bright colors on this tablescape thursday!

Greetings Everyone! I hope this Thursday Tablescape reaches you on a good note. We here in Germany are enjoying a few days of beautiful weather-hoping it will last for awhile!

The orange plates come from Ikea. I had originally bought them for Halloween, but am finding myself using them more and more. The wine glasses were a gift-they are from Rosenthal. 

The vases as well as the tea light votives are of course IKEA! One of my favorite stores!

Now about that Centerpiece! I was basically done with the table and on my way to get the camera, when I walked by this item--one of the many cat toys for Will and Grace-it matched perfectly, so on the table it went-threw in some silk flowers and called it perfect!

The basket I also got from my mom. I still remember her using it when I was a kid.

The silverware was a wedding gift from my parents, way back in 1989(Crate & Barrel)

Flowers always make me smile

I know it is a little early to be buying flowers, it is after all only the end of April we still could get frost. These flowers caught my eye and were a good price so I bought them and will pray now that the weather holds. !

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!

We all scream for ice cream!

Yea! Cynthia Barcomi´s new book is out-and of course I could not wait for a birthday, or mother´s day- I had to buy my copy immediately!!! The first recipe I tried out was the Vanilla Ice Cream on page 140. YUMMY! I added oreo cookies-which made my son very happy.

Last year for my birthday, my husband bought me the Ice Cream Maker Attachment for my kitchen aid. Love it! Now I know many of you out there, say no to getting appliances as gifts, but when it is something as nice as an attachment for my kitchen aid than I do not mind at all. Heaven help him, though when he gives me a vacuum cleaner for my birthday!

For more information on Cynthia Barcomi check out her blog at: http://cynthiabarcomi.blogspot.com or Website at: www.cynthiabarcomi.com

One of my favorite hobbies

A few years ago I discovered my love for decorating cakes. A dear friend of mine took time out her days to teach me what I needed to know. I still remember when she taught me to make roses out of buttercream. She was oh so patient and finally after hours and hours I pulled it off! Here a small collection of the cakes I have done in the past few years. The artwork done on the first two pictures is thanks to my husband. I can not draw worth crap-he can!

Some pink for my feet

Greetings Everyone! Wow, it is Saturday morning already--where did my week go? I am hoping to get a lot done today-it is supposed to be warmer, so I will start with the garden. I had planned to be do laundry all day to day, but our new washer is still not here! Wow, the laundry is piling up.

This past week I treated my self to some retail therapy at TJ Maxx! YES-Germany finally has a TJ MAXX!!!! I wish I would have had my camera along, because I found enough "pink" for the rest of the Saturdays in 2010. The item that caught my eye as I walked in the store was this pink purse(looked like Birkin Bag, just without the Birkin price tag!!!) I really do not need it-as pretty as it was, it is not a purse for a stay at home mom-although.........

Anyhow, I did buy myself a beautiful red apron and some pink socks!!!

I hope you all have a great day-thanks for stopping by!

Once in a blue tablescape Thursday!

Hello Everyone and welcome to my table! Pull up a chair and enjoy yourself!

Almost as good as Mrs. Butterworths!

Recently, I  ran out of Mrs. Butterworths Maple Syrup----oh oh. Here in Germany Maple Syrup is very pricey--so I got on the Internet, did some research and tried out the following recipe! WOW, it is so good- I just had to share it with all of you.

                  Maple Syrup

      found at www.bigoven.com

Ingredients                                     Preparation

                                                          add water and sugars to a pot and bring to a boil. Add extract and boil for 3 minutes.   

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups water

1 tsp maple extract

Berlin´s very own Planetarium

When you wish upon a star--makes now difference who you are---Anything your heart desires---will come true...

                        --Louis Armstrong--

Berlin has its own Planetarium! It is located on the Prenzlauer Allee in the northern part of Berlin. Check out their web site: www.sdtb.de 

Märkisches Viertel-Berlin

This past Sunday marked the beginning of Baseball Season for my son´s team the TUSLI WIZARDS. The first game was against the Flamingos! Happily for us they one their game 13-10. Let me tell you my heart was beating in triple time!

Anyhow-while the teams were warming up and getting ready for the game-my husband and I checked out the neighborhood. We enjoyed a cup of coffee in the Märkische Viertel. A little village of sorts--lots of stores, cafe´s and apt. buildings. The Märkische Viertel is a part of the Reinickendorf County in the suburb of Wittenau. This "village" was create and built from 1963 to 1974.

An American Western Saloon in Germany?!!!! Unfortunately the Saloon was not open when we there-perhaps we will make it back there one day. From what we have read about this Saloon, it is a very popular place.

Not your typical Met Monday

This is not your typical Met. Monday Post, but still I wanted to post these pictures because it shows a lot of my blood, sweat and hard work this past Saturday! WE are one step closer to having the garden ready for a summer. This past Saturday I attacked the compost and outdoor work station! The fence you see in the background is our neighbors- I sure wish he would fix it. 

 

Berlin Sightings-Take One

This is a test-trying to add stuff to my blog-have to test things first!

A surprise in the Garden

The other day while inspecting the garden I noticed a plant blooming---pink and purple petals! I can not remember this plant ever blooming and so was very surprised to see the pink! Prehaps a good sign that spring is near?

Morgan Margarita´s

Here the promised Margarita recipe we successfully tried last Friday!

Morgans Margaritas

2 small bottles of Lime Juice or one cup

1/4 cups lime sweetener(we can get this here in Germany-usually used to make lime soda)

1-2 cups tequila

1/2 cup cointreau

The directions are simple: Mix and add Ice

As I mentioned in my tablescape Thursday post, we had a wonderful dinner with new friends last Friday. Mexican was the theme. Here the menu! Writing this makes my mouth water and my stomach crave for enchiladas!

A Mexican Fiesta

1 course: Corn/Bell Pepper Cream Soup

2 course: Chicken Enchiladas and Tacos 

Sides:      Guacamole, Spanish Rice, Sour Cream

Desert:    Mexican Ice Cream

I found the recipes all over-some from the internet, some from mexican cookbooks and some from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  I am a cookbook junkie-I admit, but I find myself always coming back to the BHG Book--a must for every kitchen!