Miss Merry's House with the Picket Fence

Groovy Groundhog's Day

2012-02-01T14:11:00.000-05:00

For those who are unenlightened, one of my most favorite holidays of the year is February 2 - Groovy Ground Hog's Day!

At my former workplace, I talked my co-workers into quite the celebration. We would try to outdo ourselves with our creative recipes and more creative recipe titles. We would celebrate with See Your Shadow Pie and Sunshine Salad and even Chuck -olate Cheesecake. One of my co-workers and her husband had a hog farm, so our entree was always ground hog (sausage). We would sign up with title only and try to surprise the others. The lone gentleman in the office would always choose shovels and pitchforks (silverware!).

My current workplace is mostly male. Although we have an occasional potluck; a celebration like this is more work than fun. I can't be let the holiday go by with nothing! Here is this year's entry - ready for public consumption on Thursday morning:

As you can tell, I baked late last night. What I am trying to show is a cupcake,

spread with chocolate frosting and liberally sprinkled with chocolate jimmies,

and a vanilla wafer groundhog with mini chocolate chip eyes popping out to see his shadow!

The one tray will be traveling to dinner at my son's tonight and the other will be a surprise for my co-workers. A surprise because I believe they are unaware of the impending holiday!

It may be January, but I am dreaming of Spring!

2012-01-22T17:44:00.001-05:00

Here are some some random pictures from last summer. My husband and I had planned a week-long driving tour through Kentucky and Tennessee, but a bad weather forecast changed our plans and we headed east. Since it seemed like every road in Pennsylvania was under construction, we abandoned the whole trip idea and decided to visit places closer to home. We rented a motel room in a nearby city and went to visit some local attractions. That night we were escaping thunderstorms and watching the news in our room and saw our own town (and street) mentioned in a report of some possible tornado damage. Fortunately all damage was minor (and not in our yard!). We decided to take some inspiration from one of the places we visited and finish our week with a home project.

We visited the gardens at Kingwood Center in Mansfield Ohio. We chose the time of visit perfectly to see the remnants of what had been spring flowers and before the blooming of their famous rose garden. Everything was very green; a color our landscape is lacking this time of year.

A few flowering bushes lent just the right touch to set off all the green tones.

I am pretty sure this is the entrance that leads to my fairy tale castle.

I have had several herb gardens over the years. None can hold a candle to this lovely spot.

After admiring all the plantings and gardens, I asked my husband what he liked best in the garden. He liked the bricks. (What a guy!)

This is that space that is between the foundation of my house and the front sidewalk. Originally it had prickly bushes that would prick children and snag your hose. (This was back when women wore hose). We ripped those out and I planted day lilies. It was the perfect spot. They grew very profusely and every year I would split them and decorate more of my yard. Visitors were not as fond of the lilies as I was, since they would grow very large and the weight would cause them to fall over the sidewalk, forcing visitors to walk in the garden on the opposite side. We dug out all the lilies, but left a clematis in the middle.

I had thought about continuing the sidewalk up to the foundation, but since my guy was all about brick work; I decided to take advantage of the moment!

We both measured and calculated how many bricks we would need. My total was twice his total. We actually needed about 10 more than even I imagined. Luckily our store had plenty in stock.

Didn't it turn out nice?

I had talked him into constructing the front porch of my dreams a few years ago. Since then, we have gained a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and three and a half grandchildren. I thought adding the brickwork would allow more seating when we are all watching the world go by. Do you like the tomato plant? My husband always wants a garden, but after planting looses interest. I thought this would be a compromise. We managed 5-6 tomatoes this year.

So there it is - a little sunshine on a deary winter day. And day dreams of projects for the coming year. Thanks for indulging me.

Miss O'Merry's Potato Soup

2012-01-10T16:56:00.003-05:00

It is a sunny 45 degree day here in Ohio, but that nasty weatherman is forecasting a high of 25 degrees by Thursday. This makes today a perfect day to make soup. My daughter-in-law mentioned she had a hankering for Cream of Potato soup the other day. And since those who carry precious cargo must be pampered; I really did not have a choice!

I have "published" this recipe before in our 4-H County Cookbook. I wrote it just like I make it; a bag of potatoes, as much onions, celery and carrots as you can fit in a pan, etc. Because some of my children are getting cranky about my recipes, I decided to actually measure how I made this batch. We will see how that works out!

I peeled about 1/2 a bag of potatoes which would equal five pounds. I would have cubed them, or at least cut them into equal chunks, but I had them on the stove before I thought of it. This picture taking while you cook is a little confusing. I have new respect for the food network!

As the potatoes come to a boil, I put two sticks of my favorite food group (Budda!) in a pan to melt.

I purchased one package of celery to dice.

I measured out the amout I would usually add to the pan and, lo and behold, it is almost exactly 2 cups. Next I cut up baby carrots into tiny carrot coins and measured out two cups to match. Did you notice the celery is in a Lazarus Department Store measuring cup? My mother and I used to love to shop at Lazarus and eat at the lunch counter on the top floor. Chicken Pot Pie- yum!

I always chop all the celery and all the carrots I have. I put the extra in ziplocks and put them in the freezer. The pre-cut vegetables are great to just throw into a stew, soup or casserole. I don't even defrost - just break up with my fingers and toss them in. They will not be crunchy, but are perfect for these dishes. You could make sticks from the extra and eat them with some kind of healthy dips like humus.This is what my oldest daughter does with her preschoolers. She is such a good mother to provide these healthy snacks. On the other hand, this soup is not healthy at all (and that's why it tastes soooo good.)

From a stalk of celery and a bag of the baby carrots, I got 2 cups each for my soup and these bags which contain 3/4 - 1 cup each. Just for those inquiring minds who measure things.

I ran one large and one medium whole onion, peeled and quartered through my Sunbeam Oscar that I have had since the 1980's. I have bought several small food processors since then, but nothing chops like my Oscar. I am going to google to see if they still make these. Mine is looking worse for wear on my new countertop. This made (I am not kidding) exactly 1 1/2 cup. See, I don't need to measure. I have an internal measuring cup!

I added all the vegetables to my skillet of budda.

And put one MORE stick of butter on top.

Cover and let simmer until vegetables are soft and translucent.

Meanwhile those potatoes should be done. Remove from heat and drain.

Since someone did not have equal size or equal cooked potatoes, I diced the less done and mashed the more done! I would estimate (did not measure) that I mashed about 1 1/2 cups in the bottom of the pan with about 1 cup of chicken broth.

I then added in one whole container of half and half. I would like to have used all whipping cream, but that might just make my heart explode!! In the end, the pot was too full to use the whipping cream, so I am saving it for next week.

Wisk the half and half and mashed potatoes together until smooth. Don't worry if there are a few potato pieces; it is potato soup!

It really does make a thick creamy base.

Next we are pouring in the entire skillet of onion, butter, carrots, butter, celery and butter. It will be very liquidy (liquidee?)

Back to measuring, I diced six cups of cooked potatoes and added them to the mixture.

And this is what you will get! A pot of buttery, potato goodness!

At this point, if you have room in the pot, you can add milk or cream to the soup. My dear husband likes little broth and more contents, so that is how my soup usually ends up.

And here it is, a warm cream soup for a winter's day.

If you all lived closer, I would invite you over for a dish! Instead, I am going to send out an email (I may soon graduate to texting . . .) to my family to stop by with a tupperware container. Have a great day!

Tea Party Memories

2011-12-30T10:43:00.004-05:00

So - do you think there are enough dishes on the table?

I have been visiting some different tea rooms with some special friends. Every experience is so special, from the outstanding fellowship to the fabulous food. Unfortunately I do live in a small town and most are 2-4 hours in travel time from my house. One way! Also, although the experience, venue, decor, food and outstanding service are worth every penny; it is not an inexpensive hobby.

I decided to try to host my own tea party. To make sure I would follow through, I mailed invitations in early October for my Autumn tea party. This assured that I would have my dining room cleaned and food prepared. I couldn't disappoint my guests!

I scoured through my Tea Time Magazine issues, looking for recipes that were easy enough to prepare on Friday night or early Saturday morning, yet glamorous enough to impress my special guests.

The top picture shows me piling every possible piece of china I thought might work on the table. If you look on the right, you will see the adorable Autumn doilies that I found at the Dollar Tree for $1 a package.

This plate is part of a set I bought at a silent auction at our church. It is part of the original set that was used by the priest back when we had a rectory (and a priest). I have belonged to this parish for almost 30 years and I believe it has been maybe 40/50 years since we had a parish priest of our own. I love the dishes, but thought the floral was too "Spring" for an Autumn party.

I do like how the plates looked on the table. I did not want the table to look too "Halloween", so instead of a gold, orange or brown tablecloth, I choose green. And because I thought it was a little Christmas, I decided to use a second cloth, offset, as a runner. This is part of the collection of card tablecloths and napkin sets that I inherited from my mother. Someday I would like to have a party with a number of borrowed card tables and use them all!

These are some Homer Laughton's that I bought at a Volunteer's of America Store. Didn't work for two reasons. First, I bought four plates and needed five. And second, the plates have some chips underneath and I wasn't sure that I wanted to use them for actual guests. The chips do not show in a tablescape, but real people are special.

Another Homer Laughton. I found these at our local Goodwill. I wish I could find the pattern. I just love them - four dessert plates. But again, a little too pink for Autumn.

This single plate was purchased in a box lot at an auction. I just love it, but I don't think I was able to find a use for it on the table. I have used it for my own special "alone time" lunches.

I am pretty crazy about this single cup and saucer that I bought at the flea market, too. But I didn't want any unladylike fighting for the cutest cup, so I had to put it back on the shelf.

I settled on my wedding china. My family has always considered these our very special dishes. They were actually acquired through a local bank in the 1970's. At the time I announced my engagement, my Great-Aunt Betty's bank offered a free place setting (or maybe there was a nominal charge) for each $25 deposit. She and I managed to assemble twelve place settings, a dozen of every "special" piece and all the serving dishes. I had a shelf collapse sometime in the 1990's and have only six remaining tea cups, but the rest of the set is in perfect condition. I used my regular flatware and added my grandmother's wedding crystal. I recently inherited it from my mother and this is its premiere. I used some "salts" as tiny vases for the last of my mums and added a splash of color with the leaf napkins.

I made place cards with orange and black card stock. I stamped oak leaves on the right and wrote the names of my honored guests next to the leaf. No, that is not a bowl of mashed potatoes. It is a dish of maple butter with a sunflower serving knife. Don't the paper leaves look adorable? And you can almost see the etched pattern in the goblets.

Our centerpiece was a tiered tray with favor bags. I had come across a vendor at our flea market with costume jewelry pins. As I kept browsing through for the perfect pins, the price just kept getting lower. I ended up with TWO tea parties worth! I wasn't sure how to present the pins, but found black drawstring net bags at Walmart. I can't imagine a lot of uses for black favor bags, but this worked out perfectly.

We began with pumpkin scones (recipe from Tea Time Magazine). I mixed the dough the night before and popped them in the oven when the first guest arrived. They were so easy and very delicious, especially warm with the maple butter. I split the leftovers and popped them in the toaster to warm the next morning. My dear husband was quite taken with them, too.

Our second course was Cream of Carrot Soup. I wasn't sure how much work a squash soup would entail, so I used my Cream of Asparagus recipe, substituting an inexpensive, orange vegetable. It was absolutely delicious! I sauteed the carrot pieces and some chopped onions in a ridiculous amount of butter, then boiled in chicken broth until tender. I run them in small batches through my small food processor, than put back in the pan with some heavy cream. Stir in a tiny amount of nutmeg just for fun. I added a dollop of sour cream just before serving. The ladies were very impressed and have actually requested the soup at a later time.

The Tea Tray! On the top tier I served some simple open faced cucumber sandwiches. I cut white bread in small buttered rounds and added a thin slice of cucumber with just a sprinkle of salt. The bottom tier includes two sandwiches, a smoked turkey, Swiss cheese and cranberry spread on sour dough bread and raisin bread strips filled with a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar and shredded carrots on raisin bread. These were "to die for" and I was just searching for the recipe on Tea Time Magazines website. I think I could eat these sweet treats everyday.

The sandwiches didn't really fill the plate; we had to wait for the next savory to pop out of the oven.

Another Tea Time savory. I have made these stuffed carrots before. Importantly - very inexpensive. I cut the carrots in pieces and used the smaller, narrower parts for my soup. The larger pieces are boiled until tender in the chicken broth. After several attempts to hollow out the centers, I find that letting them cool slightly, then running a straw down the soft center, almost to the bottom, works best. The soft carrot stays in the straw and you can repeat for extra wide carrots. The simple stuffing is (gasp) stove top. Bake on a sheet per Tea-Time's directions. This can also be made the night before and baked in the morning.

We finished with a dessert plate with an individual pumpkin cheesecake and a "Harvest Cake", recipes courtesy of Tea Time Magazine. This was my first time using individual spring form pans. This is the most important part: USE PARCHMENT PAPER under your crust before baking. I had to pry the first three (number of pans I own) out of the pans. They were just as tasty, but not very pretty. No one could resist a small bite, but they packed them to take home. The Harvest Cakes were a challenge. If anyone has tried cake pops, you know what I mean. I would make them days ahead and freeze for at least 24 hours before trying to dip in the chocolate. Adding the chocolate (and I only did one layer) really enlarges the cake. I would try to make them smaller (even thimble-sized) next time.

My special guests were my youngest daughter, my daughter-in-law and my oldest and youngest sons girl friends. They agreed to be my "tea-party Guinea pigs". I served three different brewed teas and their favorite was Jasmine by Bigelow's Teas. I served a black tea, a green tea and an herbal tea with the courses.

After the tea party I made a resolve to host more tea parties, maybe even monthly! Unfortunately life has been getting in the way right now. Hopefully in the coming year I can open Miss Merry's Tea Room for family and friends in my dining room!

Thank you for visiting! I am going to try to link to everyone's parties over the weekend.

Please visit Trish for Tea at:http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/2012/01/fruit-frenzy-poppyseed-salad-for-tea.html?showComment=1325565234068#c3354157188024998468

And visit Sandy at the Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea TimeTuesday at: http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2012/01/tea-time-tuesday-happy-new-year.html

Susan is always the Hostess with the Mostest at Tablescape Thursday:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2012/01/elegant-new-years-eve-table-setting.html
P. S.
I am hoping someone can help me. I cannot see my "follower". It has turned into a blank square :(

And, when I visit your blog - the followers area is blank, too. I can't even click to become your follower! Has anyone else had this problem. If so, could you guide me through the solution? THANK YOU!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T11:47:00.002-05:00

Let's call this picture "The Calm Before the Storm". I took this picture on Christmas Eve, Eve. That would be December 23. I was able to figure out a time on Christmas Eve that all five of my adult children and three grandchildren and one out of two parents could all gather in one spot at one time. Unfortunately, in the chaos that follows the arrival of all the kids, wives, husbands, special ones, children and children-at heart, I misplaced my camera. On December 26 my husband located it beneath a plate of Christmas cookies.

I do have this picture taken by a family member that I will title "The Storm".

You can just feel the excitement. My grandchildren are still at the age where the paper and boxes are just as much fun as what is inside. I was just so grateful to be able to share my holiday with all my family. We no longer exchange gifts with everyone, but do a $25 gift card exchange with anyone who wants to participate. You wrap your card with a gag gift and then can steal and trade. I really think we could skip the gift card and have just as much fun. Luckily for me, my son-in-law stole my "The Situation" snuggie complete with abs, and I got a Christmas mug and socks in the trade.

Our favorite gift was a picture of our newest grandchild. My husband and I unwrapped a framed ultrasound and were totally surprised. I was suprised because it was unexpected. He was surprised because he didn't know what it was. This is noteworthy because we had at least two updated ultrasounds at month while my oldest daughter was expecting her twins. Next year we will welcome a new family member to the celebration!

We had a very eventful fall with a young family member becoming critically ill in less than 24 hours. We spend many days, even weeks, at the hospital, and many more hours in prayer. I wasn't able to even step foot in my home for almost four weeks. He is recovering faster than we all expected and we are so grateful for our special blessings. I was blessed to spend that time providing child care to the most adorable grandchildren ever and that made it such a special time for me.

I skipped the garlands and bows on all my windows, never got a chance to put up my Christmas village, and never baked a cookie. None of this detracted from the celebration what so ever. Christmas celebrations never seem to go the way I dream they should, but when my youngest son came over for another meal of leftovers (which will go down in my memory as the saltiest Christmas meal ever), he did not remember any of the small details I was disappointed in. So there. Get over it, Miss Merry - and onward to a Merry New Year for everyone in blogland!

Halloween Dinner 2011

2011-10-28T10:22:00.002-04:00

2011Directions for re-creating my Halloween Dinner Party with a limited time schedule:

I really enjoy crazy food ideas for Halloween, but especially this year, I seemed to be running behind. We didn't even get the Halloween decorations down from the attic until the 23rd. I usually do a haunted house with my youth group, but I have semi-retired from Sunday School (I hope I have retired, but I have trouble saying no . . .), so without that deadline, I think we just let time fly. I had sent out a family newsletter inviting everyone to come to dinner on the Thursday before Halloween, when our town traditionally holds trick or treat. Well, this year it has been moved to Halloween, Oct 31, the first time I can remember this happening, not withstanding years when Oct 31 falls on a Thursday. So we had a "pre" Halloween dinner.

So, the "make it work" schedule. Leave work at 5 on Wednesday, leave grocery stores at 6, start cooking at 6:30. First I mixed a packaged brownie mix and baked it on a large pizza pan. Subtract 10 minutes from suggested baking time and check with a toothpick (it should come out clean). Let it cool. On Thursday, after I arrived home at 5:20, I put a spoon full of store-bought frosting in a sandwich bag, cut a small hole in a bottom corner (mine was a little too small) and try to draw circle from the middle to the outside. Then draw the knife through the frosting, from the middle to the edge in pie wedges. If you use more frosting - this will look more like a spider web. You could even decorate with plastic spiders!

Now that I look at the photo - it really doesn't look like a spider web at all. Please check my archives for last October - I have a better example posted there!

Next I got to work on the chicken. I buy enormous marinated boneless chicken breasts at my butchers. This year I bought (are you ready?) 20 pounds. Yikes. Two Halloween dinner party and more for the freezer. You don't HAVE to cut them into hands :) - Any way. I usually cut them in half and eyeball where a thumb could be and then cut in the fingers. Stick them under the broiler until done. I save the extra trim pieces and freeze them for future casseroles. By the way you are looking at saved broth from Wednesday night. I was re-heating them at 5:30 on Thursday.

New this year: Mummy Meatloaf. One of the salesman where I work had brought me a magazine for yuppers (those are those from the U. P. in Michigan) last October and the issue showed a mummy meatloaf. I kept the memory and recreated. I actually formed the mummy on a cookie sheet, put a sheet of foil on top, flipped in on the foil and put the foil back on the cookie sheet to bake it. I was thinking it might give it some "air" to help lift it off the foil when I tried to remove it after baking. Whether it helped or not, I don't know - but it came right off the foil!

I re-heated it on Thursday with a little bit of the reserved broth, covered it with foil while warming.

When hot, I cut some strips for the cloth from slices of mozzarella cheese and stuck it in the oven for a minute or two. When I pulled it out, I saw it would really benefit from eyes. I think green olives would have been great and I will try to think ahead for next year. Or maybe pepperoni with olives? I am re-making this on the 31st for my grand kids; maybe it will turn out better.

I guess you can see my guacamole spider web on the right. My daughter shared a great guacamole recipe with me: 4 avocados and 4 hard boiled eggs (run through food processor). Throw in one medium onion, 4 teaspoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 3/4 cup mayo and salt and pepper. Process. Optional - red chili pepper to taste. I cut the whole bigger for the sour cream. This one looks more spider "webbie". My store is charging 1.89 for one avocado - so this dip was $8-$10, excluding chips . . . I made the dip on Wednesday night, made it into a spiderweb on Thursday 5:50 p.m.

5:35 Thursday, cracked open a package of crescent rolls, wrapped them around the hot dogs and stuck them in the oven. Before:

After:

Wednesday night (are you wondering what time I went to bed on Wednesday night, let me share that I really enjoy the reruns of the black and white Perry Mason episodes at 11:30 p.m.-12:30 p.m. on the MEtv Network). Anyway, Wednesday night I also made deviled eggs. I had planned to turn them into deviled eyeballs, but remembered at work the next morning that I really like the black olive spiders, too. So in between putting pans in and out of my oven (thank heaven for convection ovens) I made the spiders.

Only one guest came in costume - Meet Brutus the Banana! He is my grand dog.

And these are my treats for Halloween!

And here they are in disguise!

Flea Market Finds

2011-10-13T10:50:00.005-04:00

I used to spend every Saturday morning in the fall running up and down hills, across fields and panting to the finish line. No, I was not a distance runner. I was a Cross Country Mom! My oldest son started running on the Cross Country team in his seventh grade year. Next we added my youngest daughter and then finished with my youngest son. I believe we spend at almost eleven years getting up early to put the runner(s) on the bus by 7:00 a.m., dashing home for one more cup of coffee, heading to whatever golf course or park was hosting the invitational that Saturday, shelling out $10, $20, or $30 for commerative t-shirts (depending on how many I had on the team that year). For each division, we would position at the start, dashing to a hill top to see them go by and cheer, dashing across the field to see them go by and trying to dash one more time (if I could make it) and then heading to the finish to cheer them over the line, all while monitoring coffee intake - enough to keep warm, not enough to use the rustic or plastic facilities. And planning at which diner or country cafe the parents would stop on their way home to meet the bus. The first Saturday in September after my youngest had graduated, also the same week my husband changed his work week to Tues - Sat, I awoke wondering what to do with myself?

The Answer: FLEA MARKETS!

The photo above is the actual flea market I attend, about 30/45 minutes from my house. When gas was much cheaper, I was there almost every Saturday during the summer and fall. I am embarassed to admit that this was my first trip this year! And it almost didn't happen. My daughter had a week's worth of lesson plans to write and I had promised my Sunday School that I would get the halloween haunted house decorations from my attic; but when we woke up at 7:00 to 65 degrees and sunny skies, we couldn't resist jumping in the car and hitting the road.

This basket wasn't the first thing I bought, but it was the smartest. It has a super sturdy wooden bottom and handles and was priced at only $5.00! I spotted it under a table while I was already juggling some random dishes. I think I will take it with me everytime!

Yes, it is ANOTHER Hostess Set. I am obsessed with them. I finally have a plan. When I win the lottery and open my tea room, I plan to use them for a cup of soup and a half sandwich. I saw 10 plates with gold trim and six matching cups. The lot also incuded 3 mis-matched tea cups for $10.00. I decided to think it over. On our way out, I checked to see if it was still there. The price for everything had been reduced to $5.00 - so I snatched it up!

The mis-matched cups include two of the adorable flowered ones on the left and one ivy cup on the right.

Aren't these plates adorable? There was a set of four luncheon plates and four matching dessert plates.

Here is the back. I live near Cleveland so I assume they were unwanted family heirlooms. They were only asking $8.00 for all eight. I was juggling all of them when I found the basket.

Didn't they all just nestle so nicely in the basket?

Most of the blue canning jars were going for five to seven dollars without caps and ten dollars with the metal caps. I found a case of TWELVE for only $7.00 and some of them even had caps! I love to put them on my window sills and watch the light come through.

On Monday we went up to my daughter's house to visit with my grandchildren. I actually shot this picture through the dashboard window on my husband's truck while waiting at a gas station. I love the Autumn leaves!

I haven't done any more tablescapes yet. Instead of saying "someday", I have mailed out invitations to an Autumn Tea Party to my daughters and daughter-in-laws. Now I have to set a pretty table! I will sure to take plenty of pictures to share.

Thank you all for visiting and for your sweet comments. I try to visit everyone, but for some reason blogger does not always let me share . . . Last week I visited very single one of the Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch and I think I had fourteen tablescapes that Blogger would not allow me to place a comment. (so maybe 15%)? I am sure the problem is me and I will try to work on it. I do want you all to know how much I admire your creativity!

I will be joining all of you at Susan's http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/10/serving-up-creative-table-with-fabulous.html

Awesome, It's Autumn!

2011-09-25T16:13:00.001-04:00

Why haven't I been creating tablescapes? Well, it could be the State of the Table!

It is hard to get inspired when the piles are out of control! Fortunately my youngest daughter gifted me with four Vera Bradley placemats for my birthday. I had to show them off!

Yep, I actually got the table cleared off! And scrubbed the dust.

Aren't the placemats gorgeous!

Isn't the centerpiece wonderful? I won it at a silent auction at a neighboring church. The benefit was for a young mother with an hereditary disease with no cure. Her sister, who is in a nursing home, is only in her forties. The young mother needs surgery for vision issues and I know she would appreciate an extra prayer or two.

Let the fun begin; it time to play with dishes. I always start with my Pfaltzgraff. The red is totally not right.

And I was thinking (for some reason) that my grandmother's everyday blue Currier and Ives would look terrific. You may see glimpses of the tea cup. This was not a good idea.

The white plate with the gold border was actually a $1 each purchase at Wally World. I admit it. They are plastic.

The top plate is from a set I purchased last year online from Pfaltzgraff. I broke one in the set as I opened the box. I am still mad at myself about it. I love the wheat staff. And I wish I had ordered even more. They are perfect pie plates for Thanksgiving. And look pretty snazzy for my Autumn placesetting, too.

My grandmother and my mother collected sugar and creamers. I always reach for these yellow pottery ones first.

But then I saw this set behind the others on the shelf. I think they look terrific, don't you?

I found these little candle holder leaves at a Pfaltzgraff outlet store in PA; at their closing sale, boo hoo. I really miss the outlet stores. Buying online just isn't the same. I found a package of the paper leaf doilies at The Dollar Tree. I'm not sure if there are any left. I bought quite a few!

Cute little acorn adds another Autumn touch.

That's it on the table for now. Someone (?) better get to work on those piles she shifted. But, just in the spirit of the Vera Bradley placemats; what do you think is a good age for your first Vera Bradley purse? Well, after lots of gramma-thought, it turns out that 19 months is just perfect!

And the first thing she did with it? She put her toy cell phone inside! Let's go shopping, Gramma Mimi!

I am going to (Linky) party with Susan at Tablescape Thursdays at

Between Naps on the Porch
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/09/mount-home-of-edith-wharton-welcome-to.html

And vist with the Tablescaper for her Seasonal Sundays at

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/09/seasonal-sundays-67fall-fluffing.html

Fairie Garden Surprise

2011-08-05T16:42:00.001-04:00

Something I have started this summer (and let's just pick the hottest summer on record to start this) is walking almost every evening. Don't give me any credit for this. My youngest daughter usually stops over and cajoles me into joining her. She also brings my granddog, Mya, and I like to think that my daughter is walking both of us.

We have a few routes; a four mile route big valleys and hills (big to an out-of-shape woman of advanced middle years anyway), a two mile route down our tree lined Main Street to the local elementary school and back, and our six mile round trip down Main Street, past the school, through the downtown district to the outskirts on the other side of town and back (longer, but flatter).

It was on our Main Street walk in early Spring that I spotted this little bit of beauty in the tree lawn in front of one of the large, two storied, front-porched house on Main Street.

How adorable! A fairie garden right here in front of me. Something that every car going by is missing and only those who meander slowly and watch their feet can see :) I made sure to take my camera on our next walk. As we neared the house, I saw the fairie gardener herself taking pictures of the same spot!

I expressed my admiration for her little fairie garden and asked if I could take pictures myself! She was kind enough to allow me to do so. Ms. Fairie Gardner told me she was taking pictures for her blog and invited me to see her porch and backyard fairie gardens, too.

The ceramic pieces are all her own creation, from the little "huts" to the mushroom. She told me how she experimented with different shapes and sizes. Some have removable roofs.

The picture above has an adorable little metal wagon hiding on the right. The photo below has little houses she purchased at a dollar store and painted and "decorated" with small pebbles.

This photo is one of the gardens featured on her front porch. I love the little chair.

The garden on the opposite side has small cottages - I guess that is where the fairies were hiding.

This garden was located in a new area of her backyard. She had just had a small concrete patio poured and had a cover built over it. Her fairy gardens edge the new addition.

A little wheel barrow for fairie gardeners.

When I returned home, I realized that I had not asked her about her blog! It has been several months later and, finally, she was out "care taking" when I shuffled by last night. She actually has not had time to start blogging yet (that time factor that affects us all). She loves her little gardens and showed me many improvements (no camera with me). She has created a screening method for wood mulch to reduce it to "fairie size" and has mulched the little gardens which look just lovely. She is a working mom and creating the fairie gardens is what allows her to relax and forget about the rest of the world.

I just wanted to share a little bit of "How I spent my Summer Vacation". I really appreciate my daughter's motivation to try to make me exercise. I had been having problems with balance and pain and had really turned into a "sitter". I visited the doctor and I will not bore you with details of the 12 sessions of physical therapy, except to mention how humorous the therapist found it when I wore two VERY similar, but different tennis shoes to the session. It turns out that you really don't have to suffer with the pains of old age (sometimes they are just a muscle/tendon issue) and doing exercises prescribed by the physical therapist can actually help (when you actually do them!). We are leaving on a short vacation on Sunday. With my blogging schedule, you will probably see pictures in November.

Tomaters

2011-07-18T13:17:00.000-04:00

We used to have a garden. Our five children were small and we must have had a lot more energy. We planted outrageous amounts of seeds and plants. One year I think I planted two flats of tomato plants. Around the first of July it would just get too hot to hoe and the weeds would start to overtake the plants. It was like hide and go seek to find the cucumbers and beans and zucchini in the midst of all the green, yellow and brown leaves. But the red tomatoes just glowed! I could never convince the kids to let me wash them before eating them straight from the garden. I think they thought I would take them away from them!

This year I found a potted tomato plant on clearance in early June. I brought it home and placed by our front door (so that we would not forget to water it when we left for work each morning). We have now been rewarded with four small tomatoes and I decided to make a special treat with dinner last night.

Here are the tiny tomatoes waiting to see what happens next:

I began to slice them to start layering:

Do you like the sunlight on the counter? This was around 3:30 on a SUNNY Sunday afternoon. I am normally at work at this time. If I ever decide to become a "Lady of Leisure", I will have to invest in some blinds.

I started adding some slices of fresh mozzarella.

And it can only get better with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Gosh, this picture looks so good, I am ready to grab a fork!

Then, taking advantage of the sunlight - I let them rest on the counter and absorb some rays.

Meanwhile - I began to dice the remaining tomato pieces.

Then put them in a small canning jar:

I am copying from an idea from Susan Branch on her new blog at susanbranch.com. Unfortunately I did not have as many tomatoes as she had, nor all the fresh ingredients. Oh well, improvise!

A generous sprinkle of dried herbs and a heaping teaspoon of garlic.

Cover with Olive Oil.

And give it a little stir. Cover and let steep on the sunny window sill until dinner.

I swear I can hear the flavors from that jar calling out to me! Below is a picture of a similar salad from last year on a pretty green glass plate I got in a box lot at an auction.

Plan for the weekend: Find a Farmers Market!

A Pampering Tea Party

2011-05-18T23:27:00.001-04:00

What???? My last post was in February??? Where have I been???

Well, one place I have been is the Sweet Shalom Tea Room in Sylvania, Ohio! My oldest daughter introduced me to the Living Social coupon site and the very first time I visited, they offered a discount coupon for the tea room. I could not click fast enough!

I invited my youngest daughter to be my guest. Although I have been escorting (or "dragging") her to tea rooms since she was little, this was her first experience with "High Tea". The theme for the month of May was "Pampering Tea". Every dish was served with a pampering, soothing and comforting theme.

We were so excited that we were among the first to arrive for the 10:30 a.m. sitting.

Of course I HAD to wear one of my vintage hats.

We began with a pot of apricot tea; I just love my vintage cup.

Our first course was a "Comforting Cream Scone". Learning from my previous visit, we sampled just a corner of this huge scone with some butter and currant preserves. The remainder was placed in ziplocks and put into our cooler.

The second course featured Chicken and Dumpling Soup. It was just delicious! A brief introduction of the massage therapist who would be giving us hand massages through out the remainder of the meal proceeded the lovely tiered tray featuring the savory and sweet courses.

The bottom tier featured pimento and cheese sandwiches on homemade rye bread.

Next we enjoyed some especially creamy macaroni and cheese in adorable miniature glass bowls.

The bread and butter sandwiches had their crusts removed (of course!)

My daughter had never had a cucumber sandwich (bad mama, bad mama) and the openfaced cucumber rounds on white bread with cream cheese were fabulous!

The top tier featured a lemon bar and chocolate brownie with ganache.

Our dessert course was a generous serving of pineapple upside down cake with homemade whipped cream and a cherry.

Here is another view of the pineapple upside down cake on a different vintage plate.

It was so much fun to take two hours and be pampered by the wonderful tea room staff, as well as to spend some quiet time with my youngest daughter. She is very busy, a full-time college student who is also taking 15 credit hours this summer. She also works twenty hours a week at a local agency, and this past semester; student teaching every day! I think she deserved a break, too.

I will be linking with Susan's Tablescape Thursday at
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/05/outdoor-dining-welcome-to-143rd.html
and Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Both blogs feature amazing posts from amazing people. Please stop by and visit them!

Another Snow Day

2011-02-25T15:02:00.001-05:00

My blog postings are getting scarcer and more far between. Somedays it seems like I am spinning in circles trying to keep up with the world. Then, luckily, another Snow Day hits! The forecast was for up to two inches per HOUR starting at 5 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m. Well, we may not have gotten two inches per hour, but it is after 1 pm and it is still snowing. I guess it is not technically a snow day anymore since a back hoe just went down my street, clearing the way for the following snow plow - but I am not stepping outdoors! Here is the view from my bedroom window this morning to my neighbor Peggy's house which is just across the driveway:

And here is the view from my front porch. Keep in mind that the stray green flower pot in the lower right is eight inches tall:

Since I am home with an unscheduled day for myself, I am planning a special snow day lunch!

Atop my floral ottoman, I have used a simple white placemat with rick-rack trim. This placemat and matching napkin are part of a set of four that I found in a dresser drawer from my grandmothers. There are just a few placemat and napkin sets, but lots of card table sized linens, some decorated for card parties. There is also a lot of unhemmed linen and incomplete needle work projects that I might get to someday.

The milk glass snack set originally belonged to my mother. She had given it to me at some point. After remodeling my kitchen, I was having trouble finding it in the mess of packed boxes, all marked kitchen miscellanous. I stopped at my dad's one day and found it on top of a box in his garage. If you received a snack set as a bridal shower gift, you are as old as I am!

Here is a fresh from the oven "leftover" Crescent Chicken Bundle. I was planning to host a brunch meeting for my 4-H Board Members on Monday, since there was no school due to President's Day. Unfortunately we were coated in ice that day and we had to cancel. The bundles, which were ready to pop in the oven, went to the freezer instead. I will add the very easy recipe at the end.

The perfect accompaniment for the chicken is a tea cup full of shrimp bisque! So special and just for me!

Here is the muffin baking in preparation for the brunch that never was:

Don't be too impressed. I found some "Mayberry Mixes" in my grocery store for only $1.00 per bag. Add 1/2 cup milk, stir and bake! Voila! Blueberry, Cinnamin Toast, Peach Cobbler, and Chocolate Chips muffins! I baked them in nifty muffin tins that I found in the same Goodwill Box as my snack set. I believe they might have been my grandmothers, since I do not remember my mother ever using them. They are smaller than regular muffin tins, but larger than a mini muffin size. I am IN LOVE with them!

I invited my son and his girlfriend to lunch to help with the perishable goodies. Here we have egg salad tea sandwiches and turkey rollups. The lunch meat turkey is spread with a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream and some dried cranberries. Roll up, wrap tightly in saran wrap and chill over night. Cut in 2 inch sections and dip end in chopped parsley.

Here is a partially set table for the brunch buffet. Plans had included a delicious sausage quiche (which my co-workers enjoyed the next day), juice and hot cocoa. Under the foil is this Nantucket Cranberry Tart.

The tart was pretty popular at work, too. I had to make a second one for our make-up meeting. I was able to thaw and bake the crescents and added some pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw to turn it into a supper. We will pull the muffins from the freezer on Saturday so my Sunday School class can enjoy them this weekend. We did sample just a few.

Here is one of the reasons I have been missing in action. All three of my grandchildren had a birthday this month!

Ethan loves to pose in his Tow Truck Birthday shirt! He turned three and his mother arranged for a REAL tow truck to come to the house to help celebrate his third birthday with his friends.

Tyler had to share his birthday with his baby sister (by five hours), Miss Claire!

Tyler and Claire's extravagaza included at least 50 guests and even had "Kindermusic" to entertain the big brothers and sisters in attendance.

Recipe for Crescent Chicken Bundles:

Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until smooth. Add 4 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup finely diced celery and 1/2 cup sliced green onion. Open 3 (I used 4/5) tubes of refrigerator crescent rolls. You will get 4 rectangles from each tube by pressing the triangles together. Spoon 1/3 cup of filling in the middle of each rectangle. Bring edges up and pinch to seal. Melt 1/4 cup butter and brush on tops. Using either seasoned bread crumbs or I like to run some packaged stuffing mix through the food processor, sprinkle on top of bundles. Can be frozen on a greased cookie sheet at this point. When frozen - put in a zip lock freezer bag for future use. Bake thawed or fresh made bundles on a greased baking sheet for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown.

These make a great gift for a new mom. She can pop one or two in the oven for a quick and tasty lunch.

So happy to be linking to the other AMAZING tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch with our dear hostess, Susan. Please visit these special sites at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-create-beautiful-table-settings.html

The Big Snow

2011-02-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

I am down to only three days per week at work (bright side - more grandchildren time!). This worked out well at the beginning of this week. We have had all sorts of weather warnings. I did not have to make the decision as to whether I should try to travel or not. Here is what it looked like from my front door this morning:

I went out with my ruler and found a smooth spot with no drifts. We were at 6 1/2 inches. As I write this, my window is being pelted with icey rain. And tomorrow I am supposed to go back to work.

In the meantime, I would like to thank TCM for the showing of The Thin Man today!

I turned on the TV while I was making this delicious soup that was a gift from my son's girlfriend. It was so pretty, I hated to empty the jar!

I started by browning some ground beef:

Next I added 2 cans of diced tomatoes and the contents of the jar. I also threw in a bag of frozen corn.

Looks pretty good already - bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.

I just happen to have a basket full of hot chocolate mixes and teas, perfect for a snow day!

Now it is time to add the alphabet pasta that came with the jar:

Then cover and simmer again.

Do you like my pot? It was my gramma's.

MMMMMM - doesn't it look delicious? There is plenty left for tomorrow - hopefully another snow day!

Everyone - please drive carefully and be safe and warm!

Christmas

2010-12-29T15:51:00.003-05:00

Isn't this centerpiece lovely? It was a gift from my youngest son's girlfriend. Her aunt makes them to sell at craft shows. It is so Victorian and so "Christmasie"! It inspired me to wash the Christmas China and set the table! I have to confess though, our "real" Christmas Dinner was an all day buffet with over twenty guests who had to use foam plates. I would like to have a wonderful sit-down dinner with everyone, but I have not figured out the logistics of how to find enough room!

I started collecting my Phaltzgraff Christmas Heritage in the 1980's. I was at May Company after Christmas and it was 70% off! I bought a four placesetting set. After that I was shopping every December 26, visiting the outlet store, shopping from the catalog!

I have lots of pieces! Unfortunately they have discontinued the pattern, so now I can only search at garage sales, flea markets and ebay.

Don't you love the poinsetta napkin with the bedazzled ring? I found them at Kmart on December 27. Fifty percent off! I went back today and got more napkin rings.

The angels came from Kmart, too. I really don't neeeed anymore Christmas, but I could not resist!

The gingerbread men placemats were a Kmart purchase before the holidays. I wanted to do a gingerbread table, but never had the time. Don't worry - they were already on sale!

They used to offer a Christmas bell each year in the Christmas Heritage pattern. The tree is one of the bells. I had hoped to eventually have one for each placesetting.

Santa is another of my bells. I had four of them, but there was an incident inside the china cabinet and now I am down to three. :(

A closeup of the tree bell.

The snowman salt and pepper shakers came from Family Dollar. To your left is a basket filled with candies. The basket was brandnew in an unopened box at a flea market. It cost almost nothing!

Here is a placesetting with the third bell. Do you like the booster seat for my guests?

A closeup of my pattern. Don't you love the toy train under the tree? My husband has worked for the railroad for thirty one years, so it is the perfect pattern for us!

It is really a covered cheese plate, but I am using it as a cloche for extra poinsettas.

Candlelight - always improves the table! I finally remembered to add my Christmas goblets.

A better look at the placesetting with the goblet added.

Is anyone else a little nervous about the leaning candles?

My niece stopped by Ohio from Mississippi and said she would love to dine at this table. I told her it was just for fancy today.

I think I finally have a nice shot of the goblet. They are really very pretty and were a gift long ago from my sister-in-law.

The long shot.

Here is a photo of my table with my antique stroller with my mother and my dolls watching the candles flicker. Behind them is my Christmas Village.

A special table for my grandson. He love his own candle that really flickered. He said "It's cold, gramma meme!"

Here are some photos of my Christmas Window Decorations, my village and my tree. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!

Linking with all the lovely tablescapes at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tablescape-and-candlelit-tree.html

And with Seasonal Sundays at
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-year.html

Graham Cracker House Tutorial

2010-12-08T12:47:00.003-05:00

You know, if I ever thought it would last this long, I would have written it on my calendar the first year I tried this project. It was many years ago. I am thinking less than 26 years, but more than 22 years ago. That is when I began making graham cracker houses for children to decorate.

With five children in seven years, the only way I could keep up with housework, laundry, cleaning, Sunday School and crafts was by not sleeping on Thursday night. I would put the kids to bed, start a marathon laundry and cleaning session and, around 1 a.m. or so, start crafting. I began teaching our 1st grade Sunday School class in 1985 (and continued until 2004 when I was bumped up, without my knowledge or consent to 7th & 8th graders) and was also my oldest daughter's brownie leader. I would assemble a village for the girl scouts and make a dozen or so extra for my children and my sunday school class.

Step One: separate graham crackers into squares.
Spread frosting on one edge

When the American Girl Dolls debuted, I was employed a library assistant at our local library and had to include the houses in our Samantha Christmas tea. I think that year I made 25-30 houses per session. I can't remember if there were two or four sessions . . . I would hate to imagine how many houses I have built over the years. If I could magically add them together and wrinkle my nose to make them lifesize, there would be no homeless. (Wouldn't that be magical and wonderful?)

Step Two: spread frosting on opposite edge

Step Three: Attach an unfrosted cracker for a side wall
Step Four: repeat on other side for the opposite side all.
Step Five: add a cracker buttered as in Step Three as your fourth wall.

Step Six - butter two edges for your "attic floor"
Crackers are not perfectly square, you will see how this fits on top!

Many years ago, but less than 22 years, we began a service project called "Make It , Bake It, Take It" for the youth of our church. On the first Sunday of December, those in grades 1 and up gather to make a craft and bake cookies and take them to the seniors in our parish. I make my houses so the kids have something to decorate and take home to enjoy.

Step Seven: Butter the "open" sides of your attic floor

I have learned, over the years, the do's and don't's of graham cracker construction. I began mixing my frosting with raw egg whites, changed to meringue powder when I found that was unhealthy, changed back when I found my recipe more sturdy. Don't worry, I have educated the children in the hazards of raw eggs. They all know it is egg cement and cannot be eaten! As a matter of fact, I overheard one of the children this year explaining to his mother that we can't eat the frosting because it has "rotten eggs" in it. I did not correct him!

Step Eight: Butter only one side of roof section one

We used to decorate with candy but there were many roof or total collapses due to the weight of the decorations. I could not convince the kids that "less is more", so I had to put on my thinking cap. I added stick pretzels to create log cabins and even spent hours cutting gum drops into smaller pieces to try to get it right.

Step Nine: Insert "unbuttered" side of roof section into the frosted groove.
Insert a plain graham cracker in the opposite groove and lean into the buttered top!

A light bulb dawned one year when I spotted the mini colored marshmellows in the store! Unfortunately, Aldi's doesn't carry the colored ones and, since I finance this project on my own, I had to come up with an even better plan.

Hint: Assemble to the point of the attic floor, let dry before adding the roof sections.

This year's event had over 45 participants, plus adults. What a wonderful day of friendship, fellowship, food and fun. I made almost 50 houses for the kids to decorate. For this year, I decided to use cereal. Why didn't I think of this before? Brightly colored, light weight and inexpensive!

Hint: Butter one section with frosting at a time.
Decorate and move on to another section

The kids always enjoy decorating the houses year after year. I hear some families "shellac" them and keep them as a Christmas Village!

My "Rotten Egg Frosting" Recipe (for decorating use only, not edible)
1 bag of powdered sugar
3-5 egg whites
Mix with an electric mixer
If it is too thick, add water by the tablespoon and remix.

It is a lot of work and a lot of time management, buying the materials, building the houses, setting up for the kids, frantically calling my dear husband to drop off what I accidentally left behind; but the kids really enjoy the "home building" and that makes it worth the effort!

A tablescape? Well, I am going to have to go with this photo. With an entire housing development under construction on the tabletop, this is the only scape that appeared!

Linking with that most gracious hostess who features such elegant and inspiring table (!) Susan at Between Naps on the Porch: http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tablescape-with-italian.html

American Colonial Thanksgiving Tea with Kathy

2010-11-22T16:11:00.002-05:00

Wow, somehow it has been WEEKS since I was able to sit down and blog. At the end of this post I will share a photo or two or three and let you know what I have been up to! Meanwhile - a special hello and thank you to all my new followers. What a wonderful world of friendship blogging has brought to me.

When my daughter got married, I wondered how this whole inlaw/outlaw thing would work out. Everyone hears horror stories from friends and co-workers, as well as heartwarming tales of togetherness. I have a very small family circle and was hopefully optimistic to add another branch. How lucky we were to become a family with my oldest daughter's inlaws! Not only do we share a wonderful daughter and son, but they have blessed us with three grandchildren (all under the age of 3) to spoil and love!

Kathy, her mother-in-law who is a lovely lady, was fortunate to retire from her long time job on November 13, 2010. To celebrate, my daughter, myself and her other daughter-in-law honored her at an American Colonial Thanksgiving Tea Party at the Sweet Shalom Tea Room in Sylvania, Ohio. None of us had ever visited the Sweet Shalom, but that will not be the case in the future.

Sweet Shalom is located in a 140 farm house that was moved to its present location and is being gracefully restored by owners Sara Velasquez and Chris Kruse. The business is a family enterprise with husbands, sons, daughters and daughter-in-laws and even Grandma Kruse!

The American Colonial Thanksgiving Tea began with scones of Oat, Raisin and Spice put forth with Double Cream and Quice Butter. I forgot to write down the names of the teas, but our first choice was a pot of a cinnamon spice tea which was delicious. I can't believe I did not take pictures of the teapot. Next time!

Our second course was a dish of Hot Butternut Squash Soup served in lovely vintage soup bowls. Since they were filled with the delicious soup garnished with cream, I could not flip them to see the trademark. I will share both my and Kathy's bowls so you can appreciate the mismatched china, too! I wish I had taken a picture of the upturned noses on the younger ladies across the table from us; and then their smiles and "ummm" when they tried it. I am also disappointed I did not take pictures of the vintage silver. My soup spoon was especially outstanding.

Waiting for our third course, our lovely hostess shared a reading about the original Colonial Thanksgiving and included recipes, spellings and pronounciation and even examples of the heirloom fruits used in the creation of our dishes. I wanted to let you know that "Cranberry" began as "Craneberry", so that you don't think I can't spell!

I believe we started our next pot of Autumn Cranberry Tea about this time.

Next our table received a three tier tea tray of delights! The bottom tier featured a Pretty Dish of Spoon Bread put forth with Fried Apples and Quince, Tea Sandwiches of Roast Turkey and Craneberry and Brown Bread with Cheeses.

Here the savory course is showcased on a Homer Laughlin Plate.

The second tier included Baked Beans with Sweet Sauce and Colonial Maple Pumpkin Pye.

The top tier featured Tea Cakes of Blueberry and Sour Cream.

Our meal finished with Candied Craneberry Tart. We chose a white tea with grapefruit that was our favorite of the day. Next time (and there has to be a next time) I will be sure to take better notes. And next time we are making choices and bringing tupperware, too.

I am heartbroken I did not have someone take a group picture of our table. The two ladies at the table next to use were also taking pictures of EVERYTHING and we could have traded cameras for a table shot! But I will share a picture of our guest of honor, Kathy, who received matching cards from both daughter-in-laws. Great Minds Think (shop?) alike!

Well, here are some teasers of my past few weeks. I am hoping to do a post on each and every one - and catch up to the holidays! We celebrated Thanksgiving the Sunday before at my house, so Christmas here we come.

Our all time favorite Chicken Breast Hands at the 2010 Halloween Dinner Party:

Followed by the Annual Youth Group Haunted House: The Curse of the Sea Pirate Ship

And a youth group retreat at our church (we also did a dinner for 100 senior citizens a week later, but I was too busy to take a picture)

And a trip with friends to East Lansing, Michigan (there is a story with this one!)

And more!

I am going to link to: Tea Party Tuesday with Lady Katherine at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
and Wanda Lee and Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday at http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/
and Between Naps on the Porch Tabletop Thursday
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/11/tablescape-of-thanksgiving-welcome-to.html

Halloween Dinner Party

2010-10-17T19:24:00.008-04:00

I am getting a little overwhelmed right now with my work, personal, church, and friend committments and relationships. That is also making me crazy trying to schedule in some family time! Add trying to blog into that muddled mess and you might understand why I missed blogging last week.

I did choose my winners in my giveaway. Since I was a day late AND since I had SO many kind comments, I decided to give away TWO sets of the Susan Branch Calendars! I scientifically wrote down every name on my follower list and put them in a tupperware bowl and had my husband chose a name, while he muttered "what" and "why". Then we repeated the process for everyone who posted a comment. Our winners are Rainey from The Project Table and Teri from At Home with Teri. Congratulations Ladies!

I am posted pictures from my Halloween party in 2008. We had to skip 2009 since I was missing a kitchen; walls and all.

We still have trick or treat in my neighborhood on the Thursday evening before Halloween. You can't conflict with high school football or weekend sports/church activities in my town!

I don't get home from work until about 20 minutes before the race for candy is on - so I need quick and easy dishes that can be ready for serving before the doorbell rings. You might notice the large bowls of chips that I served with two spider web dips. One glass pie pan has a bottom layer with sour cream mixed with taco dip, topped with a circle of salsa. Put about 1 tablespoon of sour cream in a sandwich zip lock bag, clip one bottom corner and trace separate circles on the salsa circle, small in the middle and gradually getting larger and larger. Start in the middle and draw lines outward to the edge with a knife. This will form your spider web! The second pie plate is cream cheese topped with guacamole and a sour cream spider web.

I invite my twentysomething kids to dinner and play with my food!

Here are my spider deviled eggs. I used to make deviled egg eyeballs by slicing green or black olives into a circle and drawing red catsup bloodstains on the yolk. I saw the spider eggs in a magazine. It takes a little more time, but is soooo cute! Just slice the whole black olive in half. Use one half for the body and slice the other half into the legs.

Here are some "traditional" mummy dogs. Just wrap hotdogs in refrigerated crescent rolls, bake according to directions, and add mustard eyes. I try to convince myself that the sloppier, the scarier. Sometimes the rolls work great and sometimes they shrink up. . . .

Chicken Fingers! Our local butcher shop sells marinated whole, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. One half is the size of your hand! I take one half, trim it into a hand with four fingers and a thumb (save trimmed pieces for chicken casserole) and bake. They will shrivel up just wonderfully!

Our pizza owl began with an English muffin half. Butter with pizza sauce, add a slice of mozzarella cheese, top with two pepporoni eyes and black olive eyeballs. Make until melted. Actually, after studying the picture, I think they were supposed to be mummies and I cut the cheese in strips. I think making owls would be wayyyy easier than splicing those strips. And I think they look more like owls than mummies.

Our dessert repeats our spider web theme. I used a boxed brownie mix, baked in a foil pizza pan. Watch cooking time, it will cook a little faster than a 9x13. Use white frosting in the zip lock decorating bag to make the separate circle and draw the knife from the center to the edges to make the web.

Now that we are all adults here, we can enjoy something a little stronger than cider. I served a recipe called "Witches Blood" or "Dracula's Blood" (I really should write these things down.) It was a sweet acoholic punch with fruit juices mixed with something stronger. Strawberry margarita would work just as well! I wet the edges of the glasses before work and dipped them in a saucer of red sugar. By the time we used the glasses, the sugar was as hard a cement. I would recommend doing this just prior to serving! Don't worry, Dad served as our designated driver.

Did you see the bat placemat? I got the pattern from a magazine called Country Handicrafts in the late 1980's. With five children under 11, I managed to cut out all eight, quilt and finish them, and add the spooky eyes by Halloween. Every year when I get them out, I marvel at myself! A completed project. Yoohoo! I have many more pending projects, including some adorable paper counted cross stitch book marks from Mary Engelbreit's magazine the last year it was published. I am Queen of the UFOS (UnFinished Objects).

Well, a ghost from the past dinner. I am planning another dinner this year, so hopefully I will have time to take pictures and share them with you!

I am joining the fun at Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at: http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/10/beautiful-fall-tablescape-and-give-way

Be sure to visit and see all the gorgeous tablescapes!

And Foodie Friday at: http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2010/10/when-you-dont-have-time-to-make-dessert.html

Enjoy the goodies!

Spiders and Susan Branch Giveaway

2010-10-04T20:12:00.004-04:00

It certainly is the month of October at my house! The chill of fall is here and I am shivering and drinking hot tea while I write. I happened upon some items created by one of my favorite people and thought, why not share with fellow bloggers? It's my first giveaway. To enter, please scan (or even read through) my post and leave a comment at the end. Anyone who is a new or old follower will get a second entry. I am going away on Wednesday night, right after I post this tablescape, and I will draw the winner next Tuesday, October 12 around 5:30 p.m. EST. What is the prize? Two 2011 Calendars by my favorite artist and author, Susan Branch! If you have never met Susan, please visit her website at http://www.susanbranch.com/. This is my own giveaway; I am not affliated with Susan Branch in any way, except as a FAN! The calendars are the large 12" (opens to 12 x 24) and the smaller 7" (opens to 7 x 14), each with their own unique, handpainted pages designed by Susan!

I do want to apologize in advance if I am not able to visit everyone's tables this week. Since I will be out of town, I will not have access to my computer.

Now, to my tablescape. I still don't have ALL my Halloween decorations out of the attic, so this weeks table is mostly stuff I have hidden in the nooks and crannies of my hutch and china cabinet.

That shiny black table cloth is actually a large heavy duty trash bag. I thought it looked to be the size of the table - and it was! I covered it with some cottom spider web. If you want to try this - use about 1/4 or less of the standard spider web package. It is pretty tricky to stretch it out with out tree branches to anchor it!

I purchased the four black dinner plates I am using as chargers at the Dollar Tree for $1 each. I also purchased the pair of candlesticks, the glitter spiders, the skull and spider appetizers and the rocks, for a total purchase price of $10.00 spent. The spider web plates in the center were purchased several years ago and I can't remember where I got them.

I believe that I bought the candle stick holders and the test tube goblets at Hallmark when they were on the 80 percent off table. The tiered tray was an Ebay buy a few years ago (I added the crow) and the ghost candy basket with worm garnish was a Big Lots find many years ago. The adorable little man with a hat is a Pfaltzgraff outlet store find - a tiny repro of an old cookie jar. I bought it for next to nothing at their going out of business sale. I am so sad there are no more Pfaltzgraff outlets!

I thought it would be fun to try a black and white table for my first Halloween table. Stay tuned for a new Halloween Table next week!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday with Susan and all those other creative tablescape artists at
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/10/welcome-to-111th-tablescape-thursday.html
And with Wendy for Spooky Monday at http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities/2010/10/spooky-monday.html

And Eighteen25's First Halloween Linky Party at
http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-first-ever-linky-party.html
And Centerpiece Wednesday with The Style Sisters at
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2010/10/welcome-to-centerpiece-wednesday.html

Autumn Leaves Table

2010-09-29T19:45:00.006-04:00

Here is a picture of my placesetting from last week.

We now have the son and daughter-in-law rehearsed, decorated, wedded and celebrated and they are sunning themselves in the Dominican Republic! And in the middle of all that - I actually set an ENTIRE Autumn Table!

We will start with the table. Bill featured a "rustic" table last week. Mine is VERY rustic. I am not sure about it's absolute beginnings, but I know it spent at least fifty years residing in the breakfast nook adjoining my gramma's kitchen. It is a maple table, built in the style of a picnic table and does have two matching benches. It sits four comfortably and was such a perfect fit in the nook, I would not be surprised to find it was made for that spot! The top is one solid piece of maple, or at least it was until about fifteen years ago when it traveled to my house. It now has a split that keeps growing, but I love every inch of it! I bought the placemats several years ago, I think at Big Lots.

My dishes are my Pfaltzgraff. Since I have no time or inclination to cook this week, and because we are still feasting on leftover beef and chicken, I have filled the plates with teeny tiny miniature gourds and pumpkins that helped decorate tables at my older daughter's wedding five years ago. I placed a few silk leaves between the layers of the plates and sprinkled the rest on the table.

The metal napkin holder with leaves was purchased several years ago on the clearance rack at our local Hallmark store.

The sunny yellow pottery creamer and sugar bowl were my grandmothers. I borrowed the chair from my Raggedy Ann dolls and the scarecrow was a bingo door prize from Thanksgiving. The only way I can get my family to play games is if I award prizes.

The candle is apple scented and I wish you could catch a whiff!

I think I might have gone a little crazy here. I am not sure if I have a creative tablescape or whether it resembles a leaf pile where children have been jumping.

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Please visit at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ I can't wait to see all the Autumn tables! And I can't wait to start decorating for Halloween!

And with Colorado Lady at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2010/09/vintage-thingie-thursday-vintage_29.html for Vintage Thingie Thursday.

Pumpkin Wedding

2010-09-26T20:24:00.001-04:00

Here is the picture from my dining room I featured in my last post. I was doing about ten projects at once (as usual). One project was the pumpkins I was lettering as a decoration at the reception. This is prior to decorating for my son's wedding reception.

And here is the transformation of the pumpkins at the reception!

As you might be able to guess, the reception was held in the Catholic Elementary School adjoing the church. There were over 300 in attendance - dancing the night away and wishing the couple well!

Here is a shot as we started decorating the hall:

And right before guests arrive:

The Centerpieces

I am so happy to welcome my new daughter-in-law to the family! I will be linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch who hosts Metamorphosis Monday! Be sure to stop by and visit all the participants for some great decorating and renewal ideas for fall.
Bhttp://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-89th-metamorphosis-monday.html

Autumn Birthday

2010-09-22T20:03:00.005-04:00

My husband and I celebrated our thirty fourth wedding anniversary at the beginning of the month. You can't be married that long without learning to respect one another's strength and weaknesses. He is calm and quiet, I am loud and crazy. He is methodical, I like to dive right in. He READS THE INSTRUCTIONS before starting a project. I assume I can figure it out from the pictures. He DOES NOT SHOP. So to help him out,I ordered some clearance Pfaltzgraff dishes for my birthday! I am sad I cannot go to the outlet store (they chose to close them, sniff, sniff). I had planned to unpack them before Mr. Merry caught sight of the quantity of boxes. Unfortunately he is home this week, working on preparations for our son's wedding. That silly UPS man dropped them off to him.

As you can see - my dining room looks more like a roadside trash pile. The boxes are full of my new dishes, dishes I just found at Volunteers of America, unopened mail, pumpkins I painted to spell out the wedding couple's names for an autumn display outside the hall, the picture frames on the floor are the wrong size and need returned, who knows what the rest of it is. . .

I looked for a clear spot (clearly not finding one in the dining room) and decided to set the table for one - on my countertop!

My centerpiece is a birthday gift from my co-worker and friend, Sam. She introduced me to blogs and inspires me to keep going! Thanks again, Sam.

I bought these placemats years ago and will hopefully showcase them on a fall TABLE once we get through the weekend.

For my charger, I am using a ruby red plate with a raised border. The very, very last time I visited the Pfaltzgraff outlet, they had piles of these plates. I bought quite a few to supplement my Pfaltzgraff Christmas Hertitage dishses, which were discontinued. As we keep adding family members to the Christmas table, I was wishing I had picked up many more. I was delighted to find them on the clearance site. The pattern name is Ruby.

I also ordered a set of four dinner plates and four salad plates in the green. I would have ordered more, but I am concerned about how I am going to store the ones I do have! The pattern name is Emerald, but I think the color is much richer than that.

Our top plate is a lovely golden Pfaltzgraff bread plate. When I saw these, I thought they would be perfect for a slice of pie at Thanksgiving. The pattern name is Plymouth and they came in a set of three. I ordered three sets, since most of my table is too full for pie. I unfortunately broke one plate when I dropped it while taking it out of the box. I am almost in tears. But I guess it is an excuse to order another set.

Don't you just love the wheat staff border?

I added a candle in a glass holder shaped like a jack'o lantern. I know that is rushing the season - but I love fall and I love Halloween. I can't wait to decorate my fall table and begin planning my Halloween table, too!

Here is a photo of the most delicious cheesey potatoes I have ever made.

Recipe:

About 8 large potatoes, peeled, cubed and parboiled
8 oz sour cream
1 cup diced celery
3/4 cup diced onion (we do like onion)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix together and place in a very well buttered bowl. Sprinkle generously with seasoned bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

I will confess that measurements are not exact. One of my many projects I am currently assigned (by my own self) is to use up what is in my freezers. I save diced celery and onion in little ziplock bags. I save bread crumbs, I save cheese. I am working my way through these little packets. I may have used even more sour cream - it was VERY creamy!

I am linking with Susan who hosts the Greatest Tablescape Review On Earth- Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-109th-tablescape-thursday.html

And with Michael who hosts the delicious Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2010/09/pineapple-upside-down-cake.html

Please visit both sites and enjoy the lovely tables and delectable foods!

God Bless American, Land That I Love

2010-09-14T23:54:00.001-04:00

We are on Day Ten of the Wedding Day Countdown for my middle son and his lovely fiance. Every night after work the lovely couple arrives with their clipboard and check list. The preparations are leaving little time for tablescaping (even if I could just find the table), so I thought I would share a tablescape and menu I created before I had ever heard of blogs and tablescapes. We are going back in time to January 17, 2009. I hesitated about this post, I don't want to get all political on you, but then I realized that the beauty of being a citizen of the United States of American is that I have the freedom to vote in an election for the candidate of my choice and that, along with that choice, I have to respect the majority when they disagree with me, even if they are my family members. (or especially if they are my family members?) Anyway. In a web search - looking for the recipes and ideas that inspired my party - I found this posting from http://www.diva-girl-parties-and-stuff.com/presidential-inauguration.html which kinda summed up my thoughts "The United States of America has just expanded the dreams of every child, every race, and every gender. Let's CELEBRATE everything this means. We don't have to agree on every principle, but we CAN recognize when boundaries have been broken and new heights have been acheived in our world."

I remember googling some great recipes, but the idea had come to me so late, that I decided to stick with the tried and true unhealthy snack food that my family loves. The photo above is my own creation - An All American Taco Salad Flag. I like to think of taco salad as a vegetable.

I found these cupcake toppers on a website, printed them on cardstock and taped them to toothpicks. Not only were they delicious, but my co-workers found the leftovers very humorous the next day. I found that chocolate was the key to bringing the different political parties together.

I believe that the one of the crockpots held barbeque chicken and the other meatballs. Add some chips and it is a party!

My son, an ardent Republican provided the poster of the president. He found it at Big Lots and it is still wearing it's price tag. I believe it was his olive branch. Or he was being funny. I am going with the olive branch.

I did find this recipe for the Ciroc Obama on the internet and it was the hit of the party. All my children are over 21 and we had Mr. Merry as our designated driver. Actually, we really aren't drinkers. Each lady had one drink and I still have the almost full bottles in my liquor cabinet. It did make us feel very decadent. Please notice the pink lemonade. That is what makes it a girl's drink.

We didn't actually watch the inauguration. If you remember back, it was an American Idol night. You can always watch news over and over and over on CNN and I was sure we would get all the highlights. But you can't visit over the watercooler if you aren't up on your Idol!

I will be linking on Tablescape Thursday with everyone's favorite, the hostess with the most - ess, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch. Please visit everyone!
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-108th-tablescape-thursday.html

I also wanted to ask if anyone could explain Blog Frog to me? Is this something I signed up for? How does it work? I am clueless about this.

Thanks for visiting - I love seeing all the lovely tablescapes, china, dishes, crystal, flatware, flowers, linens and goodies you share each week! And I love your comments. See you later!

Nursery for the Twins

2010-09-10T21:20:00.006-04:00

My daughter and son-in-law blessed us with twins in February. When she went on bed rest in December, I promised to make drapes for the nursery. Pattern choices, fabric selection, measuring, cutting - somehow it all seemed to take longer than I thought it would. I stayed at her house in another city for the seventh and eighth months of her pregnancy, to help take care of her, my 20 month old grandson and my son-in-law. I decided I couldn't be trusted to have my sewing supplies around the big brother. Here is a picture of my daughter standing upright - her treat once a week when we traveled for her doctor's visit.

Here is a plain room - with a big window in need of drapes!

Traveling home 60 miles on Saturday morning and turning around and heading back on Sunday night (thank goodness for NPR) left little time on weekends for the sewing project. I finished the valance on separate Saturdays, only to find that I had somehow machine hemmed the two sections in different lengths!

The babies were born a month early, on February 12, and, lets face it - who wants to sew when they can rock a baby? (or two!)

My daughter chose pink and blue for the nursery - of course! It turned out to be more tricky to decorate than you would think. There is plenty of blue and plenty of pink - but not alot of pink AND blue out there. I found this drapery fabric at JoAnn's. It came in brown and blue polka dots and stripes and brown and pink polka dots and stripes. I convinced her that I could piece all four fabrics together and come up with SOMETHING. We decided to line the drapes with black out backing for naptime.

I had to ground myself one weekend and could not leave the house until these curtains were finished. I started my marathon in time with the Law and Order marathon all day Saturday and (re) finished the valances by my second cup of coffee and cut out the drapes, lining and tabs by lunch. I pieced the sections, stitched the panels and attached the lining by dinner. I pinned the tabs and finished attaching them before bedtime. After church the next morning, I grabbed up some of the remnants and whipped up the matching pillow!

Here are some pictures of the finished nursery. Her sister-in-law helped apply the stick on dots found at Buy Buy Baby. I found the letters at Pat Catans and painted them with arylics. The giant bears were gifts from a bachelor uncle. Once mom was on her feet, she went shopping for accessories at Hobby Lobby.

Isn't this just the cutest room ever?

Thank goodness there is a walk in closet. The grammas have been very busy shopping!

The finished room! Fit for a Prince and a Princess!

And sew on . . . .because once the machine is set up, I can't stop myself, made a valance for my kitchen window out of spectacular Susan Branch fabric! The fabric is a red and pink gingham with tiny flowers in the white squares. The flowers look like tulips with hearts as blossoms.

I am linking with Ann Marie at White House Black Shutters-Help Me Wednesdays. http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/2010/09/help-me-wednesday-shared-toddler-room.html

And with Metamorphosis Monday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch! Visit everyone at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-87th-metamorphosis-monday.html

Whine and Cheese

2010-09-08T21:20:00.003-04:00

I recently posed a question to my facebook friends. What should I be when I grow up – a Lady Who Lunches or a Housewife? (I clearly omitted my interim job of the past 26 years). The suggested choice, overwhelmingly, was

Lady Who Lunches.

This is a dilemma I face every Thursday. How can I be a Lady Who Lunches at a beautiful table when I do not have a Housewife to prepare my home? By the time I have cleared a week’s worth of clutter (and this week was a memorable stack) from the dining room table, dusted the cobwebs from the ceiling down, washed the windows or rearranged the curtains, hung up the coats on the backs of chairs and surveyed the room from various angles to see if I can even get a photo with a clear background – I have run out of time to set the table!

I was sitting at work, envisioning a tablescape them to go with this essay – aprons, a restaurant meal, a briefcase? What goes with a whine? Voila! (or as a former co-worker used to say “viola”) Anyway – Whine and Cheese!

Here is one of a set of four plates I recently picked up at Goodwill.
The back says "Johnson Bros, England".

Here is the front with some smoked cheese, cubed at the grocery store, and rosemary and garlic boxed crackers I bought on the way home from work. I forgot to take a picture SANS cheese and crackers, but if you can see enough of the pattern to identify it, please let me know! I spent an afternoon after the purchase looking at patterns on the internet and couldn't figure it out. Perhaps another example about how and why the clutter accumulates.

I am using Moscato wine – a favorite with the Olive Garden devotees that are my daughters and daughter-in-law.

Here is my Whine and Cheese Tablescape

I especially like this candlelight shot with the Little Tikes Coupe in the background!

Thank you to Susan who always inspires me with her own lovely tablescapes as well as all the other lovely tablescapes she features on Tablescape Thursday. Please visit and see all the wonderful postings!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-107th-tablescape-thursday.html

County Fair Tablescapes

2010-08-28T16:38:00.003-04:00

As in my previous post - I am sharing pictures from our county fair. Our Food and Nutrition Project members are judged about three weeks prior to the fair. The reasons for judging the projects prior to the fair are that, first, our state fair has begun and ended before our county fair. Selecting the project winners at the prejudging enables them to compete in the project at the state fair. Having our food project judging in an air conditioned church hall allows the food to be served in a safe and sanitary manner. Food safety is a big part of the food project curriculum and members transport their food in food safe containers like a thermos or cooler; and even take the temperature of the food to show the judges that their food is safe to consume.

A second part of our judging day is our tablesetting competition. Members have always had to present their food serving on a placesetting appropriate for the meal that the food is part of. The correct way to set a table is another important learning experience. A few years ago, the top tablesetting awards were created in honor of one of our superintendents who is looking down on us from the heavens. (Hi Dianne!)

To showcase the members at the fair, my FCS committee creates a booth displaying photographs of all the members posing with their food and placesetting on judging day. The top four placesettings are invited to recreate them at the fair.

Our first tablesetting features a patriotic theme. The chef/designers include a copy of their menu including the food they had prepared for judging. The baskets in the background are booth decorations and are not part of the placesetting.

This adorable placesetting features a butterfly theme. Don't you love the ruffled look of the placemat?

I am guessing that since this inspirational beach themed placesetting has no silverware, our 4-H member is ready for the snack portion of the menu. I believe that the food prepared from the book would be from one of our beginner projects, Snack Attack.

The night that our 4-H food and nutrition placings are announced, a silver tray is also awarded for Most Creative Tablesetting! This red, white and blue themed placesetting was our winner. Unfortunately my photography skills do not due justice to the lovely setting. At judging, her centerpiece was a handmade bouquet of red, white and blue cut fruit. This was not brought to the fair to sit in a very hot building for seven days. As the person who sat in that building for seven hot days, I was very grateful!

This was our first year for a new cake decorating contest. I thought I would share the entries, made on styrofoam bases by members aged 11-15.

Great cakes for our first year!

I will be linking with Tablescape Thursday with the fabulous Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Even though I have not shared a tablescape for quite a while - I have been peeking at all of yours! What great and creative tablescapers you are. Unfortunately I can't leave comments from my computer at work. My September schedule includes my son's wedding. Hopefully after we get through the wedding, I can get back to the blog world! Thanks for visiting.

How I spent My Summer Vacation by Miss Merry

2010-08-28T15:29:00.008-04:00

Where have I been? Well, as much as I enjoy blogging, my summer is very busy with preparations for our county fair. This has been my sixteenth summer as a 4-H club advisor. This year I started with 31 members and our projects ranged from quilting to cooking and sewing to photography, woodworking, and even rockets. Members cared for rabbits, lambs, hogs, chickens and feeder calves. I am also a superintendant for our Junior Fair FCS building (formerly known as Home Ec to those of us who remember the olden days). Our County FCS agent retired in January and, due to budget cuts, was not replaced. The 4-H program assistant was going to try to fill those shoes, but was unfortunately stricken with a very serious illness in the weeks leading to the fair. (hugs and prayers!) Her daughter and I were left as the "third-stringers" to try to pull it all together. Although it was mindboggling and seemed to be 25 hour long days, looking back at my pictures, I think the fair got along just fine with the backup team. We had lots of help from our junior fair board members, aged 14-18; they were always right behind me ready to lend a helping hand and their support. I hope you enjoy some pictures of the 2010 Huron County Fair.

Before the fair began, my 4-H club members designed and painted a quilt block on a twelve inch floor tile. Here are our tiles spread on my lawn to be varnish before the fair. The tiles will be placed on the floor of our club booth which will showcase 4-H sewing projects. Below you can see the tiles on the floor of the booth.

I want to start singing " My Girls, My Girls, talkin' bout My Girls, My Girls". These are some of my 4-H FCS Board Members, who were my faithful assistants and hardest workers. They are great examples to our younger 4-H members and I am so proud of each and every one of them!

The ladies are wrapping our "stage" in paper and decorations in anticipation of the fashion show on Monday evening.

The final top layer must be stapled in place by a barefooted member to keep it

clean and white for the evening festivities.

You can just peek behind them to see the rabbit judging contest.

Turned out pretty nice, don't you think?

The paper taped in the middle asks the fairgoers to "Please Do Not Touch"

It is just too inviting to sit down on our pretty stage and dribble your onion blossom, or walking taco, or Italian sausage or fried . . .anything!

Also too tempting to tiny feet who want to practice their talents!

Here are our 4-H Clothing Project winners at the end of the evening!

This includes "Total Look Outfits" that the 4-H members sewed as construction projects or selected as consumer projects. Our best of show in Clothing Construction is the young lady who created the 1770's outfit, complete with undergarments for her Creative Costume project. Our best of show in Selection Projects is the young lady fourth from the left, middle row, in a peach top who selected her total look to coordinate with the necklace that a relative brought to her from Italy.

Here is our stage "re-designed" for our Fair King and Queen Contest

on Tuesday night.

And here are our lovely contestants. The King and Queen are chosen by three criteria. First, they submit an application containing their 4-H and other fair accomplishments, their resume of leadership and public service activities and a short essay on why they should be Fair King or Queen. Next is a pre-fair interview with the judges. Finally we have the contest on Tuesday night which involves a prepared question and answer as well as the famous fish bowl question. I will not tell you who were chosen as royalty because they are all winners in my book! It takes a lot of courage to compete in front of your peers and the entire community and they all did an outstanding job! My own daughters were past Fair Queens. We like to tease that they were not "Great Queens", just "Fair" Queens. (They really are pretty great, though!)

I am exploring some new blogs this week and am linking to Spotlight Saturday at http://www.kindredspiritmommy.com/ and with Weekend Bloggy Reading

at http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/ Please visit to discover some new friends, too!

Front Porch Sittin

2010-06-19T15:30:00.015-04:00

Front Porch Sittin'

Almost 6 years ago, my husband built me the front porch of my dreams. I always pictured it decorated in cottage colors with lots of floral and pinks but, somehow - it demanded a red, white and blue theme!

I started my tablescape with a navy blue dish towel from The Dollar Tree as my "tablecloth". I found this ruffled plate (shhhh it's plastic) at Wally World.

I added this adorable salad plate (again, Wally World - both plates were only $1.50 each)

I guess it might look a little better if I had centered the salad plate!

I found this napkin in box from my mother's house, then used a silk flower as a napkin ring.

I found the salt and peppers (Avon, I believe) and glassware in my hutch. The little wine glass is part of a set with a matching carafe that my best friend's mother gave me as a wedding gift. We were only 19 and legally could not even purchase wine - but I felt sophisticated when I added it to my bridal registry.

I wanted to share some pictures of my porch, too.

The first one is you sitting on the porch watching the world go by! My orange day lilies and flowering shrubs hide you from the traffic. Only those strolling by can see you and wave.

I found the pillows years ago for only a few dollars. My daughters were County Fair Queens and we needed something comfortable for Royalty to plant themselves on when riding in parades. I think at this point I would describe the pillows as "cozy".

I have been collecting the red, white and blue for a few years now. This is only a small portion of items now residing on my porch!

That is a vintage croquet set hiding behind this teddy bear. I found it at a flea market for only $17.00. We make our own rules and play a very competitive game.

This rusty watering can was part of a set that my youngest daughter's godmother gifted me years ago. They used to hang in a tree!

One last look at my tablescape. If you were wondering where I have been . . . I have been visiting your blogs, usually from work. Unfortunately I cannot leave a message telling all of you how awesome you all are! I cannot figure out how you all make time for all this with jobs, family, housework and sleep! All of you are so amazing!

I will be linking to that Superwoman Susan's Tablescape Thursday! Please visit and admire all the lovely tablescapes.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I am also linking for the first time to Rhondi's Summer Porch Party. What a great idea for a First Day of Summer Blog!

http://rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-third-summer-porch-party.html

Garden Party Birthday

2010-06-10T22:30:00.005-04:00

For my tablescape this week, I would like to share pictures from a special garden party I attended over the weekend. In the late 1980's, I was employed as a library assistant at our local library. I love to read and had spent many, many hours at the library while growing up in my hometown. I was so fortunate to work with a lovely group of women, most who had worked together for many years. They welcomed me to the library as a friend, and even though I left the library after only five years, we have remained friends to this day.

Almost all of the group are now retired (except me!) and we now are meeting once a month at a local restaurant for lunch. This month we all received an invitation from the daughter of one of the ladies, inviting us to a birthday lunch for her mom!

Here is the lovely buffet table her daughter set for us in her wonderful garden.

A working mom with two young boys, her daughter put so much time, planning and love into this event to honor her mother. Her wonderful husband and two sons escorted the ladies to their seats, carried plates and beverages for the ladies who have difficulty moving around and were so sweet and attentive!

Here is my plate showing the delightful meal that I was so honored to share with my table mates and the birthday girl.

The potted annuals used as Centerpieces were perfect for the outdoor tables.

Here is a picture of the some of the group around her patio. There are remnants of what was once a large shade tree in the middle of the patio and she has added a wonderful fountain as a focal point.

Guests included old neighbors, new neighbors, old friends and former library co-workers. A person's 80th birthday is a great reason for a celebration and reminiscing! We lingered to share stories and smiles.

As we left, rain drops began to splatter on our windshields. We were so glad they held off until the end of the party!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to visit and see all the marvelous tablescapes she hosts each week!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-94th-tablescape-thursday.html

Sugar Pie Farmhouse "Watermelon and Fireflies"

2010-06-07T21:23:00.002-04:00

Oh my, oh my - what a week I am having! Last weekend The Caffeinated Globe passed on the Trendy Blog Award to me. Then , on Monday morning, I received an email from Aunt Ruthie at the Sugar Pie Farmhouse that I was one of the submissions chosen to be included in her brand-spanking-new Ebook! The title of the book is "Watermelon and Fireflies" and it includes 51 farm fresh ideas celebrating the Good Ol' Summertime!

I was so surprised and honored. When Auntie Ruthie asked for summer memories that we could share, I was more than happy to reminisce about the summers that all five of my children were still . . . well, children! To thank me for my contribution, Aunt Ruthie gifted me with (one) free download of her book - and it is TERRIFIC.

I hope that you all have all ready joined the Sugar Pie Sisterhood, but if not , just click below to get to Aunt Ruthie's fabulous blog.

http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/

And if you are interested in purchasing a copy of the Ebook (do be aware that it requires a new color ink cartridge and a bit of time to download all those GORGEOUS full color pages); well, then just click right here for more information.

http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/a-dazzling-summertime-surprise

I do believe that my next step might just be to search my purse for four quarters and buy a lottery ticket! I think I may be on a roll!

My First Award

2010-06-05T21:47:00.002-04:00

I would like to thank  the Caffeinated Globe for honoring me for my first Blog award !

The "Trendy Blog Award" was createed by Tara, the blogger of Trendy Treehouse. Trendy Treehouse hosts "Follow Me Fridays" - something Miss Merry will certainly explore!

January Asia and Steven Hui of the blog Caffeinated Globe (you can find them at  http://caffeinatedglobe.blogspot.com/ )passed the award along to me. I was so surprised! I have seen awards on other blogs, but never thought I would have one of my own.   I want to thank them so much for this honor and also thank Tara at Trendy Treehouse for creating this celebration ceremony!

To accept this award, I must pass it along to 10 other blogs which I think are trendy. I am honored to do so.

In alphabetical order - I would like to pass this award along to:

1. Ann Marie at http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/

2. Beansieleigh at http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/

3. Debbie at http://debbie-dabble.blogspot.com/

3. Delores at http://vignettedesign.blogspot.com/

4. Kat at http://thevintagehousewife.blogspot.com/

5. Lady Katherine at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

6. Lia at http://petitelittlebee.blogspot.com/

7. Maryrose at http://myworld-maryrose.blogspot.com/

8. Patty and Allie at http://bramasoletoyearnforthesun.blogspot.com/

9.  Rettabug at http://rettspace.blogspot.com/

10. Sonia at http://missbloomers.blogspot.com/

The rules for accepting the Trendy Blog Award:

- Post about your award in your blog. (Including thanking the person who has passed along the award to you.)

- In the post, pass along the award to 10 other blogs which you think are trendy.

- In the post, place the award logo (or button) with the URL link to Trendy Treehouse.

http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2009/12/grab-one-of-our-buttons.html

- Share the news with the 10 blogs. Make sure you tell them that they need to give this award out to 10 other blogs as well.

Roosters in the Roost

2010-06-02T21:31:00.007-04:00

Here are the adorable chicken salt and pepper shakers

from my friend "Sam" that started this project:

Sometimes, you just can't stop! Last Saturday morning I just happened to be at JoAnn Fabrics as they were unlocking the doors. On my way to the pattern section, I passed by (very slowly) the aisle marked "50% off" and stopped in my tracks. Could those be more chickens? I decided to improve upon my last week's tablescape.

I started by placing a small table out under a tree.

Then I started layering! For the first tablescape, I used one of the blue plates

from the set I purchased at an auction a few weeks ago.

Next I added the cutest melamine Rooster Plate! Isn't it adorable? Unfortunately, it was the only one left. At 50% off, it only cost $1.50.

I used my accessories from last week with a few new addtions. Do you like the yellow pottery cream and sugar? They were in a box I found in my gramma's attic after she passed away, but are not marked. I have a whole collection of cream and sugars from that box in my china cabinet. The matching Red Rooster napkin was also the LAST one at my JoAnns!

This was so much fun, lets try it again!

I started with one of my pfaltzgraff plates (the same one as last week). I wish I had noticed the reflection in the silverware; I would have tried some fancy photography!

Next I added this adorable rooster plate. (JoAnn's)

I have these plates in my dining room right now and everyone who comes in thinks they are "real" plates. Unfortunately, in the sunlight,

I cannot fool you with my paper rooster plates!

Here is the finished table with the red plate.

And here is my dining room table, set with mismatched placemats (all from Big Lots), mismatched napkins, mismatched charger plates, and the adorable rooster paper plates. Maybe the reason I can trick my visitors to my dining room is because my lighting is so poor!

The metal chicken "hooks" I am using as napkin holders came from JoAnn Fabrics clearance last August. I am a 4-H advisor and my club decorates two fair booths every year at the county fair to showcase the clothing projects.

One of our booths last year had a barnyard theme and I was thrilled when I discovered 5 of these chicken hooks for less than $2.00 each.

Thank you so much for visiting! I apologize for not getting to too many tablescapes last week. We spent Saturday with my 2 year old grandson and his family who were visiting an area waterpark. Sunday was spent babysitting our 3 month old twin grandchildren while "big" brother went to meet Thomas the Tank Engine. I marched in the Parade with my 4-H Club members on Monday - This seriously affected my tablescape gazing! My goal this week is to visit everyone and admire all the gorgeous tables!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-93rd-tablescape-thursday.html

Thank you so much to our hostess, Susan!

Chicken Feed

2010-05-27T23:24:00.006-04:00

My dear friend and co-worker "Sam" introduced me to the Tablescape blog! She has encouraged me and cheered me as I try to figure out this "blogging". And to further inspire me - she gifted me with some adorable chicken and rooster accessories! I immediately dashed to Big Lots for placemats - should I use the Sunflower?

I think I like this black and white checked with the chickens (both placemats $1.50 each at Big Lots!)

Let's try the cream colored plate with orange trim (Big Lots 99 cents!)

Or maybe my red Pfaltzgraff ?

I found a watering can centerpiece complete with sunflowers sitting on my shelf. And added the adorable Chicken and Rooster Salt and Peppers Sam found at the Dollar Tree! (Note to self: Why not plant some sunflower seeds?) (2nd Note to self: Do you really like the look of the tail end of the chickens?)

I found a second watering can (a favor from niece Laura's wedding) and added the adorable rooster coffee mug that Sam found, also at Dollar Tree!

The gold napkin is from Big Lots (2 for $1) and I tied it with a piece of red raffia. The little paper mache eggs were on sale at Hobby Lobby, 3 for $1.00!

Would you like some breakfast - sunnyside up eggs, sizzling bacon and some toast bites? Don't forget the coffee (always tastes better in a pretty mug!)

Thanks for visiting! I love looking at all your lovely tablescapes each week. Each one is so unique and inspiring. What a nifty bunch of people! I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

So Many Hats, Only One Head!

2010-05-11T23:05:00.002-04:00

My tablescape for this week celebrates the HAT! As you may know, I went to an auction two weeks ago where I was able to purchase a collection of three hats from the 1940's & 1950's, complete with their own hat boxes - labeled from a long gone area department store. My church was hosting it's second annual Mother's Day Tea Party and had also chosen "Hats" as this year's theme. I sent my youngest daughter to my late mother's attic for the two hats I knew resided there, and she found a treasure trove! I had to start my tablescape with a centerpiece made up of the hat collection! Some are perched on hat boxes, some on stands and some on canning jars!

My table is set with my Phalftzgraff dishes. When the outlet stores were closing, we made one last girl's trip to neighboring Pennsylvania and I bought everything I could carry to the car (three times, three trips)! The pink and light green dishes are my "girl" dishes, for special girl occasions. I also use them for Easter becaused I think the pastels look like Easter Egg Colors. The flowers down the middle are from my Wedding Table Centerpieces in 1976. And my linen is from Family Dollar and Big Lots! After a luncheon of Broiled Marinated Chicken Breast, Creamy Macaroni Salad, Garlic Raspberry Vinegarette Pasta Salad, Crudites, and Cranberry Raisin Cookies, we adjourned to the church for Tea and Dessert.

Here is a picture of my family who shared the day with me, my daughter-in-law-to-be, my oldest daughter and grandaughter, myself and my handsome grandson and my youngest daughter.

I was trying to crop the picture to flatter us a little more, but couldn't figure out how to do it. Sorry ladies!

I wanted to show you a picture of the adorable table centerpieces of the straw hats on hat stands that one of our church ladies created. One lucky tablemate at each table won each centerpiece and this one went to yours truly!

Our speaker was a terrific woman who began collecting vintage clothing and hats about 30 years ago. When her collection just became TOO BIG, opened a shop where she buys and sells vintage clothes, both in the shop, on the internet and to film companies! Her passion is her hats (she has over 2000 in her collection) and it was so much fun to hear the history and stories of the pieces of her collection she shared with us. When someone is that passionate about their hobby, you cannot help but be excited too.

The picture on the right is the beginning of her hat "timeline" and showed hats beginning in the 1700's! This collection picture on the top was from the late 1800's-early 1900's phase of the collection. The feathers and other details are unbelievable. The large black feathered hat has two stuffed woodpecker heads within the plumage! The black hat in the lower right picture has a small stuffed bird with a red head right in the middle.

I guess that hatmakers were half taxidermist!

The glitzy hat in the center of this photo was purchased from an old theater in Chicago. It looks great from a distance, but was designed to be seen from far away. Two of the bigger "jewels" are actually old belt buckles!

I included the adorable bonnet with the violets just because it is so precious!

The black and white hat box was a hat box from one of the motion picture studios in Hollywood. The black hat with the pink roses was worn by a movie star in a motion picture!

I'll end with a picture of my adorable granddaughter Claire at 13 weeks old modeling her headband! I think she looks like a Flapper!

I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day as much as I did.

Thank you for allowing me to join you in presenting the Tablescape Thursday Tablesettings. I have so much fun visiting every site and admiring your creativity and design. I feel like I have found a group of crazy people - JUST LIKE ME!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursdays and, for the first time, Tea Time Tuesday!

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Cinco de Mayo 2009

2010-05-06T00:35:00.000-04:00

I had great plans for my Cinco de Mayo Tablescape. My inspiration was this piece of vintage fabric in my treasure drawer. When my grandmother passed away, I found a whole box of fabrics, some ready to become dish towels or placemats, some half completed, some never started. I made my way to the Dollar Tree to see what help they could provide!

I was able to buy the plates and bowls for $1 each (everything is $1 at the Dollar Tree!) I spied the flowers, several woven placemats, retangle and circle, with banded edges in yellow and orange, the nifty metal garden signs and a flashy sombrero. Yes, all for $1 each.

That was the beginning of the end. I decided to clean my entire house, which began with gathering all the clutter and depositing it in my dining room. I had a day off on Monday- which was to be my organizational housekeeping day and ended up spending the day at the doctors. The clutter has to go before Saturday when my grandchildren, ages 2 and 11 week old twins, pay a visit! I cancelled my family dinner, have been purging, dusting, and shuffling all the things I cannot part with from one side of the house to the other. Luckily, at 11 p.m. on Wednesday night, I located my purchases from last week, and I am setting the table just for you!

Well, the placemats I purchased covered too much of my fabric, so I used just one of the round ones to hold my centerpiece. My planned centerpiece was the sombrero filled with flowers. What looked great in my mind looked very different in real life! I grabbed the basket off a shelf to hold the flowers and the candle holder off my window sill. The napkins were more vintage finds from my grandmother and great aunt.

I guess that's it. I had planned to feature pictures of my favorite mexican foods, my mexican lasanga, homemade burritos and my famous (well, in my family anyway) Taco Tarts. I was even going to share the recipe since I knew you would all want to make your own once you saw how delicious they looked. I had hoped to talk my daughter into bringing over her Margarita Machine (yes, she really has one!). I am going to save all those ideas for next year!

I can't wait to see all your tablescapes; your creativity astounds me and the beauty of the tablescapes is amazing! I love reading all your comments and feel like I am joining a new group of friends. Thank you for letting me share with you!

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday at my favorite site: Between Naps on the Porch ! http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Miss Merry http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

An April Afternoon at the Auction

2010-04-28T22:58:00.000-04:00

I missed work today to attend an auction. It was held on a country road at the home of a couple who were collectors and featured a little bit of everything, including over 400 box lots! Here is a place setting of a simple china pattern. Some of the pieces are labeled " Sterling" East Liverpool, Ohio and some are labeled "Albert Pick Co" Chicago. Also included in the box were:

ALL these pieces. And I only had to pay $7.00 for the whole box!

I also purchased three vintage hats in their original boxes. My church is having a Mother-Daughter Tea Party in May and the theme is, you guessed it, "Hats"! I am attending with the tea party with my youngest daughter, my daughter-in-law-to-be, my oldest daughter and my new twin grandchildren. It is the babys' first outing and I am so excited to show them off. Of course I had to try on all the hats - please excuse the exhausted woman with the bad hair - I was parked in a corn field and standing in a field all afternoon! My friend and co-worker was on the prowl for her primitive treasures. I can't wait to compare notes tomorrow on our successes and failures.

I was actually looking for several "small tables with one drawer" listed in the auction bill. Meanwhile, I purchased a 1940's kitchen table with four chairs and a leaf, as well as two antique school desks. Unfortunately, when we reached the first "small table with one drawer", the bids rose quickly to ten times my budgeted amount. I guess everyone had their eye on MY tables! Here is a picture of my front porch crowded with my purchases (the rocking chairs are my porch furniture). I believe I have a furniture refinishing project in my future.

To my husband's dismay - there is another area auction planned this weekend!

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/p/tablescape-thursday.html

Earth Day Tablescape

2010-04-21T23:20:00.001-04:00

For my Thursday Family Dinner, I choose an Earth Day/garden theme. I used a dark green tablecloth covered by a second, lace, tablecloth. My everyday Pfaltzgraff Tea Rose dishes lent their pastel florals and I coordinated marigolds in decorated peat pots as my favors. Just for fun - I am serving dirt pudding with gummi worms as dessert.

I purchased my dining room chairs at an auction last fall. I convinced my poor son to spend a freezing cold afternoon in a drizzling rain while we waited until the entire contents of a house were auctioned - the furniture last. There were so few hardy souls left by then, that I ended up with TWO truckloads of winnings to cart home!

I am new to tablescaping and new to blogging, too! I really enjoy looking at everyone's lovely tables and find them very inspiring.

Weeds

2010-04-15T22:22:00.000-04:00

After our Thursday family dinner, my daughter stayed behind to work on her homework. She had been laid off from several positions and as soon as she decided to re-enroll in college to finish her degree in elementary education, she found two 20 hour a week positions! She is working at least 40 hours a week and is carrying a full course load of classes this semester. I am so proud of her.

Her homework was from her art class. She had to create a color wheel and do those graduated color scales with tints and hues. . . . - Well, all that paint just inspired me. I grabbed some leftover boards and the remnants from her palette and got to work.

I pretty happy with this one. I call it "weeds", but I really think that anything that flowers is worth savoring! I miss painting. I used to love to paint and nothing was safe - furniture, walls, canvas, wood scraps. When I found out I was expecting my fifth baby in seven years - I knew I had crossed my limit line. I packed up my paints and brushes, sewing machine and pins, glue guns and fabric scraps and concentrated on child-raising.

How do you balance work, family and self? Does anyone know the secret?

April 15, 1948 - The First McDonalds

2010-04-14T23:18:00.001-04:00

My Quick N Easy Disposable Tablescape honors the Great American Fast Food Restaurant - McDonalds! On opening day April 15, 1948, the menu included nine items: hamburger, cheeseburger, chips, coffee, milk, pie, and three sodas. Fries were added later that year. I found some McDonald memorabilia leftover from a McDonald's playset from the 1980's.

Thursday is family dinner night at the house with the picket fence. Expected guests include my dad, my brother, my husband and myself, as well as any of my five children and their significant others who are not working or have a better offer. Unfortunately my grandchildren are too far away to join us. After dinner, the game of choice is Skipbo.

2010-04-11T22:49:00.001-04:00