Guess what? I’m a collector…probably not a huge surprise to anyone who has followed my blog for more than a week. Anyway, the secret to keeping my home somewhat clutter free and marginally organized are a few hard and fast rules I adhere by…or try to at least. Of course my minimalist inclined friends can advert their eyes and continue purging their processions in a timely manner.

#1 Collect what you love…really love. If you don’t love what you inherited, find someone who will love it as it deserves. I love antique glass bottles, and the antique French bottle rack is the perfect way to display them.

#2 Know when to stop. At some point your collection is complete. While living in Japan I collected beautifully painted chopsticks. They remind me of that special time of my life. Collecting chopsticks outside of Japan seems wrong to me. The collection is complete.

#3 Narrow your interests. I love needlework of all kinds but found my strongest attachment to samplers. Even now, I have narrowed even further and only add red and white samplers…mostly.

#4 Connect with the history. I love the stories behind old advertisement cards. What a peak into the past. They can be picked up very reasonably. Even better, find your favorite product or imagery and start from there.

Look who still collects smiles wherever she goes.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The Scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Home and garden. Waste not. Style showcase. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home. Pit Stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet Inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday DI&DI. Amaze me. Over the moon. Share your style

We all need a place to rejuvenate. Excited to be featured this week!

Home and Garden Thursday@A Delightsome Life

To Grandma’s House We Go@Grandma’s House DIY

It is still summer. Soak in these last few days!

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You can feel that change in the air, suddenly carefree Summer activities give way to purposeful errands, and previously unscheduled hours are filled with the flurry of name labels and just one more trip to Target…you hope…to check off the all-important “Back to school list”. How does one keep sane, when you realize the light-up shoes you purchased are actually not part of the uniform code or your precious Princess vetos every lunchbox suggestion you find on Pinterest?…Chocolate and peanut butter…together…and lots of it.

The Usual Cast Of Characters

2 cups peanut butter

5 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups melted butter

2 1/2 cups chopped dark chocolate

1 1/2 cup All-Purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 cup cocoa

The Steps to Glory

1.Melt the peanut butter and pour it into a 9 hole muffin tin. Freeze for at least 2 hours

2. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.

3. Pour hot melted butter over the chocolate and stir until the mixture is completely smooth.

4. Whisk eggs and sugar together until light.

5. Add the chocolate/butter mix to the eggs and sugar and stir to make a glossy batter.

6. Fold in the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder.

7. Pour 1/2 of the batter into a 9 x9 parchment lined or cooking oil sprayed baking pan.

8. Arrange frozen peanut butter discs on surface. Cover with remaining batter.

9.Bake for 20 minutes (or until the edges look cooked but the middle has a slight wiggle and jiggle). Leave until completely cool, or, better yet…devour immediately.

And try not to let the crazy get you down.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty made by you. Metamorphosis you’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Home and garden. Waste not.Grandma’s. House DIY. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Saturday shuffle. . Best of the weekend. Create bake grow . Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me Over the moon. Good morning Monday

We all need a little Summer Simply…So Happy to be featured this week!

Best of the Weekend@Miss Toody Goo Shoes

Make it Pretty Sunday Showcase@The Dedicated House

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Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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You know that place in your home, the one that makes you cast a weary and longing eye to your calendar and budget, while renovation fantasies fill your brain. Nothing is really wrong with the space…it is functional after all…and often you resign yourself to an attitude of “it is what it is” or, you can take matters into your own hands and make that space a beautiful place to be. Your choice, I guess. However, it’s amazing what can be done with some paint, repurposed decor and a little elbow grease. Welcome to my space…otherwise know as the master bath!

The original claw foot tub and some beautiful Asian art.

A silk rug from India dresses up the floor.

A cozy place to relax.

Of course, antique enamelware and dried lavender work well anywhere.

The Princess has her own ideas to add some natural beauty in our home…where can I put a giant leaf?

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Home and garden. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Style showcase. Grandma’s house DIY. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. . Fresh market faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me . Over the moon. Good morning Monday. Share your style

So thankful for all the Princess love. Excited to be featured at these fabulous blog parties…

Over The Moon@Marilyn’s Treats

Best of the Weekend@Ms Toddy Goo Shoes

Morning Cup Of Joe@The Cottage Market

Sweet Inspiration@A Crafty Mix

Keep in Touch@Let’s Add Sprinkles.

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

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Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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With a busy week visiting family and tending to a recuperating Princess, I have reached deep into the vault for a classic recipe that still stands as one of my most favorite. 

Honestly, I never heard about tomato pie until I lived in the south. Even then, for some reason, it just held no appeal for me…oh boy,was I blind.  Finally, after several “suggestions” from Pinterest, I decided to give it a go.  Pleasant surprise…despite the simplistic nature of the ingredients, it truly tasted…well, just like a fresh summer day.  Let me give you the recipe!

The usual cast of characters…although I have experimented with some guest ingredients like bacon and corn…

1. Blind baked pie shell. I typically have several homemade pie crusts in the freezer, but store bought is fine…no judgment

2. 1/2 to 1 cup fresh chopped basil, extra points if you grow your own

3. 5-6 freshly chopped tomatoes with the juice squeezed out….I save and freeze the juice to use in stocks and broths

5. 1/2 cup mayonnaise…I use full fat, I assume reduced fat would work, if you try it let me know.

6. 2 cups chopped and shredded cheese…I use whatever I have on hand, for this pie I used cubed mozzarella and shredded cheddar.

7. A few dashes of hot sauce and a sprinkling of sea salt

Easy peasy steps

1. Placed juiced tomatoes in blind baked crust

2. Sprinkle chopped basil and sea salt on juiced tomatoes

3. Mix mayonnaise, cheese and hot sauce together until it is the consistency of a “slushy snowball” and spread on chopped basil…gently spread!

4. Bake 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven…I don’t cover it.

5. Remove, cool and enjoy!

Oh, and no worries about the Princess…I believe she is on the mend.

Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk Of The town. Keep in touch.Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Your whim. Home and garden. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Grandma’s DIY. Friday features. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow . Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home.Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon. Good Morning Monday