Glassware Collections

I love collecting things.  I collect a ton of different things. I'll share them, but for today it's glassware.  I've always been intrigued by different types of glass, jars, vases, and apothecary bottles.  And it's obvious if you look at my kitchen shelf.

There is a little old like the blue mason jars which are really blue, not just painted, and the apothecary large jug with the glass stopper.

There is also some new jars from Ikea and some other places I've long forgotten.  I actually bought the large pitcher and basin at the state fair several years ago.  I don't think it's truly vintage, but I love it anyway.

 I tried to group them in a random way.  Taller pieces in the back and shorter ones in front.  No two like pieces next to each other.

What do you collect?

Thanksgiving Banner

I finally finished my Thanksgiving decor just in time and I wanted to share.

I found these great vintage Thanksgiving art at The Graphics Fairy. There are so many great things there.  I picked out my favorite ones, resized them in photoshop to fit my frames and printed them out.

 

Here's the right and left sides of my kitchen window.

Now for the banner.  I cut the shapes on my cricut, Storybook font.  Then inked the edges of the top letter and the brown base.  Then I used Stickles to add the glitter to the right edge of each letter.

 Next I followed the paper folding tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets found here.  (I got to go to that party with Jessica and Mandy.  I so miss them!)

Then I pulled apart a silk flower and put a brad through the center, gluing the whole thing together and punched holes in the corners of each letter.

 For the string to connect them, I used this, picked 3-4 strands and wrapped tape around the end for easy threading. Kinda like a shoelace.

 Here's a close up of part of the banner.

 Here it is finished.  So warm and festive!

Roasted Smashed Potatoes

I discovered my new favorite way to make potatoes.  It was in The Costco Magazine but I adjusted it  a little.

Get 1 1/2 to 2 inch red potatoes.

Cook in microwave in covered container with about 1/2 inches water in bottom for about 10-14 minutes, or til fork tender.

 Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.  Evenly space potatoes and drizzle with olive oil.

 Take another baking sheet and evenly smash down potatoes.  Drizzle again with olive oil and season to taste.  I used my favorite savory blend.  The Costco recipe says use Thyme, Salt, & Pepper.

Set oven to broil and place potatoes on the next to the top rack for 5 minues, then the bottom rack for 5 minutes til nicely browned.  I served mine with steamed asparagus and chicken cooked like this.

So quick, easy and super Yummm...

Gallery Walls part 2

I am so loving all the gallery walls on Pinterest.  I've been collecting things for a while and finally have a great space to display them.

This wall is in my kitchen.  My kids favorite is the Pilsbury Dough Boy!

This wall is what you see when you come in.  A few old plus a few new.

Remember the old window I posted here?

 That window found a new home.  I picked up the oval frame at the same time.  I will eventually change out the picture to something that reflects my family a little more, but for now it works.

 This was made from a metal hook from Pick Your Plum.  The mirrors are from Ikea that I covered with red burlap rosettes.  The frame still needs a pic but that's OK.  The ribbon is free floating so I can change it if I want.

 I got this frame at Michaels for 75% off.  Sweet!  Then I used a french script brush from Brusheezy in Photoshop. I love the brushes there!
The C is with Kings and Queen's Font.  It's printed on left over packing paper.  Looks vintage huh!  Nope. 2 days ago.

I am also loving burlap.  I had to do do some red roses for this wall.  They are similar to the ones I made here. 1 inch strips coiled and glue-gunned down!  Lovely!

Another view of my antique window.  Love it!

Can you guess what I hid behind the star?  The doorbell.  It was this ugly white box that simply messed up my gallery wall.  So it had to be covered up.  And yes, we can still hear the doorbell. I tested it first.  I promise.

 Yeay!  2 walls down.  Fweh.

A Quick Wall Collage

So I love Pinterest.  I spend way too much time on there, but I did find these wonderful  wall art inspiration.

from thebirdspapaya.com

from here.

I have pictures of my babies all at about the same age.  They almost look like quintuplets at this age, but they're not.  There's a 10 year spread between the oldest and the youngest.

I wanted to do something that they would see everyday.  Something to remind them who they are.  So I did this:

Every time they come down the stairs they see this.  It needs a little more but so far...

I love it!

Apple Pie in a Jar + some Crepes

It's apple season.  I love it! So many wonderful varieties.  Honeycrisp are heavenly.  Fuji are another fav. But for pie filling, Granny Smiths are the best.  Plus their color is gorgeous!

Since I need to save some of this fall yummy-ness I thought I'd share my 

pie filling recipe.  So here goes.

One box of Granny Smith apples - 40 lbs

Canning jars, lids and rings

Cutting board

Large bowl

Pineapple Juice

Apple slicer and paring knife

Each flat of apples will do about 6 jars.  There are 5 flats in a box.

Start cutting apples.  I cut them with the slicer, then cut the skins off and slice each piece one more time to make them thin.  Place cut apples in large bowl with Pineapple juice in it.  I used most of the large can to do all the apples.  The juice keeps the apples from turning brown before they are processed.

Stir occationally to coat the apples with the Pineapple Juice.

 Now lets make the syrup.

In a mixing bowl combine the following:
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
Mix well to distribute the cornstarch.

In a thick bottomed stock pot combine:
2 1/2 quarts water
1/4 cup molasses
Dry mixture

Stir well and frequently over medium heat.  Heat to boiling and sauce is thickened and carmel-y color.

 Fill jars with apples then ladle hot syrup over apples.

I prep my lids by placing them in about 1/2 inch water in a sauce pan and heat almost to boiling.  When jars are filled with apples and syrup, top with lids and screw on rings.

I use a steam canner.  Cover and process for 20 minutes.

Once they are done place on counter to rest for at least 24 hours.  Don't touch until then, test for proper seal by pushing on the lid.  If it springs back, it didn't seal.  If so, Perfect.  Write the date and add to your pantry.

Now here's one of our favorite ways to eat apple pie filling!

Crepes

(for my family of 7 I double the recipe and it's just enough)
In a blender combine in order with blender on low:
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter melted

Mix well until smooth.
Pour 1/3 cup onto small fry pan swirling the pan to distribute batter.
Cook til done, flipping half way.

Fill with your favorite filling.  We like Pie filling, jam, fruit, etc.  Top with chocolate sauce, or whipped cream.
So GOOD!

It's Halloween at my house!

It's Halloween at my house and I thought I'd share a quick project that was free.

I used the mouse templates from Martha Stewart to cut out a bunch of mice out of construction paper and some webs and another spider like the one I used for the Bleachy Halloween project.  

I just glued them to some left over packing paper cut to fit the garage door windows.  Then I used packing tape to tape the paper to the inside of the windows.  

Love it!

Now if I could just figure out how to animate the mice....

 Happy Halloween everyone!