"Let Us Be Thankful First".....

A few days ago, my daughter Holly & I thought we could just stop in quickly at a local mall to pick up one pair of black leggings....Just park the car, enter the store, make the purchase & be one our way. ....Instead, we encountered what might have been the craziest, shopping frenzy short of Back Friday??.....I guess we should have expected that concidering this year's economic state, along with Christmas right around the corner!?

Of course, looking for one pair of leggings proved to be the one item of clothing no store had?,...so there we were, going store to store.......After exhausting all our possibilities & being surrounded by holiday music ( which I do always love!), decorations & even the "Salvation bell ringers", we finally ended up at Nordstrom.

Now years ago I was a manager/buyer at Norstrom, so I am very aware of it's holiday philosophy, ...."No Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving"!.... one I completely agree with!!.....So as we walked by the store, the store windows were covered in brown craft paper that explained that particular sentiment, " That Nordstrom feels we should enjoy one holiday at a time, that being Thanksgiving"!.....I was so very proud of my former employer!!! Let us enjoy a day of "thanks" first & then let the holiday festivities begin!!!.....

Years ago as a young Nordstrom manager, I couldn't wait to come in the day after Thanksgiving, to see what Santa's decorating elves had created over-night! .....Each year the store became simply magical, with music playing & lights twinkling!....but it was all the more wonderful, because it was done in a timely respectful manner. Even though these days I am not doing a great deal of shopping at Nordstrom, I was reminded of the wonderful family that started that store & the values they had. It was refreshing to realize that one store is still holding true to the idea that Thanksgiving is an important day & one that should never be overshadowed. So on that note let me wish you all a very relaxing & lovely Thanksgiving Day!.....I am blessed to have you all in my life......Your friend, Heidi XO

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PINK SATURDAY....

Happy Pink Saturday!......I am so anticipating the upcoming holiday season!..& at the same time would like to wish you all the most wonderful Thanksgiving Day!....Also a big hug for Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound" for always being the best hostess!.....Wishes for a delightful weekend!......Heidi XO

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"Charming Holiday Pillows"... at Heidi Devlin Design

*Scripted Santa Claus" pillow..... Hello Friends, Hope you are all doing well!.....Here at our house creativity is everywhere!!! With the holiday season creeping up on us,..... I wanted to let you all know that my Etsy shop is filled to the rafters with the most "charming pillows",..... glittering "ragball snowballs" & basketfuls of "snow-dusted candy canes"!! I am constantly designing new pieces & adding to my inventory in order to offer all of you the prettiest home accessories ever!

"Joy" pillow.....

I have just added a few more darling holiday pillows that I'm sure you all will love!....Of course another "little cushion pillow" hand-stenciled with "Joy"!...so appropriate for the holidays!...and you know how I love "words & letters", so I just had to show you my beautifully scripted "Santa Claus" pillow!....the lettering appears to be done by Santa himself!

"Laurel/Wreath/Reindeer" pillow....

And of course if you're like me, & am always looking for pillows that can be left out all winter long, than you must take a peek at my "Laurel Wreath/Reindeer" pillow!...so classic & quietly appealing!...I invite you to visit my shop, "Heidi Devlin Design" today!.....So many delightful treasures await you!!.....See you soon!........Your friend, Heidi XO

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A "Sparkly" Pink Saturday.....

Thank you to our hostess Beverly for this "Pink Saturday"!....Today I was in the mood for a bit of "bling"...a bit of "sparkle"!.....I had been looking through the "Brocade" catolog & admiring some of their prettiest chandeliers,.... when I happened to see this ultra-gorgeous "pink" beauty!....Even though it is new, it sure speaks of an earlier time. I thought it the perfect topic for my Pink Saturday post!.....Be sure & visit Beverly's blog, "How Sweet The Sound" for a list of all the "pink blogs" participating today!.....Wishing you the best of weekends!!.....Heidi XO

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Our Wedding Anniversary.....

Today is November 12, 2009. This day is our wedding anniversary. Ter & I have been married for 28 years....The night we got married it was very cold & threatening snow. The wedding took place in an old mansion in Spokane Washington. A huge fire was lit & all the guests sat in the living room as my husband, looking so handsome in a classic black tuxedo... & I, in layers of white lace... said our vows. After the ceremony, large panel doors were pushed aside & we all enjoyed wedding cake & punch.

By today's standards our wedding was incredibly modest, but I remember it as one of the most beautiful evenings ever. It certainly was not a grand, eleborate affair, but very intimate & so charming....surrounded by close friends & family.

Today, as I write this post & remember, a smile comes to my face. I am so happy I married Ter. Like all couples we have had our "ups & downs", but there is no man I would rather have spent all these years with other than Ter..... I love him & the life we have created........Here's to "happily ever afters" everywhere!........Heidi XO

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Pink Baubles for Pink Saturday!.......

With Christmas peeking around the corner, I am beginning to think about our tree & it's decorations! I have long been a fan of "glass ornaments" like these, so our Christmas tree is covered in them,.... in all colors & shapes. Some are "traditional balls", but some are little "churches", or "Santas" or various "fruits"!......I just adore them!.....However, after seeing these beautiful "pink" ornaments, I think I may be on the lookout for a few more "pretty baubles" in these glorious shades! Thank you Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound for hostessing our "Pink Saturday"!...Make it a very cozy weekend!......Your friend, Heidi XO

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"Reminiscing".....

This picture was taken exactly two year's ago, when my husband took our two girls & then 3 year old grandson to New York City!...It was to celebrate my 50th birthday & what a wonderful time we had! After living in rural upstate New York for a couple years & being able to come into the city many times a year, I was feeling very homesick. You see, we had moved back to California a year earlier, but my heart was back in the east. So a few weeks before I turned 50, he asked if a week in New York would be a nice present!....& was it ever!
Here in Southern California we had to evacuate our home because of fires that were buring out of control, exactly a day before we left for New York. In fact we were not even able to return to our house before leaving?.....we were not sure what we would be returning to?.....However we decided to stick to our plan. It rained almost the entire time we were in NYC, but we couldn't have been happier to feel those raindrops on our faces!.....so nice to be somewhere not threatened by fires!.....We went to the Broadway show "Grease", we drove out to the Hamptons & strolled around the drizzly city!.....
On the particular day when this photo was taken, we were on our way to the "Natural History Museum". My husband & I were walking a few steps behind our girls & Andrew. As I looked at the three of them, I couldn't have felt happier. I love New York...I love rainy days & umbrellas....& I love these sweet people!.....This a picture I will hold dear forever............Heidi XO

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"Cranberry Cordial".......Make Now, Serve Later!

Years ago, Martha Stewart had a Thanksgiving television special, & of course I was right there, front row center, absorbing each & every delicious minute of it!.....The show was filmed in her "Turkey Hill" home, where she had it decorated in a very country style, with her kitchen ceiling hung with baskets..... as well as fabulous antique tin "turkey molds" clustered on her mantle.

During the show, Martha demonstrated how to make various Thanksgiving dishes....& taught us how to set the "perfect table", with mismatched dishes, handwoven runners & imaginative "turkey-shaped" soup bowls for all the children. I was simply amazed & right there & then became one of Martha's greatest fans!

I ended up purchasing this T.V. special when it came out on video, & have watched it over & over!....I also have tried most of the recipes that were included. One recipe in particular has become a tradition in our household,....Martha's "Cranberry Cordial". It is exceptionally easy, & makes a lovely gift or favor during the holiday season!....The trick is that you need to age the "cordial" for 22 days, so you must make it early in the season, so it is ready to serve during the week of Christmas. What is so wonderful about this recipe is that you strain the liquid from the cranberries, serving the liquid as an after dinner drink & then can use the cranberries over pound cake or ice cream!.....So, so good! At our house we also enjoy, mixing the "cordial" with prosecco or champagne, which is bubbly & so beautiful to serve in pretty glasses!

So friends, here is the recipe for Martha Stewart's "Cranberry Cordial".....I hope it becomes a tradition at your house too!......Happy preparing!......Heidi XO

"Cranberry Cordial"
* 2 cups crushed cranberries
* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups white wine ( you can also use vodka)
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Combine ingredients & store in a covered jar in a cool place for at least 22 days. Strain & serve as an after-dinner drink.

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