Romancing the home

 Some romantic images from home for you today. I love utilizing sweet handkerchiefs under my objects that I display for a sentimental look. This red floral one in the top photo belonged to my grandmother. She would send us a neatly pressed dollar bill with a beautiful handkerchief for our birthdays every year in our card. They can add a touch of color to an all white scene, and some visual texture when using a white hankie for decorating (like the one below). This romantic heart box was purchased at the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas on our Summer vacation (it was on clearance for about $2.00!). I love the detailed artwork on it.

Our little fur rug is sitting on a cedar chest right now. I tend to want to cover all my wood with white tablecloths, doilies, or anything white. The wood is pretty, but for some reason the all white is more soothing to me. I guess it is a happy solution for me right now instead of painting every piece of furniture we own white!

 I do try (at times) to keep some balance of dark and light. With a touch of the dark wood clock and marble box with this mostly white scene.

 With my husband having to commute home from work, we decided to have Valentine's dinner at home last night. I felt like cooking and baking. For dessert I decided to make us a chocolate mayonnaise cake with fudge frosting. My mom use to bake this for us a lot when we were growing up. Richard still goes on and on about it (I love that he shares his love of my mom's baked goods with my mom...:)). I know I have made chocolate cakes, but I really honestly could not remember making him a mayonnaise cake. So, I dug out recipes (I had written), and was happily busy with baking us a cake.

We were happy with the results. Even though the fudge frosting still wasn't quite like I remember my mom's recipe. I will have to call her and ask if she remembers exactly how she use to make it. I think the problem is that she did it different every time. :)

It was good for breakfast this morning too. I just need to remember to do some exercising today so I don't feel so guilty for having it for breakfast!
I am joining White Wednesday today over at the beautiful blog, Faded Charm. I hope you will go visit the links there. They are loaded with pretty inspiration!