Ten on Tuesday

1. Thanks to some the amazingly creative fellow bloggers I frequent, I have been coveting a cloche, so I can try my hand at creating some fun little "domed masterpieces." I finally found one and I just love it. How about this baby pineapple? Who knew fruit could be so fun.

2. I got the coolest xmas gift from my brother Jeff this year. It is a digital frame that is wireless - it has its own email address, so you just email your photos over and, as if by magic, they appear! I finally got it all set up and now I am trying to fill it full of pictures I love! Thanks Jeff!!!

3. I decorated for easter today. I bought a cute egg wreath for my front door (love it) and a really cool basket centerpiece for my table. I will post my easter pics in the next few days. It's beginning to look a lot like spring here at Dove Canyon Cottage.

4. I'm having nephew withdrawls. I have been sick and then he has been sick and well...I miss the little guy. He is finally feeling better and I'm counting the days to a playdate with him in the near future. Rumor has it that he has two new teeth - can you imagine how cute that looks?

5. Tim bought me two sparkly new things from Brighton today - a necklace and the matching bracelet. I am so spoiled!

6. We also happened into the pet store and checked out some four legged friends. I really want a small dog and he really wants a boxer - very different ideas of the perfect first dog. We may have found a breed that we can both agree on - The Cavalier King Charles - who I would probably have to name Charles just because how could you not! :) I mean seriously...

7. I am itching to go antiquing again.

8. I was thrilled to see SNL come back this past Saturday. That writer's strike went on WAY too long. There was a silly skit called "I drink your milkshake" and the theme song is stuck in my head. Don't ask...

9. My March and April are looking like they are going to be some very busy months. We have Easter, a wedding (Tim is the best man so there will be a rehearsal in there too), Nick's first Birthday, and our trip to Chicago the first week in April! Talk about a lot to look forward to.

10. I found a new catalog that I love - for a company called "Ballard Designs." They have so many great things - they have a cool website too, but for some reason, it is more fun to flip through and dog ear the pages. If you haven't seen it before, you should check them out.

Hope you are having a great week so far, my friends.

All Things French...

Out of all the art at the canvas art store, this just screamed my name.

I think the gold tones really compliment my new sofa and pull the look together.
Makes me want to step right into it and go have a fancy drink at the bar.

C'est Bon!

Home Grown

And isn't it just so pretty and pink!

Here are six for this fine Saturday evening:

1. Tim and I are going canvas art shopping tomorrow. I am super excited. I am coveting a French themed canvas piece that has some gold tones to tie together my formal living room. I have a blank wall just crying for some canvas.

2. My nephew Nick's Big First Birthday is coming up at the end of March. I can hardly believe it has been a year since he became part of my life. This time of year makes me look back fondly on his birth and first day home from the hospital - so close to Easter time. What a joy he was then and what a joy he is. What can I say, I love the boy.

3. Speaking of Birthdays, my big 3-0 is coming up in a few months. I would like to accomplish the following before the big day...*Get Engaged (again/finally), Shed a few pounds (again/finally :), work on being a little more peaceful, rush around less, and enjoy life a little more. As Jen would say, become a "better me."

4. I have needed to clean out my purse for a week. Have I done it yet? No. I can just hear my brother saying it...SIMPLIFY! I have no concept of this word. Let's add that to the list.

5. Okay, I have a new TV addiction and it is Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker starring the completely awesome Patti Stanger.

If you haven't seen it yet, you don't know what you are missing. Check it out...Seriously...Do it.

Have a great weekend, friends.

Such A Treat

Check out the beautiful dinner that was waiting at home for me after a long day at work! After coming to the conclusion that we eat out WAY more than two people should, Tim and I made a resolution to find some great new recipes (hopefully healthy ones too!) and start enjoying our new home by dining in more often. So, he decided to surprise me by making this wonderful dinner tonight - lightly breaded lemon chicken cutlets with an olive salad. I think he did a fabulous job on the presentation too! I couldn't help myself, I had to snap a shot of it in all of its lemony glory. I can't wait to share more recipe success stories!

Who Doesn't Love...

Who doesn't love a relaxing bath?

I have to say it is one of my favorite indulgences!

One of my favorite parts of my new house
is my huge master bathroom and my amazing bathtub.
I always wanted a bath tub that you step up into and finally got my wish.

And being the spoiled girl that I am, I got so many Origins Goodies

for Valentine's Day from

Tim including this...

I tell you, there is no better place to drown your sorrows.

Hope you are all having a great Thursday.

Chicken Soup Girl

I am back - after four days nursing a very bad flu/cold. I still can barely walk up and down the stairs without getting winded. Thanks to a lot of Tylenol Cold Nightime, I have managed to sleep away most of the time in between small doses of apple sauce, string cheese and a few other weird things I've been craving the last few days. I've never been much of a chicken soup girl...

A day to celebrate...

My friend Jonathan is one of the biggest blessings in my life and tomorrow, he will be celebrating his birthday. He is one of those people who just makes your day every time you see him - his humor, loyalty, and ability to put any situation into perspective makes him one of my very favorite people. So for him, this cake from Martha Stewart (his favorite!!) seems like a very fitting tribute. Thank you for your friendship, your support and for helping me always find the silver lining right when I need it.