Friday, November 28, 2008

thankfulness...


On Monday, I spent the day in Canton driving in a cold, dreary drizzle as I jotted from a client to a vendor and then on a quick string of errands. As I was stopped at a light, I noticed this sign off to my left, nearly obscured by the traffic.

Hem your blessings with gratitude lest they unravel.

It humbled me and got me thinking { which for those of you who know me well is not a surprise at all -- I'm a "thinker" }. Anyway... I realized that Thanksgiving, more than the traditions we use to celebrate it, is pausing long enough to be grateful for the blessings we have. From the basics to the bonuses. Too often I focus only on the BIG things and not all the minute daily things that so many in this world do not have.

Yesterday we did the "go around the circle and state what we're thankful for" before grace was said for our meal. I entered from the kitchen and somehow received the privilege of going first. There were so many thoughts in my head, so many things I could have said... that all I got out was "this season of the year". Yes, I know... it seems cliche, but indulge me the ability to flesh out what that means to me.

The Pilgrims held Thanksgiving to give thanks for what had been accomplished over the past year, of the mighty harvest and of God's provision for them and their families. I am doing the same. It has been a year since Alice Adair first previewed, not quite a week since the website launched. Our family has welcomed new additions and a sister-in-law. In the midst of all the uncertainty and the unknown in the world, there is an underlying confidence and peace deep within. And as the year draws to a close, I can actually pause a moment from all that I have to do to... rest and relax.

So it is my prayer for each of you, that you get to do the same. And just so you know -- I am thankful for each of you.

I am excited to share a recipe that was a huge success yesterday. We are a family of game players and while my aunt cooked a most marvelous meal, she had each of us bring things to snack on through the evening during rounds of games and giggles. It is simple, easy and sure to be a crowd favorite. I had wanted to take a picture of it in a beautiful trifle bowl but I made such a big batch I had to use something else at the last minute and completely forgot to snap it. {And there was hardly any left! }

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Finger Salad
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup vinegar of choice {white, red wine, apple -- I used apple}
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • 1 tblsp salt
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • raw vegetables of choice, coarsely chopped into finger-friendly pieces
The dressing can be made a day in advance but needs to be kept at room temperature. I mixed mine in a large canning jar so that it would be easy to shake and transport. Once all the vegetables are cleaned and cut, simply pour the dressing over the top and toss so that all the pieces are evenly coated. I used a large tupperware bowl to make the process easy.

It is probably best to consider your audience when prepping this dish, but the vegetable options are endless. Listed below are my recommendations:

Baby carrots, celery, baby corn, mushrooms, green and black olives, green onion, bell peppers {red, green, yellow and orange}, sugar snap peas, snow peas, green beans, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, belgian endive, edamame, cucumber, zucchini, radishes, asparagus.

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

pleased to announce...




















It was quite the feeling last night to flip the switch for the final time and make the site "live." And even more surreal this afternoon to realize that what had been concept and conjecture for over a year and in production for almost twelve weeks is finally a full reality.

Now I know this isn't an Oscar moment or a time to make speeches { my mind keeps going to that Sally Field acceptance speech "you like me, you really like me!" }, but in a week where we all pause to focus on grace and gratitude, my heart is full of thankfulness.

First, I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt thanks to Heather and Brian. This entire thing would not have been possible without their talent and expertise in taking what was in my head and putting it on the web.

And of course, I would be remiss if I did not thank each one of you -- for your patience with the delays, for the comments and encouraging emails, and for reading this blog as regularly as some of you do.

So yes, Alice Adair is officially open and new product will be uploaded daily between now and the end of the year... which means I should probably get back to doing just that.

May your week be full to the brim with love, friends, and family whether they are in your arms or in your hearts and separated by miles.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

hark! just in time....

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Holiday Hours
{ now through December 23rd }


Tuesday ~ Friday . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 am ~ 6:00 pm

Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 am ~ 3:00pm

~ and ~
By Special Appointment

CLOSED Sunday and Monday

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

ringing in the Season...

There have already been flurries, but the weatherman is calling for a true dusting of snow by this weekend. It was seventy degrees for our Gala Evening of the Soiree, and while the shop glistened as one client put it "like a diamond" from down the street, the hard chill this week has awakened the hum in the air that is { Holiday }.

My apologies in taking so long in getting the images up, but after this whirlwind and sacrificing comfort for style with cute shoes, I just had to decompress and recover a bit.

I've done things a bit differently... and have posted in reverse so that as you scroll down, you'll peek at individual vignettes. Think of it like peeling an orange and popping out the juicy segments one by one. Please use the post list to the right if for some reason you cannot scroll through all of them.

If you see something in any of the photos that you are interested in, please email me at adair@tusco.net. E-commerce will not kick-off until the end of this week, but very few of the Shop goods are included with the cache of wares for Alice Adair so there will be little overlap.

After posting all the other photos, these are the only ones that remain -- the remnants of an incredible spread that was catered for the Gala Evening. Toni and Donna outdid themselves as always. ( Now if only I could have cajoled them into parting with that great concrete finial and base! ) Countless clients raved that our event is one of the highlights for their year, and that the menu never fails to delight them.

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What We Served

Baked Brie with Honeyed Walnuts
Savory Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
An Assortment of Artisan Breads and Spreads
Cheese and Fruit
Marscapone Fruit Dip
Sugared Pecans
Almond Finger Cookies
Swiss Cinnamon Crisps
Powder Sugared Shortbread Cookies
Pineapple-Lemon Punch

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Next year, however.... I'm taking pictures of the tables before and not after.

Enjoy!







sprigs and sprays...

A miscellany of images from throughout the Shop. Paper chandeliers and ornaments, antique glass ornaments in various containers, glittered snowflake "trees"... the latest edition of Romantic Homes... and our jewelry. Sold the very first piece of it right off my neck!





















farmhouse chic...

Whether your style is rustic to cottage to English country, we have an array of upholstery that is simply ideal.





sparkle and flash at Solid Rock....

We have been so blessed to have Solid Rock's studio in our building (and now some of her photography on our blog). I adore the ballerina shot of a local senior printed in sepia on metallic white paper. It's simply stunning...



the glamour of gold...

Lounge among the shimmer and imagine yourself in a French salon.













the greenhouse...

"I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven."
Emily Dickinson











winter's garden...

Paper-whites, pine boughs, snowflakes and statuary... even the garden decks itself for the festive season.













Monday, November 10, 2008

a winter fairyland...

In Britain, they call strands of Christmas lights "fairy lights". I'm beginning to see why. A little sprinkling of snow, sprigs of green... and voila!










mercury, silver, and glass...

It catches the glimmer of the fire's glow and twinkle lights, making it seem as if a bit of wintery starlight glistens all about you.