The Vegetable Stand

It’s that time of year again….spring! I have several herbs started by the kitchen sink, however I know (Coloradoan) mother nature better than to transfer anything outside until late May. Nevertheless I can start planning out my garden and get the seedlings going. Here are some exiting new veggie appropriate items in the world of Etsy:

‘The Stand’ by Mischievous Marriage lets you create an edible sculpture garden from your harvest:

As stylish planter necklace Made by Colleen to wear to the farmer’s market:

I am always on the search for markers for my veggies, these copper plates could be used year to year for your staple vegetables by Dillybags:

Spring Wallflowers & Butterflies

A new mommy-to-be contacted me from Australia and requested a diaper bag in one of my favorite Amy Butler fabrics, Wallflower. The contrasting colors are so striking and unique, it can make the most simple creations a masterpiece. Here are more shots of the bag coming together, including an easy to reach cell phone pouch:

Since the temperatures rose this weekend (upper 60s) I came down with a mad case of spring fever. I couldn’t resist buying seeds for herbs to start at my sink window. This led to perusing the etsy shops for spring items and i came across this seller that creates beautiful wall-art butterflies. I guess I am a sucker for butterflies (a trait passed down from my mother, I’ve noticed) …..check these out by Simply Chic Lily:

Hugs & Kisses

Ahhh the holiday is just around the corner that is dreaded by the majority of male-folk and the basis of survival for most florists…..Valentine’s.  I was never one to get too involved or set certain expectations for V-day.  Maybe that stems back to grade school when the girls spent hours on their Valentine cards (or at least I did) pairing the perfect “quote” to the perfect person, then at the end of the day when I opened my box….I was always disappointed in the selection that was returned.  However, should this holiday make us stop and realize the loves that we have in our lives, shown in the most simplistic form, then it has served it’s purpose.  But should you still need inspiration, I found some great treats on etsy to make the perfect handmade package, enjoy:

Starting off with origami flowers by PoshMishMosh

Don’t forget the jewelry, typewriter key earrings by Haute Keys and handmade clay rose ring by Made With Clay & Love.

 

To top things off, these truffles are to DIE for and hard to resist, made by a little bakery in Milwaukee, L’Oven Bakery.

Kristmas at KitchStitch

At last, the ornaments are hung and the tree is complete, not a creature was stirring….except for little Azure at my feet. I couldn’t stop myself this year at just one tree. After not having a clue what to do for our centerpiece in our dining room, I pulled together some chicken wire, lights and some strips of fabric to make a total of 3 trees for our table top. I was pretty happy with the finished product….my little chicken trees.

I have been busy in the shop for final Christmas orders, here is a snap shot of a gift for my friend of a KitchStitch original tote and matching jakoozie (java koozie). The colors are pretty unique and modern, as you do not see too much fuchsia these days within the fabric lines. But I think the dandelion liner finishes off the bag nicely.

After treating Copper to some homemade treats I picked up at the farmers market, I have experimented with a new recipe shared by a fellow blogger. I received two enthusiastic paws up, and also the satisfaction of knowing all the ingredients going into this treats. Someone is getting spoiled this season.

Here’s the recipe (http://www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com) should you find the time to spoil your 4-legged loved ones:

Ingredients for Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups unbleached flour
• 2 tablespoons dry milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Directions for Pumpkin Dog Cookies

• Place all the ingredients in your bread maker and set it for the dough cycle.
• When the dough is done, remove it and roll it into 1/4” thick sheets.
• Cut the dough into shapes. The cookie cutters that I used for this recipe, shown in the photo, were bones. They are about 2 inces long by 1 inch wide—a good size for Copper (aka a “Texas sized Lab”). You can vary the size, depending on whether you have a large breed dog or a small breed dog.
• Place the dog cookies on a lightly greased pan, and let them rise for an hour.
• Bake the dog treats for 45 minutes to an hour, at 275 degrees F.
• Turn off the oven, and let the cookies continue to dry overnight in the oven. In the morning, they will be hard and crisp. And they will keep well, stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for about 30 days.

Enjoy the recipe!

French Chic

What do you get a soon to be mommy with fantastic taste? A custom designer series nappy bag, of course. Actually at first when I received the request from my friend to make his world-traveling wife a suitable diaper bag, I was a bit intimidated. But, after a little nudging from him and scouring the new shipments of fabric at the local shops….I finally found my inspiration ‘French Chic’. Bold colors, black, white and rouge….daring damask patterns and luxurious textures.

And for the finished product I used a drapery fabric that was a canvas grade fabric and black velvet damask pattern infused on top. The liner fabric was not to go unnoticed or out shown by the exterior fabric, so I went with a rouge colorway that had a tone on tone rose pattern sewn into it for an additional feminine touch.

To top off the bag, it needed some sparkle with an accessory of sort. I perused our local antique store, which I do often to find unforeseen treasures, and found a stash of broaches. I found the perfect flower broach that would compliment the french creation well, and love the fact that it was previously owned from an earlier time (with other adventures and hopefully a story of its own). The bag is now with it’s rightful owner and just awaiting one more month until baby will be well on it’s way. It couldn’t go to a more stylish mama!

The Ghastlies Move to Town

I am a bit late in the discovery of Alexander Henry’s new addition of the ‘Ghastly Manor’ since it came out in May, but there is plenty of time between now and Halloween.  I absolutely love the palette of the pink and greens mixed in with the traditional Halloween gloomy blacks and grays.  I think it’s enough to merit a quilted runner for the table just for the occasion.

Southern Hospitality in the West

My clever husband came up with the fantastic idea of riding the Royal Gorge train for our 5th Anniversary.  After getting over the shock of having 5 years already pass between us, the (4 legged) additions to our family, and the move that we made to Colorado…..we quickly started making a plan to check this one off the “to-do” list.  Just like the accommodations on our honeymoon in Ireland, we booked a B&B in Florence, just a few miles out from the Royal Gorge train depot.  We got into Canon City Saturday afternoon, and were a bit early so decided to stop off at the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, for some tastings before freshening up at the B&B.  The vineyards were just breathtaking, and we discussed many similarities of the Abbey to the many Abbeys that we came across in the countryside of Ireland, it was truly nostalgic.

We made our way to the B&B, The Florence Rose, and were immediately taken aback by the well groomed and abundant garden that perfectly complemented the century old, two story Victorian as we pulled into the drive.  We were greeted immediately and welcomed into the home by it’s innkeeper’s, Steven and Andy, whom both were as charming as the surroundings that they preserved.

 

We were given a tour of the home and invited to the dining room for tea and cookies, it   was such a refreshing reminder of how I missed great southern hospitality, I felt as though we were old friends that haven’t seen each other in ages.  We were shown our room, which was decorated down to the silver brush and mirror set atop the antique dresser, just stunning for the history lovers at heart.  Not a detail was missed when creating this home, from the thick base molding, operable transoms, original wallpaper, creaky hardwood floors and original bathroom porcelain fixtures, these marvels are amiss today in modern construction.  We quickly got ready for our night ahead, and rushed out the door for dinner on the rails.

 

 

 

 

 

When we arrived to the train station, there was the conductor on the tracks, in true 1920’s attire waiting to welcome us to our car.  As we stepped across the threshold into the dining compartment, we stepped back in time.  I had been on many of European trains, but non with this much character and such hospitality (the crew had their greetings down to perfection). We were shown to our table and were ready for some sightseeing.  Our Australian entertainer, Barry, played many popular songs on the accordion…..I never knew Willie Nelson could bring a tear to my eye coming out of such and obscure instrument, it was magical.  After the exceptionally exquisite dinner, we headed out to the observation car which did not have a rooftop or sides so we could experience the black granite up close in the crisp Coloradan air.  We soon stopped beneath the bridge, and as Barry strummed along to more classics and mused at the surroundings aloud, we looked up 1,000 foot high gorge and tried to fathom how the bridge was constructed (of course, one cable at a time…but the first cable had to be a doozey).  The 3 hour ride just flew buy and I’m pretty sure I smiled for the entire journey, it was nothing like I had ever experienced.

We woke up the next morning to extraordinary smells of breakfast, and when we made it to the table it was indeed a full spread of fruit, slow cooked bacon, fresh coffee, and Andy’s special ‘French Bread Creme Brulee’ (of course I couldn’t leave without the recipe).  We had the most in-depth   breakfast conversation with the other guests from California and also the the surround Colorado areas.  It was the perfect end to the perfect anniversary weekend.  If you are ever up that way  in the Banana Belt, I highly recommend it all for a trip well worth taking.  We are so fortunate to have this practically in our backyard and this is definitely a task on our to-do list that we will have to revisit!