So, that's it for inspiration for crafts from the flower show.

Hawaii at the Philadelphia Flower Show

I love seeing all the dining and patio vignettes at the Flower Show. Love the green and pops of orange in this setting.

Loved the gazebo and water feature here.


All pictures can be enlarged. I'll be posting more pictures of the show this week. Visiting the flower show is my March Madness!! Love it.

Eat Green!!

And boy was this Green! My husband wouldn't try it, I guess the color turned him off but I thought it was delicious, but then again I love basil and the basil paste I bought for this recipe was surpisingly very fresh tasting.

I omitted the red pepper flakes, I didn't want any heat in this dish. I found the basil paste in the produce section of the supermarket.

I found the recipe here http://www.antoniotahhan.com/tag/pesto/

Components
1 lb. penne rigate pasta
10 oz. baby spinach
¼ cup whole milk
¼ cup + 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 oz. Pecorino Romano
1 tbsp. basil paste*
¼ cup + ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
½ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
½ lb. crimini mushrooms
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
5 oz. low fat mozzarella cheese
* Basil paste is my new secret weapon in the kitchen since I don’t always have fresh basil laying around. If you have fresh basil, a few leaves should do the trick.
Putting them all together
Dice the mozzarella into ¼ in. cubes and set aside.
In a large sautee pan, toast the walnuts over medium heat and set aside (approx. 5-7 minutes).
Remove the stems from the mushrooms and quarter them into roughly equal sizes. Coat the same sautee pan with 3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and sauté mushrooms over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar and set the mushrooms aside.
In a blender, blend baby spinach, milk, the rest of the olive oil, Pecorino Romano, basil paste, red pepper flakes and ¼ cup walnuts until smooth. (You might have to stop the blender and help it along a few times with a spoon)
Prepare your favorite pasta (I use penne rigate) and toss with the spinach pesto, mozzarella cheese and the remaining ¼ cup of the toasted walnuts.
Plate alongside some grilled chicken and enjoy!