Outdoor Entertaining

When it is spring, my thoughts turn to the outdoors. 
I have always loved to entertain outdoors, and Southern CA is perfect for that!
I got some of my favorite photos for entertaining outdoors.

from French essence

Adore the crystal chandelier hanging from the tree 
+ mismatched
chairs

from mydesignchic.com

Isn't this wonderful?
Looks like a party is about to happen.

from weddingbee.com

Green apples for the centerpiece.
Grand idea!

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com

So amazing!

from pinterest.com

Let's grab a quick drink before dinner---
This setting would be perfect.

from gardenworldimages.com

This looks so romantic, don't you think? 

from 4inspireddesign.com

Can't get much better than this.

from mydesignchic.com

Adore the sprig of rosemary on the napkins.

from electracruises.com

So beautiful.
Round table at the end of the long one, so lovely.

from intimateweddings.com

Amazing!!!

from markdsikes.com

Love how the light filters through the overhead.
So inviting.

from roughluxeperspective.blogspot.com

OK, OK, I am a monogram nut!
What could be lovelier than dinner or a lunch in a greenhouse with monogram napkins?

from bluepueblo.tumblr.com

 
Adore the chandelier over the rustic table. 
Lights and birds---perfect, just the right size. 



I love all the pictures pulled for this post. 
What do you think, dear readers?
Do you like to entertain outdoors as much as I do?
Which one is your favorite?




 


Love, 



Peggy

To see your vision come to life, email us about our design services at Peggy Braswell Design.

Cool Stuff

Here are some "cool stuff" for you to look at!

Amazingly simple!

Isn't this just the best gift wrapping ever?

 An ice pick!

This shows where things could go in the bag.

Wouldn't this be great for hiking?
Out of any stream, dirty or clean!

Forgetting spray...just a hoot!

I love this bottle!

Isn't this the cutest thing ever ?

Love this old wrapping paper they used for the bars of soap.

Handmade paper made into a little book with a monogram - so great.

What a great place to hang your gold hose - on a gold antler!

I have been looking for this one!

Aren't these the coolest earrings?

This shows you how to make a watermelon keg! 
How cool is that for a great party?

So there you have some of my cool stuff.
Tell me what hits your fancy, dear readers.
I want to hear from you!

Love, 

Peggy

To see your vision come to life, email us about our design services at Peggy Braswell Design. 

Flowers

 


This week I am doing flowers, because I love flowers!
Here are some beautiful ones below.

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com



 

Isn't this glorious?

from desdemyventana.es


 

Roses climbing outside a lovely window.

from blog.thepinkpagoda.us

 

Flower market picture.

from tumblr.com


 

Cabbages with paper whites + and a sprig of baby's breath.

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com


 
Tulips are wonderful when massed together.

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com



 

Another flower mart picture.

from philippacraddock.com

 

I don't usually like baby's breath but I love this one.

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com


 

Poppies smell so good...

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com




 
I am not sure what this is - Is it a dahlia?

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com


 
These are so beautiful.

from flickr.com



 

These are ruffled poppies.

from sharonsantoni.com


 
Wisteria has such a lovely smell & color.

from parisinfourmonths.com


 
Roses in a bucket!

from annasheffield.tumblr.com


 
Look at this tulip!

from mintyhouse.blogspot.com

 

These are so lovely.

from zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com



 
Roses-

from montanasweetpea.tumblr.com




 

A lovely presentation of flowers in a purse on the door.

Which one do you like, dear readers?
I adore the purse on the door idea.
Tell me.
I am wanting to know.




Love,



Peggy

To see your vision come to life, email us about our design services at Peggy Braswell Design.

Candied Lemon Cake

Candied Lemon Cake

from Sweet Paul Magazine

These are the lemons I used for the cake.
I picked them from a tree.

You will need-

For the cake

1 stick of butter at room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup whole milk

zest of one lemon

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the candied lemons

1 cup water

1⁄2 cup sugar

2 lemons, thinly sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  

 

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. 

 3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between eggs. 

 4. Add remaining ingredients and mix well until incorporated. 

 5. Pour batter into a well-greased 9-inch cake tin. 

 6. Bake about 30 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

 7. Allow to cool on wire rack for 15 minutes then remove cake from pan and put onto serving plate. 

 8. For the candied lemons, Place water, sugar and lemons in a small saucepan and bring to boil.

 9. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes and then allow to cool for at least a half hour. 

 10. Decorate the cake with the lemon slices 
 pour on some of the syrup just before serving. 

These are  ingredients you will need.

This is how it looks in the bowl before I turned it into the pan.

Here it is in the pan.
I cut parchment paper for the bottom, sprayed + floured.

 These are the candied lemon slices.

Here is the cake as I took it out of the pan.

Here are the lemon slices on top of the cake.

Here is how it looks before I cut into the cake.

 The above photo shows a piece of the cake with syrup!

Wouldn't this be a wonderful spring cake?
It was excellent!

Tell me about your spring cakes, dear readers.

I would love to have your recipes.

Love,

Peggy

To see your vision come to life, email us about our design services at Peggy Braswell Design.