FABBY: What I Have in the Foyer

Hello sweet friends!

   
I will be going on a small trip to Peru with Alejandro, his brother Pablo and his wife.

Ok, some of you remember we went to a coastal tour with his older brother and his wife back in May. 

 Pablo and Alejandro were very close when they were growing up because Pablo just follows hubby. We have a wonderful relationship with all 6 siblings, they are seven with hubby.

I will be visiting you when I come back. We are leaving this Saturday and returning home the following Sunday.

I'm sharing my 'almost fave' piece of furniture in the house, although, let me be clear, I love them all.
 
 Since I was a child I had a special attraction for things Oriental, I mean the Chinese, Japanese kind. I always loved furniture, porcelains, dishes, screens, you name it!

Ok, so here is what's in my foyer...speaking of Oriental.

I bought this gorgeous Chinese secretary almost 15 years ago and it was love at first sight!
The chair is Scandinavian with real leopard skin on it! We inherited from my in laws.

I loved the black enamel, hand painted doors with mothers and children in a garden, playing. I might add it's painted inside and out of the secretary. 

The other half of the secretary has drawers, where I keep tablecloths, doilies, napkins and who knows what else!

Now, this is what it looks like opened and it's so much fun! 
 
I decided to place my Oriental teapot collection inside here, before they were in the kitchen's window sill.
The painting is of Cayetana and Victoria, my grandgirls, when they were very young.

The left side of the secretary with some teapots. In the middle the three wise men.



The right side with some more fun things and teapots.
 
The pretty yellow teacup I received from lovely Deborah's great blog, 'The Beautiful Matters.'

  I love to change my things here, like I just added the teapot collection, that was previously in the kitchen sill...some of you might remember.

 

I keep lots of memorabilia too.

This is what really got me, all those cubbies; when I first opened the doors back in the store.
I immediately envisioned myself decorating each cubby with all my pretty treasures.

Than I also have some of my dog collection on the desk top.
Also some family photos and the telephone.

I don't think I've ever shared this Oriental blue and white porcelain pot I bought a couple of years ago and I have a small jade plant on it.

The white crocheted big doily here was made by my grandma. 

This is my vintage, marble top French foyer table.

This is a lovely chest, an antique, as it was Alejandro's grandfather.
 
Besides the picture frames, I have my Delft garniture set, more dogs and an antique small oriental box that belonged to hubby's great aunt.

Some of you remember I shared how I cleaned my silver in the dining room...well, I did clean some of the silver and sterling frames here too!

Love the carvings in this piece...so you see, I really love all our furniture.

The chest is flanked by two pretty Frenchy chairs.

And of course, our antique Carrara marble top French table is the queen of the foyer!

The floor in all our social area is marble with black onyx-marble insets. There are wonderful marble mines here in Ecuador.

Ok, so this is what our foyer looks like and what's in it.

Thank you for your sweet and kind comments, as they always make my day.

Thanking the lovely and gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

Grace at Home    http://www.impartinggrace.com
It's a Party    http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
The Homemaking Party   http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
Home Sweet Home     http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Fabulously Creative Friday     http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Wednesdays Adorned from Above     http://www.adornedfromabove.com
The Inspiration Gallery     http://www.craftberrybush.com
Friday Favorites     http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Thrifty Things Friday     http://melissasantiques.blogspot.com
PINK Saturday     http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Say G'Saturday Party   http://www.natashainoz.com
Chain Linky CLIMB Party    http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Saturday Show Off     http://malevikrosentradgard.blogspot.com
Anything BLUE Friday     http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop   http://loveoffamilyandhome.net
Saturday Sparks Linky Party    http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
DIY Inspired Party     http://foodfolksandfun.net
Show and Tell Saturday     http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com
From the Farm Blog Hop    http://www.sunnysimplelife.com














 

FABBY: July Rosary Gathering Tea

Hello my sweet friends!

      Here is another Rosary gathering with friends, that has come and gone, the last Wednesday of each month.
It seems I'm often sharing these tables but no, they're are each month it's just that time runs between our fingers and we are now celebrating the First of August, my goodness!

Wishing all of you a wonderful August and may God bless you too!

For the July Rosary I chose my ever lovely, ivory reticulated dishes. I might add it's a complete set for 12 with chargers, as well.

This set of dishes came with two pretty hurricanes too.

The tea set is from another ivory and lace pattern, as my dishes didn't come with a tea service, but they matched pretty well, as you can see here...right?

I also found this ivory bowl in another place a few years ago and it became a fruit bowl for the centerpiece, opposed to flowers for a change.

We had the usual food: 'home made bread, bakery bought bread and home made jams and cheese.'

Here are my homemade jams, blackberry and strawberry.
 
The small cloches were a giveaway I won from lovely Chie and they are four and came with their small and cute spoons.

I used the dinner plate as chargers for more of an effect and to add more lace volume.

 The set for 12 has soup bowls as well and big chargers. It also came with service bowls and long platters and I bought two extra chargers, to use as serving big round plates.
 

The runner was crocheted by mother as a set with the big tablecloth she made for me several years ago.

Some of the friends that follow me know that the yellow tablecloth I re- purposed when I changed my 'yellow silk moire' draperies from the living room and family room to 'Hunter Douglas' shades a little over two years ago.

Thanking you so much sweet friends for your lovely and kind comments, they always make my day!

Thanking the lovely hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:

DIY Inspired Party at,  http://foodfolksandfun.net
The ROSEGARDEN in Malevik at,  http://malevikrosentradgard.blogspot.com
The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://www.craftberrybush.com
Creative ways Linky Party at,  http://www.posedperfection.com
Inspire Me Please weekend Blog Hop at,  http://loveoffamilyandhome.net
DIY Inspired Linky Party at,  http://foodfolksandfun.net
Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://astrollthrulife.net
Saturday Sparks Link Party at,  http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com
Inspire Me Monday at,  http://www.createwithjoy.com
The Sunday Showcase Party at,  http://www.bystephanielynn.com

Amaze Me Monday at,  http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at,  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
A Return to Loveliness at,  http://www.areturntoloveliness.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://www.antiquesandteacups.com
Tea in the Garden at,  http://blog.bernideens.com
Tea Cup Tuesdays at,  http://artfullafffirmations.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
Show Share Party at,  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
The SCOOP at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com
Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com

You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://www.kathewithane.com
Le Chateau des Fleurs at,  http://www.lechateaudesfleurs.com
Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
Centerpiece Wednesday at,  http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com
Make Bake Create at,  http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
Tuesdays with a Twist at,  http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com
Wake up Wednesday at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Wednesday's Adorned from Above at,  http://www.adornedfromabove.com
What's it Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Inspiration Exchange Monthly Party at,  http://cityfarmhouse.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Linky Party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
























 

FABBY: Hi-Yo Silver...away!

Hello sweet friends!

    Alejandro is sick in bed with a bad cold, so while I've been a 'sweet nurse,' and the fact that I feel alone, as he's busy been sick, watching TV and working with his computer... I decided to get busy myself and started to look at all my dirty and dark-gray silver in the antique buffet.
 
I gathered them all and headed for the kitchen, determined to start my chore, Asap!

Here is my 'shining silver' after polishing it like a mad women...one and a half hours later! 

All of a sudden I felt like screaming...hi-yo Silverrrrr...lol!

You all remember that great cowboy TV show from the 60's, 'The Lone Ranger,' who had a horse named 'Silver' and dad, my brothers and me never missed it, hehehe..

I also created a table for lunch tomorrow, when we'll be four, with my new 'balsa-wood' place mats. Balsa wood is very light weight and light in color, like a cream beige and there's a lot around here and there are very pretty products made from it as well.

I found these very pretty cut out place mats, which I know you would've bought them too, if you saw them.
 
They're made here, in Ecuador.

Ok, here goes my lovely silver.

The antique Belgium buffet had dirty, dark gray silver for so long; sadly displayed on top of it, as the last time I buffed and shined and polished them was last October for a dinner party...hehe..

I'm so happy and proud of my work so I wanted to share before I forget to shine them again... not that I loved doing it, either, lol!

Shining, ha!

This antique piece has a tier where I have the small silver and sterling heirlooms. The antique Dutch teaset is pewter, so no need to clean!

My lunch table for Monday. I used my 'Spanish country dishes, I haven't taken them out in a very long time.'

I loved these 'balsa-wood,' cut out place mats I bought the other day. I have eight of them. The painted finish is just like the 'Spanish country dishes' I used for this setting.

I know these dishes don't make a great contrast with the placemats, but I liked the softness of it, like 'beige on beige.'

I also made yesterday some 'Italian Anisette Cookies' hubby loves.
The recipe is at the end of this post.

I love the contrast the placemats make on the wood table.
 
Some of you know hubby bought this gorgeous vintage 'French' table a couple of weeks ago. In the back side board my new blue and white finds.

I'm still admiring the lovely carvings of the vintage French table, which is what made Alejandro decide on it.

The amber wine stems are 'Italian' and the water etched glasses are 'Bohemian-Czech Republic.'

Thank you so much for coming sweet friends, as you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

To add to a folder, you must be signed in.

Please sign in

Italian Anisette Cookies with Sprinkles

Ingredients:

Servings:
Servings 40

40

Servings

• 
  

  
  

Units: US | Metric

COOKIE

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons anise extract (or almond extract)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (may need up to 3 cups)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 -3 tablespoons milk

ICING

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/8 teaspoon anise extract
• food coloring
• decorative candy sprinkles

Directions:

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. 2
   For cookies, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add anise extract.
3. 3
   Blend flour and baking powder. Start by adding about 1/3 of these dry ingredients to the butter/sugar in your mixer, then add 1 T. milk. Add another third of the flour and another 1 T. milk. Finally, mix in enough of the remaining flour until your dough is like a brownie batter (it should be softer than a drop cookie dough).
4. 4
   Use a 1 T. cookie scooper to make simple round drop cookies - use wet fingers to pat any rough edges OR for an Easter-Egg look, roll 1 T. dough into an elongated ball.
5. 5
   Bake cookies 10-12 minutes (they won't be brown but the insides will be soft and cake-like).
6. 6
   For icing: mix sugar, milk and extract to make a sugar glaze. HINT: When I make the icing, I make it thick but then I microwave it for 10 seconds so it is thin enough for dipping. Also, I like to divide the mixture in thirds, and then add ONE DROP of food coloring to each batch (pink, green, yellow).
7. 7
   Hold cookie in your hand and turn upside down so you can dip the top half in the glaze; turn over and immediately top with sprinkles so they will stick.
8. 8
   Allow icing to harden overnight; then store in air-tight containers or freeze.

I will be joining:

Masterpiece Monday at,  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Amaze Me Monday at,  http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://www.astrollthrulife.net
Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
A Return to loveliness at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://www.antiquesandteacups.com
Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://blog.bernideens.com
Tuesdays at our Home at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Show and Share at,  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Home Sweet Garden at,  http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com
Mix it up Monday at,  http://www.flourmewithlove.com
Inspire Me Monday at,  http://www.createwithjoy.com
The SCOOP at,  http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com
Le Chateau Des Fleurs at,  http://www.blogger.com
Your Gonna Love it Tuesday at.  http://www.kathewithane.com
Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://kinickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com
Tuesday with a Twist at,  http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
What's it Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Share Your Cup Thursday at,  http://jannolson.blogspot.com
Wake Up Wednesday at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com

Outdoor Wednesday at,  http://asouthern.daydreamer.blogspot.com
Adorned from Above at,  http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Make Bake Create at,  http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
The Chain Linky CLIMB Party at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://www.craftberrybush.com
Fabulously Creative Party at,  http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Foodie Friday Friday at,  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com
Friday Favorites at,  http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Friday Frenzy at,  http://www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
SATURDAY SHOW OFF at,  http://malevikrosentradgard.blogspot.com
PINK Saturday at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com































 

FABBY: Tea is Served in the Kitchen

Hello sweet friends!

       I'm starting this Monday by inviting you to have some tea in my kitchen, my fave place and where we spend most of our days, eating, cooking, baking, watching the news, or enjoying the view out the windows... so why not invite you too for tea! 

I can serve you coffee, tea and some goodies, whatever you prefer. I can make you little sandwiches too! (my wishful thinking, pretend).

I hope you like my tea setting for you... so please, come inside!

What made me invite you for tea is that I've been tweaking a little... so now my coffee station is by the TV, in front of our breakfast nook. Before I had cook books and my cookie jar in this space.

I chose for you my Mil's antique teacups from her wedding china and are under the cloche. They also have pink roses as the table topper.

Some goodies in my 'Lady Carlyle' tier and some cheese in that small covered stand.

Now I'm keeping the 'cookbooks of the moment' here, next to the cooktop where I had the coffee station before. 

The cook-book at your left was written by my dear Mil and the other I bought from the volunteers for the 'Cancer Society, FASEC.' Next is my Cookie jar I have forever. 

Our kitchen is not big, but not small either and I love to spend time here, it's really very comfortable and warm, I think.
The door you see leads to the laundry room.

People here have the custom to serve on warm days, some cold fruit sherbet before tea, or even ice-cream...whatever you prefer!



Some of you might remember my Chinese teapot collection I keep in the window sill... I so enjoy looking at them.

Coffee is ready in the back, if you rather.



I love this little pantry for my everyday use as I have a wall to wall closet pantry in the laundry room as well.
The 'slit' pantry, next to my double ovens contains all the things I need for baking right at hand.

Thank you so much sweet and kind friends for coming over for tea, you always make my day!

Thanking the gracious hostesses for having me at their great parties.

LOVE,
FABBY

I will be joining:




















A Return to Loveliness at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Make it Pretty Monday at,  http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at,  http://www.marthasfavorites.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at,  http://www.antiquesandteacups.info
Friends Sharing Tea at,  http://blog.bernideens.com
Inspire Me Tuesday at,  http://www.astrollthrulife.net
TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME at,  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com
Knick of Time Tuesday at,  http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com
You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at,  http://www.kathewithane.com
Inspire Me Monday at,  http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Mod Mix Monday at,  http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com

Home Sweet Garden at,  http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday at,  http://www.savvysouthernstyle.com
Wordless Wednesday at,  http://www.createwithjoy.com
The SCOOP at,  http://www.stonegable.com
What's It Wednesday at,  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Tuesdays with a Twist at,  http://www.blogger.com
Wake Up Wednesday at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday at,  http://betweennapsontheporch.net
Make, Bake, Create at,  http://www.hopeineveryseason.com
Home and Garden Thursday at,  http://www.adelightsomelife.com
Cottage Style Party at,  http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
It's a Party at,  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

"PINK Saturday for Beverly's Birthday Party" at,  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Wildly Original Linky party at,  http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round up at,  http://www.housewivesofriverton.com
Grace at Home at,  http://www.impartinggrace.com
Thursdays Favorite Things at,  http://katherinescorner.com
Home Sweet Home at,  http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
The Inspiration Gallery at,  http://www.crafteberrybush.com
Home and Tell Friday at,  http://romantichome.blogspot.com
Friday Frenzy at,  http://www.mostlyfoodandcrafts.com
From the Farm Blog hop at,  http://www.sunnysimplelife.com
Say G'Day Saturday at,  http://www,natashainoz.com
The Chain linky CLIMB at,  http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Saturday at,  http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com
Saturday Sparks at,  http://peacedpastimes.blogspot.com
A Bouquet of Talent Linky Party at,  http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com