Holidays and Seasons
Simple Summer Centerpiece
Sometimes the simplest of things makes the most beautiful seasonal statement. Summer fruits like nectarines, peaches and melons keep it colorful and fresh! Make the most of summer! Love, Nora
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Quick Shrimp On The Barbie
While my husband Rick, a.k.a. Murph, reigns supreme over the barbecue year round, in my mind, the technique of grilling, combined with the flavor of grilled foods, perfectly captures the…
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Get It While It’s Hot!
One of the many things that I love about living in Connecticut, are the noticeable month-to-month changes. Plants that were set and seeds that were planted, seemingly like it was…
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Au Naturel
Connecticut Country House has been going through a re-do since last summer – I call it ‘Project Refresh’. The walls, ceiling, and trim were painted in shades of warm white…
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Midsummer Blues
Country Home magazine was here recently, photographing Connecticut Country House for their upcoming Winter 2017 issue. It was a great opportunity to showcase the light and airy results of our…
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A Lighter Hearth
Switch out the contents of your hearthside wood basket with driftwood this summer. I just love the light look of the sun-bleached silvery gray color and the sea-worn smooth texture.…
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A Nantucket Picnic
While on vacation in Nantucket, one of my favorite ways to embrace the end of a summer day, is with a waterside, sunset on the beach picnic with my boys.…
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An All-American Summer’s Day
Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James Happy July 4th dear friends! Wishing you a wonderful, kick-back…
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Hello, July!
At Connecticut Country House there’s so much to do, to celebrate, to be grateful for during the month of July. Welcoming the warm weather. Picking perfectly ripe, juicy, flavorful berries…
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Summer Loves
Summer has started and I’m one happy camper! There’s so much to love during this fabulous time of year. Here are my Top 10 summer loves: Gardening Picnics in the…
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Campfire Clams & Linguine
A while ago, we watched an episode of Jamie Oliver’s TV show, Jamie’s Food Escapes, that featured him visiting Italy, kicking back and preparing this mouth watering dish over an…
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An Edible Arrangement
Before planting that flat of perfectly gorgeous lettuce you just bought, how about using it as a simple summery centerpiece first? Beautiful spring green romaine lettuce makes for an unexpected,…
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The WOW Factor
I posted these yellow peonies on my Nora Murphy Country House Facebook page and everyone has had the very same comment: “I have never seen a yellow peony!!!” Neither had…
Keep ReadingCountry Living Fair Here I Come!
The Volvo is stuffed with all kinds of gorgeousness! I’m looking so very forward to not only attending the Country Living Fair, in Rhinebeck, NY today, but also to giving…
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A Scentsational Walkway
My first Snowball Viburnum came from a local Mother’s Day fundraising plant sale. I liked the idea of having something fragrant growing by the stone walkway that led to the…
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Nature’s Fairy Dust
While you may have the urge to roll up your sleeves and dig into spring cleaning, hold off on the windows. Best to wait until the trees are finished covering…
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Bridal Veil Spirea
One of my favorite flowering shrubs that are in bloom at Connecticut Country House, is a Bridal Veil Spirea. Also commonly known as Bridal Wreath Spirea, its graceful, arching branches…
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Greenfield Hill’s Dogwood Festival
My hometown, Fairfield, CT, where I grew up, has changed a bit over the years. It’s become more populated, busier, and the Mom and Pop shops frequented as a kid,…
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May Calendar
“Every spring is the only spring – a perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters – I’m always amazed how quickly time flies once spring has begun. Every day a walk around…
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Sarah P. Duke Gardens
My dear friend Marlana Semenza, a talented photographer and stylist in North Carolina, is always searching for new inspiration. She found a treasure trove at her most recent discovery, the…
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Green + Brown = Black Gold
Compost. Black Gold. My Papa swore by the stuff. The heartiness and scale of his kitchen garden was proof positive of its miraculous powers. Like father, like daughter, when we…
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A Little Light Reading
Weekends are just the best! I hope that you’re able to carve out some time for yourself and sit down with our latest issue, Seasons at Connecticut Country House. Brimming…
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Romance in Bloom
Set against a sparkling clear sky, a Saucer Magnolia in full bloom is a spectacular sight. One of the earliest trees to flower at Connecticut Country House, it’s covered in…
Keep ReadingField of Dreams
In Redding, CT, one of the most beautiful sights that I look forward to seeing each spring, is a local landmark, a large field that perennially brims with gorgeous, blooming…
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Dress Your Beds
Now’s the perfect time to get your garden beds going. Tackling one bed at a time, here’s my routine: Clean out debris and cut back dried stems. Lightly spread compost…
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