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Monday

Bring on the New Year!

We bought the Antique Mall. Yes, that is what I said! 
The opportunity came a few short weeks ago when Bill and Diane H. decided to retire after 20 years in the business. They will still be an ACM vendor, but I can picture a little traveling in their future.
So, Mr. Ella and I went in with some other buyers, Colorado Nancy, her husband and sister-n-law Karen.
We are are really excited about the new year and what all it will bring!!

Friday

Elegant Christmas


 My Romantic Prairie Home is getting all dressed up for Christmas. I am loving how elegant it all looks.
The weather here in North Texas has been fabulous. If you look closely you will see roses on the bushes. We have snow flurries
predicted for next week. 
I will believe it when I see it...but this is Texas!

 I have gone with all of my "greenery" a champagne color.

 My mercury glass ornaments and twigs were Pottery Barn inspired.

 This sweet cement angel is protecting the front porch.

 Come on in for a visit in the parlor...

 The fireplace is all decked out.

 A cozy couple sits by the fire.

We like to pretend we are musical at our house. 
The truth is we love music, but don't ask any of us to entertain you!

I am not one to decorate with the typical Victorian decorations...

Instead of one big tree in the house I chose to have several smaller 
ones throughout. This one is of course a champagne color!

Tuesday

McKinney Home Tour 2012

The McKinney Home Tour was last weekend and the homes were exceptional. 
They were all beautifully decorated for the  Christmas Season. 
I will let the photos speak for themselves...









I will leave you with these sweet little birds.
( Valerie at Glimpse of My World has more photos.)

Monday

Neutral and Natural Christmas


Christmas decorating has started at my  Romantic Prairie Home.
Colorado Nancy came over last week to help me get started. 
She was the best elf I have ever had. 

I have chosen a very neutral and natural palette this season.




I make sure every year to add at least one touch of whimsy. Something unexpected. 
These light bulbs just looked like Christmas trees to me...
More pics to come as I decorate!

Tuesday

Ready, Set, Go

Christmas decorating and gift shopping time is really here.
Lists to make...
Cakes to cook...
Trees to trim...
Halls to deck...
Bells to  jingle...
Yuletide logs to light...
May your Holidays be Merry & Bright!

Saturday

Tour Time at the Mall

 Sprinkles of Christmas are popping up all over ACM. 
I love this frame combo by Booth 58. 

 Neat Stuff has ornaments in every color. 
These pink ones caught my girly eye...

 Cindy from Junque Art Studio  has pretty Christmas goodies too.

I think that is what Christmas decorating is all about. 
We can be a kid again.Whether it be in bright displays 
or calming neutral  tones like I have pictured  above 
or the display below by Uncommon Goods.

I LoVe them all!

Seasons

 What comes after the pumpkins?

 ....the candy?

....the turkey???

 Christmas, of course!

 The elves came early to my booth at the Antique Mall leaving touches of the 
Christmas season at every turn.
A few deer here...
 and there...

Vintage ornaments sprinkled everywhere.

Come by and see for yourself!!

Sunday

At Home with Fall

I have been enjoying adding a few Fall touches to our home. Mr. Ella and I moved in last Christmas and have finally started to decorate. Life is funny how it throws unexpected happenings in your path along the way. 
All is good though...
We love where we live and are looking forward to the upcoming holidays.
The house was built in the 1880's or 90's. My style is  not what most would expect when walking into
a Victorian home. I have decided to bring pieces from that era into this century, but with a current pop of style.

Two large old corbels topped with an old cabinet door make the perfect entry table for holiday decorating.
A few chimney brushes, cement pipes, old horns, books and birds mixed with a touch of new mercury glass lamps greet you as you enter.
I can't wait to share more pics with you along this journey!
Visit my other blog, Romantic Prairie for photos of the reno process.

Saturday

Round Top-Warrenton Favorites

Mr. Ella and I just came back from Antique Week in the Round Top area. 
I snapped a few pics with
my not so good phone camera. 

If I was giving an award to my favorite space it would absolutely go to this one. I think the walls were
made out of an old airplane. 
Now that is taking repurposing to a new level!

I really wanted to take some of these gorgeous chunks of my favorite color home with me.

I also drooled over these very shabby and fabulous chairs...


I did buy this sofa and there was no extra charge for the dust and dirt from the fields!


Back at my Hacienda...



Thursday

Forward to Fall Cooking


I can't wait for the Fall change of cooking. Cooler weather will eventually come. Even in Texas...
Soups and breads are my very favorite foods to cook and especially eat when the leaves are falling in the crisp air.


I found this delicious Classic Butternut Squash  Recipe from Whole Foods Market on Pinterest and
can't wait to try it out. I am going to try the version with the apple and almonds and serve it with some hot cheesy bread. 

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup diced carrot (about 1 (8-inch) large carrot)
1/2 cup diced celery (about 1 (11-inch) large stalk)
2/3 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
4 cups cubed butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butternut squash and thyme. Stir to combine with vegetables. Stir in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully puree in batches in a traditional blender.

Variations:

Apple, Gorgonzola and Almond
Follow recipe above and stir a cup of applesauce into pureed soup. Garnish each serving with a tablespoon crumbled Rogue Creamery Gorgonzola, a tablespoon of toasted whole almonds, a few slices of thinly sliced apple and a small sprig of fresh thyme.

Thai Flavors
Stir a tablespoon red curry paste and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger into carrot, celery and onion mixture. Cook until vegetables are tender and ginger is aromatic. Add squash, cook until tender, then add broth and 1/2-cup light or regular coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper. Puree soup and garnish each serving with 1 or 2 pappadums, a tablespoon toasted coconut flakes and a tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro. NOTE: Pappadums are available on the snack food aisle.

Southwestern Spin
Add a tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo to carrot, celery and onion mixture. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add squash, cook until tender, then add broth. Season with salt and pepper. Puree soup and garnish each serving with 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco, a tablespoon cumin-toasted pumpkin seeds and a tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro. NOTE: Canned chipotles in adobo sauce are available on the Mexican food aisle.

Bon Appetit!

Tuesday

Let me show you a few more changes at the Antique Company  Mall.  One of the biggest improvements lately will be one you might not even notice. All of the red railing has been painted black and the green walls have been painted cream. It now looks sharp and current.

You will be greeted as you walk in the front door by my space on the left and down a little bit on the right is Colorado Nancy's space. We call her that because she spends so much time at her other home in Colorado. I am called Bird Nancy. No surprise there... Anyway, Nancy just expanded her booth and it is fabulous. 
She has the touch for display.



The name of her business is Uncommon Goods. 
Very fitting because she finds the bestest  fun junk!

These statues with character sold soon after she brought them in.

I know someone who needs this sign...
Stop by and see us. We are open 7 days a week!