tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87283441033288089862024-03-14T01:25:20.359-04:00sammysgrammya blog about cooking ~ crafting ~ and coddlingsammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-33710642288187324292016-11-02T23:31:00.001-04:002016-11-02T23:31:48.439-04:00Did You Miss Me?I can't believe that I haven't blogged since July and here it is November. What in heaven's name was I doing all that time? Well for one thing, I got a new computer. That was a major undertaking. You know I'm not the brightest light on the tech scene. I've used it for a couple months and there are still moments that I'm completely mystified by how different it is from my old computer. Oh, well, life goes on.<br />
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OK, let's try to catch up.<br />
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Last Spring I received an email from the art director of a national magazine - Bridal Guide - asking about my bridal banners. She asked for me to send her a particular one. They were going to photograph it for their Fall issue. I was thrilled to pieces. I packed up the banner and sent it off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to see, I know - but the brides are each holding the ends of one of my banners</td></tr>
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I had visions of selling millions of bridal banners because of the exposure in a national magazine and began to furiously collect more vintage doilies. Then I gave up on that tack and began to purchase new doilies. Vintage doilies are a labor intensive proposition. I reasoned that banners made with new doilies looked just as pretty as the ones made with vintage doilies and I could make them at less cost, therefore, charge less for them. The ones made with new doilies don't have the enchanting history and heirloom quality of the vintage lace ones, though. But I was in a crunch with no time to hunt down local estate sales, compete against antique dealers for the linens, launder them and prepare them for transformation into a wedding accessory.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All handmade vintage rectangular doilies banner</td></tr>
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I made a bunch of the ones with vintage doilies before developing the new plan (B). On these antique doily banners, each doily is unique, created by a different individual, different hands, different crochet hooks, different parts of the country, different time frames..................... I suspect they were mostly created around the 1900's to the 1940's. At that point in time, there was no polyurethaned (case goods) furniture, no plastic coatings whatsoever, no fake/faux wood. Wood was wood. It wasn't plastic. It came from a tree. It got transformed into furniture (beds, dressers, chests, tables, stands, pianos, chairs........................... It needed to be carefully cared for. You didn't eat on it for fear the dish or glass would sweat or drip and leave a mark on the wood surface. It was covered with something (linen tablecloth, lace tablecloth or doilies, etc.). The case goods (dressers/chests) were covered with lace or linen as well (doilies/scarves). These valuable pieces of furniture required protection from perfumes, lotions, even scratches, dents, etc. <br />
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The upholstered furniture was protected with doilies as well. There were no "miracle fabrics". Upholstery was wool, silk or cotton - all natural fibers. The housewives protected the headrests and arms of their upholstery with..............what else? doilies. You could easily launder the doily. Not so, the sofa.<br />
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Doilies are outdated, passe', unnecessary today. Sadly, I suspect there are many of them in landfills. . But these pieces of vintage needlework art have captured my heart. I just can't get enough of them. And they seem to be the perfect romantic vehicle for a wedding, especially a vintage, Boho or barn wedding. <br />
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Alas, my big dream of being inundated with orders for wedding banners has not materialized as yet. But whenever it does, I'm ready.<br />
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-59203683023214444372016-07-25T17:56:00.001-04:002016-07-25T17:56:45.399-04:00My Favorite Part of My Visit to SicilyMy favorite event of my holiday in Sicily was a cooking class at a farm (Fattoria Mose')/B&B/cooking school in the V<em>illaggio Mose' </em>in Sicily. <br />
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Our tour group arrived about 5PM at the most charming sight. A working farm with chickens, a rooster, many cats, many dogs, many plants, olive trees, almond trees. verandas, long oil clothed tables for dining al fresco underneath shade trees on the veranda. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chickens in the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bougainvilla on the veranda<br />
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Inside the farmhouse, a "classroom" with long tables set out with dangerous looking knives for many budding gourmands. And a busy kitchen, of course.<br />
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We were tutored by the head chef and her advanced pupils. note: it looked, to me, like the pupils lived at the farm and the ones we met were quite advanced. They run B&B on site as well, therefore, there is much opportunity for the pupils to have food prep experience. I later discovered that a stay at the B&B costs $50 per night!!! That almost floored me. I would give a guess that a stay at a B&B of that caliber in the U.S. would be at least $100 per night. <br />
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When we arrived, the executive chef had already started chicken Marsala and was working on eggplant Parmigiana. On the kitchen counters, we saw a pile of ground almonds (produced on that farm) waiting for their next step in becoming truffles for dessert. On the same counter, we watched as the crust of a <em>crostata de marmellata</em> was created by a pupil of the school. She had previously preserved the <em>marmellata </em>(a mélange of several fruits). <br />
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In the kitchen - chicken Marsala on the stove - ground almonds - genesis of a crostata</div>
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Meanwhile, in the big room with the long tables, were the dangerous looking knives and wooden cutting boards, we played sous chef to the executive chef as we all prepared and put together a potato, artichoke, cheese (caciocavallo), onions, capers, and bread crumbs drizzled with extra virgin olive oil (produced right there) casserole bake. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the makings of the potato-artichoke bake</td></tr>
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Next came those ground up almonds tossed into a pan with a simple syrup, then (when cooled a bit) kneaded together into a dough. Brought into the "classroom" for the sous chefs to roll into tiny balls, then rolling the tiny balls, some in cinnamon sugar and some in cocoa. That was part of our dessert (truffles).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinch off a bit of dough-roll into a tiny ball-dust with cinnamon sugar or cocoa</td></tr>
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Part II of dessert were orange roses (<em>arancia de canella). </em>We, the sous chefs, pared oranges, removing all the peel (down to the orange segments). Then the oranges were sliced in a spiral and wound into the form of a rose. These were arranged on a large plate, cinnamon sprinkled on them and a few mint leaves for garnish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">truffles and arancia roses with dusting of <em>canella </em>garnished with mint</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the crostate de marmellata - lattice created by a tourista - hence the primitive lattice - still tastes good<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally - mangia - mangia</td></tr>
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Surprisingly, there was much more to dinner than our neophyte sous chefs prepared. Our hostess had some food prepared off site and added to the glorious dinner that our little group helped to prepare. All in all, this experience was the star of the show.</div>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-15308300578996771452016-07-11T21:58:00.001-04:002016-07-11T21:58:16.565-04:00Sicily ~ Part IV ~ Churches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My visit to Sicily did not major on churches but more upon the history, archeology, conquerors, etc. of the island. However, the island is dotted with churches. Indeed, the wealthy landowners of old had chapels in their homes along with a resident priest and possibly a few nuns to do the praying for the family.<br />
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This tiny little chapel was right next door to the Hotel Centarium in Castellamare Del Golfo<br />
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Discovered this "Holy Family" sculpture in a little church in Erice<br />
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The 4 pictures above were taken in the Church of Saint Francis</div>
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(San Francisco)</div>
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This church is getting a "face lift"</div>
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Millions on uneven stone steps here. This church is in Palma de Montechiaro, includes the Benedictine Monastery. </div>
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Worshippers lining up in front of this church in preparation for a procession</div>
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That was quite an interesting sight and one which one would only see in Italy. A religious procession in the center of Palermo.</div>
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Monks</div>
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Priests</div>
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Banners</div>
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The church buildings in Italy are awe inspiring because they are so ornate, full of amazing art treasures, many erected when building construction was in its infancy (no cranes, no electricity, no modern construction materials.) The care, talent, expense, time and labor that it took must have been monumental. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience it.</div>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-56100490097543043012016-07-06T19:21:00.002-04:002016-07-07T10:19:57.568-04:00Sicily ~ Part III ~ Greek Temples One of the highlights of my visit to Sicily was seeing so much history. The island of Sicily was first inhabited by the Greeks who wanted to make the island a Greek colony, thus gaining more land on which to farm to feed their burgeoning population. Sicily was thought of as the "Garden of Eden". The soil was so fertile, being made up of mostly volcanic ash. It was also situated favorably for sea trade with the surrounding nations. <br />
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However, Sicily has a thorny history of many nations all wanting to conquer whoever was the ruling party of the day. The Phoenicians, Carthagenians, Moors, Spaniards, the French, the Normans, the Tunisians.....................<br />
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My tour of western Sicily was led by the head of the Italian Department of a local college. She did her PhD dissertation on the life of Luigi Pirrandello, a native of Sicily, who was awarded the 1934 Nobel Prize for literature. It is my belief that she (the Professore) knows everything there is to know about Sicily (the history, the language, the geography, the religions, the weather patterns, the sea surrounding it, and then some. This set of circumstances led to a very history oriented tour. We did not just walk upon paved streets, and nice, even sidewalks, visiting churches and museums, eating at quaint bistros and sipping latte machiatos, although we did that as well. We also climbed mountains in 80 degree heat with sandals on! We scaled hills consisting of sand, rocks, pebbles, stones and tree roots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valle Dei Templi is where we're headed</td></tr>
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Temples were erected on the highest spot of land available, in order to give proper honor to the deity plus a birds eye view of his/her loyal subjects all spread out at his/her overseeing/ruling feet.<br />
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The Greeks had many gods, and built many temples. Among those we visited were temples of Zeus, Hercules, Hera, Demeter, Persephone and the Acropolis.<br />
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One thing about temples is: they all look the same. It seems there's a prescribed architectural plan. The temples the Greeks built in Sicily were built from 800 to 500 years before Christ. Many of them are showing signs of age but not all. I understand that it took approximately 20 years to build a temple at a time when the life expectancy was 40 years!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the steps down from the temple. On the lower level was the altar.</td></tr>
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I was amazed at the design of the temples. They had an inner room, completely dark, in which the god dwelt plus much treasure. Around this inner room, there were open and sunlit corridors, with pillars surrounding on the outer walls. Then steps down to the lower level where the ordinary people gathered to make sacrifices to the god. Our guide described this as a "Barbeque" because, usually, an animal was sacrificed on the altar which was situated outside of the temple, on the ground level. Some of this sacrifice was offered to the god. Then the worshippers enjoyed the barbeque.<br />
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This all sounded familiar to me because of what I read in my Bible of the directions that Jehovah God gave to Moses regarding how to build a residence for Him. He gave specific instructions about every detail. I find it amazing that His specifications for worship were followed by later generations. He was the originator of the temple building architectural plans. <br />
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It is my understanding that the Hebrew nation is now living in the year 5776. If the Greeks built the Sicilian temples 800-500 years before Christ, they were built approximately 2800 years ago, (3000 years ago, give or take). That means about 2700 years before the Greeks built the Sicilian temples, the children of Israel built a temple to their one and only God, Yaweh, erecting it according to the precise specifications that the Lord gave to Moses. <br />
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I am amazed by this..........<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-24744117929158041002016-06-28T10:35:00.000-04:002016-06-28T10:35:45.299-04:00Visit to Sicily ~ Part II ~ SweetsEver since I returned from my visit to Sicily, I have been online looking for recipes for all the wonderfully delicious sweets I had while there. There were familiar desserts, like the cannoli. But even the ones I'd heard of were deliciously different in Sicily. One of those is the cassata. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of a cassata even though it was on the breakfast buffet every morning. Yes, the Sicilians have sweets for breakfast. That fact makes me feel a lot less guilty for having a couple homemade biscotti with my morning coffee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast array - including cannoli, cookies, filled croissants</td></tr>
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The cookies were works of art. Do these people stay up nights trying to imagine more and more decadent desserts. And the coffee they wash them down with almost defies description. Even a latte macchiato, in the home of it's origin, is delectable. And...........I found a new one. It's called a "crema d caffe". It's cold, served in a small glass and kind of like "heaven on earth". I saw instructions online how to make it. I tried one. Dismal failure #1. I am going to keep on trying, though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pistachio gelato and a latte</td></tr>
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I have already attempted to make cassatelli. It looks deceptively like a ravioli. It is fried dough, filled with a sweet ricotta and dusted with powdered sugar. It was served to me on a plate, sitting atop a squiggle of chocolate syrup. My attempt to make these was dismal failure #2. I threw the whole batch in the trash can. However I will give it another try. I am not giving up. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there she is: Miss Casatelli</td></tr>
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Here's a few more examples of the Sicilian art of Patisserie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">saw lots of these small cones filled with various sweet concoctions</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marzipan<br />
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Marzipan is ground almonds plus simple syrup. Almonds trees are plentiful. In a cooking class we took while there, we took small portions of freshly made marzipan and rolled it into tiny "polpetti", which were then rolled in cocoa and some into a sugar/cinnamon. Voila! truffles</td></tr>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-66325749473115951092016-06-22T12:43:00.001-04:002016-06-22T12:43:10.514-04:00Trip to Sicily - Part 1Wow, I haven't blogged in over a month. I've been BUSY. I've been planning a trip to Sicily which is history now but I am going to tell you all about it. Almost as soon as I returned back home, I've had houseguests. But, I'm about back to "normal" now and able to resume my normal habits. <br />
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I live in the northeast where Summers (June, July, August and 2 weeks of September) are hot and furious and as quick as you blink your eye. So all Summer activities (weddings, Summer vacations, garden tours, farmers markets, beaches, food truck rodeos, Jazz Festivals, Fairport Canal Days, Cottages, Abbotts ice cream, etc.) have to get crowded into 15 weekends (out of 52 - not a lot - about 29% of the year). Hence, when I returned from overseas, Summer already made her annual appearance and the normal, regular Summertime activities had begun, even though I wasn't quite ready for that to happen. <br />
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For me, this trip to Sicily was the trip of a life time, something I've always wanted to do. I did travel to Italy one other time. That was a visit to mainland Italy. This recent trip was to the island of Sicily, the place my grandparents emigrated from in 1894. I was hoping to discover some remnant of their life there. I'll tell you about that in another post. <br />
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For right now, I'll tell you what I was so entranced by. The way Italians hang their laundry in the hot Sicilian sun was totally enchanting to me. I still do that, in as much Summer sunshine as we get here on the shores of Lake Ontario. <br />
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Enjoy these photos of Laundry Day in Sicily:<br />
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I am assuming that inside the apartments, there is a washing machine but not a dryer. But who needs one? Sicilian weather is spectacular. </div>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-68205331590880678902016-05-04T18:53:00.001-04:002016-05-04T18:53:02.516-04:00Nitrate Film Festival and DinnerLast weekend, the George Eastman Museum presented the <a href="https://eastman.org/nitrate-picture-show">nitrate-picture-show</a>, a festival of Film Conservation. The movies were presented in the Dryden Theater at the Museum. I don't have the figures for this year but last year people from 16 countries around the world gathered in Rochester, NY for the event. <br />
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If you're interested, this link will take you to an explanation of why nitrate film is so volatile yet so valuable a piece of the history of film. <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/17/8792169/nitrate-picture-show-film-conservation-festival">Nitrate film</a><br />
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I wish I could've seen more of the festival's offerings. I did see "The Bicycle Thief" (Ladri Di Biciclette", a 1948 Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica and "The Roadhouse", an American movie, also filmed in 1948. Starring Ida Lupino, Celeste Holm, Cornell Wilde and Richard Widmark. This film is stored at the UCLA Film and Television Archive. <br />
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Following such an delightful experience, it was fitting that we dine at a totally awesome place. We had dinner at the <a href="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/">The Cheesecake Factory</a>. We went in there with a plan: eat light so you'll have room for dessert. This plan was developed after eating there several times and never able to fit in a piece of their famous cheesecake. We both had a lovely salad so we could manage to also have dessert. We made a valiant effort. We both still had to take home a "doggie bag" of leftover cheesecake. I had no trouble eating it the next day. <br />
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I do think this has to be my favorite one. I had the S'mores cheesecake. My friend had the carrot cake. The S'mores cake came with dripping down the sides melted marshmallow, a half a graham cracker perched on top and lots of whipped cream (which I removed).<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-74352463976585880262016-04-25T17:16:00.000-04:002016-04-25T17:16:28.207-04:00Mortadella Panini I had the mortadella Panini for lunch today. I think this may be my favorite sandwich. It comes to us via <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/sandwich-king.html">Jeff Mauro - sandwich king</a> on the food network.<br />
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I happened to be in an Italian grocery today and while there for another reason entirely, purchased the mortadella for my sandwich, as well. Mortadella is sort of an Italian bologna with big chunks of tasty pork fat and pretty green pistachios in it. They slice is very thin.<br />
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How to: If you have a Panini maker grill, lucky you. I don't, so here's my "panini maker". It's a regular non-stick skillet plus a small cake plate plus a very heavy stone bunny. All piled on top of each other. The bunny acts as the "press", smashing the sandwich together just like it was a $100.00 Panini press.<br />
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As you put together your sandwich, set your skillet on a medium low burner to warm up for its job of creating your Panini.<br />
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For the sandwich: two slices of Italian bread, spread with fig jam, thin slices of a mild Italian cheese like Asiago or Fontinella on each slice of bread. Then two slices of mortadella (the mortadella is big so two slices is plenty because you'll fold it so it fits on the bread). Close up your sandwich and smear both outside surfaces with olive oil and lay carefully in the skillet. Place the small cake plate on top of the sandwich, then put the bunny on top of the plate to weigh it down to "panini" it.<br />
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After maybe 5-6 minutes, have a peek to see if the bottom slice is golden. If so, flip it so the other side can get golden as well. Pile up the plate and bunny again on top of the sandwich.<br />
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When both sides are golden, put it on a pretty plate and mangia. <br />
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You'll want another, I'm sure.sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-61322719036473005022016-04-19T07:14:00.000-04:002016-04-19T07:14:00.006-04:00A couple weeks ago, I received a "convo" from the art director of a bridal magazine. ("convo" is etsyspeak for email) In her note, the art director said they loved my bridal banners and wanted to feature one in the magazine's Fall issue which will be available on news stands on July 19th.<br />
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This is a very thrilling turn of events for me. I have been racking my brain for a long while now, trying to think of how to break into the wedding market. This is my target market. When I look at wedding blogs, first of all, they are all beautiful but it's very expensive to advertise on them.<br />
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I have even inquired to local bridal shows. Again, extremely expensive. I did, however, take out what I thought was a very attractive add in a small local weekly shopper type paper. Nada. Not one inquiry to that ad. I had more or less given up on that tack. <br />
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How did the bridal magazine find me? I really don't know. I didn't ask. But I think they troll etsy for content for their magazines.<br />
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This is the magazine: <a href="http://bridalguide.com/">Bridal Guide Magazine</a> If I ever wanted to purchase advertising in this magazine, I suspect it would be quite costly. But, thanks be to God, they are publicizing my creation/shop for $00.00. I also suspect that this PR will be much more effective than any ad I could have purchased!<br />
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I'm a tiny bit panicky now about getting deluged by orders. Good problem to have. Reason being, I make my bridal accessories from vintage doilies and linens. Will the earth run out of that source? Where will I find them? I have 3 months to get a head start on a deluge (which is ephemeral - is it real? or is it illusion?). I'm not taking any chances, I'm getting ready.<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-89797543706410264412016-03-29T15:23:00.000-04:002016-04-07T07:34:01.958-04:00Spring BreakThis is the week our local kids are on holiday from school. It's the week following Easter. There's a local tradition that this week is <a href="http://www.flowercityworkcamp.org/about">FLOWER CITY WORK CAMP</a> . It is a week our local teenagers (approximately 750 of them) give up Spring Break in a sunny clime and lots of dads take a week of vacation time from their jobs to supervise said kids. The high school-ers are assigned to an inner-city home to do whatever odd jobs are necessary for that home to operate more smoothly. Perhaps a new set of porch steps, perhaps a little painting, maybe some yard clean-up. You know, the jobs are endless. The dads show the unlearned teens how to wield a nail gun, or a sander, or even a drill and generally, supervise all operations on that site.<br />
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The teens are members of approximately 50 plus local churches. They are actually incommunicado for the week. They stay overnight in local churches, wall-to-wall sleeping bags, have breakfast there, go to their assigned work site. Then back to whichever church is their campsite for the week, for dinner and snacks, a worship service and "sharing" time, then "beddie bye", getting rested up for another work day tomorrow. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=flower%20city%20work%20camp">FLOWER CITY WORK CAMP facebook page</a><br />
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As you can see, I didn't mention lunch. That's where I come in, as well as many, many other moms. We make "camp lunch", deliver it to the work site. The famished teens and dads are very happy to see us round about 11:30 am. <br />
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My assignment is to make 22 deli sandwiches plus 5 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (for the fussy ones), snacks, dessert and fruit. At each work site, there will be about 15 "starving" people. <br />
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Here's a little example of how the Lord puts things together: A friend from church gave me her spiral Easter ham which she wasn't able to use. That's camp rations for tomorrow. Along with rolls, tangerines, lemon bar mix and pretzels that I purchased this morning. <br />
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While I, myself, was in the inner-city for these purchases, I treated myself to a cup of coffee and a "sweet" at a new establishment I had been looking forward to trying out. I am happy to tell you: I would highly recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UpperCrustCakery/timeline">Upper Crust Bakery & Glen Edith Coffee Roasters</a> . I had a beautiful latte and a cinnamon/chocolate rugelach.<br />
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Now, to kitchen duty to make lemon bars, operate on the spiral ham, slice up lettuce, insert into rolls, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. <br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-55485909965360384152016-03-23T17:03:00.003-04:002016-03-23T17:03:52.219-04:00A New AmusementYou know I wouldn't be happy unless I was making something. To add even more excitement, I like to make something new out of something old. <br />
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You might also know that I am a "fiber junkie", I like yarn, ribbon, raffia, thread, cord, string......... There's a little thrift shop in my neighborhood that is like a miracle from heaven. It's a non profit. They sell the leftovers from peoples craft projects. The name of the shop is <a href="http://craftbitsandpieces.com/?page_id=12">Crafts Bits & Pieces</a>. This is the little "treasure house" I go to get my "fiber fix". <br />
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I probably won't do it justice, but in Crafts Bits & Pieces you'll find: yarn, crochet thread, knitting needles and crochet hooks, wreath making and garden inspired materials, buttons, old/used jewelry, china, dolls, how to books, Christmas decorations, old and new quilts, tons of yard goods, sewing notions, lace, stamping supplies, painting supplies, paper art supplies, sewing patterns, thread, picture frames, embroidery supplies............I could go on and on. All of it at violently reduced prices. It is absolute nirvana. <br />
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A couple months ago I began wrapping bangles with various and sundry fibers. I have used all of the above, with varying degrees of deliciousness. <br />
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Of course, when I discover a new amusement, I get addicted real quick. I make lot and lots. It's almost as if I can't stop. There's only one way to solve this overabundance. Put them in my etsy shop.<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-11454926624810283392016-03-14T15:01:00.002-04:002016-03-14T15:02:30.998-04:00A Visit to the Albright-Knox MuseumOn Friday, last, my <em>comares, ***</em> and I had another <strong>GIRLZ DAY </strong>event. We got up early, got all gussied up, tuned in the GPS and trekked from Rochester to Buffalo, NY. A trip of about 80 miles. <br />
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We had a beautiful, sunny day to travel. Our admission tickets were purchased beforehand. The venue was the <a href="http://www.albrightknox.org/exhibitions/exhibition:11-15-2015-monet-and-the-impressionist-revolution-1860-1910/">Albright-Knox Art Gallery</a> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rear of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery building-parking lot entrance<br />
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Our reason for visiting the museum was that there was a "Monet and the Impressionists Revolution 1860-1910" exhibit showing. It was a rare opportunity to see these great works so close to home. We made a day of it. We arrived about noon and dallied in the museum gift shop before our scheduled 1 PM visit to the exhibit. Museum gift shops are one of my favorite places to shop. Purchased myself a reusable silk, fold up inside a small pouch, shopping bag for my trip to Sicily. Then, after viewing the spectacular art work, we had lunch in the <a href="http://www.albrightknox.org/ak-cafe/">Gallery Cafe'</a> . A very relaxed, and charming meal of soup and quiche with iced tea for me, then a shared molten chocolate lava cake for dessert. <br />
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The art patrons were permitted to take photos of all the paintings except the Monet' paintings. I took a few shots of the other impressionists that I favor particularly. I'm not certain that I will remember exactly whose work is who's.<br />
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This is one of Degas' little ballerinas<br />
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Renoir</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gustave Caillebotte</td></tr>
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There were many more, including some of the work of Toulouse Lautrec, Manet, Gauguin, VanGough, Matisse, Seurat, etc. Not to mention the museum's regular collections which were also spectacular. This museum is definitely worth a trip. To do it justice, a weekend visit would be a good thing. <br />
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In the guarded Monet exhibit, where no photos were permitted, the evolution of his style development throughout his career was so interesting to see how he followed the light and did canvas after canvas of the same subject in varying light and seasons. It is said that he particularly liked to paint in winter because he so appreciated the light that the effect of snow gave to a scene. It was a very memorable day and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity.<br />
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these are my <em>comares</em> Patty and Joanie<br />
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*** "comare" is Italian for godmother or sponsor. Often in Italian culture, very close friends are also called <em>comare </em>. In all the different and varied Italian dialects, the word morfs to goo-mah'-dee because the "r" is rolled. or goo-mah. Funny, huh?<br />
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I love GIRLZ DAYS. They are very special to me.<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-88922471834519085932016-03-09T12:36:00.000-05:002016-03-09T12:42:04.721-05:00Here Comes Peter Cottontail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I knitted this cute little Easter Bunny just for the heck of it. Not to sell or even give away. Mainly just to see what it would look like. I really just love him. I knitted him from a soft, fuzzy yarn. He's filled with fiber fill. <br />
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Any little leftover ball of fuzzy, bunny colored yarn will do. You don't need much. And you can whip him up in an evening or two. <br />
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This is basically a "wing it" type of project. I bumped into him on Pinterest. The instructions are in Chinese. Even though I hit the "translate" button, I did not receive specific instructions. So, I "winged it".<br />
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I knitted up a square approximately 6 1/2", all in garter stitch (knit every row). Then looked at the Pinterest pictures and did the stitching. Filled him up with kisses, hugs and fiber fill. Made him a little cottontail. And, voila! Easter Bunny ♥<br />
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Here's the Pinterest link: <a href="http://www.duitang.com/blog/?id=70858627">Easter Bunny</a><br />
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Happy knitting. Show me your Easter Bunny pictures<br />
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<br />sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-77046454036145591952016-02-05T13:02:00.001-05:002016-02-05T13:02:52.200-05:00And Now For Something Completely DifferentMaybe not so extremely different. Still a "RE-MAKE", still using vintage with a modern touch, still love the two together, still like them to "marry" each other (old and new).<br />
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These are new additions to my etsy shop. I'm employing vintage kitchen tinware (like candy molds and spice containers) with the new rage, succulents. They look so sassy. Like the little piece of tin is saying "you thought I was "passé", now have a peek my New Look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">succulent "planted" in a heart shaped candy mold</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vintage allspice tin "planted" with faux succulent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jell-O mold with faux succulent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Colman's Mustard tin wearing faux succulent</td></tr>
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These are special succulents. They never need watering or to sit in the sunshine. They are "faux". They bloom anywhere. On your desk at work, or your powder room vanity, on your kitchen counter, on a bookcase. If you're one of the blessed ones who has a "planning desk" for menu planning and shopping lists, right in your kitchen, how fetching one of these would look, smiling up at you.<br />
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Now, the hunting safari, to find the tinware.sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-40026363578326411472015-12-08T12:37:00.000-05:002015-12-08T12:37:04.089-05:00Grapevine Tabletop Christmas Tree<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tabletop grapevine tree <br />
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I made my tabletop grapevine Christmas tree many, many years ago. I store it, completely decorated, in a closet until it's time for it to come out again and make my house all Christmassy once more. It has very minimal decorations. Just a string of white mini lights and a garland of pink berries. It's armature is a tomato cage. I display it on a sofa table that I cover with crushed up vintage doilies which (in my mind) resemble a snowy forest floor.<br />
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I usually harvest grapevines in the early Fall while they're soft and supple and easy to wrap round and round the armature. That did not happen this year. <br />
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My brother and sister-in-law came for a weekend visit on the weekend before Thanksgiving. They wanted a grapevine Christmas tree for their house, too. We, all three, dressed up warmly and went into the woods to harvest grapevines, which were by this time, a bit dried out and resistant to being wrapped around an armature. But, with much struggle, bleeding fingers and cold noses, we got the job done.<br />
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We brought the gardening shears into the woods with us, harvested a whole trunk load of grapevines, set up shop in my garage and began to assemble the tree. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work in progress<br />
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Voila!!! Success</div>
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My sister-in-law had already purchased sparkely garland for her tree the day before when we made a foray over to Hobby Lobby. They do not have a Hobby Lobby in their neck of the woods so it's always one of the places they like to visit when they come for a weekend visit to the "big sister's" house.</div>
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This is the new grapevine tree - now living in the mountains of Pennsylvania in the log house of F&B<br />
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It is sitting upon an antique hall tree hat rack in their foyer. All gussied up with sparkles.<br />
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EPILOGUE<br />
Both my sister-in-law and myself contracted poison ivy in the woods and had to be on a 10 day regimen of prednisone for the rash. My advice to you is: be perfectly sure that all the grapevines you harvest are grapevines and not some other plant.</td></tr>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-70503116630539336882015-11-23T15:22:00.000-05:002015-11-23T15:22:10.743-05:00Christmas Tree FestivalAs promised in my last post, which was a visit to Christkindl at Granger Homestead in Canandaigua, NY, part two of that illustrious day was the Christmas Tree Festival. This takes place inside the Granger Mansion and is an annual event. Insight I gathered from my research is: that this a holiday decorating contest. The entries are judged. Honors given. Entries may include artificial trees (only) from 2.5 feet to 7 feet, mantle decorations, tabletop decorations, and wreathes. The entries are auctioned off or sold outright. <br />
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Every room in the entire first floor of the mansion is decorated with contest entries. It's opulent. If you don't walk out of there in the mood for Christmas, you may be suffering from grinchitis.<br />
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Granger Homestead - Canandaigua, NY</div>
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decorated with handknit elf clothing</div>
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tree of books - tabletop tree 3rd place prizewinner</div>
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created by Ontario County Literacy Volunteers</div>
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mantelpiece décor</div>
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mantelpiece décor - 2nd prize winner for mantelpiece dec</div>
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you know who from Whoville</div>
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Impressive snowman wreath - DIY-ers take note</div>
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He won 3rd prize - created by Girl Scout Troop </div>
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And finally, on my way home, I had to get out of the car on one of the blocked off streets near the Granger Homestead, to take a picture of this house. I was so impressed with it's symmetry, it's color combination, it's age, it's charm. I would move right in. All in all, a totally lovely Fall outing.</div>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-55721286179183094022015-11-17T13:17:00.002-05:002015-11-17T13:17:44.752-05:00I Went To A ChristkindlThis a local annual event which I've known about for a very long time but have never attended. I made up my mind that I would attend this year. I didn't really know what a Christkindl was, except that it was of European origin. That entranced me. <a href="http://www.christkindlmarktleavenworth.com/about">History of Christkindl</a><br />
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The weather was cold that day. 40 degrees F (5 C) brrrrrrr. It was also a bit windy. As usual I wore sandals, no socks. Big mistake. <br />
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When I arrived at the Christkindl, it looked like the entire town was parked up and down the Main Street. There were traffic directors who informed me that I could park at the local school and take a shuttle bus which would deposit me at the venue entrance. I took their advice. It was that or parking on a side street (where all spots were occupied) and walking a distance in the cold wind, with sandals on my feet, to the venue. <br />
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This event was held in a small historic town situated on one of the finger lakes and about 20 miles from my house. The exact location was on the grounds of the Granger Homestead (circa 1816) in Canandaigua, NY. The Granger Homestead is currently a house and carriage museum. Each Yuletide they stage a Christmas Tree Festival in the house and the Christkindl on the grounds. There were actually two events taking place on the same site simultaneously. Today, I'll tell you about Christkindl and in the next blog post, I'll tell you all about the Christmas Tree Festival. <br />
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I didn't know that Christkindl was an outdoor event!!! If I did know that, I probably wouldn't have gone or I would have dressed more appropriately. As it turns out, on my way home, I stopped at DSW and purchased a pair of warm boots !!!<br />
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The Granger Homestead is situated on 12 acres of land. The house itself sits far back from the road. The lawns are vast and it was there that a series of interconnecting tents were set up. The Christkindl took place inside the tents. It was warm-ish inside. I could feel heat blowing in. There were approximately 150 vendor booths. The atmosphere was festive, filled with music and happy people. <br />
It was a 3 day craft show. I was there on day 2. <br />
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Being a crafter myself and having experience participating in shows, I would not do a show like this. #1 - too cold, #2- too damp #3 too messy (even though in a tent, you still walked on damp grass and set up shop on grass), #4 too many days (for me). However, I loved being a shopper. I could come and go as I liked, I didn't have to lug a stage set to create my shop, into a tent and I didn't have to stay there 3 days and hope people would like what I made. I will definitely go again and dress appropriately when I do. Would you like to come with me next time?<br />
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This is what I saw upon entering the grounds of the Granger Homestead..............<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wall to wall people</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this booth - her esthetic and mine are similar - she creates new jewelry from old</td></tr>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-83377194598737752102015-11-09T16:10:00.000-05:002015-11-09T16:25:24.189-05:00My Esthetic - Old Lace I love old lace. I think it is so romantic. My love affaire started many years ago when I was furnishing my first home. I wanted to set an elegant table with real linen napkins. I didn't want plain damask napkins. I wanted linen napkins edged in handmade crocheted lace. I found these at estate sales. Now I have a linen cupboard full of them. Also lace table cloths. My paternal grandmother made me a whole set for a wedding present which includes not only the tablecloth but many various, smaller sizes. All in the same pattern. To cover dressers, chests, lamp tables, etc. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandmom's wedding gift</td></tr>
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I've discovered that this heirloom lace is very, very sturdy. Far outliving the linen it is sewn onto. Our Victorian ancestors, followed by the new immigrants to this country, then the WWII wives would all remove the lace from the hems of their worn out sheets, pillow cases, towels, napkins, etc. They would save it to apply to new linens or just stash it in a box for me to discover many years later in someone's attic when I go digging at estate sales. No plain, unembellished linens for them. Everything that could be trimmed in lace - was.<br />
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Of course, those frugal housewives would not toss the worn out linen when only the middle of sheets wore out, they'd use the edges to make pillow cases, or small nightgowns, or hand towels and finally they were transformed to dustrags and window washers, even diapers. <br />
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Miraculously, the removed lace doesn't show any signs of wear. Amazingly, most of it was crocheted by young girls, learning the art, who crocheted yards and yards of it, in strips to be used for edging. They became expert at it, making many embellished linens to fill their own hope chests to bring with them when they left their childhood homes at their own marriage.............bringing all that beautifully embellished linen with them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">freshly laundered estate sale find</td></tr>
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In my etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sammysgrammy">sammysgrammy</a> there are many items I've created re-using vintage lace. I make wedding garters, wedding purses, wedding banners and bunting, all from repurposed vintage lace. I make non-wedding items from the lace as well. It seems to have grabbed a hold of my heart.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wedding garter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bride's clutch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vintage doily garland</td></tr>
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The collection of lace doily filled embroidery hoops on my dining room wall is my most recent foray in vintage lace land.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doilies in hoops</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas table top tree in my shop</td></tr>
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Do you have a compelling diversion that keeps you on the "hunt" for more and more?sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-48387806100135749282015-10-13T13:32:00.001-04:002015-10-13T13:32:02.686-04:00Apple Avalanche I'm not talking about the Apple Ipod, or Apple Ipad, but "apple" as in Johnny Appleseed. "Apple" as in Adam and Eve. "Apple" as in apple pie, apple dumpling, applesauce.............<br />
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I have a sweet friend who has apple trees. This Fall there is an abundance of apples. She left a huge grocery sack of them on my front porch. I spent the entire week following this windfall, in the kitchen - peeling, slicing, simmering, processing, and baking apples. <br />
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Here is the result:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen peeled & sliced apples for future use</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple sauce</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Crisp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple bread<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Crostata<br />
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I'm sure you'll notice the very vintage tiny Corning-ware that I made the apple crisp in. I cook for one so I don't prepare anything in "giant-size". Everything is mini or "fun size". These little apple crisps are so simple to make for one. I take a mini container like my Corning-ware or a ramekin, spray it with Pam, fill the bottom with sliced apples (or any other fruit), cover the fruit with a random mixture of butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Sprinkle that over the fruit and bake for about a half hour. I bake mine in the toaster/oven - (a) because I'm cooking for 1 and (b) why fire up the big oven for 1 little item when the toaster/oven will do the same job with lots less energy.</div>
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For the crostata - the same rationale - I'm cooking for one, therefore, I don't want a great big pie going stale while I try to consume the whole thing slice by slice. I can consume an entire crostata in one fell swoop or if I'm feeling a bit like eating healthy, I'll cut it in half and have one piece now and the second one tomorrow (or in the next half hour).</div>
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I made the crostata by unrolling a refrigerator pie crust from the super market onto my floured counter and cutting it into 3 rounds. I measured the rounds with a lunch plate. I piled the same mixture that you would use for apple pie into the center of the dough round, then drew up the edges of the dough round to cover over the apple mixture. Baked on a cookie sheet in the big oven til apples were soft and dough browned. </div>
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Just in case you don't know: the apple mixture consisted of sliced apples, a tablespoon or 2 of sugar and flour, sprinkle of cinnamon and several pats of butter. I did brush the crostata with beaten egg and a sprinkle of sugar before baking.</div>
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I made 3 of these, gave one away and froze the others.</div>
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I'm not including the recipe for the apple bread because I'm not too happy about it. It did not turn out as expected. I'll give it to you if you request it but I like my Aunt Mimi's Jewish Apple Cake recipe much better. But I'm loath to make it because it's huge. I suppose I could make it and freeze slices for eating in the dead of winter. Yes, that's what I think I'll do. </div>
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I make apple sauce by first washing the apples, next I slice the apples around the core, discard the cores but do not peel. I leave the skins on (a) because the skin is good for you, has lots of beneficial nutrients and (b) the skins give the applesauce a beautiful pinkish glow. I put all the prepared apples in a large sauce pot (kettle) and cook on VERY low (don't want to scorch) heat until a skewer will go through the apples very easily. I let this cool down a bit. Next I pass the apples through a food mill into a large container. The food mill will remove the skins and any bits of core and what you'll find in the large container will be awesome applesauce. I didn't add any sugar or sweetener. It was sweet enough. I put this up in the small plastic containers that you get from the olive bar at the supermarket. They freeze perfectly. When you're ready to use one, defrost in the refrigerator for a day before.</div>
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Another method for making applesauce is to use a crockpot. I gave this one try and was not thrilled. But I am going to try again. One advantage to this method is you don't have to worry about scorching. You also don't have to watch the pot. BUT you must not leave the crock pot lid on (this is what ruined my crockpot applesauce experience). Cook the apples "open kettle" or you will have watery applesauce (not good). With the lid on = too much steam which translates = watery applesauce.</div>
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Any questions???</div>
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-22289878757029774542015-10-05T20:02:00.000-04:002015-10-05T20:02:10.104-04:00A House Tour This WeekendThis past Sunday I took myself on the Perinton Historical Society's 35th annual house tour. My town was founded in 1793 by Glover Perrin. The town has a rich history as, I'm sure, most small towns do. <br />
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This year the homes on the tour were all on the same street so you could just park your car and walk the tour. All the houses on this year's tour were built in the early 20th century. <br />
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Our Historical Society and Historical Museum are both completely volunteer staffed. This tour is one of several fund raising events that keeps this treasure up and running. I am happy to support it.<br />
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Each house had a chair or chairs outdoors so visitors could put "booties" over their shoes to protect the homeowners floors and carpeting. When visitors were finished using their "booties", they were deposited into the colorful shopping bags you'll see next to the outdoor chairs.<br />
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This apple tree, loaded with big, shiny apples was in the garden of one of the houses.</div>
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The tour afforded the tour-goers a peek at the first floor of each home. A docent was present at each one. They gave a little capsule of the history of each house.</div>
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This little house was, by far, my favorite. It's the Cape Cod style. Note the clematis growing over the garage door and the wisteria over the front entrance. This inside had a very Key West vibe, clean, white, open, airy. The homeowners vacation there and their northern home is a lovely reminder of their relaxing times in Key West.</div>
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There was a secluded spa in the backyard. </div>
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This weathered lattice created the seclusion of this home's garden. I couldn't resist taking pictures everywhere I could at this house. I would move in tomorrow if they would let me.</div>
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A small Autumn gourd vignette on a side porch of the same favorite house. <br />
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I think this home owner so honored the unknown visitors to their home on this bright sunny house tour day. This is a window box on the side of the house, just brimming with cabbages, gourds, and everlastings. I found it so enchanting. I think I would love to know these folks.<br />
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There were 7 houses on the tour and as you can see I was charmed by one in particular. I just used my phone cam to take the pictures. Sorry they are the best quality. <br />
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Hope you enjoyed seeing the tour with me.<br />
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sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-89640595945874673982015-08-18T17:40:00.000-04:002015-08-18T18:06:42.245-04:00My Family's Version of CHOPPEDI am a BIG fan of the FoodNetwork program, CHOPPED. On this program, four chefs compete for a $10,000 prize by creating a three course meal consisting of appetizer, entree and dessert from a basket of unknown ingredients that they get to open at the beginning of each round. They must use and transform each ingredient in the basket in their presentation.<br />
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On the program, one chef is eliminated each round, until there is just one chef left standing. The rounds on TV are appetizer = 20 minutes and entree and dessert, each 30 minutes.<br />
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Our family's version took place during a regular "family style" Sunday dinner. Just like on TV, there were four chefs. Our "take" was to do the appetizer and dessert rounds as a competition. The regular, family style Sunday dinner was prepared in advance by the host family (and without any competition) That would be the middle course, the entree.<br />
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Our prep times were strictly controlled by the "judges" and, to tell the truth, because I was one of the contestants, I didn't pay any attention to time. I think the prep time was between 20-30 minutes. As a contestant, I didn't pay attention to anything except getting my offering prepared and plated and presented to the judges. I didn't even look to the right or the left to see what the other contestants were doing.<br />
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One thing I do know is that we made the most colossal mess ever. There were spills and crumbs wall to wall. The labradoodles were in "heaven" trying to keep it clean. If you never got to meet these puppies, I had the pleasure of spending a week with them one time. Check it out here: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8728344103328808986#editor/target=post;postID=2040726821119071046;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=95;src=postname">My Week Went To The Dogs</a><br />
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The basket ingredients were chosen by an impartial individual. For the appetizer round the basket ingredients were: Canned Vienna chicken sausage, pickled jalapino peppers, dill pickle chips, and stove top stuffing.<br />
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Each contestant had a cutting board at their very tight station (remember-this is a family kitchen not a commercial one-we are stuffed at the counter like sardines), plus knives, aprons, etc. and liberal use of pantry and fridge.<br />
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As soon as the clock started on the appetizer round, I dove into my basket ingredients, chopping up those strange looking sausages, adding about a tablespoon of drained jalapinos to get chopped up too. Into a bowl that went along with some stove top stuffing. I added a beaten egg to that and formed it into a "slider". Crushed some of the dill pickle chips onto my cutting board and pressed the crushed chips onto both sides of the sliders. Then browned them in oil in the grill pan. All my secret ingredients were transformed and in use. All I had to think about now was attractive presentation. I sliced up a tomato and layed the crispy slider on top of it. The dish looked unfinished. I took a green bell pepper from the pantry, sliced it into circles, put them into the grill pan and browned the edges. Set those askew onto the sliders, put a spoonful of ricotta cheese into the middle of the pepper circle, salt and peppered it and dolled it up with a sprig of parsley. Done!<br />
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These are the appetizers made by the other contestants. All using the exact same ingredients but each dish totally different from the other three.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laney's dish - sausage~stuffing~chips~pepper hash on bed of arugula topped with fried egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael's: Hushpuppy with same ingredients (pulverized)~Handmade Jalapino catsup~pickle from pantry<br />
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Sorry, I did not get a picture of the forth dish. It was an empanada made with hand made dough which the contestant made using the potato chip and stuffing basket ingredients plus pantry ingredients. The deep fryer was in use for the hush puppies so she had to pan fry her empanadas. Unfortunately this happens on the TV show as well and the contestants have to think on their feet. This entire contest was conducted in the most military, rushed atmosphere that there was little time to snap pix as well as cook. The main reason for rush - 3 babies, ages 3,1 and 3months who had one parent in the contest, and the other was a judge plus the babies all had to be in bed by 7PM or the parents turn into pumpkins.<br />
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Unlike the TV version, two contestants were eliminated in round one. Between round one and dessert, we had the already prepared grilled dinner which everyone (14 people) ate together.<br />
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In the final round of our family CHOPPED competition, there were two contestants. Myself and the nephew. The ingredients we discovered in our baskets were: a golden yellow honeydew melon, Neopolitan Soy Ice Cream, French fried potato chips, and crescent rolls.<br />
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Again, not paying any attention to the other contestant, I peeled and chopped up melon, added sugar, flour and cinnamon to it then opened the crescent roll tube, floured my board and rolled out the dough triangles and put a tablespoon or so of the melon mixture into the center of each. Folded them up so no filling would escape, sugared the tops and put them into the oven. Next I made a chopped French fried potato and chopped nut brittle. I melted some of the ice cream in a separate pan, to use for a sauce, adding a bit of ricotta to it to make it less sweet. When I had two minutes left on the clock, I removed the tarts from the oven onto a plate (by this time we were using plastic plates), Put down some of the sauce on the side of each tart and garnished with the brittle. Here it is. The winning dessert !!<br />
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This is the nephews dessert. Because I was so crazy busy, I had to make some phone calls to find out about it. He flambed then pureed the melon adding a bit of the ice cream to it to make a sauce to pour over the rolled and deep fried dough. He crumbled the French fried stix to use as a topping.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unwinning dessert<br />
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According to one participant: "we have to do this again, this was the most fun we ever had at a Sunday dinner".sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-74831685566700995752015-08-13T15:46:00.001-04:002015-08-13T21:30:54.930-04:00What to Bring For Dessert TutorialI am invited to have dinner at one of my niece's homes tonight. I asked if I could bring something. She said "bring dessert".<br />
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Since it's Summer and all these fruits are succulently in season, I planned to make a fruit tart.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"> THIS IS IT - THE SUMMER FRUIT TART - IN ALL IT'S GLORY</span><br />
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I made it in a 9" spring form pan. I will remove the sides of the pan at service time. So, this is what you need: <br />
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1- get some mouth watering looking fruits (any kind) at the market of farm stand<br />
2- one small package of vanilla instant pudding<br />
3- 1/2 cup of Nutella<br />
4- 1/2 cup of clear jelly, not jam (I used plum)<br />
5- 1 package of refrigerated, ready to bake, 24 cookie, sugar cookies<br />
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Directions:<br />
1- Put the fruits, one type at a time, into a collander and spray with water. Lay fruit out on tea towels to dry. They must be totally dry before arranging them on the tart.<br />
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2- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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3- Smoosh, with your floured fingers, the sugar cookies around and a bit up the sides of the spring form pan. Smoosh remaining cookies over the pan bottom.<br />
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4- Put the cookie crust in the oven. It does take longer to turn golden than the manufacturers directions for baking individual cookies. Keep your eye on it. Remove when golden. Cool on rack.<br />
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5- Spread the Nutella over the cooled cookie crust.<br />
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6- Prepare the instant pudding using 1.5 cups of milk, not the 2 cups the manufacturer suggests.<br />
Spread the thickened pudding over the Nutella.<br />
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7- I hulled and cut the strawberries in half. I also cut the grapes in half. Arrange the fruits you have chosen in an artistic design over the layer of pudding.<br />
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8- The final step that makes this all look gorgeous is: melt that 1/2 cup of jelly in the microwave about 1 minute. With a pastry brush, paint all the fruit, covering each piece completely with the melted jelly.<br />
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That's the secret of making it look divine, all shiny and bright and irresistible.<br />
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Bon Appetit<br />
<br />sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-87155885443677575562015-08-04T12:33:00.004-04:002015-08-04T12:37:30.461-04:00Life Started In A Garden Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As promised last week, here is part II of the RMSC 2015 Garden Tour. This part of the tour took place in the western end of our county in the little historic town of <a href="http://www.scottsvilleny.org/">Scottsville, NY</a> To see Part I, click on this link <a href="http://sammysgrammysneedlin.blogspot.com/2015/07/life-started-in-garden.html#comment-form">http://sammysgrammysneedlin.blogspot.com/2015/07/life-started-in-garden.html#comment-form</a><br />
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The first garden we visited was the home of a family who live on and operate a flower farm and are in the "flower" business. They have a roadside stand where they sell bouquets and also sell at the local farmers market. The farm was idyllic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">row of bachelor's buttons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">busy little bee sipping some nectar from this sunflowers center</td></tr>
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The owners so friendly. We asked directions from them on how to get to the next stop on the tour. While they were giving us directions, they mentioned "turn right at the Scottsville Diner". That's all we needed to hear. It was time for lunch. What better to eat than at a small town diner.<br />
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We had a delightful lunch there. Greek chicken Souvlaki salad in a pita and iced tea. You see the "CLOSED" sign in the window because the diner is just open for breakfast and lunch. By the time we left, it was indeed closed.<br />
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Next stop, a town house and garden in the old town of Scottsville.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grape arbor - much cooler under there<br />
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Just couldn't resist taking pictures of some of the houses on the street where this garden was. All of them built circa 1830<br />
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The final house and garden on the tour was the most expansive, awesome, restful, peaceful............don't have words to describe it..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there was a sandy beach on this pond and two Adirondack chairs to sit and rest in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shady hosta filled path and almost invisible rope hammock attached to two trees here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sneaked a little picture of the front porch with its white wicker furnishings, including a porch swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arched entrance to the patio overlooking the garden</td></tr>
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<br />sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-19112473605700589512015-07-27T13:32:00.000-04:002015-07-27T13:32:09.941-04:00Life Started in a GardenI am so blessed to have girlfriends who are just as enthused as I am to go touring around our region getting inspired by God's awesome creativity - lakes, gardens, mountains, hills, vineyards, ponds, dwellings, families. I am still soaking in the beauty we witnessed together two days ago taking the <a href="http://www.rmsc.org/Support/WomensCouncil/AnnualCalendar/WC_Garden_Tour_Flyer.pdf">RMSC Garden Tour</a> . I think I saw the most inspiring gardens on this Saturday past than in all the years I've been touring. (<i>but then, again I might say that every time)</i><br />
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There are several annual garden tours in the Rochester, NY area. All of which make for an awesome "girlz day out". All the tours are fundraisers for various civic organizations that bless our community all year long, year after year.<br />
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The one we attended on this fourth Saturday of July was far flung with 3 gardens in an eastern suburb and 3 gardens in a western suburb. I am going to divide this account into two installments. This post for eastern gardens and next week's for the western suburb.<br />
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The first garden we visited was a shady garden and oh, so peaceful and serene. It was raining when we arrived. We all carried umbrellas. The gardener was present in each garden. They were all so hospitable and full of information about their gardens. This particular garden was completely covered in a thick carpet of decaying leaves. It felt luxuriously opulent. I asked the gardener if she imported leaves to make this huge expanse so dense. She answered me "no". The many trees on her property shed their leaves in the Fall and where they fall, they stay. She does create pathways through the garden, using the free mulch the town offers to residents <i>(a recycling project in which the local towns shred residential garden wastes of tree limbs, Christmas trees, etc. and make it available to local residents)</i><br />
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The next garden was just a few steps away from the first one. In picture 1, the rain soaked bench is reached by a decent on slate garden steps. It looked to me like a perfect spot for morning devotions. Note the mossy ground cover. In picture 2, you can see that this garden is on a slope. Therefore the gardens below are reached by stone steps. This garden was so rich in beauty, it was difficult to even absorb it into my tiny "point and shoot" camera. No shot could capture it enough for my satisfaction. Does that ever happen to you?<br />
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In the third and final garden on the east end, the gardener is the owner of a local art gallery. Therefore, you'll see garden artwork in her garden. Also a place for fairies. In picture 1 you'll see the fairie house and the fairie asleep on the moss on the right. Picture 2 shows a fanciful garden bench. Pictures 3 and 4 show a garden path lined with handmade etched stepping stones. Picture 5 is of a front lawn garden bed and picture 6, another piece of garden artwork - a glass and metal octopus, totally out of his element. <br />
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Stay tuned for the next post where you'll see the awesome western gardens of Scottsville, NY<br />
<br />sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728344103328808986.post-62394727730023330322015-07-21T15:20:00.001-04:002015-07-21T15:20:50.652-04:00La Tea Dah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple days ago, my gal pals and I had another of our "girlz day outs". We try to do this as often as we can while still juggling around everyone's schedules. One works four days a week with Friday's off (that's good thing), another works during the school year and has Summers off. And I am "at liberty" almost all the time.<br />
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This time, our plan was to check out a local tea room which moved into a new site because of a fire at the original site. The original site was in an old Victorian mansion, with a rabbits warren of small rooms on the first floor. Of course it also boasted of fireplaces, niches, bay windows, window seats, and cubbies, all those wonderful Victorian architectural fancies.<br />
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The new location is far less elegant and of a more modern vintage, but it too is in a re-imagined house. It does not have the ambience of the original location but it's still a tea room and there's a feeling that you've, somehow, gone back in time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white fur muff hanging off a chair - who remembers using those to keep hands warm?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wall of vintage hats to wear while tea drinking</td></tr>
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Sometimes we scrapbook the memory of our "Girlz Day Out" but this time this blog post is the record.sammysgrammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306018146687609494noreply@blogger.com3