Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Checks and Stripes….


Last week our family got together for dinner and we had 4 generations at the table

I set the table with my new Ikea dinner dishes and the table runner I made:


I found these red enamel salad bowls in Florida last year:


I used my new M-C butter house:


And here is a recent photo of the 4 generations:





Pin It

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Sunday, July 20, 2014

MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale 2014

As a fan of MacKenzie-Childs home goods, this is an event "not to be missed":


My favorite day to attend is the last day, Sunday, because there is an additional discount off the sale prices on select items, and the tents aren't as hectic!  Janine and I headed out early….


Shopping the Barn Sale is a challenge.  There are numerous tents, one holds rugs, furniture, and the majolica pieces. The outdoor furniture was in another, the barn has enamel pieces, smaller tents have napkins, trays, frames….and it can get really hot and humid inside!  They hand out large paper bags to hold your treasures and they have some grocery carts available.  Some people bring wagons, and navigating around can be tricky.  I bring a small tote bag on wheels, but once it is filled, I use the large paper bag.  It can be overwhelming!  Generally the shoppers are polite, patient and excited!  

Once the gate opened and we entered, the hunt was on to find items on my wish list and also to pick up a few treasures for Deb at Mountain Breaths.

My wish list included the square picadilly baking dish and the butter house … and I couldn't resist a small and large checked bowl.  I also picked up a bunch of assorted glass painted globes to set aside for gifts:


I also scored a rug:


Four years ago I painted some white and black checked knobs for our entertainment center and they are getting a bit worn, so I luckily found 2 large knobs to replace them, as well as a 4 more to use on a few pieces of furniture I am refinishing:


About 10 miles south of Aurora, not too far from Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs' old home, is a small town, Genoa.  Victoria and Richard also had a sale today, in an old school.  Classrooms and hallways displayed their wares, including some original M-C pieces.  I have met them a few times and am always amazed that she recognizes me!



I bought a candy dish for my Mother and a few clay post for my herbs:




We ended the day with a photo of the 4 of us!


My M-C collection is certainly not complete however I think I have plenty for now.  I use my dishes quite often….


…as well as my canisters...


…and I love my clock...


….but my favorite piece is my table:


And to think, my collection began with this:


It's fun to have a collection - what do you collect??

Pin It

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Shopping in Skaneateles….


Just in case your husband wants to tag along as you browse through the gift shops in Skaneateles, They offer a great service at the local pub:



Pin It

Sunday, July 13, 2014

The Finger Lakes Lavender Festival at Lockwood Farm

A few weeks ago I read The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook.  It's a quick read, about friendship and a trip to Sequim Lavender Festival in Washington state.  My favorite Lavender Farm has to be the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, which is small, quaint and totally unexpected to find it hidden in Harwich.

With lavender on my mind, Saturday was "girlfriends day"….we started our day at the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival in Skaneateles, NY


Lockwood Lavender Farm is a few miles outside the charming town and sits on a hill overlooking  Skaneateles Lake.


We were greeted by this sign, guiding us to the lavender fields, arts and crafts booths, the lavender market, the drying barn and delicious delights:


The varieties of lavender was easy to distinguish by the vibrancy of the colors.  Culinary Lavender is very brilliant!


The little market sold everything"lavender" that you could imagine:


The flower gardens were in full bloom, and we had a "photo session" in the adirondack chair in the field:




We continued our day shopping in town.  Skaneateles has some lovely gift shops, my favorite is the Rhubarb, a culinary and kitchen shop!


Lunch was at the Blue Water Grill at the top of the Lake:


And on the way home we stopped at "The Dump", a great imaging boutique



Pin It

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Chive Blossom Vinegar


I recently made Chive Blossom Vinegar, a recipe from Deb at Mountain Breaths.  Her recipe can be found HERE.

The color of the vinegar is such a pretty pale lavender, but I poured it into bottles that are tinted green so it is hard to see the true color!  I made a large batch that made 6 small bottles:



I corked each bottle...


…and tied a label onto each handle...


I am off to deliver these to a few friends…I will include a few recipes, some dried chives….


...or maybe some seeds and a plant marker...


Herbs are so easy to grow, especially chives, and they add such nice, mild onion flavor to so many foods!



Pin It