A Most Delicious Cafe' au Lait

These last couple of mornings  I've been enjoying a delicious cafe' au lait made with Cafe' du Monde coffee.   The can photographed above was recently purchased from our local Fresh N Easy, but MacGyver husband and I first enjoyed the coffee and chicory during a trip to New Orleans last August.

We went to New Orleans for a summer weekend to celebrate my birthday.  I immediately fell in love with the beautiful sights, the friendly people, and the delicious food.  Drinking my cafe' au lait this morning brought back memories of our fun trip, especially the delicious beignets and chicory coffee at Cafe' du Monde.  As you can imagine, it was a rather hot and humid August morning (note my frizzy hair!), and we had to wait in line for quite awhile, but the delicious coffee and fresh beignets were worth it!  If you ever have the opportunity to visit New Orleans, you simply can't leave without a tasty treat from Cafe' Du Monde.  And don't be surprised if you must go more than once (We went twice during our 3 day stay!).



A bit of Valentine fun....

It went from this.....

To these....

Hope you're having fun getting ready for Valentine's Day!

I Love garlands.

I always love a pretty garland.  They bring a bit of fun and whimsy wherever they are...

I  particularly love this one that I made for my valentine front porch...

 

If you would like to make a tassel garland, visit this website.  I can assure you that it will be fun and easy!

Kitchen Treats

I know, I've been a bad blogger.  There's really no excuse...I've just got to get my rear in gear and start doing more blogging and less pinteresting!!  Anyway, I am excited to share with you a few treats that I've added to the kitchen lately...

First, MacGyver husband made this great sign for me!  Years ago, I bought this "Bon Appetit" decal at Home Goods and  have been saving it for the perfect spot.  Lucky me, MacGyver husband cut a board for me, we painted it with white chalk paint and then added a black border.  I love how it adds a touch of whimsy to the kitchen!

Next, I made a trip to Cost Plus and found these metal club chairs on sale.  I should have shown you a beautifully set table, but this is how we sit down to eat at every meal!  I love not having to set the table because the silverware is already there!

Well, after buying those chairs, Cost Plus sent me a coupon, and I had to go, of course!  Anyway, while I was there, I bought this adorable paper towel holder.  I really need to stay away from that place! Hee!Hee!

A Woodland Tree

The other night, I caught a glimpse of our beautiful woodland tree....

 

At the beginning of the season, I realized I was a bit tired of the woodland tree theme (you can see last year's version here), but I've collected so many ornaments throughout the years that there is just no going back.  In fact, I wasn't  planning on putting up our big tree this year, but my youngest just wouldn't budge, and she got out the 6' tree and put it up herself! Don't tell her, but now I'm glad she did, because it did turn out beautifully!

 

 

 

 

Now that the decorating is officially done, I'm off to start holiday baking and cooking, but before I go I just want to wish all of you and your families a happy holiday!  Merry Christmas !

 

A Christmas Kitchen

 

 

Christmas decorating is finally wrapping up here at Love and Life at Leadora.  Yesterday, I finished making a little Christmas banner to hang across the kitchen window....

The table is set...

 

 

And even the Welsh Terrier of the house is ready!

 

A Christmas Dining Room

 

 

I am excited to share with you the dining room at Love and Life at Leadora!  Once again, I brought out all my pink and white china.  It's not necessarily "Christmasy", but I was lazy, and I didn't feel like hauling in the Spode!  I tried to make it work by putting teacups on the tree and using the piles of china as presents!

 

 

Once again, I filled my wooden box centerpiece with china, greenery, and a little burlap bow....

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, as always, the corner cabinet is decorated with more pink and white china along with my collection of silvers bells..... 

 

 

The dining room is done, so now it's time to move on to the rest of the house!  Hope that you are having a wonderful time decorating too!