Tying the Knot… part 1

After much consideration we chose silk arrangements to center the reception table Lanterns.
The wedding colors are periwinkle and pale peach. Altho the pic does not show the truest colors in the arrangements. (Lanterns are the best deal at Ikea.)

Tying the Knot…

       This summer we're celebrating a wedding, our daughter's! As DYI ers, all the traditions,  all the love, all the work; we're enjoying  the journey. Planning: There's a beginning point , the big picture that the happy couple laid out for us, and as married couples know, the many changing paths that lead to beautiful send off at the end of their Big Day. 

 This will be my journal of one mother of the Bride.  

      Understanding roles is key to a happy journey. As the parents of the bride, our roles are to support the couple's ideas and dreams, not over step or demand. Sometimes it means  shopping for the best deals, running interference for the many well intended ideas, making phone calls, favors, sometimes just being there to listen. Sometimes it means drying both our tears as we share that special afternoon when she walks out of the dressing room in the perfect wedding dress. 

Twenty table wreaths begin with 3.

Six done, 14 to go..Ivy, hydrangeas, ranunculus, baby's breath, peonies, etc on grapevine wreaths.

...and now 20, all completed, all different. Hmm looking at this makes me think they could use a spray for a little shine. 

Fresh flowers for the entire wedding was our first choice and take far less time to create. However, the just cost of  wet floral wreath rounds really adds up. The risk of fresh florals not arriving in perfect condition, etc..Plus, flower arranger, aka MOB,(me), will have plenty of other details to do  those few days leading up to the wedding. the Bridal table, bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages,  cake table, etc..will be fresh. Silks will be given as remembrances to some family and friends. 💜

      

100lbs Romas, a Gaggle of Garlic, a Dozen Onions.. ..

 Summer Tomatoes and Sauce Time 

  

        The  Romas are finally ready! Its sauce time and that  means get out the aprons, towels, every sauce pan and large bowl we own. I keep asking my husband if it time to cut back but, "NO!!" Conscious of the nutritional value of foods less processed, we're committed to making more in our own kitchen. I recently read that tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. According to a good read in Live Strong article :  https://www.livestrong.com/article/522521-the-advantages-of-tomato-sauce/  Vitamin A promotes the "maintaining low-light vision and for building connective tissues under the skin."

Vitamin C, the Sunshine multi duty vitamin plays many roles in our good health. Vitamin K , the blood coagulating vitamin. Tomatoes also have potassium and manganese for bone strength, Not to mention the mighty tomato is filled with Lycopenes which help protect free radical damage in the body. We are fortunate to have an abundance of tomatoes and should eat them often!

                                     

                        To get the most from our tomatoes, we pressthem 3 times. (Above is first press)

Second press

                               

                                   Third press, see how the schmootz is getting smaller? The remains are sometimes used in the garden and sometimes offed to friends with chickens, who seem to love it. 

Strong arms are a requirement. 

Cooked down to a rich pasta sauce and in recent years, some become  tomato basil soup, to be served on a frosty evening with a grilled cheese sandwich. .

Onions, garlic, basil, oregano, brown sugar, sea salt, and ground pepper,.  After sauce is cooled, its placed in serving size containers and frozen. Depending on our mood, meat, or spices like ginger, are cooked in before eating.

Breathing life into DUSTY OLD THINGS

Inspired by recycled old bicycles and a love for flowers, I began to look for one of my own. There were posts everywhere, people selling bikes, old ones, new ones, vintage, which I learned is different from old ones...the prices were insane. Prices ran into the hundreds! My husband and I went antiquing in Ohio's Amish Country and at the last stop,BOOM , there she was. Leaning on an old fence in the rain...with a broken chain. She was messy,  but not as much as the rust bucket leaning next to her. 

I was guessing that she had lived a productive life by her rickety chain, flattened tires, and rust spots. However her frame was in great shape! She cost me $24.00. 

Returning home, I ran to the hardware store for Rustoleum Cornflower Blue spray paint. After cleaning the rust, she was given 3 coats all over. 

I also picked up an old basket for the handle bars, sprayed it as well. The seat was sticky and breaking down from being outside. I covered it and the basket in blue gingham. Found a basket to for the back and she was ready to go.

 Leaving the chain adds something.

I decided to name her...JUDY,      JUDY THE BEAUTY! 😉

                                                                    

  

There it is , another Dusty, Old Thing repurposed . 

Happy Fourth of July!

Hello! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I'd be in remiss if I didn't start by being grateful for this day, this celebration. Independence Day isn't just about fireworks, food, and fun. It is also the day to remember and be grateful for our Country's  freedoms. On this day we celebrate independence from the oppressive demands being made upon them from across the the sea. 

Happy Fourth of July to you and your family. 

Thoughtful family  and friends  contribute special surprises like the festive strawberries and mixed berry pie.

Mason jar root beer floats.

Two of the same macaroni salads?? The younger generation prefer it made with mayo , no onions...and the mature prefer Miracle Whip with onions. 

Piggy Bread

Easter 2017 

Piggy Bread

Piggy Bread, my version of an idea featured on Stehanie's fun blog: Girl Vrs Dough.  Creators of the piggies are from blog PASS THE COCOA (Caroline and Monica)Very cute!

 Piggies are stuffed with breakfast sausage, kielbasa, or Italian sausage.

 My family and friends love these easy to make rolls!

Cook your fave sausage, allow to cool.

 Rhodes Dinner rolls (frozen dept of local store) Cooked sausage. Peppercorns for eyes. Egg white for wash. Toothpicks

Rise dough balls in greased muffin tins cover with sprayed plastic wrap, per pkg instructions. Make a round patty of dough in your palm. Place sausage inside and pull up ends of dough to seal. Save a small amout dough to make ears, curly tail, and snout.  Place snout on face area, use toothpics to hold .See pic below  Ears are small shaped triangles. They will stick to the body. Place peppercorns for the eyes, ans roll a tiny curly tail. Add to backside.  Gently egg wash the dough. Bake 350 apx  14 minutes. Cover and  Refrigerate any leftovers. Reheat 10-15 seconds in microwave. 

Spring Table Blues are gone!

 Hospital Volunteer Thank you Luncheon

First: Thank you everyone who so generously took the time to offer suggestions for the tablescape improvement. I printed each one and worked the table with them until I finally ended with this...I really loved all the ideas and as you can see, used most of them! 

I added the suggestion of vines and flowers, now everyone has something to look at.

BEFORE:

Note how plain it is? What can I do?

After your suggestions:


The table: 
Mikasa French Countryside 
 Inexpensive hand painted water glasses

Gazing balls were placed in the center with a message that today love is reflected in each them.   The Bunny stopped by and left jelly beans discretely, giving everyone a chuckle. Handmade " tweeties" were a take away for each of them.

I found this tiny milk glass bunny last weekend in Amish country. In the background,  a cd of bird songs is playing softly .

I added the suggestion of vines and flowers, now everyone has something to look at.

Mixing chairs was necessary, but looks fine.



Night time with candles lit. Another view of the layered table cloths a bit easier in this light.  The bottom is a flat twin sheet and the top  is a an inexpensive sheer striped curtain fabric remnant found in a bin at a fabric shop. Really helps bring up the blues.

The menu : 

Mixed Greens with sliced strawberries and Poppyseed Dressing

Roasted Chicken Salad mini croissants

Lemon Pound Cake w/Strawberry Sauce

Fruity wines 

Easter Table

Easter Table

Goodmorning!

Between an early Easter and family birthdays,  my Easter postings are late, my apologies for my tardiness! Easter is probably my favorite holiday because, no gifts to stress over, and it affords me the time to be creative . I enjoy making individualized baskets, making chocolates, which this year has just become a little business!! Stunned over the fact that friends want to purchase them! what?!

The more the merrier! As the number of last minute friends with no plans grew, and a mix of tableware and placemats had to be changed. The table was simple this year. made yellow stripped napkins and yellow dotted hot pads then added a solid yellow paper napkin as well.  

Happy Birthday Roger & Happy Easter 2016!

March 27

Bunny Bellinis

Baked Ham Sammies

Macaroni Salad

Spice Pasta

Fresh Veggie Platter

Devilled Eggs

Ambrosia

Rosemary Chicken Salad Croissants

White Raspberry Cake

Butter Finger Pie

Table set ! Menu , served buffet style is:

Added flower mini lites to center piece

Tiny lites are buried in wreath to pop at nite.

waiting for the deviled eggs..

Tweetie suckers on the table, Easter baskets are hidden...

for all the family and friends 

Bunny Belinis served...

 making Bunny (peach) Bellinis

Pitcher: Glasses with Bunny Peeps  (Bellini is much like a Mimosa)
1 Bag Frozen Peaches,
1c canned or fresh peaches
1 grated lemon skin
11/2 c Peach Schnapps
2/3 c simple syrup vanilla flavored
1c crushed ice blend til thick.
place a couple T. to bottom of glass, add Prosecco, or any sparkling wine.


Posting with my faves....

• BNOTP:Metamorphosis Monday
• A Stroll Thru Life (Tabletop Tuesday)
• Southern Savvy Style:Wow Us Wednesday
• Beverly's Pink Saturday
• BNOTP: Tablescape Thursday
• No Minimalist Here Share Your Style Thurs
• TCOH Home Sweet Home Friday