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Cinnamon Mornings and Chocolate Dreams

Whether you're hosting a formal get-together or need a quick brunch idea, this book will spark your imagination and your appetite.

An Office Is A Sacred Space

September 2011

A n office is a sacred space. A home office in particular should be coveted, because this is where the magic happens, as they say. Most people today, whether it's a college student, entrepreneur, home maker, innkeeper, or professional have some kind of home office where they work and play. Home offices or smaller spaces must be utilized correctly in order to have a productive and enjoyable day, and this begins with understanding the mindset of what your office is for: an escape, an oasis, a place of calm and serenity where your work and your passions are equally balanced and in harmony. Finding that perfect space for your work can be as small as having a laptop and portable office supplies, and as extensive as turning your shed into another room - whatever it takes to get the job done.

I have always been a huge fan of convertible, multi-use spaces; home offices are undoubtedly the pinnacle of such thinking. A place where work must be done, but where guests could also be entertained. Finding and creating the space you need in your home for an office can be difficult, especially for innkeepers, who welcome new people into their lives and homes daily, as well as travelers, who may need to frequently bring their offices with them. Small, convertible work spaces are quite fitting for this kind of life style. I like portable cubbies that stash all you most important files, tools and equipment for easy organization and readiness for mobility. Convertible spaces are also quite useful, as you can retrofit a sideboard, end table, or hutch to quickly pull out and become a desk or workspace. Traditional storage, like windows seats, vintage trunks, or closets, can be easily converted into useful areas for work, whether it be storing your printer, keeping your papers in order, or hiding away your techy gadgets.

Don't think that functional spaces can't be personalized, either! One of the joys of a home office is the sense of unique style and fun an individual can put into it. I love personalizing furniture, such as the versatile and stylish (if I do say so myself) chairs I recently designed through Palecek. These chairs are a nice example of a convertible, functional individual and fun piece that would work perfectly in a common space as well as a den or office. The feminine softness of the robin's egg blue chair adds colorful accent to any room, while the strength and masculinity of the darker chair is a bold standout piece.

Dedicated seclusion can be the solution to having a functional home office, or command center simple, organized, and hidden place to sit down and enjoy the business portion of your day may be the best bet. Finding the right balance of functionality with personality is the key to any enjoyable space, and those who find that balance will find that every day at the office feels just like home!

The dogs days of summer are settling in, and I for one am enjoying every moment of them. I recently enjoyed this fantastic Blueberry Buckle, and wanted to share it with our readers as a lovely treat this August:

Best wishes!

Pamela

Blueberry Buckle

Ingedients:

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups blueberries

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, chilled
Preheat over to 350°F

Instructions:
Grease square or rectangular pan and set aside. Combine salt, baking powder and flour in a medium bowl. In another mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy, then beat in egg. Add flour mixture and milk in increments, beating smooth after each addition. Spread into greased pan and sprinkle blueberries on top. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour 1/1 cup sugar, and cinnamon until well mixed. Using a pastry blender, mix with butter until crummy. Sprinkle over blueberries and bake for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

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