CHRISTMAS AT THE BARN...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of browsing the 

SHANTY ROOST BARN 

in 

Goshen, NY 

with my dear friend Kari...

What a treat it was...

take a peek!

This may be my new favorite saying...

If you can get there, it's so worth the trip...

Have a happy day,

Mariaelena

Mimi's Candy Clusters....

Hi friends....my mom was an incredibly talented candy creator, making just about anything out of chocolate...

Sadly she is gone and I did not inherit her candy making skills...but one recipe I use and continue to make each year are her candy clusters....

They are quick and easy, and make a GREAT gift!...

oh and they are DELICIOUS!...

Be creative...you can add anything you'd like to your own clusters...take a peek at mine...

I package them in all types of dishes to gift...

This is what I use...
it's NO FAIL...
dark chocolate, almonds, craisins...
a delicious combo!!

I melt my chocolate in the microwave on the melt cycle...

I chop the almonds in my Cuisinart chopper.

Drop using a teaspoon onto a cookie sheet
covered with wax paper.  As you can see,
they don't have to be perfect...

Let cool and then I put wax paper into my container,
 place them in and wrap them up all pretty!!

Have a happy day,
Mariaelena

Quick & Easy tomato cage Christmas tree!

Hi friends...

I wanted a prelit outdoor Christmas tree for the pot in between our garage doors.  

Pinterest to the rescue!  

Here's a pictorial of a quick and easy outdoor Christmas tree using a tomato cage, faux pine garland and 
outdoor battery lights.  

Take a peek!!

Have a happy day,
Mariaelena

MAKING CHANGES...starting now!

Hi friends!!!...

I'm making some changes here on my blog and getting ready to launch my business in 2017..(FINALLY)....

First on my list was to simplify my blog/business name and web address....

same blog, just different name....now going by:

from BEACH to BURBS

www.frombeachtoburbs.blogspot.com

Please continue to follow along and 

share with friends too....

Have a happy day,

Mariaelena

Lime waxing a black cupboard

I recently finished a project for a friend.  

While consulting with her on her kitchen remodel, we decided to paint her very large floor to ceiling pantry cupboard black and age it with Limewax, going for a vintage look as if we 

found it at a barn sale...

Take a peek...

This was the before...painted matte black...
we liked it but wasn't quite the look my client was going for...

After:  using the lime wax....
wiping on and rubbing in and off until I achieved the right look.

Have a happy day,
Mariaelena

pinecones & greens....nature's holiday decor!!

I love bringing natural elements inside 

our home to decorate...

This time of year nature offers the best gifts in the form of beautiful pinecones in all shapes and sizes and of course various types of greens....

Go on out for a walk and see what you can find for this holiday season...

Here are a few simple ways I've displayed what I've collected this year in the "burbs" 

Take a peek!!

Go on and get clipping!!

Have a happy day,
Mariaelena


linking up to these party people:
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com