Wouldn't it be Lovely

Just found a cute little store in Lafayette, Colorado: Elizabeth's Embellishments

It creates the atmosphere I just want to sit in, soak in, and enjoy. Oh wouldn't it be Lovely.

(Lovely) Lovely. (gotta throw a little My Fair Lady in there!)

Its the little touches and details that sold it to me. The window extra - which serves no purpose but to look pretty. Even the sale sign was elegant and pretty.

I discovered the element of display is very important to me. See these:

They both display so nicely. Objects I may or may not have stopped to take a second look at if they were just displayed typically.... now become precious treasures that not only did I look at, but I photographed.

I need to buy some display cases/stands that capture attention for my house. Sanctuaries for my own treasures.

I'm not sure I will ever pull it off - but I would love to have at least one room in my house - a guest room maybe - be French Provincial. Ahhh lovely.

I also was inspired to craft some goodies:Lavender - one of my all time favorite things. It got me in the mood to cook with lavender, I came up with a whole dinner party themed around this ingredient (although you need Culinary Lavender rather than crafter's lavender so that it doesn't have chemicals or other no-nos for consumption!) See recipes below!!!

I bought some of this lavender for use in my bath-time salt-scrub and to make lavender pouches for the linen closet, clothing drawers, and as gifts.
What a cute and EASY PEASY idea! A way to transform nasty cheep hangers into something pretty. I am all about having a pretty closet. Its ridiculous how happy it makes me. I think come spring break I will be borrowing a friends sewing machine and making my own beautiful (far less golf-preppy) hanger covers!

And I will be wanting to make a cool wood frame to paint. Hmmmm picture frames, mirror frames.... I think I could get on a roll with this!

Lavender recipes!

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Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Breast (Serves 4)

1 teaspoon ground fennel

3 tablespoons coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground lavender

Four skinless boneless chicken breasts

Zest of 2 oranges

1/4 cup brandy

6 sprigs fresh thyme

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Glaze

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons brandy

3 tablespoons honey

2 pomegranates

3/4 cup chicken broth

2 teaspoons thyme leaves

3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar

1) Mix together fennel, salt, lavender, and coriander. Sprinkle evenly over chicken.

2) Place chicken, spiced side down, in a dish. Pour zest, brandy, and thyme evenly over chicken.

3). Let marinate for 30 minutes.

4) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake chicken until done (white center)

5) Meanwhile, place the orange juice, brandy, and honey in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer, add vinegar, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

6) Cut pomegranates in half. Place 2/3 pomegranate seeds and accumulated juices with thyme and chicken stock in a blender or food processor. Blend for 10 seconds. Strain mixture.

7) Add strained mixture to the glaze and return to a simmer. Stir in butter.

8) Spoon over chicken and garnish with remaining seeds.

Lavender Au Gratin Potatoes

6 cups sliced potatoes

1 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon lavender

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 ground black pepper

3 cups milk

1 cup cheddar cheese

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2) Boil sliced potatoes in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain, and set aside.

3) Saute onions, garlic, and lavender in oil until onions are tender. Add flour, salt, and pepper.

4) In a greased baking dish arrange 1/2 the potatoes. Cover with 1/2 the sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese over the coated potatoes. Repeat with a second layer using the rest of the ingredients.

5) Cover and bake 1/2 hour. Remove cover and bake and additional 1/2 hour, or until potatoes are tender.

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Lavender Tea Cookies

1 tablespoon lavender

1 cup butter, room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

Frosting

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons lavender

2 tablespoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

*you'll need to prepare part of the frosting one day prior to making!*

1) In a small plastic bag, combine confectioners sugar and lavender. Let stand at least 1 day before using.

2) On the second day make cookies! Grind lavender in a mortar or food processor.

3) Cream together ground lavender, butter, sugar, vanilla, and lemon. Add flour and salt.

4) Refrigerate for 1 or 2 hours, or until dough is firm.

5) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

6) On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7) Bake 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

8) Meanwhile, remove lavender from confectioners sugar. Add milk and corn syrup to the sugar, mixing well.

9) Spread on cooled cookies.

Lavender Champagne

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon lavender

1 bottle dry Champagne

Fresh sprigs of lavender - one per glass

1)Bring sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in dried lavender and remove from heat. Let cool and strain out lavender.

2) Add 1 1/2 teaspoons syrup to each flute of Champagne. Garnish with a lavender sprig.

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Bath Salt Scrub

3 cups Epsom salt (Sea salt is better, but also more expensive. I do half and half)

1 cup oil (Apricot, almond, or olive oil.... really any oil that doesn't have a scent)

Lavender essential oil to smell (like to taste... but you don't want to eat this!)

A scoop of lavender

1) Place all ingredients in a pretty little jar. Mix well.

This is the one I sent to Carolyn... not as pretty as I'd like but I was more worried about finding a container that wouldn't leak!