I’m long overdue for another room reveal and I’ve been saving the last room on my main floor for the holiday season. I love how festive it is especially when the room is filled with family and friends to celebrate happy occasions. When we did our full interior paint refresh, this was one room that remained in the same color family. It got a new fresh coat of color in a slightly different shade using Benjamin Moore’s Caliente. The color is described as “a charismatic, classic shade of red that is radiant and full of energy.” Sounds just about right for an engaging dining experience, right?!
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I’ve updated this post from last January after making two large batches of dry rub for holiday gifts. I’ve been making my original all-purpose dry rub for a few decades and added in a coffee barbecue recipe about four years ago. While I love cooking, most of the time I’m a quick cook; especially during the week, when I’m trying to get dinner out without too much muss and fuss. With that said, one of my timesavers is turning to my homemade rubs I use several times each week to season my suppers.
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The North End in Boston, MA is always a favorite destination to wander around and absorb all the Italian neighborhood has to offer. Fortunately for me, it’s only a 75-minute-drive away! I especially like to arrive in midafternoon and stay through evening to witness the sights, sounds and local flavors as daylight transforms Boston’s oldest residential community to darkness.
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When it comes to growing flowers, I wouldn’t say I have a green thumb because not everything I attempt to grow turns out as expected. Instead, I’d say I’m tenacious and patient. Determined to have color in my flower beds throughout the summer, I’m willing to try new plants, move them around and give them a chance if first they don’t succeed. In fact, I always use brown mulch as it helps hide the evidence of moving things around throughout the season.
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I’ve had a love affair with bigleaf hydrangeas for as long as I can remember. Every summer, I’d admire the huge blue mops during Cape Cod family vacations. This is what I expected I’d grow when I planted my first Nikko blue hydrangeas. Of course, I now know that these old-time hydrangeas can be a challenge.
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An easy, affordable and fun kids’ activity that will keep them engaged is planning a cupcake-decorating project. It’s great for a kids’ party or even family time. So, when the temps soared into the 90s at a family party we hosted, I knew the little ones would welcome a project and air conditioning break. My grandkids and I are no strangers to decorating cupcakes with me. I started making kits during the early days of the pandemic when socializing was limited to our family bubble. Our first one was an Independence Day theme; I still cherish those memories and photos.
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Getting away for summer weekends is always on top of my to-do list. Thanks to friends who shared their charming vacation condo in Killington, VT with us, we had the opportunity to unwind over the July 4th long weekend. It turned out even better than expected. Why? There was so much to do and relax and recharge with no hassle. No crowds, traffic or long waits.
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If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’m enamored in trying new smoothie variations. Lately, it’s all about the color. While my first smoothie post with a banana, blueberry and kale concoction was totally delish, it certainly wasn’t very pretty. However, anyone who experiments with smoothies knows that color is the eye of the beholder. Even funky-colored smoothies can be quite palatable! My second smoothie post featured a glorious and tasty red sipper, thanks to adding in a small fresh beet.
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How I wish we could bottle up this time of the year as we approach Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer. As a New Englander, you have to admit it’s one of the best times of the year as we get ready for the warm-season groove. Why not? The days are longer and warmer as we march into summer solstice. And where I live in Massachusetts, all the trees are finally in full bloom. It seems like overnight the world turned lush and green. Memorial Day marks a date on my calendar where I strive to check outdoor work off my list. I wonder … Is this true for others? Is it your personal prerequisite to have certain pre-summer preparations underway before Memorial Day to start your summer off on the right foot?
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Turquoise, cobalt, sky, mint, chartreuse, flamingo, coral, peach, amethyst, goldenrod, candy apple, terra cotta … These are vibrant colors that bring me back to the Caribbean and especially my favorite island: St. Maarten/St. Martin. The beautiful colors of the island’s dwellings, structures and architecture stick in my mind long after I’m home. Which is why I paid homage to island color in one of the smallest spaces in my house.
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As a stepmother, I can say without hesitation that I feel blessed. I am happy, love my life and wouldn’t change anything with my relationships with my husband, stepchildren and grandkids.
But I have to say, I’ve learned to grow into this role and find my place. And I know as much as I had to figure this out, my stepdaughters did too. Especially in the early years. It’s not our fault. It’s just how it how goes. Through mutual respect, love and our commitment to each other, we’ve found our way, and it works.
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Vacations have a way to provide perspective about your life and how you spend your time. My recent getaway on the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin gave me the pleasure to check off to-dos under my 2022 goals. Most significantly, I consider myself fortunate to cross off items under the Pure Joy/Fun and Adventure/Travel categories in my Commit30 planner. Allow me to elaborate briefly on three goals in this pictorial post.
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