Doily Table Runner

I have a friend with a darling daughter who is engaged to be married later this spring and I offered to host a bridal shower for her. The bride wants to use vintage linens, lace and burlap - a popular theme these days. So I've created a table runner, of sorts, for my tablescape.

 I started with a square of burlap, about 60"x 60" and turned it on the diagonal. Then I layered random vintage doilies down the center of the table. Some of these I already had, and I purchased a few more at a favorite thrift store. You can find these at most antique stores for as little as 5 or 6 dollars apiece.

 I love the slight variation in whites, creams and ivories. Some of the crocheted pieces are extremely intricate! I'm sure they took hours upon hours to make.

They remind me of snowflakes. 

Next I lined up mason jars and some French bottles filled with flowers and herbs from my garden ,

scabiosa, yarrow, chamomile and baby's breath. 

This was a super easy table to pull together. I'll share more about the shower in another post!

I like to join these parties

                  Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Friday's Five Features@ Vintage Chic

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Mikasa Countryside

 I couldn't help myself. 

As I gather things to take up to our new vacation home I swore I wouldn't buy any more dishes. I own at least 10 sets, but I've been struggling with which ones to take to the new place. Since we plan on allowing vacation renters I need to supply something nice but practical. As  I was at a thrift store this week looking for vintage silver I came across these dishes by Mikasa . Mikasa, a Japanese company has been around for decades and is known especially for their lovely casual dinnerware. In the 1980's they came out with several patterns that are all white on white (meaning they have white embossed patterns). 

 English Countryside 

Italian Countryside

and French Countryside

There on the thrift store  shelf were stacks of 

Mikasa dishes, 11 English Countryside dinners, and 4 fruit bowls. Plus 3 Italian Countryside dinners and 8 salad plates. I ask you, what would you have done? 

So here is my collection of white dinnerware. But now I have to decide which go to the vacation house and which stay home. As you can see, there were only 3 Italian Countryside dinner plates. This is the pattern my daughter chose when she got married a couple of years ago, so I 'll save those for her. she says she has enough salad plates.

These are the every day white ironstone plates that I got for my wedding, Johnson Brothers Heritage. I have 16 plates, bowls, bread and butter plates and a few mugs.

I'm kind of liking the way the English Countryside dinners layer with the Italian Countryside salads, then topped with English Countryside fruit bowls.

But I also need to supply soup/cereal bowls so I've added in the Heritage bowls. 

It's quite a bit of mixing and matching, what do you think? 

 I am such a fan of white dishes, I never tire of them.

Oh, and all of these plates cost less than $40. Yippee!

I like to join

                        Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Centerpiece Wednesday@The Style Sisters

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Terrific Tupperware

Do you recognize these? Maybe you have a set? In my opinion, this is the best set of measuring cups ever. They nest beautifully and are well balanced and sturdy. I got a set of these when I got married over 35 years ago.

Here is my old set of measuring cups in bright orange. Yes, I got married in the 1970's.

Unfortunately, my cups suffered from some casualties over the years. The 1/3 cup got left a tad too close to a hot burner. It still gives an accurate measure but the handle is a bit worse for the wear!  And somehow I lost the 1/4 cup measure presumably during one of  my many moves across the country.

 So I was thrilled to find a set of these vintage measuring cups at the thrift store this week! This set is in perfect condition. My favorite thing about  Tupperware measuring cups are the extra sizes they come with. In addition to the usual 1,  1/4,  1/3 and 1/2 cups there is also a 2/3 cup and a 3/4 cup measure. 

Of course, I have the matching measuring spoons.

Out of curiosity I looked these up on ebay and was surprised to see some listed for as much as $15! Wow, I had no idea they were a collector's item. I paid 75 cents and I plan on using this set for another 30 plus years! 

 I like to party with

           

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Vacation home

After having lived away from most of our family for over 30 years my husband and I looked into buying a condo in Utah closer to family and old friends. We couldn't find anything that we loved, so decided to build a house instead! This is going to be a vacation house for us to use in the summer (away from the Arizona heat!) and to rent out in the winter.

We found a new development in the little town of Midway, Utah which is up in the mountains not too far from Park City. My grandparents used to have a vacation home nearby and I have fond memories of cousins gathering for Thanksgiving and summer picnics.  Midway is a charming community with a mix of farms, pastures, and both old and new residential. Plus there are some top rate resorts, restaurants, golf courses, boating, hiking or skiing all only minutes away. 

So here's a a photo log of our journey thus far.

 We chose a small lot last summer. It has a good bit of green space with a walking path in the back and  wonderful views from both the front and the back yard of the mountains.

 This gazebo is right across the street in our neighborhood park.

We chose a single story floor plan to keep things easy and I'm going with a fairly neutral color scheme. I've had such fun choosing cabinets, tile, carpet and granite.

All framed! 

Glad they got that done before too much snow came.

Shingles and clapboards are on. 

I chose mosaic tiles to surround the fireplace.

It's got an open kitchen and family room.Cabinetry is in, but counters haven't been added .

Master bedroom 

Hall bath 

Coincidentally, some of our very dearest friends have also just moved to Midway from Connecticut. And no, we did not plan this together, but we are thrilled! 

So Leslie walks down to my neighborhood and takes photos for me every now and then. 

It's been a challenge to build a house long distance! We've been told it should be all finished in just a few weeks. I'm anxious to add furnishings and accessories and turn the new house into a home!

I like to join

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Turkey Tetrazinni

For my Italian themed dinner party last week I served a classic Turkey Tetrazinni. I remember my mother serving this at dinner parties when I was a girl. It's an elegant version of comfort food. Rich and creamy sauce with poultry and mushrooms mixed with pasta, topped with cheese and baked until bubbly. I use the Joy of Cooking version as a guide, but having made it so many times I've simplified it a bit.

It only takes a few basic ingredients- 1 pound pasta ( I usually use spaghetti but macaroni, penne, or rotini would work just as well), 1 cube butter,  1 can chicken broth, 1/2  pound fresh mushrooms sliced, 1 cup whipping cream, 2-3 cups leftover turkey or chicken in bite sized pieces and shredded parmesan cheese.

Melt butter in a large saucepan.

 Add mushrooms and saute for a few minutes. Add 2 tablespoons flour and allow to brown and thicken slightly.

Add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer to thicken sauce.

Slowly pour in cream while stirring.

Add turkey and season to taste.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in buttered 9x13 casserole.

Pour turkey and mushroom sauce over pasta and top with parmesan.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1/2 hour. This serves 8.

Rich, creamy and delicious!

Turkey Tetrazinni

2-3 cups cooked, cubed turkey

1 pound spaghetti

1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced

1 can chicken broth

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 pound butter

2 tablespoons flour

shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package. Drain and place in 
9x13 casserole.

In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat. 

Add mushrooms and saute. Add flour and brown slightly.

Add broth, simmer and thicken. Slowly add cream. Add turkey. Pour over pasta and top with parmesan.Cove with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

Serves 8

I like to join these parties

                 Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage