The best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is new on the blog!
July 2020
July is here and summer is in full swing. Time to savor all the goodness this season has to offer. My gardens are growing and the changes are daily. The potager is coming along and hopefully I will be harvesting tomatoes soon, along with all the flowers that have been gracing my kitchen counter in beautiful arrangements. And what is more enjoyable than summer foods? I’ve been making fresh salads almost every night. My favorite recipes are all listed here on the blog. Be sure to check them out if you need inspiration. I’ve also been collecting grape leaves for my favorite dolmas! An special treat for sure. Check out The Hive Shop, for new items added for your summer decor and lifestyle. Whatever defines summer for you, may you enjoy it all fully. Happy July!!
April 2020
Sitting down to write my monthly intro, I am a little uncertain of where to start. March began innocently enough, but within weeks were all in a ‘new normal’ so foreign to us, it took us by surprise and shock. Shock that something like a pandemic would, could, ever actually happen in today’s modern world. So here we welcome April and the uncertainty continues to loom as we are all sequestered in our homes whiling away the days in ways we are not accustomed to. So friends, I offer you this. My blog originated because of my strong convictions about the importance of home life. Finding the joy in the everyday. Things that seem mundane are all the wonderful things that create that special place we call home. I think, if there is a silver lining to this crisis, it is the fact that people are rediscovering these simple things and actually embracing them and finding fulfillment. I am certain that as soon as the green light flashes the all clear, we will go back to our busy lives, but there will be that weird wistful feeling of gratitude for this time we were given to be close with the ones we love and see our homes through new eyes. I think we will have a new appreciation for enjoying the simple things and accepting some forced down-time. Hang in there, take a deep breath of that wonderful spring air, exhale. We will get through this better and stronger.
March 2020
March may be coming in like a lion here in the northeast, but thoughts are turning to springtime here in blogger land. I think everyone is starting to feel the need for warmer temperatures and longer days. I’m finishing off my indoor house projects and organizing my list for work that needs to be done outdoors, as soon as the weather allows. Check out some fun spring decorating ideas in the Decor section. I’ve added a few new recipes as well and of course my Irish Soda Bread will keep you making more!! The Hive Shop has been updated and offers some beautiful products for your home. In the meantime, don’t be discouraged if the weather turns unfavorably, March means the countdown is officially on!
More Christmas Place Setting Ideas
I’ve posted Christmas place setting ideas on the blog before and you can actually look them up under Entertain. Here are a few more that I had some fun with. I especially love the plaid with the little gnome plate atop. The plaid plates came from @HobbyLobby, the gnome plates came from @williamssonoma a few years back and the plate with the cabin came from @homegoods. The gold and red chargers are from @Christmastreeshops. The light blue china is a vintage pattern from @franciscanchina called Silver Pine. It is available through a company called Replacements.
I’ve picked some of my favorite china and serving pieces on my new category on The Hive Shop, Christmas. Check it out for all your entertaining needs!
September 2019
Hello everyone and welcome to September! Ready or not, it’s here. I’ve said so often that September always feels like the beginning of the year. It’s the time for fresh starts, new schools, new experiences for many and a time to get back to a more scheduled life. Personally, I’ve been busy working on making my blog more user-friendly, easier shopping links and keeping you filled in on my latest projects, recipes and trends. I’ve already mentioned that I’ve become a part of the LiketoKnow.it family. What does this mean? I can provide direct links within my posting content for you to explore and shop. Also, all ads on my site, are placed there by me. These are companies I believe in and have partnered with. Just one click brings you directly to their site for easy browsing as well. As always, please subscribe. I am still creating an email list to send updates, offers, promotions from time to time. I promise not to inundate your inbox!! I personally can’t deal with that, so why would I do it to others?! I hope you are as excited as I am with the blog news. As always feel free to contact me! I love hearing from my readers. Now go outside and enjoy the beauty of September!!
August 2019
Wow, August already! I hate to admit it, but I’m never a big fan of August. Too many signals make it feel like the beginning to the end, and the ever dreaded words, “back to school”!! So here I’m pledging that I’m going to ignore it and enjoy every last bit of summer. I started a challenge to try to take more time to myself. I’m a do-er and always feel the need to be busy. I’m learning to let go of that mentality. Every day should afford time to relax, enjoy some quiet or whatever it is that makes you happy.
In other blog news updates, I’m thrilled to announce that I’m now an affiliate with RewardStyle, also known as LiketoKnow.it another top notch shopping site for all things fashion and home. I have some homework to do to get it up and running. Stay tuned! In the meantime if you don’t have the app, download it now to see what they’re all about. Enjoy August my friends!
April 2019
Well it’s finally here – April. Something about just saying April seems to usher in a feeling of warm breezes and fresh beginings. Here in the east it is not unusual to get the odd chance of snow, but it’s tolerable knowing it is just temporary. April is when I start putting together and tackling the spring to-do list and I’ve got a few new projects I’m adding this year. I’m adding a cutting garden and also hoping to build a new larger outdoor pen for my egg-laying, feathered pals. As far as Blog News – I’ve cleaned up a few posts and changed the Home page for more instant updates. Most exciting, I’ve opened an Amazon Store on my Instagram account with items I’ve personally curated for my readers and followers. We are still trying to solve the ‘clickable link in bio’ issue with Instagram, unfortunately this is a problem on their end! It can be ‘cut and paste’, if need be. So, here’s to the new month and season. Get out there and spread the beauty!
March 2019
Well February certainly was a whirlwind for myself. Between school breaks, lots of great skiing (since I was able to slip away for a trip to Utah), and working on new projects, the month truly has flown by. Unfortunately, it didn’t end in a very positive way as I broke my leg in a ski accident on the last weekend of the month on my home mountain. The skis will have to be put away for the season as I focus on recovery. As I mentioned, I am working on new projects with my blog. I am ever working on making a more user friendly version for Android and Smart Phone users. I am also trying to find the best way to provide my readers with links to products I use and recommend – please give me your feedback! I am also determining which topics my readers want more of – again, feedback is always welcome. My blog is set up as a book of ideas and recipes and how-to’s. I will add to those as needed. However, my home page will have more current posts and thoughts and ideas for the “right now” user. Please bear with me as I slide into these changes and also, please be sure to subscribe for any special promotions I may be presenting in the future. In the interim, I wish you all a beautiful March!
February 2019
Welcome to February! Many of us are experiencing a very wintry start to the month much like the image above, which was my yard not too long ago. Winter can be tough and seem long, but it can also be beautiful and fun. I always encourage getting outside. The cold, fresh air can be invigorating and a real pick-me-up way to start the day. February allows me to pull out the Valentines Day décor which I always find pretty and cheerful. Look at an inspired Valentine’s place setting under “Entertain”, plus links on how to create a similar look. This month I’m adding new features to the blog in an effort to enhance my readers experience. I’ve added an email sign up, so please do! I promise to not inundate your inbox with needless information. Just occasional updates or special offers. As usual don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding how-to’s, products, or anything! So, don’t let excessive snow deter you – get outside and enjoy February!
About Bernadette
Hello, my name is Bernadette. I believe in living each day fully and enjoying what each season has to offer to all facets of life. I am a wife and mother to four beautiful children. I’d like to share with you my ideas and tips for creating your best life, for you and those you love. Welcome.
Please note that all products and business links that I promote here on my site are sponsored by my affiliate links and I generate a small commission from them. Furthermore, I will only promote products and brands that I truly believe in!