Monday, April 29, 2019

Bavarian Cocktail Meatballs

Here's an easy recipe for an hors d'oeuvre....


Simply:

2 lbs frozen cooked mini meatballs (about 64)
1 medium onion, sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 pkt beefy onion soup dry mix
12 oz can beer


In a slow cooker, combine meatballs and onions.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and the onion soup mix.  Pour beer over top.  Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Stir after a few hours.  Serve with toothpicks or mini forks.


These are delish!!   The perfect little tidbit for Happy Hour!!



Thursday, April 25, 2019

Rachel Cordaro - and a giveaway....

I have been drawn to the art work of Rachel Cordaro for quite a while and was fortunate recently to meet her in person.

Rachel describes herself as a "floral paintress".  Her paintings first caught my eye because many of the paintings of flowers have black and white vases incorporated into her work!  Some are funky, whimsical and playful and are all full of color!


The first time I saw her work in person was at Parkleigh in Rochester, where her work is still being sold.

She also has a booth at the Shops on West Ridge, a treasure trove of over 200 shops all under one roof!


Some of her paintings have been transformed into textiles, prints and onto greeting cards.


 Her newest venture includes glazed pottery tableware:



When I met Rachel I found her to be delightful.  She and her husband, who is also an artist, have studios in their home.  You can read her bio HERE and visit her blog HERE.

Her pillow covers, tablecloths and table runners are just stunning.  She gave me one of her tablecloths to incorporate into a table setting. The tablecloths are of excellent quality, 70" round and 100% polyester and are reasonably priced.



Here are a few ways I have used my new "watercolor" tablecloth (my favorite pattern, and you all know how much I love watercolor prints!!):

Lunch for Two:


My hand painted wine glasses picked up the colors in the tablecloth:


The colors are so rich and vibrant:


Setting a simple table helps to highlight the fabric....


....and simple floral napkin rings and the flowers on the dish coordinate well with the print!





Decorated for Easter:



Easter Brunch for Four:


 "I am a floral paintress and it is my passion to bring to you a custom mix of dreamy flowers with rich colors"  Rachel Cordaro


All of the colors from my Taylor pattern in the MacKenzie-Childs ceramics coordinate well with this tablecloth, too!



"Artists can be a little short on words, but an audience is pulled toward confidence and when it sees that in our painting, it pulls them in. We love what we do, and that confidence shines through on the canvas. We just want to create something beautiful.”
— RACHEL CORDARO






Impromptu Happy Hour with friends:



As you can see, the tablecloth has been used quite a bit in the last 2 weeks and it still looks brand new!


Everyday:



The hubs thought it was OK to read the Sunday paper on the dining room table because the kitchen table was set for company dinner:


It always feels good to bring flowers indoors!!


Thanks, Rachel for this lovely gift!


Would you like a chance to win a painting, a table runner and a pillow cover?
Go HERE for the rules and good luck!

Contest ends on May 11th


I hope you will visit her shop, Parkleigh, or some of the events she will be participating in:

Here are her upcoming events in The Rochester, NY area:

Cordell & Rachel pop-up Shop at Parkleigh

  •   

Fairport Canal Days June 1-2

  •   

Corn Hill Art Festival July 13-14

  •   

Webster Waterfront Art Festival July 27-28

  •   

Sonnenberg Arts at the Gardens August 17-18

  •   

Clothesline Festival September 7-8

  •   

Artist Row at the Public Market September 15th.

  

RMSC Holiday Bazaar November 22-24

  

Potter Barn Pop-up Shop benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital

Saturday, November 24, 2018   




Sharing with Tablescape Thursday

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

BLT Baked Tomatoes...


Here's an idea for a tasty side dish.  

MIX together:
1/4 cup bacon bits
2T butter 
1 garlic clove, minced
Microwave until butter is melted and stir together.
ADD:
3/4 cup Pepperidge Farm Stuffing mix, smashed
2 T mayonnaise
2 T red onion, chopped
1/2 cup lettuce, chopped



Hollow out 6 tomatoes, invert on paper towels for 20 minutes to drain, and sprinkle inside with salt and pepper:


Stuff each tomato with filling and drizzle with flavored olive oil.  I used this basting oil....


....and then sprinkled with a little more salt and pepper:


I placed them in a muffin pan, but they can also be placed on a baking sheet (but I feared they might fall over!)


Bake 20-30 minutes at 425'


These are delish and filling!  The next time I think I might use Roma tomatoes and cut them in half!  They are perfect for a luncheon, side dish or even a breakfast!


I imagine these can also be made with spinach, bread crumbs, real bacon, chopped, minced broccoli - the "filling" ideas are endless!!

Monday, April 22, 2019

Mashed Potato Puffs...


I was searching for a different type of potato to make for company, something that could be prepared before my guests arrived.  I always try to have my food prepped so that I can also enjoy the company and am not in the kitchen the whole time.  



i found this recipe at The Cooking Jar and it was so easy to prepare, and so tasty, too!

The mashed potatoes are made ahead of time and then baked in muffin tins.


RECIPE:


These were nice and creamy with a crispy top....


...the only change I think I would make next time is I will cook them in the aluminum cupcake cups!  They did not come out of the greased muffin tins as well as I had hoped!



Saturday, April 20, 2019

Broccoli and Grape Pasta...



I am making this salad to add to our Easter dinner.  

It is a delicious and tasty salad to make for a side dish!



Broccoli and Grape Pasta

Ingredients:
1 lb fresh broccoli
1 c chopped pecans
8 oz Farfalle pasta
1 c mayonnaise
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c chopped red onion
1/3 c red wine vinegar
2 c seedless red grapes
8 slices cooked bacon

Prepare 8 oz Farfalle Pasta (bowties) according to directions on package.  Fry bacon and chop.  Chop pecans.  Cut broccoli florets from stems and separate into small pieces.  Cut grapes in halves.  Chop red onion.  Whisk together mayonnaise, 1/3 c red wine vinegar, sugar, and salt.  In a large bowl, pour dressing over pasta, pecans, broccoli, onion and bacon.  Serve or chill.





Monday, April 15, 2019

Two days in Aurora, NY...

My friend Patti and I went to Day 2 of the Mackenzie-Childs Warehouse Sale, a yearly spring event in Union Springs, NY. 
 We stayed at Wallcourt Hall, one of the "Inns of Aurora":


Wallcourt Hall was built in the heart of Aurora in 1909 for Miss Goldsmith’s School for Girls, a well-respected preparatory school.  


It later served as a dormitory for Wells College, and, for a brief time, as a studio for MacKenzie-Childs, maker of distinctive and whimsical tableware and home décor. 


The decor throughout the Inn is a tribal theme in orange-reds, black and white. 


The weather was "spring perfect" and the sunset, across the street, over Cayuga Lake, was just perfect! 


 The community room was so welcoming with custom furniture, Italian fabrics, and exceptional modern art.....


...and the breakfast room had the cutest lampshades dangling from the ceiling: 


 Our bathroom was hand painted in "spots"... 


...and the modern tribal artwork in our room was so unique and colorful!  


When we returned to the Inn, after having dinner at the Aurora Inn, we found chocolates and this sweet little card:  


We enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning to Aurora for the MacKenzie- Childs Barn Sale this summer!



 Behind the Hall is the renovation of Zabriski House, which will be the 5th Inn, all within walking distance of each other! This Inn will open in the fall, 2019. 





So, how was dinner at the Aurora Inn?

Well, first, our hostess for the dinner party was Diana... 


...who planned an Alice in Wonderland theme and she was our "queen".

"Alice" was her friend Audrey, and Susie drove in from Maryland:  


Marylin and Celeste were a mother/daughter team, family friends of Ted's:


Ted was all decked out in a festive checked outfit: 


Joan and I chatted about the treasures we found at the Warehouse Sale earlier in the day!


We enjoyed glasses of champagne with our hostess before dinner...


...and then our group of 10 had our photos taken on the deck overlooking the beautiful sunset on Cayuga Lake: 





The dinner table had the cutest centerpiece made by Audrey...


...filled with lollipops and MacKenzie-Childs teacup ornaments: 


Diana ordered us a variety of appetizers: 


And I started my meal with a delicious Pear, Walnut and Frise´ salad...


And I had a delicious Pasta Bolognese for my main meal:  


Desserts, wine, and Chocolate Martinis were enjoy by all! 


Our hostess surprised us all with generous gifts galore!  Presents that will always remind me of a fun evening of developing new friendships!


I made little favors for the table... I started with little a few wooden heart ornaments that I painted...


...and I found little black bags... 



...and ordered stickers to adhere to the bags.... 


...and added my logo stickers to the ornaments...



...I bagged them up and the favors were ready for my "NEW" friends!  


...Aurora and the MacKenzie-Childs store is full of magical fun, a great area to meet new friends and a place to escape from everyday stress and challenges! 


The next day we visited the store and ran into Tom, our favorite salesman: 

And I drooled a bit over the hand painted ceramics...


... I ran into Debbie and her husband from our Traveling Tote group of bloggers:


Another highlight was the Warehouse Sale itself - this is truly what brought us all together for the few days...


...It was not busy at all... 


...and this is where I first ran into my FB friend, Joan: 


 I was lucky to find some special pieces and this tray was one of my favorite finds, as well as the cushions for my flower basket chairs: 


It was a great 2 days and again, I believe this to be very true: