A Walk Through Pinehurst

It was a beautiful weekend in Pinehurst.  While these weekend getaways always seem to go by in the blink of an eye, I always come back feeling revitalized.  Before we took off on Sunday, my mom and I took a long walk through the village of Pinehurst and all the twisty neighborhood  side streets.  I took some photos to try to convey the easy beauty and comfortable surroundings of this small North Carolina town.  

The village of Pinehurst

I love this photo. The light peeping through the pine trees and the white picket fence really characterize the village of Pinehurst.

The Pinehurst Hotel

This was my absolute favorite house on our walk.  It is tasteful, classic and also welcoming.   The canopy of pine trees provide just enough shade and also create an established surrounding.  I would love to spend some evenings on a rocking chair on that front porch!

This "Castle" home , built in 1928, is on the National Register of Historic Places

Pinehurst!

Photo taken at the Pinehurt Hotel's lawn in May 2008.

I am on my way to Pinehurst, North Carolina this afternoon to celebrate a couple milestone's in my family. Not only is it my grandpa's 80th birthday, but it is my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversay.  Pinehurst encompasses all things that a small town should boast.  From the quaint, walkable route into town, to the local lunch spot to the sociable attitudes of the residents, this really is a gem. I am looking forward to a weekend of family and a slice of warm southern hospitality!

Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day!

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  I think it is very sweet to have a day dedicated to making someone feel special.  I thought it was very convenient this "holiday" fell on a Sunday as I decided to take my first stab at beef tenderloin. I got the recipe from the Park Avenue Potluck cookbook.  For never having cooked any sort of roast, (is that the appropriate term?) I found this fabulous recipe....easy!  Along with "Aunt Janet's Perfect Beef Tenderloin" I whipped up "Chesie Breen's Fine Tuned Green Beans with Feta". I did not serve them cold, as reccomended, but rather let the hot green beans turn the feta into melted goodness.  The Park Avenue Potluck Cookbook has turned out to be a great source for me. Not only are there fabulous pictures, entertaining tidbits and background stories on the recipies from some of New York's high society, but a portion of the proceeds go to Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  Now if that doesn't make you feel good, I don't know what will!  Mine was a house warming gift, but you can pick it up here. The recipes and entertaining advice will be a welcomed addition to any hostess's library.

I set the table in a fashion adapted from what I am planning on doing on June 26th (our wedding day!). Tapered candles, silver candle sticks, blue and white Chinese import china (although not authentic, I picked it up at a garage sale over the weekend for $15), leggy orchids and hemstitched napkins all were meant to give a suggestion to the design of our reception.

Now, excuse me, I think I need to go heat up my leftovers for breakfast!!

Snow Day!

I realize the Duncan Fuller posting has been a little slight lately, but luckily that is because we have been totally swamped. Welcome, design overdrive! Today, along with much of the eastern half of the country, we got pounded with snow. Nothing really too new, or even in lines with the folks on the east coast, but still enough to close down schools and make everyone drive with extra precaution. What is a little unsual about today's snow day is that I have an extra cute design assistant in the office!

Meet Hogan!

Patiently waiting to go out and frolick in the snow.

Glamor shot.

Hogan- trying to get my attention as all 70 pounds of him try to crawl up into my lap.  As I am on a wheelie desk chair. Hmm.. is wheelie a word?

In his snuggly snow day spot.... right under my desk!