Tuesday's Tablescape (a day late)

Today's tablescape fell into place...perfectly.  I knew this Tuesday's table would be a day late since we were on a little getaway (which is why I couldn't post Monday or yesterday). I also knew that I had long wanted to couple this china with my showy rooster for an autumn table. His regal colors have always reminded me of Grandma's china. It worked out flawlessly because today would have been my grandma's 100th birthday! Her china displayed on her birthday is a most fitting tribute to a special woman. Always picture-perfect (from her hair down to her shoes), she was, very much, a lady who valued family and education. Loving, brilliant, creative and humorous are just a few words to describe her.

 

 

 Although originally selected for his colors relating to the china, it then occurred to me that Mr. Rooster is also a symbolic centerpiece because Grandma grew up on a farm. My sister and I used to love to hear stories of her childhood days spent with her hard-working farming family on acres of land. We adored hearing about the animals, the crops harvested and canned and the tales and antics of Grandma and her siblings.

Anyone who knew my grandma for her nearly  96 years also knew she was an outstanding cook. Nothing delighted her more than preparing a meal feast for her family. It was typical for Grandma's table to have a few fantastic entrees, multiple mouth-watering sides and delicious desserts. Most of her recipes were learned from her mother, but she also created some of her own. She was known to win many recipe contests in town and friends and family always requested their  particular favorite dishes from her. It made her happy to oblige by cooking or baking for someone! Our family gathered for countless meals in our grandparents' home to dine on these dishes.

 

I have never seen this china anywhere else. My grandpa bought the service for her and I was blessed to receive it while she was still living. Don't you love the scalloped edges? The pieces back then were slightly smaller in size than today's plates and bowls. That's probably a good thing since we Americans tend to eat portions too generous in size on our oversized tableware!

I'm sure you can deduce that these dishes are priceless to me for the family memories they represent! Today I reflect on all that I learned from, and loved about, my grandma who was born 100 years ago today.

 

 

Fall Pillows

I enjoy accenting with seasonal pillows, but they're often pricey. Then there's also the issue of storing them between uses. I found a great solution when I discovered Hobby Lobby's decorative pillow covers last year.

 

Available in a variety of patterns and colors, they are good quality with a sturdy zipper on the bottom. I stuffed in a floral pillow I'd used all summer and will use this owl until I decorate for Christmas. When finished using it, I fold it into quarters (as apparent by the crease marks I haven't yet pressed out) to store. The owl is stitched from a silky thread. They often run these covers on sale for up to 50% off, but you can always use your 40% off coupon between sales. I paid around $6 for this one.

 

 

 

By the way, remember the shrimp plant I wrote about this summer? That's it sitting in the white pot. It's not only growing, but currently blooming! 

 

 

My other autumn pillow is a DIY project.

 

 

I found this brown pillow (12 in square) in a clearance bin for $3. I liked its depth of color and nappy texture. Then I went to the dollar store and found this bag of faux leaves. There are plenty for the project because you get about a bazillion for a buck. I just made a circle template from paper and marked edges on the pillow with white-out dots (pen wouldn't show up, of course). Using my faithful hot glue, I attached the leaves with specks of glue. I like accent pillows that suit my style!

 

 

Have a wonderful fall weekend!

 

 

 

Italian Beef Sandwiches

This recipe is from our church cookbook and we have enjoyed it many times over the years. Since it's prepared in the crock pot, it's a simple entrée for your meal.

 

 

 

Italian Beef Sandwiches

 

1 small jar pepperoncini (pickled peppers)

1 boneless chuck roast (about 3 pounds)

1/4 cup water

1 3/4 tsp. dried basil

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

hard rolls (split)

 

Drain pepperoncini, reserving liquid. Remove and discard stems. Place chuck roast in slow cooker. Add water.

 

In a small bowl, combine basil, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over roast. Add reserved peppers and  some of their liquid (to your liking). Cover with lid and cook on low for 8-9 hours until tender. When finished, remove the peppers and shred beef. *Here's a tip for that process that my sister just told me about doing with a similar recipe. Rather than fork shredding, use your mixer, on low, to shred in seconds--easy peasy!

 

 

 

I use ciabatta rolls and spread a little mayonnaise on the roll before adding the beef and pepperoncini. We also like rope provel cheese (local specialty) on it as shown in the picture.

 

Enjoy!

 

Celebrate Fall!

It's officially fall!

 

I changed the front door to reflect the flowers and colors of autumn.

We have this picture hanging in our kitchen.

 

However you spend the first day of this beautiful season, I hope it's happy! Celebrate fall!

 

Tuesday's Tablescape

In honor of the last day of summer, Tuesday's tablescape is for patio dining. We enjoy eating outside nearly every evening during summer and fall. September apples serve as a simple centerpiece and they complement these very special dishes.

 

They're Currier, circa 1940, and belonged to (Great) Aunt Helen and Uncle Vernon. Passed down in the family,  we were given the set a few years ago and cherish them. There are several different designs in our family collection and this apple-picking pattern (named American Homestead-Autumn) seemed perfect for today!

 

 

 

This was a good way to end the day. As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, I'm sure we'll still be able to tuck in some more dinners on the patio!

 



Beautiful Roses

Even with autumn a few days away, the roses are still blooming. These three rose bushes were newly-planted this summer and they've performed well all season.

 

 

We've had these  rose bushes for about a decade and they provide us with lovely yellow blooms.

 

 

I love keeping a bouquet of fresh flowers in the house and often include roses. Look at these, though. Aren't they pretty?

 

We enjoyed a family reunion this weekend and these were given to me by Aunt Esther. I have never before seen them, but find them exquisite. They are porcelain roses on wired stems! Popular in the 50s and 60s (which I guess we now are supposed to refer to as "mid century"), she and her sister, Betty,  collected these and now I am honored to display them. The detail is incredible!

 

Can't you almost smell the fragrance of roses?!

 

 

Apple Parfaits

 

This is a refreshing way to enjoy fresh apples right now. People always seem to enjoy these little parfaits and they are simple to prepare (as my first graders used to say--it's "easy peasy").

Apple Parfaits

2 cups creamy vanilla or plain yogurt (you can get a  2 lb. container)

2 medium unpeeled apples (or pears) cut into chunks (2 cups)

1/4 cup caramel topping

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

 

1. Reserve 1/4 cup yogurt for the topping.  Divide the remaining yogurt among 4 (8 oz.) glasses or dessert dishes.  Spoon 1/2 cup of the apple chunks over yogurt in each glass.

2. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining yogurt.  Spoon 1 tablespoon caramel topping over yogurt.  Sprinkle pecans over each parfait.  Serve immediately.  (Makes 4 servings.)

 

You can, obviously, adapt this for seasonal use. For example, I made these parfaits with strawberries in the spring and omitted the nuts. Rather than caramel sauce, I sprinkled a little brown sugar on top. You can also add granola to the layers and serve it right away. When I took them to book club or to church members who needed a little visit, I used clear plastic cups from the dollar store. I think they were labeled as wine glasses, but there were several in a package. That way, I didn't have to deal with possible breakage and we were able to recycle the containers after use.

 

Enjoy! Have an "apple-lutely" great weekend!

 

 

 

Flowering Kale

My favorite fall plant is flowering kale. Its frilly leaves make it such a showy highlight in beds or pots. Yesterday I picked up a pot of them at our local produce stand. I selected lavender, but they are also available in rose, white and creamy yellow.

 

 

I decided to use mine on the front porch rather than putting it in the ground. The pot of vincas that lived out there all summer has been relocated to the back porch so that we can continue enjoying them.

 

 

(before)

 

(after)

 

Since flowering kale lasts well into cold weather, it will be fine out there until I decorate for Christmas. In previous years, we've cut off the kale at the ground and floated the head in a shallow dish of water for a holiday table centerpiece, so that's an option down the road.

 



 

 

As the temperatures drop, the plant will stop making chlorophyll and then, of course,  more of the rich colors will show. I look forward to seeing how it will change over the next few months!

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Lantern

Last night I changed my lantern which sits on the landing. Remember the coastal look it sported all summer? I exchanged the sea gull for a 12 inch scarecrow and the shells for tiny plastic pumpkins. The morning light didn't cooperate for this picture.

 

 

Here is a close up so that you can see it better.

 

I spread excelsior-like material on the bottom and put a mini string of tiny white lights beneath to turn on when it's dark.

 

 

I think Mr. Scarecrow and this scene will remain here until it's time to change the lantern to a winter look after Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday's ($2.50) Tablescape

It feels like early fall today. The sky is that beautiful September blue, the clouds are fluffy white and the temperature is delightful (with low humidity). It would be a good day to go apple picking. Local apples and pears are plentiful and tasty now, so this tablescape seems fitting.

 

 

 

These four salad plates were $2 at a sale Saturday.

They caught my eye because of the seasonal fruit. They are in perfect condition and each has a different fruit pattern (even though the grape plate is similar to the grape and plum one).

 

 


Then this wreath was at a different sale for 50 cents. With its faux fruit (including apples, pears and grapes to match the plates), it seemed a perfect companion to the plates.

I put it flat on the table and added the candle and hurricane, which I already had.

 

Is it beginning to look and feel like autumn in your neck of the woods?

 

 

Picture Frame Project

This weekend I worked on a little project I had wanted to try. I used a basic, inexpensive 5 by 7 frame.

 

Using ribbons I already had on hand in my craft room, I chose three that I thought would work together. First I made a simple bow from this wired pinecone ribbon. I cinched the middle with a thin wire.

 

My next step was to make and stack these two bows. The meshy gold bow and the small ecru and gold bow were wired together.

 

Once I stacked the three with my handy hot glue, I clamped them until they dried.

 

The last step was to attach this bow to the top of the frame. It needed something in the middle, so I added a sprig of faux pine.

 

It did not take very long to put it all together and don't you think it could be adapted for any holiday?

 

Late Summer Mantel

This late summer mantel won't look the same for long since I will soon switch out the decorations for autumn. My sunflower accents are actually appropriate for early fall, too, though.

 

These chunky candlesticks were given to me by a family many years back and I still use them a lot. I happened to have dollar store sunflower ribbon in my craft room, so I embellished the candlesticks for this mantel.

My parents gave me the glass plate for Christmas one year and I decorate with it often. Although not intended to, I think it mimics a sunflower blossom in this case! I had the little butterfly and the amber bud vase belonged to Grandma.

 

 

Have a nice weekend!

 

A Late Summer Dessert

I receive emails from Betty Crocker and last week's had the recipe for an apple dump cake. Remember those dump cakes? They were popular in the early 90s and we used to like the one with cherry pie filling. I forgot about that recipe until my friend Betty reminded me! I had a tray of peaches in the refrigerator that needed to be used so I decided to tweak her suggestion and make a peach dump cake. It was easy and tasted good for a Labor Day meal.

 

I should have photographed the dessert on the table instead of the countertop as it appears camouflaged!

Peach Dump Cake
4 cups fresh peach slices/wedges
cinnamon
boxed yellow cake mix
3/4 cup melted butter

*Spread peaches in the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan (I lightly sprayed mine with cooking spray first).
*Sprinkle with cinnamon (I used a lot).
*Sprinkle dry cake mix on top, going to edges of pan.
*Evenly pour melted butter over mix and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes until bubbly.
*Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream on top.


I need to take a dessert to church in a few weeks so I plan to make it with 4 cups of fresh apples and a spice cake mix. 

 

Hope your day is peachy!

 

 

Doily Basket

I read about making doilies into baskets and the process seemed simple enough, so I decided to give it a try. I have a few doilies that were made by my great grandma and envisioned one of those transforming into a pretty little basket. They have more intricate designs and two are even colored. I felt it best to experiment with something that has no sentimental value in case it went wrong! I grabbed this little six inch doily which I had stashed in a linen drawer.

 

Using an inverted cereal bowl, I draped the doily and mixed equal parts of craft glue and water. Using my finger to apply the mixture, I spread it as evenly as possible.



 

I carefully pulled off the bowl after several hours when it was getting dry, but was still fairly pliable. I spread some plastic wrap over the bowl and replaced the doily to dry several more hours.

This is a side view of the end product.

You can't appreciate its depth in this photo, so I added some tea bags (below) so you would have some perspective.

 

 

I always enjoy trying a new project, but am not sure I would do this again. It turned out alright, but the little rosettes along the edge are a bit crumpled in places even though I tried to smooth them during the process. That makes me realize that an intricate design may not be as forgiving---unless I greatly perfect my method! I'm still glad I played around with it.