Connecticut Country House Blog
Setting a Blue & White Summer Table
Blue and white is probably my favorite color combination. It always feels so crisp and fresh…and timeless. So when Scot Haney, co-host of WFSB’s Better Connecticut came for a visit, I wanted to set a summer table that hosted this color palette. With help from our friends at Terrain, we were able to create something…
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Breakfast Picnic Basket for Mom this Mother’s Day
Let’s get personal. A basket filled with mom’s favorite breakfast treats, wrapped and presented with great care, and delivered in person, would make any mom feel loved and extra-special. So when WFSB’s Better Connecticut co-host Scot Haney came over to Connecticut Country House to see what we were planning for Mother’s Day, my basket was…
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Creating a Spring Garden Basket
Potted spring flowers + basket with liner + moss + twigs = A beautiful spring garden basket! WFSB’s Better Connecticut co-host, Scot Haney, and I whip up a gorgeous (if we must say so ourselves!) spring basket that’s perfect for giving or keeping as a statement piece. It is super easy. And the bonus to…
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Setting a Holiday Buffet 101
Getting ready for the upcoming holiday? Me too! Eventhough I feel that my dining table really does set the mood for the occasion, it’s the buffet table that comes in at a close second! So when WFSB’s Better Connecticut co-host (and my buddy), Scot Haney, came over to my country house last week, I thought…
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Breakfast with Amy & Matthew
Amy Chalmers: "The excitement was real! Nora Murphy had invited me to her official book launch party in Connecticut, and would be putting me up in a lovely country cottage to stay overnight. I still couldn’t believe my house was featured alongside her iconic country home. I thought the perfect person to share this moment…
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Set The Table With St. Patrick’s Day Style!
Setting a table in mid-March is tricky. At this point, I’m so done with winter (even though there’s snow piled up outside) and all I want to see is spring. With the glorious greens of St. Patrick’s Day, and just a few days shy of the first day of spring, a table set with fresh…
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With Love From The Farmhouse Project:A Valentine’s Cocktail For 2
I’m so excited to feature some of my favorite fellow bloggers this year! Please meet Shawn & Kris of TheFarmhouseProject.com. You may already know them as the Country House in the Woods homeowners from my book. They decorate, cook, bake, garden (just to name a few), and are fabulous home entertainers. It’s their talent in…
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Step By Step Linzer Cookie Recipe for Valentine’s Day
As promised (and just in time for Valentine’s Day!), here is the latest WFSB, Better Connecticut segment where I walk co-hosts Kara and Scot through the easy steps to making this beautiful heart-shaped Linzer Tart Cookies. You can also get the written and printable recipe here. Enjoy! Love, Nora xo
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Linzer Tart Heart Cookies
I took my favorite Linzer Tart cookie recipe back to its classic beginnings as a beautiful European heart. Filled with strawberry preserves, and dusted generously with vanilla bean-infused confectioner’s sugar, this lovely makes a delicious and very pretty St. Valentine’s gift. Here, I displayed them on 2 vintage glass cake stands, garnished with faux winterberry…
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Mitten Season
On such a snowy and icy day, it only makes sense to talk “mittens”. And I’m not just talking about any old ordinary mittens. The mittens I wish to tell you about are made by my dear friend Valerie Beeble, founder and mitten maker of DeForest Lake Designs here in Connecticut. Val’s gorgeous mittens don’t…
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Set a Holiday Tartan Table
Calling all tartan lovers! This latest Better Connecticut Lifestyle segment is dedicated to you! I wish I was able to get this uploaded in time for Christmas, but the more I think about it, tartan is always in style. So maybe for your New Year’s Eve table…or later on into the dreary winter months when…
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Wishing you a beautiful, blessed Christmas Day…and peace on earth for always. Love, Nora xo
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Make Holiday Hampers!
When it comes to gift giving, I feel that it’s important to listen to your heart and try to gift something that truly reflects the receivers personality as well as their likes and loves. Sometimes, that’s  not so easy! I’ve found that creating Holiday Hampers are a fun and creative way to gift. No need…
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