Wonderful Chocolate Mint Coffee

The college student is home.  The coffee cake is sending a wonderful scent through the house as it bakes.  I just heard the coffee grinder downstairs in the kitchen.  All is right with the world this morning.

As I perused one of my favorite cookbooks this morning, I came upon my favorite after dinner coffee recipe and thought I would share.  Just in time to accompany the pumpkin pie.

It is really quite an awesome coffee recipe and I ALWAYS have these ingredients ready and the recipe handy for holiday times.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Mint Coffee

1/2 c. whipping cream

2 tbs. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla
1 oz. german sweet chocolate - grated
2. c. strong hot coffee
8 tbs. peppermint schnapps

chocolate curls

Beat cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.  Fold in grated chocolate.

Pour hot coffee evenly into 4 mugs and add 2 tbsp. schnapps to each.  Spoon on whipped cream.  Garnish with chocolate curls & serve immediately.

*Recipe from Susan Branch - Christmas From The Heart Of The Home 

Oh, so yummy and warm!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Fun Finds for Today

While perusing for fun items for my timber frame client, I found a few gems that I thought I would share. 

I love searching for unusual antique items.  I feel a little frustrated by the offerings here in Cleveland.  Where are the wonderful shops??  We have a few on the near west side but...nothing like the offerings in other cities.  

Oh, to have an architectural salvage yard here in town!  Here is a local niche that needs to be filled....    :)

So, I search on-line for antiques and here are a few of the gems that I found today.   

Garden Park Antiques - Hand Forged Antique Andirons

Garden Park Antiques - Antique Wooden Brackets

I think I'm feeling the need for a good antiquing trip. Anyone game?

Bunching Table

After a long break in my blogging due to an incredibly hectic fall, I am back at the computer and thinking about furniture and design.   I miss it!!!

Marge Carson, Kallisto Bunching Table

While searching today for an unusual end table I came across this baby.   I like it! 

Something about it appeals to me.  Put a couple of these together in front an oversized sofa for a nice, earthy look.  Maybe combined with a wonderful linen sofa or sectional???

It feels good to be thinking design again.  More to come....   Missed you!

The Scalamandre Umbrella - Part II



From my last post, it is clear that I am smitten by the funky and fun Scalamandre Zebra Umbrella.  I love the fun zebra motif, the rich red color, and the heft and quality of the piece - it's just an all around winner in my book. 



Lisa Amiri - friend extraordinaire



Last night we held our ASID Ohio North Annual Meeting hosted by Marble & Granite Works.  It was an evening filled with wonderful food from Marigold Catering, yummy drinks, good networking, and warm friendship. 

Marble & Granite Works is a beautiful new showroom here in town - fyi!!

During the evening we held a Chinese Auction with donations from many of our local friends and Industry Partner with all proceeds going to benefit the ASID Foundation. 

Can you guess where this is headed...we had one of those wonderful Scalamandre Zebra Umbrella's as part of the auction.



And now for the part that let's me know exactly how lucky I am to be part of this local design community/family....

As I wandered around the tables perusing all the terrific items that we had for the auction, the umbrella kept calling to me and most of my tickets found their way into the umbrella ticket box.  I did put a few into the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati ticket box - hubby is from Cincinnati after all. 



Fingers crossed...the ticket was pulled and...I didn't win.  Instead, my good friend and fellow designer, Lisa Amiri was the lucky recipient.  Yeah!  I knew it was going to a good home.  :)



Scalamandre Zebra Umbrella



And then my wonderful friend walked up to me with a big smile and a hug, and handed me the Scalamandre Zebra Umbrella.  "Happy Birthday, Sandy!"





Fantastic Scalamandre Zebra Print Umbrella



photo of Gino's, courtesy of the New York Times



I am in love with the Scalamandre Zebra Print Umbrella.  It's a wonderful, happy print and ... I think I just have to have one!!

After some research I have uncovered a bit of history about this Scalamandre pattern.  Story has it that the zebra print was first designed as a wall covering for Gino's Restaurant located in New York in the 1940's.  It went out of print over the years and was recently re-introduced into their line. 

The wall covering is available in five color ways; red, brown, yellow, green, and black.  I adore the red!

And now, the pattern has been made into a wonderful umbrella that's available in two sizes.  I had a peek at them in our local showroom.  The travel size is just right for me.

 

Scalamandre Zebra Print Umbrella

No sad rainy days with this little number protecting you.