Happy Halloween

photo by Sam Javanrouh

Home again and running full speed

I'm afraid I may be a little MIA for the next few days. After a very fun Saturday (the jewelry class) I haven't been able to stop for air yet! I learned a lot, and no, I didn't actually make a complete piece of jewelry. I was happy to learn how to make a sterling bezel in one day. phew. And I needed lots of hand holding and help from Cindy. so sorry, no show and tell. (yet)

It has been so hectic around here, with merchandise coming in, and going out, meetings with dealers, and choosing some things for Valentine's Day (yes, you read that right!) that I've hardly come up for air. My husband and home have been a bit neglected by me, so I'm focussing on that this week. I hope you forgive me. Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

And keeping the home fires burning and Mr. FGH (who isn't high maintenance at all) happy is my top priority when I am not packaging up treasures to send to all of you this week. There's a pot roast in the crockpot right now, and now I'm going to make a couple of quiche's ~ one for us for tomorrow, one for my granddaughter's parents.

Please feel free to look around at the little frenchgardenhouse, make yourself at home, and leave me a little note if you would like. I'll be back later, refreshed, and hopefully a little more organized and with a happy home!

Jewelry Class & Enchiladas

I am so excited to go to the Cindy Forrester Jewelry Making Class tomorrow! I have gathered more than what I need, and hopefully I will learn how to put it all together into beautiful pieces to wear.

Mr. FGH has decided to clean the carpet in our bedroom (why, why,why I didn't insist on the seagrass I wanted??) while I'm "out of his hair all day" ~ so I can look forward to coming home to a super clean house, too. Note to self, people with a huge dog, a black cat and kids should never buy off-white carpeting for their bedroom.

Surrounded by 30 or so creative girls, some of whom are my best friends, being creative and having fun, YES! I can't wait. I'll let you all know how it went (and if I truly was the worst student or not) next week.

Meanwhile, here is the recipe I promised for the enchiladas. I suggest you make it a day before you serve it, and reheat, the leftovers always taste even better! (The reason I'm showing pictures of jewelry with these recipes is because I totally forgot to take pictures of the food! sorry....always too much talking and laughing going on when the family is over)

Chicken Enchiladas


Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion- diced
3 garlic cloves- chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken stock(home made, canned, bought or cubes in water)
Chopped cilantro leaves
Approx. 3 lbs.shredded Chicken (make your own or buy a roasted chicken at market)
Salt & ground black pepper
10 large flour tortillas
1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese- shredded
2 cups sour cream
Chopped tomatoes and cilantro leaves, for garnish.

1 Large jar of your favorite Salsa, more if you want your enchiladas to be "wetter"

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (f).

Heat a little olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft - about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and cook another minute. Sprinkle on the flour and stir, make sure the flour doesn't burn! Gradually add the chicken stock,continue stirring over a low simmer until the flour cooks and the liquid thickens.

Turn off the heat, and add half of the salsa, some additional fresh chopped cilantro and fold in the shredded chicken meat. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Lower the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees.(f). In a large baking dish, cover the bottom with some of the reserved salsa. Briefly "flash" the tortillas over a stove-top flame (or put them briefly under the broiler if using an electric stove). Using a shallow bowl, coat each tortilla lightly with the reserved salsa mix. Put a scoop of the shredded chicken-enchilada mix on top of the tortilla followed by a sprinkle of the shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling and roll up.

Use a spatula to place the tortillas in the baking dish and continue to do the same with all the tortillas. Pour over the rest of the salsa and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until bubbly and cracked on top. Garnish with the chopped cilantro and tomatoes.

Serve hot with Spicy Black Beans and Rice, Salsa, Sour Cream and fresh guacamole.

Simple Black Beans

2 cups (about 1 pound) dried black beans, picked over, soaked overnight
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion- diced
1 jalapeno pepper- chopped
2 cloves garlic- chopped
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

In a large pot, soak beans overnight covered in water by 2 inches. Drain and set aside. In the same pot, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and bay leaf and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and cover with water by about 1-inch. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender. (I always need to cook them much longer, so make these ahead of time!) Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.

For Nachos, I used Sandra Lee's Recipe that you can find here .

Hope you make these, they are so good, and easy, too! I love to make a double recipe and freeze one, for when I need to take someone a meal, or when I don't have time to cook. Just defrost, and pop in the oven, serve with a salad.

Happy weekend to you! I'll be working on not trying to hammer, burn or melt my fingers together in class.

Glamorous Bling~ Weekly Favorites

I was thrilled and so blessed to have our exclusive Jeweled Business Card Cases featured in the Fall/Holiday Issue of Romantic Country. This is a beautiful issue, editor Miss Fifi has really outdone herself with this issue! Pick it up today, you will be so inspired!

These have been selling like haute cakes (sorry, couldn't help myself!) and I wanted to let all of you who called or emailed about availability know that the new ones are back up in the shop .

There are many different sizes and styles, all are made just for us and not available anywhere else. Beautiful "Jewels" set with genuine Austrian Crystals decorate the top, and each one comes in a softest~ever Leopard Minky Case.

These make great gifts for the holidays or any day, I carry mine every day.

You can tuck in a few dollar bills (make it a few 20's these days) your license and credit card and you are good to go....shopping, to dinner, anywhere a little "tote" will do. I love the Black & Crystal Fleur de Lis ones.

This Pastel Fleur Case has been a best seller, too!

Sorry about the photo quality, I accidentally set my camera settings wrong, and have to dig out my little booklet to figure out which one of the hundreds is the wrong one! Hope you have a sparkling day!

Autumn Nesting, Happy Harvest Home

Autumn Nesting, or making your home "happy" for fall is so much fun to do. There is nothing as rewarding as making your home a beautiful, warm and cozy place to be for your family. A place they all love to come home to. My family is coming over tomorrow, and this will be the first visit for my darling little baby granddaughter! So I want to make sure everything looks welcoming at Grandma's house. :)

I love Autumn, and even though I keep my seasonal decorations fairly simple, I do like to start right out front. Since the heavy winds have knocked my two large Black Urns over on the steps, and my wreath is not done yet, I will show you what I've done so far.

Starting at the front door, I hung my Pomegranate Wreath from our Mailbox. I have used this one for several years, because it's the perfect size to hang off one of the hooks from this vintage box.

On the antique wood bench underneath, I piled a few pumpkins, not too many, as our mailman uses this bench as a place to set our packages when they won't fit in the box.

Come right on in, into our living room. I decorated the mantel this year with a simple swag of dried Harvest "wheat" things. (sorry, I forgot the name of this) Each year I do things slightly different, but I do use mostly all the same pieces. I put a large brown transferware bowl on a stand in the middle this time, added a few of these adorable white mini pumpkins, three red votives, and it's done for now.

Probably a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I will change the regular topiaries on each side in the black pots to my pomegranate topiaries, in colors of reds and oranges. I wrote the Harvest Home on the photo to hide my heater register that was reflected, but I love how this looks! I think I may paint that on my mirror tomorrow with stencils. It will scrape right off with a knife later when I don't need it anymore.

This round table in front of the couch is one I bought for $8.00 twelve years ago. I love the shape of it, since everything else I have seems to be square. I arranged a bird's nest, added some eggs and a small strand of mini orange pumpkin garland under a glass dome. Some hydrangeas that dried in the vase are there now, later I might put fresh bouquets of roses, or mini sunflowers, or leaves and berries.

On the tea table in front of the windows, I don't have much room. I like to add a simple touch, this time "my girl" gets to wear a tiny little piece of that mini pumpkin garland. Beside her, a votive and a bunch of Tallow Berries. Tomorrow when my family comes for dinner, I'll put some candy in that candy jar!

The chair next to the fireplace all set up for a cup of tea. I don't know if we can use the fireplace yet, it's been extremely hot here for this time of year. I love those afternoons when my family is over and we have tea in the afternoon, with the fire blazing and all the candles lit.

The sideboard gets a seasonal display of a beautiful antique English plate in burgundies, greens and golds, more of the same votive holders and another bunch of Tallow Berries in an antique French Hotel pitcher. Simple, but a sweet seasonal vignette.

I piled a few new dried hydrangeas on the silver cabinet today, the burgundy ones that I sprayed with floral paint to preserve their color. I usually have autumn touches inside the cabinet too, but right now it is full of storks and baby things due to the birth of little Linden. I'll show you the inside of it for Thanksgiving when I redo it later. One of the tricks I use to decorate seasonally without having to dust a bazillion things is to try and do it inside cabinets, that way it stays nicely behind the glass doors.

Our kitchen is where it mostly happens, our life, that is! This little bistro table is surrounded by different chairs, and pulls up to a Toile seating area, it's the perfect place to eat, read, or generally sit and talk. Any time we have people over, this is where they love to sit and watch all the action in the kitchen. I spray painted the two tiered wire piece black long ago, filled with apples on the bottom and more of the pumpkin garland it looks great for this season.

Just outside our kitchen window I put together this pretty basket. I filled it with an upside down clay pot, cut the dead dried hydrangeas out of the garden, sprayed them with preservative, and stuck the stems in the hole of the pot. I wound the rest of that mini pumpkin garland around the basket top, nestled a white little pumpkin inside, and I think it looks great!

Best part was that I didn't have to buy anything new for this. A large lantern and two small pumpkins complete this table scape. Once it gets to be dusk I will light the candle in the lantern, since we don't have curtains in this part of our home, we will see the candle burning outside when we eat dinner.

The shelf right outside my kitchen window gets a few Fall surprises too! Some of my plants broke after they got blown off this shelf last week during our heavy winds, or just plain shriveled up from heat....so since I won't be buying new plants for another week or so, I just put a big pumpkin on some of the pots,nestled in more of the wheat garland. Once the hot weather is done, I can buy more plants, but I like the way this pot looks so much, I may just keep it like this until Thanksgiving is over!

That's it for now, I have to run, I'll be making dinner for tomorrow, as well as a pot of my Chicken Soup for the new parents to take back home to their house tomorrow night. I'll keep you updated on more seasonal decorating, and share the recipe for the Chicken Enchiladas and Nachos that we will be having for Sunday Dinner. Bye!

Autumn Dinner

I don't know why, but there is so much to do around here all of a sudden! The weather has been quite horrible, hot, nasty winds that have blown over the urns on the front walkway, and our huge Gingko has lost so many leaves. Both our front and our back yards are all a tangle...so much to sweep up! Our poor hydrangeas have turned to paper, they can't tolerate these hot windy days, so after a good drink the "gardener" (mr. FGH) clipped them all down to the soil.

Then there are just the general house keeping chores, laundry, ironing, tidying up here and there. I know that if I don't do all that now, soon I'll be in a mess that will take way too much time to tidy before the Holiday Decorations go up.

I love Autumn, I sure hope that our California weather will soon go back to slightly nippy days. I hope you have all decorated your sweet homes with touches of Fall, cozy up your kitchens, your dining rooms and the rest, soon it will be darker early, and your home will be the cozy place where your family will want to be.

I have a few great recipes I'd love to try, like Apple Sausage Rigotoni . It sound so good. I love cooking in Autumn, huge pots of soups and other comfort type of foods. Now that our family isn't as big as before since the girls are all grown up, I make those things on Sunday nights, or make them and plan on giving them "take homes". Soon as I'm done with the tyding, I'll show you how I've decorated chez moi.

Heavenly Hostess Store Event

(Sorry about the slight delay in this event presentation, our little Linden kind of took over for a week. You have all been so very patient with me, thanks!)

A little more than a week ago, I went to this wonderful event ~ a "Book Signing" for the Crowns & Tiara's Book by Kerri Judd and Danyel Montecinos. It was held in the Heavenly Hostess Store at 132 S. Glassell Street, in Orange, California. Heavenly Hostess is well-known for gorgeous, glamorous hostess aprons made with satins, embellished lace and organza fabrics, as well as cotton aprons in a range of stunning fabrics that truly fit today's needs.

The lovely owner and designer Cynthia Wadell, wearing one of her designs Faith ~

The Heavenly Hostess' Mom, serving yummy Pink Cupcakes.

Aside from designing a very succesful line of Aprons, Cynthia now also has the retail shop. It is absolutely darling, filled with wonderful gifts and everything glam a girl could want.

There are racks of delightful aprons, in candy colors. Each and every one a delight to wear, or give! (while I was there, I saw a sweet young couple pick out a cotton Santa apron for the Holidays!)

There are Charms

There is lots of girly, glam stuff

Beautiful Eiffel Towers, Halloween decor and eyeballs, too!

Cake Pedestals, Dishes with Crowns and Cupcakes, oh my! So much!

Lots and lots of wonderful books, including some that I have never seen before!

And then, ofcourse, why we came....Crowns. Like these made by the artists and authors Danyel Monticenos and Kerri Judd. If you have the book, and have loved these designs in print, I can tell you that in person they are absolutely gorgeous! Beautifully made, and so many details. The sweet painting above is one of Kerri's originals.

Who wouldn't feel like a princess wearing this?

Here are Danyel, Karen Eileen and Kerri.

Cynthia made this such a fun event, serving Champagne too! Above, this darling girl wearing the Faith apron in Pink.

And finally, this good sport "waiter" pressed into service and wearing one of Cynthia's Chef Aprons Boomerang. It was a fun evening. Lots of people were thrilled to meet the "Queens" of Crowns and have their book signed, and we all enjoyed the beautiful shop, and seeing Cynthia again. If you are in the neighborhood, please visit the boutique. If you are not in the neighborhood, visit Heavenly Hostess online.

Happy Birth Day little one.

She's here! Long awaited, loved and prayed for....this morning she made her debut in the world.

Our little Linden Anne. I couldn't think of a more perfect name than that for this precious little girl. Mommy and Baby are doing well, and Daddy too!


Her grandparents couldn't be prouder. sigh. Thanks so much for all your sweetest well wishes, prayers and emails...I appreciate them so much!

Thinking ahead

Alright, I know, I know. The only excuse I have is that not soon enough for me anytime now, I am going to meet my first, darling sweet granddaughter. Oh. yes!! Being this excited, it has colored how I see the whole world, and I can once again be so in love with all those sweet, little cute things that populate the sweet world of babies and children.

Like some of the Holiday Ornaments and Decorations we have at Frenchgardenhouse this year. How could you not love this darling little Mouse? Created by Jennifer Murphy , she is just so cute! I put one on my desk, that way I can remember to be good, hope it works!

Art and crafting have always been at the center of artist Jennifer Murphy's life and family. At the age of 11, Jennifer began creating unique jointed animals from the "scraps" of her mother's teddy bear creations. At age 16, she was making jewelry and selling hand-made bags at a local farmer's market

(Only for those who have already been very, very good and so will not get coal in their stocking this year)

This licensed collection is now complete and Jennifer will not be licensing her designs any longer. If one of these little darlings has made a way into your heart, you may want to order one now. As we get closer to the holiday season, I know these sweet creations will be harder to find, or sold out.

I love all these, and you can be sure that I've saved some for my little Trudy....um...whatever her perfect name will be! If you are ready to add these to your collection, they are at the shop right now, but I know they will sell out quickly!

Another line I was so impressed with when I took my then not as pregnant daughter to the LA Show in July was this bunch of cute characters. They are so soft, so cute!! I am keeping a few behind to combine with the amazing Candy Line that will be coming later this month, but these sweeties are there right now.

Love their outfits, and I really love their prices. It's not too early to start a Christmas Collection for grandbabies now, is it?

We are almost sold out (!!) of this huge guy already. He is "weighted" so will happily sit on a chair all by himself, or a sled. I was strictly warned that he was just too big for tiny, little babies (sigh) so not this year for our little baby girl. But maybe later. Ha! Grandma's are for spoiling, right?

This is one of my very favorites. And all of yours, too. He is wearing a fur coat, fully lined even, and has his little Penguin friend on the side. Love him. Only a few left for gift giving.

Okay, well, I'll keep you updated. I can only imagine what you will have to put up with once I am actually a real grandmama. sorry.

Autumn Decorating

I was so happy, today it was finally an Autumn kind of day. Cool, with rain clouds. The perfect kind of day to do some Autumn decorating. Since this is such a busy time around here, I try to keep it somewhat simple.

This wreath looks perfect here on the French Armoire, I love these colors, combining Burgundy with Pink, Green and Chartreuse.

A tiny Mossed Urn filled with the same colors for the side table in the Living Room adds a little jolt of color. This table is in a darker area, so real plants or flowers don't do that well here. I added the Burgundy Crushed Velvet, which is just a piece of fabric with the raw edges folded under. Love that color!

Finally some White Pumpkins and a larger Urn on the mantle. Sometime next month, I will change this all out for Thanksgiving and add more "stuff" ~ maybe a little Orange and change out the urn for candles and something different. For now, I think it's a "go".... Next week I will need to plant the urns in front of our front steps with new plants that will stay until Christmas decorating begins. You can find these decorations in the shop ~ I just love this special collection that is exclusively ours, they are selling out fast so I'm glad I pulled a few for our own home, too!

A Name

Almost. Almost. Almost. I can't wait until our new little girl is born. Just 11 more days, give or take a few, until my very first grand daughter is born. I think we are ready (at least the grandparents and all the aunts and uncles are!)

We've been to a party in her honor. The colors were so great together, lots of hot Pinks, bright Oranges and softer Pinks....above are a few of the tables at the shower, there were also more in the sun. Love the huge Paper Flowers, don't you? (Note to self: get one of those great tent canopies...loved that thing!)

There were flowers at the "pre" celebration in those colors, too. So beautiful, aren't they? They were made by my daughter's friend, also a new Mommy who had just adopted a baby a few weeks before.

The girls who gave the shower were so smart, each table setting had a Pink piece of Scrapbooking Paper as a place mat. They used the same Baby Buggy stamp for everything from the invitation to the favors to little cards we all filled out with "advice." It was absolutely darling. I'm just sorry I forgot to take a picture of the lunch, it came in a white flat box, tied with Pink Ribbon. Inside, a great sandwich, and two tiny plastic cups, one with Strawberries, one with Pasta Salad, perfect for a hot day.

Lots of beautifully wrapped gifts. This picture was from the beginning, this little girl got spoiled! One of the most creative ideas in gifts was a series of Sleepers that went from age 0-3 months all the way up to three years old. A fun, fun gift! (this is just a handful of them!)

Now all that needs to happen is for her to make her grand entrance into the world. And for her parents to reveal her name. They haven't shared the three names they love with anyone, and are waiting for her to be born to decide which one is perfect for her. I tried my best to get the "inside" scoop, but no such luck, grandma.

So I have been calling her "Trudy" (short for Gertrude) to my son~in~law's dismay. (it was a name I hoped they didn't pick. If this is your name, my apologies) The weird thing is, now that I've called her Trudy, it doesn't really matter what they name her to me. I will love her no matter what her name is. I just can't wait to meet you, little girl!