Vanilla Sugar

I am always looking for great jars I can use as canisters in my kitchen. This octagon shaped canister was made by Anchor Hocking in the 50s, and does not have a rubber seal it's that old.

I don't eat much sugar, but my family does, and of course I use sugar to bake with. So, I make vanilla sugar with a real vanilla bean.

You add one vanilla bean split down the side to the sugar, and the smell of the vanilla eventually flavors the sugar. It is especailly good with tea and coffee.

When you open the canister the smell is overwhelming, and reminds me of my Grandmother's kitchen.

To cut down on sugar, I use "Agave Syrup" and my favorite brand is from Trader Joe's. It is especially good on fruit and with coffee or tea. I recommend it for anyone trying to control their sugar, and you like the taste of honey, It's similar.

Have a great day!

Liz

Happy Mother's Day

I have a GREAT Mom! She was born in 1938 and graduated in 1957, and experienced everything that was good about the 40s & 50s. There are lots of pictures of her in saddle shoes, and her high school sweater, having fun.

She remembers that during WWII, when she needed a dress and shoes for school, several family members donated their war ration coupons.

Also, that when she did her chores she could only listen to the radio, because no one owned a TV yet.

Courtesy Bill's Retro World

Later, she used to come home from school to watch the Mickey Mouse Club on TV, and American Bandstand.

And, in her senior of "West" high school she went to Murphy's Soda Fountain for a Cherry or Vanilla Coke...and listened to the Juke Box and the end of the counter.

She went to her Prom, and Danced to Elvis. She was honestly broken-hearted when he went to the Army.

One of things I love most about you Mom is your strong identity to the 50's and how a little bit of it is still with you today, especailly with your appreciation for a good soda.

I've learned so many things from you like, perseverance, hard work, love of nature... especially flowers, how to clean and how to have faith!

You are so much more than my little tribute to you here...but this is just how I think of you....as a girl from the 50s!

Happy Mother's Day

...to my Mom and all the other Mothers out there in blog land.

Lemon Love & Lemon Curd

I love lemons, how about you? When I was little, I picked a lemon from a tree, and it was the sweetest, ripest lemon I have ever tasted, even all these years later.

I have a lot of lemon items in my house, I can't help myself. Isn't this a good idea for a summer table? I'm inspired.

If I can find Meyer lemons I prefer to cook with them, because they are sweeter. And if you are a tea lover you have to make lemon curd for your scones. I guess you don't have to, but it sure is good when you have 20 minuets to make a batch!

Lemon Curd is the perfect filling for tarts too. We like it on pound cake because it's so sweet, and of course the English spread it on toast in the morning. Thanks to Blondie at Blondies Journal, for asking me what else Lemon curd is good with! Visit Her blog, it's adorable!

photo coptright flickr

Lemon Curd Recipe

3 large eggs room temperature

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice from 3 lemons at room temperature (meyer preferred) strained of the seeds.

1 tablespoon lemon zest...more if you like it lemony

3/4 cup sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up when cold, then left at room temperature

In a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, add eggs, sugar, and lemon juice and blend. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes thick or about 10 - 12 min. Remove from heat and add the butter. Add the lemon zest and let cool. The curd will continue to thicken as it cools. Cover immediately with Seran wrap and refrigerate.. Correction: eat when it's cool!

I hope you have a "bright" weekend. Thanks for visiting.

Romantic Table Al Fresco

It's Thursday, so you know what that means...my favorite thing... Tablescape Thursday again at Between Naps on the Porch by the wonderful Susan, a fellow dish collector.



Here is a picture of my vintage china and candle holders...the china is from the 50s and I think the candle sticks are from Lenox. The table cloth has a tulip pattern and the style always makes me think of romantic cottages. The server is a Victorian replica, but I love it so much for romantic settings.




I've been looking for all long time for teal glasses to match this pattern, but they always seem too dark.



The pink roses are in a footed brilliant cut glass bowl from the early part of the last century.



Ahh nightfall, I can light the candles and relax!



Please take a look at the other people entering their "tablescapes"

Thank you for sharing my romantic moment.

Roses Roses Everywhere

I can't get over the beautiful wall of roses I have in my backyard, and pink too! Some of the roses have every shade of pink too...all the way to hot pink.






This was the second rose bush to bloom...and just like the first one it is also pink.



I'll have to use some of these in my Thursday "tablescape". I hope you've enjoyed thier happy little faces.

Chairs & Chandelier

I went on the hunt for new chairs this weekend for my kitchen. I was hoping I would find some I could paint, that way if the chairs and the table didn't exactly match, I could paint them to look the same. I found 4 of these at an estate sale.

They are solid oak, and the details are actually carved in. The are not applied. OH JOY!

It looks like someone had already tried a crackle paint finish on them. I'll let you know how they turn out after they are painted.

At that same estate/tag sale, I found a set of sugar sifters. I found out that before there was granulated sugar, it would come in blocks and you have to break it up yourself. Then you would use a spoon like this to "sift" out the smalls lumps for your coffee or tea.

I also wanted to post a photo of my neighbor's beautiful vintage chandelier. She explained to me that she has moved it from house to house because of it's beauty!

Many thanks to Debbie for letting me publish a photo of it...til next time.

Our Hometown Horse Wins Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs

Yesterday I decided to post something about the Kentucky Derby, The Running of the Roses, but something related to the blog, so I chose a recipe. Actually my Father and Mother run a horse farm, and along with them, I have been all over the USA to different races including, Belmont Stakes in New York State, Santa Anita Breeder's Cup in California and Calder Stakes in Florida. Actually some of the most beautiful gardens I have every seen have been at theses Racing Tracks, especially Santa Anita.

Courtesy the Kentucky Derby

The one place I had not traveled to was Churchill Downs, and yesterday a hometown horse form here, won the Kentucky Derby there. I know it's not related to my blog, but around here, everyone is very excited, especially my parents. A New Mexico horse had never won; It's a first!

There's even a 2009 Kentucky Derby Barbie, and her dress is covered with roses.

Congrats to Mine That Bird, 2009 Kentucky Derby Winner from the humble State of New Mexico.

Those roses are beautiful aren't they...thanks for letting me share.

It's Mint Julep Day

My parents have been to the Kentucky Derby and brought me a Derby cookbook as a souvenir. They have often talked about the juleps they enjoyed and the beautiful countryside in Kentucky.

Here is the official Kentucky Derby Mint Julep recipe from the book

Photo Courtesy Southern Living

Mint Julep Recipe Place a few sprigs of fresh, tender mint in a bowl. Cover with powdered sugar and just enough water to dissolve the sugar. Crush the mint sprigs. Place the mixture in our Official Kentucky Derby Julep Cup. Fill cup with finely crushed ice and pour in good Kentucky Bourbon whiskey until cup is brimming. Garnish with sprigs of mint and let stand until a thick frost forms. Slowly sip the cool and fragrant Kentucky Derby Mint Julep.

Official 135th cup.

I am going out to try to find some mint so my husband and I can have one later today in celebration! Several years ago, I found a set at Tuesday Morning for about $5.00, so I'll use those. Usually they have flowers in them.

Liz

It's Pink Roses!

My Grandmother's Vase.

When I started writing this blog, it was for myself. I wanted to document what I most like to do, and maybe find some people out there in the blog world that shared my same interests.

My Royal Albert Miniature Tea Cup

I am overwhelmed by the amount of lovely people who have stopped by to say hello. It's very comforting, and it motivates me to continue, and finish the new house, which is a huge thing.

My Miniature Tea Rose Bud Tea Pot...How Appropriate!

I woke this morning and one of my rose bushes had bloomed. Since I moved here in the autumn, I did know what color they were going to be. Arn't they cute!

Another Vintage Piece of Silver With A Flower Motif.

Anyway, I just want to say thanks...I love blogging, and I'm glad you enjoy it.

Liz