pink tulips and other things …

 Isn’t it amazing how some pretty little flowers can brighten our entire day?  I’m enjoying these beauties on my desk right now. 

I’m really just checking in to say hello, and thanks to everyone with their sweet words on my cupcakes and the kind inquiries into my health.  It wasn’t anything too serious, just completely unexpected, so I am just sort of behind on things and needing to catch up.  I don’t want to get into too much detail here, and ruin my happy pink tulip vibe, but I did want to say thanks and I’m doing pretty good.  I can’t wait to catch up on all your blogs though.  

For the cupcakes, in the next couple of days I will be baking up a  batch, and then trying to do a video tutorial on that frosting technique.  I’ve never done one before but really want to show you how easy it is.  You’re really not going to believe it but you’re really going to want to try it once you see it. 

And one last shot below … Have a great weekend!

Best,
Stephanie

Party time!

This is all new to me, so bear with me please.  The lovely Deb of Paper Turtle is hosting a blog hop party.  It’s a bit of a housewarming for her new home.  Deb is one of the loveliest, most creative people you’d care to meet, so this was one invitation I couldn’t turn down. 

The party starts at Deb’s and winds it’s way around the world.  About 20 people are participating, I think, beginning with Deb and ending with her beautiful daughter Carrie.  So if I am going to a party, you know everyone asks me to bring dessert.  I couldn’t not choose my rainbow cupcakes since everyone loves those.  Here they are with a few different frosting choices, packed in the carrier and ready to go.

 

Enjoy! And don’t forget that the party continues at Ruth’s blog, Chatty Crafty Arty Pig. 

Best,

Stephanie

spring …

like much of the country, we’re experiencing unseasonably mild weather.  I’m not complaining, that’s for sure.  It did remind me of some shots from last spring that I didn’t share … that’s Connecticut in the distance across the water … I’m definitely looking forward to warmer weather when we head to the water at least once a week.  

I’m going to be a little light on the posting for a bit – a few days in the hospital has left me a little light on inspiration and photographs.   But if I missed any “can’t miss” posts from you, leave me a note here and I’ll be sure to check it out.  Hope all’s well with you.

Best,

Stephanie

movie night …

One of my favorite presents ever was the DVD projector and screen that I got for Mother’s Day about 6 years ago.  We’ve used it so often, it has been well worth the purchase.   We bought a 12 foot screen with it, and watching movies on it is so much fun.   And even though we use it all year round, our favorite thing to do is watch movies outside when the weather is nice.  It reminds me of when I was a kid, and my parents would set up the old Super 8 projector  and we’d watch movies outside in the summertime. 

A lot of the time, we either invite the neighbors over, or if they see the screen is up, they come over to watch with us.  Hot popcorn, some wine for the grown ups, and movie night is a hit at our house. Even the pup pulls up a chair and watches. 

This summer we’re planning to get a large canvas so we can watch movies even bigger.  Add some twinkly lights and it’s a good night.  Just a few more weeks and we’ll be outside watching movies.   I highly recommend movie night as a fun way for the whole family to get together.  And movies under the stars make it even better.

Best,

Stephanie

newport, day three…

Our last day in Newport was beautiful and sunny.  Unfortunately, it was also the day that the east coast was buffeted by 25-50 mph winds.  Clearly I didn’t plan that well weather-wise, but it was the only time we could bring my cousin, and we really wanted to take her along.  At least it was sunny, right? 

 

These next few were taken from an enclosed porch on the second story at the Breakers, the only place they allow photography.  You can see a number of people walking on the outside of the fence.  This is the Cliff Walk.  It’s a  walk of a couple of miles down the coast, some of it easy, some of it not so easy.   And it’s a beautiful thing to do when it’s NOT gusting 50 mph winds.  I think the waves give you an idea of what it was like out there.  Summer, friends.  Visit in summer. 

The rest of the photos are from a drive down Ocean Avenue.  There are some amazing homes here.  And you can see a lot more of them in summer when they’re not hiding behind all the green.   This first one is one of our favorites, and the second gives you an idea of the view from the house.   Hello, gorgeous.

That’s it for Newport!  Hope you enjoyed our long weekend there.  Definitely go for a visit if you can.  It’s such a pretty place.

Best,
Stephanie

newport, day two …

Day two in Newport was rainy and windy.  Not the best day for sight seeing.  But we did get to see a couple of the mansions.  (Sorry – they don’t allow indoor photography.) 

Then we got in a little shopping, followed by lunch at a neat little Irish pub.  I have to say – they’ve added a lot of new things to the menu while still offering up some of their classics.  I like the new menu a lot better.  In the past, I really only went along to humor the hubs, but this time the food was delicious.  If you’re reading this Elizabeth, I was definitely thinking of you when I took this photo.

 The neat thing about these photos is that there are patches up behind the bar from a lot of fire departments around the country.  The one where my husband volunteers is up there, along with several other local volunteer fire departments.  It was fun to see so far from home.

After we warmed up a bit, we took a walk through town, shopping and having fun.   We had to stop at the smallest yummiest cookie shop down near the water.  Soooo good. 

Then we warmed up again with a dip in the hotel pool.  It was so nice in there.  I’ve never seen it so crowded before, but with the weather as wet and chilly as it was, I wasn’t surprised. 

I will have to find some of my Newport photos from the summertime – it is so gorgeous then. 

Hope you’re having a terrific week!

Best,

Stephanie

newport, rhode island

We usually go to Newport in the spring or summer, when the weather is at its best, the mansions of the Preservation Society are open, and the gardens are lovely.  But this was the second time we went in the winter and we did have a terrific time.  If you’ve never been, Newport is a great place to visit – tons of history, the water, and those grand testaments to the “Golden Age” at the coast. 

A trip to Newport wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Brick Alley Pub.  We always go there our first night in town.  Nothing fancy.  Just simple food, served fast and fresh in a fun spot. 

My kids have always loved that old truck parked in the middle of the restaurant.  After dinner, we always need a walk through town to work off some of that food. 

I’ll be back with more photos of the rest of our trip this week.  Hope you had a terrific weekend

Best,

Stephanie  

more random thoughts …

… with some pretty bad photos.  Sorry about that – its been it dark and gloomy here.  At least all this rain hasn’t been snow. 

But while the photos aren’t great, can I brag a bit and tell you what a huge hit these were at the Teacher Appreciation Lunch?  They smelled terrific.  Strawberries and chocolate – yum! I normally don’t like buying strawberries in the winter here.  No matter how good they look, they rarely taste that great.  But these smelled so yummy, I took a chance.  SO worth it.  Two dozen vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and topped with chocolate covered strawberries.  Nothing to them but they look like you put a lot of effort into them. 

I found I this great box on Pinterest.  It’s available on Amazon, and it comes in white and five other colors.  Its by Blue Lounge Design, and it holds a power surge protector and all of the cables that lead into it.  I think I am going to get one for the TV and all the video equipment and games that go with it, another for the desk, and one for the counter where we charge all our stuff.  Here's the link if you’re interested. 

  

In the “more bad photo department”, here’s one I snapped really quickly (didn’t even check my settings) on the way out of the car on Sunday. The moon looked pretty neat, and there were a couple of planets visible here.  (Only one shows in the photo.) 

As I complained to my husband that you really can’t see the stars where we live anymore (mostly light pollution I guess),  I zoomed in and saw this:

Can you believe not one star was visible to the naked eye?  Amazing what a really great lens will pick up, isn’t it? 

And one more cupcake shot to sweeten up your day …

Best,
Stephanie