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Good Morning decorating friends! Let's have a great week of sharing pictures or stories about recent or favorite finds. If you're able to share pictures we would love to see them.

I know you all must have some good treasures, after all, lots of shopping going on this month.

Let's play.....

MMF's! I just waited 10 minutes for you to start the post! We are in December and we will see some Holiday finds! This is exciting!

What I found last week was this painting. I found this on CL, well he had another picture posted, but when I went to view his studio, I saw this smaller one 9 1/2" X 19" in size. But this one had the 'mood' I was looking for. Not paint by number that is retro and used sometimes in Florida decor. But this one is more refined and like ALL real painted art, it looks so 'alive' in person and in the different light during the day.

OH and he did this painting in 2010 and he sold it to me for $15! AND I talked to him about another painting with ocean theme.

The colors against my pale aqua walls makes it so 'Florida' and so beach-color themed. Not sure which room I will use the paintings but so far it looks like the Den is the first choice. The frame will be simple wood and the color of the gold-tan on the boat body.

INSPIRATIONAL photo of what got me thinking and searching for this type of painting.
I do have the wall color that is in the above photograph (taken in my Den)
I would not do this many paintings (do not have the wall space for that).

Mary Ruth, I love your idea of a wall accented with ocean-based paintings and it looks like you found a good source.

I posted this over on the Holidays board first. I hope people won't mind the repetition. For my first holiday dinner party, I used Wilton cake pans to make this group of cottage cakes. I used this as the centerpiece and as dessert...easy and labor saving as well...lol.

Oh Mary Ruth, you're so sweet! That time difference is tough for us West Coasters
I love your painting. The colors are very peaceful and really do look good with your paint color. I can't wait to see your entire collection. Nice idea.

Gracie, those are adorable! I bet they are yummy too. I'm having a dinner party Saturday but am NOT a baker so I wouldn't attempt these. I bet your guests loved them.

quote:

Originally posted by Skyler:
I'm having a dinner party Saturday but am NOT a baker so I wouldn't attempt these. I bet your guests loved them.

Honestly, Skyler, I'm not a particularly talented or experienced baker either. I have some no-fail cake recipes that I tried in these pans and even with the high humidity we've been experiencing, they came out perfectly. That good luck helped to offset the bad luck of a broken water line to the ice maker that occurred Thursday evening. I was so panicked that I didn't even notice how cute the firemen were that came to help me shut off the water and create access to the line. I thought I might have to cancel the party, but by giving up a few sleeping hours on Thursday and Friday nights, I was able to get everything ready for the party. I sure slept well Saturday night...LOL!

Gracie,
The picture looks so wintery and just right for the Holiday season!
I love those shapes especially with the powdered sugar snow!

You are AMAZING how you continued on your quest to have that dessert finished! That Saturday evening sleep was indeed 'sweet'!

Thanks Skyler, And this artist had hundreds of paintings, I only asked to view the ocean ones. He is retired, and what a positive individual he is! I like the art even more when I can visualize his handsome face and his great attitude and positive outlook on life!

Gracie -- that is such a cute cake!

Martha

I love the painting, and the cakes are awesome!

MR -- love the painting!

Martha

Thanks Martha, it is so much harder to create this home in Florida being our LAST house (retirement house). I don't want to redecorate again, just add to the look as I collect over time. So to bring home different elements and tie them all together is harder for me to start. I eventually collected a lot over the 9 yrs I lived in my Virginia house. So, I know it will take time to have a more mature decor in my home.
I need patience to collect slowly and only things I love here in this home.

Gracie, I'm sorry about the water line but I'm glad you were able to go ahead with the party. That reminds me of the time my garbage disposal broke on Christmas day. I had to wash the dishes in the bathtub....not fun!

Mary Ruth, I know what you mean about meeting the artist himself. It's nice to attach a face to the work. Enjoy

Gracie,
I looked up Wilton cake pans and even on eBay they did not show these. Is there a particular name for the set? I tried village in the search.
I just love the look of the pieces!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
Gracie,
I looked up Wilton cake pans and even on eBay they did not show these. Is there a particular name for the set? I tried village in the search.
I just love the look of the pieces!

I am so embarrassed. I don't know what's happening with my memory. The pans are made by Nordic Ware, not Wilton. Here are the links to them on Amazon. I apologize for my earlier mistake on the brand.

The large sized:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-W.../ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_z

The small sized:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-W.../ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y

The medium sized:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-W...gingerbread+cake+pan

Note: Make sure you both grease AND flour the pans, no matter what your recipe says.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Graciepj,

quote:

Originally posted by Skyler:
I had to wash the dishes in the bathtub....not fun!

Oh, Skyler. I would have been tempted to scrape the dishes, put them in a box and leave them in the garage until my appliance was repaired. If I tried to wash dishes in the bathtub, I would be disabled for a week...

Thank you so much Gracie! this village baking pan set is so precious!
Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it!

You are very welcome. Again, I am so sorry for sending you off in the wrong direction earlier.

Gracie,
NO problem! I have done the same.. thinking I got something somewhere else, then hours or days later, I discover that the 'quick' reply was actually not accurate! Called being human... something we ALL share being in the same family! LOL Absolutely NO Harm done!

You are such a sweetie for giving me the source, I just think the houses are so precious! I want to make these for next year's Holiday season baking.

Mary Ruth, you'll have to post pictures once you make the cakes. With your artistic talents, I'll bet you can pipe and frost the details and have an amazing display. I, unfortunately, can't draw a straight line, so I had to go with the simple powdered sugar method of decoration.

Gracie the simple powdered sugar method you used IS exactly what I LOVE about them! It lets my imagination take me to a time when the snow falls so beautifully during the holidays!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
Gracie the simple powdered sugar method you used IS exactly what I LOVE about them! It lets my imagination take me to a time when the snow falls so beautifully during the holidays!

I thought later that the display would have been prettier if I had cut some rosemary sprigs to add to the platter. I don't know if the strong aroma of rosemary would have been incongruous, though. I think I'm overthinking it now. As you say, sometimes the simplest way is the best.

Your platter display was simply done, BUT elegant!