Merry Christmas

It's Christmas time again, that most beautiful time of the year.  I hope this season brings you good health, time spent with family and plenty of cheer.  As you eat, drink and celebrate please remember  the real reason we celebrate.  May the spirit of Jesus and all he gave for us be a constant reminder to give back.  Give to your community, the poor, food pantries or charities.  Most Americans have so much it's important to remember those who have much less or nothing at all.  I'll be taking a break to spend time with family and friends, see you in 2015.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas kitty

A friend made this beautiful quilted table pad for the holidays.  I love it, apparently Dusty loves it too.  I can't keep her off.  She really thinks she is the main star of the centerpiece.  For my more particular friends and family I do wipe down tables or counters the cats have been on before you come.  We consider them part of the family but they don't mind worth a darn.The critters are less full of germ than us, but some people are more fussy about that kind of thing than others.

how to paint a window

People love painted windows.  When I have my winter windows out or they see the one on my patio, I always get compliments and questions.  You don't need special paint or equipment to make a painted window for your home.  First step find a window, maybe you or a friend have one in the basement or go to a Habitat or salvage store, they usually have a stack.  Be sure it is a wood frame, unless you like the aluminum look.  Clean up the window with soap and water, rinse let dry.  Sand down any splinters or rough spots on the frame and make sure the caulking is mostly there.  I left this window frame as it was, I liked the chipped, peeling paint look. I found something similar to this snowman on Pinterest but you can find ideas any where.   I usually print out and words on the computer and hand draw the outline and big features on news paper.  On this one that was the face and nose with just marks where the eyes, cheeks and smile would be.  I lay the widow down over the paper, you can also tape it to the back, and painted in the head with two coats of white acrylic paint, letting it dry between coats.  Then I added the carrot nose, 3 coats of orange, ovals for eyes and a circle of pink for the cheek.  When that was dry I came back and added shading to the nose, high lights to the eyes and cheeks. The snow flakes and dots were also added.   When that was completely dry I taped the letters to the back of the window, being extra careful with the spacing, then painted over them.  For the back I used a dark blue and black paint poured on a paper plate and the brush dipped in both colors at the same time.  The background took three coats of paint.  The next day I added a heavy coat of Mod Podge to the  picture.  If it hadn't been 15 and windy I could have taken it out side for a couple coats of clear sealer.  This sealing is the key to keeping the paint from scratching off or peeling, but you do need to be careful with it.  I hung this guy above our corn stove in the kitchen and added 3 whiskey decanters filled with greenery.  It will stay there until spring.

This is a lot of words to explain something that is really very simple.  Total painting time was about an hour and a half.  I did it over a two day period but most of that was drying time.

cranberry goodness

I try to find a couple of different things to make for the holidays each year.  When I saw this cranberry liqueur I though of a few friends that would love it.  It can be sipped straight, mixed with orange juice and champagne for a mimosas, and  poured over pound cake, fruit or ice cream.
Here's what you need:
3 bags fresh cranberries
3C sugar
3C water
zest of 1 orange
Mix all together and cook on med until the berries are soft, remove from heat and let cool
Pour into a glass gallon jar and cover with 8C of vodka, cover.  You can divide this into smaller jars if you need to, leave out part of the vodka if you don't have enough room in the jar.  Be sure to use glass not plastic.  Let it sit for 4-5 days shaking 1-2 times a day.  When the liqueur is done, strain through a fine mesh strainer or a regular strainer with a coffee filter added.  Add in the extra vodka if you didn't have room for it before.  Decant into 1 liter bottles.  I used these cute bottles I found on clearance but you could also use wine bottles.  Keep well chilled.  I don't know how long this will keep, it has enough alcohol in it that it should be fine, but just in case you might want to use it quickly.  if your'e giving it away add a cute tag with serving suggestions.

holiday decorating

I love Christmas decorating all the greenery, Santas, goodies and wreaths.  This year I've decided to go a little more natural and simple.  We're leaving right after our family celebration and I don't want to come home to hours of clean-up and packing.  More greens I can just toss, fewer Santas and a more natural look.  It's still plenty of work, but I have been doing it a little slower instead of thinking I had to have everything done the first week.

A few berry pieces, fresh greens and a bow are wired on a pretty frame.  I tied a snowflake in the center

large dollar store balls just stacked in a bowl and on a cake stand  I've had these for years and usually hang them out side

front door wreath, snowflakes, berries, twigs, large candy canes and a torn fabric bow.  Cost $0, I already had every thing on hand.

old sled and joy sign I've had for years

Look at waht you have before buying expensive new decorations when you're ready for a change.  Try to see things used as something else.  A wreath can also be a candle ring, a sign can be propped any where and those twig from your yard can be cut and added to a wreath or arrangement.

how I spent my Saturday

Last Saturday AH had to work, so I decided to stay home and try to get a few Christmas goodies started.  By 8:00 I had the critters fed, dog out, clothes on, bed made sudoku's done, paper read, kitchen and living room picked up.  I stated with cheater cakes, which are mixes I added extra goodies to.  This time it was chocolate pound cake, almond apricot pound cake and pumpkin bread, 12 loaves total. After I finished those and cleaned up after myself, no small feat, I stated boiling cans of condensed milk 4 hours to make turtles.  As those started I made 14 pounds of fudge.  Yeah, 14 pounds.  We won't eat it all, we give it away to friends, family, neighbors and AH's workers.  The pumpkin bread will be wrapped in a tea towel with a jar of homemade apple butter.  The rest of the breads and candy will go on goodie trays.  Plenty more to make, but this did make a big dent.  Next family ornaments, a wreath for the back door, table arrangements and swags.  Whew an elf's work is never done.  To me this is the best part of Christmas, being able to give to those I love, that and the fudge, I do love fudge!!!

new table

We finally said good bye to our old 40's table and chairs.  After paying $125 and using them for 20+ years we were ready for a new look.  Well not new but when this sturdy oak table and chairs came into the Habitat store I grabbed it up and brought it home. It has two additional leaves and is very sturdy.  When we do the kitchen rehab we're planning on starting this winter it will be painted black, but for now we will enjoy it the way it is.

Christmas decorating begins

large metal Santa, gold tray and candle

Just because we have a great amount of Christmas decorations doesn't mean I want them in the same places the same way every year.  No I want to mix them up and make it look different.  this year I'm in the mood for something calmer and simpler.  I decided to leave most of the Santas and decorations in the attic.  With the new skinny tree there is less room for ornaments.  I've cut but not arranged piles of greens that will fit into the red and crystal vases I already have out.  A few other touches here and there and I'll be done, well maybe.  you don't need to have all your decorations out every year and they certainly don't need to be put in the same place.

table vase of astromaria, mums and boxwood.  It won't last more than two weeks and by then I'll be ready for something different.

happy birthday

Happy birthday to my wonderful mother Betty King.  She is the true heart of our family and when (and if) I ever grow up I'd want to be just like her.  She was a pioneer for women s rights by being the first generation of working Moms when that was not common or cool.  She drug three kids all around the world following my Dads military career when she was in her early twenties and thirties.  She packed up and moved more times than I can count and always made where ever we were feel like home.  She had a decades long career while never making any of us feel like she wasn't there for us.  She is a caretaker, open, friendly and can shop my sis and I under the table.  Her pies and cookies are legendary.  At 80+ it amazes me that she can still get down on the floor, play with her great grand kids then get up.  In our family we call her the energizer bunny, she keeps going and going until she stops.  Then you will glance over and see her taking five as she calls it.  Sound asleep for just a few minutes gathering energy to go again.  Love you Mom.

cheat bread

I'm known for not following rules or directions, but usually when I bake I do follow the recipe.  Not this time.  I opened a box of Libby pumpkin bread mix, substituted apple cider for water then added dried cranberries and walnuts to the mix and baked as directed.  I served it for dessert on Thanksgiving with a smear of home made apple butter but cream cheese or butter would have worked too.

signapalozza

I recently stated selling my projects in a consignment store.  While I had a long relationship in the 80's and 90's with something similar I was wary of doing it again.  I had heard all the stories of places "loosing" products and significant damage to items being common.  Home Again in Charleston. is an upscale store with  everything  clean and beautifully displayed.  A friend who is one of their artists suggested I give it a try so I did.  I already had the merchandise, so I took a car load down to see what they had to say.  They loved what I brought and when I mentioned that I made signs they asked if I could have a few ready by small business Saturday four days away with Thanksgiving in the middle of it.  I made a quick call to my local lumber yard, they cut every thing to size then delivered it to my backdoor, what service.  Let the base coating begin, the longest part of the whole project is waiting for the paint to dry.  I hand painted the lettering, sanded, antiqued, added hangers then finished everything off with a good cleaning.  We delivered all five signs before noon on Friday.  I hope they sell well, I think any of them would make a great Christmas gift.

I added a Santa hat to this one

a small green wreath went over the O 

a small lace heat ornament was attached in the corner, I like to add little extra thing to add some interest

A new experience helps you grow.  Some times it can be scary or a little more work but is usually worth it.  And if it isn't you know not to do that particular thing again.

We had the privilege to go see our grand daughter in the play Cinderella a couple of weeks ago.  To us she was the star of the show, but all the kids showed wonderful and charming talent.  There is nothing better than watching a shy young kid come into their own on stage.  Drama can be done all of your life in community theater and what a way to build confidence.

making a bouquet

 I like having a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table when we do shows.  They add a touch of nature and freshness to all those plastic bottles and jars.  People comment on them and can use the table with the pretty flowers as a reference point to return to our booth.  I like to do purple, lavender or white, but sometimes the right colors are just not available, then you just go with what looks pretty and will be long lasting.  This is the last vase I did and how I styled it a couple of different ways until I got the look I wanted.  Some times you just have to try different things out to get the look you want.

Just the flowers, OK but not too interesting I added a bunch of greenery but that pic didn't turn out

baby's breath and mini  flowers mixed in, too cluttered and over done  Yes you can mix silks in with fresh flowers and it will be fine

I finally settled on a few boxwood sprigs and red twig dogwood branches with the leaves removed.   The look was natural and not too fussy or over styled.

 

Plants

I have several plants that live on our patio under the shade cloth during the nice weather.  With a hard freeze coming it is time to bring them inside for the winter.  I water each plant and give them a good spray, top to bottom, to remove any bugs that may have set up home in them.  I let them dry for a couple of days, do any trimming or dead leaf removal that is necessary, then bring them into the sun room for a few days before moving them to their permanent winter home.  I bought several oil pans from the dollar store this year to put under the really big pot to catch any water overflow.  I put the plants where they can get as much light as possible and far away from heat vents.

happy turkey day

Before the season of craziness, busyness and greediness starts take this time to stop and think about every thing you have to be thankful for.  Often before we say grace at our Thanksgiving dinner we hold hands and go around the table saying one or two things we are thankful for.  We are always thankful for God, our family, friends, food, homes, health and jobs.  The most important things in life you soon discover are not things at all.
It's sad how big business in America is so greedy they have decided that they must be open on Thanksgiving day to make a few more dollars. This prevents their employees from being with their families. Me I avoid Black Friday like the plague, but there will be millions of bargain seekers out to buy, buy, buy and fill up the retail coffers.  Do retailers really need  more hours open at the expense of their hard working employees?  Think about it, if people wouldn't go to these stores on Thanksgiving, they wouldn't stay open, so do your part and enjoy your family.  Go stand out side at midnight if you want, I'll be snoozing in my nice warm bed.

last hurrah

A hard freeze is coming and these are probably going to be my last cut flowers from the garden for the year.  I love flowers and I really miss being able to go out and cut whenever I want.  For the next several months I will have to depend on blooming plants, forced bulbs and cut bouquets from the grocery store for my flower fix.  After a long cold winter I will anxiously wait for the first daffodils, lilacs and tulips to bloom.

funky seating

My appoligies to my readers.  I had all of last weeks posts ready to go, the only thing I didn't do was schedule them and push the button.  Too much to do is the best excuse I can think of.
While at the Indianapolis airport waiting for our hotel van to come and take us to our car(long story) I came across  this seating area made from abandoned and thrifted suitcases.  This is right up my alley and I could resist sitting in them and taking a few pictures.  What a creative way to bring comfort and smiles to weary travelers.

Cris Cringle

Vintage Cottage Beauty will be at the Cris Cringle show at the Fluid Events Center in Champaign Friday November 7 3-9 and Saturday November 8, 9-5.  Come out for a great selection of products to jump start your holiday shopping.  Same great vendors as in past shows, temporary location change for this year.

This picture was from the show last year, come and see how much our display has changed for the better this year.

lasagna soup

Fall and winter are soup time around here and I'm always on the look out for new recipes.  This one is definitely a keeper.

1# Italian sausage
1 onion chopped 2 cloves garlic chopped
2 cans fire roasted tomatoes
2 tsp oregano
3/4# wide noodles cooked and drained but you could use any pasta
6C chicken broth
2T olive oil
Brown the sausage in the olive oil, cook onion and garlic until translucent
Add the rest of the ingredients and cook through about 20 minutes
In the meantime make the cheesy topping
2C ricotta cheese
1/2C Parmesan cheese
1T olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Serve the soup with a big dollop of the topping and fresh chopped basil add a big piece of garlic bread and you are set.
I think the next time I make this I may add some mushrooms just cause we like them

happy birthday

A big happy birthday to my Dad, a full 91 years young.  His body may be slowing down but his mind is so sharp it's scary.
10 things I've learned from Richard King:
Keep your faith in God at the center of your life
Always keep learning
Love your family no matter how crazy they are
Your family will always be there for you no matter how crazy you are
Keep on being curious about everything
Being hard headed isn't always a bad thing
Stand up for what you believe
Always give back
Respect the past but don't live in it
Reading opens many different worlds for you to explore

I love You Dad

bath fizzies

Happy birthday to tow of my fabulous daughter-in-laws, Sara and Brandi.  Our family is much better with you as part of it.

I've tried to make bath fizzies several times without success.  It comes down to a delicate balance of enough moisture to hold them together, but dry enough to not set off the chemical reaction that makes them fizz.  A mix of equal parts citric acid and baking soda are the main components.  You can then add in corn starch, sea salt and any of the healing oils that you like.  After that is mixed together you add in sprays of witch hazel just until the mix will clump together, color and fragrance can be added if you want.  I press mine into mini cupcake pans and let them sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours.  To remove I tap the pan firmly on the counter covered with wax paper. em let that dry several days before packaging.  Kids love these but they are even better for adults who can appreciate the relaxation and skin softening effects.

a no plan day

 Andy and I both work hard.  He works 50-60 hours a week at his real job and is on call 24/7.  I spend many hours each week on VCB, volunteering, school and re-purposing projects to sell.  Our weekends are filled with family, shows, errands and home projects.  When the rare free weekend day pops up we try to spend at least part of that day with no work plans.  That's exact;y what we did last Saturday.  We finished our regular chores pretty early and decided to hop in the car and go for a ride.  No agenda, no errands, no places we normally go.  We just drove where we felt like going.  We saw beautiful fall color, farmers harvesting, old  houses, cemeteries and long winding roads.  If it looked interesting we spent the time checking it out.  We ended up in the town of Casey about 30 miles from home at lunch time.  This was a sleepy farm town that is trying to revitalize itself with tourism.  Someone had the idea to make the worlds largest wind chime and put it on display.  After that it was the worlds largest golf tee, knitting needles and next the worlds largest rocking chair.  It is amazing how many people will get off the interstate while traveling to come and see something like that.  Bravo to the brilliant minds that thought of the whole project and the city for supporting and promoting the whole idea.
It's so easy with our busy lives to just let that take over and miss the small stuff along the way.  Just my way of saying take time to stop and smell the roses.

certified the worlds largest wind chimes, yes they work.

long winding roads on a sleepy Saturday

ringing the chimes

they've started on the rocking chair

cider pumpkin bread

It's not very hard to take a basic box mix and make it even better with the addition of just a couple of different ingredients.  I took a pumpkin bread box mix, used apple cider instead of water and added a cup of chopped pecans.  When the bread was ready to serve I made up a bowl of honey butter to slather on top. Just soften a stick of butter and add 2T of honey.  YUM with some redeeming nutritional value, the pumpkin is full of fiber and vitamins after all.

hospital show

Kathy and I had our first VCB show of the season this last weekend.  It was at the local hospital and very well attended.  We have several new products and have redone most of our set up.  Lots of work, long hours, friendly vendors and great crowd, you can't ask for better than that.

new set up

ollapsible shelf unit, these were the hit of the show.  Several vendors took pictures and asked lots of questions on how to make them.  AH made these and when apart they are easy for us to carry

Old doors, wreaths and chalk board banner

soap display too high and will rethink for the next show

Tybee Island

One afternoon while in Savannah we decided to go to Tybee island about 20 miles away.  Although the town is full of vacation rental property it isn't as commercialized as Savannah.  There aren't streets full of shops and souvenirs.  We checked out the ocean, walked along the public beach, drove down a one way street and were told by the police to turn and leave because it was a closed movie set and visited the working light house.  It was a nice way to spend an afternoon and I'd rent a house on here for a vacation anytime.

beach dune

Atlantic

These birds were so use to people they would come right up to you looking for food

Lighthouse

more Savannah

On the last full day we were in Savannah we were ready for less crowds, hustle and bustle.  We didn't make a plan, just headed south towards the Atlantic ocean.  We decided we would just stop at things that looked interesting. Our first stop was at the coastal botanical gardens. It was started to do studies on what would grow best in the hot Georgia weather.  Along the way they started planting bamboo groves to study the uses for this amazing grass.
After we left the gardens we just kept going south and came across a great old fashioned southern food restaurant.  When you go by a place that is packed with a waiting line at 11 am, you know the food is probably good, and it was.  We also hit a couple of resale shops. unfortunately everything I loved was just too big to carry back on the plane or too expensive to ship home,sigh.
One of the things I had really wanted to do while in Savannah was visit a plantation home.  Unfortunately one close to the city wasn't open and the other had terrible reviews about nasty workers and uninteresting tours.  We just ran into the Hwoful-Broadfield plantation just off the coast.  This is a state historic site and absolutely beautiful..After watching the short film about the history we toured the home and out buildings.  We spent hours there in this fascinating historical site.  The property was a land grant to the family in the 1700's by the king of England.  It was originally a rice plantation, then cotton and finally a dairy.  The place stayed in the same family until the death of the last member in 1973 when it was given to the state of Georgia.  At it's height the plantation owned 240 slaves and farmed 2700 acres.  About 70 miles south of Savannah and definitely off the beaten path this place is well worth the time to go and check it out.

The path visitors would take to the house

smoke house

goat house

the house like anything state owned needs work, lacks funds

house with screened back porch

slave quarters built as duplex with a shred chimney in the center

living room tea table, they didn't use coffee tables

everything in this home was family owned and kept through the centuries

one of the sisters bedrooms

sick room kept apart from the main parts of the house this is about the size of my bathroom 5X8

Some times the unplanned travels can bring the best surprises, your vacation doesn't have to be filled with plans every second.