It has been a busy Christmas vacation! We have been away for almost two weeks now. I miss blogging through my computer at home but all i have right now is my Iphone and unpredictable connection during our travel as we drive from IL to TX to AZ. I feel I have been missing A LOT!
I am very excited to show pictures that i took back when i was at mumsy's home as soon as we finally get home!
But for now, I want to show you some cute miniatures in a room of our friends we where we are staying tonight.
They are so cute, that I have to take a photo and share!
We have 2 more days to go before we arrive home in Tucson. So I will see you very soon on "Snowman Hunt" game!
Be right back soon!
Christmas maybe over but winter is still here and snowmen hasn't melted yet...well not here at mumsy's home. There are a number of them all over house eventhough we didn't had snow here in IL!
Yes. She loves snowman! One Christmas, she decorated her mantle with too many snowman that my brother-in-law teased herbuilding a Snowman shrine. I thought that was hilarious! And so I got curious myself how many snowman does she have around the house? The truth is, nobody knows!
I promised to take you around mumsy's house and have a fun game at the same time.
I will call this game
"The Snowman Hunt"
In this game I will post a series of pictures of around the house. Be on the lookout for snowman decorations like figurines, cookie jars, pictures/prints everything, exept Christmas tree ornaments. That'll be too much. lol!
Leave a comment that you like to join the fun and be a follower of this blog to participate in this game. Whoever guesses the right count of snowmen gets this ornament!
(this prize ships in U.S only)
I will include a clue ;)
There will be a random select if more than one guessed the right answer.
I hope you are all feeling cozy and warm. It has been cold here in IL but without snow yet. I been busy cuddling and snuggling with my mumsy's hugs to keep her little hot-house-flower warm.
After some few shopping today, we stopped at my most favorite little store here in small town of Lincoln Illinois to get some goodies where mumsy used to work. My visit here is incomplete without sparing a moment at Beans and Such
Everything in the store is so beautiful, I just can't keep it to myself!!! Ihave got to show it to all my bloggy friends!!
It is not only the decorations entice me to keep coming back. The smell of their gourmet flavored coffee is heavenly!
Imagine wondering around the store while smelling those fresh coffee beans!
...and of the goodies too!
The store if filled with my interests from Elegant ...
...to the timeless vintage...
...to fun and colorful decors!
Mumsy has a town of this sparkly mini houses!
The items are for sale but inspirations are free!
Beans & Such opened in 1990 by Mary and David Lanterman, a mother and son team. Such sweet people!!
Mary was very kind and allowed me go gaga to take pictures of her store so I could share it with you!
I used my smart phone becauseI didn't have my good camera with me.
If you just happen to go by small town of Lincoln IL, maybe you could pay Mary and David a visit at their shop for some shopping or grab a cup to taste their gourmet coffee or just to say hi :)
Maybe you could say hi to mumsy if you happen to see her around the shop!
After driving for twenty six hours (exept the occasional stops at a hotel and at friend's house), we finally made it to Lincoln. It was a long drive but quite adventurous. Prayer before the trip helped a lot! It was a miracle we made home safe into my loving mother-in-law's arms.
It is not Christmas yet but my mumsy put a small pre-holiday present in my room.
Mumsy and I share the same love for anything French! She knows I love collecting journals!
...with a message from her saying "May this inspire what is in your heart". I am sure it will!!! There's also a surprise card inside that's oh so Parisian!!!
These are such exciting gifts but what excites me the most is being in mumsy's house which I call my second home. Her decorations have gotten more and more beautiful every year! I can't wait to take you on a tour on the next coming days, But it will not be just a tour, there's going to be a fun and challenging game and a prize too!!!
I know some of you are working like ten elves around the house decorating, baking and wrapping presents! Thank you for taking time to read this in-spite-of your busy busy schedule.
I will not be around in bloggy world for a few days. Me and my hubby will be on a road trip from AZ to IL to be with my family for Christmas, but I will always be checking your blogs through my phone because I just can't get enough of your creative projects and yummy recipes! But before I leave, I want to leave you a different kind of "Cinderella Story" that includes recipe and decor and good time :)
The day of the Ladies' Christmas Party came. I was feeling so down. Everybody at the party had something delightful to bring. I didn't have anything. We didn't do any grocery for this week for our goal was to empty the fridge before our trip. The fridge was looking sad and empty. All there was, were leftover cheese, lettuce, mayo, sour cream that was almost empty and two small chicken breasts. I checked on my spice box to see what spices I have.
For a moment there, imagined myself I was at one of those cooking challenges my hubby loves to watch.
Since fairy godmother wasn't around for help, I had to be resourceful and creative and used whatever I have. Plus, we have to use up everything in our fridge that may spoil like fresh veggies. I hate throwing away food. Then, I remembered this wrap we love to order in a cafeteria back in France.
Wrap Curry au Poulet
I don't really measure when I cook, but this is the best guess I could make.
1/2 cup Mayo
1/3 cup sour cream
1/8 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cumin
1 1/2 tsp Curry Madras
Dash of Salt
Ground Pepper
1 tbsp water
2 chicken breasts cut in small cubes
Lettuce
I pan fried the chicken till it was golden brown. I set aside and let it cool down. Next, mix all the first 8 ingredients well in a bowl. Then on the flour tortilla, I laid down some lettuce, put the chicken on top and pour the curry mixture as wanted. I rolled it into wrap and stick cheese and toothpick to hold the wrap.
I sliced the edges and had the pleasure eating it! Then I cut it in three pieces
I lined them all in a nice plate given to me by my grandma June. Then, I printed a small label and put the name of my appetizer. I used a frame from The Graphics Fairy. In this way, the ladies didn't had to ask what was it.
My humble left-over masterpiece was noticed because it was the only dish that had a label. Plus.. it's in French! The ladies thought it had a nice presentation, and the appetizer itself was complimented!Not even one guessed it was made of left-overs ;)
Michelle, the hostess of the party has a very beautiful place that I just had to take a picture of it. I couldn't take my eyes off her DIY Banner!
We had a blast at the party! And to prove it, I made a sideshow of photos taken during the party along with a song "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree'!
Have you made a last minute party recipe? What was it? I would love to hear the story! :)
