In the Kitchen Pt. 3

Line up my fellow blog readers, In the Kitchen with your host Genevieve is back for another segment!! This time we are focusing on the fruits of summer, which in a few weeks will no longer be at their prime "tastiness!" This recipe is simple, easy to clean up, and of course ohh so delicious!! You can substitute the fruits I used for the ones that you prefer such as strawberries, cherries, raspberries, etc, etc. I just chose to use what I always have in the fruit bowl and refrigerator. Whenever you come into my kitchen, you will see a beautiful glass fruit bowl overflowing with plums, juicy peaches, sweet nectarines, and crunchy apples. Not to forget about the fridge, as soon as you feel that cool blast as you open the door, you are greeted with all sorts of fresh berries, awaiting to be used in a delicious summer dish!
That is why, today my friends, I decided to use up some of this fruit including plums, peaches, nectarines, and blueberries, to create a simple Summer Crostata!! I followed no exact recipe, but I will share the steps with you so you as well can enjoy this tasty dish!! Start with fruits of your choice, in this case plums, nectarines, peaches and blueberries. Make sure you rinse them all off, and cut them into small slices (exclude berries.) In a bowl, mix fruit along with 1/4 cup of sugar. (* Please note, many crostata recipes call for more sugar, but I think that the juices from the fruit act just as well!) I also add a little dusting of flour to help thicken the juice that will be released as the fruit heats up. Now I know the next step is not very "Martha-esque" but since we all don’t have the time to whip up some homemade pie crust, I must admit I.... I used a pre-made crust!! That is what makes this dish soo easy, of course along with the cleanup as well!! Next, butter your cookie tray or pie plate, place the crust down and pile on the fruity goodness!! Pleat the crust into standard crostata form and place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until fruit is bubbling, and crust is golden brown! I am soo excited to try this dish, since as I type this, it is still cookin’ away in the oven. As soon as it's done, I'll take a picture of it and load them up!! Well, that’s all for today, hope you ladies enjoy the recipe and pictures, and I hope you find the time to make one for your family!!

All Buttoned Up....

Wow, I have desserted you once again and this time I don't have anyone or anything to blame. My computer was working fine, as well as my camera, and I do have a bunch of stuff to share with you. But, this week was kind of a drab, cloudy, humid week that pretty much sucked the life out of me once I stepped outside. With all of these hurricanes and cold fronts and warm fronts clashing, the last few weeks of summer have been gray and dingy. But, I found stuff to do, went on some flea market trips and found some more treasures to show you. I have also gotten myself nice and organized, so now my craft items and vintage pieces are'nt thrown around the house.
I would like to thank ALL of you who wished me a Happy Birthday, I did have a lovely one!! Your comments were all much appreciated and made my day and days after even better. Oh how I love having blogger friends, its soo interesting to know people from all over the world, all connected with creative souls. You are all too sweet, and soon I will reward you for every kind comment and wish you have given me, I promise!!
As for today's post, well lets just say "The French Inspired Home" has gotten me into a little bit of a collectors mode. After reading that book inside and out, I have been taking so many trips to the thrift store, and flea markets, and I have started my first collection of vintage buttons. I love the packaging so much that I don't want to take them off of it, so for now they will just be displayed in pretty jars or cases. Yesterday, since I was in the area (well sort of, not really ;) I stopped by the thrift store once again and spotted some vintage mother of pearl buttons and silver floral ones. I was soo excited, since I have never seen any buttons in there before. I am also planning on heading over there at least once a week, since they are starting to put out their halloween stuff along with Christmas stuff!! Ohhh I cannot wait, and even though you have to search through some junk to find the treasures, its always worth it!! The buttons in the milkglass vase are from a flea market I visited with my mother last Saturday and the mixed buttons are the ones I found yesterday. I am sorry for not posting all week, and I plan on making it up to you this coming week!! Wishing you beautiful sunny days and some inspiration to start a collection of your own!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!!

Hello again dear blog, like I had said in my last post, I have some exciting news!! As I am sure that you have already guessed since the title is what it is and the photos are of a party hat I made, today is my Birthday!! Born August 17th at 8:30 A.M. I tried to wake up before 8:30, and I did but... then I said just 5 more minutes and woke up an hour later. I always like to be awake, I dont know why, its not like I feel the transition into another year older or anything. Well anyhoo, in the morning my sister stopped over and brought me this bag with a gift certificate in it. Oh I was so happy, and she would have gotten me a certain necklace, but they are out of stock until September, I know bummer but September, I can wait!! I have been wanting that necklace for soo long, and I am finally going to get it. I then traveled to lunch with my dad and sister at the local restaurant I told you about in this post for a zep (an italian hoagie) and a basket of fries, shared of course!! Then we stopped at our favorite italian ice shop down the street for a lemon and watermelon waterice. Yummm!! As if that was not enough, when I came home, as soon as I settled in I heard a knock at the door, and guess who it was, yepp the mailman!! He had a big box in his hand with my name on it and I quickly grabbed it, said thank you and ran into the kitchen for a pair of scissors. Amongst all of the tissue paper was this book and this book. I have had them on my wishlist for months, and my mom knew the perfect present!! Thanks soo much mom, I love them!! Okay, well tonight I am going to go to dinner with my family, its a tradition, then maybe catch Becoming Jane. The pictures are of my birthday hat I made this past Monday, and I really like it. I especially like the curly cues, I am sure you do too!! Okay, well just wanted to do a quick post, because I have some books to read!! ;) Wishing you as always time with your friends and family and some special gifts just for you!!

Some Mix and a Match...

Hello again dear blog, getting back into the swing of things as you can tell!! So I have some exciting things to show you, and that usually means some of my thrifty vintage finds!! So anyhoo, I have a thrift store right near my house, and for some odd reason, even though JoAnn fabrics is right near it, and I am always in JoAnn's, I never seem to walk on through those doors. I have donated things to them, been in there maybe once or twice when they first openend, but have not revisited for countless months. So, on Monday I decided that I would venture on over to that giant thrift store!!
Even though it was early Monday afternoon, that place was hopping!! I couldn't believe it, and I also couldn't believe how many little treasures that store had waiting for me!! I traveled through each of the isles which contained glassware ranging from the 40's up until present day, then made my way to the book section and of course magazine area!! My hands were so full by the time I reached the magazine area that I didn't even bother looking through everything. I did see some old Living magazines which I should have snagged, and a BRAND NEW decorating book which I have seen at the major book stores for thirty dollars!! Well, I think I'm gonna be heading up there at least twice a month, just to see what they have since they are always getting donations!! So as you can see by the pictures, I picked up a couple cute little vintage vases. On my way to the cashier I spotted that smaller dotted Fire King milk glass vase that matches my larger one as seen on my Flickr page. I also picked up a taller milk glass vase, a small dotted single vase, a vintage silver tray along with a composition book from the early 1900's for just a few cents!! I couldn't believe that find, and I was so happy when I only spent a few dollars on the entire purchase!! Oh how I love thrift stores, dont you too!?!? Okay, well I have surprise for you on Friday, ohh I cannot wait, I know you will enjoy it as much as I will!! Alright until Friday my blogger friends, wishing you thrifty adventures and vintage finds!!



I made that little vase full of cockscomb and goose-neck foliage for my grandfather who was in the Hospital with a urinary tract infection. He's doing good now, but his father always grew the cockscomb in his garden, so I knew he'd enjoy it!!

Little Gems...

Hello again dear blog, how have you been?? I know I have deserted you once again, but I swear I had a good reason!!! You see, I knew that I would be heading up to an Antique/Farmers market this Saturday, so I thought I would wait to show you some vintage pretties. This past Thursday, while at lunch with my dear sister and our friend, we made plans to head up there for a little day trip with the girls. So, this morning I awoke bright and early, and when I say early, boy do I mean early, and got ready for our little adventure. Once I acted as the personal alarm clock for all who were going, we met up and got into my friends Jeep since it was such a beautiful day. With my hair blowing in the wind, we headed down to a favorite breakfast/lunch/dinner joint that we have been going to since we were babies to have the best breakfast and coffee in town. With our stomachs full and our blood pumping with caffeine, we turned up the music and took a beautiful drive past all of the farmers stands and yard sales and were finally greeted with a smiling farmer on the sign that has been there for years. Although, the girls had wanted to go here for no particular reason, really just to see what they had been missing for the gap in years since their last visit, I knew exactly what I was looking for, and I'm sure you know too. Greeted by the pungent aroma of roasted peanuts, and spices galore, we strolled through the aisles, stopping in candle shops and home good stands. Finally, after patiently awaiting the moment, we took our steps outside into the bright sun and headed towards the Antique area.
As soon as we got inside, I headed over to a little antique stand, and started looking through the vintage brooches and jewelry. To my amazement, the girls followed me and started expressing to me how much they loved the little gems. And I thought I was the only one who enjoyed antiques, but I guess I was wrong, and even though they do not share the same fondness of milk, jadite, and depression glass as I do, its a start!! So the images that you see are what I picked up, and since we were on a bit of a time crunch I did not get to peruse through the aisles as much as I would have liked, but I was very happy with my purchases! The brooches are art-deco styled from the late 40's to early 50's and the jadite salt and pepper shakers actually match my jadite cup and saucer. I saved another treasure for a different post, since I think it deserves one all by itself. And as for you my dear blog readers, I thought you deserved a brownie for all the times I have deserted you without prior notice. Okay, I'll stop blabbing on, and leave you with wishes of antique finds and some good old time with your friends and family!!

Bitten...

Hello again dear blog, sorry for the long departure of photos of my own, and of course of posts about what this blog is all about!! So, like I had said in my last post, I watched the movie again, and my creative spark was lit!! Although I have been quite busy these past couple of weeks, and theres tons of stuff to do around the house, I found some time to make things which I think you might enjoy. Firstly, I got out some of my pink vellum papers, and pink and clear sequins and went to town making these cute little scrunchies. I am not sure what the exact word for them is, all I know is I love em!! I have no idea what I am going to use them for, so for now, they are in a big hurricane lamp, which I plan on adding to, of course in different colors. I was thinking that maybe in the Springtime, or anytime really, that you could scatter them throughout the house in vintage or new apothecary jars, for a burst of color, and of course some inspiration!!
I have been online quite a bit lately, not so much on blogs, but looking at some of our favorite online shops. I find myself adding so much to my "Cart" that I have almost bought the entire store. I not only see beautiful things while online, I also recieve inspiration, and that is what the beaded wire, full of mirrored glass seed beads is for. I am not going to tell you what it is for, but I will deffinately post a picture of it, if of course my idea does not fail!! Oh yes, and all of these wonderful online boutiques from our fellow crafty bloggers are opened or are soon opening, and I am OH SO EXCITED!! I am excited for them, as well as for myself and the rest of us. It's kind of like getting your hands on some of their own personal style, since they wouldn't post anything that they wouldn't use themselves, at least I think ;)!! Okay, well tomorrow is my Church's feast day, and pork sandwiches and fried dough HERE I COME!! Yummo, I cannot wait.. Alright, well another quick post, since I have lots of stuff to do!! Until another day my friends, wishing you creativity and tons of inspiration!!

You've Got M@il...

Indeed, "three very powerful words." Perhaps pertaining to your email account, but in my case, I am talking about the wonderfully charming movie. I am sure that many of you have seen it at some point since it came out in 1998, and I know that alot of you count it as one of your favorite movies as well. You may be asking yourself "Why is she talking about some movie and not some new craft or flower?" Well my friends, I have to admit, this past week has seen little crafting and little time in the garden. I did not want to bore you with another vase of zinnias, since that is one place I visited yet again (Farm Stand,) so I decided to present you with my love of a good hearted movie, that makes you want to go and move to New York City, or on a tad bit less extravagant note, go and buy the soundtrack. I am not here to try to promote or sell you this movie, I just wanted to share why I love it so much.
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks if not in relationships of their own or for Tom's sake married, should have gotten married, at least after this one. I mean, "Sleepless in Seattle" was great, but how can you resist this movie!?!? Their on-screen chemistry really enhanced this movie, and made it even more light heartedly romantic then it would have been with two different actors. Based on "Shop Around the Corner", a classic with James Stewart made in 1940, (yep, not a coincidence that Kathleens bookstore was named that) it's just as fabulous! I admit to you, my dear readers, that whenever I find "You've Got Mail" on HBO, or on another channel, I always watch it, or if busy, I just leave it on while I'm in the other room in order to listen to the music. And although it may be pitiful that I know each scene, almost word for word, and even though I know what happens in the end, it just never gets old for me. It leaves me yearning for the fall, spent outside, or buying "school supplies" and then for the Spring, enjoying life at a New York farmers market. Not only that, it also makes me want to pack up my things, find a brownstone in New Yorks Westside, and also set up a little bookstore. I could go on forever talking about this film and all of its New York glory, but I thought that this would be more interesting than hearing about the very little that I have done all week which consisted of cleaning, cooking and sunbathing, NO crafting.. I know, I know, I need to get bitten with the creative bug again, but for now, I'm going to go watch it again ;) Until the next time my friends, wishing you a sunny August welcome, and some time to curl up and watch one of your favorites!!


*Pictures courtesy of Google Images and IMDB.com