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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Silver Trays

Last week I posted about tole trays, this week it's all about silver! I love the elegance a silver tray gives to a room or tablescape. Silver trays come in all sizes, shapes and patterns from wildly ornate to simple, clean and contemporary. And yes, I'm talking silver plate, not sterling which only royalty can afford! (The clerk at Goodwill this week tried to tell me the piece I was buying for $3 was pure silver. Well, I guess it could happen!)


Chances are you can find trays at any thrift or antique store but there are a few things you should consider before buying. I only buy trays that seem heavy and have a nice weight to them . Some are very flimsy, almost a "disposable" feel . Of course, if you are repurposing for a craft project, by all means go for the lighter stuff.


 In a thrift shop or flea market most silver pieces have a bit,( if not a lot!) of tarnish on them. A little elbow grease and good silver cream should take care of that. I like good old Wright's silver cream. I do NOT like Tarnex and other similar products that remove a layer of silver. Eventually you will have no silver left and the copper or nickel underneath will begin to show through.


 Isn't this French tray fabulous? It's a reproduction, but who cares?


 This large tray weighs a full 5 1/2 pounds!





 Examine a silver piece for pitting. You can usually feel that the surface isn't smooth. This cannot be polished out as it means a bit of the silver has worn or chipped away.


 You can't see them, but this ornate tray has 4 feet underneath. I have a silver tea service that I usually set here, but right now I have an assortment of crystal pieces on display.



 This tray rests under a silver toned lamp.


When a tray has a "wall" around it , it's called a gallery. Of course, this was to keep the butler or maid from tipping the tea onto the floor! 

Don't shy away from silver pieces. Yes, they need an occasional  polish but they're worth it!
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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Hungarian Goulash

My husband had the good fortune this past Summer to travel to Eastern Europe with the choir that he performs with. The Sonoran Desert Chorale performed in Hungary, Slovenia, and Austria. Last night we had a small dinner party for a few members of the gang to reminisce and share their "thousands" of photos with each other.


 This is the Parliament building in Budapest. But then, apparently every stately building that they couldn't remember was the Parliament building!

 What does one serve at a Hungarian party? Goulash of course! I used the classic recipe from Joy of Cooking. My only difference is that I like to add carrot chunks during the last hour of cooking. I understand that traditional goulash is more soup like, but I love this "stew" version. And Scott had brought home some authentic Hungarian paprika so I hope mine was passable!


 On the side we had buttered egg noodles sprinkled with poppy seeds.


One of my favorite salads is this fruity mix. 

Assorted cheeses, crackers and breads.


 It was Scott's birthday this week and his favorite is carrot cake, so I made Martha Stewart's carrot cupcakes from her new cupcake book.

 I also made a rustic apple tart with raspberries. I think I got a little carried away with the powdered sugar!


 I kept the same tablescape from my previous post "Playing with Pumpkins" with only a few minor changes.I sold my wood chargers so I swapped for some gold ones and I recently found a set of 8 wood napkin rings for only $1!


Even though I didn't get to go on this adventure, after seeing pictures all of the gorgeous vistas, luscious food, and of course good friends to share it with I can't wait for the next tour!
The recipes:


Beef Goulash


2 lbs bottom round cut into chunks (or other stew meat)
Brown  in oil or bacon fat until the meat is well browned.
 Add:
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
Continue to cook until vegetables are soft and onion is translucent.
Add:
1 cup beef stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 lb carrots


Turn the burner to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours. Add more stock if necessary  to keep from scorching. During the last hour add carrots cut into large chunks if desired. Just before serving add 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water to thicken gravy slightly. Serve over rice, noodles, or spaeztles.



Spring Greens with Fruit


I take packaged Spring mix, add some finely chopped romaine and mix in mandarin oranges, Craisins, sugared almonds, red onion, and thinly sliced crisp apples.The dressing is 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons sugar and 1 tablespoon Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (the dry stuff that comes in a packet.) Shake well in a jar. Easy!




Rustic Apple and Raspberry Tart


1 Pillsbury pie crust 
6 Granny Smith apples (or your favorite baking apple)
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon cold butter


Peel, core and thinly slice apples. Place in a large bowl and toss with sugar and spices. Carefully fold in berries so as not to crush.


On a lightly floured surface roll pie dough into a 14" circle.
Gently place inside of an 8" pie pan. Pour apple filling into crust and dot with butter. Fold up edges of pie crust around the filling leaving the center open. 
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool then dust with powdered sugar.


This week I'll be joining
No Minimalist Here Open House Party
Blue Cricket Show and Tell
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Tabletop Tuesday
So Very Creative
Freshman Friday Blog Party
Debbie's Newbie Party
On the Menu Monday at Stone Gable
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tole Trays

Tole trays have been on my list of favorite collectibles for about 15 years. I've bought and sold many over the years and I thought I would share some of my favorites today.


 What is a tole tray?  Tole painting dates to the 18th century and is thought to have begun in Scandinavia. Traditionally tole trays are metal and painted matte black and then painted with colorful flowers and fruit. They also have a strong folk art influence and sometimes depict birds and animals.


 The trays are made in a variety of shapes including rectangular,
 oval, round, and scalloped or Chippendale.
My favorites have a pierced border.


 Gilding is also frequently used on the edges or in the body of the design. 


 I've never seen another tray like this with it's charming colonial horseback rider.
Doesn't he look jaunty with his sword, horn and bright blue cap?




 This tray isn't an authentic tole piece because it's not handpainted, 
but I still think it's gorgeous! 


 I use trays in virtually every room of the house. I love the way they anchor a vignette.

 I also use them as wall art, because they are truly works of art!


I keep this one on the coffee table in my family room as a catch all.



You can find tole trays in many antique stores at very reasonable prices.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Before and After Silver Chest

I found this old silverware chest at a thrift shop this week. Yuk! But for only $1 I thought it was worth experimenting with.



 I applied an undercoat of leftover cream colored paint  then a second coat of one of Martha Stewart's paint samples in Wheat. The little sample pots are only about $3 and come with a paint brush on the lid - like nail polish. 
They are great for experimenting with.


 Next, a little distressing and application of one of the Graphic Fairies images. I like the technique of printing onto a sheet of leftover address label paper. In other words, once you've used up all of the labels you're left with a sheet of waxy paper.Print your image onto that with your inkject printer (reverse it if there is lettering.) then dry the ink with a blow dryer. Tape your paper ink side down on the surface and rub on with a bone folder or  credit card, then carefully lift off. I then spray the surface with a clearcoat sealer.


It made for a nice little trash to treasure project!


I'll be joining
Today's Creative Blog
Masterpiece Monday
Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy
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Friday, October 7, 2011

Turkey Time?

I know it's too early to get out the turkeys, but this is what I found thrifting today! My mom and I were just discussing Thanksgiving and how she and my sisters-in-law have turkey plates. I was so excited to see this on the shelf at the Goodwill! It's made by Johnson Brothers, one of my favorite English china companies. This pattern is called 
Wild Turkeys and has been retired. It's quite large measuring a full 20" across. I found several  on the web selling for upwards of $100, but I got mine for $16! 


 Isn't this a fun pumpkin with it's carved harvest message? I've seen  these at some of the nicer boutiques and they can be a bit pricey. I paid $3.50 and it still had a price tag on the bottom for $29!

 I honestly don't do much Halloween decorating preferring to stick to Autumn and Harvest themes. But this cute little witch spoke to me and for $2.50 HAD to come home with me!


I thought this honey jar was charming. I used a design from The Graphics Fairy and an application technique that I learned from Lauren over at My Wonderfully Made to decorate the lid.  So easy!

I scored a few nice vintage linens today too, but I'll share those another time. 
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Monday, October 3, 2011

Fall Flea Market

I had a great weekend browsing at the Merchant Square Flea Market and a couple of thrift shops. On Friday I visited my favorite thrift stores where I always find something special.


Saturday was a beautiful Fall morning with early morning temps in the 80's. That means getting an early start because it warms up fast here in AZ! My friend Kathy started out bright and early at 6:30 for some garage sales. Then she and I headed down to my favorite flea market hosted by Merchant Square Antiques. These are just some of the treasures I found!

 I found eight of these Italian dinner plates made by Vietri at the Goodwill for $1.50 each!
 If you know me, you know I can't resist an ironstone tureen!

 I found 6 napkins embroidered with a "C" for Cannon.

 And 8 brand new silver napkin rings for only $1.50.

 I fell in love with these English silver salt shakers. They are clearly part of a set as they have #'s 5,6 and 8 on the bottom. I wonder what happened to #'s 1,2,3,4 and 7? 
Hopefully someone else is enjoying them.

 These are a pair of Italian serving dishes for which  I paid only $2 each. I know they will get a lot of use!

 I also found a couple of transferware bowls made by Copeland/Spode. This pattern is called Rural Scenes and depicts farmers loading up the hay wagon. So charming!


This lovely silver serving tray was only $3!

Kathy knows I collect sets of old silverware and spied this set for me. It consists of 128 pieces plus this fun silverware caddy. All of it for $10! Good eye Kathy!

Lastly I couldn't resist this sweet set of 8 spreaders with  grape cluster handles. Only $1 for the whole set.
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