I wanted to thank everyone who has posted on my blog and for all of the private messages I have received. Most of you do not know me personally and I am so touched that you took the time to reach out to our family. The kindness of people during a very sad time is comforting and very appreciated!

I know our life with berners will begin again when the time and the pup are just right. For now I am remembering the last 4 years with a happy heart knowing that Nico made an extraordinary difference in our lives.

Stacey~

  This was a post I hoped to never have to write. Of course I knew the day would eventually come. Last Tuesday June 29th my sweet Nico crossed over the bridge. He passed away while cradled in my arms. the end came fast, a blessing for both of us.

I have spoken about Nico a few times in my posts but never mentioned the awful diagnosis we received last June. After many tests it was revealed that he had degenerative myelopathy. In short, it is a slow, progressive spinal cord disorder of unknown cause. He became completely paralyzed in February so we knew we were on borrowed time. His spirits were high and he dealt with his harness and our help like a real champ! I can say without hesitation that we lived every day of the 4 years he was with us to the absolute fullest.

I say that we rescued him but in truth it was he who rescued me. He was our family dog but he was my boy. The stories I could tell are endless and this isn’t the forum for that I know. I will say that he and I took an amazing journey resulting in each of us becoming happy, confident, and content beings. Only 4 short years together but the love, companionship and devotion will be in my heart forever. He made me a better person and taught me that sometimes when all seems dark and hopeless someone or something wonderful is right around the corner. I will be eternally grateful that I had the honor of calling him ours.

For all you that share your lives with animals…..Give them an extra hug today. They deserve it!

Happy trails to you my sweet Nico~

Baking doesn’t really happen in my house. You see, I have a gas only range and it is much to harsh for delicate baking. So…when a friend decided to sell her dual fuel Viking range..We decided to jump back into remodeling. It has been some time since my husband has embarked on any real construction jobs around the house. Not having 220 in the kitchen is a bit of a challenge! Thus, the removal of ceiling sheetrock.

With gentle arm twisting and a promise of many delicious desserts baked in the “new” oven I am getting some actual surface mount lighting to replace the cheap and really ugly cans I had. I  prefer seeing surface mount fixtures in the ceiling rather than a bunch of down lights. Unlike typical canned lighting, this style of fixture illuminates the ceiling rather than the floor.

He is a real trooper! Spending the long weekend doing this:

Here is what I am thinking for the new lighting:

Sorry the uploaded pictures are so lousy!  I would love to hear from you!! Which one do you like?

Hope the last day of the long weekend has you enjoying your day!

xo

Stacey~

Alisa Ahlstone Lewis you rock!! This website has literally changed the way I shop, investigate and explore the internet. You just may find it one of the most useful site to date!! I know I do.

Who: Alisa Ahlstone Lewis 

A California native first time mom business woman extraordinaire

I could attempt to tell you all about it, but I think you just need to take a minute an evening and explore this dynamic site!  Enjoy~ I sure do.

www.sweetpeasandstilletos.com

Tell me what you think I would love to hear!

xo

Stacey~

A wonderful end to a beautiful week! I mentioned some time ago that the editor of Romantic Country contacted me about this time last year with a proposal to shoot my home for an upcoming issue! I was flattered, honored, crazy nervous and oh so excited. The day was last June and it was a long one. The talented and extremely funny Mark Lohman and the equally talented cute as a button stylist Sunday Hendrickson arrived at 9:00am sharp. We wrapped at around 7:00pm we were exhausted, but so pleased how everything turned out.

I scanned the article for you to check out in case you don’t see these magazines in your area.      

A very huge thank you to Fifi O’Neill the editor of Romantic Country for including my talents in your beautiful magazine and last but certainly not least thank you to  Kim McCole for putting my words on the pages in such a perfect way. It is me and that feels really good!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

xo~ Stacey

Seems like it went from Spring straight to Summer here in California in the last week! I am not complaining though. It has been so nice feeling the sun and being outdoors more.

Thank you all again for leaving your comments on my giveaway last week! Jo if you are out there please send me your address so I can send this sweet box to you soon.

Thanks to the wonderful and marvelous Fifi I have some great photos to share of one of my newest boxes. The "French Couture Sparkle Box" I thought it deserved a fancy name!

Happy Weekend to you!

xo

Stacey~ 

I have to thank you all for playing along and telling us all about your Easter celebrations!

Patrick as I mentioned did the honors and drew Jo.  I want to thank you all for leaving me a comment and I plan to have many more so stop by and say hello.

Xo

Stacey

Please send me an email with your address Jo and I will send this right out!

I am so happy to be seeing all the green and colors around here lately! I know for some of you that is still a ways off so I thought I would have my very first giveaway to celebrate the new season with you. In honor of the upcoming holiday that is already upon us…I have created a special keepsake box for someone to win.

Please leave me a comment about something special you do for Easter. You will have until 10.00am (west coast time) March 17th St. Paddy’s day. Since its St. Patrick’s Day, My Patrick will do the honors of selecting a random winner out of a hat.

I will announce a winner on March 18th. So check back in soon!

Enjoy your weekend!

xo

Stacey

If you are a lover of Risotto like I am, then this is a recipe for you to try. The creamy texture is produced by using traditional Arborio rice. This creamy texture is what I find the most delicious but, I rarely make it because of the constant stirring it requires. Multi-tasking in the kitchen does not come naturally to me. So here is an easy and super yummy alternative that I just tried the other night.

(Photo taken from Southern Living)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Other Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  butter
• 2 1/2  cups  chicken broth
• 1  cup  uncooked Arborio rice (short-grain)
• 1/2  small onion, diced
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 2  cups  chopped deli-roasted chicken
• 1  (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1  cup  cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4  cup  shredded fresh basil

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Place butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish; bake 5 minutes or until melted. Stir in broth and next 3 ingredients.

2. Bake, covered, at 400° for 35 minutes. Remove from oven. Fluff rice with a fork. Stir in chicken, mozzarella, and tomatoes; sprinkle with shredded basil. Serve immediately.

Since I like to tweak recipes a little from time to time I thought up different pairings you could do after you get you risotto in the oven.

Something like:

1. Scallops mixed with capers and Meyer lemon zest.

2. Spring vegetables (mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, tarragon and a little goat cheese.

3. Chicken, spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.

I hope you love this as much as my family did!

Stacey~

I have finished the dreaded job of getting the taxes ready for our accountant, organized my office and finally tackled my fabric samples. Fabrics are in a strange way like art to me. They inspire so much creativity, but keeping them organized is no easy feat! When I’m sleeping they multiply too.

As a result of all this..my studio as been neglected and when that happens my soul becomes a bit out of balance as well. So I have been back at it with wedding boxes.

Some of these I have re-created although they are still original one~of~a~kind pieces.  

Please contact me if you would like to purchase any of these or would like a special one created just for you.

{Wedding cones are next on my list! I was contacted some time ago about designing these to attach to the back of chairs at the ceremony.}

Stacey~