Take a break this weekend.....

I know I am!!!!

Trays are a wonderful way to organize items and contain clutter.  Whether they be silver, wicker, wooden or any other material, they provide a decorative way to display in the bathroom, the laundry room, the kitchen.....wherever!  Here are some wonderful examples:

I am inspired to find new and creative ways to use trays in my house to contain the clutter.....which can be quite a challenge with 3 teenagers and a dog!!

Now that the warmer weather is here and the streets have been cleaned I can finally enjoy bike rides once again! I am so fortunate in the neighbourhood where I live in that I can easily bike to the local specialty food store, florist, starbucks, gift and clothing stores.  I purchased myself a lovely and comfortable white cruise style bicycle similar to the one pictured below from Costco!

My next challenge was to find a pretty woven basket for my bike in which to hold all of those goodies.....fresh flowers, baguette, wine, coffee beans!!  I searched locally with no luck and then found a company on the internet by the name of the Nantucket Bike Basket Company.  Here is what I ordered and just received today!!

It's exactly what I wanted and I think it will not only look very smart on my bike but will also prove to be very functional.  I think I will be the envy of the neighbourhood!!

Entry ways are an important first impression to a home.  Obviously they need to be functional particularly in a home where there are pets and children, yet at the same time, present the image and feel of the home you are creating.  

I particularly like the look and functionality of this entry hallway.  The basket for catching scarves, purses, backpacks, the console table providing a place for keys, change, mail and enough room for boots and shoes underneath.  The mirror perched above reflects the light of the chandelier with additional lighting provided by the table lamp.  

I sourced this beautiful bench for my entry way....

Now I just have to get my creative juices flowing and come up with something spectacular!

An inspirational quote to start the week.  I need to remind myself of these words more often...

I think the universe is revealing my next opportunity....I am ready to jump in!

Oh my lovely sunroom has become a place for me to not only work, but a bright and cheerful place to read, relax and rejuvenate.  This room sits between the dining room and sunroom so I painted it the same Benjamin Moore Linen which enhances the flow between these rooms.  

I love relaxing on my chaise while reading....

And my desk is situated so that I can look out over my garden....a wonderful place for thought.

And of course, I love adding pretty touches such as treasures from the sea and white tulips...my absolute favourite flower.

The addition of accent pillows brings more comfort and I love these pale pink floral ones that I was lucky enough to find at Indigo. 

A sunny, cheerful and comforting room.  Just yesterday it provided a place for me to have a lovely visit with a dear friend while we shared a lovely glass of chardonnay.  In fact, being that it is friday, I think I will pour myself a glass now and toast the weekend!  

Still very busy with the finishing touches on my kids rooms, the living room, sunroom, kitchen and foyer so I'm not ready to display them yet, but my other great pleasure is cooking and baking...particularly for the pleasure of others.  

Today I had the pleasure of baking one of my favourite things....bread!  Not just any bread, it is a no knead bread, of only 4 ingredients and is baked in a very hot oven in a cast iron pot.  I have been baking this for years and has now become a well requested item when I am invited for lunch or dinner. It also makes a lovely gift when wrapped in crisp parchment paper and tied with twine.  Served warm, it is an absolute treat! And today I prepared 2 loaves for a friend who is hosting a dinner party tomorrow evening.  All she has to do is pop them in the oven for a quick few minutes to warm them up before serving.  A beautiful crusty french bread...what could be better!

So I am happy to share my recipe and hope that you will enjoy this as much as I do.

No Knead Bread

3 cups flour (any type....experiment and have fun with different types)

1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

3/4 tablespoon of kosher salt

1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix dough the night before by combining all ingredients in a bowl with a fork.  It will be a shaggy mess.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit over night.  (12 - 20 hours)

The dough will be wet, sticky and bubbly at this point.  

With a wet spatula, or your floured hand, dump the dough on a floured surface and fold ends of the dough over a few times and nudge it into a ball shape.  Dust the top of the dough with flour and cover with the same plastic wrap. Let is nap for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450 F and put cast iron pot into oven to warm up.  When oven ready, remove pot and very carefully dump the dough into the pot.  Cover and bake for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake for another 5 - 10 minutes until the crust is a lovely golden colour.  

After it has cooled, if it is a gift,  I like to wrap it up in parchment paper and secure it with raffia or twine.  The presentation I feel is just as important.  So the 2 loaves I baked today will be presented to my friend tomorrow in one of my favourite leather handled wicker totes!

Who wouldn't be pleased to receive a lovely package of home made bread!!