Posts by Nora
Simple & Scented
A simple way to freshen any sightline is to fill an antique basket with potted annuals or perennials. Here in the parlor, I stuffed my old whitewashed basket with potted…
Keep ReadingFoodie Friday: A Baked Brie Bundle
I always keep extra packages of frozen puff pastry in the freezer – it’s a staple in my kitchen. So when I’m expecting a couple of friends and I’m in…
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Whitewash
For the past year now, I’ve been envisioning the interiors of my Connecticut Country House painted out white. Don’t get me wrong, I love my earthy paint palette that’s throughout…
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What’s in a name?
A beautiful shrub grows in our gardens down by the old stonewall at Connecticut Country House – and has gone nameless until now. Meet Fuzzy Deutzia (pronounced Doot-zee-uh). She’s quite…
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A basket of petunias
Marrying two simple things…is almost too simple! The perfect springtime marriage for my doors is made up of large wicker or rattan hanging baskets and hanging potted petunia plants from…
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Foodie Friday: Blueberry Bread
A real go-to recipe of mine is a simple (simply delicious) Blueberry Bread, that is perfect to serve with coffee in the morning at Connecticut Country House. Give it a…
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Run for the roses
Roses are always a good idea – in any shape or form. Here’s a fabulous new recipe my friend Holly shared with me. One look at these absolutely gorgeous apple…
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A bank of gold
If you were to ask me what one of my favorite plantings at Connecticut Country House is, I would have to start with the forsythia. I think my love of…
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The Governor Stephen Hopkins House gardens
A walk through the gardens of the Governor Stephen Hopkins House is well worth it, even if it’s early in the season. On a recent trip to Providence, Rhode Island,…
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My neck of the woods
The way I celebrate Earth Day is to take care of my neck of the woods. And I mean that literally. I live on a beautifully scenic road in Connecticut,…
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Portrait: Bitty Birdie Design
The Country House lifestyle is all about comfort and joy, and one of the most comforting things I can imagine is a beautifully handmade quilt made up of something very…
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Foodie friday:Chicken Soup Love
Nothing tastes better (and more comforting) than a bowl of homemade chicken soup served up really hot. A couple of weeks ago I was as sick as a dog, so…
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For the love of gingham
One look in my clothes closet (and around Connecticut Country House) and you’ll see that I have a thing for gingham checks. So when Country Curtains (who are simply crazy for…
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A little note
Wishing you and your family a beautiful Easter holiday. Enjoy! Love, Nora
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The pretty powder room
This weekend, all our Easter festivities will be based in our hub, the kitchen, where we’ll be initially gathering, while enjoying nibbles and sips as we’re cooking. The keeping room…
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Faux support
I love those “Aha!” moments….don’t you? There I was standing in a long check out line at Home Goods, pretty much obligated to look at all the little odds and…
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Need a little spring inspiration?
Spring is here! The season has finally arrived (even though there’s snow visible from every Connecticut Country House window) as well as our Spring 2015 Nora Murphy Country House Style…
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Top o’ the mornin’!
Setting a table for St. Patrick’s Day is the best way to kick off spring (or at least puts me in the right state of mind!). For the NoraMurphyCountryHouse.com spring…
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Foodie Friday: A snowy day pot roast
Driving home on snowy roads. Trudging through the slushy snow walkway to the back door. Juggling multiple bags and keys at the door. Noticing that the door is warping from…
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A girl can dream…
It’s 13 below this morning here in the hollow at Connecticut Country House, and I’m catching myself daydreaming about spring, and about that certain smell and feel of fresh earth…
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Foodie Friday: Allspice Crumb Muffins
One of my favorite bakers is Dorie Greenspan. About a year ago, I had discovered one of her videos on the New York Times online food section, and fell in…
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Cozy up with your honey
For Valentine’s Day (or any time really), you just need a few ingredients (actually I came up with 10) to create a special little dinner for 2. Gather in a…
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Foodie Friday: Murph’s Potato Leek Soup
It’s 5 below in Newtown this morning, and I’m chilled to the bone! This kind of frigid weather calls out for one thing (other than summer!) – a bowl of…
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Surviving a blizzard Country House style
What happens when a crazy busy schedule meets “The Blizzard of 2015”? I feel it’s nature’s way of saying “time-out”! (Sadly, I need a blizzard to make me stop and…
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Morning muffins
I realize that today is not Friday (or more specifically Foodie Friday), but I found a new Blueberry Muffin recipe that I’ve been wanting to try from an old Hay…
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