Wellies in the Rain

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Shopping, Travel No Comments

I’d been waiting for the perfect rainy spring day so I could venture outside to play in my cute new “Wellies” rain boots. When that day finally came, I donned my raincoat, pulled on my new Wellies and headed out to splash. What a happy feeling – right up there with being a kid again.

I enjoyed a great trip to the UK last year and fell in love again with all things English. When I saw all the cheerful new Wellies designs, I knew I had to bring them home to Ann Marie’s. But how could I ever choose among all the adorable designs?  Not an easy choice. My latest pair feature bold navy and white stripes with a bright red strip in the back, but I have the feeling one pair may not be enough.

In all their new designs and colors, its hard to believe today’s Wellington boots are based on the 1st Duke of Wellington’s traditional black leather British Calvary boots from the late 1700’s. He had no idea he was starting a fashion revolution 400 years later that would seem to dwarf his military accomplishments. I wish he could see the Wellies of today!

For me, my new Wellies bring back the sense of fun and freedom we enjoyed as children.  As long as we were wearing our tall rubber boots, Mom said it was A-OK to splash through puddles to our hearts’ content to our hearts’ content on the way home from school or tromp across boggy pastures at Grandma’s farm.

Why should kids have all the fun?  Ok, time to head outside for another splash with the dog.  Check out What’s New for Spring on my Pintrest page at  http://pinterest.com/annmarie414/ann-marie-s-what-s-new-for-spring/.

A Treasure Hunt in Rome

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Shopping, Tips, Travel No Comments

I remember the day distinctly. A friend and I were wandering through the ancient alleyways of Rome’s old Trastevere district when we happened upon a tiny, old shop. Our eager smiles faded when we realized the shop was closed. Even in busy Rome, most shops are closed all afternoon so Italians can enjoy a relaxing meal and a nap before returning to work.

The shop was very dark inside. We glued our our faces against the shop windows in an effort to peer past the reflection and glimpse the enchanting merchandise inside. I gasped when I saw the gorgeous Italian linens behind the glass. We pointed and whispered to each other, “Look at the linens on that shelf…and stacked on that table!”  Well, there was nothing to do but jot down the name of the alley and hope we could find the shop again.

The next day was our last in Rome. We decided we simply HAD to find that shop before we left the Eternal City. Of course, this was not going to prove easy. The alley was too tiny to be included on our street map, and all the alleys started to look the same as we tried one after another. But with the help of a strong espresso, we persevered and finally found our shop!

The gentle shop owner welcomed us inside and assisted us as we explored her vast selection of gorgeous Italian linens. It was amazing. The beautiful colors of the Umbrian landscape and sky were woven into such elegant Italian designs. The rich woven linen had such depth. When I held the fabric in my hand, it seemed to reflect the light and display its own natural iridescence. After much fun deliberation, we finally made our selections and bid the kind senora “Arrivederci!”

Yes, it was love at first sight. The timeless linens of Tessitura Pardi, beautifully loomed in the province of Umbria, were destined to come home with me to Ann Marie’s.

That Dear Old Shamrock

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Shopping, Travel No Comments

As you probably know, every season’s holidays are special to me. I guess its because holidays are all about the things I value most: home, family, friends, and celebrating traditions. I particularly love the lore behind the holidays…the interesting stories about how each holiday started and the traditions that have been passed down by our ancestors over the centuries. A bit of history always seems to deepen my appreciation.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about Saint Patrick’s Day. How did that little green sprig of clover come to symbolize Saint Patrick and Ireland?

Ireland’s shamrock history has its beginnings in the mysterious depths of the Middle Ages. Some historians say the Irish used the “little three leaved grasse” as a medicinal plant to make them “speedy and of nimble strength.” Others claim the that shamrock served as a humble food source, providing sustenance to the people during times of hardship. However, the first confirmed record of the shamrock appears on a coin in 1675. Saint Patrick is holding up a shamrock as he preaches the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

For centuries, the Irish have celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day by wearing a sprig of the little plant on their hats or jackets. By March 17, the cold winter months are at an end. Fields of lush clover turn the Irish countryside a bright emerald green as ewes prepare to lamb. Cheery shamrock green is the color of promise…promise that beautiful, joyful spring is right around the corner. As I sip my strong Irish Breakfast Tea this morning, I close my eyes and almost feel that I’m there. Have a look at my Irish Green Pinterest page.

Our Heart-Warming Hoilday

By Ann Marie in Inspirations No Comments Tags: , ,

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Every single Valentine’s Day since the 1400′s (think Geoffrey Chaucer’s time in England), lovers the world over have taken a mid-winter break to express their romantic love by presenting cherished gifts to their sweethearts.  How many millions of flowers, sweets and sentiments have been exchanged over these six hundred years?  It boggles the mind just to think about it.  But one thing feels certain. Valentine’s Day has the power to cheer us up and warm our hearts, no matter how bleak and cold it might be outside. With its bright shades of red, soft heart shapes and sweet cupid messengers, St. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I can’t even imagine February without it.

Enjoying Cozy Pleasures

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Tips No Comments

Nestled gently between the months of Celebration (December) and Romance (February) lies one of my favorite times – January, a quiet month for spending cozy times at home. Silent snowflakes fall, the sun remains low on the horizon, and long nights remind me to slow down as I enjoy my very favorite comfort foods and settle in for a restful night of deep winter slumber.

For me, the best way to maximize the enjoyment of this cozy time is to get outside each day to breathe in that crisp January air. Just an hour spent outdoors on a frosty, brilliantly sunny day can be a revelation.

I love to bundle up, strap on my snowshoes and head out for a walk in the woods with our puppy, Sky. She loves to play in the snow. As I race along through the trees to catch up with that joyful puppy, my cold fingers and toes start to flood with warmth. Sky and I head along the frozen lakeshore and emerge in a snow-covered meadow surrounded by tall green pines.

When the sun’s shadows start to lengthen, we round the bend and head toward home. Approaching the garden, which is fast asleep under its soft snowy blanket, I can see the warm lights of home through the trees. That special golden glow tells me a fire is blazing in the fireplace and warmly awaits our return. How cozy it will be to kick off my boots, curl up on the sofa with my cuddly wool throw and a steaming cup of tea. Yes, let me sing the praises of January and the quiet, cozy times I enjoy at home so much this time of year.

My Grandma Pezzi’s Italian Cookies

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Recipes, Tips No Comments

Family traditions are so special to me. Many families cherish a special Holiday treat that has been passed down for generations and is faithfully prepared every year to mark this very special season. For our family, its my beloved Grandma Pezzi’s Italian Cookies. I’m sure my sweet Grandma brought the recipe with her from the old country. As a girl, she came to the US from Abruzzo, Italy. (More about my Grandma later!)

For as long as I can remember, these delicious cookies have defined the Holidays for us and brought joy to every Holiday gathering. And nothing could make me happier this season than to share Grandma’s recipe with you. Please enjoy our family tradition, too!

Grandma Pezzi’s Italian Cookies

1 C plus 2 Tbl butter
2 C powdered sugar
2-1/2 C flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 tsp vanilla or preferred flavoring (perhaps almond, anise, or maybe even peppermint)
3 extra large eggs

Powdered Sugar Glaze:
2 C powdered sugar
2 Tbl melted butter
2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Milk, enough to make a thin frosting

Preheat oven to 350F.
Sift or mix flour, baking powder and baking soda together in a bowl and set aside.
Beat eggs, set aside.
With a mixer, cream butter. Add powdered sugar and flavoring.
Alternately add the beaten egg and the flour mixture to the butter mixture until all are blended.
The dough should be firm. Refrigerate dough (overnight if possible).
When ready to bake, form into 1″ balls, finger shapes or crescents.
Place on un-greased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 – 12 minutes.

While the cookies are baking, prepare the Glaze. Combine Glaze ingredients, adding enough milk to make a thin frosting.
Frost with Glaze while cookies are still warm. Dip each baked cookie in the Glaze – Glaze should peak slightly.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Enjoy!

Good Cheer with a Special Ann Marie Holiday Cocktail

By Ann Marie in Recipes No Comments Tags: , ,

Holiday parties are ramping up. I love this time of year – its a time filled with happy anticipation and good friends. And really, what could be more festive than celebrating with a unique Holiday cocktail?

I can’t tell you how much fun a friend and I had creating a special Ann Marie Holiday concoction this year!  We’ve dubbed it the AnnMarie-Tea-Ni.

As soon as your guests’ coats are off and they’ve settled in, just slip an AnnMarie-Tea-Ni into everyone’s hand, and let the party begin. Its beautiful, rosy color calls out “Happy Holidays!” Its both elegant (best in a stem glass) and a snap to prepare. You can make a batch a few hours before your guests arrive and store in a covered pitcher in the fridge.

For each AnnMarie-Tea-Ni serving, you’ll need:

Juice of 1 lime
1.5 oz gin
2 oz Acai tea
0.5 oz simple syrup (In a saucepan, stir 2 parts sugar to 1 part water together over medium heat until sugar dissolves. When syrup reaches a boil, remove from heat and let cool.)
Splash of Chambord
1 fresh berry  (My favorite is a fresh raspberry stuffed with a chocolate chip!)

When ready to serve: Pour into an ice-filled cocktail shaker to chill and mix. Strain into a lovely stem glass, float a little Chambord on top and garnish with a fresh berry.

Voila!

Happy Holidays!

Preparing My Home for the Holidays

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Tips No Comments

Getting my home ready for the Holidays is one of my very favorite things to do. Its a sure-fire way to fill me with the Holiday spirit.

As soon as December appears on the calendar, the first thing I do is bring out all my collectible Holiday pottery. I swing open my china cabinet doors and pull out my festive platters, bakers, plates, bowls, candle holders and mugs. I smile as I hold each treasured piece of pottery – feels like seeing a dear old friend again after a year’s absence. I can’t help but recall all the delicious food and Holiday joy we’ve shared with family and friends using these pieces over the years. Mixing my patterns just makes it that much more festive. Then I start thinking about what delicious things we’ll enjoy on each piece this Holiday season. Can’t wait to make our favorite family recipes and test some exciting new food ideas I’ve been collecting all year.

Next I move on to decorating. Its hard to beat fresh evergreens – beautiful long garlands and swags. They’re gorgeous, versatile and make our whole house smell like a pine forest. Left as nature intended or jazzed up with sparkly decoration, they create a cheerful, elegant atmosphere for celebrating.

Finally, choosing and decorating a beautiful tree. Somehow, it seems that the size of my Holiday spirit is measured by the size of tree I choose each year…and every year our tree seems bigger than the year before!  Last year’s beautiful giant barely fit in the house, and I’m sure this year’s will be bigger still. Finding enough ornaments to fully decorate these beauties is a challenge. But finding special ornaments to make this year’s “the most beautiful tree ever!” is way more than half the fun!

Autumn Days with Friends and My Special Full-Bodied Coffees

By Ann Marie in Inspirations Tags:

A few days ago, I woke to find that the thermometer had taken a nosedive. As the morning progressed, snowflakes began to drift down among the tall pines. And this time they didn’t melt away — the ground was sprinkled a beautiful, shimmering white.

As soon as a chill hits the air, I crave a cup of my special full-bodied coffees. The bright flavors of fresh-roasted African coffees make the very best cappuccinos and warm me right down to my toes. (Think rich Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi coffees…you get the picture.)  I can almost forget to put on my fleece slippers.

As the snowflakes swirled outside my window, a close friend came by to visit. We threw a few logs on the fire and sat on my big comfy sofa with a delicious hot cappuccino and a plate buttery scones and jam. Hours of warm camaraderie and fun conversation ensued.  A perfect way to pass an afternoon watching the snowflakes drift by.

Here’s a hats-off to spending cozy autumn weekends with good friends, a blazing fire in the fireplace, and piping hot cups of delicious full-bodied joe. Now that’s what I call cozy.

A Special Visit to William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage

By Ann Marie in Inspirations, Travel No Comments Tags: , ,

Driving north toward along the eastern shore of magical Lake Windermere, we pull over to see one of the Lake District’s most beautiful villages, Grasmere. Good fortune is smiling today. As we pass over the threshold of poet William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, we are greeted by a young man who clearly loves Wordsworth and can hardly wait to share the good news: we have arrived at Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage on a very special day. Indeed, it is not only National Poetry Day in England, but also the 210th wedding anniversary of Wordsworth and his dear wife Mary. And Dove Cottage was the first home they shared together.

Our young docent leads us from room to room, explaining how their daily lives were lived. The rooms are small, the ceilings impossibly low, and the stairs to the second storey uneven and steep. Within this charming cottage filled with Wordsworth’s letters and pens, England’s beloved Poet Laureate hosted many meetings with fellow writers Southey and Coleridge.

At the top of the stairway, from a tiny room with a simple desk and small window, I can see why William so loved the Lake District and why he felt its beauty spoke to him through poetry. Our gentle docent reads the lines written by William to express his love for Mary on a previous anniversary. Such beautiful words. From the window, I watch the rich autumn colors, dark heather-covered hills and mists rising off Lake Windermere. William launched England’s Romantic period from this very spot, looking out at this same beautiful but ever-changing view.

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