pan fried steak salad

This is a different steak salad than the one I make with tomatoes, onions and cucumbers although this one has some of the same ingredients.

Make a big green salad with whatever greens and other goodies in it.  Pan fry super thin strips of sirloin steak with olive oil and 2tsp of house seasoning.  Add to salad.  Top with your favorite dressing and these yummy croutons.

Croutons:  Cut stale hamburger or hot dog buns into 1" cubes, toss with olive oil salt and garlic powder.  Lay out on a cookie sheet and bake until crisp and golden.  400 degrees about 10 minutes watch carefully.  They go from golden to burnt in a flash.  Store extra croutons in the freezer.  You can use them the next time you make salad or crush them into bread crumbs.

first sale

If you haven't seen it yet hop over to vintagecottagebeauty.com and check out our new store.  It didn't take as long as being pregnant, but kind of felt the same.  Plenty of worry, work and frustration went into the project.. If you know me personally you know I'm not very good with the geeky side of things.  I have no patience or time to sit for hours to figure things like that out.  Just tell me what button to push, is what I want to know.  Luckily for me AH loves doing that type of work, he finds it very challenging.  Kathy and I would give a broad idea of what we wanted and he would figure out all the computer side of it.  Then we would tweak the details and go on to the next project.  It's no wonder companies make good money doing web sites for businesses.  We are very proud of our store and hope it grows our business from local word of mouth to nation wide.  To make the new opening even better we made a sale the very first day.  How exciting!  Now we just need to keep growing. 
A new business is a lot like a new baby.  It keeps you up nights, you worry all the time and pray you're doing the right things.  At least a business won't puke on my clean clothes and I don't have to change diapers.

lamp post redo

I had bought these iron pot holders at a RS last year.  The price was great, unfortunately the pots kept falling over.  The stake part that went into the ground just wasn't long enough.  This year as i started looking at all the projects I want to do for the yard, the pot were straing at me saying do domething with us.  You mean to tell me inantimate objects don't talk to you?  Anyway, I had these lamp post bases that were in the trash pile where AH use to work.  They had bird houses on them that had finally rotted through.  A union made in garden heaven.  Posts, pot holders, coir matting, dirt and flowers.  I bet nobody else in town has anything like this.

table redo

As I've been cleaning repainting and generally fluffing the outdoor and patio area, this is one of the projects I did.  I need a table close to the grill to set food and dishes on as well as another place to stage with some of the outdoor decor.
This is what I came up with.  The table is an aquarium base I bought at a RS  with a wooden top AH made.  The bottom of the table is a shelf made with painted slats.  The table is attached with L-brackets to two metal panels, hinged together that use to be the sides of an arbor that had rusted out at the screws.  Near the top of the metal piece are 3 RS metal brackets and another shelf made of wooden slats.  The metal is all painted black and the wood the aqua I'm covering everything with this season.  Hey, paint is cheap.  If you are tired of the color change it!  This would be called a married piece if it were antique furniture.  I just call it a tble from junk.

button, button

Important notice.  Blogger has changed the way to write, edit and post blogs.  They did this without my consent.  Yeah I'm not happy about it.  Bear with me while I learn the new system.  There may be 5 blogs one day none the rest of the week.  Who knows.
I went to a barn sale last week and had great fun checking out all the one time junk now selling for big money.  One place that got a little of my money was the button booth.  Huge bowls of buttons, full of every kind and color you could dream of.  You could fill a big deli container for $3.  What a deal.  I'm sure I'll find lots of craft projects to use them on.  I'm not an official button collector, I just use them to make other things.  I can remember as a kid playing in my grandmothers button box.  I still have it.

cottage cheese pound cake

I know it sounds disgusting, but it's really delicious.  Most Tuesdays I have friends over for dinner and Glee.  I love to cook for more than just AH and I.  It's also a great way to stay connected to friends with our insanely busy lives.  Last week I decided to make a pound cake for dessert.  I used a box mix and followed the directions.  I also added  2 melted blocks of chocolate.  When I went to the frig to grab the sour cream, I like to add to cake mixes to make them extra moist, it was growing furry blue stuff.  YUCK.  I grabbed my low fat cottage cheese and whirled it with the stick blender until smooth, right in the measuring cup.  I put that into the mix, About 3/4C, bake the cake according to directions on the box. 
Serve with fruit and whip cream.

BIG NEWS

There are big things happening at Vintage Cottage Beauty.  Starting Monday we are opening our web page and Facebook store.  This has been months in planning and untold hours of work.  It would not be possible without my wonderful husband Andy's computer skills and patients.  He has spent weeks working on the site, with Facebook, Paypal and USPS.  There will be the inevitable tweeks and changes as we go along, but we are beyond excited to have a place for all of you to see and purchase all of our products.  The store will take Paypal and credit cards for easy shopping.  I hope you will take the time to check us out and let us know what you think.  Here's the link: vintagecottagebeauty.com or facebook/vintage cottage beauty.  you'll be able to see our new products as we bring them to market and know what all of our sales and specials are.
It's all starting to feel very real in a surreal kind of way.

Old friends

I have mentioned before how blessed I am to have such smart, wonderful, dependable  friends.  One of my oldest friends was in town for a flying trip over the weekend.  After a week of teaching it would take something special to get me off my couch on a Friday night.  It was great spending time with Sherry, partner Kathy and Sherry's friends and family.  She was the Maid of Honor at our wedding 40+ years ago.  She stayed skinny and young looking, me, not so much.  What's the old girl scout song?  "Make new friends but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold."  CCherish your friends and the time you can spend with them.  Make time to spend with them, it's important.  Other people in your life will pass by, but true friends are there for the long haul.



Sherry and Kathy



potting table

I have plans in my head for my dream potting table.  But until money, time and husband cooperation occur this is a good substitute.
An 6' fence section that had been used a climbing post for years is the base of the table.  AH cut it into 3 sections and screwed it together with angle brackets.  2" boards cut to length, painted and nailed on form the top and bottom shelf.  A little ladder I picked up at a free store will with the addition of S hooks will hold tools, hats and gloves.  Cost to make $4.00 for the angle brackets.  We had everything else.
Sometime you can't have what you want when you want it.DARN!  But what can you use in the meantime?

more spring

first rose of the season



wegelia just blooming




cold frames




Simple wooden boxes made to fit windows that use to be on the house.  These sit along the front of the big garden.  they must look strange from the street.  Last year a lady asked me why I had coffins in my yard.  The funeral home is two doors down.  Maybe she thought I was storing the coffins for them.

 Spring is here with a vengeance.  After a couple of weeks of what is normal temperatures it"s finally warmed up enough to work out side.  There are still a lot of chores to do.  The beauty and peacefulness of the garden and yard make all the work and sore muscles worth while.
To get a jump on the season, cold frames are great.  Just plant your favorite seeds in peat trays and pop into the cold frames after they germinate.  Water regularly and don't forget to prop the windows open if it's really warm out.  Since these have no heat to them I would throw a couple of blankets over them if it was going to get really cold at night.
I probably could save $200 on buying plants if I just didn't use that extra money for MORE plants.

Saturday night fun

It's a sad fact of life for schools all over the country.  You have to do fund raisers to do just about anything.  This Saturday night our school did a vendor expo and quarter auction to raise money to replace the playground equipment.  Most of it was original to the school being built 40 years ago.  Some of it came from the old grade school.  Our little ones deserve safe quality equipment to play on.  If you've ever been in a room with 20+ antsy first graders you know how much the kids and the teachers appreciate recess.
The quarter auction was something new to the area and tons of fun.  They never drew my numbers all night!  It was also an opportunity to show the community our VCB products.
To Karen and all her helpers, GREAT JOB!!  It takes hours of work to pull together an event like this.  I think everyone that attended had a good time.



One of my favorite students trying out the sugar scrub




Another great student.  Guys love the sugar scrub




Display  I think we need a lighter table cloth for pictures



Part of the auction bidders

Inspiration

People ask me all the time where  I get my ideas.  I usually tell them I saw it in a magazine or on the Internet.  The truth is inspiration is every where you look.  The color of a flower can inspire a flower arrangement or decorating choice.  A design on Pinterest can spark the imagination to make something.  There really are few truly original ideas out there.  What makes it unique is how you interpret the idea and make it yours.  This is true in every part of your life from business, decorating, parties or crafts.  Look at everything from all sides.  See how you can make something that is you not made for millions.  That is part of the joy of life.  How does this apply to business/  Easy.  Make the best product or develop the best service out there.  Make it uniquely your own.  Let the world know and they'll beat a path to your door.
Right now we are working on our website for Vintage Cottage Beauty, our store and our  Facebook store.  It's all very overwhelming at times.  Especially the geeky stuff that doesn't compute in my brain.  How glad am I that my husband and sons all love working on that stuff and leave the creative stuff for Kathy and me?   Businesses are changing at the speed of light and if you don't change with the times you'll be left behind

bag redo

The purists and the fashionistas among you should just not look at this post.  I'd had this Kate Spade bag for at least 6 years.  My sis had bought it at a gift show as a sample and never used it and finally gave it to me.  I loved the size and the fabric but it sat in a box until last week.  Why?  Because it was a back pack, and that just isn't me.  I got it out and decided to redo it. 

I carefully removed the straps, took the zipper off each side and restitched the pieces into shoulder straps.  I opened the stitching at the top of the bag, inserted the straps and restitched.  That's it, a new shoulder bag, perfect for summer.  No Paula you can't have it back!
What good is it to have something if you don't use it?  See how you can make it work for you.  This took me less than 30 minutes and no money for a "new" designer bag that won't be living in a box any more.

spring touch up

I have some great outdoor chairs.  We've had them for years and in their lifetime they've been several different colors.  They are plastic so special paint is needed.  I don't get paid to promote this product but  I can't say enough good things about Krylon Fusion paint for plastic.  They chairs get a scrub down each spring and if they need a touch up like they did this year this is what iIuse.  high price when most of the spray paint I buy is the 98 cent generic but worth the extra price for the quality.  The chairs started out tan, then green, red and now black.  At a cost of about $4.00 per chair every few years, these may be 10 different colors before they wear out.
What do you have for your yard that could be refreshed with a little spray paint?



chair before




same chair after




the good stuff



the completed chair



rigatoni

Full of vegies and really healthy.  A good way to sneak vegetables in your family's meals
1 box whole grain rigatoni, cooked drained and set aside
1# ground chuck
2 carrots, 1 onion, 2 ribs celery, 3 cloves garlic, 8oz mushrooms.  Chop all very finely.  The food processor works well.  You can make it a little more chunky if you're not trying to hide anything.
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1T oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Brown the meat and vegetables together, simmer until tender.  Add the tomatoes and seasoning and the pasta.  Heat through.  Served topped with grated Parmesan and Cheddar.  If you're really being good leave it off.

vacation

Taking the week off for a well deserved vacation.  No computers, no work, no gadening.  Just relaxing.

vacation

Taking the week off for a well deserved vacation.  No computers, no work, just relaxation.

family time

Took a few days to go to the big city to visit my parents.  They're mostly still of sound mind and we enjoy going to visit, solve all the problems of the world and share time with them.  My sis, her husband, son, wife and kids live nearby so there is nothing quiet about our trips.  Add in three very spoiled, crazy dogs and it's even more fun. We shared a huge Easter feast Saturday.  It was a perfect day and when it got too rowdy for us, sis and I snuck away to Target for retail therapy.  If you have family to spend time with you are very blessed.


Tyler setting table




Brayden being a goof ball




Hollie, the boys Mom.  Dad Matt had to work.




Dad.  I think all the hub-bub wears him out.  He says he's glad to see us, glad to see us go.




The cooks.  We don't do clean up if we cook.





The clan up crew.  BIL, Bernie and Andy



down time

taking the day off.  Even if you love your business, it's important to take time to recharge and step away for a while.  You'll be more effective when you get back to it.
Have a happy Easter. Thank God for sending his son to die and rise again, all for us.

oven fried chicken

We eat a lot of chicken here. This is a new version of oven fried chicken  It's healthier without all the fat and almost as good. 
4 boneless skinless chicken breast pound out to about 1/2" thick
1 egg and 1T water mixed
1C flour
2C panko bread crumbs mixed with
1C grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
lay out your egg, flour and bread crumb mix in that order.  Dip the chicken in each turning to cover all sides.  Lay on a cookie sheet and chill 30-60 minutes.
Drizzle with olive oil
Bake 400 for 20-30 minutes depending on how big your pieces are.
Check at 20 minutes the chicken should be cooked through but don't let it dry out.

spring time work

With all the beauty of spring time flowers comes all the work to get everything cleaned up.  That's what AH and I have done for the last two weekends.  Clearing off flower beds, cleaning off the patio and refreshing some of the furniture and accessories.  We still have a ways to go but are making a dent.  The front beds are cut back and raked.  The patio furniture has been washed and painted.  I've remade a couple of pieces and we're slowly getting the patio in to usable shape.




Front west side of the property bed before.  We always leave the flower heads for the birds over the winter.




Same bed after cutting back the dead and raking.




Everything has to be removed from the patio to put up the sunshade and clean the bricks.  Then we start the process of putting everything back.




Child's bench in need of a paint job.  On top of the table that needs painting too.

 I've discovered muscles I forgot I had.  Thank goodness for a hot tub.

spring time has arrived

First a happy note.  The television show Kathy and I filmed for WEIU will be shown this Tuesday, April 3 at 6:30 PM on the show My hobbies, crafts and collectibles.  if you aren't in the area it will be up on youtube at youtube.com/weiutv within 48 hours of the broadcast.  I hope I don't look too much like a dork.
Spring has arrived very early to the Midwest.  I couldn't be happier.  I love spring.  The time of new beginnings, rebirth, beautiful flowers and being outdoors without freezing to death.  YEA!!

I've never had this many flowers blooming in March.  I'm loving it!

chocolate bites

These are supose to taste just like a Three Musketeer candy bar.  I don't agree but they really are yummy.
2C semi sweet chocolate chips melted
1 8oz container Cool Whip
2C milk chocolate chips melted
2T shortening
Melt the semi sweet chips in the micro wave 30 seconds at a time until melted.  Mix with a hand mixer 2 minutes.  Add Cool Whip and mix 2-3 minutes.
Pour into a wax paper lined 9x9 pan, spread out and chill for at least 30 minutes.  This gets really thick so you may have to press it out with your fingers.
Cut the mix into 1" squares
Melt the milk chips and shortening together.
Using 2 forks or wood skewers dip into the melted chocolate until covered.  Place on wax paper to harden.
Store extras in the frig in an air tight containers.(As if there will be any leftovers)

Gooey, sweet bites of bliss.