Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Our family photo taken this summer up in Lake Placid New York.  Meg Jeff with Gabey and Sheppy.  And GJ and Moira!  Merry Christmas to all !!!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY BLOG!!!!



It's been 3 years since I started writing this blog! Fast and furious in the early years - not so much posting lately- wish for this year - MORE POSTINGS!!!! Now off to get ready for Thanksgiving !!!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Happy Fall!!!!



Been away from the blog for forever!!! Busy life - no excuse. Will be heading up to Maine for Thanksgiving in a few short weeks. Can't wait! Will have quite a crowd over the holiday. Will be cooking and eating up a storm!

This year will include a few recipes - want to make corn relish for a side dish. Just purchased 2 new platters for this year's table. Homegoods  is such a great place to pick up these gems!

Christmas is coming on fast- must start lists and checking them twice :) Happy Fall everyone!

Friday, August 19, 2011

At the Vineyard...

In the waves... be back later

Monday, August 1, 2011

Away in Lake Placid!





Sorry for the lack of postings this summer- very busy with guests, facebook and traveling- am in Lake Placid as we speak - visiting my brother's family. We will be in Saratoga Springs this week and then back up to LP for a Flaherty family reunion. Pix to follow! Until then enjoy the fun and games





 




 View from my room- gorgeous weather




The House- called "Moon Dance" - just gorgeous!!! And so much fun!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

FLORIDA GETAWAY!!!


 Just back from a great trip to Tampa Clearwater Beach area of Florida. Spent 9 days in the sun and on the water. Great weather and a great time. This sunset seen every night from our balcony of the Hyatt Clearwater Beach. We had a great 2 bedroom suite with fabulous views.



Took a lengthy hike down the beach at Fort DeSoto State Park- considered one of the best beaches in the world- we arrived around 4pm- great time to walk the beach.






Chartering a boat was a great idea- we anchored off "One Tree" island and did some swimming- or jumping off the boat- Moira did a great dive!




 Nora turning 8 years old on the trip - can really do great dives too!!!



 Here I am with my brother Rich and his son Rory- quite the boat captain!





The whole crew on our Pontoon boat- the Tampa Bay area is great for boating.




Even the real "Captain" had a great day on the water.



Moira had a quick fun getaway from the pressures of work in Washington DC!!!




My brother Rich and his family on Easter morning at brunch with wife Mary, Rory almost 14, Kerry 10 and Nora on her Easter birthday is 8 years old!

Great time with this crowd- fun fun fun!!!!!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Round Table Discussion



 This is the round table before we had it refinished this winter.  It was delivered back to us this Christmas and it looks fabulous! Our next problem is how we will "decorate" the room- I have thought many books layered with an ever changing floral arrangement would look good. I really like the layered look - George thinks I "booby-trap" every space in the house!






This space in Oscar de la Renta's home is fabulous!  How about that for a layered table??? A bit overdone by my beach house standards but great none the less!!! Love the coral centerpiece!



 Another idea from Martha Stewart's Maine house - this is her great room or great hall- books scattered on the round table but how about those covered stools??? What a great idea - increasing seating and you can sit a spell while browsing - Don't think I would use the floor length tablecloth in our house - maybe a little too formal but who knows- Martha usually knows best!

The other change I am thinking of is getting rid of the Oriental carpet and adding a bound sisal rug-like here-
 http://www.potterybarn.com/products/color-bound-sisal-rug/

I think I would need a 9x12 or larger.  Need to measure the space and find someplace that could bind the rug with navy blue- that or leave it beige- Thoughts???

Can't wait for the Maine season and to get on with the projects! Hurry up Spring!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Soakin' Mushroom Recipe!!!



It seems every time I want to make this side dish we can't find the recipe. We are usually either up in Maine- Lake Plaid somewhere other than DC.  My son GJ always says- Mom you should put all your recipes on the blog. He is right - easy access. So here goes - we will never be without this one again.

George had this first at a potluck at the Boeing Company in Saint Louis. He asked the women who made it for the recipe and we have been enjoying it ever since!!  Great with steak on the grill or a festive beef tenderloin.



                                                     Soakin' Mushrooms


4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons sherry
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 lb mushroom caps. stems removed
1/2 cup whipping cream

Melt butter with sherry and garlic over medium flame in skillet. Add mushrooms and saute till mushrooms are lightly browned and butter is sizzling. Add whipping cream and stir to coat mushrooms. Turn up the flame and boil hard until sauce thickens. Cook to the consistency of a thin custard. Garnish and serve at once.

optional garnishes- parmesan cheese, parsley, green onions or pistachios.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Snow and Christmas



Looks like Santa was just about to head up the chimney!




Presents are all piled up around the tree!




Moira waits patiently at the top of the stairs!!!! Just like always.




Mo GJ and Kendra head down to see what Santa brought!!!





GJ is pretty happy about his new macbook!!!




Everyone checking out the haul!




Just thought I would peek out the door and see how the storm is brewing!!!





From the archway everything is white!!!






The wind was blowing badly and the snow was drifting - not really able to see what the total inches were- but they said we got about a foot!!!




Truly a winter shot!!! Even the wreath was snow covered - it really had to blow to get snow inside the porch!!!



Our OCEAN view!!!!   Can't see a thing down toward the beach!!! Quite a storm!!


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Christmas Eve in Maine


As the sun begins to set on Belfast- George is out in the cold hanging some bulbs on the tree in the circular driveway- he added a few lights too to make the house look more festive with the lack of snow- little did we know what would be coming later!!






The tree was begining to be decorated but we had to leave some decorations for the kids to do!





 My Santa collection grows each year!





I can't believe how the walls look since we took the wallpaper down and had the painting done! This is my silver area.





The tree lit up - no presents yet!





Big present to ourselves - gas logs in the living room and dining room fireplaces- love love love them!!! They throw off so much heat and the remote control makes it so simple!!! and no dust!!!!





The presents are building up! I haven't had the ceiling painted yet and I was in a dilemma about whether to paint the beams the same color as the woodwork throughout the house- right now they are ceiling white- so I am experimenting and having the painter do the ceiling a pure white and the beams the creamy white of all the woodwork- we shall see how it looks in the spring!!!






New Ralph Lauren tablecloth and napkins in blue look great with all the candle and the greenery. That bread doesn't look bad either!!!!







The spread of goodies for snacking!!!






Kendra got me a great bottle of my favorite Cakebread Cellars - Dressed in a sweater and hat!!!






GJ and Kendra about to start in on Ina Garten's Beef tenderloin recipe!!!! The sauce is to die for!!!







George - digging in!!!




Moira's favorite meal- and good night to all !!!!!