Easter Recap

I'm sure you all had a busy Easter Sunday. Mine was busy too. It started with Sunday morning Mass then we had Easter Brunch at the condo.

I had the good folks at Pondview Florist in Winchester fill my Harney Tea tin with a spring arrangement to match the tablecloth. White tulips with one blue hydrangea. They did a great job!

The tablecloth was a recent purchase at an estate sale. The photo doesn't do it justice.  It is a lovely shade of pink and definitely from the 50's

My sister made a couscous salad with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and lemon juice.  It was yummy!

I made overnight baked french toast. I make it for Easter and my Wimbledon Breakfast.

A mix of old and new at each place setting. New plates used as chargers and the smaller plate is vintage and was purchased at Brissonte in North Reading.

For dessert, we had a chocolate Easter Egg cake.  It was filled with chocolate cake and chocolate mousse layers. Delish!

Next, my sister and I went to the nursing home to visit my Mom and to take her to the dessert buffet. We didn't eat much. I had a few chocolate dipped strawberries.

They do a really nice job with variety and presentation. The residents at the nursing home looked like  they enjoyed it.

Too bad I wasn't hungry. I would have enjoyed the key lime pie or the caramel cheesecake.

I changed the entire tablesetting for the evening crowd.  I had friends coming over for dessert and coffee and tea.  This time I used a white tablecloth with the lavender table runner with the little LED lights running down the center.

Everyone got a Lindt chocolate bunny to take home. I am so OCD that I replaced all the ribbons on the bunnies' necks.  They came with red ribbons but that would clash with the purples and pastels of the tablescape.  So I used white and pastel colored ribbons instead.

Here's another view of the floral arrangement with tea tin. The beautiful sugar pot was a gift from my friends Mary and Don.

Yes, I did stand on a chair for this shot. I wanted you to have an aerial view of the table and of the lit runner. I wasn't sure I would like it but I do like the white plates on the white tablecloth. Another estate sale find.

Linen napkins from Pier One and violet china was purchased at various antique stores.

Petit fours in pastel colors. These would be so beautiful on a tea tray. I found these at La Patisserie in Winchester.

My friends all brought desserts.  Mary made a cream cheese pie and lemon cookies. Ellie brought brownies on a 100 year old plate that was her mother's. Debbi brought pistachio salad and flowers.

I also made up a fruit and cheese plate to offset all the sweets.  We had multigrain flatbread, water crackers and Triscuits plus red and green grapes for color and herbed goat cheese, a sharp white cheddar and a wedge of brie.

With all that entertaining yesterday, it was tough to get up for work this morning. I was a little tired but it was worth it. I had such a wonderful time with friends and family.

Architectural detail love

I must say I do love architectural detail. If I'm driving and I spy a really ornate house I have to either stop the car to get a better look or I make note of the street for a future visit.

The other day I took a little walking tour of Winchester, it's not too far from where I live but oh so much more affluent.

This house caught my eye because of it's color and the beautiful detail at it's entrance.

Here's a closer look at the porch railing.. Love the colors.

And the trim is just magnificent. So elegant and historic looking.

This is called dental work I think and it adds some interest to the roof line.

I love a nice balcony.  This one is obviously more for show than function. Aren't those cool windows?

I've always wanted a home with turrets. It must be so beautiful on the inside too.  Maybe it has a curved window seat.

I'm into archways too. They add such grace to an entrance or porch. I would love to add some archways to my condo.

Oh yeah, another turret. Can you believe all these homes are within walking distance of each other?
What a neighborhood!

The front of the houses is pretty terrific too!

More lovely windows and cool architectural details. I like the color too.

Don't you adore stained glass windows? This home was obviously restored. I am glad they kept the stained glass windows.

As I walked around the neighborhood,  I was being watched! Can you see a little face in the window?

Ooh, more interesting mouldings and fab windows. What a joy to see so many gorgeous homes!

Again, my little kitty friend's home. Tudor style.

A rooftop deck and a solarium? Some people are so lucky, aren't they?

And lots going on here. Pillars, gables, color. I love it all.

A closeup of the entryway.

Interesting mini roof. Love the bay windows on the second floor too. Or do they call them bump outs?

Whatever they're called. They certainly caught my eye. My kitties would love sitting there looking out at the world below.

Gee we went from a Tudor style home a few photos back to a Spanish influence. That's what I love about New England, the older homes have variety and character. No cookie cutter homes in this neighborhood.

I don't even mind the pink color on this house. It kinds of suits it.

I know you wanted to see what the front looked like.

And this home reminds me of homes in Salem that are centuries old.

A chimney surrounding a stained glass window.  I am glad they didn't cover it up.

I love this porch, pretty detail and colors.

Same house but looking at the second floor. Cool scroll work, huh?

A bit of a chalet look to this one. I like the little window in the roof and the snow effect.

Here it is in close up.

This is one of my favorite houses.  Not wild about the color though.

This is one of the houses I would definitely stop the car to view.

Don't you love that cupola?

All the homes in the neighborhood were well kept.  As I walked around, I saw lots of houses getting some TLC.

I think this is one of my favorites as it reminds me of my beloved Gothic cottages in Martha's Vineyard.

It certainly looks like a gingerbread cottage.

Stained glass windows and scroll work, divine!

Here's the last home I viewed.  Love the architectural detail around the doorway. So pretty against the red door. This home was very old but well preserved

I hope you enjoyed your walking tour of Winchester.  Do you have a favorite home?