Trials and Tribulations of Selling a Home

Anyone who have ever had to sell a home knows what I am talking about. You spend months putting your home in order cleaning, decluttering, touching up trim paint, manicuring the gardens and yard and finally it is ready to put on the market. It shows like a model home. It is beautiful.
You wonder if you have made a mistake wanting or having to move!

You have an open home. People are interested in your home but alas not interested enough to make an offer.

Then you have to keep it totally clean every day and picked up (at least I do), Just in case the realtor calls and wants to show the home. WOW! It can get exhausting. So 5 weeks on the market so far. One offer and alot of people making very nice comments about the home. I'll keep you posted.
Here is the link to my home video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z9gwMT06Pw

Table Scape Thursday

EASTER TABLE

Hi everyone I am hooking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for another exciting Tablescape Thursday.

My table this year is a simple one. I am reusing all my decor from previous years. It is just my immediate family for dinner. This florals and little bunnies are the center of attention on the table. I have hung my children's three Easter ornaments that were given to them by my brother many moons ago. You can see one in the photo below.

I just love those little bunnies. Last year's purchase at Pier I imports.

My biggest delima and not much of one is how to fold the napkins. The photo above is one option.
The photo below is another. Any one have a preference? You can help me choose or give me another option. I ahve in the past used rosemary as napkin ring for a spring setting.
Here is another view of the table. I found those yellow napkins in a storage box. They are my mom's and must be at least 50 years old. I thought the colors were spring like and the polka dots were a little whimiscal.


Here is another cute little bunny I purchased last year and it is displaying in the living room on the coffee table surrounded by easter eggs. I need to add a little more Easter grass to this.

Thanks for stopping by, look around and don't forget Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. There are some wonderful tables.

Expressively

Sofia

EASTER BRUNCH

Hi All. It has been way to long. I am sorry I have been so amiss with my blogging. I promise to with it from now on. I found this recipe on the Better Homes and Gardens site and it looks good.
What a fun way to kick off Easter Sunday than with a beautiful brunch especially this quiche.

Look below at this beautiful table setting outside for your Easter Sunday for the gals that are in the warmer areas. It is lovely. This is set in Carolina but can be anywhere in the warmer climates.

EASTER BRUNCH IDEA

Bread Pudding Quiche with Berries and Bacon

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Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 40 minutes
Bake: 64 minutes
Cool: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

• 7 to 8 slices cinnamon swirl bread cut in 1/2-inch cubes (about 5 cups)
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 5 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1-1/2 cups finely shredded Gruyére cheese (6 oz.)
• 2 tsp. all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chopped cooked ham
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 2 cups assorted fresh berries
• 4 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and broken in large pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread bread cubes in single layer on large ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until dry. Set aside 1 cup of the cubes.

2. For crust, place remaining bread cubes in food processor. Cover and process until reduced to fine crumbs. With food processor running, pour in melted butter until combined (mixture will be crumbly).

3. Increase oven to 375 degrees F. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and 1-1/2 inches up sides of ungreased 9-inch springform pan or onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch quiche dish. Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned; cool. Reduce oven to 325 degrees F.

4. In medium bowl whisk together eggs and milk. In small bowl toss together cheese, flour, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add to egg mixture. Fold in reserved bread cubes, ham, and green onions. Pour into prepared crust.

5. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. If necessary, after 30 minutes tent with foil to prevent overbrowning. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove sides of springform pan, loosening sides with a knife if necessary.

6. To serve, top with assorted mixed berries and bacon pieces. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

• Servings Per Recipe 8 servings
• Calories 366,
• Total Fat (g) 23,
• Saturated Fat (g) 12,
• Monounsaturated Fat (g) 7,
• Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 2,
• Cholesterol (mg) 191,
• Sodium (mg) 725,
• Carbohydrate (g) 23,
• Total Sugar (g) 6,
• Fiber (g) 3,
• Protein (g) 18,
• Vitamin C (DV%) 16,
• Calcium (DV%) 35,
• Iron (DV%) 13,Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey / Food styling: Marian Cooper Cairns, Article by Scott Jones

For those in the cooler climates you can improvise and set this table indoors next to the outdoor window. Set this beautiful table to celebrate with family and friends in a casual setting that certainly brings spring to life.

A pitcher filled with lemons and limes, even mint and strawberries make for a delicious flavored water. Home made cookies, of course Easter eggs, fruits , cheeses and the quiche makes for a delicious farm fresh brunch.

Carolina Casual Easter Table

Set a beautiful table to celebrate the holiday and season with family and friends.

Tomorrow Easter eggs dying tricks. See you then!

Expressively,

Sofia

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

I am back from the holiday tour on the East Coast. We spent 6 world wind days visiting family and friends and catching up with everyone. We even had a white Christmas. Here are some pictures of the snow. A snowman made in my mom's yard in Connecticut the day after Christmas

Also a snow elephant also my in Connecticut.

After arriving home from Christmas, we turned and went right back out for a wedding in San Diego on January 3rd. The wedding was located at the Prado in Balboa Park. For those who do not know the park it is beautiful. The setting was lovely and the reception was equally lovely and lots of fun. The bride's mom paper mache and hand painted all of the horses. She did a beautiful job.

The setting for the ceremony was very beautiful outside in the park. It is set up with a fountain and wishing well. Very pretty.
Everyone had a blast.
I hope 2010 will be good to everyone. So let's get organized. I am trying to do the same by de-Christmasing. January is a good month for organization and cleaning out those closets. Sorry for the delayed posts. Hope to get back into the swing of things in January.

Expressively,

Sofia

Home for the Holidays tour

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS TOUR

So today I am hooking up with Julia from Hooked on Houses, she is also having a holiday tour. Isn't this fun!


This tree is in the master bedroom. A smaller one this year. The star ornaments are from Lillian Vernon. I love them. It is all gold with the white stars.

Upstairs hall table leading to bedrooms. What you cannot see in the picture is a framed picture of Santa. I take beautiful gift bags and cut and frame them for Christmas time.

I had this idea for a simple but elegant look. Pinecones from outdoors and snowflake ornaments.


Thanks for stopping by for the Home for the Holidays tour. Don't forget to stop by Julia at Hooked on Houses for more beautiful decorations.

Home for the Holidays

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Hi there! How have you all been. I have been busy trying to get my house decorated and meet with clients and build a business, whew there is just not enough time in the day. I am hooking up with Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for her Home for the Holidays segment. I love decorating for Christmas, and this year I am feeling a little rushed. So here are some pictures and more will follow later tonight when the lights are twinkling.

Welcome to my home Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. Come on in and join the fun. This is my front porch. The sled was my husband's that he used as a little boy. The ice skates are my daughter's. This porch is very deep and one sided so I try to do a vignette to accommodate that.
Since there is no chance for snow here I use cut tree branches for ground cover, pine cones and red cardinals adorn the trees and ground. Front door was not done so I didn't photograph it.



Both banisters have garland ribbon poinsettia's and layer with two types of ribbon.

Here is the banister that over looks the living room. A close up of the bow.


This is the entry way table. This year I was able to decorate a little differently. Usually we have the Dept. 56 houses, Christmas in the City. So I bought this sled last year that was red and green. I painted it a Antique Bronze color with copper gold accents. Wrapped packages, added a floral and a Santa that was a gift. I used fabric from Joann's to try to get the snowy, sparkling look.


Here is our living room tree. It is real and 10 foot high. It was supposed to be a smaller tree this year but it was such a beautiful shape my children could not resist. I used all white and gold this year and copper accents. It does have lots of ornaments but they did not photograph well.

A close up of the tree!

The mantle in the living room all done in the same white and gold ribbons. Ornaments are hung from the garland and the tree topiary are stocking holders. I have had them for awhile and purchase at Bombay and Co. This might be the last year for these.

A close up of the mantle showing my violins resting on the garland.

I also added some floral to the painting above the fireplace. It is just fun to do.



Come on into the dining room. I have added greenery to the light fixture purchased at Richards.
The vase has Christmas balls, greenery and sparkling gold curly ribbon.
I had these two mirror from Bombay and Co and decided to use them as candle holders. the light reflect off the mirrors and it is beautiful when lite. I love the runner give to me as a gift from a good friend. It is brown velvet with antique ivory sheer fabric with music notes. It is just gorgeous.




This is part one of my post. I need to run some errands and take more photos. I will be back later so make sure you come on back to see the rest of my home. I will be looking forward to seeing all of yours. Remember to go to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality, she has some beautiful photos for all of you.

Ok I'm back. I cannot believe how long it is taken me to do this post. Anyway this is my family room, in the evening.

My Family room tree. I decided to do all red and white with the candy cane as an accent and overall theme. This tree was so cute when I saw it I just had to have it. Again it is real. I love the smell of a fresh tree!
Here is a close up of the top of the tree. The star is a little crooked but my daughter liked it that way so I left it alone! It is always fun to have a whimsical tree.! All the children ornaments are on this tree.


Here are a couple of pics of the same tree in the evening. My camera sometimes does not like to take clear photo in the evening when trying to capture the right lighting! Sorry for the blurriness


This is the bath adjacent to the family room and the guest bath.

Well this is my Home for the Holidays post for today. I do have my kitchen and master bedroom photographed. I will post those pictures tomorrow so you may visit other beautiful holiday posts. Thank you for visiting. Visit my post of February of last year when I was featured in the Valley Times, the local newspaper for their Home for the Holidays article. That was fun!
Remember to visit Rhoda at Southern Hospitality, she has some beautiful photos for all of you. Also The Inspired Room is having a holiday party go there and check it out!
So many Holiday Tours so little time. Check out the Nester for her Holiday Tour Dec. 14th

Met Monday

I have been busy with life in general and have not be posting regularly, I apologize for that.
Welcome again to Met Monday hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. This week I am going to show you an upstairs office mini makeover. This first pictures are the before. The color had already been chosen and was painted on the wall. Such a warm and wonderful mustard color. The venetian mask was obtained in Venice Italy and is just beautiful and vibrant. It needed it own space on this wall. The Asian hand painted silk print was a gift from her daughter from Korea. I matted and re framed this print and others.

This wonderful chair and ottoman was purchased at Thomasville warehouse and my client just adores it. It needed to be accompanied by a wonderful wall of family photos. Below are some of the photos that I re matted and framed for the wall.




Here are the photos re framed and in the prominent place in the office. The lamp and table were already in the room in different areas. They made a great addition to this corner. ( the fabric in the corner are the window treatments which could not be hung yet oops)

The picture at the top in the center was an antique photo of three sisters, one of them her mother. It is a beautiful picture and we re framed this also to bring out the girls and colors.

It was a treat to be able to use the entire space for these photos. Making a wall collage of photos can be a little tricky. The easiest to find out how to place the photos is to make the collage on the floor next to the wall make all your changes on the floor with all the spacing and then transfer each one to the wall. It is better to vary the sizes and frames to add interest. There is one gap to the left for another antique photo of her dad that needed a new frame.
This cozy corner is now a wonderful reading and relaxing area away from the rest of the home. Next week I hope to had a picture of the window treatment we put in this room.
Thank you for joining me in another wonderful Met Monday. Be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for other wonderful makeovers.

Have a wonderful day and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Expressively
Sofia