A breath of summer in February...

This was to be our "kid free" weekend and there was talk of a quick trip to some sunny locale. Alas, it was not to be and we are here in snowy Ohio dreaming of warm summer days (seed catalogs by my side.)

And then...my girlfriend sent her favorite Sangria recipe and...suddenly it's feels like summer in February here in our little corner of the world.

I immediately dashed to the store and purchased the necessary ingredients, rushed home, and began chopping fruit.

Voila! It's a sangria party at our house! A fresh breeze of summer to perk up our spirits.

Here is Patti's favorite recipe from Recipezarr.com. Very yummy and delicious. Some guacamole and chips just to round out our impromptu party.

Try it!! Just the thing to get us through the winter dohl drums.

ENJOY!! Thanks Patti - great idea!!!


Traditional Red Wine & Citrus Sangria

1 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup superfine sugar (I put sugar in the blender)

1/4 cup triple sec

2 oranges, sliced

2 limes, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

1. Combine all ingredients except sliced fruit in a large bowl or pitcher.

2. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours.

3. Fill a large pitcher with ice; add sliced fruit, then pour in sangria over fruit and ice.

4. Makes 5 cups without ice.

recipezarr.com

I LOVE A GOOD SALE!!!

I am a bargain shopper through and through.

Not that I don't have a knack for selecting the most expensive item out of an array of wall covering, fabric, tile, etc.

Quality shows and my eye is drawn to things of quality or things with a unique design - things of beauty. You know - those items that make your heart sing.

Anthropologie - Antwerpe Chair

pictured right

Count on me to instinctively pick an item that makes you say "Oh..." when you see the price.

My Mother has a million wonderful sayings that play in my mind over and over (the oral teaching tradition at its finest.) This posting brings to mind:

"champagne taste on a beer bottle budget"

okay...growing up I heard this...oh...about a thousand times.

It is a logical progression that I would find the field of interior design and that I would fall in love with working around all the gorgeous things the world has to offer.

But, much of the time I/we are working on a budget and I am trying to stretch our decorating dollars. Shopping for bargains really helps stretch the budget.

Typically I do not find the "anchor" items for a space during a sale, but accessory items are my common treasures.

I thought I would share a few of today's finds with you. I have been perusing the Anthropologie site for a bargain or two.

Here are my lovelies for today:

Anthropologie - Platinum Ombre Martini Glass

Anthropologie - Aviary Castle

Anthropologie - Sunken Flourish Lamp

Those are my favorite sale items for the day...now for a few extras that I found along the way....

Anthropologie - Crystal Votive

Anthropologie - Pencil Skirt, Taper Holder

Anthropologie - Jungle Leaf Tablecloth

See all the Anthropolgie sale items here - anthropologie.com

Year of the Tiger - 2010

Happy Year of the Tiger!!

It is time to usher in the Chinese New Year (actually I'm just a bit late.) 2010 is the third year in the twelve year cycle - the year of the metal Tiger.

In 2010, February 14th ushered in the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, and as is the custom, the Chinese New Year's celebrations will continue for the following 15 days until the next full moon on February 28, 2010.

This last day of the Chinese New Year season is marked by the traditional Lantern Festival. I JUST LOVE LANTERNS!!! In China , the Lantern Festival is considered a day for lovers. Two days in one month - how fun!

What image comes to mind when you imagine a tiger? Ferocious, lightning fast, intense, powerful - all words that are associated with the tiger - all words that have been used to describe this upcoming year.

I just keep thinking that I should fasten my seat belt - the ride might get bumpy.
The negative side to the year of the tiger - conflict and disaster. Nooooo.

On the bright side - it won't be boring. Changes are in store for everyone - lots of movement. Perhaps travel. I love to see new places so I'm looking forward to this side of the tiger - right now I'm imagining sun and a beach - who knows where the journey might take us???

The metal tiger is related to technology, so there may be great advances this year with inventions aplenty. (I'm holding off on that new phone - waiting for just the right one.)

The tiger is quick with great drama - be ready. Be ready to seize those opportunities, in whatever way they may present themselves. Poised and ready to strike - that's the tiger.

Photo by Wesley Hargrove

I enjoy discovering more about the connections between Chinese culture and its relationship to the practice of Feng Shui. I will keep you posted as I uncover new ways to incorporate Feng Shui into our modern lives.


For now...I am looking forward to my own Lantern Festival on February 28. I have a lantern collection but I am thinking that I really NEED to add a few new ones. Let's see what I can find. Send me pictures of your favorites - I would love to post them!
See my previous lantern post below - aren't they beautiful???


http://weaveideas.blogspot.com/2009/02/paper-lanterns.html


Happy Year of the Tiger!!!

Click here for more Year of the Tiger information