Current Crush-Vintage Reproduction Fabrics

March 1st, 2010 . Posted in Current Crush | 3 Comments »

“I’m a material girl – want to see my fabric collection?”  ~Author Unknown

I’m almost done with my pile of yarn projects and as usual when it comes to my creative stuff, I’m thinking waaaayyy ahead. I’m going to make some purses and a spring quilt. I’ve got several yards of vintage reproduction fabric that I can start with, but I made the mistake of going to my favorite vintage repro. fabric website reprodepot.com and there are about ten more I have to get. Yes, I have to. Well, see for yourself. Even if you don’t sew you’ll convince yourself you need something during your visit :) Here are some that I already have, and some I’m getting ready to order.

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I want to use this to make a froggie dress for Madeline.

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…and another dress for Madeline

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and another…

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I think this cherry fabric would make a cute tablecloth

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and another tablecloth…

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and a purse out of this lamb fabric

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and another tablecloth…

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I have this scotty fabric in red…cute purse fabric

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baby clothes, or part of a baby quilt…

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this is one of the fabrics I used in a quilt for Gracie

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tablecloth…

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tea napkins…

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I have this martini fabric…I’m thinking purse!!!

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and I just love this poodle fabric…not sure how I’ll use it :)

Happy Monday!

~Melissa

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Music Review-The Weepies

February 28th, 2010 . Posted in Music Review | 2 Comments »

I’m up early, sitting at my desk sipping a French press, and listening to one of my favorite bands play as I write. The Weepies. So amazingly beautiful and inspiring. Their sound is ethereal and enchanting and completely addictive. If you’re looking for something different then you’ve come to the right place. You can listen to samples of their music at their website theweepies.com All of their albums are available for download to your mp3 player (which is how I choose to purchase CDs now.)

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Happy listening! Please share your favorite music with me. I’m always looking for something new to listen to.

~Melissa

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Tequilaberry’s Salad

February 27th, 2010 . Posted in Decadence! | 5 Comments »

“It’s certain that fine women eat a crazy salad with their meat.” ~Yeats

My friend Sherida shared this recipe with me years ago when Tequilaberry’s was still open. A restaurant that was located in Coon Rapid’s MN, known for their prime rib and this spectacular salad has closed it’s doors, but nobody that has enjoyed this salad can seem to live without it for very long. I came across it when I was looking through my recipes a couple days ago and decided to make it and post the recipe, just in case anyone out there is looking for it. Enjoy!

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Tequilaberry’s Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped into 1 inch pieces

1 head cauliflower, chopped

1 lb. bacon

1 cup real mayonnaise (no substitutes)

2 and 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1 and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Combine chopped lettuce and chopped cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Fry bacon until crispy, blot and chop into bite size pieces. Add bacon to the lettuce mixture. Discard bacon grease. To make the dressing: mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and parmesan cheese in a small mixing bowl. Add the dressing to the lettuce mixture, mixing well. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator. I like to grind a little fresh pepper over the top before serving.

~Melissa

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Current Crush-Vintage Cookbooks

February 26th, 2010 . Posted in Book Review, Current Crush | 4 Comments »

“One reason cooking is so exciting is that there is always something new you can make; actually it can be a new adventure every single day.”
Gladys Taber, Stillmeadow Sampler

One of the many things I collect, besides teacups, are vintage cookbooks. I collect vintage children’s books, vintage and antique valentines, vintage linens, vintage glassware and china, and vintage plaid thermoses/coolers/lunchboxes. Oh! and red and white enamelware. I think that’s it….yup, that’s it.

These aren’t all of my old cookbooks, but I took pictures of some of my favorites, with the most interesting covers. Opening them up takes me back in time to a 1950s kitchen with red and white gingham curtains, and apple pie cooling on the windowsill…and back to a time when women dressed like Stepford wives :)

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I love the illustrations in vintage books. Some of them are so funny. Like in this one, the dad is smoking a pipe while he gets the grill ready. I have never seen this happen in real life. hee hee

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And look at this photograph. Can you imagine the energy it would take to make a tailgate picnic look this pretty? Look how the mom is so happy to be serving everyone. There’s only one explanation. She’s a Stepford wife. If I was in this picture I’d be sitting in a lawn chair under one of those trees in the background, sipping a martini.

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Look at the outfit on this lady. If you ever come over to my house for a barbecue and I’m wearing anything that even remotely resembles this you have permission to punch me.

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This “Gold Medal Flour Cook Book”  contains one of my favorite sponge cake recipes, but like almost all vintage cookbooks it also has recipes for weird things like forcemeat. I don’t even want to know what forcemeat is.

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so cute!

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So many of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes in one book!

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I love the old entertaining books that give you a time line for planning a party a month in advance. Laugh out loud funny :)

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I love the pink cover on this book. It has some cute party game ideas too.

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love and love…

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My friend Steph gave sent me this for Christmas. I haven’t gotten a chance to read the whole thing, but I’m looking forward to it. Thanks Steph!

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Great recipe for REAL baked beans and brown bread!

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This was Andie’s favorite cookbook when she was little. She loved to make the sugar cookies “all by herself.”

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One of my absolute favorites.

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LOVE it!

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One of the ten books I own by one of my favorite authors, Gladys Taber. Look for her out of print “Stillmeadow” books on ebay, you won’t be disappointed. Timeless wisdom!

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lots of good recipes

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so adorable. nice Glogg recipe.

So, what do you collect? Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Happy weekend!

~Melissa

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Vacation Plans

February 25th, 2010 . Posted in Travel Journal | 7 Comments »

Well, I’m still here. Keeping busy and waiting for the darn snow to just go away already! I’m doing all of those exciting things I was doing a couple days ago…writing, cooking, cleaning…bla bla bla… almost overwhelmed by all the glamor and intrigue. Sorry in advance for the choppy, stream-of-consciousness style of this entry. This is my brain on too much winter.

I brought Gracie up to the bus stop and the bus driver complimented my pink and white flannel pajama pants. His exact comment, “Hey! Nice pajamas!” I’m not sure if he was actually giving me a compliment. I’m a little skeptical.  :) (By the way, I wish there was another way to express when I’m kidding besides using  smiley faces. I think I use them too much, and it’s become a sort of smiley face disease  :) …see, there it is again.

Anyhoo, as I was finishing up the dishes this morning and listening to my favorite radio show, “My Talk 107.1 FM, ” they had an ad for Sun Country Vacations, and were once again suggesting warm destinations like Mexico. We were there around this time last year, and I can’t tell you how much I am longing for the ocean waves, powdery white sand, and tan people bringing me large, frozen cocktails as I lounge in a cabana reading unimportant literature *sigh.*

The ad got me thinking about our upcoming 15th wedding anniversary vacation. We’ve been talking about where we want to go, and have it narrowed down to “somewhere cool that we’ve never visited before.” Originally we were saying Italy and France, or Iceland but I’m a little leary of traveling to Europe (today anyway, who knows what will happen in the next year?) because of the current political climate. I just don’t think it’s safe. Maybe another of the Hawaiian islands? We’ve been to Maui, and absolutely LOVED it, but maybe Kauai would be nice? My grandparents suggested we go on a cruise. I know several people who love cruising, but for some reason it doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe it has to do with the many news reports of pirates, bed bugs, and food poisoning that I hear about several times a year? I’m sure I’ll go on one at some point, but that’s not really what I want to do for our 15th, and Jeff doesn’t seem to like the idea at all.

We’ve been to Napa on a day trip when we were visiting family in Sacramento California, and also visited San Francisco and Sausilito. I was pregnant with Gracie at the time so I couldn’t fully appreciate wine country. California might be fun. Drink some vino, visit Hollywood?

The east coast is amazing and I wouldn’t mind going back. I like the idea of taking a train out there and touring all the New England states. I loved Boston the last time we were there. Little Italy, all of the history, Salem, Concord, Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. It would be fun to see New York and maybe eat some lobster in Maine with the hubby. :)

Gracie suggested we go to Orlando (Disney World) again. Surprise surprise :) We really did have a fantastic time when we were there in 2007.  We did Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal last time. Maybe this time we could hit Animal Kingdom, and one of the massive water parks.

Where have you been that you just loved? I welcome your suggestions and any tips you can pass my way.

xo,

Melissa

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I Love TV Shows on DVD and Books on CD

February 24th, 2010 . Posted in General | No Comments »

TV Shows on DVD-

One of my favorite ways to relax, after all of the cleaning and cooking and general household stuff is done…and after I’ve made sure to get a workout in, is watching my favorite TV shows on DVD. This is usually what I’m doing when I work on my knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, red work, and even illustration work. I like to watch movies too, but my absolute favorite are the engrossing television shows available on DVD, such as:

1) Grey’s Anatomy

2) LOST

3) How I Met Your Mother

4) Heroes

5) Sex and the City

Books on CD-

As I’ve said in previous posts, I’m an avid reader. On average, I read about a book a week. Besides reading hard copies of books, I also like to listen to books on CD. Most of the illustrations in the two books I wrote were created as I listened to piles of books on CD while sipping iced tea on my front porch (and in the colder months, at my art table in my study.) I’ve found that listening to books on CD is a great way to pass the time while I’m cleaning and cooking too. Jeff likes to listen to books on CD on his commute to and from Minneapolis every day. It’s a great way to get some “reading” in if you just can’t find the time to sit down with book, and it’s a nice way to keep your mind busy while doing mundane tasks.

~Melissa

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Feeling Domestic

February 23rd, 2010 . Posted in Book Review, Product Review | 2 Comments »

Another quiet day to myself. It feels like a gift. I’ve decided to make Julia Child’s boeuf bourguignon from her fabulous cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” She once said that when beef stew is simmering in the oven, all is right with the world.

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While this is cooking, I’ll be finishing up a sweater I’m crocheting for my grandbaby, Madeline May. I’ll probably post pictures, and the pattern I used to make it later this week. I have several yarn projects that I’m working on that I’d like to finish before April and then I think I’ll put the knitting needles and crochet hooks away for awhile and unearth my sewing machine from the attic. My friend Jana has inspired me to get some sewing done….I’m thinking about trying my hand at purses and bags…. I also have some ideas for a red work line I’d like to design. I’ll keep you posted.

I’m doing little things to distract myself until spring gets here. That reminds me of something Carrie Fisher once said. “Waiting, done at really high speeds will frequently look like something else.” So, that’s what I’m going to do. Cook, create, write. Maybe I’ll do a little spring cleaning too. There are a couple products that I like to use that smell so good I almost forget that I’m doing housework when I use them. There are little ways to elevate the mundane into something wonderful. Tricking yourself with beautifully scented soaps is one of them. Here are a few of my favorites:

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Mrs. Meyer’s laundry detergent smells SO good…my two favorite scents are lavender and geranium.

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Caldrea “Sea Salt Neroli” countertop cleanser is so much nicer than 409

yhst-24117454018670_2086_3678011and Caldrea “Ginger Pomelo” dish soap makes doing the dishes feel like a spa ritual

Remember… John Skow said… “Housework, if it is done right, can kill you.”

So don’t take it too seriously  :)

~Melissa

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Movie Review-”Death at a Funeral”

February 22nd, 2010 . Posted in Movie Review | No Comments »

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Jane: Would you like a cup of tea, Sandra?
Sandra: Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can’t bring back the dead.

This is one of my favorite dark comedies. I just re-watched it with Jeff over the weekend, and was reminded again just how much I love it. It’s a bit twisted, and definitely contains some crude humor, so if you’re a fan of the straight and narrow, don’t watch this.

Synopsis from IMDB-

Daniel is a decent young man, married to Jane, still living at his father’s home. When his father dies, it is up to him to organize his funeral. On this painful morning, the suitable grave expression on his face, Daniel is ready to welcome his father’s friends and relatives. But preserving the dignity inherent in such circumstances will be a hard task. Particularly with an undertaker who botches his work, the return from the USA of his famous but selfish brother, his cousin’s fiancé who has accidentally ingested drugs, the presence of a moron who takes advantage of the sad event to win back the heart (or rather the body) of a woman who is about to marry another, of a handicapped old uncle who is also the most unbearable pain in the neck. To cap it all, Daniel notices the presence among the mourners of a mysterious dwarf nobody else seems to know…

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Current Crush-Lollia “Wish”

February 21st, 2010 . Posted in Current Crush, Product Review | No Comments »

“It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”  ~Mark Twain

Spring is just around the corner and I’ve been going for more walks outside in lieu of working out. This time of year, when I’m most anticipating the buds on the crab apple trees and the green grass, I start dreaming about wearing my blue and white gingham blouse, ‘flowy’ white pants and sandals. I also start wearing lighter perfume scents. In a recent post I wrote about “Miss Dior Cherie” by Christian Dior. This perfume definitely fits into the ‘dreaming of spring’ category.

Here’s another of my absolute favorites… Lollia “Wish” Sugared Pastille… lollialife.com

lolliaKey ingredients:
A Burst of Italian Bergamot, notes of Cinnamon and Pepper, Rice Flower, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang, sheer Amber Woods and Vanilla Bean.

Design Details:
Bees made with Real Gold leafing with blue accents are silk screened on a cylinder shaped glass perfume bottle.

Before you start your spring cleaning, treat yourself to a beautiful spring scent for inspiration…and maybe a new shade of pink lipstick!

xo,

Melissa

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Snow Ice Cream

February 20th, 2010 . Posted in Book Review, Decadence!, Inspire! | No Comments »

“There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance.” ~William Sharp

When I was younger my little brothers and I loved to play out in the freshly fallen snow. We watched the grey winter sky, eagerly awaiting the fluffy flakes so we could make snow igloos with our snow block maker, snow men, snow angels and snow ice cream! Our aunt Bobbie was actually the one who introduced the idea of snow ice cream to us. Back then we simply added milk and maple syrup to dishes of fresh snow. Yummy!

I found a cute little book called “Cracked Corn & Snow Ice Cream,” by Nancy Willard, while perusing the aisles of Barnes & Noble a few years back, and decided to rekindle the snow ice cream tradition. Since then Grace has become an enthusiastic fan. There are some other great recipes in this book too…some of my favorites: Raspberry Shrub, Corn Pudding, and Potato Latkes.

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We’ve replaced the maple syrup with chocolate syrup, and the milk with sweetened condensed milk OR a little cream/ half and half. We top it off with Marischino cherries and sprinkles too.  Nancy Willard’s recipe calls for evaporated milk, which I have never tried, but I suppose it would work just as well. We serve ours in tulip cups with sundae spoons :)

Here’s a picture of Gracie enjoying her snow ice cream on a snowy day a couple weeks ago…

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and a picture of the ingredients we used….

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Recipe:

Take 8 to 9 cups of freshly fallen snow and mix it with one can of sweetened condensed milk. or 4 0z. cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix really well…top with chocolate syrup and any other toppings that you like.

Happy Snow!

~Melissa

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