Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqgCwAhmDPjgJ1DNXqpPDKir4DeQUgT7rWoTGrQ5IHqms0eESM6SZjf6g6rauRz_JyRub6UoaOm04rvnfYuEZ1Su15AyTYEty5nBXQehobsWvXrPDs0itRQ1LSoQ7LMxHB6l2PjlsRTU/s1600/Picture+3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483326545658255106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqgCwAhmDPjgJ1DNXqpPDKir4DeQUgT7rWoTGrQ5IHqms0eESM6SZjf6g6rauRz_JyRub6UoaOm04rvnfYuEZ1Su15AyTYEty5nBXQehobsWvXrPDs0itRQ1LSoQ7LMxHB6l2PjlsRTU/s400/Picture+3.png" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The images in my last post were taken around the area where I grew up in Western New York on Lake Ontario near the Canadian border. It's mostly farmland but there are also some lovely villages with old homes that are to die for.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3wWb7LLQ_-bv30-6nEgRz3JGRHUc5tlkR9ubacSfjXnR2dNNGZLxLpFOqYb4dgu5-klXNoK66uuW3jXjTJj_MxOi5GJo40EOSBKc3tM0fqj669Yl6q-AH3XSTBd0x5hrawI46HlOumE/s1600/fort_niagara_main.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoSQCRvDgxHO_w_9IpQFGvY5sIdUdaD6P8xZsMWM-7NuR70lVA70mz1w5NwC1sFWGsEoGND5lgjQq-KV46AmgJUliq_x2j0JVbKNQQqDtsoil9WEZAkIarkDhMj3Xls6YWEBumb7YQFc/s1600/IMG_2746.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173700260535282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoSQCRvDgxHO_w_9IpQFGvY5sIdUdaD6P8xZsMWM-7NuR70lVA70mz1w5NwC1sFWGsEoGND5lgjQq-KV46AmgJUliq_x2j0JVbKNQQqDtsoil9WEZAkIarkDhMj3Xls6YWEBumb7YQFc/s400/IMG_2746.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This is Main Street in the town where I grew up on the Erie Canal. As you can see by all the hustle and bustle, there's no end to the fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZifbrSqtlhF9wSaFfHf7NrCip5vRHbY9R7im8yfC_xHZ8wOsRAdnBadJO8g5cGoXJMmEi_Gb3GX4zB-WKZMQcrzvyXgTGvyGvay5jLkSgBKr9DvUnIPs2mmlF-P-86dIQwdI-N_Yjo/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173453502428322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsZifbrSqtlhF9wSaFfHf7NrCip5vRHbY9R7im8yfC_xHZ8wOsRAdnBadJO8g5cGoXJMmEi_Gb3GX4zB-WKZMQcrzvyXgTGvyGvay5jLkSgBKr9DvUnIPs2mmlF-P-86dIQwdI-N_Yjo/s400/IMG_2679.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>About an hour west is Lewiston, New York, just north of Niagara Falls on the border of Canada. My family moved here when I was a teenager so I lived here through my college years. This is the Niagara River and the monument in the background is in Queenston, Ontario, Canada.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGnzYs9-YvBT87zgYRMvFKq7zgKUt-nuMSIcSBCvp7YuaBcySi3k46zpojkzKKI56Y1rd_yPLsMWSSz0JDPqOaaCNMIh8nQ9AcP7NMN8JWKV9yRTBM31fIKeOEz-LGUt2K1fq_lfYIU8/s1600/IMG_2667.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173447827474722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGnzYs9-YvBT87zgYRMvFKq7zgKUt-nuMSIcSBCvp7YuaBcySi3k46zpojkzKKI56Y1rd_yPLsMWSSz0JDPqOaaCNMIh8nQ9AcP7NMN8JWKV9yRTBM31fIKeOEz-LGUt2K1fq_lfYIU8/s400/IMG_2667.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">It's a quaint historic town where much of the historical feel has been maintained.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FnCbaLcjjxsX0AaZZ14f1B-ida4Sf4Qi8UqThJhkPCWA1BUCXLIeQaDZ1dF086L1zgqEE4UUyKDv5h2pLM8Y4wKLHqY6_t-xRf3WsPu6xP_mlIFn2AAaXYp2160mu4-k2rgLeXZkJ_o/s1600/IMG_2670.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173441515451938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FnCbaLcjjxsX0AaZZ14f1B-ida4Sf4Qi8UqThJhkPCWA1BUCXLIeQaDZ1dF086L1zgqEE4UUyKDv5h2pLM8Y4wKLHqY6_t-xRf3WsPu6xP_mlIFn2AAaXYp2160mu4-k2rgLeXZkJ_o/s400/IMG_2670.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This is the park at the center of town.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEJPg4uzE81ybzJkBUsC5WqNhdYkFwHFbj49p-DEZT04dHA4_qwPx_zIMstQb1uThyphenhyphenq4Oa_IcJq2YYxagrswJSRYmgThznXx9adI8w7qN9ODbRyZP7qKg_ZfrPLgOkqRuOvvWsPuQA2M/s1600/IMG_2671.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173437016523426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEJPg4uzE81ybzJkBUsC5WqNhdYkFwHFbj49p-DEZT04dHA4_qwPx_zIMstQb1uThyphenhyphenq4Oa_IcJq2YYxagrswJSRYmgThznXx9adI8w7qN9ODbRyZP7qKg_ZfrPLgOkqRuOvvWsPuQA2M/s400/IMG_2671.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The town was burned to the ground by the English during the war of 1812 so many of the houses were built in the early to mid 1800s. As you can imagine, there is where my love of old houses first started.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBNHdEm-14zfDJln7Lw3KfTb8yR9aky5EMPWClUWvoOPeylCa35QE5UT28_TG2X9vIwtgVoPQduZlSqS35oBOEorIhKygyYvhHtYXUURuXxvzLqSy5kBODaCMXU8jMw4NrYnytuGj9ug/s1600/Picture+3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483173429638337330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBNHdEm-14zfDJln7Lw3KfTb8yR9aky5EMPWClUWvoOPeylCa35QE5UT28_TG2X9vIwtgVoPQduZlSqS35oBOEorIhKygyYvhHtYXUURuXxvzLqSy5kBODaCMXU8jMw4NrYnytuGj9ug/s400/Picture+3.png" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Even though we lived in a simple split-level ranch, the town has many enormous mansions overlooking the Niagara River gorge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWC-o1ITnD15lNajPqv-Ru-7P9PqEBO0caH1aapiEerdIECHbbSw5lwv1UlubdguSJ7DbOQu9a-X0KD95o5-zzHZr1KSFTk-qhUlp-PuTJ4yOCj13_sRXR6pjeuQAjWmGV4R_bvGFHnI/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483172260300999842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWC-o1ITnD15lNajPqv-Ru-7P9PqEBO0caH1aapiEerdIECHbbSw5lwv1UlubdguSJ7DbOQu9a-X0KD95o5-zzHZr1KSFTk-qhUlp-PuTJ4yOCj13_sRXR6pjeuQAjWmGV4R_bvGFHnI/s400/IMG_2660.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> This mansion is one my favorites and it actually started one of my OCDs. It's now several (gorgeous) apartments and if you live here, you can't touch the curtains--white cotton panels with white ball fringe--pulled back just so to ensure a consistent look. I had never thought about that idea but, to this day, all of my curtains have to appear white from the outside. Is that crazy or just good sense? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAOmdICCP8F7mISGqLWC5VIrNtnsdnzroX6VYWorjO0Hf79AiSuiDsmdzk23R1ba2MKVn1qt54PR8aaClTj-d7NZKV4o6EV0MMkqo0f6zLFC97Ajk0C7m5j17J8ppeinwrqEryiHeJNo/s1600/IMG_2683.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483172249529268002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAOmdICCP8F7mISGqLWC5VIrNtnsdnzroX6VYWorjO0Hf79AiSuiDsmdzk23R1ba2MKVn1qt54PR8aaClTj-d7NZKV4o6EV0MMkqo0f6zLFC97Ajk0C7m5j17J8ppeinwrqEryiHeJNo/s400/IMG_2683.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">How's this for a front porch?</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg417HQGq-tNXruLp7EJUt6lno8VLhIpgDK4p7c7JzV7yTasAEhjHJx2FMAoZ0WQ0taDDbkSmTouV_2IzfF_nEl-b7KAtrlALVvrDxsMUV8PsVz9VBjVfoiF6N7hubNvratwGVVF9IMOow/s1600/lewiston+house.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483172236751151634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg417HQGq-tNXruLp7EJUt6lno8VLhIpgDK4p7c7JzV7yTasAEhjHJx2FMAoZ0WQ0taDDbkSmTouV_2IzfF_nEl-b7KAtrlALVvrDxsMUV8PsVz9VBjVfoiF6N7hubNvratwGVVF9IMOow/s400/lewiston+house.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">This 1837 colonial was for sale. Mom thought they should weed the stairs but I thought it was quite charming. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">We're just passing through for lunch so it's time to move on...</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3wWb7LLQ_-bv30-6nEgRz3JGRHUc5tlkR9ubacSfjXnR2dNNGZLxLpFOqYb4dgu5-klXNoK66uuW3jXjTJj_MxOi5GJo40EOSBKc3tM0fqj669Yl6q-AH3XSTBd0x5hrawI46HlOumE/s1600/fort_niagara_main.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483177854249424498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3wWb7LLQ_-bv30-6nEgRz3JGRHUc5tlkR9ubacSfjXnR2dNNGZLxLpFOqYb4dgu5-klXNoK66uuW3jXjTJj_MxOi5GJo40EOSBKc3tM0fqj669Yl6q-AH3XSTBd0x5hrawI46HlOumE/s400/fort_niagara_main.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: pointer" /></a>...just to the north to Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario. This fort, built in 1729 by the French at the mouth of the Niagara River and was integral to trade between America and Europe. It was captured by the British and later by the American colonists.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVd693P75wywXTGRQkTA1YP-Msh3luTHqKkEOB7wyRODs1cofO_K9-reJimQYk5Hl1q_bm_9b3pz4x6x8lg3xoqNZWVpmnweqLmdkrbvOs9KSJ9mG6fr6s1w-GHNXZvWxN3U-aMz3pEg/s1600/IMG_2743.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483172231485252514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVd693P75wywXTGRQkTA1YP-Msh3luTHqKkEOB7wyRODs1cofO_K9-reJimQYk5Hl1q_bm_9b3pz4x6x8lg3xoqNZWVpmnweqLmdkrbvOs9KSJ9mG6fr6s1w-GHNXZvWxN3U-aMz3pEg/s400/IMG_2743.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>But we're headed a little more to the east into the country where old farmhouses such as this one dot the landscape between corn and cabbage fields and apple and peach orchards along the coast of Lake Ontario. Notice how simple and spare everything is. No landscaping, no flower gardens. All the time is dedicated to the farm.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs3v-HaDE7H8yVvHl1ZHCIhs30WM0yurtqcNANlUSaZnk4oLJZ5v470eFTNG2WAbwt9ksigkbJ9_vg9eaatcPKFXwg4coIaoc9ujqQ3r6A4LeGnytyzmeRIJnE_5p-7bpT8uBUh5mf_Y/s1600/IMG_2736.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171755622445618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs3v-HaDE7H8yVvHl1ZHCIhs30WM0yurtqcNANlUSaZnk4oLJZ5v470eFTNG2WAbwt9ksigkbJ9_vg9eaatcPKFXwg4coIaoc9ujqQ3r6A4LeGnytyzmeRIJnE_5p-7bpT8uBUh5mf_Y/s400/IMG_2736.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here is a lighthouse on the edge of Lake Ontario just about a mile from my mom's and sister's house.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEHrdJMW68twWAZ3zqCU76K382TD2dQ1WTfA_7fTcxKK0piqjzUalx_KtC_OSgn98ngbfcPk5FukaSUqcjtmtechrR5dqRGDrdahcE9X4T-kB6JMmOjsZy1yYNJUKwaSgPElnUd4qOVo/s1600/IMG_2708.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171753162943282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEHrdJMW68twWAZ3zqCU76K382TD2dQ1WTfA_7fTcxKK0piqjzUalx_KtC_OSgn98ngbfcPk5FukaSUqcjtmtechrR5dqRGDrdahcE9X4T-kB6JMmOjsZy1yYNJUKwaSgPElnUd4qOVo/s400/IMG_2708.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>A few houses overlooking the lake.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hLsNmHdkNs-8ByPrVKYXdTmzoKS9euFu5iUoD_3VOSfp9SAERtjBGNCNHpsp0gU9bA5ou5Suk84-24jdyXZ1GgiD98hkv-jnc3yr_j5y0sdNIPp9GWQj1jA0AM9CJ7epR4Ilq1BuRTk/s1600/IMG_2704.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171746875794530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hLsNmHdkNs-8ByPrVKYXdTmzoKS9euFu5iUoD_3VOSfp9SAERtjBGNCNHpsp0gU9bA5ou5Suk84-24jdyXZ1GgiD98hkv-jnc3yr_j5y0sdNIPp9GWQj1jA0AM9CJ7epR4Ilq1BuRTk/s400/IMG_2704.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>And the little marina.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdmmZMniBnsueZd01u0S9CD2tqRrQRBy_IOHTvbNLPlE2CZbKOhSJDE8RgWhpIF0IHOkadH0e_navCsa_E9HNLv5uVQw5DwkoCjWVPKbsAudHUYLw7CmIVTdKvrnBcFMPzD-k-h_I0lU/s1600/IMG_2645.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171745669002114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdmmZMniBnsueZd01u0S9CD2tqRrQRBy_IOHTvbNLPlE2CZbKOhSJDE8RgWhpIF0IHOkadH0e_navCsa_E9HNLv5uVQw5DwkoCjWVPKbsAudHUYLw7CmIVTdKvrnBcFMPzD-k-h_I0lU/s400/IMG_2645.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>And finally to my mom's house. This antique tractor was on the property and she kept it there as a lawn ornament.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuELYE4CEqGJTyZOPsFfvjY-Rnleov4N_u9tiAPVEpekkTqGEobqS3RJIxSYzpbLF1QUSmaz3L7BC6I5TdpebtnR0YbpzfdJrUerFomh5aEyr5Xwn1XHxhQ3E4Q0E1UC43fRY1t3EGOA/s1600/IMG_2697.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171740072305794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuELYE4CEqGJTyZOPsFfvjY-Rnleov4N_u9tiAPVEpekkTqGEobqS3RJIxSYzpbLF1QUSmaz3L7BC6I5TdpebtnR0YbpzfdJrUerFomh5aEyr5Xwn1XHxhQ3E4Q0E1UC43fRY1t3EGOA/s400/IMG_2697.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Mom collects (a lot of) teapots...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-RYUdg268h3bXNCpk_nRZE_maQwLSaThKUTiQ2zR5eB26cucafvYDC_5JTqJJQPQTZv35PKeXaBcqJnduNbs-t9thMg37MJ_uqtBqidegA60ZGt3CjOf5wB3XVaSBB1cvID2UKPHK5w/s1600/IMG_2695.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171406355386658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-RYUdg268h3bXNCpk_nRZE_maQwLSaThKUTiQ2zR5eB26cucafvYDC_5JTqJJQPQTZv35PKeXaBcqJnduNbs-t9thMg37MJ_uqtBqidegA60ZGt3CjOf5wB3XVaSBB1cvID2UKPHK5w/s400/IMG_2695.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>...and she's got some lovely antique pieces.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-JNjb7csDFqJd3lMoGGcdLeCVwgUotj5jifOFQ5-EGeoXn08y5lfGaqtMlayUJbxuCWidhgTebnJw1GpHXWc4EWcwP8AjDU8QCRMJf4Fv1jSFkhenkamZDp-AiF-nbol0KLjX7rkyxw/s1600/IMG_2647.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171404656695954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-JNjb7csDFqJd3lMoGGcdLeCVwgUotj5jifOFQ5-EGeoXn08y5lfGaqtMlayUJbxuCWidhgTebnJw1GpHXWc4EWcwP8AjDU8QCRMJf4Fv1jSFkhenkamZDp-AiF-nbol0KLjX7rkyxw/s400/IMG_2647.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> There are some great antique barns nearby that we were sure to hit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQKg3trJfWHlnqGWv4nGZl9ryb-_jtfY1RcHZb215OvXz_2GeT4AWzG9XuKJfiIXVeXNFU7IbsQID1R5MbOivNjJSCnd9GXs7isnWxAyOzxVROckjJIHxFEXLKWY7o2rIv-SacBd3ysE/s1600/IMG_2650.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171400042402018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQKg3trJfWHlnqGWv4nGZl9ryb-_jtfY1RcHZb215OvXz_2GeT4AWzG9XuKJfiIXVeXNFU7IbsQID1R5MbOivNjJSCnd9GXs7isnWxAyOzxVROckjJIHxFEXLKWY7o2rIv-SacBd3ysE/s400/IMG_2650.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> They had lots of McCoy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbkC7jJz9mOJGy8Yjrf1ih8vKPmtoPXX82oORSYgKdwLCOdri9yihZHYN-FO9oXSnhg60v8YWe30sV51p8F78P9IliwW8kNw64fMtZUWDKwjbmnCKJAX9PeTD2N8NyIt50YJcIvFGj-E/s1600/IMG_2654.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171394482905330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbkC7jJz9mOJGy8Yjrf1ih8vKPmtoPXX82oORSYgKdwLCOdri9yihZHYN-FO9oXSnhg60v8YWe30sV51p8F78P9IliwW8kNw64fMtZUWDKwjbmnCKJAX9PeTD2N8NyIt50YJcIvFGj-E/s400/IMG_2654.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This dealer had everything organized by color which made a nice presentation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EE_6gmWUiL0W_L_4pNjlF6zp0WyoZrrzUMgzv8-6aSjq4t3RVwkn9_FiQlPsc1GdWi9sGqco9BIYKIyYGcdt9EcvQmVbRpC87Bgf7Gvdzs2MaZtzOugimgGg2Lm0UdFWCYV0oN9RbNM/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171389919863810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EE_6gmWUiL0W_L_4pNjlF6zp0WyoZrrzUMgzv8-6aSjq4t3RVwkn9_FiQlPsc1GdWi9sGqco9BIYKIyYGcdt9EcvQmVbRpC87Bgf7Gvdzs2MaZtzOugimgGg2Lm0UdFWCYV0oN9RbNM/s400/IMG_2653.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>And here's where I found the vintage light from an old schoolhouse in Niagara Falls. It was $40. I love when I find something for the house when I'm away on the trip. This light will always hold a memory of that trip home to visit my family.</div>

A Trip Back Home

The images in my last post were taken around the area where I grew up in Western New York on Lake Ontario near the Canadian border. It'...

<div>This is a great holiday cocktail party menu.  All of the items work great at room temperature and can be prepared before hand.  I like to have all of the items made and swap out duplicate trays throughout the night to keep everything looking plentiful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMVNeNwE6TFocNhr9wHiiuGUTh1Z1k4U5OuRc5d1tzxkJgvichj2a3hvKMruIfPdUuPGjJuYSuZLQafuJ4t_ZTh6EpnocT0YqkBf5WUdpQHW4X-pWBXmyk4hO8lALRFUY-PtOMi0mMwnZ/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMVNeNwE6TFocNhr9wHiiuGUTh1Z1k4U5OuRc5d1tzxkJgvichj2a3hvKMruIfPdUuPGjJuYSuZLQafuJ4t_ZTh6EpnocT0YqkBf5WUdpQHW4X-pWBXmyk4hO8lALRFUY-PtOMi0mMwnZ/s640/IMG_0976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I set the food display on their dinning room table - I like to do one-sided buffets instead of 'circling' around the table - I find it looks more impressive from across the room.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWwMs0IEFsno2Tbi2QUFwiMJLYco275i_hIFMtQpwf2XgMUtz31hkd__c3xYdyE0CNkixwS3IDnlVQuYnF0ucetD-cJiqQ3brmj3B3auOfbInt_NL8duplRBSHw_C9PiQZjv2la09bA6C/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWwMs0IEFsno2Tbi2QUFwiMJLYco275i_hIFMtQpwf2XgMUtz31hkd__c3xYdyE0CNkixwS3IDnlVQuYnF0ucetD-cJiqQ3brmj3B3auOfbInt_NL8duplRBSHw_C9PiQZjv2la09bA6C/s640/IMG_0978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These are puff pastry triangles topped with caramelized onions, a slice of tomato, goat cheese & basil.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUx6Qa4DrQWAsLTbsBMN35aUWQn2iykcnKeLe8t4P12MfuUz8DhLCSUqjGhiawlQ79zfpniu616WsKmlkOmceVbMfS3mlL2kU-3cPdLZBsiJDMf55eSySdwIwswk8TIoyG86or16-AvI7/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUx6Qa4DrQWAsLTbsBMN35aUWQn2iykcnKeLe8t4P12MfuUz8DhLCSUqjGhiawlQ79zfpniu616WsKmlkOmceVbMfS3mlL2kU-3cPdLZBsiJDMf55eSySdwIwswk8TIoyG86or16-AvI7/s640/IMG_0979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Artisan Cheese Tray with berries - always an easy hit.  Along with big hunks of blue cheese, english cheddar and a wedge of smoked cheddar, I used hydrangea leaves to dress up the tray.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxbS4FTFme6O_k-nmkYwU06MrCwcgAXRgXe5NvvDZ9L2RKeKarCt9psQE3h5JkL9DDalTXb9mliFR9NO7Ajt-9YmVLXIc4SfvUJlrLuzkZYD3HkKI1IHBfGkNfAZMbL8NuN40EZcyDsYw/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxbS4FTFme6O_k-nmkYwU06MrCwcgAXRgXe5NvvDZ9L2RKeKarCt9psQE3h5JkL9DDalTXb9mliFR9NO7Ajt-9YmVLXIc4SfvUJlrLuzkZYD3HkKI1IHBfGkNfAZMbL8NuN40EZcyDsYw/s640/IMG_0980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Steered Beef Tenderloin cubes and horseradish cream on top of puff pastry rounds.  These are fantastic and impressive.  They work great at room temperature - always important for a cocktail party food display.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohJkLZxqzKVlHCh-TUen7GQsqytOBx81CE7UrsM66AmkkPoX1WJ_J2ifupJ8dHCALHFn3iR5csmG34e0skQUQeWRTsSqUoCBwjJ1YkhlTAk_4qmy6UJH4ewCngh4XvfTttGsnrNwV6SPo/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohJkLZxqzKVlHCh-TUen7GQsqytOBx81CE7UrsM66AmkkPoX1WJ_J2ifupJ8dHCALHFn3iR5csmG34e0skQUQeWRTsSqUoCBwjJ1YkhlTAk_4qmy6UJH4ewCngh4XvfTttGsnrNwV6SPo/s640/IMG_0982.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><br />Anti-pasta skewers - spicy sausage, fresh mozzarella, marinated artichokes, sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-60GlDWA4kqRNrExiliwZloCgysfSMxQCNDi6c6skJUxYkdNTpRvBZs1mIfOQ7PgJBQpJ6Zaq16qDCWmk04EdVkZaEFKhpWA-hy3Q7dBXggMjSSAheb71tN_MVlpQHgGpslW0vNEkWZSh/s1600/IMG_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-60GlDWA4kqRNrExiliwZloCgysfSMxQCNDi6c6skJUxYkdNTpRvBZs1mIfOQ7PgJBQpJ6Zaq16qDCWmk04EdVkZaEFKhpWA-hy3Q7dBXggMjSSAheb71tN_MVlpQHgGpslW0vNEkWZSh/s640/IMG_0986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>

Holiday Cocktail Party | Light Bite-Sized Hors d'oeuvres | Christmas Cocktail Party Menu

This is a great holiday cocktail party menu. All of the items work great at room temperature and can be prepared before hand. I like to ha...

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A Trip Back Home

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Holiday Cocktail Party | Light Bite-Sized Hors d'oeuvres | Christmas Cocktail Party Menu

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