What's Your Favorite?

I found a great new blog tool when I visited Heartfire At Home's Blog.  It's called Linky Tools and allows readers to post links in my blog post.  She varies the topic each month and this month she asked for submissions of favorite blog posts from the month of November.

I thought for my first linky party I would do a similar theme and ask for you submission of your favorite blog post from October or November.  This can be your own blog or one you like to follow,or even from Design R.  What a great way to discover or rediscover new blogs!

My submission was the More Victorian post I did in November.  I had fun specifying the colors.  I got an update from the painter that the house is coming along great and looks fabulous!  I will be sure to post photos when it's finished.

So what's your favorite post from the last 2 months?




Image from Heartfire At Home

5 May Favorites

May's Five Favorites!

First May Fave: Outdoor Parties
It has been an unusually mild spring here in Northern California, but it has been beautiful!  I attended an outdoor luncheon at a friends beautiful rose garden.  I soaked up a little too much sun that day for my fair skin but enjoyed every minute of it!  Here is one of hundreds of roses that were in bloom that day.

Second May Fave: Mother's Day Tea
My family loves tea nearly as much as we love coffee and a full service tea is always fun.  Each Mother's Day we usually take Mom to a ladies tea.  This year we went to Tea Anytime in Fair Oaks for a most enjoyable experience!

Third May Fave: Puppies
Springtime means puppies and kittens are finding loving homes.  One little pomapoo (pomeranian/poodle mix) found a place my sisters home.  She had been wanting a dog for a while and finally found the right one, Rex.  He instantly won all of our hearts with his adorable puppy ways.

Fourth May Favorite: Fun Runs
I usually try to do a few fun runs throughout the year and May is a great month for them since it's usually not too hot.  I ran the Folsom Run With Nature 5K to benefit Parks and Rec with my sister.  I really don't think running is fun but I love the festivities and the community showing up for a good cause.  Next up will be the Nike Women's Fitness Festival.

Fifth May Fave: Farmer's Market
Farmer's Markets are so fun in the spring.  There is such a feeling of freshness in the air that it makes me want to eat fresh and healthy foods.  Each stall is so colorful with their piles of fruit and vegetables.  What a great way to support local growers!

Photos by Rebecca Ward

5 April Favorites

This months 5 favorites!

First April Fave: Easter Chocolate

This year, Easter landed on the first weekend of April.  I love Easter!  In spite of the uncharacteristic stormy weather, I managed to wear a dress to church!  I was quite determined.  My reward for my efforts was yummy Easter chocolate, thanks to my mom :) (and yes I have featured chocolate for the past three months - I am a chocoholic!)

Second April Fave: Caleb's Photos

My three year old nephew loves to get a hold of my camera and take as many photos as I will let him (thank goodness for digital!) He actually takes some creative photos.  I'm not sure if it's because he's only 3 feet off the ground or that he's not afraid to get up close and personal with his subject.  Here are a few that he took this month for you to enjoy, there's even a self-portrait!

Third April Fave: Josh's Basketball Games
Caleb's older brother, Josh is in 3rd grade and started playing basketball this year.  As you can see in the photos, he has a height advantage as he is the tallest on the team (Josh is #2).  It's fun to see the kids play, even when they don't quite get all the rules down.

Fourth April Fave: Old Sacramento
Last weekend I went down to Old Sacramento with some family to pick up an item from a particular shop and we ended up hanging out for a few hours, enjoying the historical site.  Sometimes you forget to enjoy some of the touristic of the city you live in.

Fifth April Fave: Strawberries
Strawberries have arrived on the grocer's shelves and in the restaurants and we have been eating a lot of them for dessert lately.  They are so colorful and refreshing by themselves.  They are definitely one of my favorite fresh fruits!

What are your April favorites?

Photos by Rebecca Ward

5 March Favorites

In California, March is definitely the beginning of spring and all things green!

First March Fave: Storms
I love storms, especially thunderstorms, which we get very rarely.  March usually has a few pass through with magnificent cloud shows.  I especially love clouds at sunset where light and shadows show how massive these clouds can get!

Second March Fave: Green Buds
In between the storms we get clear sunny skies that wake up the plants from winter.  All around, there is a haze of fresh spring green to the bare branches.  Just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Third March Fave: Corned Beef and Cabbage
My favorite part about St. Patrick's Day is having an occasion to eat corned beef and cabbage, a tradition in my family since we all love it and have some Irish in our heritage.  I don't know why I don't have it any other time of year.  I loved seeing the fixins' all displayed at my local Trader Joe's.

Fourth March Favorite: Fondue
We celebrated a friends birthday last weekend and went to The Melting Pot for dessert.  There's nothing like melted chocolate to make me happy!  I love all the yummy items they bring you for dipping!

Fifth March Fave: Victorian Style Books
I have a new potential job in the Victorian style so I bought some books too brush up on the details of the Victorian Era.  I will definitely be adding these to my bookstore.

What are some of your March Favorites?

Images by Rebecca Ward

5 February Favorites

February is one of my favorite months!  I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that my birthday falls on the 15th of February.  Also, who doesn't love seeing pink, red and white everywhere with encouragement to demonstrate love.  So, in honor of this fabulous month, I decided to treat you to some favorites of mine that I am enjoying this month.

First Feb Fave: My husband
Of course!  My valentine.  He's the love of my life and the best man I've ever known.  The last 3 years being married to him have been the most enjoyable and fulfilling in my life.  Here is a picture of him I thought he wouldn't object to me posting.  He's such a rockstar!

Second Feb Fave: Monkey
Monkey is our cat, named before we adopted her but she certainly lives up to her name crawling up on everything, especially my computer when I'm trying to work.  She's our little baby.

Third Feb Fave: Daffodils
 Whenever I see daffodils in February, I'm reminded of my mothers comment that she could see daffodils out of her hospital room where she gave birth to me.  They are so sunny and cheerful while all the other plants are still sleeping.

Fourth Feb Fave: Chocolate!
I am a second generation chocoholic and there is nothing better than little heart shaped chocolates during the month of February. Yum!

Fifth Feb Fave: Cup of Tea
Thanks to this year's El Nino effect, we've had plenty of rainy days.  I love brewing a perfect cup of tea to enjoy while I work.  And here's a few notes about brewing tea: Don't boil your water too long and never reboil your water!  I avoid microwaving water for tea because I find it tastes different.  Be mindful of how long your tea needs to steep so it won't become bitter.  White tea, like this new Berryblossom White from Tazo should only steep about a minute due to its delicate nature.

That's my Five February Favorites for 2010.  What are your February Faves?

Photos by Rebecca Ward