Table for One-Lady Liberty

Hi everyone! I'm joining Tablescape Thursday and Thrifty Thursday to share my holiday plate! I didn't set the table with it because as a Veteran I'd never eat off of this plate, but I think it screams 4th of July!

This is Corelle dated 1991, I found it for $2.

Simple but beautiful!

I wish each and every one of you a spectacular 4th of July weekend, 

eat much, play nice and stay safe!

Ain't Life Grand!

Hi everyone!
I have a dear friend that I've never met. We started "talking" on a foodie forum, and then began e-mailing each other, and now we touch base every day. It's a special friendship that I value very much! Yesterday I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home from work...

Don't you just have to smile when you see this little guy!

I love it - thanks Carol!

Since I'm joining Bloomin Tuesday I had to try to find some flowers, look hard they're there...

Mother Nature has not been kind to us North of Philly, no rain for quite a while.
I'm just trying to keep the cutting garden and veggies going!

I hope you all have a great day, and please stop by to enter my 

Patriotic Give-Away! 

A Patriotic Summer Give-Away!

Give-Away Now Closed - Thank you for your participation!!!
The winner is Christine - #3!

Hi everyone! I'm so happy to be able to offer another fun give-away thanks to the good folks at CSN!
You're all familiar with CSN, the wonderful on-line store that can supply anything, including platform beds, right? If not please check out the link.

Just in time for all of your summer cobblers, crisps, buckles and fruity desserts you have your choice of red, white or blue Le Creuset Stoneware Dishes! My kids gave me these a couple years ago, and they are great! Baked beans, mac and cheese, watermelon wedges, salads, dip, too many ideas to list... Stoneware keeps things hotter longer, and colder longer!

I will pick the winner via random.org at Noon Eastern Time on the 4th of July!
You can choose the 9" and 5" set

or the 12" x 9.5" dish

It's easy to play along, do any or all of the following!

1. Simply leave me a comment saying you'd like the set or dish, and which color you would like making sure we can contact you via e-mail.

2. If you follow leave a second comment stating that too.

3. And if you'd like to post a link to this give-away on your blog (thanks!) leave a third comment letting me know that you did! 

(This is available to ship within the US and Canada.)

That's all there is to it, I hope you're as excited about this as I am and good luck! :@)

I'm linking to REDnesday and White Wednesday with this post, I hope that's alright! Thanks!

PS-if you have your heart set on a different color, you can also choose from black, dijon, Caribbean, or kiwi (while supplies last).
PSS-These make great gifts!

What Summer Means to Me - Pie!!!

Hi everyone! I saw this idea on the cover of Martha Stewart Magazine and loved it! Could you imagine how great it would look with cherry or blueberry filling, the contrast would be fantastic!

I simply used my small star cookie cutter and my crimped pastry roller.

Have a happy day!

I'm joining the Tablescaper for her Summer Sunday Meme, Sunday Showcase, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Monday, Tabletop Tuesday, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Hoo's Got Talent, New Nostalgia 4th Party, Stars and Stripes Party, Patriotic Parade and 4th of July Blog party

"Hello Pretty!"

Sometimes Mother Nature offers the neatest surprises! A clump of flowers started growing right in the middle of my strawberry garden this year. At first I thought they were zinnias, but no...

Sunflowers!

Ya gotta love that!

Happy Fertilizer Friday, please stop over to see what everyone else is talking about.

Zukes-From Plant to Plate In No Time!

Well it's here... zucchini season! I can't wait to see how many different recipes folks have to use this over-achieving plant! I'm joining Foodie Friday today, please stop over to see what everyone else is cooking up!

I'll start off with an extremely simple sauté, most have probably tried it already, 

but it's good and worth mentioning again!

Zukes, garlic, a healthy pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Use as much garlic as you like, I used one big clove for this amount, I'd even add more next time!
(Now, you don't have to have a cute pig cutting board, but it really does bring something to the party!)

Heat pan over medium, add oil, then garlic and pepper flakes, then add zucchini, grind some pepper on top. Keep the heat med-low so you don't burn the garlic, stir/flip things around a bit and when zukes begin to get a little color on them, remove from heat, add salt to taste.

Grab a fork and enjoy!

Have a happy day!

One man's trash...

is this woman's treasure! Years ago I worked with a woman that happened upon a "trash heap" on the side of the road while riding her bike...

A gentleman was diligently working at taking out a bunch of day lilies, but not just any day lilies, 

these flowers are triples! 

She asked if she could have some and took them home and enjoyed them for years. 

When it was time to split the clump she shared some with me!

And now I'm joining Bloomin' Tuesday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday and Outdoor Wednesday 

to share them with you! 

Oh and, it's a good idea to have a basket on your bike!

Have a Happy Day :@)

Table for One- Pigs-N-Posies!

Hi everyone! I'm joining a couple parties this week and being silly again! I didn't know if I wanted to call this Pigs-N-Posies, Porky Picnic, Piggin' Out(side), Swine and Dine, Pork-N-Fork (Ma's idea-thanks!)
or Piggly Makes Me Wiggly!

It's like a little bit of the country in Philly!

Even Earl broke out his straw hat for the occasion and I have my Mason Jar ready, just need to fill er up!

Can you tell I'm really lovin' my new garden table!

(of course the neighbors do keep looking at me funny though...
what is she taking pictures of???)

Have a happy day!

This week I'm linking to:
Tabletop Tuesday
Centerpiece Wednesday
REDnesday
Tablescape Thursday

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

To me a big part of summer is preserving the bounty from the garden. Sometimes I don't have enough cucumbers to water bath can a whole batch, but still want to use them up. I found this recipe for Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles and it sounded like something I wanted to try...

Updated picture 2024

And back to pics from 2010...

I'm making 1/2 batch and using a Lock-N-Lock bowl.

Cukes, onion and peppers, I don't have bell peppers yet so I'm adding one Hungarian wax and three small Jalapenos from the garden. I wanted to try a pickle with a little heat to it.

Vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, add lid and shake... This is starting to look good...

Ok folks, this is the first time I'm making this. So I can only say that each time I've fished a few out of the bowl when I walk past the fridge they are great, can't wait to see how they are in a few days. Gotta believe any recipe by Mamaw has to be a good one. I copied this before I started blogging so I didn't note who it was from, I found it on-line. Enjoy!

Day five update - oh yea, these are good, crunchy and sweet! I'll keep this recipe, they would be great for a 4th of July B-B-Q.

2024 Update: I make these every-single-year, good stuff folks:@)

📌My Canning and Preserving Pinterest Board here.

📌My Pickles and Pickling Pinterest Board here.

This recipe is great for Bread and Butter Jalapeno Pickles too...

Mamaw's Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

7 C sliced, unpeeled cucumbers

1 C sliced onion

1 C sliced green peppers

1 C cider vinegar

2 C sugar

1 Tblsp celery seed

1 Tblsp salt

1. Mix everything together and let sit on counter until liquid is created. I give it an occasional stir or shake.
2. Cover and place in refrigerator.
3. Let sit for 5 days so flavors can mingle. 
4. The author writes these keep for months in the fridge, if they last that long! 

Let's enjoy what the garden gifts us, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Zinnias!

Nothing says summer to me like Zinnias! My G-Mom-B always grew them and she'd send me outside with a vase and scissors to gather a bouquet. I also can't think of another flower that gives as many shades of pink as Zinnias! So, Happy Pink Saturday everyone, I hope you enjoy my simple first cutting of the summer!

Have a happy day!

Fertilizer Friday!

Hi everyone! I wanted to join Fertilizer Friday and share a few shots of what's going on in the garden.

Hollyhocks! I always tuck some flowers in with the veggies, just so pretty...

My cukes seem to be thriving on the arbor, I'll be able to pick some this weekend.

And I need to do something with the basil, maybe Yvonne at StoneGables's pesto!

All of the peppers are setting fruit, I picked some Hungarian wax yesterday, and I'm eyeing the jalapeños!

Happy Friday everyone!

Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

Hi everyone!

Sometimes a girl just needs a cupcake! There's something special about cupcakes, they're like individual little presents, do you know what I mean? 

And for those times, I reach for this recipe from joythebaker.com it's easy and very good! 

I'm sharing it for Foodie Friday today, hope you love it if you try it!

Vanilla Cupcakes - makes 12 cupcakes
1 C AP flour
a scant 3/4 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
3 Tblsp butter at room temp
1/2 C whole milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and with paddle mix at low speed until the consistency of sand. Gradually pour in half of the milk and beat till just incorporated.

Whisk the egg, vanilla and remaining milk then pour into flour mixture. Scrape down sides and mix till smooth, just a few minutes, don't over mix.

Spoon batter into paper lined muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light golden and skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
2 C powdered sugar, sifted
5 Tblsp butter at room temp
2 Tblsp whole milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
Beat the sugar and butter on low speed till mixed well. Combine milk and vanilla and slowly stream it into the sugar mixture. Once incorporated turn mixer to high and beat for at least 5 minutes. The longer you beat it the fluffier it gets. If it's warm out and the frosting gets a little soft, put it in the fridge for a few minutes then continue on...
Enjoy :@)

Table for One-Red, White and Roo...

Hi everyone! I'm joining Outdoor Wednesday, White Wednesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, Patriotic Parade and Tablescape Thursday this week with a setting on my garden table!

The inspiration for this tablescape was the hydrangea my friend Tina brought me from her garden. I knew they'd match the light blue color in this rooster tablecloth I picked up years ago.

Thanks T!

All items were thrifty finds except the vase, it's Fenton Silver Crest and was a gift from an antique store.

...and yes, the pigs were upset with roosters taking center stage this week, 

but as I explained to them...

there is plenty of room in the barnyard for all of the animals!

Have a happy day!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam!

Hi everyone! I'm joining Foodie Friday with the jam I made last Saturday, I love the way it turned out! I had the best intentions, you know, pictures of every step, etc. but the reality is... frozen fruit is not pretty, and once sugar melts and starts boiling on the stove it's best to give that your full attention! So, here's a shot of the finished product, all prettied up and ready to be gifted.

and my hand written note on the inside:

Here's the recipe, I always start out with something proven, then tweak it a bit. This is basically the Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam recipe from The Ball Blue Book, and my addition this year is orange and a cinnamon stick. 

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam

2 cups crushed strawberries

2 cups chopped rhubarb (make it small)

1 orange-zest of half (no pith), peel and supreme the sections, rough chop

Juice of one lemon

1 package powdered pectin

1 cinnamon stick

5 1/4 cups sugar

Add all fruit and juice to pot, if your fruit is not frozen add the pectin too. If frozen, heat fruit till it thaws then add the pectin. (I freeze berries as they ripen if I don't have enough for a full batch.) Bring this to a boil, add sugar and cinnamon stick constantly stirring. Bring to a rolling boil, boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim foam, remove cinnamon stick, ladle into hot jars and process for 10 minutes in a water bath.

I won't go into good canning practices and procedures, you can find plenty of info about that on-line.

Hope you love it if you try it!

June Garden

Hi everyone! I'm joining Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday with a few shots of my little garden. June's a good month, everything is still behaving and not taking up too much space... by July, it will be a jungle out there!

Here is basil, lavender and daisies...

(Weeds and a new rhubarb in the background. Second "red" rhubarb I've bought that turned green, grrrr. 

I read once that the only way to be assured of getting red is to take a division of an existing plants crown, 

I totally believe that now!)

I'll spend some time this weekend tying the cukes up, 

it's the first year trying out the arbor, we'll see how well it works!

Pole beans, and the ones in front were supposed to be bush lima beans-surprise!!! They're pole beans too, now if you can't trust a 20 cent pack of seeds to give you good information, what's this world coming to?

So this my lame set-up for an unexpected pole bean, jute and an extra Shepard's hook.

Zukes and tomatoes... This garden will be totally out of control by July!

I'll pretend I know what I'm doing and call it "compact" gardening...

That's it for now, please stop over and see what everyone else is talking about!

I hope all your weeds are wildflowers :@)

Table for One-Chairscape?

Hi Everyone!
While I'm joining Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday today, I know I'm cheating! Over the weekend it was sweltering in Philly, too hot to think about food even. So before I got my new garden table, I was just looking for a comfortable place to kick back and relax...

My meal was chips and salsa.

and if I'm keepin' it real... 

there's nothing better on a hot day than an ice cold brewski!!!

For proper settings, real silverware, beautiful crystal, and wonderful ideas

please stop over to see the "true" tablescapes, they're all great!

Have a happy day!