VCB

Big new things are coming to Vintage Cottage Beauty.  We're working on a news letter, the small business development group at EIU and continuing to work on youtube videos.. You can see what we have now at youtube/vintage cottage beauty2012.  Check us out.  Off to the big big city to visit with my parents for the week.  i hope to come back with lots of treasures and renewed energy.  There's nothing like being spoiled by your mama to rev you up.

lemon steak skewers

1# sirloin steak cut in strips against the grain
2 lemons juiced
slat, pepper, garlic powder 1tsp each
2T vinegar
1/2C  olive oil
Mix together and put in a zip top bag including the lemon rinds
Marinate steak for at least 1 hour
Soak wooden skewers while meat is marinating, thread meat on and grill until done to your liking.  Keep the meat flat or cut it in chunks so it cooks evenly.  Serveith salad and bread
Sorry no pictures the computer lost it's mind

new old chair

I had picked this old bentwood chair with no seat up at a sale.  It's an odd size and even without the seat was in too good shape to put outside with a plant in it.  After moving the guset bedroom around i decided to repurpose it into a bedside table.  It was as simple as marble painting an old metal tray to go with the colors in the room and putting it next to the bed.  Perfect size for the new room arrangement.



base coat with ivory letting some of the black show




add squiggles of copper, blue and green




swirl and brush until you're happy with the look



finished table, just the right height for a tall bedside

 

hamziti

When I asked AH what he wanted for his Father's Day dinner, he told me to surprise him.  My first thought was reservations, but since he had to work that night I came up with this.  It's a variation on something I saw on TV with my own twist to it.
1# chunk of ham cut in cubes
3 carrots
1 onion
3 stalks celery
6-8 mini sweet peppers
2 clove garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
olive oil
dice everything and cook in 2-3T olive oil until tender salt and pepper to taste
In a separate pan cook 1# ziti 3-4 minutes less than the package says and drain
While the pasta cooks melt 1/4C butter and add 1/4C flour cook for a few minutes then add 2C milk heat until thickened
Add fresh grated Parmesan cheese to taste I used about 1C Add the sauce and cheese to the pasta and mix
Layer pasta and ham mixture into a 9X13 greased pan and top with additional cheese.  Bake 350 30-45 minutes.  it should be bubbly and crispy on top.  Plenty of leftovers. 

simple arrangements

Flower arranging does not have to be stuffy or complicated.  A plain bottle and a few stems are all you need when the flowers are as beautiful as these hydrangeas.  The kitchen arrangement is just an old bottle.  The living room coffee table arrangement is a tall thin bottle on a silver tray, paired with a faux mercury glass candle stick and candle.  You can't get easier than that.

Little visitors

I spent the last week hanging out with my two youngest granddaughters.  There is very good reason to have children while you are young,  they wore me out every day.  It was non-stop activity every minute.  They both wanted to learn how to sew so we started with the shirt aprons you've seen on here before, I just bought women's size small and made them the same way.  The aprons turned out great and both girls were so proud to model their projects.  Now they want to cook even more than before.

VCB

It's Friday and time for a vintage cottage update.  Kathy and I have been shooting videos and a couple of them are up on youtube.  Go to youtube and type in vintage cottage beauty 2012 that will give you a list of what we have up now.  A big thanks to WEIU TV for featuring us their show and youtube.
We're contemplating putting our products in a few stores in the area.  My past experience with consignment selling has not been great, I'm trying to keep and open mind, but be very cautious about that kind of commitment.  We're spending one day this week visiting shops that we might be interested in.  Of course the most important part of that day will be where we go for lunch.