The Huntington Library

Hello, dear bloggers, and welcome to Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by the lovely Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer. Last week I took you on a home tour of San Marino, California. We will continue our tour with a visit to the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens as I'll play docent to the Huntington's mansion and private art collection.

Let's meet at the outdoor patio where my daughters and my son's lovely girlfriend await us.


Upon entering, we find ourselves in this magnificent foyer with a double staircase leading to the upper floor.







But before we ascend to the main gallery, lets take a peek into the main parlor which is furnished with fine European antiques, rugs, and tapestries.


This is Isabella Huntington's parlor. It is decidedly feminine, and the subject matter of the paintings are all children. I could just imagine her serving tea to her guests in this room.


The architecture makes you think you're in Versailles rather than California.


Another impressive room is the dining room. Let's pretend this guard is the butler...
(bell rings) Dinner is served.


The main gallery is home to two very recognizable works of art.

Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough

and Pinky by Thomas Lawrence

I adore this pink china.


A pair of potpourri vases, c. 1758. I didn't know they had potpourri back then.

Harp and harpsichord
A collection of silver pieces
These lovely pieces were used by the Huntingtons and not just for display, can you see all the scratches? So those of you who have beautiful silverware and china hiding in your hutches, take them out and enjoy them before they become museum pieces!

Little Red Riding Hood, isn't she sweet?

There are so many treasures here at the Huntington Library that if you happen to be in Southern California, a visit here is just as essential as Disneyland. Hope you enjoyed your tour.

Happy OW, everyone!


Till next time,

Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

Are you ready for a gastronomical adventure? It's Foodie Friday again hosted by Designs by Gollum, where cooks all over blogland share their culinary skills.

Today, I'm sharing with you a Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake. It's a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens that I've personally tested for you. Since everyone is celebrating fall, I though it befitting to offer some comfort food to go with the changing weather.

Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

• 1 - 8oz dried bow tie pasta
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 T butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 C milk
• 1 t dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 t crushed red pepper (optional)
• 2 C chopped cooked chicken
• 2 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 - 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 1 - 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• 1/2 C oil packed sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 C soft bread crumbs
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1 T melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to pkg. directions; drain. In med. skillet, cook onion in 1 T butter until tender. Remove from heat and set aside
2. In bowl,whisk together eggs, milk, seasoning, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper, and crushed red pepper. Stir in chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, half of the parmesan, pasta, and onion.
3. Bake, covered, 20 min. In small bowl, combine remaining Parmesan, bread crumbs, paprika, andmelted butter. Sprinkle mixture over pasta. Bake, uncovered, 10 min or until golden. Makes 6-8 servings.

Bon Appetit, everyone!!

Till next time,

Thrifty Tablescape

Welcome back, dear Bloggers! Where has the week gone? Once again it's Tablescape Thursday hosted by the ever popular Susan @ BNOTP and Thrifty Thursday with lovely Leigh @ Bolggeritaville.

It's still a fall theme here at the Lace and Ivy Cottage, but do you see a difference from last week's tablescape?

First, let's quickly turn our attention to the window, where a new valance is hung. I purchased this newly made, never used, Waverly fabric valance from an estate sale last week for a mere $3. It paid off to dig through a pile of fabric remnants! I think it warms up the room for fall and I can easily change it out for the seasons.



OK, back to the table. Though I have the same centerpiece as before, I now have a new place setting. They were purchased at a yard sale on the same day I purchased the valance. The lady wanted $30 for the set. I tried to haggle a little, but the lady wouldn't budge. She really didn't want to get rid of her dishes, but her hubby was making her because the dishes were making their shelves sag!


I wasn't convinced that I was getting a bargain, so I left.

But my hubby, who was with me that morning, talked me into buying them.
My man supports my tablescaping habit! So back I went and forked over the cash. After all, it was a service for 10 with extra pieces to boot. It's not everyday you can find that many matching dishes at a yard sale.


I have to admit that each piece is very heavy. It's no wonder her shelves were giving way! Lucky for me, I've got room in my bottom cabinets for storage.

The vintage green goblets are a thrift store find. I think I paid about $1.30 each.

There were over 30 pieces to the dishes, so it came up to less than a dollar a piece.

I love the rich color against the rustic table.



The napkins were a deal from Wal Mart. A pack of 4 for only $2.

The woven napkin rings were from the Goodwill @ only 10 for a dollar. My kids embellished them with silk leaves.


Hope you enjoyed this week's tablescape and my $33 dining room redo. Happy thrifty decorating everyone, and thanks a bunch for stopping by!


Till Next Time,

San Marino Home Tour

Welcome, dear bloggers, to the Lace and Ivy Cottage where we will be participating in Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer.

Today, I'll be taking you on a tour of beautiful San Marino, California where the neighborhoods ooze with character and charm. Come along, it'll be fun!

This first home is a stately one, probably built in the 30's. Aren't those bonzais stunning?

This looks more like a home on the east coast.

This one looks more French, n'est-ce pas?

We just don't see this variety of architecture on modern built homes.


A miniature Trevi Fountain?



I love the twisted limbs of these trees.

Look how manicure this lawn is. Croquet anyone?

This home looks like it belongs in North Carolina. It's rare to see stately brick homes in SoCal.


Very Californian, very Mediterranean.



This one reminds me the South.




I love dormers, though these look a little off scale.

I bet this cottage is full of charm inside.

Just a reminder of where you're at.

I hope you enjoyed the home tour of beautiful San Marino, California. I have so much more to show you of this area in the weeks to come, so please stop by again. Happy Outdoor Wednesday!


Till Next Time,