Flashback : Lilac Season | Mr. Darcy Stopping to Smell the Flowers | Lilacs in Concord, Ma.

I'm revisiting this post today from 2012... and adding to it a bit : )

There was a time about 20 years ago when I wrote this post (kidding, only seems like that long ago) that I had what seemed to be all the time in the world to wonder around with Mr. Darcy and observe.  I was pregnant with Emma and I would go on long walks that lasted hours, all through town to watch the changing seasons.  When we were living in Concord, Mass. I was awed by the abundance of lilacs everywhere all over that old fashioned town.  This walkway/front hedge was one of my favorites.

Yesterday, Emma and I visited small hidden patch of Lilac bushes in the woods near our house that I had discovered years ago.  I hadn't been there since Mike and I moved into this neighborhood (the first time) 7 years ago.  We clipped an armful and stuck our noses in  them the entire walk home.  

When I bought this Watering Pitcher for the store, I knew it would be perfect for big, wild bunches of lilacs... and peonies, and hydrangea.

They make this entire room smell so good.

I also found some Mrs. Meyers Lilac dish soap, counter spray and hand soaps at target... and bought several of each : )

I wish lilac season lasted longer, but so glad it is around for a late Easter this year.

.........

Today, on our morning walk, Mr. Darcy and I decided to stop and smell the flowers.  He was attracted to the pansies and pussy willows at the Mainstreet Cafe, while I was drawn to the lilacs.  I've been meaning to photograph the lilacs for a week or so, but the weather hasn't been cooperating.  With rain in the forcast for the next five days, I decided to just go for it.  


Concord, being an old town settled in the 1635, has many old neighborhood streets and homes that remain from the Colonial and Victorian era.  Lilacs were especially popular in the Victorian era and were a staple in landscape and garden design.  In today's landscapes,  they seem to have lost their popularity, unfortunately.   

 


Look at this glorious hedge - I can't imagine how old it must be.

In the past, gardens were more seasonal than they are today - groves of cherry trees, hedges of lilac berries, and cutting gardens full of tulips and peonies.  Now, landscapes are designed to be 'maintenance free' and look good all year long.  While this might seem smart in our busy lives, I think everyone is missing out on enjoying the short blooming times of each seasonal flower.

This light pink lilac is so sweet peaking through the picket fence. 

These full lilac blooms are from our very own bush.

Our old house was full of seasonal flowers - beginning with daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, pear and dogwood trees, magnolia, lilacs, peonies and ending the season with hydrangea.  I loved it.  In our new house, the landscaping was completely overgrown, so everything was torn out and started from scratch (except an old flagstone patio we discovered - a great surprise).  I miss having the surprises of what each week might bring, but it has been fun to select exactly what we want.

Little Lemon Tarts

I love lemon pie.  What could be cuter than a mini version of a favorite?  They are so cute, and individual sizes are perfect for entertaining.  I used the Small Tart Pans, here for the perfect single portion.  They are disposable and come in a set of 10, $5.

This is the same recipe I used for my favorite Easy & Creamy Lemon Pie.

Easy & Creamy Lemon Pies

8 mini pies

2 pie dough rounds (I used store bought)

2 cans of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of lemon juice

6 egg yolks

2 cups of whipping cream

1/4 cup of sugar

lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the crusts, roll out the 2 store bought rounds so they are slightly thinner.  Cut the rounds, so they are big enough to fit in the tart pans (about 1") bigger than base.  Fit them in the disposable tart pans.  

For filling, mix together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and egg yolks until smooth.  Pour filling into shells.  Bake for 12 minutes.  Let cool.  When cool, topped with sweetened whipped cream.

I piped the whipped cream on top using a disposable pastry bag + Starburst Tip.

Shop all Baking Supplies, here >

DIY Rustic Garden Pot Floral Arrangement | Spring Restock Tomorrow

We have received so many emails about these rustic pots.  Of course, it is always the simplest things we are all so eager to get our hands on!  These pots are a perfect example - simple in form, aged patina, earthy color and so versatile.  When I first stocked them in March, I had many projects planned for them - a vessel for a hostess gift, pots for herbs, and using it as a vase for a floral arrangement.  I held off sharing this idea with you until they were restocked... tomorrow is the day!  Both sizes the Small & Med will be restocked tomorrow morning at 8 am (Eastern).

I love this idea because it makes a floral arrangement look rustic and garden-y.  I always use utilitarian vessels for floral arrangements like pitchers - I think they make them feel casual and less fussy.  Using a garden pot is the same idea.

I used a Plastic Kitchen Container (available here) to hold the water and essentially turn the pot into a water holding vessel.

I started with a base of greens to make it feel lush.  These are lemon leaves easily found at most grocery stores.  They stay green and fresh for weeks.

Then, I added 3 large hydrangea.  Our grocery store always has a big supply of white hydrangea so I often use them.  I make them look seasonal by accenting with daffodils and hyacinth in the spring, and magnolia leaves or berries in the fall.

I used about 8 daffodils to add some spring freshness.

Don't these hydrangea in the Tall Watering Pitcher look so lush and simple?!  Do you see a glimpse of that little creamware creamer?  Those might be on the restock list, too ; )

I'll see you in the morning at 8 am (Eastern)!

This Week's Menu | Spring Dinner Party | Spring Prosciutto & Peas Pasta, Skillet Lemon Chicken, Shrimp Scampi

Over the weekend we hosted my family for dinner, so I took some time in the morning to set a comfy, springy table.

I pulled out my Wheat Wreath Napkins that have a warm, gold color that look great for spring - especially with the purple and white hyacinth.  I paired them with a rustic natural and cream linen cloth (from a few seasons ago).  It is great to pull out old favorites - sometimes I get so caught up in the current season's products, that I forget to use favorites from seasons past.  But, I know many of you have these same linens, too, so I think it is great to show how they can mix and match and look fresh, again.

Wheat Wreath Napkins,  here >

A view from the kitchen of our dining space.

And someone sneaking a chunk of baguette - and walking through the frame to show me!

Here is the menu, I'll write another post at some point with menu and recipes.  I recreated the RL Salad we had over the summer at the RL Restaurant in Chicago - everyone loved it.

**One note for the store : Tomorrow, I'll be restocking some favorites that sold out too quickly in the Spring Collection.  I'll send a separate email reminder later today.  

Now, onto the week ahead.  Here is what we'll be having for dinner : 

Spring Pasta

It is still raining here, so comfort food is sticking around for a while.  This is a Springy Pasta that has lots of comfort and is a favorite for everyone.

Barefoot Contessa's Skillet Roasted Chicken served with Wilted Lettuce & French Potato Salad (below).

French Potato Salad

Wilted Lettuce

Shrimp Scampi

On Saturday Morning...

We haven't had these donuts in a while, and I've been thinking about them : )

Homemade Chocolate Glazed Donuts (easier than you think!)

Spring Home | Downstairs Tour in Morning Light

Good morning and happy April, friends : )   I'm sharing some photos taken in the morning light this morning.  Lighting is such a large part of how a space feels.  For blog photos, I tend to opt for bright, sunny photos taken in natural light.  But sometimes, that misses the mood.  It misses the quiet coziness that is captured at different times of the day.  

I love how our home feels in the morning.  I'm usually the first one downstairs.  I start by turning the lanterns on a dim setting, and the cabinetry lighting.  Then I switch on a lamp in the living room and open the back door.  

The hyacinth are spoiling us by perfuming the entire room.

This morning, I'm debating... cranberry orange scones, or a savory bacon cheddar and chive?

Branches blooming on the new dresser that hasn't made it upstairs and is starting to feel quite comfy where it is.  A simple centerpiece of a single daffodil and candlesticks.

The new windows have made a world of difference in this room.  The old shutters are back on and all of a sudden this room is feeling all sorts of charming.

To show you the difference, here are some photos I took in the afternoon light.  Bright and full of whites.  Lovely, but not quite the same warmth and cozy feeling.

What do you think?  Do you like the bright white?  Or the warm and cozy?