Blogspot - Recipe Scratch Rusia

Maybe we are this way before the beginning of every season, but it feels like the anticipation of fall is the greatest of all.  Is it the autumnal colors that fill the sky, the unmistakable crispness in the air, the smell of woodsmoke in the evenings that fill our neighborhoods or is it the trips to the pumpkin patch and cider mills?  Whatever the reason is, I'm 100% on board.   I have such fond memories of fall.  I can still remember what it felt like in high school, to walk to my car on October mornings wearing my cheerleading uniform - legs freezing but with a big letter jacket on - the air couldn't have been more crisp.  Or in college, walking to class through piles of crunchy leaves on sidewalks while more orange and red leaves fluttered down overhead.  Emma and I always take long walks and gather the most beautiful leaves we can find, along with sticks and pinecones for kindling.  Mike and I spent our honeymoon in Tuscany in the fall - clad in sw...

Last week I started a "Homemade Celebrations" series.  Basically, my theory is that instead of running out to buy everything for your family's celebrations, try your hand at making instead.  The philosophy isn't about making life harder, but more simple.  It isn't always more simple or better to make it yourself - in which case, yes! go out and buy it.  However, I think we needlessly get intimidated by things like making simple flower arrangements, baking birthday cakes, etc.  It isn't that hard and it can be so much fun to do it yourself. I love good bakery donuts, but they are so hard to find.  I want them fresh, I want them warm and I want them no too sweet.  Frying homemade donuts is not something I want to do very often... maybe 2-3 times a year.  However, I've finally perfect a baked donuts recipe that is so yummy - tender, soft, fluffy.  The best part is that you can make the batter ahead of time,  Scoop  it in a  Dispos...

Everyone looks forward to Lilac, Peony, and Hydrangea Seasons, and of course the Fall Foliage Season.  They seem to be celebrated everywhere and I share in the enthusiasm.  However, there are also tiny "seasons" in-between these that I look forward to.  One of these is when my Viburnum bushes produce these deep, navy blue berries.  They are similar to New England's privet berries but much easier to grow here. I found a Botanical Print that features the very same berry my bush produces.  They are a perfectly matte, deep navy blue.  This print is part of a larger collection I discovered this season.   See them here, in my store along with coordinating mats and frames. Creamware Creamer, here > Navy Gingham Wrapping Paper > Moss Green Satin Ribbon > Gold Leaf Frames, here > Botanical Prints, here > Rattan Basket Tray, here > I framed mine and included them in our Family Room.  This room is our more "formal" room of our home.  ...