library

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This is one of the coolest libraries I have seen. Isn't it gorgeous?

via greige

tomato basil pie

I am getting together with some of my college friends on Thursday for brunch. I am so excited to see them all and almost equally excited to make this breakfast pie, it is honestly amazing.

TOMATO BASIL PIE

1 ½ C. grated Mozzarella

1 baked 9” Pie Crust

3 medium Tomatoes, diced & drained

1 C. fresh Basil, loosely measured

1 clove garlic, crushed

¾ C. Mayonnaise

¼ tsp. Pepper

¼ C. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Put ¾ C. Mozzarella on bottom of piecrust. Layer tomatoes & basil leaves that have

been slivered. Mix garlic, mayonnaise, remaining mozzarella, pepper & Parmesan.

Carefully spread on top of pie. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is golden.

Makes 8 servings.

Variation: Substitute spinach leaves for basic creates a different pie.

mostly links

I was so excited when my Mom gave me this painting last week for my birthday, it is even better in person. Here are some links I love this week.

I will be referring back to this gift wrapping guide from Oh Happy Day.

I am lobbying for my Mom to buy rosemary trees for neighbor gifts, like these...

a mantle of white

It looks as though we will get a white Christmas. It has snowed the last two days. I think this is a sign that it is time to pull out White Christmas and make some cocoa.

nobody does it like vera

Some of the famous (non-British) designers sketched what they thought Kate Middleton should wear on her wedding day. These were my favorites, maybe my sister will borrow some of the details for her dress, we are meeting with her seamstress today....

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Angela Missoni

illuminaries

via greige
In my husband's parent's neighborhood they line the streets every Christmas Eve with white bags with candles inside so that the reindeer and Santa can see their neighborhood. It is really beautiful to look out and see the streets lined with candle light. When I saw this picture it reminded me of that. I think I will do one or the other some day.

perfect pillow

I saw this pillow on Nie Nie and was instantly enamored. Wouldn't it be perfect on a child's bed with a solid bed spread?

via pillow factory

clear pantry storage

I love clear storage in pantry's. I am in the process of converting my pantry into the oxo storage containers. I love it. My sister is starting to plan her house and register at stores for her wedding. Here is my pictorial sales pitch for clear canisters.















via design sponge, country living, kellis house, williams sonoma, big sis lil sis, skoots and cuddles, better homes and gardens

flowers

I have been searching for a flower painting for a while now. I saw one on someone's wall somewhere in the blogosphere that I loved. These are some of the best I found on Etsy.

I think this one might be my favorite.


found here, here, here, and here

gorgeous rooms

I love these two rooms, especially the wreaths in the windows.

via greige and black eiffel

spirit of christmas

I will be honest. I have not done one thing to get into the spirit of Christmas yet. It is kind of depressing.

I think I might trim my Mom's windows in the dining room with some garlands.

I wasn't going to put out a lot of decorations since it is already the 9th but I decided I am going to get out my village and nutcrackers at the very least. I found these photos on flickr, maybe they will give me some tips on how to make my village look more village-ish.

via flickr, martha stewart,

weddings

My little sister is now engaged! I am excited for all the wedding planning that is to come. She has an awesome antique ring (from 1880) and wants to have a modern Victorian theme for her dress and wedding. She is going to do yellow as her color with hints of green and white.

Since she wants some Victorian in her dress I think a bustle is called for. I love the bustle on this dress.

I don't know if she will go for this cake or if she will want something a little more detailed but I love the colors and simplicity of it.

I love this picture of a bride and her maids, the yellow skirts are what I really, really love.
via green apple and style me pretty

tis the season

I love the wreaths in addition to the greenery down the staircase.

I like the wall Christmas trees, I saw one in CB2 last year that was perfection.

Mistletoe ball
via martha stewart

book group

My book club is reading Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Holloway and John Bidwell. I haven't started it yet but it looks so interesting. Here is the description from Goodreads.

Monique and the Mango Rains is the compelling story of a rare friendship between a young Peace Corps volunteer and a midwife who became a legend. Monique Dembele saved lives and dispensed hope in a place where childbirth is a life-and-death matter. This book tells of her unquenchable passion to better the lives of women and children in the face of poverty, unhappy marriages, and endless backbreaking work. Monique's buoyant humor and willingness to defy tradition were uniquely hers. In the course of this deeply personal narrative, as readers immerse themselves in the rhythms of West African village life, they come to know Monique as friend, mother, and inspired woman.

house checklist

We are getting our house ready to put on the market since we will be moving this summer. We don't have a definite location but our list has narrowed to Salt Lake City, Austin and Denver. I love Shutterfly's moving announcements but this one is my favorite.

To prepare our house to sale I am turning to Real Simple. They have this kind of stuff down to an art. Here is my to-do list after consulting the pros.

1. Paint- we need to paint our red accent wall back to white and touch up other spots around the house
2. Finish projects- mainly we need to add trim to a door we cut to the crawl space.
3. Clean and De-clutter- I am working on this. I have already started packing some boxes and am getting rid of a pile of clothes, games, etc.

baby gift

I saw this tutorial on freezer stenciling on Dana Made It. It has got to be one of the most brilliant ideas ever. I also loved the baby gift set she made.

haircut

I have almost grown out the hair disaster of 2010 thanks to five new inches since March (my hair grows fast). Today I am going in for a trim to try and even out the layers. I am shooting for the length of Jen with the texture of Anne.

christmas cards

I love these Christmas cards from RSVP Invitations. They recently put some of their invites on Etsy and even offer print yourself option for some of their cards. They will add your picture and verbiage and you can take the file they send you and print them at Costco, among other places. Or you could just have them print them for you. One way or the other these are the prettiest cards I have seen this season.

loveliness for monday

I love this Santa ornament, my tree is crying for it.

I read somewhere online that gray is the new taupe. Thank heavens for a new neutral.

I love this couch. Notice the light gray walls?
via my favorite and best, house beautiful and house beautiful again

calling all readers

I am starting to collect data for my final project for my Master's degree. I am wondering if anyone has read any historical fiction on the Revolutionary War. If you have would you mind leaving a comment with the book title and perhaps a couple of thoughts on the book? I would appreciate any suggestions you have!

more cranberry

Cranberry Bundt Cake. Between this, the Cranberry Pie and Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving I should be able to make it through most of my massive bag of cranberries.

thanksgiving

I saw this banner on Spearmint (you can download a printable copy at the Bonjour Family). I think it is appropriate for the month November and it reminds me of something my Dad told me, although everything may not be going the way I would like, life is good. For that I am thankful.

two things

#1- I like the sliding doors in this room (really I just like the room). I think they would be cool in a cabin.

#2- This cranberry dessert is just what I need to use up some of the giant bag of cranberries I bought (I am making the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, which will take exactly 1/4 of the bag of cranberries I bought).

a royal wedding

via reuters
Did you hear? Prince William and Kate Middleton are engaged, which means a royal wedding this spring or summer. Who is excited?