trendy turmeric

January 24, 2017

Turmeric milk (also referred to as turmeric tea or golden milk) seems to be ‘a thing’ right now. It is a hot drink patterned after something called haldi doodh in India. Used as an immunity booster – along the lines of how chicken soup is used here in the states – Indian mothers used warm milk and turmeric as a cure-all for what ailed their young ones.

Drinks reminiscent of haldi doodh are making a big appearance of late – so much so, I am surprised a turmeric latte has not shown up on the current Starbucks menu! Maybe it has! Though many combinations of ingredients have shown up and claimed themselves golden milk, I am assured by Indian friends that the inspiration drink contained only 2 ingredients – milk and turmeric. So, like others before me, I am modifying the two basic ingredients to best fit my taste!

I am not sure everyone will enjoy the taste of turmeric. Mixed with the ingredients here, it reminds me of something along the lines of a Chai tea. Give it a try and see what you think! Here is my version of warm turmeric or ‘golden’ milk:

Garnish with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg or a cinnamon stick.

Since the original intent of haldi doodh was to create a drink with health benefits, I tried to make my version as health conscious as possible. For this reason, I used organic turmeric and ginger, raw honey, and unsweetened almond milk.

I find this drink is a nice alternative to coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and since I normally drink a few glasses of almond milk during the day anyway, I am not adding to my daily calorie count by turning one of those glasses into a warm ‘golden milk.’ And, the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric can’t hurt!

I hope I have inspired you to try turmeric in your milk – possibly to create your own version! Enjoy!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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word for the year 2017

January 13, 2017

I don’t typically choose a word for the year – I’ve only done so once before. But, since this year is a very special year, I felt compelled to choose one.

What is so special about 2017? We are adding a member to our family! My daughter is marrying the love of her life; expanding our family by one.

Of course, the feeling is bittersweet…my baby is moving on and I will not be with her every day. But, it is comforting to know she will be taken care of by a wonderful guy and, I am extremely lucky she has chosen to live nearby.

At first I thought I might use the word family for my word of the year. But, after spending some time thinking about it, I decided the perfect word to be treasure. As a verb, treasure is “to regard or treat as precious; cherish.” That’s my word. And, with synonyms like value and esteem…this word is perfect!

I know 2017 will be a fabulously fun, exciting, and emotion-filled year! xo I look forward to sharing it with you! :)

Did you pick a word for the year? I hope today’s Friday field trip has inspired you to think about your year ahead and, if it feels right, to choose a word for the year.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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snow much fun!

January 10, 2017

With this past weekend’s first big snow, I was taken back to thoughts of my childhood snow treats! Growing up in the Northeast, snow has always been plentiful in the winters and, aside from using it for throwing, riding on, and building with, we also used it as an edible treat!

Eating snow off a mitten was a childhood rite of passage, but as you got a little older and a little more sophisticated, maple syrup or Zarex (a sweetened liquid fruit syrup that was added to water to make a flavored drink) was poured onto a fluffy mound of the white stuff in a bowl to create a sweet treat!

These memories prompted me to go outside and create some sweet treats using snow! Of course, make these treats only on the coldest of days!

Now that I am doing my best to avoid white sugar completely, my sweeteners of choice are honey and maple syrup. So, I used these two sweeteners to create my treats!

First, a maple ‘taffy.’ I think in the U.S. this practice was adopted from a common one in Canada. You simply boil up some maple syrup (boil it until it gets to the soft ball stage), pour it into a line in the snow, and collect it by rolling it onto a stick for a sweet pop-type maple treat!

I should mention that I only use 100% maple syrup in my house and that is the only thing I recommend you use with snow. The corn syrup variety of ‘syrup’ sold in the grocery store for pancakes definitely does not qualify as maple syrup!

The second treat uses honey as a sweetener. After mixing some vanilla extract into honey and pouring it into the snow, form little frozen balls with a spoon. Yum! You can vary the extract or flavor of honey to change up the flavor profile.

I hope these two sweet treats have inspired you to create your own ‘snow much fun’ treats! If you want to be ambitious, any homemade simple syrup can be used to create snow cones using snow…the flavor possibilities are endless! I am thinking of trying a honey lavender! Or, with Valentine’s Day approaching, maybe something using rosewater would be intriguing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things…like eating some freshly fallen snow! xo Jackie

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caring for a fiddle-leaf fig

January 6, 2017

This week I welcomed a new addition to my household – though not actually a person, this new addition IS a living thing. I got a new Ficus Lyrata. Or, as it is commonly referred to, a fiddle-leaf fig.

For quite some time I have wanted to replace a plant that, until recently (RIP), had resided in a corner of my dining room for decades. I used a Christmas gift certificate to my favorite home and garden store to acquire a replacement plant. Because of the popularity of fiddle-leaf figs, particularly with decorators, shipments don’t last long at Terrain. But because I visit the store often, I was able to catch a new shipment arriving.

I spent a bit of time sizing up the contenders at Terrain. After looking through them all, I found one I connected with…does that sound crazy? So, with the help of one of my favorite (as well as lovely, knowledgeable and helpful) Terrain associates, I reviewed the care required for my new household addition. Knowing that too much love (aka over watering) was the number one reason for fatalities in this variety of plant, I took the suggestion to purchase a water meter. It is a handy item to own and I do have the tendency to over love my houseplants!

Getting some help picking out a fiddle-leaf fig from one of my favorite Terrain associates in the Westport, CT store.

So, I brought my new addition home and, with his (I have no idea why I immediately decided its gender) large beautiful leaves, this bold plant is the perfect one for the bright corner in my dining room!

my new fiddle-leaf fig pleasure in simple things blog

My new fiddle-leaf fig in his new home!

I know many of you own one of these plants or would like to own one, so I am sharing tips for success, courtesy of Terrain, on today’s Friday field trip.

Light: Fiddle-leaf figs prefer abundant, indirect light. Too little light will cause the plant to lose leaves and thin out. They also tend to grow towards the light, which can create a leaning shape. Rotate the plant regularly to keep it growing straight and full.

Temperature: Grow best in humid conditions with temperature consistently above 65 degrees. It is best to place your fig outdoors in summer when the weather is hot and humid. When the plant is indoors, place in an area with a consistent temperature and free from drafts.

Watering: The fiddle-leaf fig thrives with short, dry periods between waterings. Generally, water every 14 days – adjust depending on the amount of light your plant receives. Water thoroughly, but be sure that the soil and pot can drain completely. Do not allow the plant to sit in water, or it may suffer from leaf drop and root rot.

Tips: Dust the leaves periodically to assure that the plant can absorb as much light as possible. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently remove any dust buildup. Do not dust with your hands, as rubbing the leaves can damage them and cause drops of white, milky sap to appear.

Hope this is helpful to fiddle-leaf fig owners or future owners!

my dining room fern pleasure in simple things blog

The only other houseplant in my dining room – this cute little fern.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

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my favorite christmas gift

December 20, 2016

I have a pretty good memory. Some of my childhood friends can’t believe the details I can remember from ‘the good old days.’

Recently, I was talking to friends about what I remembered as the favorite Christmas gifts my children received from Santa. Later that day, I started wondering about which Christmas gifts I liked the best when I was young. I spent the good part of a day thinking about it. And, for the rest of that week, every time I had a few spare minutes, I went back to thinking about Christmases past.

There is a lot I could remember. I remember feeling the warmth from the fireplace at my grandparent’s house. And, I remember the lit up Santa that hung over their fireplace; the pine smell in that room. I remember watching the nutcracker on television. I remember my grandmother’s china pattern. I remember that one Mickey Mouse ornament that everyone wanted to hang on the tree. I remember the year our dog knocked over our tree when she jumped up to eat the foil wrapped chocolate ornaments and I remember one year leaving my dad a letter I wrote as Santa…I remember a lot of smiles…a lot of laughing and goofing around…I remember Christmas music.

But, you know what? I cannot, for the life of me, remember one single gift I received in all the years I lived in my parent’s house! Not one.

Enjoy the holiday spirit around you! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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bird in a jar holiday decor

December 16, 2016

I have a fun and easy holiday décor DIY!

On today’s Friday field trip, I am demonstrating ‘a bird in a jar!’ Remember the year I put everything in jars for my holiday décor? Gingerbread cookies as well as holiday ornaments were on display in jars of snow a few years back. This is a little bit different from that display.

I have highlighted a single ornament in a pretty jar of snow. I happened to choose a bird ornament, but you can easily change it up to your own theme. I grouped three similar jars to create a display in my downstairs bathroom for the holidays.

Only one ornament is needed for each jar; so it is an economical display as well as a pretty one! The idea started from a beautiful little blue glass bird ornament I purchased new this year. I wanted to showcase this beauty! I looked through my ornaments and picked out two other bird ornaments – one was on a clip.

I used one bird per jar and grouped the three jars on a bathroom shelf. I am sorry the photos did not come out very well, but it is near impossible to get a good photo of a glass jar! And even harder to get a good photo of one in a bathroom with no windows! So I took the jars into another room to photograph. I hope you get the idea of how you can create a grouping in a similar way.

The pretty blue bird is suspended with a little piece of clear packing tape to the top of the jar. A second, sliver bird, sits in a pile of snow in another jar. I clipped the third bird onto a sparkly piece of a branch – cutting the branch to the exact width of the third jar so it would fit snugly inside! The three ‘bird in a jar’ creations make up an adorable holiday display!

I hope I have inspired you to create your own ornament display in jars!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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neutral holiday table

December 13, 2016

On Thanksgiving weekend, I was inspired to do some holiday decorating and started on the dining room table. Since it is not really on theme, I may change it up before Christmas so I thought I would share my pre-holiday table today.

The best part about this table decor is that it cost so very little to put together! The pretty little trees and tiny poinsettias came from Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s is great for some affordable seasonal plants!

These cute artificial white berries – I love a white berry – were on a clearance rack for $1. a bunch at a very expensive home store.

I put the plants, berries, some natural materials (including some pine cones I had bleached), and some artificial snow together with some of my white containers. So pretty, don’t you think? The little white deer was a gift from a friend last Christmas. Oh, and I always have plenty of white candy canes on display during the holidays!

Have you started any of your holiday decor?

I hope I have inspired you to put some simple items together to create a festive holiday table!

Thank you for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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holiday shopping trip

December 9, 2016

Today for Friday field trip, a little shopping trip to one of my very favorite gift shops – Taken for Granite in Stony Creek. If you follow the blog, you know I especially love this shop at its holiday finest!

My schedule did not allow me to make it to the evening open house this year, but I found the daylight just as magical!

As always, the best in holiday styling! Enjoy!

I hope this awesome shop provided you with a little holiday inspiration! Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy candle advent calendar

November 25, 2016

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now that we have officially started the holiday season, today’s Friday field trip is a visit to my holiday workshop to create a super quick and easy Advent calendar!

This year’s Advent calendar was inspired by one for sale at Terrain.

styling-a-terrain-advent-calendar-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

The Advent calendar from Terrain that inspired my DIY – styled by me on my holiday table in a glass container with ‘snow.’

Basically, all that is needed for this DIY is a single candle… isn’t a candle the perfect vehicle for an advent calendar? Who doesn’t use a candle during the holiday season?

make-a-candle-advent-calendar-pleasure-in-simple-things

My favorite candle as a DIY Advent calendar!

Utilize a favorite candle you already own (or treat yourself to a new one) and affix (I used rubber cement) an appropriate sized piece of paper printed with a December calendar…so simple and so cute!

I simply typed the word ‘December’ and the numbers 1 to 25 using a simple typestyle and printed it out on regular computer paper. I made mine 3” x 3” to fit nicely on a favorite woodland scented candle. Use a favorite typestyle and vary the finished size of the calendar to best fit the candle you choose to use.

If you want to make one up to give as a gift; tie a red, green, or metalllic marker with a piece of twine to the finished candle!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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hobknobbing

November 22, 2016

Changing up knobs or pulls can instantly update a piece of furniture. These days, great hardware can be found at discount home stores as well as specialty stores.

My very favorite place to buy furniture hardware is Anthropologie because they have a great variety and some really unique pieces. Because Anthro hardware is on the pricey side, it is best to choose their hardware when you have a really special piece or you only need one knob!

A small sampling of the large hardware selection available at Anthropologie.

For multiples of hardware – like a dresser that may need 10 pieces, it is better to try online hardware resources, Target, or HomeGoods. Very often, HomeGoods will have packs of multiples at a very affordable price.

hemnes-dresser-before-and-after-knobs-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

The top photo shows an Ikea dresser with the standard hardware. The bottom photos show switched out pulls purchased online.

Another Ikea piece with updated hardware purchased from Home Depot.

I almost always change up hardware on the furniture pieces I redo, but you don’t need to save hardware changes for when a piece is refinished…it is easy to change the hardware any time! I recently changed up my dining room knobs from a casual look to a more streamlined, elegant look.

One word of caution – if you are replacing a pull that has more than one screw/hole – be sure to measure the spread before you look for a new piece of hardware. Some of the older pieces of furniture require a different size spread – if this happens, it makes your job a little more time intensive because you would need to use wood filler to fill in the old holes and drill new ones to accommodate the new hardware.

nautical-knobs-on-ikea-dresser-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

I found these nautical inspired rope pulls in a multiple pack at HomeGoods and used them on this Ikea dresser redo.

Replacing the hardware on your furniture can give it a whole new look! Take a look at some of your older furniture…can you picture it with some new knobs or pulls? I hope I have inspired you to thinking about updating a piece of your furniture by replacing the hardware! Maybe check out some black Friday deals on line!

chatham-redo-knobs-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

I used Anthropologie compass knobs on this coffee table redo.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed Thanksgiving! I am thankful to have you join me on pleasure in simple things. Stop back on Friday and I will share this year’s Advent calendar that you will want to make – a super easy and fun design!

xo Jackie

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