I've got Shopoholism (is this a word) bad!!!

So it's official. I'm a shopoholic. You should have just heard me justifying to Joe and myself my shopping addiction. I came up with everything from, "Well, at least I pay my bills," to "I'm still getting everyone really good Christmas presents," to "I don't have kids yet...!" I think it really comes down to me being nervous the items I fall in love with, will either sell out or someone else other than me will love and purchase that one of a kind piece. I also find really good deals and worry I will not find a similar item at such a fair price. I usually don't buy the items my first trip to the store, but my mind will continue to dwell on it until I have it! How about paying off some debt or saving it?? Those sound like a novel ideas! Anyway, I do LOVE my new purchases, so I thought I would share them with you! Aren't they wonderful?

Pottery Barn Cafe Stripe Pillow

Cafe Pillow in Pottery Barn Room

Primitive Green Box

(Perfect for the top of my armoire)

Navy Striped Pint Pitcher

Weekend Activities and Crafts

Dried Orange Slices and Cranberry Garland

Thyme, Rosemary, & Parsley

Vintage Wood Utensil Holder

Handmade Ball Jar Lanterns

Turquoise Wood Box

I once again had a fun weekend of crafts and new finds. With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I would get an early start on decorating. Especially because I am trying to make as much as I can myself. It is more fulfilling when you create things yourself and much more wallet friendly. Also, why buy man-made ornaments, when natures ornaments are so beautiful? (Directions for garland will follow). 

My next weekend project was to transfer my herbs to pots and bring them indoors before it gets too cold. I don't get a lot of sunlight in my home so I am keeping my fingers crossed they will survive. I think they also look beautiful in and on, my recent purchases. I use fresh herbs in cooking very frequently. They add so much flavor to marinades, meat rubs, pasta, sauces, etc. 

I had to throw in a picture of my new vintage utensil holder. I went to an antique store called, Rum Trails, on Friday, and could have possibly emptied my checking account. I also bought a vintage white muslin sheet. Serena, from The Farmchicks, inspired me to purchase these whenever I come across them. The quality of vintage sheets is so much higher than sheets now days. Not sure what I will do with it at this point.  

Next, I went to Michaels this afternoon (second time this weekend, I know, I'm a little crazy) to get black wire to make canning jar lanterns. They are so simple and rustic, and really easy to make. And last, but not least, a little painted box in my favorite color. It just used Folkart brand acrylic paint in turquoise. My plan is to purchase these round boxes in different sizes and paint them all different colors. They look so gorgeous stacked on the ground, a chair, or anywhere for that matter. 

Dried Orange Garland Directions:

Slice seedless oranges about 1/8 inch thick and place on a baking sheets. You can line the baking sheet with parchment paper if you are worried about them sticking to the pan. Place oranges in 200 degree oven for 3-4 hours (mine took about 4). Let them cool and string onto any type of string you wish. I used natural fiber jute twine because it looks rustic works well with the theme. 

Cranberry Garland:

Using a needle and some sort of strong thread (I have heard of using dental floss), string fresh cranberries until you have the length you want. Make sure to tie big enough knots on each side so the cranberries do not slide off the string. I used tacks to hang my garland. I am hoping they will dry vs. rot because this is the first year I have made these and am not sure of the end result. You can also use the garland on your Christmas tree, mantel, around a stairwell or porch railing and/or wherever you think it would look nice

More Inspirational Rooms

I love this one the most! This turquoise color is my favorite.

Country Home

Country Sampler

Country Sampler

Country Sampler

Country Sampler

Country Living

Country Living

Unproductive turned Productive

I started out the day feeling very unproductive. I decided to get motivated and cook something delicious or be creative and craft or sew. Well, I ended up doing all three. I roasted a chicken rubbed with fresh rosemary-thyme butter and filled with fresh herbs, lemons, and garlic (to be used later for chicken and rice soup). I sewed three pillows, 2 from burlap and 1 from red gingham fabric, and made a rustic candle holder (made from coffee can, hot glue, and twine). Oh and not to mention this is my second post of the day and when I'm finished, Joe and I are going to Anthony's Bistro. Needless to say, I am feeling much better about my use of this rainy day. 

My Most Beloved Cookbook

The small print to the right of the image reads, 

"250 recipes from the celebrated New England Farm Stand

Market that helped bring authentic flavorful food back to America's table."

I want to share my favorite cookbook with you because it has so many amazing recipes to offer. It is the HayDay Country Market Cookbook, by Kim Rizk. As I have said before, I would love to have a little cafe of my own someday, and these recipes resemble the style of cuisine I would offer. I borrowed it from a friend and was frantically copying recipes, knowing I would soon have to return it. I then decided to look on Amazon.com to see if I could find an affordable copy for myself. Well, I was in luck because I found a brand new copy for $2. Because it was so inexpensive, I purchased a second copy for my sister, Jade (PepperRose), for $3. I was shocked at the deal I got. I have used this book countless times and continue to look at it thoroughly when I am bored. You would think I would have it memorized by now. 

The recipes in this book are very simple, seasonal, and healthful. As the cookbook states, "Hay Day evolved a sophisticated farm stand style of cooking." Some of my favorites are Banana-Berry Muffins (which I shared with you in a previous entry), Vidalia Onion Dip, Roasted Chile Peppers con Queso, Shiitake Mushroom Barley Soup, Buttermilk Ranch Potato Salad (a must try), Pork and Apple Chili, Couscous-Vegetable Lasagne, Old-Fashioned Apple Crumb Cake (another must try), and many many more. This cookbook will be one that gets handed down to my children, hopefully for generations to come. It's that good!

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

I want to share a few of my favorite things from my home with you. I have learned over the last few years, that if you see something you love, buy it!! Especially if there is only one. If you buy one or a few things at a time that you truly love, everything will come together. I am only 26 and obviously don't make a lot of money, but over the past few years that I have wanted to start making my home my own, (even though its really not mine and I still rent) little by little I have started quite a collection. If you make purchases this way, I find you will never get bored of these items. I think they will fit your personality and you will build your home around them. If you decorate your home all at once with one style, you will grow sick of it.  Most of the items in my home also tell a story. I like to buy handmade, local items, vs. cookie cutter mass produced items. 

Wooden paper towel holder from my Grandma's old kitchen

Pine white shelf given to me by mom

       Antique shutter with many layers of paint

Antique Shop

$6

Wooden painted flower box

Antique Shop

$10

White bench given to me by mom

Vase
Antique & Variety Mall

$12

Pine Armoire
Antique & Variety Mall

$99

Wire Basket
AppleJack's Orchard

$5

Mirror 
Wal-Mart

$24

Antique Pine Dresser
Three Birds Cottage

$120

Handmade Amish Basket 
Amish Road Stand

$15

Handwoven Accent Pillow
Dartbrook Rustic Goods

$29

Enamel Milk bucket from Holland
Owls Head Mountain Quilt Shop

$20

Italian Asolo Dinnerware
William-Sonoma 

Chritmas gift from mom and Joe for the past 2 years

(they are really pricey)

YUM ! Homemade Apple Poptarts

I have Loads of Apples on hand and my boyfriend, Joe, wanted something sweet. He asked if I could make homemade apple poptarts. I googled homemade poptarts and found this recipe. I'm glad I did because I found many other delicious recipes from the same blog. They taste much like a mini apple pie and are sooo delicious. I cant wait to switch the flavors up with strawberries, blueberries, brown sugar and cinnamon, peach, etc. I hope you try this one!!


Recipe (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)
For Pie Crust
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tbsp. cold water


For Filling
Jam (your choice)
Apple filling recipe below


For Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
milk to thin


*try using different flavors for the glaze such as, maple syrup, orange juice, or vanilla extract

 Sprinkles (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add shortening and butter and blend with a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands. Blend until mixture is fairly coarse. Add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, gently mixing dough after each addiction until dough forms a ball.
2. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a square/rectangle. To about 1/8 thickness. Cut out long strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. Repeat until dough runs out.
3. Take one pie crust rectangle and lace 1 tsp. of jam on top. Cover with another piece of pie crust and crimp all four edges. Repeat with the rest of dough. Place Pop-tarts on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 7-8 minutes.
4. While pop-tarts are baking, make glaze. Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Pour milk slowing until it has a consistancy of really thick syrup. 1/2 a tbsp. to 1 tbsp. might be enough.
5. Once pop-tarts are done and cooled, top with glaze. Sprinkle and decorate with colorful sprinkle


Apple Filling
3 Apples
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (use whatever spices you would like, I just had this on hand)


Dice Apples and and mix all ingredients in a pan. Cook over low to medium heat until mixture become a think sauce (I had to blend mine in the magic bullet to make it smooth). Let mixture cool before filling the dough.

Lovely Rooms

Unknown

Country Living

Country Living

Coastal Living

Country Home

Country Home

Home & Garden

Katrin Cargill Interiors

My new favorite website!

Thanks to Decor8's Blog, I came across the online store Car-Moebel. They use the most beautiful color schemes and staging. Just one problem. I would love to make a few purchases, however, its a foreign store that doesn't use English on their web page and I have no idea what anything says. What is a girl to do? Well I figured I would at least post some of their photos for your viewing pleasure. Don't you want everything??

(All Images: Car-Moebel) 

How lucky am I ???

I am verrrrrrry lucky!! I have the best boyfriend in the world! He came home from work with an American Eagle shopping bag filled with a sweater that I have been drooling over for the past few weeks. It was expensive and I really wanted it, but had no money. So he surprised me. He nevers fails. I love him with all my heart!! Here it is....

AE Cable Knit Studded Sweater

Beautiful Bedrooms

I would take any of the following bedrooms to rest my eyes, curl up and read a book, or take an afternoon nap. (all bedrooms are from Country Living magazine)

A little bling

I was inspired by the converse sneakers from Free People to add a little bling to my own. Although mine aren't nearly as cool as theirs, they cost a lot less and they're still a somewhat cool. I may order some pyramid studs online and make another pair, but in a different color. Possibly yellow or red. I would like them to look something like this...

Free People Sneakers $168

Before...

Shoe #1

(sorry, you'll have to excuse the dirt)

What one do you like better?

After!

For this porject I used:

5/16" Jean Rivets (from Michaels)

Rivet Press

Nail to poke holes

Mini screwdriver to make holes bigger

Hammer

Directions:

Mark holes with marker where you want to place the jean rivets. Use the nail to poke holes in the marked spot. If you need the hole to be bigger use a small screwdriver to widen the hole. As for the rest, follow the directions on the back of the jean rivets.

You can do this on any article of clothing to add a little something.

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken with Tomatoes & Smoked Mozzarella

I want to share one of my favorite chicken recipes by Rachel Ray. She knew what she was doing when she created this. I made this for dinner tonight because I already had most of the ingredients on hand. It is also a good way to use up some of your fresh home grown herbs before winter hits. The combination of flavors is perfect. The sweet honey and onions, tart balsamic, fresh tomatoes, and smokey mozzarella are very pleasing to the palate. The spice of the fresh thyme and rosemary make this perfect for fall. It does not look nearly as good as it tastes (I'm a horrible photographer and forgot to make the asparagus I had, which would have made it complete), but I thought I would post a picture for you anyway.

*You can also use Smoked Gouda in place of the Smoked Mozzarella, but I prefer the Mozzarella. Just make sure it is Smoked. Regular Mozzarella or Gouda just won't do.

*Also at the end when it says to add remaining 2 T. of butter, I only used one just to be a little healthier. I don't think it took away from the taste at all.

*Link to recipe is below picture

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken with Tomatoes & Smoked Mozzarella

ENJOY!!!

Antique Coca-Cola Crates

Cookbook holder

Plant or other accessory display

I just purchased these wooden Coca-Cola crates the other day at the local antique shop. They are my new favorite accessory. I was deciding whether or not to purchase more, but when I drove by they were no longer on display outside. I suppose they may have just moved them, so I will most likely stop in again to check. The uses for these crates are endless. I have shown you two examples. Other options would be to use as wall shelves, kitchen towel holder, drink carrier, napkin and condiment carrier at a picnic, magazine bin, etc. With that said I think I'm going to get my shoes on and head down to the antique store. Have a lovely day!

Deep Thoughts

Please read first:

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2009/03/floyd-margaret.html

I was just reading this post by Serena from The Farm Chicks Blog and it made me think. It makes me realize how spoiled we are these days. Are we really living? To me living is getting out there and getting your hands dirty. How can you appreciate something if you don't know what goes into it or how it is done? I don't know...I think I would rather work hard, do what I can myself, and be truly thankful and not take things for granted. I would never in a million years want to trade my life for that of Paris Hilton or Victoria Beckham. They don't know what living is. I know that seems judgemental, but I would rather be poor with money and rich with love and ability to take care of myself. I am old fashioned and long for people to have morals and values again. I long for kids to run around, play outside, and fill the parks instead of playing video games and computer games all day. I long for self sufficiency versus convenience. I long for phone calls and communication over texts and emails ( I am guilty of this and need to work on it). I long for kids to be kids and not diagnosed with a disability for being hyper and acting like kids. I long for holidays to mean what they used to, like being with family, wanting to give, not having to give, and being thankful for what we have. I long for a pride in our country and faith in God. I long for respect for our elders. I long for people to earn their way on this earth. I long for helping a friend in need. I could go on forever, but ultimately I long for more Floyds and Margarets.

Forbes Travelers Magazine - 2008 America's Prettiest Towns

Burlington, VT-Ranked #3

Lake Placid, NY-Ranked #7

So, I always knew I was not crazy for loving the area I live in. Forbes Travel Magazine helps to validate the reason I still live in Plattsburgh, NY. I live less than an hour away from two of their "prettiest" towns in America. They are Burlington, VT (#3) and Lake Placid, NY (#7). I totally agree with them.

A Few Delicious Muffin Recipes

Banana-Berry Muffins

(recipe below)

Cranberry-Streusel Corn Muffins

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Banana-Berry Muffins

from Hay Day Country Market

Makes about 18 Muffins

****

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana

(about 3 large bananas)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1 heaping cup fresh raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries

(you may also use frozen if that is all you have)

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly butter 18 ( I usually get about 22 muffins) muffins cups.

2. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the mashed bananas and vanilla, and blend in. (The mixture will look slightly curdled, but will pull together once dry ingredients are added).

3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in batches, alternating with the yogurt. Mix until all dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the berries.

4. Fill the prepared muffin cups 2/3 full, and bake until the muffins have risen and are nicely colored (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean), 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool muffins out on to a wire rack until cool enough for serving.

If only I could Afford...

Old Navy Purple Scarf

Old Navy Fair Isle Scarf

Anthropologie Cloche Hat

Anthropologie Hat

Anthropologie Sweater

Anthropologie Sweater dress

Anthropologie Silk Tank

JCREW Jeans

JCREW Leather Bag

JCREW Sweater

Anthropologie Leather Boots

JCREW Cable Knit Sweater

I love...

I love this bedroom
Country Living

I love this blue/gray shelf

I love these book shelves

I love this burlap Ottoman

I love this bed frame

I love this blue door in contrast with the wood

I love these blue canning jars
Farmer Julie

I love these handmade chalkboards

I love this fall table

I love this pottery
Farmer Julie

I love this farmhouse table

I love these antique grain sacks

I love this color SO MUCH!

I love this green chair

I love this green door

I love this hutch

I love this hutch also

I love this American flag wall hanging
Pottery Barn

I love everything about this kitchen

I love the huge mirror in this living room

The Old Painted Cottage

I love these shelves
The Old Painted Cottage

I love this table scape

I love the chalkboard paint on this pantry door

I love this patchwork curtain

I love this house

I love this red pantry door
Country Living

I love this three tiered lazy susan
Pottery Barn

I love this kitchen and the giant farmhouse sink

I love this sleigh bed

Pottery Barn

I love this walk in area

I love this wool plaid blanket
Nest Decorating

I love this yellow pantry shelf
Country Living

Most favorite time of the year!!

Hi there! I have been meaning to postmany more blogs, however, my camera is not connecting to my computer to transfer pictures. So, until I figure out what is wrong with it, I will have to do pictureless posts or get pictures off-line. This will probably make things not as exciting, but you will have to use your imagination.

Today I went for a walk at Pointe Au Roche State Park and was thinking of all the things that make fall my favorite season. I thought I would make a list and share with you.

1. Big comfy sweaters (no more bathing suit weather, thank goodness)

2. The smell of fall leaves

3. Apple picking

4. Baking with apples

5. Driving through the ADKs with leaves that are colors you have never seen before

6. Planning for the upcoming holidays and what I am going to make everyone for christmas

7. Apple-cinnamon scented candles

8. The smell of burning wood on a crisp cool day

9. Farm stands

10. Thanksgiving

11.Going to the Pumpkin Patch

12. Carving pumpkins

13. Fall Harvest

14. Canning tomatoes

15. Sunflowers

16. Football pot luck dinners

17. Yankees games (hopefully they have made it to the playoffs)

18. Handing out candy to trick or treaters

19. Knowing that I will be seeing my family a lot for the holidays

20. Hiking the ADKs

I am sure there are many more things I love about fall and if I think of more I will add them later. What is you favorite season and why?