Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's On Sunday

This time of year it can be so cold and dreary. My Soup's on Sunday are an easy and delicious way to warm up a cold Sunday afternoon. This is one of my family's favorites and it is easy to make. Soup's on.

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

2 tablespoons of olive oil

3 cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 large container of chicken broth

1 can of diced tomatoes and green chilies

2 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon of Cumin

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 fresh jalapeno deveined and seeded, then minced.

1 yellow squash diced

1 zucchini diced

1 large can of diced tomatoes

2 carrots diced

1 large onion diced

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons of minced cilantro

1 avocado sliced

¼ cup of mozzarella cheese

 

Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in large stock pot. Salt and pepper chicken and place in pot on medium heat. Add fresh garlic. Cook chicken until almost done. Add onion, carrots, jalapeno, add spices and cook until vegetables are soft. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and green chilies, and tomatoes. Add squash. Simmer soup for 20 minutes while stirring occasionally. Add half of the chopped cilantro and stir. Serve in a bowl topped with a tablespoon of cheese, a slice of avocado and the remainder of the chopped cilantro.

Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's On Sunday

Here we are another year, a new year. After working on my new cooking/entertaining book last year, it made me think about my Soup's On Sunday, and maybe it was a good time to bring it back. Since it is freezing cold, I am always ready for a bowl of soup. I was out until late yesterday evening. I wasn't up for cooking an elaborate dinner, but I wanted something warm and home-cooked. Here's the deal, it doesn't take long to get something delicious cooked up in no time. Sometimes I even forget that. When the kids were little, I used to always make what we call Cowboy Stew, which is really a hamburger vegetable soup that is absolutely delicious. I threw this together in 25 minutes and you can too. Seriously. You need to try this one and you will probably have most of these ingredients in the house.

1.5 lbs. of lean hamburger meat
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 tablespoons of oil
1 large onion diced
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 package of mixed vegis ( I use different ones, but usually the corn, carrots and peas or green beans
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon of tomato bouillon
1 large container of beef broth

Keep in mind, whenever you make this you don't have to have the tomato bouillon, you could substitute tomato paste or you can use different vegis, if it means saving a trip to the store.

Put oil in large stock pot on medium heat. Place meat in pot and cook. Drain if necessary. You can leave a little oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook until tender. Add spices and combine. Add tomatoes and tomato bouillon and stir. Add beef broth and mixed vegetables. Stir and combine until soup is simmering and vegis are hot. Let simmer for at least 10- 15 minutes before serving. After is simmers and allowed to  sit it ensures that all the flavors are enriched in the soup.

I made hot garlic bread to serve with it and if you like, you can top with some cheese of your choice...YUM!

Super Bowl Pizza Party

Here it is that time of year again...Super Bowl time. Now, I am not a huge football fan (unless it is the Cowboys, I am from Texas y'all) but I do love any excuse to throw a party! Tomorrow it is all about gathering with the wives, sipping dirty martinis or wine, while the men drink beer and yell at the television. It is also a time to have some great comfort food, while we're sipping. I made some homemade pizza for the party tomorrow and my son Nick loves homemade pizza. It is really pretty simple. Sometimes I make my own crust, sometimes I make it on loaves of French bread, but this time I used the store-bought brick oven pizza crust that is delicious. Here's what you do:

I preheated the oven to 425 degrees. Then I chopped up a medium size onion, sliced a handful of mushrooms, chopped 3 slices of bacon, chopped up some fresh basil, and threw that all into a skillet with a little olive oil. Then I added a small package of hamburger meat that was in the fridge, probably less than a pound. I put in about a teaspoon of Italian Seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (optional), 1/2 teaspoon of Onion Powder, and 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic. As it cooked, I melted a half stick of butter in another small skillet and added a tablespoon of garlic powder, and melted butter. Then put that aside and go back to your mixture that is now cooked. Drain fat if necessary. Then add a half jar of prepared spaghetti sauce and mix. If you like spinach, which I do, then throw in a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach and let it wilt. I also added some sliced olives, but just customize it to your taste. This made two pizzas. Take the melted garlic butter and spread on to pizza crust. Then spread mixture over crusts all the way to the edges. Then add whatever cheese you like. I did Mozzarella and Colby-Jack. You can do goat cheese or whatever kind of cheese that you love. My husband does not like Feta, so much for that unless its for me and the girls. Then I added sliced tomatoes to the top sprinkled with a bit of olive oil, Kosher salt and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Then put it in the oven until golden and cheese is bubbly.

Your friends are gonna thank you for this, that is if you can keep everybody away from it until party time. Nick has already been sneaking around stealing a slice here and there, as I try to take a picture of it. I'm not gonna lie, I might have had to taste test it myself. You know, I had to make sure it was good, and guess what, I'm still not quite sure, I may need another piece...LOL.

xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Christmas Puppies

Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's On Sundays

Brrr! It's cold here and rainy, which makes it the perfect day for a hearty stew. We made it through Thanksgiving feast, and now we are hungry for some beef...that's for sure. This is my husband Joe's favorite thing in the world, is beef stew. He even wants this in the heat of summer, but so much better on a cold, rainy day. I have memories of my mama cooking this stew. One day when I got home from school late and it was cold, and there was a fire blazing in the fireplace, and the table was set with these charming red enamel bowls, filled with this recipe. I still remember it to this day and this is one of those comfort recipes that fills you up and warms your insides. Hope y'all enjoy! xo Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's On Sunday

Here it is, already November. Hard to believe that we will soon be celebrating the holidays. Today I'm posting my recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup, which is my daughter Alexandria's favorite soup. Well, it might be a toss up between potato soup and this one. She does love thick and hearty soups. Ok, ok...I know that I said that I did not like thick soups, but I guess I must rethink that because I love this one. This soup is absolutely delicious and one that I think that you will love. It is filled with lots of good vegetables, with sweet carrots, onions, and celery and of course the star of the show, broccoli, which is smothered in an amazing cheesiness. Some people call for cheddar, but being from the South, you know we all love a hunk of Velveeta.

It is looking like fall here in Texas, finally. It is still warm though, which I am savoring. I like the cooler weather in the evening, but still enjoying the temps. in the 70's during the day. We are still getting plenty of squash and peppers from the garden which is so good for fall dinners. I have said before, how much I love Thanksgiving and all of the decorating with fall branches, leaves and pumpkins from our garden. Pumpkins line the steps up to the back porch and sit in urns on the front, adding a happy bright orange color to our fall décor. Time to pull out the cozy blankets, plaid throws and warm blankets for the chill that comes at night fall. I love to throw a plaid throw across a tabletop and have a centerpiece of pumpkins and fall leaves that would look beautiful as you serve a bowl of delicious soup for supper. Y'all enjoy!
xo
Carolyn

Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's on Sundays

 

Carolyn Westbrook: Soup's On Sunday

Since their is a bit of chill in the air, it is time for our new endeavor, Soup's On Sundays. I love soup. I can eat it year round. My family not so much...except for Joe. He likes soup as much as me. When the day's get cooler, everyone in the family is wanting soup, so we decided to do our  Soup's On Sunday and post one of my favorite soup recipes to share with y'all. The one today is, Creamy Texas Clam Chowder. This recipe is tried and true and Joe says that he could eat this every day. It is my take on Clam Chowder and is really more of a soup, as it is thinner and has more broth than a chowder. I am not one for thick soups, I like mine thinner. Hope that y'all like it too.

 

 

 

                           Creamy Texas Clam Chowder

6 Pieces of thick sliced bacon chopped                           ¼ cup of flour

2 Tbsp. oil                                                                              2- cans of clams

1 Clove of garlic minced                                                   ½ teaspoon Thyme

1 Medium Onion Chopped                                              ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper

3 Potatoes Diced                                                              3 cups of Cream

1 Box of Chicken Stock

Put oil in stock pot and heat to medium. Add chopped bacon and brown for a couple of minutes. Add onion and garlic and diced potatoes. Brown until bacon is still soft but cooked through. Onions should be translucent and potatoes softened a bit. Add salt, pepper, and Thyme. Then sprinkle with flour while stirring and cook for 1 minute while continuing to stir. Add chicken stock and heat to bubbling. Keep stirring. Add cream. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally. Add clams and cook for 3 minutes more. Serve in a beautiful bowl with oyster crackers. Delicious.

 

Carolyn Westbrook: Turkey and Dressing Soup

With all of the cold and wet weather upon us, it makes me crave some warm and delicious comfort food like soup. I began looking through the fridge wondering what I was going to do with the leftover turkey and dressing.  I thought that I might use the leftover turkey in a hearty soup, so here it is:

1- clove of garlic minced
1- small onion diced
Chopped leftover Turkey
1-2 Chicken breasts diced (Depending on how much leftover turkey...I only had about a cup, so I added the chicken to the soup.)
2- large carrots finely chopped
2 TBSP.- Olive Oil
2- stalks of celery finely chopped
1/2 cup-1 cup of leftover dressing
1 cup of leftover green beans- (optional)
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of cream
1/2 teaspoon each- Rosemary, Thyme, Sage
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Add olive oil to saucepan on medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, onion and celery to the pot and stir. Add diced chicken breasts and spices, and a 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Saute in chicken broth, stirring as needed, until tender. Add in leftover turkey and the remainder of the chicken broth with the milk and cream. Simmer on medium low heat for 15-20 minutes. Add in the leftover green beans. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Ladle into a bowl. I put a dollop of jellied cranberries on top of mine, but that is completely optional. The whole family loved this and a great way to get rid of the leftovers in a delicious way. Bon Appetite!

Carolyn Westbrook: Christmas in the Country

I probably should have titled this post...a passion for plaid. I do love traditional holiday decorating. Who am I kidding, I love every kind of decorating, so Christmas is the best time of year, where you can sprinkle gobs of glitter and snow, string twinkling lights everywhere, and hang icicles from your tree. I am still in love with a beautiful traditional plaid. We decked the halls, the walls, the banister, the mantles, the exterior, the interior, in fact every room in the house. A mantel bedecked in pine, twinkle lights, gorgeous plaid ribbons and a lovely Ironstone pot with a live planting of paper white flowers...and that smell permeates the room. We have done photography in our book, Carolyn Westbrook: Through the French Door, that shows the photos of our Christmas tree and these beautiful little classic books, that have wonderful red leather bindings. They are exquisite.We always wait until the days before Christmas to hang the stockings. Everyone has a stocking including Teddy, Bella, Rascal, Foxy, Coco, and of course our fat cat Milo. Milo follows me everywhere, like one of the dogs and twists around my feet if I stop for even a second wanting to be scratched on the belly. I think he thinks he is a dog.

There is nothing quite like the season of Christmas and who doesn't love the thought of Christmas in the country. Fresh cut cedar strung and red berries strung about the porches outside. Tonight the air was crisp and the stars were shining like diamonds in the sky. I was stopped in my tracks at the beauty of them as I looked up and thought about the real reason for the season...a baby that was born in manger, while the stars shown in the sky. Here's hoping that everyone spreads the love and joy of the Holiday Season.
                                     Merry Christmas!

Carolyn Westbrook Barn Sale

I just want y'all to know that you never know what you are going to find. There is a cast iron bathtub in one of the barn stalls, if anyone is looking for a tub. Too much to list...honestly.
Hope to see you here!

Carolyn Westbrook Barn Sale

This is a not to be missed event. Our Barn Sale is for
all that love antiques, architectural, furniture, old frames, prints,
paintings, home accessories, fabric, garden and just good junk.
Calling all bargain hunters, antiquers, and junkers!
RAIN OR SHINE
Come see us at:

The Oaks Plantation
3043 NE CR 1030
Chatfield, Texas 75105
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014
9am-2pm
 www.carolynwestbrookhome.com

Carolyn Westbrook: Autumn Party!

    The mornings are cool here now, but I am happy that there is still warmth in the afternoons. I do love fall, but not yet ready to let go of the fresh tomatoes from the garden. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love any excuse to decorate and that includes a party. My sweet daughter Victoria...her birthday is coming up. Since she was a child we have always thrown a huge Halloween party and weenie roast. This year, we add my darling son-in-law Jose Luis to the mix, which is Alex's husband. They are headed back from Wichita Falls, to come to the Autumn Birthday Barn Party. His birthday is first and Victoria's falls later, but we will have a dual celebration!

     I am so excited about the prospect of decorating and having a party in our huge barn. It was built in 1850 and is made from logs. The trees were cut from the property and numbered as they went up. Really amazing to see. Usually, are parties are held out in the field with a huge bonfire, but this time we are doing things a bit differently and having the party inside the barn. I made a trip to the market yesterday to buy pumpkins. We had pumpkins growing out in the compost pile, but the drought was too severe, so I had to resort to buying them. The party is not for over a week, but cannot start too soon.

I have already done the porches and this black and orange peeling paint French bistro chair, holds one of the Halloween pumpkin. Lots more to do and I will keep you posted.

                                                                         XO Carolyn

                                                                

 

Carolyn Westbrook: Happy Fall Y'all

Fall came barreling into Texas this Sunday with a mighty wind and rain. I do absolutely love the change in the seasons and always have. I remember back to my childhood, while playing outdoors on a warm day, when the first cool breeze came blowing in and I had to run home and grab my pancho. Panchos were the thing then...makes me smile to think about it. These are actually some vintage Halloween paper goods that we used to decorate with, that I simply could never part with. I adore vintage, as you all know. I had this idea to really set them off on the back porch wall, to frame them in antique frames to make them more special. Orange, Black, and Green Plaid cushions is what fall is all about.

I do not need much to have an excuse to redecorate, and the sudden change in the air was enough to set me off. Now it is all about plaids, velvets, pumpkins and sunflowers.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Carolyn Westbrook: Live from The Plantation

We are working on many new projects and we had a photo shoot to put together this week. This is our wonderful lab "puppy" Rascal. Nick found him on the side of the road one night, as his brother had been killed by a car, and he sat over him. We already had four dogs, as Victoria picks up every stray that comes along, but as he said, what was he supposed to do?  We all have big hearts when it comes to dogs and at the time he was only about six weeks old. He is all puppy and that means that he gets into mischief. You never know what you will find in the morning. One morning it looked like it had snowed across the front yard, as he had taken the pillows off of the outdoor furniture and torn the feather filling out across the yard.

This week...it was outdoors and it was of course, blazing hot. I always say, it doesn't really cool  down in Texas until Halloween. We had worked hard to get everything styled to perfection for the shots, and then we have to go inside, in the shade, to view them. The tabletop had a cake stand filled with croissants and homemade biscuits. While we were inside looking at photography, Rascal could not resist. We came out to find a transfer ware plate on the ground and a couple of croissants and biscuits missing. There Rascal was, laying on the porch looking fully satisfied. He turns and yawns and rolls up slowly, like "what?" You gotta love it!

Carolyn Westbrook: Farm Life at the Plantation

We are making hay while the sun is shining. Incredible this year...fourth hay cut of the year. I think this is a record. Of course now-a-days it is much more advanced and less work than the old days. We love to watch the baler come along and roll the huge bales of hay and tie them off.
Trust me, I remember spending weekends and summers on my grandparents farm and ranch, and hauling hay was far from easy. We as kids would be riding around in the back of the pick-up truck, your hair flying in front of your face, while my brothers and the other men had hay hooks. As we drove by the square bales, they would have to hook the bales and load them in the truck. Keep in mind it would be close to 100 degrees, while doing this. Not an easy job. Then they would have to be unloaded and thrown and stacked into the barn. I would say that things have become much easier and that technology is a good thing. Nowadays, no one has to leave the air conditioned cab. Even though it is technically fall, it feels like summer has not quite left yet. It is cool in the mornings, but heating up in the afternoons, to still enjoy a few barefoot days, but looking forward to fall!

Carolyn Westbrook: Farm Life

 

 

A white linen duvet hanging outdoors on the clothesline...is there anything better? I absolutely love the smell of the sunshine. I even dedicated a section of my first book to the clothesline. My childhood memories are filled with me playing beneath the clothesline, as my mom hung out the clothes. The anticipation of that smell, that permeates the air, as you unclasp each clothes pin...heaven. Falling asleep, as if you are sleeping on a cloud, with the smell of the sunshine filling your room, and I have to say, the linen bedding is pretty wonderful too. I might know where you can get some of that www.carolynwestbrookhome.com. xoxo Carolyn

 

Carolyn Westbrook: Homemade Strawberry Preserves

When we moved out to the country, many years ago, I had dreamed of flowers, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees. It was hard to see past the dilapidated structure, with a roof that could possibly cave in on us, but I could see the potential. This place out in the middle of nowhere turned out to be perfect for raising our family. This year, we have been busy canning, as the garden as been producing all summer, and still is. I remember my grandmother canning anything and everything, from Chow-Chow to beets, which we hated, and now I kind of like again. We have made jar after jar of homemade salsa, preserves, and batch after batch of pickles, trying all different methods.

I wish that I could say that we had so many strawberry plants that I made these from our garden. The truth is, I was at the local supermarket and there was a massive abundance of fresh strawberries and they were in season and on sale. Since I was a girl, I have been a huge fan of the strawberry. I had strawberry lip gloss and a  strawberry necklace, you get the picture. So, I grabbed up a plethora of strawberries and thought that I would do strawberry preserves. You know what's funny, in a time when you think people would no longer do canning, the canning isle has been wiped out, every time that I go. So cheers to those who are in on the canning trend. I needed pectin, and I got the last few boxes.

For those who think canning is hard, its not. What you do need is a great bit pot, to boil your jars and lids, before and after you pack your jars. I boil mine and then set them out on a cookie sheet with a towel to drain. All you have to do is mash the strawberries, cover with lemon juice, then add sugar. The recipe is in the pectin package. Just follow that. You throw in the pectin, boil and put in jars. Once you have sealed the jars, with fresh boiling water, submerge the jars to get a good seal.
Take out, let cool, and the preserves will thicken up. I make preserves, because I like chunks of strawberries. It's that simple.
Here is the good news. At a time when big food companies are packing our food with high fructose corn syrup and GMO's its nice to know where your food comes from and what is in it. Strawberries, sugar, pectin, and lemon juice...that is it. Not to mention that they are absolutely delicious. We were slathering strawberry preserves on anything and everything, including some homemade biscuits.
Here's to canning!
xo Carolyn

Live from The Oaks Plantation

Here it is just the first part of September and we actually had a cool front. Since it was just 101 degrees a couple of days ago, it feels like an Artic blast. I had to put on a sweater to go and feed the animals this morning. The chickens were all puffed up and didn't know what to think about it. For summers in Texas, this one has been a good one. We still have a garden for goodness sakes, and usually that is burnt up and dried up in August, no matter how much you water. I will be so sad to see the garden go. Everyday a heaping mess of black-eyed-peas, okra, and tomatoes are picked. Throw in a little cornbread and we have a supper that any southerner would be thrilled with. To me, it is all about the home grown tomatoes. Just slice them with a sprinkling of salt and I am good to go. I will miss my garden, but for now, it is still providing the harvest, so I will enjoy it until it quits.

Speaking of fall and cooler weather, that always means that the Roundtop Antiques Week is just around the corner. We are collaborating with Marburger Farms Antique Show and hosting a book signing there on opening day, Sept. 30,2014 from 9am-12pm. I hope that y'all can make it there! You are in for some inspiration and wonderful views. xo Carolyn

Fall Flea Market Tips

It is almost time for the most fabulous fall flea market on earth. The Roundtop/Marburger/Warrenton shows are coming up. If you are looking for treasures for your home, then this is the place. There is high end antiques and tents full of wonderful junk, all opening at different times. This show takes place only twice a year in Texas. If you want to re-do or refresh your home, this is a great place to start. Perhaps you are tired of your "big box" interior, and are craving something unique and beautiful things that speak of you, then this is the place. You want things that are not too bright and shiny, but show a little time-worn patina and wear in just the right places. Items with a history and a story that have been a part of generations of interiors. What a great time of year to grab some girlfriends and head down to the hill country for a fabulous Girls Gone Junkin (from my first book, Carolyn Westbrook Home) trip. In my first book we have an entire chapter on Girls Gone Junkin featuring shopping in Warrenton, Texas. Zapp Hall is a great place to start and they have a website at www.zapphall.com. Make sure to check out my talented friends, Debbie and Danny York, right inside the Zapp Hall building. They are saying that this is the best "junk" that they have ever had. Zapp Hall is a great place to shop and take a break with the Royer's Café where you can sit down for lunch or dinner and feast on some wonderful comfort food. Also, live bands and beer in the beer garden or a glass of champagne in the "bubble lounge." Marburger Farms is a wonderful place for inspiration and you can check them out at www.roundtop-marburger.com. Here is a list of some of the things that I look for:

• Antique Silver Trays
• Old Architectural Pieces such as Columns, Trims, Doors, Windows
• Old Statuary
• Harvest Tables for your kitchen or dining room.
• Old Leather Bound Books
• Antique Chandeliers with lots of beautiful prisms.
• Transfer ware in all colors.
• Old Mercury Glass
• Beautiful old oil paintings.
• Antique Rugs, especially the ones that have great colors that are a bit muted and faded from wear.
• Glass Spooners
• Antique (Monogrammed) Silver Plate Utensils.

Things to take along that you might need:

• Tape Measure
• Hat
• Umbrella
• Rain boots
• Mosquito Spray
• Ant bite stick
• Tote bag for small items
• Cart for bigger items
• Tote or backpack filled with snack items and bottled water.
• Phone for taking photos.
• List items that you have bought and where they are located for pick-up.
• Get receipts

Go out there and hunt down some treasures, and above all...have fun!
                                                                               xo Carolyn

From Flea Market to Fabulous

As I sat in Nick's room, before the make-over, I knew that I wanted this room to be very dramatic. You can see the entire new look of "Nick's Room" in the new book, Carolyn Westbrook: A Romance with French Living. Here my favorite photographer Eric Richards, captures the images for the new book. So, before Nick had the "Safari" look, which I do love, since the first book, Carolyn Westbrook Home. He had grown up with it. I remember upholstering his walls with burlap before burlap was hot. Now, it was time to create something completely different. My flea market finds often inspire an entire room. With my quest for the perfect thing at the perfect price, that often leads me to search flea market tents, tables, in garage corners, in the back of pick-up trucks, and underneath tables sifting through boxes. There is no where that I won't go for just the right thing. A grouping of faded blue globes of the world, some of which came out of an old school, are some of my favorite things. Yes, we had used them before, but NEVER get rid of fabulous.

I knew that we wanted to use a rich, dark blue, as it is always impactful and dramatic. Life is all about the details. No detail is too small. Here we have a tray that is sat atop a beautifully skirted table in blue silk. The blue top sets off this tray perfectly. I adore trays for decorating. Your art does not have to be just on the wall. You can create gorgeous vignettes on a table top, with a tray as your base. This tray is made from wood, with beautiful brass handles, and came from England originally. I actually found a stack of these at a junky flea market in Atlanta. The tray can be anything that you absolutely love, from a mirrored tray, to silver, brass or wood and the trays can be used on any surface such as a chest, a coffee table, a sofa table, to a centerpiece on the dining table.

Think outside the box when creating your "tray art." My "tray art" almost always includes antique, leather bound books. I am in love with little books, and these are magnificent. One of my sources for these magnificent books, is Kay Gilbreath, a.k.a The Book Lady, who will be at Marburger  Farms Antique Show in just a few weeks in Texas. The books shown here, came from her. Books play an amazing part of decorating. They can be stacked, used as a pedestal for a plant, a small easel with a miniature oil painting or in this case, a rest for an exquisite magnifying glass and some larger books are stacked as a base for a lamp, to give it some height.

All the small things that I love can be "showcased" on a tray.  One could add a small plant potted in an antique trophy cup, a small vase filled with one bloom, your imagination will make it your own. I do love tiny ancestor photographs, housed in small, antique silver frames. It adds a bit of your own family history, and makes the house yours. Anything from blue pottery to Mercury glass candlesticks in all shapes and sizes. I do think a "live" element is good, like I said...a small green plant or a colorful bloom works well. I have a fascination with the, hourglass sand timers. I think everybody likes to look and touch these, so a great conversation piece for a coffee table, not to mention they are a pretty detail to our "tray art."

I preach this all the time, but with the release of my new book, I have to get back up at the podium. Get out there and hunt down your treasures for your home, that will then be uniquely yours. They will have a patina, a history, and you are actually recycling in the best way. You will never have the home that you want from an "all new" interior. Our mantra is, "Creating a Home that Reflects the Spirit of You" and that means going out and traipsing across fields and through tents to find the perfect thing. Lucky for you, one of the best flea markets around is coming up and only happens twice a year in Roundtop, Texas. More on that in the next blog....

xoxo Carolyn