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Monday, November 12, 2018

Exceptional Emile Henry

Are you familiar with Emile Henry? They are a French company ( but of course!) known for their exceptional cook and bakeware. The company was founded in 1850 by Mssr. Henry (pronounced en-ree) in the province of Burgundy, France  where the clay soil is perfect for making baking dishes that both conduct and retain heat. They make a wide variety of products from casseroles to pie dishes and ramekins to dutch ovens. 


 Several years ago I found this covered dish in a thrift store. It is called a terrine and while I have never made an actual terrine,  I find it is the perfect size to make macaroni and cheese for two, scalloped potatoes, or a small meatloaf.
 I believe I paid $4! 

Then while out thrifting yesterday I found these two baking dishes, one square and one large rectangle. I love the richly colored glazes that Emile Henry uses. Not only are the pieces highly functional going from freezer to oven, they also look gorgeous on the table! I can't wait to serve a lasagna or sweet potato casserole in these.

Each piece is embossed on the bottom with the company's name and signature key in a shield so you know it's authentic.





You can find Emile Henry cookware at finer kitchen stores like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table - or if you are lucky like me, at a thrift store!
For more information including great recipes, visit their website at Emile Henry

p.s. I was not compensated in any way for this post - I just happen to love their stuff!

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Harvest Tablescape


The leaves are turning from red, orange and yellow to brown. Pumpkins have appeared on everyone's front porches and the fields are full of baled hay. We've already had a first dusting of snow. It's time for making soup and other comfort foods so I put together a harvest tablescape to reflect the fall season.

The warm wood of my mission style table looks perfect with the autumn colors.

I started with these large galvanized lanterns that I bought last year at the Las Vegas trade show. Aren't they awesome? I've already used them several times for different events.

I dropped a floral wreath with a few sunflowers around the base of the middle  lantern then mounded several faux pumpkins along a dhurrie table runner. My pumpkins are of all varieties, velvet, resin, and natural materials. I like the mix of textures.

I layered some zinc chargers with brown tranferware.

 I found these Staffordshire plates made by Meakin at a local thrift store. I paid less than $5 each.

 It is the Fair Winds patterns featuring a clipper ship bordered with other historical American scenes.


My everyday flatware is American Colonial by Oneida. I love the satin finish that makes it look like pewter. 


 % 100 linen dishtowels are tied into a knot making for a generous napkin.

This was very easy to put together and is casual enough for every day but pretty enough for a party!  
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Saturday, September 22, 2018

Christmas Pillowcases


It's the  middle of September, have you started on your Christmas crafts yet?  I had a free day last week and whipped up this easy holiday project.
 My grandchildren all live far away so I'm always looking for something easy or inexpensive to send to help keep in touch. I had heard of this idea and thought it a fun way to extend the anticipation of Christmas. Christmas pillowcases!

To show you how easy this project is here are step by step instructions.

You will need for each case-
flannel or all cotton fabric 40" x 28"
coordinating fabric 40" x 10"
1 inch wide grosgrain ribbon 40" long
fusible seam tape


Fold the  10" x 40" piece of fabric in half lengthwise wrong sides together,  and press.

 Pin it to the other piece of fabric to the WRONG side of the fabric. (It's hard to tell because my fabric didn't have a right and wrong side.)  This is on the long or 40" side of the case. Sew together with a straight stitch.

Flip the band over and press the seam towards the band. With the case right side up use some fusible webbing like Stitch Witchery to bond the ribbon over the seam and cover it completely.

 Now topstitch the ribbon to secure it.

 To finish, all you have to do is fold the case in half with right sides together matching the band and ribbon and sew a straight seam along the side and bottom. A  serger is great if you have one. Or you can zigzag the edges to keep them from fraying. I did a french seam to enclose the seam to keep things tidy.

Turn your pillowcase right side out and press. 

I bundled them up adding a cute poem about Christmas dreams. Each case is different so that my grandkids have one all their own. I plan on giving these for Thanksgiving so they can use them all December. 


Click  HERE for a download of the Christmas poem. I found it on the internet with no author so if you know who wrote it let me know!
I made 5 of these in one afternoon. I hope the kids will enjoy snuggling into bed and dreaming sweet dreams!

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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

New House, New Daughter-in-law

 It's been quite a summer! I took a break for blogging for a couple of months because of two big things in my life-

#1 -  A new house! Yes, we moved two months ago.

 We found another house in the mountains of Midway. Here is the view from my front yard, 

 and here is the back yard nestled into the hillside. 

And #2, my son got married!  We have a darling new daughter-in-law and are so happy she is a part of our family.
So what with packing, unpacking, arranging furniture, hanging drapes, hanging artwork, having my other kids and grandkids visit for the summer and  planning wedding events for both Utah and California plus a Disneyland vacation for the whole family I've been swamped!

But I've got lots of new house plans to share, Fall decor ideas and even a giveaway planned soon! So stay tuned!

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Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Quilt Guild Name Tags


Shortly after moving to Utah last year, I joined a quilt guild that a few of my long time friends belonged to. I've quilted for many years but my skills don't begin to compare with some of the ladies in this group. I've had great time learning new tips and making new friends. A few other ladies are also new to the group and we realized it's hard to remember everyone's name so I have made some fun name tags for this upcoming year. 


Here is how I did it with a little inspiration from Pinterest-


First I cut a rectangle of felt with pinking shears about 4.5 x 2.5 inches. Then I layered on a piece of scrapbook paper slightly smaller and topstitched around the edge. Did you know you can sew on paper? Use a large stitch length otherwise the paper may tear.


I made several fabric yo yo's to embellish my tags. Do you know how to make these? There are lots of tutorials out there but I found this one by Positively Splendid to be excellent. Aren't they adorable?


 I added some felt leaves to make my yo yo's look like flowers and hot glued them to the tag.




 Now for the name part. I printed a sheet with all of our guild members names on Avery transfer paper. You must do this in reverse so that when you iron it on, the names will read properly. I cut the names out and ironed them onto twill tape. It was easiest to do this in one long strip and then cut them apart.




To add the name to the tag I simply used double sided tape. So cute!
 I have one last step that I can't decide on. Should I attach more twill tape so it goes around the neck or sew a pin on the back?

I've got 12 done, 15 more to go!

By the way, here is a snap of one of the quilts we will be donating to this year's Festival of Trees to benefit the Primary Children's Hospital. It's been quite a project!


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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Candy Buffet 1980's Style

My dear friend Leslie's daughter Abby got married yesterday. Abby grew up in Connecticut, so even though the wedding was in the mountains of Utah she wanted a classic East Coast theme for the reception.
 I was asked to put together a candy buffet. The bride and groom wanted old fashioned candy which to them means treats from the 1980's and 90's! Harrison LOVES all of the sour candies that were so popular then so we had a very tart but sweet assortment! 
I used Sour Patch Kids, Sour Patch Watermelon, Airhead Extreme, Sour Patch Straws, plus some classic Starbursts, gumballs, Ring Pops, Twizzlers, and some local 
Salted Caramel Chocolates 
(For those guests who aren't fans of candy that makes you pucker up!)

It did make for a pretty display with all of the bright colors on a crisp navy and white cloth.











 And here a just a few pictures of the flowers in whites and pink all arranged in crystal compotes.





The vineyard tables were lined with lanterns and bud vases filled with hydrangeas, ranunculus and stock. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Johnson! 
The weather was delightful, sunny and warm but not too hot. One couldn't ask for a more lovely wedding day!


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