Summer Porches

There's just something about a big porch. I have a big screened porch that I live on about 7 months out of the year. It has a big swing on it, and I'll put the ceiling fan on high and lay back in the swing and listen to the birds, (I have feeders right outside the porch), and before you know it I'm sound asleep. I can't get out there right now because it's pollen season, and it's solid yellow. Just so you get an idea of how bad the pollen is, anything over 100 is high, well today the count is SEVEN THOUSAND!!!!! Yep that's right 7000... It's gross! It's should be gone in about another week, I hope. These are some really pretty porches.












Hope you enjoyed the beautiful porches...

I'm leaving this afternoon and going to visit my brother, he lives in Tamap, Fl.
He has an Alpaca ranch, and he's got five little babies running around, one was born this week.
Can't wait to see them, oh yeah, and my brother.. :)

Have a great week!

Cheryl~




pictures: better homes garden, evan sklan, country living, romantic homes

Are You Hunrgy

For the recipe for this mouth watering dish, check out Yvonne at Stone Gable. She has the most beautiful blog, and her photo's make you want to reach in the computer and grab what ever she has made and eat it. She has several awesome recipe's on her blog. I want to go to her house for dinner, she also set's the most beautiful tables. Very talented lady!! From now on when I need to know what to make for dinner I'll just head on over to Yvonne's and see what she's made... Thanks for sharing these wonderful recipe's!!

Summertime Cottages

It's getting that time to start thinking about summer vacation.. We go every year to my girlfriends home in Michigan. The little town that she lives in is just like May Berry, it's so peaceful and beautiful, it still has that small home town feel. She has a beautiful 100 year old farm house that sits on the Grand River, it has a big front porch with a swing and rockers, and she fills it with ferns and flowers in the summer, it's so pretty. The streets are lined with maple trees and sidewalks, kids playing dodge ball in the street, neighbors stopping by to chat, I'm telling you it's Mayberry!! Well a couple of years ago they bought a cottage on a small lake north of them, and it's a little piece of heaven.. We get out on the pontoon in the evening and ride around the lake and it's just so peaceful and relaxing, and the night sky is filled with stars. We can't wait to go back this year!

Here are some pictures of some beautiful cottages inside and out. Something to take a look at as you think about your summer vacation.... Enjoy!

Have a great Day~





I love the rustic walls in this attic room with the touch of robins egg blue. Looks like a great place to relax..


Isn't this a great little cabin tucked away in the woods...



Ok, I want this bedroom... I love the stone wall with the arch window, the big wood beams... It has such a romantic feel to it, I just love everything about it!


Great antique door leading into this cottage with the vine wrapping over the door!


What a pretty cottage porch with the white wicker, love the wicker hanging basket with the colorful flowers. Look at the way the wisteria hangs over the side of the rail, and it has the most intoxicating smell...



These are great beach colors.. Not a great beach though...


What a sweet little cottage this is. Love the bright red accent color!


Isn't this a beautiful old stone cottage, look how beautiful the light cast on the stone is. I bet it's cozy on the inside...


I love this entry way door, with the vine and it's yellow leaves running along the white wall. Love the rustic pot and chair that sit outside... Wonder what's behind that door?


This is such a cheery cottage with it's bright yellow accents.

Beautiful Blogger Award

I was Awarded Beautiful Blog Award today from Beach House Living...

Thank you so much!!!! That was such a "Sweet" surprise...

I have to list seven things about myself:
1. I've been married for 30 years, he raised me.. :)
2. I have a 9 year old chocolate lab named Mabel, she's my baby!
3. I don't have children.
4. I play tennis pretty much year round.
5. I come from a large family, I'm the youngest of 9, six sisters and two
brothers, and we have the best time together.
6. I love to consignment shop, I find great things. I owned one for 10 years.
7. I love flower gardening, horses, antiquing...

Now I must pass it on to more beautiful bloggers..

1. Bella Inspirations
2. Burlap Luxe
3. Cheryl's Fascinating Finds
4. Counting Your Blessings
5. Reasonably Chubby
6. An Inviting Abode
7. Vignette Design
8. The Weathered Bungalow

HAPPY EASTER

Wishing everyone a truly blessed Easter with family & friends!!

Photo Rachel Ashwell

Apple Rum Cake

Apple Rum Cake with Butter Rum Sauce

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
4 T. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 cups grated unpeeled Granny Smith apples

Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Add apples and blend with the dry ingredients.
Pour into a greased 8 inch square pan.
Bake 400 for 30-35 minutes
Cut into squares and serve warm with the Butter Rum Sauce

Butter Rum Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup half & half
dash of ground nutmeg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 T. rum

Combine butter, sugar and half & half. Cook to boiling, stirring constantly. Lower to medium and continue to stir until thickened, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then add nutmeg, vanilla and rum. Server warm over cake

I was over at Vignette Design looking around and came across this recipe for this cake that sounds wonderful, she was so nice to have shared it, thanks, so I thought I would share it with you. It would make a great Easter dessert...

Ideas For Easter

I love this Easter Basket from Southern Living.. This would make a great gift for the Gardner, and so unique.



I remember dying eggs for Easter as a kid, it was such a big deal, always fun! But for some reason, I just don't remember our eggs looking like this.. :)


What a great Easter Basket for someone special...


These cookies are too pretty to eat...



Love these tulip cookies in flower pots, from House Atic, great idea..














What a beautiful outdoor setting for Easter...


I love this old farm table set for Easter...