Dinner on the Eve Before New Year's Eve

I had a great time last night.  Our friends, Ginny and Matt and Charlene (Cha Cha) and Larry, came to dinner to celebrate New Year's a bit early.  Lucky us!  I set the table for winter glam...

Lit some candles...

...and the laughter and cheer started.  The girls just wanted to have fun...

What's better than entertaining good friends in your home, and spending the day in the kitchen preparing dinner?  Almost nothing, in my book.  It's a great thing to see your friends having a good time at your table...

Matt said we had to put it on the blog that at the last minute, I put the tub of SmartBalance on the table (a Sofas & Sage no-no, he said!! lol).  Come on,  not everything can be perfect hahahaha....

Ginny, Matt's wife, leaned in for a picture with Larry and grabbed his thigh as though he were her husband.  She was horrified and earned the name Cougar for the night, but it had nothing to do with the champagne...

Then we got to dinner.  On the surf and turf menu?...

A Salad of Baby Lettuces

with grapes, pecans, cucumbers and goat cheese tossed in a poppy seed dressing

Lobster with Pan Seared Scallops tucked in Puff Pastry

and glazed with a Sherry Cream Sauce

Beef  Tenderloin with a Medley of Sauteed Wild Mushrooms

Baby Red Potatoes with Butter and Parsley

Sauteed Green Beans with Shallots and Bacon

Champagne and Red Wine

Chocolate Cake

This is a great $10 red wine...

So that's how I spent my night last night.  Thank you to our friends -- I'm grateful to have you in our lives.

There really is some cooking to show on this blog once in a while!!   I'll be back with photos from my day today, New Year's Eve day, in the next day or so.  It's been the best of holidays this year.  What are you doing this New Year's Eve?

Talk to you soon,

Carol

It's Still the Holidays, Isn't It?

This week between Christmas and New Years is still the holidays in my book, despite my gasping "Aaahh!" when I look around blog land and read of decorations being taken down and new projects being posted.  Yikes!  I'm practically still in my pajamas opening presents.  Ok, well, not really, I did work today.

But tonight...I started on my table for New Years.  Actually, we're doing absolutely nothing on New Years, and instead having a dinner party on the 30th.  But, it's New Year's to me, so I swapped out my Christmas dining table and changed it over to winter glam.  My chandelier has gone snowy in honor of the blizzard...

I needed some low, snowy, icy looking arrangements for the table, so I took some vintage glasses I have and stuffed them with some pearl garland (notice my shiny gold fabric -- lovin it!).

Then added some white hydrangeas with sparkle, and a couple of crystal-y sprigs...

And I got my little snowy arrangements...

I'm not posting much this week, as I've vowed to take a break to rev up for the the new year.  But I couldn't resist sharing a bit.  (I say I'll slow down and take it easy, but I never do.  I can't.  I don't know how.)

I'll be back with a look at the party.  What are you doing for New Years -- are you decorating?

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Merry Christmas

May miracles find their way to you this Christmas.  

Thank you for reading, following, commenting, sharing, emailing, and most of all, inspiring me to continue on this new journey.  It has been amazing thus far.  I am overwhelmed by the friendship that has come my way through these first 6 months of my blog.  I wish you peace and joy through the new year.

Carol

Window Wednesday:Holiday Inspiration

This week's windows are all outdoors.  Enjoy some lovely window boxes as seen around the web.  This is on my to-do list for next year!




My Lifetime.com



Cincinnatimagazine.com

sixtyfifthavenue.com

shop2011.com

thefoundryblog.com

lebonreve.com

midwesthomemag.com

amystable.com

After the New Year, we'll be doing some fun windows.  In the meantime, I'm committed to slowing down over the next week to enjoy my family and friends, and I hope you do, too.  This time of year is so short and so treasured.  

Talk to you soon,
Carol





For The Love of Dogs in Winter

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Before and After: Dining Room Nook

Ok, I can't stand it!  I have to show you another peak at my friend Glen's dining room transformation.  I am so excited that I jumped up and down today when I completed touching up the stripes.

Here's where we started with this nook...

We had Glen's painter do below the chair rail in a satin finish black (BM Black) for a little sheen, and the back wall of the nook in an eggshell finish white (BM something -- can't remember).  The remaining walls above the chair rail have remained a light taupe.

You'll recall I painted the stripes...

And this is how it looks to-date...

I'm having so much fun with this makeover I would say that I am giddy.  Yes, I am 46 and I am giddy.  And, there's more to come in January -- this nook isn't done.

If you are new to my blog, you can read about the start of this project here, then progress here and here.

I'm linked up to French Country Cottage today -- check out all the gorgeous inspiration from other blogs.


Talk to you soon,
Carol

Window Wednesday: My Bathroom

Today, it's all about me.  I've been procrastinating doing a cornice for my first floor powder room/laundry, and there's nothing like entertaining for the holidays to light a fire under the butt!   For point of reference for style and fabric, my home is Traditional/French and English country.  I put this together between last night and today.

Here's my window before.  I have wood blinds which match the color of my pine casings (I know how jealous you all are of my wood trim LOL.  Has it become clear yet, from reading this blog, how much I hate adore wood trim??) I had a treatment there prior that was probably my all time favorite one I've done, but it no longer fit when we added blinds.  Bummer.

Wall color is BM Silver Mink, in the gray/blue family.

Anyway, I wanted something super simple as it is a very small room with the washer and dryer in the closet. (This makes for fantastic utility, by the way, especially when the entire family leaves their clothes piled in front of the closet door, making for simply excellent access to the toilet and vanity.  I  digress...)  I decided to do a cornice in a textured fabric, to give the room one surface that wasn't perfectly smooth.

Making a cornice calls for a pattern, so I made one and tested out the look...

Dig the paper for the pattern?  It's old kids' drawings on copy paper, all taped together.

When I completed the wood frame (my man cut it for me and I assembled it), I had to test it out before upholstering it.

Here is the finished treatment...

The fabric is  Kravet.  Here's a better view...

Next week, back to reader's windows.  Hope you enjoyed another peak into my always-in-progress home!


Talk to you soon,
Carol

If you would like me to solve a window issue, suggest a treatment,  critique what you have, or anything window related, please send me an email and picture to SofasandSage@gmail.com.  The only requirement is that you 1.  Become a Follower in the right hand column, or let me know that you already are, and 2.  Leave a comment on a Window Wednesday post.