Simple Living

Wisdom comes with what you let go of, not what you hold onto.

photo via 

Friday Food Feature

Creme of Wild Mushroom and Walnut Soup

2 T butter
1-1/2 lbs wild and white mushrooms, sliced
1/2 -1 c fresh porcini mushrooms
1 c ground walnuts
1/2 diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
2 diced celery
2 bay leaves
1/4 c flour
6 c hot chicken or vegetable broth
2 T fresh thyme
1 c whipping cream
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large, stock pot on high heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms, walnuts, onion, garlic, celery and bay leaves and sauté until lightly browned (about 5 to 10 minutes). Reduce heat to medium, add flour and cook for another 2 minutes. Stirring constantly, slowly add hot broth and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 20 minutes and remove bay leaves. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender, pulse until mushrooms are nearly puréed or until desired consistency. Return to heat, bring to a boil and add thyme and cream. Stir to combine.
photo via theKitchn

My French Find

Rooster and Hen French Baguette Bag 

Keep your baguette fresh with this classic hen and rooster cotton linen baguette bag from Mountain Lodge on Etsy. Click on the link below the photo to be taken their shop where they have several patterns to choose from.

Paris Bistro Cafe French Baguette Bag

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

heart rock by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Treasury Tuesday

According to Imola from the shop 1 Black Dandelion on Etsy, Millefiori means one thousand flowers and was a pattern in medieval tapestries. (She mentioned she's reading, The Lady and the Unicorn). Here is a lovely treasury featuring Etsy Artists employing a Millefiori theme. Thank you Imola, for including one of my Spring Millefiori Keychains in this beautiful treasury. Click on the boxes to visit their shops. 

Monday Musings

I love visiting a local Preserve in Kennebunk called Strawberry Island (no pun intended). It is a bit of a peninsula off the beaten path that is a great place to walk my very energetic dog, Lucky. Only locals are aware of the area and it is quite rocky so it is never that busy. Once there I can take Lucky "off leash" where he runs, sniffs and explores to his hearts content. I visit on average once or twice a week and each time seem to find a variety of 'heart treasures'.  I have gathered a few photos I thought I would share with you this Monday morning.

An embedded 'heart rock' which actually is very deep into the ground.

Another embedded rock

Others are strewn by the sea throughout the Island's surface - beauty discovered by only the most discerning eye.

 

Another embedded into larger rock

My favorite - a Heart Puddle

Reflections

via kari-shma

Saturday Simplify

Ease stress in your life and learn to master the art of waiting.

Friday Food Feature -

Although St Patrick's Day was last week, I had to share this delicious recipe that is great for anytime of year.

Shamrock Shake

1 ¾ c  vanilla ice cream
¼ c.  vanilla vodka (or substitute regular unflavored vodka with ½ tsp. vanilla extract)
¼ c. Crème de Menthe
½ T grated dark chocolate + 1t for topping
a few sprigs of mint

Directions:

• Put ice cream, vodka and Crème de Menthe in a blender and mix until combined but do not over blend. (add more ice cream if you do). 
• Using the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle the mint at the bottom of a tall glass. Pour the shake into the glass with a little room at the top. Stir in chocolate shavings until well incorporated. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate on top. 
• This recipe makes two small shakes or one large one if you don't feel like sharing. 

My French Find

Visit Paris Market Place on Etsy for a lovely assortment of French inspired home decor including pillows, candles, and gift tags. I've added a few of my favorites here. Click on the caption beneath the photo to visit her shop and bring a bit of joie de vivre into your home.

Paris Postal Pillow

French Bird Gift Tag

French Fleur de Lis Candle Holder

French Country Candle

Happy 21st Birthday Evan!

My youngest son Evan, and I  (1992)
Always Remember...

Guess How Much I Love You?

Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening.

"Guess how much I love you," he said.

"Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare.

"This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go.

Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. "But I love YOU this much," he said.

Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare.

"I love you as high as I can reach." said Little Nutbrown Hare.

"I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare.

That is quite high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that.

Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet.

"I love you all the way up to my toes!" he said.

"And I love you all the way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head.

"I love you as high as I can HOP!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down.

"But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare - and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above.

That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that.

"I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare.

"I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare.

That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think any more. Then he looked beyond the thorn bushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be further than the sky.

"I love you right up to the MOON," he said, and closed his eyes.

"Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far."

Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night.

Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - AND BACK."


©1994 Sam McBratney

Treasury Tuesday

A great treasury of Etsy Artisans chosen from the Pinterest Team on Etsy and curated by Sarah, a letterpress printer. Sarah has a shop on Etsy called Pheasant Press. Thanks Sarah for featuring my Shabby heart necklace from my shop Dion Designs. Click on any of the boxes to be taken to the Artists shops on Etsy.

Monday Musings

Reflections

The difference between holding on to a hurt or releasing it with forgiveness is like the difference between laying your head down at night on a pillow filled with thorns or a pillow filled with rose petals. ~ Loren Fischer

photo via

Happy St Patrick's Day

Source: oh-so-rosie.blogspot.com via Hilary on Pinterest

Friday Food Feature

Irish Soda Bread Rolls

2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 c quick-cooking oats
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 c currants or raisins
1 1/2 c buttermilk
2 T unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and currants. Stir in buttermilk until just combined. Turn out to a floured board and knead a few times, forming dough into a large flattened ball. Cut into 8 wedges and then form each wedge into a small ball.  Place dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut an "X" in the tops of the dough balls with knife or scissors. Brush with butter and bake in center of oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until browned. These are best served warm with butter.

My French Find

I am still wanting to take down the very dated, Cottage Rose wallpaper in my kitchen. I would love to paint the walls a lovely shade of yellow. I recently found this American company where they create and make all their kitchen cabinets in Scottsdale, Az. I particularly like the Country French set in the photo below. Now if I could simply win the lottery I would redo my kitchen as I really want to!

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

A walk in time - Denise Dion-Sullivan

Treasury Tuesday

A treasury of Etsy Artisans featuring a Irish theme of the Claddagh representing "Love, Loyalty and Friendship." This fabulous treasury is curated by Julie, a jewelry designer. Julie's  shop, Elements, features an eclectic mix of vintage, upcycled and modern styles. Thank you Julie for featuring the Claddagh Keychain from my shop Dion Designs. Click on any of the boxes to be taken to the Artists shops on Etsy.

Monday Musings

Although it has been the mildest winter I can remember (only three snowstorms), I am still looking forward to Spring, warmer days and less mud. As you know I have a love of birds and found this video of the 4 week process of a Robin hatching her four eggs. I found it very inspiring and wanted to share it with you this Monday morning. Enjoy your week!

Robins: 4 Eggs, 4 Weeks from Fred Margulies on Vimeo.

Reflections

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.  Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.  ~  Lao-Tzu

Saturday Simplify

Make good changes s l o w l y...


Don't forget it's daylight savings time beginning tomorrow!

Friday Food Feature

Delicious Blueberry Compote for Crepes

• 2 c frozen blueberries
• 1 c water
• 3/4 c sugar
• 2 T cornstarch

METHOD

1. Bring blueberries, 3/4 c of the water, and sugar to bubbling in a saucepan. Dissolve cornstarch in remaining 1/4 c of water and add to pan. Stirring constantly, bring back to bubbling and let thicken and serve over crepes!

Crepe recipe was blogged last Friday so check it out!

My French Find

Love this unique French Script Curtain Panel. I can envision them in my bedroom. Simple, yet with elegant French style! Visit the shop Vie de Jolie on Etsy to find a selection of some fabulous curtains, valances and pillows with a French twist. Click on the link beneath the photo to be taken to her shop.

French Script Shower Curtain

Lucie Bird Pillow

French Script Layered Valance

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

Sea-grass by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Treasury Tuesday

Here is a cute treasury of Artists featuring adorable owls. This treasury is curated by Cel Sobrepena of August Angel on Etsy. Thanks so much Cel for featuring my "owl love" necklace from Dion Designs. Click on the photos to be taken to the Etsy shops.

Monday Musings

Here is a video of truly amazing water art to begin your week with a bit of inspiration:

Reflections

If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path
- Buddha

Saturday Simplify

Drink a cup of tea. Don't think about it. Just feel it and enjoy the moment. That is experience beyond thought. 

image via 

Friday Food Feature

Pâte à Crêpes (Crepe Batter) recipe
(our favorite family recipe - thanks Mom!)

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together. Beat in flour mixture until smooth.
2. In a 6"-7" crepe pan or small frying pan over medium high heat with a 1/4 teaspoon of butter, swirling to coat surface. Pour batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. When your pan is at the perfect temperature, you’ll know because the batter will set the moment it hits the pan, but it won’t be so hot that it bubbles and leaves holes in the crêpe.
   
3. Brown on both sides and serve hot with Crème fraîche, fruit, maple syrup or whatever is appealing to you.

My French Finds

Direct from a little village in the south of France, La Pomme on Etsy has a variety of vintage treasures. This gorgeous wooden chest is both beautiful and useful for adding the right touch to your French Country Decor.  Check out the shop by clicking on any of the links beneath the photos.

wooden chest

Antique French music sheets are the perfect background for collage. 

French music sheets

Bottles are always perfect for filling with a Spring floral and creating that enchanting still life.

recycled vintage French bottle

This croquet set is perfect for upcoming summer days.

croquet set