Pizzelles

Pizzelles is an old Italian family recipe. We make these sweets for celebrations like graduation parties, Christmas parties, even weddings. The recipe I'm going to share with you came to me from my Aunt - my father's sister - I always called her Mimi because I couldn't pronounce her name when I was little. The name stuck. Everyone called her Mimi. This is her recipe but there are probably as many pizzelle recipes as there are Italian families.

First thing you need is a pizzelle iron



I rub the paper that wrapped the margarine over the grill so my pizzelles won't stick. They never do. The new pizzelle irons today have non-stick surfaces. I heat mine up before adding a tsp. of batter to each side of the press. Close the press and bake for about 30 seconds then remove them to the parchment or wax papered table surface to cool completely. 

Mimi's recipe written in her own had - no directions - she expected me to know that

If you don't know that already: you beat the softened margerine (I use margarine instead of butter) and sugar together with an electric mixer. Add the eggs then orange juice or other flavoring of your choice. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add them to the wet ingredients about a third at a time. You may have to apply elbow grease to the final mixing because batter may be too dense for your beater.

I cool mine completely before stacking - this makes them stay crisp

 

when cooled they can be stacked for storage

sugared and ready to party

This recipe yields approximately 100 pizzelles.

The orange juice flavors the pizzelles very subtly. You can use vanilla, orange or lemon extracts if you prefer.



A Visit to the Lilac Festival

 The Lilac Festival has been an annual event in Rochester (NY) for over 100 years. Actually since 1898. It takes place in Highland Park which is home to more than 500 varieties of lilacs and other flowers, flowering trees, and shrubs. Frederick Law Olmstead designed this park and other outdoor spaces in Rochester, NY. He is renowned as the architect/designer of Central Park in New York City.

It is a feast for the eyes, and a hike of colossal proportions, up and down hills. I guess that's why it's called HIGHland Park. 650 acres of hills, garden walkways, stairways, flowering trees, tulip and pansy beds, shrubs, carnival and street-food vendors, live music, children's entertainment, horse and buggy rides, food trucks, etc. On the two weekends of the festival, there is an arts and crafts show. That was really what I was interested to see.

I made my little venture on Saturday last - an overcast day - the best kind for walking around outdoors. After spending an hour looking for a "convenient" parking space, I parked on a residential street that was actually off limits to festival traffic but I sneaked in and found a spot at the end of the street right next to Highland Avenue and the festival.

I enjoyed browsing the vendors at the art show and seeing their wares and getting a view of what's new and trending in the art/craft market at this time.  

Horse and buggy rides

looking up at a cherry tree in flower

streets are closed to all but pedestrian traffic

Art and Craft Show section

two of the more than 500 varieties

I enjoyed my little Saturday afternoon outing and as far as seeing any art or craft that is emerging into the market, I did not. In one booth, I did see a collection of burlap tote bags of all sizes, burlap purses of all sizes and types. All of them bearing interesting, and sharp graphics. They were undoubtedly new burlap and recently stamped with bright colors in the graphics. A riff on something I sell in my etsy shop but I use repurposed/vintage 100# coffee bean bags with faded blue graphics stating the country of origin of the beans. Mine are authentic. The bags - a real conversation piece and a treasure.                              



Last week there was a Shirley Temple Memorabilia Exhibit at a local museum. I am a HUGE Shirley Temple afficionado. I believe I've seen all her movies. If I had to name a favorite, it would have to be The Little Princess.

I attended the exhibit on Friday last (May 1st). It opened on the day before (Thursday) and would close on Sunday. I didn't want to be at this museum on the weekend because it is the National Museum of Play and would be overrun with kidlets. Friday seemed the best day.

I was totally overcome with emotion when I walked in to that display. It was as if my childhood swooped down on me.  I was just a little girl who had a blond, curly headed Shirley Temple doll, that wore a white with green flowers all over it, dress. I left this sweet doll outside on a table my Mom used to fold laundry on. It rained that night and my doll was ruined. Sad, sad, sad :(

This exhibit more than made up for that trauma. I enjoyed it immensely. There was a large screen TV with her movies playing constantly, there were many, many Shirley Temple dolls as well as some of her very own toys, even her favorite: a stuffed, furry monkey. The most spectacular (to me) show stoppers in the exhibit were the costumes that she wore in her movies.

From "Baby Take A Bow"

From "Stand Up And Cheer"

 

The fact that these costumes were made by anonymous studio seamstresses just for her role in a particular movie and that she herself saved them all these years is astonishing.

From "Our Little Girl" (one for Shirley and one for the doll)

Military Costume from "Wee Willie Winkie"


 

Pink PJ's Embroidered Bunnies from "Curley Top"

 

Riding Outfit and Red Velvet Coat from "Heidi"

Green Ball Gown from "Captain January"

Taken from the programme:  "Unprecedented that the biggest star of the 1930's preserved so much from her most significant years in the public eye...........virtually all costumes, letters, documents, photos and gifts as well as dolls and toys..............for nearly 80 years! Nearly 80 outfits"

The child sized, motorized, custom made car was given her as a gift from her good friend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson which she did, indeed, drive around the studio lot, was the ultimate of the exhibit.

She called him "Uncle Billy" and he called her "Darlin". He is considered by many to be the greatest tap dancer of the 20th century. He took her under his wing as a dancer. She said that "we held hands and I learned to dance from Bill by listening, not looking at his feet. It was kind of magic between us."

This next paragraph again is taken from the programme: "This is history. A celebration of a life that raised the hopes of a nation, made a generation laugh and smile and forget troubles and, who was, above all else, a symbol of purity and goodness that is still evoked today as an example of children."

I just like these shoes and crown and a set for dolly too

A Visit To South Carolina

I traveled to South Carolina for Easter this Spring. One of my sons, his wife and two children live there and this trip was mainly an opportunity to spend "Mom time" with them. At this time of year, South Carolina is bursting with Spring greenery. Springtime arrives in S.C. about a month before it does where I live (on the southwest shore of Lake Ontario). Therefore, the trip was a taste of Springtime while it was still winter in the northeast.

I had a lovely visit with my children, got to make dinner for them one night. Made chicken French (a Rochester specialty) with asparagus risotto and a green salad. Had daughter-in-law's delightful Angel Lush with Pineapple for dessert. This cake is so refreshing and charmingly beautiful. She actually made it for Easter dinner and this was "leftovers" for our Monday night supper dessert. If you'd like to make this for your next event, it is super simple (no cooking or baking - just opening up containers and slicing store bought angel-food cake) and makes you look like "the hostess with the most-est". Here's the link for the directions.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/angel-lush-pineapple-74114.aspx


I also served it for dessert on Monday afternoon when I had the pleasure of having lunch with my South Carolina etsy friends, Teresa of:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/creationsbyjessi?ref=teams_post and Jessi of : https://www.etsy.com/shop/KraftieKidz?ref=search_shop_redirect      plus little sister, Heidi.

We packed lots of activities into that Easter weekend and one of the most delightful was a visit to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens at Clemson University. Because our planting zones are so different, I saw plants in bloom that are not winter hardy enough to survive our harsh winters here in the northeast. My favorite of these are the camellias. How I dearly wish I could have these in my northern garden. Enjoy the awesome colors..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Springtime Front Door

Do you change your curbside staging by the season? There's nothing I like better to do. Especially in Springtime. I wanted to show you the Springtime décor on our blue front door. I will also change up the two urns I keep on either side of the porch entry just as soon as I get the grapevine lit up trees from Christmas, out of the urns, I will fill them with yellow faux forsythia blooms. I do make changes for Summertime, Fall, Christmas, and Valentines Day. Spring is, by far, the one I most enjoy. Especially this year after the long hard winter we endured. It snowed 27 out the 28 days in February. We had frigid temps, slippery roads, buried mailboxes, mountains of snow piled up at the ends of our driveways - which is all melting down now. Spring is definitely approaching quickly. The birds know it - starting to set up housekeeping on my patio. The chipmunks know it - skittering across the bricks on the patio. I haven't seen any crocus popping their little heads up yet, because they're still buried in leftover melting snow.

I made a trip to Hobby Lobby last week for the specific purpose of bringing home materials to make a Springtime look for the front door. I brought along my 40% off coupon from Sunday's paper, which I applied to the yellow paper parasol which cost 6.99 (4.89 with my discount). I also bought 5 stems of these beautiful yellow flowers which were regularly 4.99 each but were on sale for 50% off. (12.50 with store discount). For $17.39 I have Springtime at my front door. 

Hobby Lobby carries these paper parasols in various colors. You'll find them in the birthday party décor aisle. I thought an umbrella would be the perfect vehicle to fill with Spring flowers. As you know the olde saying: "April showers bring May flowers".

Happy Springtime ♥

Happy Birthday To Me

I had a birthday last week. I think that's sufficient reason for celebration. My son and daughter in law took me out to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants. They presented me with this "oh, so long awaited Springtime" bouquet. I had a delicious lunch of tomato bisque soup, chicken cutlet on a bed of arugula, and a latte with a plate of Italian cookies.

On the following day, I celebrated with my BFF. I met her at the Street of Shops, which is an antique mall, cum vintage shops, cum furniture refinishers Paradise, cum flea market........plus a small café. There's approximately 200 vendors, each with their own booth/space which they decorate to the "nines". Some with stenciled walls, faux wall treatments, curtains, rugs, room settings. To me, it's nirvana.

This is my favorite "room" - all white - vintage furniture painted white



New vendor - mostly white again - her name is on the banner - she "reimagines"

 

Revamped White "big girl" tutu in TamiLyn's shop 

I always come home with something. Here's what came home with me this time.


If you knew me you would know how appropriate this little plaque is


 

Sparkle Plenty Lace Baseball Cap

Twinkley star garland - I took it right off the white chest of drawers (above)
 

We capped off our day of delight with a stop at an Italian café/gelateria to have dessert.
https://www.facebook.com/orienscafe

I'm not finished celebrating my birthday yet. A friend is taking me to lunch this week and I have a coupon for free birthday gifts from Sephora which I need to pick up in my birthday month (March).
How do ya'll celebrate your birthday?????????

Welcome to Crochet Zoo

This past Christmas, I crocheted a little hat for a baby on my Christmas list. I made him a doggie hat.

first ever animal hat

I enjoyed that process so much, I decided I would make lots of animal hats and add them to my etsy shop.

I enjoy the process of crocheting up a plain little hat then operating on it to make it into a recognizable animal to keep baby's wee head warm and cozy.

After you've made a couple of the same pattern, you tweak to get all the kinks out and make an item that is your own personal style. Now I use the same pattern for all the hats. I like the single crochet process because those close together stitches create an airtight fabric that prevents the entrance of cold winds and temperatures. Then I set about adding the elements that will let you know what kind of animal this is.


These are the animals that dwell in the animal zoo department in my etsy shop. You'll find them in the "kids knits" section.

Bunny

chick

Foxy

Panda

he isn't an animal - he's a minion