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Friday, August 28, 2015

Zucchini Brownies

Are you busy harvesting from your summer gardens? I've been travelling most of the summer so I didn't plant a garden this year. Instead, I've been taking advantage of some wonderful farmer's markets. Here in Utah the markets are full of fresh local tomatoes, corn and zucchini. While I love to eat these fresh or grilled I've been tying out some new recipes.  This is my new favorite - Zucchini Brownies. They are  chocolatey, rich, moist and super easy! 


Aside from the zucchini you probably have all of these ingredients in your pantry. Flour , sugar, oil, cocoa, vanilla, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips.

First, shred your zucchini. You will need 2 cups, or about one medium zucchini. Set it aside. Dump everything else except the chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl. You do not need a mixer, this is easy to stir by hand.

After stirring a couple of minutes the mixture will appear dry and crumbly. I was tempted to add some liquid but don't worry. The zucchini will moisten things up.

 See? After thoroughly stirring in the shredded zucchini the batter becomes moist and fudgy.

 Lastly, stir in some chocolate chips.

Now spread it in a pre greased 9 x 13 pan.

 Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
 Cool completely and cut into squares.

 I like to dust these with a bit of powdered sugar.
 (I actually cut into these a bit too soon so they are a bit messy - but so good!)

I've already shared these with several friends and one said it was her favorite brownie ever!

Zucchini Brownies
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup coconut oil (or other cooking oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons baking soda
2 packed cups shredded zucchini
1 cup chocolate chips

Place first 7 ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined. Mixture will be dry and crumbly. Add shredded zucchini and combine thoroughly. Add chocolate chips. Spread in greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Makes 24.


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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Vintage Blog of the Week



When I started blogging about 4 years ago I thought it might help my antique business by highlighting some of my things for sale. I had no idea that I would make friendships across the internet by sharing a love of similar interests. I have discovered that bloggers are the nicest people who are there to help and encourage each other!

 My newest blog friend is Diana over at Adirondack Girl at Heart. I discovered her when I saw her post on ironstone and knew we were kindred spirits!  Diana has chosen to feature me as her Vintage Blog of the Week. 
I am flattered with her lovely write up.

Pay Diana a visit and check out her beautiful photography and helpful price guides.

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Danish Dishes


Are you familiar with Royal Copenhagen of Denmark? They make some of the most beautiful porcelain and earthenware dish sets. I can't call myself a true collector because I only have a very few pieces. I recently spied four of these plates while  out thrifting, for only a few dollars each, so of course I had to have them! This is the Blue Tranquebar pattern.
 No, I have no idea how to pronounce it!

The company was founded in 1775 and is well known for it's annual Christmas collectors plates, charming figurines and exceptional Fine China.

The plates have wonderful detail with it's basket weave border and hand painted cross hatch design.The blue flower in the center is also hand painted so each dish is truly unique.


 You know if it is authentic Royal Copenhagen by the distinctive maker's mark.
There are  three wavy lines above each other, symbolizing Denmark’s three straits: Øresund, the Great Belt and the Little Belt.
Denmark is a seafaring country so many of the motifs in their china reflect the colors and themes of the ocean.

I bought this lovely salad bowl many years ago for only $3. I'm so happy now to have plates to go with it! 

I have a couple of other random pieces of 
Royal Copenhagen-  a large rimmed soup bowl, a candlestick and a beautiful tureen lid,  alas with no tureen to go under it! These are in the Blue fluted pattern which is perhaps Royal Copenhagen's most popular pattern. My grandmother had a full set of this and I loved it when she would  pull it out for family dinners.

I've set it all on a clean white matelasse coverlet  to show off the crisp blue and white pattern.


There are many, many serving pieces to go with Tranquebar so I'll keep looking! 
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