2014 - Page 6 of 20 - A Home for Elegance

Bedroom Bouquets

October 13, 2014/in Home Décor, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I love having a fresh vase of flowers in the bedroom. It just adds something special to that special place. I know for me after all is done for the day there is nothing like getting in my bed and smelling lilies right next to me. I always make sure that I have at least 2 vases of fresh flowers in my home.

Whenever we have people over or if my girlfriends come upstairs they always comment on my flowers in the bedroom. I think it brings a nice and elegant presence to the space. It is also a wonderful way to bring color into your room. Below is a video from One Kings Lane. I love this arrangement that she makes and you will too. Enjoy!

My bouquet of Queen-Anne Lace in our bedroom.

How to Create a Bedroom Arrangement – YouTube

(if you are viewing this from your mobile, just click on this link)

French Bread

October 10, 2014/in Recipes, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I love french bread! I have it almost everyday. I discovered this Pillsbury french bread a few years ago at the grocery store. It is so easy to make and when we have guest over for dinner they enjoy it as well.

If prepared right, it is so soft and so delicious. I prepare it with my dinner dishes as well as breakfast. I love it in the morning with scrambled eggs and blackberry preserves! Oh so good!

Below are the steps, it’s pretty simple. I hope you try it!

Here it is still in it’s package.

You take it out and cut slits into it.

Make sure you spray your pan with some cooking spray.

You bake it at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Keep an eye on it!

This is the finished product. I put butter on it. Oh my!! Delicious!

I also have it in the morning with turkey bacon.

Just wonderful!

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Naming your Home

October 8, 2014/2 Comments/in Inspiring Posts, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I’ve being thinking about this idea. It was in the Style and Simplicity book by Ted Kennedy Watson. He said:

Naming your Home

WHY NOT? This practice should not be reserved for old, stately English manor homes. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a grand mansion, naming your home makes it more personal. “Come for drinks at seven to the Gainsborough” sounds much more intimate than just giving your street address. It adds a specialness to your home. We often give a gift of a personalized item (notepads or tote bag) with the house name on it when we have weekend guests.

I thought about this and said okay, maybe I can name my home. I was thinking of naming it “East Heritage”. What do you think? Should one name their home?

Our home

I posted this photo on my Instagram and tagged the author Ted Kennedy Watson in it.

Below was his response. I was so excited!!!

I read Ted Kennedy Watson’s book #styleandsimplicity. I love the idea about naming your home. I have no idea what to name it. Any ideas? @watsonkennedy; #ahomeforelegance

watsonkennedyI love that you are going to name your home! Just something that has meaning to you when you think of it and it makes you smile when you say it. Fab house, btw! Bestest, Ted

smsshockley@watsonkennedy; thank you! I was thinking of East Heritage.

watsonkennedyLove it! Come for dinner at 7 to East Heritage sounds perfect! I think you have a winner. Have fun with it!

Critsers Mums ~ In Brown County

October 6, 2014/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Having mums around my house is just a decor requirement when it comes autumn decorating. Critsers Greenhouses is where my husband and I stop every year before leaving Brown County. I just think they have the best hardy mums around! Sure it’s about a 30 minute drive but to me they are so worth it!

The mums are $8 each and they are huge! This year he had kale trees! These are so colorful and different and at $6 each I could not pass it up. My husband and I got to speak with the owner last year. He is such a nice man and they way you pay will really test your character.

There is no one out there to help you. He has an “honor system” set up. Where you put your money in a box and take your mums. We asked him last year if he ever has any stolen and of course he says yes. I think that’s a shame but he keeps doing it year after year.

So if you wish to get some hardy mums in Indiana stop by Critsers. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And please if you do don’t steal. Be gracious just as he is.

So pretty and so many colors!

The kale trees!

The “honor system”. This is how you pay.

My husband loading up the car.

My porch at home

I love my mums!

Thanks for reading!!!

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Hot Water, Lemon & Honey ~ My Favorite Cold Weather Drink

October 3, 2014/4 Comments/in Recipes, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

About two years ago, I was having some trouble with my throat. I noticed that my boss always had a cup of lemon and honey around the cold season. I went into her office to talk with her and she noticed that I didn’t sound well. So, she told me to grab one of my tea cups and make hot water, lemon and honey to soothe my throat. It worked!! So now when the season changes to cold I have those ingredients already at home and work. Here are 9 reason why you should drink it:

1: Helps improve digestion
2: Cleanses the stomach improving the functioning of the colon
3: Beats constipation
4: Helps in cleansing the lymphatic system
5: Gives you an instant boost of energy and improves your mood
6: Cleans your urinary tract and acts as a diuretic
7: Improves oral health
8: Increases your chances of weight loss
9: Can give you clear skin

I found this information here. But it also helps with sore throats. I love it!! I also love being able to use my china tea cups at work. You should try it. It’s a real treat!

My teacup and lemon honey drink at work.

The Nashville House ~ A Restaurant in Brown County

October 1, 2014/2 Comments/in Travel, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

If you ever visit Indiana, Brown County should be added to your list! It is especially beautiful to visit around late September and all of October. All of the trees start to change to the beautiful oranges, reds, and browns. We went the weekend for my birthday. I am a September baby and I am glad to say so! September is a wonderful time of year! It is still warm enough to wear open toe shoes but still cold enough to wear a sweater.

One of the first places to visit was the Nashville House. My husband and I have been coming for the last 2 years for my birthday to this restaurant. It is well known for it’s fried biscuits and apple butter. We love eating here! It has a rustic historical feel to it and the staff is so pleasant. You must visit this place if you are ever here in Indiana!

Outside the restaurant

Some of the other inns in Brown County

So when you walk in this is the Old Country Store.

They sell all their homemade items here.

I love the Sassafras tea! It smells like root beer!

But it doesn’t taste like it.

It has the feel of a small town store. I love it!

Here are the kitchen utensils

They sell old and vintage cookbooks

More cooking utensils

An up close look at the Sassafras tea.

They actually sell this in the restaurant to drink with your meal!

Homemade jams and preserves!

I purchased some of the blackberry spread & local Indiana honey.

I can’t wait to try it on my french bread.

Walking into the dining room.

We are ready for some fried chicken and biscuits!

Sorry it’s blurring but this is inside the dinning room

So delicious! This is the fried biscuits and homemade apple butter.

You can actually buy a jar of this in the store.

Our meal! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes (I don’t like gravy on my potatoes),

green beans and cole slaw (on the side).

Mr. Shockley and I enjoying a wonderful lunch together!

Thanks for reading

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

If you are interested in buying some of the jams, perseveres or anything else in the Old Country Store you can give them a call at (812) 988-4554. They do over the phone orders (ONLY) and they ship UPS.

A Passion for Plates

September 29, 2014/in Home Décor, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I love plates! I love dishes! I just started last year with buying matching plates for dinner. I saw several designers setting their tables for dinner or parties and I thought, “goodness, I have no nice plates”.

So I started my quest at the flea markets and goodwill’s. I like old dishes. I have found some of my best plates at the flea market. I have just a small collection below but I am very proud of what I have so far and I use my plates everyday.

I will continue to add to my collection. I have also added a video from designer Bunny Williams. She sets her table beautifully and her new dinnerware collection is lovely. Enjoy!