Hot Spiced Cider

The holidays are upon us and I just love the aroma of spiced cider simmering on the stove.  It makes the whole house fragrant with holiday joy and the anticipation of Santa!

The Betty Crocker Cookbook was my very first cookbook.  I remember asking for it one Christmas.  And it's always fun to go back to the old classics.

Here's a Betty Crocker recipe for Hot Spiced Cider.

6 cups apple cider
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat ingredients to boiling over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes.  Before serving, strain cider mixture to remove cloves and cinnamon, if desired.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Hot Spiced Cider by debralynn5 featuring a coffee grinder

Converting Your Guest Bedroom To a Fabulous Closet 2!

Here I am trying to find some items to recreate that sumptuous closet.

converting your spare room to a closet by debralynn5 featuring Paula Deen

Retro Kitchen

I just love retro kitchens!  A while back, I had a house that was built in the 1930's so it was really fitting that I had a retro looking kitchen.  I started decorating in this style but we had to move, and I've always wanted to get back to this style.

I found a lot of fun items that would go perfectly in a fun and quirky retro style kitchen!

Untitled #55 by debralynn5 featuring a jessie steele apron

Quick And Easy Marshmallow And Gum Drop Flower Cake Decoration!

The other day we took a potluck birthday celebration to my friend's house.  I found out that I was bringing the cake!  I didn't have much time so I made a box lemon sheet cake.  (Lemon because my friend Lisa always reminds me of sunshine and happiness and somehow I think lemon cake embodies that quality).  I already had a bag of mini marshmallows.  I just popped out to the store for gum drops (or spice drops).

To make the flowers place a gum drop on the cake as the "center" of a flower then just cut the mini marshmallows diagonally and place around the gum drop to make the "petals" of the flower.  I cut the bottom off my gum drops to make them sit a little lower on the cake to match the height of the petals, but that step is not necessary.  Place as many or as few flowers on your cake as you want and you are done!  Quick, easy and so cute!

Untitled #52 by debralynn5 on Polyvore

Art Deco Style

I've always loved watching the movies from the 1930's.  They have great screwball comedies like, "My Man Godfrey", "Bringing Up Baby", and "It Happened One Night".  Not only are they funny, but they had such great style.




Art Deco emphasizes geometric forms like spheres, rectangles, chevrons, and sunbursts motifs.  These elements are arranged in symmetrical patterns using modern materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome.

During the 1930's Art Deco was used for public works projects: railway stations, ocean liners, movie palaces and amusement parks.  It was also widely used in consumer products such as radios, telephones, textiles and furniture etc.

Although it lost popularity during World War II (it was deemed too luxurious for the times) it experienced a resurgence in the 1960's.

The most recent appearance of this style can be seen in the remake of "The Great Gatsby".

Art Deco by debralynn5 featuring wall mirrors

Can You Hear Me Now? Retro Phones

This is a photo of my brother when he was a baby.  He's busy chatting away on the phone!  I like the look of those old phones.  I want to find one that has the actual dial that would go around in circles.  It took forever to dial but it would be fun to have one.  I want to introduce my daughter to all kinds of old gadgets.  My brother gave her an old transistor radio and she loves to play with it.  All things old are new again!

Untitled #46 by debralynn5 on Polyvore

Etiquette Series

I'm starting a new series about etiquette.  I feel that I need to review my Emily Post book.  I'm afraid my manners have slipped a bit, as life becomes more and more crazy.  My dining table gets full of mail, school work, coupons etc.  Then we end up eating dinner on the sofa, with plates in our laps and watching tv.  I'm not setting a good example for my young daughter!  So I will dust off my old books on manners and share a little snippet with you all, every now and then.

"The real test of perfect table manners is never to offend the sensibilities of others." - Emily Post, Etiquette

This next quote from Manners by Kate Spade is especially applicable to me. 

"The dining table is intended for china, glassware, utensils, and linens.  Key chains, lipstick, the mail, and children's toys are best placed elsewhere at mealtime."

Drinking Beverages At The Table - In drinking any beverage at table, a sip is never taken until the mouth is empty and has been wiped with the napkin.  This keeps cup and glass rims free from food marks.

- Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette

Dining Dos and Dont's...
* Do try a little of everything served to you unless you know you are allergic to it.
*Don't overload your plate.
-  from "The Little Book of Etiquette" by Dorothea Johnson

Untitled #44 by debralynn5 featuring West Elm

Morning Necessities!

I'm not a morning person so I need a couple of things to entice me to get out of bed. Dunkin Donuts coffee is the number one reason for me.  Fresh orange juice, some yummy biscotti, and fruit help too.  And since it is finally getting cooler for us here in sunny Southern California, some warm jammies and slippers are a must.

Untitled #41 by debralynn5 featuring coffee mugs