As many of you may know, I blog for Premier Table Linens about entertaining, table trends and Premier's product line.

We are having a contest where you can win a $300 Macy's gift certificate or a $50 gift certificate to shop at Premier Table Linens or Premier Burlap web sites. 

Good Luck!

Here's the link:

I know I'm not alone in saying that I have been anxiously awaiting the publication of Fifi O'Neill's Romantic Prairie Cookbook.

Of course, I have a special reason ... my little backyard farm and several of my recipes are featured in the book.

On Sunday night, I received a message from the inimitable Elizabeth Kirkpatrick (La Contessa of Vintage Hen House.)

She said she had a copy of the book in her hands because it had shipped sooner than expected.

Why hadn't my copy arrived? Luckily, patience is one of my virtues.

"What are your numbers," I asked? (La Contessa is also featured in the book )

"What are yours?" she replied.

I didn't have an answer yet as I didn't have my copy.

Elizabeth had already found one of my recipes. I was extremely flattered to learn that she had bought the ingredients and planned to make my pot roast with root vegetables for dinner on Monday night.


All day Monday, the books arrived in folks' mailboxes and I have received calls and emails, asking "what are your numbers?" It was like a secret code!

But my book hadn't arrived.

This morning, Elizabeth emailed to say she used a beef tenderloin and her roast was "spot on perfecto."

She also mentioned that she had never tried celery root, rutabaga or parsnips (some of the root veggies that I grow) and really liked them roasted.

Happily, my copy of the book arrived this morning and it's gorgeous.

Now I can share my numbers! They are: 29, 76-77, 98-101, 126 and 150-157.

You NEED a copy. And, if you try any of my recipes, please let me know.

Samantha, one of my two Silver Spangled Hamburg chickens (aka the Miracle chicken), says she enjoyed modeling. In fact, she's starting to make a career of it!

She is going to be filmed for a cable TV show later this week!

In the past, I've often been "in the press" for my magazine and design work and Waterside Cottages book, now the next chapter...

I'm a chicken whisper! Let me know what you think.

I've definitely learned that I should never go out and tend my girls without putting on lipstick when a reporter with a camera is nearby!


http://fairfaxstation.patch.com/articles/a-henhouse-in#photo-8952487

I was knitting a scarf when the UPS guy rang the doorbell.

When I went to sit back down, the ball of yarn (or what was left of it looked like a bagel. (Okay, I guess I was getting hungry for lunch!) The rest is history, so to speak!

When spending a day at the beach, I generally tote a towel, lotion, a book and a lacy hand knit shawl. I like to travel light, so why a shawl?

It's in case I want to stay and watch the sunset over the water. In late afternoon when cool breezes begins to blow off of the water a shawl comes in mighty handy.

This wind, officially known as "sea breeze," occurs in response to differences in temperature between a body of water and neighboring land. While any old sweatshirt would do, one of my hand-knit shawls feel more romantic for sunset viewing.

Today, I came across a shawl pin for beach-loving knitters (or shawl wearers).

It's from Knit Picks and I couldn't wait to share my find... after I ordered one for myself, of course! It also comes in a Cat Lovers version or with knitting or nature charms.