Anticipating Baby Ansel

Friday night gave our community an opportunity to welcome the anticipated Ansel. Due right around Christmas time we enjoyed showering him with gifts. Ansel's grandmother is my dear friend Brenda. Only weeks ago she was enjoying a flea market in Paris when she ran across an antique childs sailor suit. She took a picture of that suit. At the shower she remarked that it had been suggested she make a similar suit for Ansel, then she whipped out her digital camera and showed me a picture. The french garment was red and sleeveless but otherwise very similar to this one..which I already had made before she even went to Paris!!! Made of a colonial blue gingham, the collar is white pique and the trim is a beautiful navy braid. I can hardly wait to meet little Ansel. Congratulations to all-

My Favorite Things.....2

I can hardly believe I forgot to mention these essentials in my lst list. Here goes:

Miette Cakes- http://www.miette.com/ I once went to the Ferry Building in San Francisco just to see and taste these yummy confections. I found the website just as inspiring. Makes me want to bake and remodel my kitchen at the same time!

French General- https://www.frenchgeneral.com/ ....A newly re-discovered source of inspiration for all the tidbits of ribbons and beads I have floating around. My daughter and I are planning a visit to the store next time I visit SoCal.

Mary Lake-Thompson Ltd. http://marylakethompson.com/. I love her cottage style and the shop located in lovely downtown Oroville, CA is a treat. When my grandmother gave me a "gift" about 12 years ago on my list of things to buy was a framed print from Mary Lake Thompson. The business has taken a different direction in recent years but her products still inspire me.

Harney & Sons Tea http://www.harney.com/ How could I forget my favorite tea!!! I am hooked on the Vanilla- decaf or regular, it just does not matter. I make a lovely vanilla bean sugar to go with it. To make: Combine 2 cups sugar (I use organic from Trader Joe's) and 1 vanilla bean, split. I like to scrape out the seeds and stir them into the sugar. Place all in an airtight jar and let sit for 2 weeks. Remove vanilla bean. Use & store like regular sugar. Back to Harney Teas.....I also love the chocoalte mint and the white peach. Enjoy!

I think that may be it for now...hope you enjoy the tour.