Monday, November 23, 2009

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

Sunday, November 22, 2009

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

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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

Saturday, November 14, 2009

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!


Sunday, November 8, 2009

"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.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Lovely Rooms



Unknown



Country Living



Country Living



Coastal Living



Country Home



Country Home



Home & Garden


Katrin Cargill Interiors