Saturday, July 31, 2010

A Saturday Stroll

I saw the strangest thing the other day, a chipmunk had crawled up my hollyhock plant to the very top.  He was peeking over the fence in my yard.  He took one look at me and jumped, I hope he's alright.  Perhaps he thought I was pretty strange too.  I wish I had gotten a picture but I knew he wouldn't hold the pose for long.  Let's take a midsummer look at the garden...





I will remember the garden this winter when the snow is blowing and the beds are bare.  I will forgive the Japanese beetle for devouring my hollyhocks (at least the roses are still intact).  It truly has been a good summer in the garden.  I hope you are finding time to enjoy creation today!


Blessings,

Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday Pretties


Oh dear...


Oh my...


With buttons....


and lace?


My heart...


is Sugar Pink today!

All of these wonderful pictures come from Sugar Pink Boutique at Etsy.  She has the prettiest trims and buttons as well as other surprises.  For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things.


Hugs,

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Mailbox Love


Most days going out to the mailbox is pretty boring, pizza coupons and internet service ads.  But not this week, first came a package from Molly at Birdie Blue.  I won her Cath Kidston giveaway!!  You know how I LOVE Cath Kidston!


Love my Dream Home Journal!


Love my Menu and Shopping List!

Thank you Molly!  Be sure to visit her blog, Birdie Blue, I know you will absolutely love it like I do.  She has such a great eye for color and design.  You won't be disappointed.  


As if my package from Molly wasn't enough, my Fresh Vintage from Fig Tree Quilts arrived.  With it came a free cell phone case pattern.  Oh, what a happy day!


I also wanted to answer a couple of questions that have been popping up lately.  First, I've had some inquiry as to the lavender water I use to iron with.  At one of the local barn sales I attend, a woman makes this and I always get some when I'm there.  I believe it is a tiny amount of lavender oil mixed with water.  It does not stain the fabric but gives it the most wonderful smell. If we have all that ironing to do, why not enjoy the process?  Secondly, I have shown the cooking lavender as well.  That is lavender designed specifically for cooking, without any oils.  I use that to make lavender shortbread.  It's wonderful! 


Be Blessed,

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Recipe for You


I've been finding myself wanting to cook more lately.  I really don't know why, but my family is certainly glad.  Seems like the summer has us eating a lot of fresh pesto and grilled chicken and while that is fine, it can get a bit boring.  Some of the cooking inspiration has come from my organizing the spice jars.  I have posted about these before and wanted to let you know that I decided to add some clear packing tape over the labels.  I found that messy hands can mess up a rather pretty label and I certainly don't want to waste my Cath Kidston labels!


I decided to store these jars in a vintage enamel baking pan.  It slips conveniently into my kitchen island and I like opening the door to see them.  At 99 cents these jars are a bargain from World Market.


This recipe for Green Enchiladas comes from Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus and I've been making them for years.  This is one of her early books (1988) that I got as a gift from my FIL for Christmas the year after I married his wonderful son.  Enjoy!

Green Enchiladas

2 pds boneless chicken breasts
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 lg. white onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 pd. fresh spinach
3 cups sour cream
2 (4 oz.) cans green chiles, drained and chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup milk
salt to taste
12 flour tortillas
6 oz. Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (I use pre-shredded)

1. Poach the chicken breasts in a small skillet or saucepan with water to cover until done, 15-20 minutes.  Remove from water, cool slightly, and shred into small, bite-size pieces.  Set aside.

2. In a small skillet, melt the butter and saute the onion until tender, about 5 min.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a large casserole (I use Pam).

4. Steam the spinach in a steamer or colander.  Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.  Let the spinach cool slightly; chop coarsely.

5. Combine the onion, spinach, sour cream, chiles, cumin, reserved spinach liquid, and milk; mix well and season to taste.

6.  Add half the sauce to the shredded chicken and mix well.  Place the tortillas in the oven to soften (about 3 min.) and remove.  Fill the tortillas with equal amounts of filling and roll up.  Place the rolled tortillas seam side down in one layer in the prepared casserole.  Cover with half the grated cheese and top with the remaining sauce; sprinkle on the remaining cheese.  Bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.

Have a lovely day!

Monday, July 26, 2010

A Lovely Couple

I'm so excited to share with you today the engagement photos of Chelsea and Justin who will be getting married in two weeks.  You may remember Chelsea from the shower I had for her.   This wedding marks, for me, the beginning of my friends who have children getting married.  Justin is the son of Diane who I do the barn sales with.  As we count down to the wedding day, take a peek at these gorgeous pictures...









Breakfast at Tiffany's was feel they were going for.  Justin wore his Grandfathers hat.  I just love the gloves and the sunglasses on Chelsea.  They are such a fun, loving, kind and caring couple.  I know they make their parents very proud.  I have enjoyed getting to know them and being a part of this special time in their lives.  Currently I'm finishing the napkins for their rehearsal dinner.  I know the wedding will be as beautiful as they are!

With joy,

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday Scripture


"Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul
and healing to the bones."

Proverbs 16:24


Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Quilt Shop


Wednesday, of this past week, found me traveling to a small town on the shores of Lake Michigan with three of my girlfriends.  We spent the day hitting the antique stores and visiting quilt shops. This little place was well worth the stop, as much for what was outside as inside.


The owner lives in the house and has the quilt shop in an attached addition.  How fun is that?  Just grab a cup of coffee and walk down the hall to the shop.  No traffic lights here!  I love the sign on the old ironing board.


The house had a large wrap around porch and it was decorated so nicely.  Many shades of red, white and blue with vintage items tucked all around.


Everywhere I looked there was something else to snap a picture of.  What a fun display item this old carriage can be.  


I was good and limited my fabric purchases to these 1/2 yard cuts of fabric.  Aren't they pretty?  I'm not sure what I will do with them yet but I'm looking forward to using them.  Hope your Saturday finds you doing something fun!

Smiles,

Friday, July 23, 2010

Friday Pretties


Retro Ice Cream Cups


A Favorite Magazine


Vintage Nut & Candy Cups


Vintage Hand Mixer



Fun Potholders



Gardening Tools


Vintage Crinoline

Bet you can't guess what colors I'm crushing on!  For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things.

Joyfully,


Thursday, July 22, 2010

Simple Pleasures


My husband's grandmother was quite the quilter.  I remember when we were dating I would often hear of her going over to the church to sit around the quilt frame and stitch with the other ladies.  When we married, she gave us this quilt.  I pulled it out this week and placed it on my bed.  When I see it, I think of her and it makes me smile.


I loved spending time with her.  Her name was Leokadie and saying her name was like poetry to me.  She was loving and kind and gentle.  There wasn't a craft that her hands could not do.  She made the best Pierogi I have ever eaten and had the whitest hair I've ever seen.  During our visits to see her in her last year with us, she was never without an open Bible by her side.  Inside her Bible was a crocheted cross and I would see her touch that ever so gently with her long fingers.  She made quilts for all her grandchildren's marriages.  Long after she was with the Lord, her quilts were still being unwrapped as wedding gifts.  I am reminded that a piece of her stays with me as I enjoy the simple pleasure of my quilt.

For more Simple Pleasures visit Dayle at A Collection of This and That.