happy friday

I had a wonderful Pug named Dewey who passed a few months ago and this picture reminds me of him!!



                                             {Via}

Not sure which I like better the dog or the ottoman, both are lovely.  I hope you have wonderful plans for the weekend.  I will be cleaning out my garden and reorganizing the children's closet for all their new fall clothes.

lemon madeleines

Like little cakes with a citrus perfume, these European darlings are equally delightful as a light dessert with fresh fruit or on their own at teatime.

 



                          {Via}

Makes 2 dozen

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted, plus more for pans
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted (not self-rising)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 3 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (2 to 3 lemons total)
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two madeleine pans; set aside.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside.

Put eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest and juice in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and thickened, about 5 minutes. Mix in butter. Using a spatula, fold flour mixture into egg mixture. Let rest 30 minutes.

Pour batter into buttered pans, filling the molds 3/4 full. Bake cookies, rotating pans halfway through, until edges are crisp and golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Let cookies cool slightly in pans on wire racks. Invert, and unmold. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers at room temperature up to one day.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Lemon Madeleines and more delicious recipes, smart cooking tips, and video demonstrations on marthastewart.com 

Quote for today...

“Be happy. It's one way of being wise.”

Sidonie Gabrielle

whites...

                                {Via Dress, Design & Decor}

I simply love white and would have shades of white all over my house if I was the only one who had a say.  It's tough to imagine an all white home with children and their friends and puppies but I like to dream.  These lovely photos came from a blog Dress, Design & Decor I recently came across and adore.

Hope you have a WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!!!

Photos: Nest For Two by Allison Serrell, Photos by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Water Falls

                                {Via Velvet Hammerschmidt}

Designer's Notes

We convert a simple yard of grass and concrete into four distinct, usable areas that make it ideal for entertaining. This cozy nook features a custom sectional, firepit and cascading water features including a fountain with stainless steel runnel.

Gardens

This lovely antique garden gate is the entrance to a vegetable garden.

The Tuscan-style entry to this home is inviting to visitors.



This is a whole new level of sleeping outdoors. The cozy bed has flannel on the inside and flowers on the outside.



Take advantage of sight lines. Use natural forms such as these branches of an aged olive tree to frame views both near and far.

                        {Via Allen Land Design}



I can't decide which I like the best.  All of these are wonderful places.  Very inspiring...