An Unfinished table setting....Secret Garden Cottage

Hello...

I hope you are all enjoying your week!

I first want to thank all of you for the facebook love!

You guys have always made me feel so welcomed no matter where I go....

THANK YOU!

I wanted to share a few pictures of a table setting I was trying to put together...

Usually it takes a couple of times for me to get it to where it looks right.

I have a tendency to do everything either too simple or too cluttered.

There isn't ever a happy medium with me...

I thought I would show you the first table setting I came up with..

It turned out pretty boring.

That is why when I was asked by KT Merry to be apart of her editorial shoot,

I was rather nervous.

It honestly ended up being one of my funnest experiences, that happened because

of having a blog.....

I learned so much by working with these two talented girls...

Sara taught me a new way to wrap vintage silverware....

I used to work as a waitress in this very small restaurant in Hot Springs, MT

when I was in high school....

I have always been wrapping my silverware like we did at the restaurant.

Last year I had posted a french farmhouse inspired table setting where I used blueberries in my drinks.

I was so disappointed in how that turned out, because the berries would always sink to the bottom of the glass....

I recently learned a trick on how to make these guys float...

I will share that tip next week with my follow up post.

Thanks to KT and Sara

As you can see it looks very unfinished, but the truth is this was what I first came up with.

If you are working on something in your house, whether you are rearranging a room, trying out a new paint color, or

seeing if you like the table setting you came up with...

take some pictures of that area or room and put it on your computer.

You might be surprised how much this process will help you see your home or project with a different view.

I always have to take pictures and then see it on the computer screen and then make changes.

I have been doing this ever since we moved into this house,

long before I started a blog.  

This process has helped me tremendously.

Photographing a room helps me see that maybe I need to edit or add something...

Next week I will show you some changes I made to my table setting, 

and share some of those tips I recently learned.

On another note...

I want to share a link to a blog I think you will LOVE.

I have always loved Jo's home, and especially love her farmhouse kitchen.

I actually haven't ever seen the before pictures of her kitchen though, until the other day.

My sister is doing some remodeling on her home,

and we were both looking through Jo's blog for inspiration.

I think you will be inspired too....

We are hoping my sister's husband will be inspired by her kitchen makeover too : )

Secret Garden Cottage

Have a wonderful week!

Take Care,

Maria

Dreamy Whites Online

Blackberry Pie.....My Mom's Pie Crust Recipe...Facebook and Twitter

Hello,

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

Well, I decided to sign up for facebook and twitter over the weekend.

I am a little nervous about this, but I think it will be a lot of fun....

KT Merry and Sara Roeder both convinced me to get signed up : ) .

My sister Liz, will be helping me run my  twitter and facebook accounts.

Liz does all of the sewing for my online shop, so she is very knowledgeable as to what is going on.

You can find me here on facebook

and you can find me here on twitter....

Now onto the blackberry pie recipe......

My sister, Monica shared the blackberry filling recipe with me....

I had planned to share this recipe last year and never got around to it...

We are in the middle of blackberry season here, so we picked some blackberries on the ranch to make blackberry pie.

We bake a lot of blackberry pies every summer....

I love this picture of my son Austin, I love that his little hands are stained with blackberry juice

and so are his lips : )

This is about the easiest recipe ever....

For the filling you need....

Blackberry Filling

1. Cup of Sugar

1/3 c. flour

1/2 tsp. of cinnamon

4 Cups of Blackberries

1 TBL. butter

Mix all ingredients together and add to an unbaked pastry shell.

{I like to 1 1/2 times this recipe so I have plenty of filling for the pie)

The recipe for the pie crust is a recipe my mom has used ever since I can remember.

I have tried so many different pie recipes and really this one is my favorite.

I am from a family of 10 kids, so this recipe will make 6 single crust pastry shells....

so if you are making berry pies or fruit pies, where you need a bottom shell and a top layer, the recipe will 

make 3 berry pies....

You can adjust it according to your needs.

Even with having just five kids, I always make the full recipe.

Pie Crust

6 Cups of Flour

3 Cups of Butter

4 tsp. of salt

1 1/2 cups of water

Mix Flour and salt together

cut butter into the flour (until the mixture resembles corn meal)

add water

gently combine your flour and water together (just until dry ingredients are moistened)

divide into six sections, and refrigerate for at least two hours.

Add your berry mixture to your unbaked pastry shell....

Roll out another layer of dough and place over the top of the berries.

Pinch the two layers of dough together.

Be sure and cut in air pockets, and I also like to sprinkle a little sugar on the top of my crusts before putting them into the oven.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes on 425....

I always loosely cover the edges of my pie crust with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

I take the foil off the last 5 minutes of baking.

My favorite dish to use for baking pies in is the Emile Henry brand.

I really love using their bakeware.

If you would like to read more about Emile Henry and why their bakeware is so special, you can do so by clicking here.

Do you have something you love to bake in the summertime? 

If so please feel free to link to a recipe from your blog in my comment section.

On another note...

We are headed to the fair this week.

I had to share a picture of Bethany with her steer from last year.

Bethany had grand champion 4-H steer last year.

I probably won't be back until next week.

I  would like to thank Marni Katz from the inside source for featuring our bedroom in 

an article about recycling architectural salvage.

On a final note.....

Please make sure you enter my Jeanne Oliver Designs Camera Bag Giveaway if you

haven't already....

Jeanne is completely sold out of the camera bag....

One lucky winner will be getting the last camera bag, before Jeanne's new fall collection comes out.

I added a few new items to my shop over the weekend, but since we have the fair this week,

I won't be adding any new items until the beginning of next week.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Take Care,

Maria

Dreamy Whites Online

A Few Changes.... and a Jeanne Oliver Designs Camera Bag Giveaway

Hello!

I hope you are all enjoying your week.

I recently rearranged my girls' room....

and my sons' room....

For the most part I shopped my own home...

Here is a sneak peek of the girls' room....

and the boys' room.

I have been playing musical furniture .......

This drives everyone crazy in the house.

However the kids are very happy with how their rooms turned out : ) ... 

I hope to photograph their rooms and share them on my blog after the fair is over....

On another note.....

I have a special giveaway for you today....

Jeanne Oliver has been so kind to sponsor a very generous giveaway for my readers.
Jeanne is giving away one of her Ellison Camera Bags to one lucky reader.....

Jeanne is one of those girls that is blessed with many talents.

I happen to own one of the Ellison Camera Bags and love it....



My daughter Bethany loves it too...
It is a beautiful camera bag...
The Ellison not only holds your camera, but can also double as a purse.
Thank you Jeanne for sponsoring such a generous giveaway....

Giveaway Rules....

1. To enter the giveaway....
all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post....
Optional....
2. If you would like another chance or chances to win,
you can share the giveaway on any of your social networking sites....
Please leave a separate comment for each site you share the giveaway on.
Anonymous commenters please be sure and leave your email address, so we can contact you if you win.
The Giveaway will end July 29th, and the winner will be chosen by random number.

I also wanted to share Jeanne's interview she did with me a couple of months ago.
I found Jeanne's interview to be very inspiring and really wanted to share it again,
in case any of you missed it.

Here it is....

Tell us a little bit about Jeanne Oliver Designs? 

First of all I would like to thank you for having me share on your beautiful site.  You inspire so many on your blog.  You truly have a beautiful gift for styling and photography.

Jeanne Oliver Designs started as A Bushel and a Peck.  "A Bushel and a Peck" is the title of a song that my mom used to sing to us when we were little.  A little over three years ago I began selling on Etsy.  I sold little things that I had been making for gifts and also began including little girl clothes.  I giggle a little when I look back at the beginning.  There was no direction...but I am so proud of myself that I started.  Starting is hard and scary.  I love looking back at those first images because I can see very clearly how far I have come.  Just recently did I restructure my business and rename it Jeanne Oliver Designs.

a picture of Jeanne in France

How would you describe your design style?

I have to admit this one is hard for me.  There have been so many design inspirations in my life.  I have loved vintage fashion for as long as I can remember.  Between old movies and fashion magazines I was always sketching the images that I was seeing from a young age.  I want my designs to be feminine, full of detail, vintage grace, authentic and comfortable.  I want my bag to be your favorite bag.  I want my dresses to be the one you reach for when you want to be comfortable and look beautiful.  Livable vintage...is that even a word???lol

Ellison Camera Bag

What type of items can we expect to find while shopping at Jeanne Oliver Designs?

You will find pretty.  You will find jewelry embellished with vintage treasures.  You will find totes detailed with vintage buttons and fabrics.  You will find dresses with attention to the details.  You will always find the old blended with the new....I hope that never changes.

Cream Ruffle Tote

What is the name of your new summer collection?

Town and Country Collection

Mary Kate Peasant Dress

What was the inspiration behind your Town and Country Collection?

Last summer I spent two amazing weeks in France.  The first part of my trip was in the south of France staying at the most incredible chateau.  We had daily excursions to flea markets, old villages and millinery.  Our days were lazy and indulgent.  We were catered to and lavished.  I found myself walking the incredible grounds on different occasions just in awe of the beauty of the countryside and the stillness.  There were fields of sunflowers and old, wrinkly men that fit perfectly in the country landscape. The men were so deliciously French looking that it was almost painful when I couldn't take their photograph.  At night I slept with my shutters open so I could feel the breeze and hear the rain.  It was pure perfection.......until I got off the train in Paris.

Paris!  The cab ride from the train station to our hotel had me almost in tears.  I can't even explain it.  Loveliness all around. It was too much beauty to take in.  But it was not the natural beauty of the French countryside...it was man made and breathtaking.  It was architecture, cafes, activity, sounds, church bells ringing, crowds, art.

In each setting I found perfection.  How could I choose one over the other?  The one brought peace and contentment and the other made me feel alive.

If you want to read more about Jeanne's trip to France you can do so by clicking here...

Pictures Jeanne took while she was in France.

Do you have a favorite piece from the new summer collection?  

My favorite piece of the new line is the Mary Kate peasant dress.  I love the vintage feed sack on each one.  

Mary Kate Peasant Dress

I also love the Sadie purse.  That vintage fabric is so incredible and I wish I could have bought a million yards of it!  

Sadie Purse

Was it hard to create your own look book?

Honestly, I am just stubborn.  I am not the most computer savvy gal, but with a little trial and error (and a few tears) I put it together.  I didn't have the time to do one and even my husband was questioning the importance with so many other things to tend to.  We both agree now that it is the best thing we could have done for this line.  I love it and I am so proud of it.  I took all of the photos and the models were gorgeous and really showcase my clothes beautifully.  The most important part is that the lookbook tells the story that I wanted it to tell.  

Click on the picture below to view Jeanne's inspiring look book....

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

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For someone who is just starting a business, would you recommend starting out on etsy or getting your own .com?

Definitely start on Etsy.  Etsy has been amazing to me and truly gave me the time to figure myself and my style out.  A dot com is the next step when you have a following.  I will still continue to use Etsy though because customers find me on accident all of the time.   It is a wonderful tool.

Linen Ruffle Tote

What do you enjoy most about owning an online shop?

About a month ago I was at an event and a woman came up to me and expressed that she is so inspired by the women of my generation and the businesses we have been able to create.  She said that she wasn't able to do that when she was raising her children and now wishes she would have made more time for her creative gifts.  I can make the time because of the internet and an online shop.  I don't have to have a brick and mortar shop...I would never have time for that.  My shop doesn't reach my town....I can access the world. Pretty amazing.  What I enjoy most about owning an online shop is the possibilities!

Ellison Camera Bag: )

Jeanne Oliver Designs ~ Shop

Jeanne Oliver Designs~ Blog

Jeanne Oliver's Look Book

Thank you Jeanne!

All photographs in this post are property of Jeanne Oliver Designs.

Don't forget Jeanne is giving away the Ellison Camera Bag today on my blog, and if you would like
to enter please leave a comment on this post.....

I hope you all have a great week!

Take Care,

Maria

Antique French Cafe Au Lait Bowls.....Pale and Interesting....Decorate....

Hello!

I hope you are all having a great week!

I have been busy these past couple of weeks and haven't had a chance to blog.

Just a warning this is going to be a random long post....

I have a few things to share with all of you..

I first wanted to share two decorating books with you that I think you will enjoy...

The first one is Decorate written by Holly Becker (Decor8) and

Joanna Copestick.

This book is filled with so many useful and beautiful decorating ideas you won't be able to put it down.

The authors of this book, provide you with decorating ideas using many different styles of homes.

I think that is what I love the most about Decorate, it isn't a book geared towards just one style,

anyone can pick this book up and find great ideas (more then a 1000  ideas) for their home.

DECORATE

The second book is Pale and Interesting, by Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote.

Atlanta Bartlett teaches you how to keep your home simple, real, and relaxed, and

you will learn how to create a stylish and comfortable home using pale shades of color.

I have learned so much valuable information by reading Atlanta Bartlett's books.

Really you can't go wrong purchasing one of Atlanta Bartlett's books.

PALE & INTERESTING

On another note....

I wanted to share a few pictures of my cafe au lait bowls.

I decided to list some of my cafe au lait bowls in my shop last week.

I have been collecting antique french cafe au lait bowls for a number of years now, and decided

to start selling them in my shop.

Cafe au lait bowls are used in France to serve coffee or hot chocolate.

I fell in love with this set of enamelware cafe au lait bowls.

I wasn't expecting them to go so quickly : (

I think they look so beautiful stacked together in a grouping.

I use mine for about everything.....

They also make great vases....

Cafe au lait bowls come in many different shapes and colors.....

You can find them with beautiful bright color patterns.....

or you can find them in a beautiful creamy white color....

I happen to love both styles.

If you would like to see a beautiful collection of these bowls you can do so by clicking 

HERE

You will now be able to find cafe au lait bowls in my shop.....

Dreamy Whites Online

You can also buy new cafe au lait bowls at Anthropologie...

I also wanted to share a few pictures of new items I had added to my shop this past week....

These porcelain topped canning jars are a favorite of mine.

I am hoping to find more of these soon.....

I also added this rustic french zinc bowl to my site last week.

It has the best patina on the inside of the bowl....

It was once used to hold water for washing your face.....

This bowl would have been paired with a zinc pitcher.

I am hoping to find more bowls like it for my shop....

 I like how this rustic zinc bowl looks paired with the marble topped table.

I also added more zinc pitchers to my site last week.....

I was able to find two of these unusual zinc pitchers with lids....

I am always drawn to rustic french zinc pitchers.....

I will be adding more vintage french baskets to my site over the next couple of weeks as well.

On a final note.....

I just had to share a few pictures of Bethany's lop-eared bunnies.

Bethany raises rabbits, and it is always a treat when we have these little guys

around....

My kids are busy getting ready to take their steers to the fair....
Our fair is at the end of July, so I might be a little absent over the next couple of weeks.
I hope you all are enjoying your summer....
Take Care,
Maria

DREAMY WHITES ONLINE