Peacocks in the Park

With colors that amaze 

Peacocks really are just beautiful

Magnificent creatures

It's even breathtaking when they shake their tail feathers

Visit the peacocks at Mayfield Park

Smockings - from Generation to Generation

In his first few major outings Prince George has been dressed to impress with adorable embroidered smockings. 

Smocked garments have been popular for centuries, and unsurprisingly for infants due to the provided stretch and flexibility. Before Prince George, his father Prince William also sported the classic attire (and isn't the resemblance striking!).

Our son, just 3 days George's senior, inherited a few smockings that his father used to wear. From generation to generation, it's timeless smart dress.

The Prince William Belt

Undeniably all eyes were on Prince George when he first arrived, but there's also been some attention given to Dad's belt.

The Argentine polo belts can be found in the US at:

La Matera

Or in the UK at:

Polistas

Pampeano 

Thos Moser Woodwork Chairs

A friend said to me, "There is a reason cocktail hour begins around five." She was speaking in reference to newborns and the so called witching hour that occurs in the early evening. Having just had a baby, I can appreciate this. Also, having a child, one starts to learn that there was a reason that someone invented the rocker.

Back in the day they knew how to make a good, quality rocking chair. It was comfortable to sit in and made to last. These days, while harder to find in grandpa's work shed, Thos. Moser has just what you are looking for.

The furniture is American made using local black cherry wood right from their backyard in the state of Maine. The company believes in sustainability - the piece should last at least as long as it takes to grow the tree - 75 to 125 years!

The woodworkers at This. Moser use element to element, or the mortise and tenon joint, so the wood pieces contract and expand naturally with temperature changes.

Whether young, old, or in between, you just can't beat a good rocking chair. And a quality rocking chair starts with craftsmanship. When it comes to quality and craftsmanship of wood design, no one does it better than Thos. Moser.

Not all styles are old school, they have some modern rockers too:

And there are non-rockers:

No Nothing sign

I still have no idea what this sign is saying, but I think it is absolutely phenomenal.

Photo taken in Scotland.

Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Yes, you read that correctly, not just chocolate, not just chocolate and peanut butter, but chocolate and peanut butter and salt. A.Maze.Ing. Need I say more? I didn't think so...

Inspired by Martha Stewart's peanut butter swirl brownies, I upped the ante and threw in a few twists of my own. Read it, bake it, eat it, and enjoy. With love from my kitchen to yours:


INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 stick of butter
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup dark chocolate chips
2/3 cup of flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter *
3 eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon salt

*chunky or smooth, your choice! I usually go with smooth.