from Bluebird Hill

from Bluebird Hill: New year, new beginnings

from Bluebird Hill: 2017 Color of the Year : The the new color from Benjamin Moore, Shadow 2117-30 It is rich, with a slight purple undertone.  Reminds me of a color found in...

from Bluebird Hill: Book recommendation : The  The #1 New York Times Bestseller  quote I just finished reading this book, and think there is something here that everyone ca...

from Bluebird Hill: Quick & easy dinner : Looking for something quick & easy for dinner? After all of the rich food during the holidays, and winding down from all of the r...

Looking for something quick & easy for dinner? After all of the rich food during the holidays, and winding down from all of the rush, I through this together, and found it fast and good. Ingredients: Rotisserie chicken Jar of alfredo sauce frozen peppers & onions pasta garlic mushrooms Boil the pasta, drain and set aside Put the frozen peppers, onions, garlic and mushrooms into warm pan with a dash of olive oil When the veggies are translucent, add the sauce & chicken and warm. Add chicken to warm To serve, plate   spinkle with cheese & top with parsly or baby kale This should take less than 1/2 hour to put together, and you can easily adjust for your size family.             bon appetit!

I love the holidays.. All of the wonderful smells..cookies, candles and other goodies. All of the beautiful wrappings, bows & glitter. A real tree with icicles and vintage ornaments. Get togethers, sing alongs, The Nutcracker & Scrooge. But, best of all, people are kinder, and for the most part, happier. Let's try to keep the spirit all through the year.

The  The #1 New York Times Bestseller  quote I just finished reading this book, and think there is something here that everyone can relate to from their years growing up.   It is so well written, and with such empathy, that it draws you in and holds you. "Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train is an unforgettable story of friendship and second chances that highlights a little-known but historically significant movement in America’s past—and it includes a special PS section for book clubs featuring insights, interviews, and more."

The the new color from Benjamin Moore, Shadow 2117-30 It is rich, with a slight purple undertone.  Reminds me of a color found in nature.  In the sky, or rocks, or flowers. How would you use it? In a foyer, with artwork hanging against it? Maybe in a powder room, with a gold framed mirror. It would be stunning in a bedroom, with neutral bedding,  and shabby chic furnishings.

I thought you might enjoy a calendar that you can use as a screen saver or print out. I will have one for every month, and I will use photos from right here at Bluebird Hill.   enjoy!

What is the art of gifts to be mailed? I have gifts that need to be sent out of town. I still want them to be pretty when they arrive, and know that I can't add the live green snippets or dimensional adornments that I would like. So, I add cards to the front of the packages and prettier flat ties, such as twine or rickrack ribbon. I try to use the same paper for each member of the family getting a gift.  That way, I don't forget to send something out in the mail! Inside the wrapping paper, I usually use a double layer of  tissue to make it more special when it is being opened!  Sometimes 2 colors or a color and pattern.

I love to go on a girl's weekend.  Just for fun. My best friend and I decided to meet in Chicago for a few days, to enjoy the Christmas lights, shop, see some sights, and have a few cocktails. We stayed at the Raffaello Chicago, a lovely boutique hotel that is very conveniently located close to Michigan Ave.  On the 18th floor, the Drumbar is a lovely place to end the evening. We both love to walk, so we did.  Unfortunately, we got caught in rain a few times, so did not get any good photos of the city decorations, which are always lovely at this time of the year. Chicago is a great place to eat!  You can find anything you desire. Tapas, wonderful coffee shops, and one night we couldn't decide where to go.  So as we were walking, a very nice gentleman stopped and asked if we were from out of town.  Replying that we were, and wanted to find a nice retaurant, he recommended Ralph Lauren. Yes, I know...I am thinking he misunderst...

How was your Thanksgiving? Were you caught up in holiday drama? It's time to just let it go! I know it sounds easy, but we all know its not. Every family has secrets & issues, but is it really worth the anxiety? Wouldn't it be nice to feel like your family members are your best friends? We all feel like _____ was treated,better, given more, was prettier, smarter, better liked, blah blah blah. So what?  Really....that was then and this is now. No one goes through life unscathed. We all have ups and downs, and you really don't know what is going on in someone else's life. So....reset. Start slow. Imagine that you are meeting for the first time. What do you have in common besides the obvious dna? What skills do you possess  that could benefit each other? Be kind, watch your words, let them in. It's a process.   Wait for it to happen and work at it. I promise it will be worth the effort.