Cutest Gift Ever!

While visiting with a new client today, after touring Lisa's beautiful home and consulting on several areas she wanted to work on, we came across this:

I commented on the well-worn toys, obviously loved by someone. Turns out that Lisa's mother gave her the diaper bag and favorite toys that she, herself, treasured as an infant, for her 40th birthday! How cute is that! Yep, I call it ...style! Cutest 40th birthday gift ever. Pure sentimental style.

I left with a smile.

Sentimental Susan

Just one year ago, my sweetest Fred (Sneelock), and my son Ryan , disassembled my prized work table from my design studio. It was a very emotional night for me. If you'd like to review my post of that night, click here.

Those same feelings came flooding back to me last week when I saw my new design studio poised with the 12' long, 50" wide table standing in the center of the room. The tears came back as I recalled the gift of love as demonstrated by Fred and Ryan last March 22. I feel loved and cherished by these men in my life, and I know that I am a lucky woman.

Here's to a few more years with my loved table in my new design studio. There are hours of work to do to get the rest of it set up, but I feel like the anchor of my work space has come home. Thanks, Sneelock.

I'll let you know in a few years when I'm ready to retire how my design table fares. As of right now, both Ryan and Sneelock claim it's coming out in pieces for the last time. *sigh* For now, I'll use it with joy.

Susan's Personal Stash...Now Available!

We had a particularly busy week in the retail store last week. To me, that is both good news and bad news! I don't mind telling you that I often have a problem selling the things that I love, and especially right after I have spent hours re merchandising and designing inspiration vignettes. I realize that the whole name of the game is to sell the merchandise, but I still have issues! Of course, I realize that the profitability of the retail division depends on selling the treasures that I have found. In addition to this, good sales translates into work for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the merchandising and while it is definitely my "night shift" , I enjoy the time I spend alone and the creative outlet along with moments of inspiration are really fulfilling. I often wonder how I ever turned this over to others in past times, as I really love this work.

That being said, at the end of the week, as I looked around the store and saw blank spaces and bare walls everywhere, I had to agree with the grave concerns of my staff members as to the condition of the store on the eve of my leaving town for a beach vacation with my darling family members. As often they do, there was encouragement for me to go right home and scour the garage and basement for inventory that might fill in these blanks. Generally, I roll my eyes and scold them for supposing that I could part with personal "inventory" for the betterment of the store...but, as I looked around, I had to admit that it must might be what was needed.

I began the objective rifling through my storage areas for items that I had purchased for my own use and somehow never found a place for in my own home. And, I ended up with a whole van full of favorite purchases that I reluctantly felt I could donate to the cause. (I might say that Sneelock was extremely pleased with the culling and very ready to load up the van!)

This is my stash unloaded in the back of the stockroom! Needless to say, all were totally surprised when I showed up with the requested goods! I had a pang of regret as we began to open the boxes, some purchased from Black-eyed Susan years ago and in their original boxes. Many of my very favorite floral items, containers, art...yes, indeed, some real second thoughts as Connie began to quickly enter the items into inventory and print the price tags before I could snatch them back !

Many of my long time supporters and fans will remember these cut roses! They even have insect bites out of the petals! Assorted colors and looking like they were just cut, they now are available for your homes. How happy and pleasing the colorful bunches look. My gift to the cause!



Here is a collection of some of my absolute favorite hydrangeas, viburnum, queen anne's lace, berries, and chinese lanterns. I had always meant to make a gorgeous wreath from this prized collection. Now, Joanne will put it together for an inspiring wreath to be sold. Sad for me, lucky for you!

And, there's a lot more to choose from! Favorite containers, art and small accents of all kinds to be had.

I think you'd better come in soon before I decide to take it all back home.

Grand Opening Treats!

For the fourth day of our grand opening celebration, I made one of our family's favorite cream pies (coconut cream) into mini tarts. Each day we've served one of my home baked treats to all who walk through the door. Yum!

I decided in the interest of time,to purchase the tart shells from a fine bakery in the area, and I was quite disappointed in them. They were too thick and not at all flaky. After they were filled and sat out for a time, the filling did seem to soften them up a bit, and they were a tiny bit better. But, I don't think I would purchase them again. I would try to find time to make my own!

Here is the recipe. Give it a try!

Susan's Banana Cream or Coconut Cream Pie

Combine in a heavy saucepan:

2/3 cup sugar

5 tbl flour

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups whole milk

In a separate bowl, slightly beat 3 egg yolks.

Cook sugar and flour mixture on medium heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add a small amount (few tbls) to the egg yolks, then beat the egg yolk mixture into the custard. Return to heat and boil one more minute, stirring constantly.

Pour into a large bowl. Fill a large bowl with cold water to use as a water bath. Cool the custard surrounded by the cold water. Add 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla and 4 Tbl butter. Stir with a wire whisk often, until cool.

Cover and refrigerate over night.

For coconut cream, add 1 cup shredded coconut. For banana cream, add three medium sliced bananas.

Fill cooled pie shell with filling and top with shipped cream.

One last note. Last night, I posted about returning to my roots. Check out this floral lapel creation!

I made these 20 years ago when I had a millinery business making hats and hair accessories. I sold to Nordstrom across the nation. Last week, a customer came into the store expecting to find some! I took the order and made one for her today.....now that's what I call returning to my roots, even if it was just for a minute!