Back To School".....

Last week, I took my first college class of all time! ......That's right, never been to college. Not really even sure why I didn't go? Anyway, that changed a week ago!...My daughter Mallory & I have signed up for a "pattern-making" class. We both design & sew, but neither of us know a thing about making a pattern from a sketch?....However, by the time this semester is over, hopefully our pattern making skills will be sharp enough for each of us to qualify for the next Project Runway!.....

I have to say learning something you have always wanted to do is so exhilarating!....I sat in the class, hanging on each word, as our teacher described all the necessary tools & their functions. She talked about needing to be very precise,
...."industry exact" is how she explained it.....was that "fashion industry exact"?...OMGoodness!....She talked about what we would be learning & how she wanted us all to feel comfortable with the terms & references of pattern making, so we could be confidant when dealing with those in the fabric & design industry.
Now keep in mind, my goals are a bit less lofty, but listening to our teacher, I realized how much I love learning & how you are simply never too old to expand your knowledge.
Who knows?...This class may spur me on to another!...."pattern making" today....possibly "draping" next semester!?......

Enjoy your day & keep absorbing knowledge!

Heidi
xo

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Preparing for Autumn with Pretty New Pillows!....

Happy Sunday to you all!....
With Autumn just around the corner, I have been thinking new "pillow designs"!...You know,... thoughts of coming inside once again, creating rooms that will offer functionality, but still be cozy & inviting as well!..... I am anxious to shift the furniture around, re-arrange my hutch & organize my kitchen cupboards, preparing for the cooler months ahead!

In my quest for cozy,... I have designed some new pillows, which I will be debuting this week.... in my Etsy shop
"Heidi Devlin Design".
The first is my "Home Sweet Home" pillow, which is absolutely charming! Whether we live in a county cottage or a contemporary downtown loft, these "iconic words of home" must be displayed!.....

The second pillow is a darling little "tuffet",.... measuring just 12"x12". The front is a French-inspired cotton, with the back being a tan burlap... & then hand stenciled with the most adorable little bird....hence my "Little Swallow" pillow, a tribute to one of my favorite feathered friends!

Both of these lovely designs would be so suitable tucked into the cozy corners of our Autumn homes. I invite you to visit my shop soon, for these & more Fall-inspired designs!

Wishing you a relaxing Sunday!.....

Your friend,
Heidi XO

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School is Starting & Cookies Are Baking.....

With school having already started for us our house is feeling a little like Fall!....And along with a new teacher, a new classroom & new school supplies....it is again time to make sure our cookie jar is filled!....I am vowing this year, to keeping this big glass cookie jar of ours filled at least 1/2 full, since it truly is a very large jar!.....
So this week, I decided to start the year with the
classic Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. Can you really improve on perfection!....Of course our family is in love with the dough as much as the cookies, so it is a constant battle, between spoonfuls of the dough making it to the cookie sheet or simply into the open mouths of the husband, the daughters & the grandson!
I ended up doubling the batch, so I am happy to report lovely chocolate-y cookies did make it to the actual jar!.....Oh how pretty they looked!
Now even though I am quite sure you all have made this recipe over & over again, we all know a classic recipe can never be repeated to often, so with that said, here is "the" chocolate cookie recipe of all time!....I am not sure quite yet what next weeks cookie will be?...but when I decide I will be sure & share!....
Happy baking & a spoonful or two of dough as well!......
Heidi
xo
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Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe
( baking time:9minutes/makes 5 dozen cookies)

2 1/4		cups all-purpose flour
1		teaspoon baking soda
1		teaspoon salt
1		cup butter, softened
3/4		cup sugar
3/4		cup firmly packed brown sugar
1		teaspoon vanilla
2		eggs
1		(12-ounce) package (2 cups) real semi-sweet chocolate chips (We recommend NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Morsels)
1		cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 375°F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Set aside.

Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla at high speed in large bowl. Beat, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low; gradually add flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in morsels and nuts by hand.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.

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Farmhouse Sinks......

There is just something about "farmhouse sinks". I just adore them!....& for so many reasons! First of all, farmhouse sinks "whisper" of kitchens from the past..... They are big & functional & make me think of the kitchens my mother describes when reminiscing about her summers growing up on the farm.

Today, farmhouse sinks are certainly not just for function, but for beauty as well!....Here not only one sink, but "two" have been added to the design of this kitchen!...Can you imagine?....One not being enough?.....

Here the farmhouse sink has been added to a laundry room!....Wouldn't you just love slaving away with "washing & ironing" in this charming room! Sign me up!

And then there is this extra long, sky-blue, vintage version!.....Could it get any better?....Simply unbelievable!

However, this "farmhouse sink" may be my very favorite!....It is so old-fashioned, & when coupled with a butcher block counter, a darling paned window & open shelving, it covers all bases for me!.....
Simple, functional & a sink that might even make me feel like I was "Anne" doing dishes at "Green Gables"!
Hopefully somewhere in my future there will be a "farmhouse sink". One that will wash fruit, vegetables, dishes & grandchildren!
Here's to the "humble sinks of the past".

Heidi
xo

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Instead of Blogging.....I've been Puttering

The last few days have found me "puttering". Nothing I love more than "puttering".....having time to arrange, stack, rearrange, clean out, sort through & make pretty.

I so need time occasionally to just "be",..... no appointments, no commitments,.... just attending to your home & garden without any interruptions. Pure heaven. It appears that the remainder of August may be more days like this....the days of late summer.

I couldn't be happier.

Here's to "puttering" & enjoying every minute of it....

Heidi
xo

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"Nini-Andrew Nights".......

Tonight was "Back-to-School Night", at my grandson Andrew's school. After his parents left to attend, & hear what his teacher has planned for the year, Andrew & I began our little evening together.
Even though we all live under one roof, sometimes it is rare to have this "one-on-one" time. And for Andrew & I it has been awhile. He has "guy nights" with Papa ( my husband), fun outings with his Auntie "NumNum", (my daughter Mallory),..... & lots of time with myself, my daughter Holly & I...but not too much with just Andrew & "Nini" (me).
This evening we had strict instructions from mom, to make sure I had Andrew in bed on time, something that proves a bit difficult to achieve when dinner, showering & reading stories is on the agenda.
We sat down to a simple meal of macaroni & cheese, bread & butter triangles & orange slices....along with a tiny bowl of peanut-butter cup ice cream. I insisted sitting at the kitchen table, since we have been working hard on learning good manners. Even though sitting in front of the T.V, would have been Andrew's choice,.... once I mentioned setting the table, he was all about it!....Soon place-mats had been retrieved, napkins were folded & milk was served in tall water goblets......and oh! what deliciously good manners & conversation we had!
We discussed the movie " Matilda", & made plans for eating pizza & watching it on Friday night. We talked about how much we both love Parmesan cheese & how it elevates Kraft macaroni to a whole new level!....and we discussed how some children don't believe in Santa Claus, a direct result of discussing the premise of "Miracle on 34th Street". We both agreed it was the silliest of notions!.....no Santa?....please?.....and we debated the reasons we both love gardening while mommy just doesn't understand our need to get our hands dirty.
We had the nicest dinner, just the two of us, chatting & eating. During the meal, I happened to mention that when my daughter begins nursing school, sometime next year..... we will have lots of "Nini-Andrew Nights"......Andrew finished chewing his food, ....looked up at me, smiled & sweetly said...
"I love Nini-Andrew Nights"!.....I smiled back & said....."me too".

Heidi XO

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"Summer Cherries"........

Cherries,..... glorious cherries!....
A pie?.........jam?.....not sure?.....

maybe just "nibbling".....

I'm good with that.

Enjoy!

Heidi XO

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Just Running A Bit Behind....

Good Morning Friends......Hope you are all having a lovely first week of August!.....For those of you that have signed up for my "Aqua and Avocado Swap", please don't worry!......I am running just a bit behind, but will be sending out partners later this afternoon!.....Please forgive my tardiness!...Like you, I cannot wait to begin this delightful swap!

Well, I smell coffee brewing & the family preparing for another new day!.....
Off to get it started!...

love to all!........Heidi XO

P.S. Just sent off my Summer issue of my newsletter, "Living Little with Heidi"!!. ...
If interested in being sent a copy, please contact me at heididevlin@gmail.com..

& I will be delighted to e-mail you a copy!!....

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