Loving the imperfect
Organic Romaine Lettuce ~ perfectly imperfect (a delicious ingredient and part delicious Sunday dinner)
Perhaps the most important aspect of feeling hospitable and feeling the affects of true hospitality is having the feeling that being you yourself is enough. Feeling the sense that a person is welcomed and accepted and cherished and enjoyed. Really recieved for who they are. Hospitality is caring and hospitality is accepting. Come in, take a load off and let’s share. Let’s share some food, time and conversation together. It’s about sharing and caring and part of caring is about welcoming and accepting and helping. Showing warmth and kindness. That’s a wonderful way to be recieved into our homes.
Enjoying Date night with your special someone.
Mercadito, Chicago
My husband and I enjoyed a date night with the added benefit of a good 30 plus minute of talking time on the drive to and from the restaurant. Chicago has many excellent restaurants and this was a nice find. There were people wrapping up dinner at Mercadito and dashing across the street to a dinner club afterwards. This is a bit of an upscale Mexican restaurant. Definitely hip. We are on an adventure to discover more and more of what our town has to offer. Lesson for this week (or maybe better put “suggestion”): keep trying new things, keep stretching yourself to explore new restaurants, places and keep meeting new people. It’s maybe more of an effort for some people, but it’s such an effort worth making. New experiences and new ambiances and interactions add a little sparkle to our lives. Shine on!
It’s never too early to dream of spring.
Green Faille Lulu handbag with gold toned handle.
Spring is ethereal. It comes to visit and then sprints away. Where did it go? We almost didn’t miss her when we recieved an additional and unexpected snowfall. We bundled up fully packed in for the next week. But, eventually, Spring comes back. We love her and cannot wait to see her again soon. Meantime, we have this delightful and multi talented handbag that can help usher in our next season. We love her, this Lulu bag. She brings with her all the fresh air and happiness ~ she is happy to share.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Mrs. Adelaide at Home, Thank You card
We hardly need a reason these days to say “Thank you”. There is so much to be grateful for and so much that we can happily slow our lives down for to help us more fully appreciate. This beautiful, emerald green card just captured my heart. The gold layers of plants and flowers are intricate and the words, just to the point. We really don’t need a season or season to share a kind word of thanks. Why not do so with a bespoke and beautiful card. It will be recieved gladly and cherished. Your words will complete it.
Ballet for the sake of Ballet
Tiler Peck and Friends, Auditiorium Theater Chicago
Ballet is important (and so is the Opera) and so are so many, many beautiful, difficult to do but well worth it things. Art forms breath hope and happiness into our lives. Just like some people love their pets and derive a huge amount of love and happiness from their dogs or pets, there are many, many people who just love the world of ballet, just for ballet’s sake. It’s an artform and truly one for all the ages. Ballet brings history, phyiscal fitness, musicality and team work together. It’s wonderful and so was Tiler Peck and Friends! Highly recommend!
Mahjong Merriment
Washing the Mahjong tiles, the sounds bring happy memories of my friend, Tong, and her childhood in Thailand watching (and listening) as her aunt played Mahjong with her friends.
We had a great time. No question. When you get to be with friends and have a sweet Mahjong expert give fun and private instruction, it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s a chance to be together, visit and celebrate eachother’s moves and strategies. We are all beginners, but it’s never too late to try to learn somthing new. Having a kind teacher and one who has a fun and friendly personality made our lesson stretch beyone the 2 hours. The learning curve is real, but the potential for fun and togetherness is realler! Give it a try, if you haven’t. It’s for everyone!
Meeting Mahjong!
Mrs. Adelaide at Home ~ Pink Hydrangea potted faux flowers will be replaced by tiles and Mahjong equipment.
We have heard about Mahjong over the years. It’s good for your brain, a memory teaser, fun to play with friends, you name it. Well, it’s also a blessing. As we have the opportunity to be together with friends, games of many kinds offer some of the companionship, challenge and conversation we all enjoy. It’s another avenue for being social. There are classes available at local woman’s clubs, churches, even some private / public schools are offering classes for parents. Maybe even some libraries might offer some instruction. When you gather together, remember to have some time for refreshments and small bites. Better yet, small bites with protein. I’m anticipating needing to bring a very strong brain and all by brain power to learn Mahjong. It’s never too late to learn new things!
Baby ALbums you can hold
Baby Book Binders all set for you to create your own for own baby or babies in your life. Complete one and give one. They are always a welcomed and cherished gift that says “I love you little one”. Celebrate with pretty pink or baby blue❤️
A must have for the parents, grandparents, and friends with babies in their lives. A wonderful shower gift and a wonderful "just because" gfit.
Favorite things
Colorful Splash Cups from Mrs. Adelaide at Home
Making a splash with my new favorite things. With these splash cups, they make you excited for the next time you host. It’s a set of glasses that just fill up the space with conversation, happiness and beauty. Each time we bring something to our tables or homes that resonates with us and our own sensibilities, we share with our guests a part of who we are. We share what gives us joy and some special things about who we are. Hosting is a very personal and special thing. It’s something to keep doing. Not all the time and not always at our own homes, but definitely it’s worth keeping our hosting knack supple and ready for action. Hosting loved ones and new and old friends is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves. Experiences that last a lifetime.
Gift Baskets for every occasion
Gift Baskets curated by Mrs. Adelaide at Home
Let us gather and compose a gift basket for your organization, loved one, important celebration, hostess gift, you name it. It’s such an unexpected and thoughtful gift. You will be remembered and thought of for many years to come. Arrive with this in your arms and this will bring joy to whoever is on your list.
Rotating centerpieces and florals
Evren Vase Tall
I remember reading that for interior design for the Japanese culture there is a seasonal change for artwork. I understood this to be for artwork on the walls in a home. We may do this practice also with smaller decor items. It may seem instinctual. For many homes, a small alteration on the buffet, the mantel, the centerpice to a dining room table or an edit to the coffee table will bring a fresh perspective to the space. Or, if you prefer not to swap out, there’s the wonderful way of swapping around. Trying things in different places in our homes breaths fresh appreciation and a sense of newness to our lovely things.
Creams and Greens
The softness of creams and greens make for a calm and quiet get away atmosphere in our study.
Somehow references to the foliage and fauna of nature give breath into a home. We like to incorporate some sort of this into every room to allow for more closeness to nature. It’s comes naturally to us. Finding the inspiration is everywhere ~ plates, carpets, wallpaper, books. Highlight nature and you’ll have a sunny day everday.
Collaborating ~ Communicating and creating to help the client/s find thier comfort & happiness zone.
This is an original mood board, an initial jumping off point. The final product will be the client’s finished project. Lot’s of itterations and lots of working together. It’s a joint project with the happiness of the client and thier lifestyle as the main importance.
This family gathering room / hang out room is their living room. They live on 2 floors of a 2 flat and the bottom floor they rent. It’s a nice size foot print and a modern & open concept. The living room is intimate and the hope is to maximize the comfort of seating for the family to be all together, play games and sink in to comfort.
We like to ease into our celebrations ~ Valentine’s Day included.
I am happy to ease into celebrations. It feels better to have something talked about and thought about before celebrating. Also, if feels nice to have just simple touches. A paper napkin with a few new additions (not necessarily themed for Valentine’s Day) signals to our loved ones a little something new coming. Nothing grand, nothing fancy, no big statement. Just a little reminder that we are thinking about eachother as Valentine’s Day approaches. Soon we can give out our cards. Low key and sweet.
little ways to show love…
Our classic 2026 desk calendar is for sale at Mrs. Adelaide at Home.
February is here and we are approaching Valentine’s Day… This week I came across heart shaped crab cakes on sale at my grocery store. They looked fun loving and they were! My family is a busy one and we cannot sit together at the table as much as we’d like. But, with a little thoughtful heart shaped crab cake, my family felt my love. It was also to celebrate the first track and field meet for on of our daughters. I let her know that I was thinking of her because running takes a very strong heart. However it works, there are so many ways to show our love. Little ways of appreciation means more than big splashes sometimes. Our family ate the crab cakes, were not crabby about my cooking and were grateful. We don’t have to be a chef to show our love at the table, just some heart felt words can make our food taste better.
Our new easter Bunny family ~
Our beautifully dressed Easter Bunny family is available at Mrs. Adelaide at Home.
The winter is here ~ Just the beginnings of February. Superbowl, Valentine’s, family birthdays and so much more to look forward to. But for now, I’m just happy to have a little visit with our sweet and pretty Easter Bunny family, just in and available on Mrs. Adelaide at Home. They hopped over for just a little visit to help remind us of the soft pastels and pretty pinks coming up. The gardens will once again bloom and our doors will have fewer shoes and coats. But seeing the lovely bunny family is so nice. Still, I am grateful for our snowy weather. My family skiied this weekend and enjoyed perfect weather for being outdoors and active. Meantime, we’re still cooking soups and slow cooker meals. We truly are grateful for the snow!
Interior Decorating
A tortoise glass we sell at Mrs. Adelaide at Home
I was so happy when, out of the blue, a friend asked if I might be help her decorate her kitchen and living room. Her husband, an architect, designed their building (a 2 flat in the city). They are ready for an update. They have a large extended family and are interested in maximizing seating for comfortable family gatherings. They also love color. They are bold and warm and I’m excited for this project!
My sister’s wagashi
Wagashi (seasonal Japanese confections) which my sister made during a Japanese Tea Ceremony class.
It’s wonderful to learn something new, every day if possible. I never heard about this Japanese sweet called Wagashi before. But, this mildly sweet item (seen above) sort of clears the tasting palate prior to the main star of the Japanese Tea Ceremony ~ the Matcha tea. This is an integral part of the the traditional Japanese cultural art form ~ The Japanese Tea Ceremony.
When the host serves the wagashi (and all the subsequent items), the host connects with their guest calmly, peacefully and with respect. Everything is visually appealing. Things being visually appealing during the ceremony is as important as the actual taste of what is being served. It’s a very special experience.
Please feel free to share your experiences or stories/thoughts about the Japanese Tea Ceremony below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you!
“the lazy man’s load”
A table I set with our “Mrs. Adelaide at Home” tabletop choices.
My dear aunt, know affectionately as “Grandma Nancy”, reminds me about her parents (my grandparents) repeated saying, “Don’t take the lazy man’s load”. We have tried to adopt this idea into the way we set the table, clear the table and clean up after a meal. It means a lot to me because it helps me to slow down and not only to be careful with the things I’m carrying or removing from the table, but it also helps me to be able to pay attention and participate in the enjoyable clean up time conversations.
In fact, the conversations before and after the meals are as much a way to connect and catch up further and maybe more in depth with loved ones as they are during the actual mealtime. By not taking the Lazy Man Load, we can slowly and carefully complete our task and feel good about paying attention to the details and feel good about doing a job well done.
The phrase, the lazy man load, comes from carrying too much during the first load to save taking a second load. It’s some folk wisdom. I feel more calm and satisfied when I can complete a task more intentionally, especially if I can clean up with another person. Taking a few extra trips or minutes to complete a task, gives us a chance to calmly work together with a friend or loved one. But, either with another person or not, let’s slow down and enjoy our time as we clean up and think about and appreciate the efforts and care that went into preparing our meal, whether we are eating alone or in community with friends and loved ones. Slowly enjoying our time together.
Please add your own special thought and comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts, if you have time. Thank you!
“Greatness is determined by Service”~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service…” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I love this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom we celebrate today, because greatness is possible. We can extend our arms and help someone. We can offer a simple warm, cooked meal in our own home. We can do a modest or big act of kindness and service and have it mean so much to another. It always makes us feel good when we are able to connect with another person through kindess. That truly is greatness.