Thrifted Thursday

It's been a rather barren couple of months in the thrifty treasure department around here. I haven't been going to my local haunts much, and when I have given in to the impulse, there hasn't been anything to get excited about. I have walked out empty-handed more often than not. Still, there are a few little things I have collected that I am quite pleased with.

These lovely blue glass canning jars, complete with lids that have the unbroken glass inside...very rare to find that these days. And this super cool old industrial looking hand-held lamp, quite "Steampunk" if you ask me. The curved handle is made from wood and it has a great feel to it.

I had been wanting a food dehydrator for some time. This one in "mint" condition came home with me for a mere $5! The dried apples came out perfect! We used 'Honey Crisp' apples and they have a wonderful flavor when dried.

Then I came across a pile of these! I started collecting 'The Family Creative Workshop' Series last year. They are these awesome craft/art/self-reliant type books from the 70's and they rock! The information and how-tos they contain are varied and fascinating really. I now have over half of the series, hooray!

If ever the rain stops falling...it should be close to yard sale season soon. I wonder what treasures may await. Until then, what has been your favorite find of late?

Spanish monks can not keep a secret

And for that, I thank them.

Of course we must thank the Aztecs for chocolate, also acknowledge Columbus, and er...while I don't particularly feel like thanking Cortez for anything, he certainly realized that chocolate was the next big thing.

The Spanish aristocracy was smitten. Spain wisely and quietly began planting cacao in its overseas colonies, which gave birth to a very profitable business. Remarkably enough, the Spanish succeeded in keeping the art of the cocoa industry a secret from the rest of Europe for nearly a hundred years. Cheeky tarts!

So there were these Spanish monks see, who had been consigned to process the cacao beans for the mucky-mucks profiteering. After a night of feasting on chocolate and partaking of aged spirits - I can't say this is exactly how it happened but, it's how I like to imagine it - they got a little chatty with some fellows from the nearby village and spilled the beans. Once the secret was out, chocolate was on everyone's lips.

When The Engineer's folks were here last, my mother in-law spent an afternoon with me showing me how to make chocolates. It was so much fun, and now I have a rather fantastic (possibly dangerous) skill to add to my repertoire.

We made hand rolled truffles with different coatings. The toasted almond were my personal favorite. I don't know that I will ever become a master at the rolling of the truffles, apparently I have hot hands. These 'hot hands' of mine melt the chocolate too rapidly and it all becomes a rather slippery, misshapen mess. Perhaps if I could find me some temperature controlled gloves...anyway they may have looked a little funny but they tasted lovely.

Nancy brought along some chocolate molds and we set about making chocolate cherries, how fancy is that?

At the end there was some chocolate left, and there were strawberries. I'm certain you would have come to the same conclusion we did.

Thank you so much Nancy! What a sweet and messy happy afternoon. You can also be sure that I have been dreaming up new flavors and experiments in my mind for days now.
I have a feeling a few of you who have managed it to the end of this post, are now quietly making your way to the pantry just to check, you know, in case you might need a bit of chocolate for later.

Think good thoughts

Hello Monday, I am so pleased to begin a new week. A week of thinking good thoughts, healing thoughts, grateful thoughts.
Speaking of...I deeply appreciated all the kind comments you left me. They truly made my family and I feel cared for. Thank you.

Now that it is a new week, I can share with you a moment of sweetness from a certain 6 year old's party. She had such a grand time! We crammed our itty bitty cottage full of kids and grown ups. I think everyone had a nice time. There was mask making with feathers and glue (a very big hit). The sun came out long enough for the wigglies to run and chase chooks as well as each other. And of course there was cake.

I used the recipe from this blog post with yellow tinted whipped cream as frosting and topped with fresh strawberries. It was lovely and light and gone in record time.

And there was that yellow dress...well, it's mostly yellow.

Made from a sweet vintage seersucker with wee raspberries on it. The fabric was from my mother; it had apparently been biding it's time patiently in my cabinet for a few years for just this moment; the moment that Pony Girl declared her yen for yellow!

When asked how it felt to be 6, Pony Girl replied in a surprisingly world weary tone, "Old."

I will be back with more good thoughts, good stuff, healing stuff, grateful stuff...
That's right, it's all about chocolate!

hard times come again no more

On Sunday, March 13th, 2011, three young people's lives were tragically and senselessly cut short. My heart is aching for the families and loved ones. My heart is breaking for my own family. I wish us all peace.

Thank you my friends, for your sweet comments last week. I appreciate them greatly.

As hard as it is to be away from my other family, it is so good to be home.

The Weight

After the terrible tragedy in Japan, all the loss and ruin, my heart so heavy with sadness...I felt so grateful, as many of you have, for the ordinary every day life - warts and all. And as we in the little green cottage kept on in our blessed, ordinary every day, another tragic event hit much closer to home.

I will be pausing for a moment, travelling next week to be with family. Rest assured that all of us in the little green cottage are fine. I am grateful that I have this shiny place to come back to, and that is because of you my friends. Thank you for every comment, every email, every kindness, and all the serious goodness you have shared with me!

This weekend, say I love you to those you love; notice the small things; sing out loud; make a mess; make a wish; forget the rules; be good to each other; stay up late; go to bed early; give yourself a nice hug; waltz around the kitchen...just L-I-V-E live!

and be well

6

My beautiful girl, you amaze me! I love you more than words can express.
Happy Birthday baby!

Ninja Knitters

I stole this movie from Flaming Nora. If you have not yet seen it, you must! It is something that makes me so very happy, and we could all use a little cheering up right about now. Now, Nora blames me for this bit of mischief (due to a photo of "yarn bombing" I had on my blog a bit ago)but, all credit belongs to the Ninja Knitter geniuses if you ask me.



Nora has just posted a follow up HERE. Go see what's brewing!

I'm considering starting up a local chapter...if the Ninjas will let me. Of course I don't actually knit but, "Ninja Crocheters" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

New Time, New Day

Waking up this morning was a little daunting. That one hour change seems such a small thing but, I'm still wiping the sleep from my eyes. There is a tiny bit of sun poking through the dark clouds after last night's storm, signaling the start of a fresh week.

This weekend we finally had to face facts and retire our computer. A new one came home and the Engineer did his engineer thing and got it all set up. Now, all that is needed is to sort out our internet issues...there appears to be a ghost in the machine. Our house seems to be a bandwidth black hole. Which means that I am well behind in my postings and visitings. There was so much I meant to gab about last week. I will try to catch up this week. There have been some happy, exciting things going on around here!

The big news, The Little Green Cottage has been featured on houzz.com! If you would like to have a look just click HERE. Kerrie Kelly did a lovely write up and feature. Houzz.com is a great place for home inspiration!

And in local news last week, my most favorite fabric shop in town gave me a nice little shout out on their blog HERE. Where you will also see a unique bit of chicken fashion by another local sewist! Bolt Fabric Boutique's blog has some great projects and pattern reviews by the amazing shop staff.

Well, I think that's enough goodness for today. Tomorrow, I have a thrilling movie to share with you!