Critsers Mums ~ In Brown County

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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

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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

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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

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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!

My plates. I use the white and the blue and white plates everyday!
I found my blue and white bowl at T.J. Maxx and my other floral bowl at the thrift store. 




The stripe plate and the floral plate are from the Martha Stewart Collection.
The small plate with the green flowers is from France.  



My Martha Stewart Collection setting. I love it! My good friend gave me the entire set!

I love this giant bowl. It has a chip at the top but it is still functional. 

I thought these were so pretty. This set came from T.J. Maxx.

This crystal plate I found at the thrift store for $12!


Setting A Table with Bunny Williams – YouTube

(click on the link to enjoy the video)

Chicken and Bow~Tie Pasta

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I am always trying to come up with different ways to prepare meals at home. I like to try different recipes but having some trusty favorites is a good thing also.

I came up with this on short notice. I wanted some roasted chicken and cheese but I didn’t know how I could tie it all together. But then I thought about the bow-tie pasta I had in the pantry and then it all came together.

Chicken Bow-Tie Pasta

* I just roasted two large chicken breast in the oven ( 400 degrees with olive oil and salt & pepper) for about 40 minutes
* Boiled some bow-tie pasta  (half a box)
* Cooked some broccoli   (about 2 cups)
*  Once it was all cooked I threw it all in a baking dish, seasoned it with more salt & pepper and added some cheese on top.
* I let it cook for about 15 minutes in the oven

Pulled it out and let it cool while the french bread was baking. Once the bread was done, voila! Dinner served!

My chicken pasta

Small Details Around the Home

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Everyone has small items or decor details around their home that makes it their own. It’s the little things (I think) that can bring your home together. I am always decorating and changing things in our home all the time.

A friend told me recently that a woman’s taste in clothing and home decor changes every 10 years. I thought about it and noticed that for me, well she was right! It has been 10 years since I changed details and furniture in my home and recently I have been on a decor spree!

I have all these ideas for my home but I will take my time in decorating. I have a board on Pinterest called Decor Details. It’s like a giant scrapbook page full of small details around the home. I love it! Below are some of my small details around my home. Also, if you missed my blog entry about Vanity Beauty or Homekeeping with a Pet, see here and here. As always, enjoy!

The island in our kitchen. I am starting to decorate with all my fall items.

I found these panels at the flea market. 
I just placed them on our nightstands. I love the way it looks.




My silk flower arrangement. I love it!
It’s in our bedroom.







 I love these eggs! They remind me of the Faberge eggs.
T.J. Maxx was selling these years ago so I purchased about 6 of them!
When you open them there is a music box inside. 


I love small luxuries.
 I added a pillow and soft blanket to my chair at my desk for decor and comfort.
The pillow has a little “bling”on it. It’s DKNY.


I added this small photo of art to my side of the sink.
I think it adds a little something special.




This little teapot was given to my by my sister-in-law at her bridal shower.
I thought it was a great gift since the party was a tea party.
I have it sitting on my bathtub corner. 

Last but not least my kitchen utensils. I saw Martha Stewart doing this in her kitchen.
She was using pitchers and white canisters to keep her tools in.
I thought it looked organized and sophisticated. 

My Perfume Vanity Tray

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I love perfume. There is nothing like having a signature scent that you enjoy. I like several perfumes! It’s pretty bad. I don’t really have a signature scent but I love florals and anything that smells clean. Lately, I have been wearing my Vera Wang Signature. I purchased it while we were in New York in 2007.

I have gotten many compliments on it! I’ll have to get another bottle. Below is a photo of my perfume vanity tray. As you can see I have a lot of favorites! But I just enjoy being a woman and wearing perfume is just another great factor of it! 
My tray includes:
Vera Wang Signature
Banana Republic
Lolita Lempicka  (so fantastic!)

Clinique Happy in Bloom (this was a nice surprise)

Philosophy Amazing Grace (I carry a small bottle of this in my purse)
Victoria Secret Chiffon Peony Freesia Perfume (this was a gift from a friend and surprisingly good!)



(photo via Mrs. Shockley)