Merry Christmas to me!

Ok, I ordered myself "The Way to Cook" by Julia Child with some Christmas money I was given. It came in the mail today, and I'm doing the happy dance! It looks so great, I wish I had hours to sit and read it. Right now, I'm going a million directions, and have no time to even blog about it. I'm soooo looking forward to when I do have time!! I'm even thinking of pulling a Julia/Julie move and work my way through the book. I won't be bloggig about it or doing it on a deadline, but it should be fun. It will make me challenge myself to try things I probably would never try. For example, for a girl living in Florida, I never eat seafood-never. My kids and husband like it, so I make it for them every now and then. Maybe I should break out of my shell (no pun intended) and try new seafood recipes. I'm so excited to get started! For those of you who remember my whining about recipe books, I do have to say that I watch Julia Child on dvd's and tv, and so I feel like I know how she explains things. She also is known for simplifying hard recipes, so I think I'm in good hands. I haven't forgotten my favorite blogging food chef "Food Wishes". I still think he's great, and he loves Julia Child, by the way, which is another reason I love him.
For those of you interested, alibris.com is a great place to get used books for a good deal. I also have Julia's "French Chef" cookbook on the way because I found it in hardback in good condition for 16.99. Shipping is reasonable too.
Happy cooking through the holidays! I can't wait to try some of Julia's recipes this year, and hopefully start a few new traditions. I hope you will too!

Merry Christmas! ~xo

So we got a kitten....

I admit I have a soft spot for animals. I give in way to easy since this little kitten is the 6th pet to now join our family. We have a giant German Shepherd, Mia, who's 5, a bunny named Molly, 1 yr.old, a bird named Max and Ruby,(my son refuses to call it a girl name, my daughter refused to call it a boy) since we have no idea which sex it really is, it has 2 names. Then we have 2 hamsters, Walnut and Taz (ode to Looney Tunes Tazmanian Devil) I hate the day when the inevitable happens because of how attached they are to these little rodents. Then finally, we have Chino, cutest little kitten ever. We are trying our best not to have an entire food chain in our house, but it looks like that could happen on a really bad day. Mia is not sure what she thinks of Chino. We are training her, but she's like a really fat, playful kid that hurts others without realizing her strength. That's what concerns me most.She may hurt this little kitten on accident just trying to "love" it. Early this morning, around 5am, I heard a strange noise so I got up to check it out. Mia and Chino were facing each other nose to nose and Mia licked Chino on the face. Then, with Mia proudly watching, Chino curles up on Mia's fluffy tail. I was in shock! They must have been hanging out all night becoming best friends while we were sleeping. We have been watching them so carefully, like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I still don't know how they ended up together since they were both closed up in seperate rooms. It reminded me of one of my favorite Looney Tunes cartoons. I've added it for you to enjoy.

The latest things to interest me ~

I recently had an apron made for me by Pat, my friend who also does shows with me. It's made from an old slip or whatever they called all that extra stuff they wore under their clothes. It turned out just gorgeous! I loved it to death! See what you think.

I also took a few pics of a few of the newest additions in my studio. I had a boring cheapy clock, so I took those old postcard holders and made a frame for it! I think it looks pretty snazzy now. Here it is~
Anyway, I also have a latest song obsession to tell you about. It's called "Take me with you" by Vast. I keep listening to it over and over. I don't know why I do that?? I actually get sick of favorite songs because I kill them a slow, agonizing death with repetion. Weird. That was free info,and in the totally random category.
The newest in foodie world, is that I'm making that French chicken again. I can't remember if I told you about how good it was or not, but it was awesome, so I'm adding the video here for you. You have to try it. Seriously, you'll love it cold the next day too. It's so good.~

Ok, I'm off to prep my chicken. Have a good night everyone!

Hugs~
Lori

Show and Tell from Sat.

I took the kids garage sale-ing this past Sat. and we had so much fun! I especially love a drive in the country on a pretty day, so we just went wherever the road went. It took us to a few sales in the country with horses in the fields and clothes on the line (love those kind!) Anyway, thought I'd "show and tell" some of my finds. My poor kids were always ready to go before I was. But they had fun. They even got to hold some baby chicks, buy a karoake machine (that doesn't work-at least it was just a dollar) a badminton set, a huge blow up soccer ball, and new heely's. All for under 10 bucks, you can't beat it. Then, to top off a great afternoon, I got home and found my books waiting for me in the mailbox! I love the Farm Chicks' book! It has great recipes and cute decorating/storage ideas. I thought it was cool that they all wear boots and aprons, and I had just bought both! I found these great, leather boots in my size! My friend, Pat and I are making vintage aprons soon to be added to my shop. I can't wait to show them to you when they're finished. I think they are too cute.

Happy trails til next time!
Lori

I think I may have an obsession...

I'm strangely drawn to watching recipes on you tube. Food Wishes to be exact. I found him by accident, and ever since I have had to know what this man is doing every day. I think I must be a visual learner -and no, I didn't ride the little bus to school. I just think I don't do well with cookbooks. It's always been a seriously 50/50 chance that it'll be a complete waste of time if I try a new recipe from a book. With this man showing me how to simply do things, cooking/baking is a breeze! I'm addicted. I have planned entire shopping lists out of whatever he tells me to eat. I'm a hopeless follower, but I'm so happy! I'm just thinking it can't be normal for me to think about what new recipe he may be posting 24/7. I mean, really, I DO have better things to do....like....um....well I...yeah ok. I'm headed there now....

Before I go, you gotta try this:


Happy trails, fellow foodies! (You'll thank me layer cake..I mean later)
Lori

It really doesn't take much....

It really doesn't take much to make me happy! Bill was cracking up at me yesterday because I freaked out over him buying me a new rolling pin. I have been wanting a "french style" rolling pin forever. I have been wanting to make the perfect pie crust and had been using my old marble dinosaur of a rolling pin to try and do it. It just didn't work. I had mentioned to him I was going to get one soon. Yesterday, while he was at Wal-mart, he picked this Paula Deen one up for me! What a sweetheart! He just laughs at how easily I get excited over stuff like that. I can't wait to try it out!!
Mom, my plate of cookies and tea for breakfast made me think of you! Wish you could've had one, or two or three with me! Cookies and tea for breakfast make me happy :) Wonder where I get that from??? hmmm

Have a happy day full of simple pleasures!

Favorite Friday!

One of my very favorite things to do-ever is go "Junkin" That's what we call antiquing/thrifting/fleamarketing. I look forward to trips with my sisters or friends like it's Christmas morning. The times I go and find the perfect thing for a really great price make me sooooo happy! Today, I went with my little sweetie-junker-in-training, and my sweet friend, Pat. We found some great deals and went to one of my favorite places-Alyssa's Antique Depot in Milton,Fl. I have been going here forever. It was my sisters' favorite place too and we have lots of fun memories shopping there. There is a little booth in the back of the store to the right that has the absolute cutest spot in the whole place! Talk about being inspired~ this place does the trick for me! I would buy the whole room and put it in my house if I could. It's absolutely perfect and I've added it for you to see for yourself. The funny thing is that I don't even care about western or cowgirl stuff at all, but somehow she gives it a very airy, clean linen, Hemmingway feel that you don't normally see. I can't remember the name of her little space, but I'll found out. If you live near Milton, you should definitely drop by sometime. There's something for everyone there. Pat and I will be headed there again soon because we had to cut our trip short this time. There's another Alyssa's around the corner that's even bigger. Can't wait for that!

Hope it was a great Friday for you too~
Lori

Blogging for me...

I named this blog, "Through the vintage garden" because I sorta feel like my life could be described as a garden and I love anything vintage. Really, everyone's life could be as a garden. There are seasons, like the season of having babies in the house, the season of school,the season of happy times and, of course, sad times too. There are always areas to be worked on, weeds to pull, ground to till, nurturing, etc. There are also blooming roses and sweet tomatoes to wait on til they're ripe. It's a lot like life, isn't it? I also love garden gates. I especially love scrolly iron gates. The picture of the gate above was a gate I saw in Bath,UK that I thought was gorgeous! I wanted to see what was on the other side so badly! I felt like something was really great on the other side and I was missing out. My garden gate is always open and you're welcome to come sit with me awhile and just talk. This blog is going to be random thoughts, things that make me laugh, or feel inspired by, recipes to share, cute things my kids say/do, etc. If you're interested in just my jewelry, you can always go to my website and blog for that. I wanted to keep them seperate. If you want to know more about me, my life and what makes me smile, then this blog's for you. I'm really looking forward to the creative outlet of writing down my thoughts and the satisfaction of that process. If you're inspired by it,or it makes you smile too, then that makes it all the better. That being said, I feel a little like Beatrix Potter on the opening of her letter to the little boy. She said, "I don't know what to write you, so I'll tell you a story.."

Once upon a time, there were 3 sisters(and their mom) who liked to do hair...
Since I was about 14, my sisters and my Mom and I would all do each other's hair, or "frost" it, as we called it. This was a serious time. I was always nervous my hair would fall out. If you've ever had your hair pulled through a cap, you know what I mean. Seriously-brain surgery has to be more pleasant! Anyway, there I would sit with the cap on, losing the feeling in my chin from the plastic ties holding the thing on my head. I would always have a wet washcloth held over my nose since the smell was horrible. They would all be discussing whether or not enough had been pulled through and if it was even, and so on... "Does it look lemon yellow?" "Is it brassy?" These were all phrases we knew well. Then came the BIG moment of truth! Everyone would help in silence as you pulled the cap off with your head upside down in the sink. Then, without fail, if there was still silence, you would panic thinking your hair was striped orange or falling out in clumps and nobody had the heart to say anything. Just about the time you were about to have a heart attack getting it rinsed and ready to flip your head back over, you would hear someone say it's fine, gonna be beautiful, the perfect color etc. -Sigh- You could relax. It was finally over and you could rest in peace knowing you had once again done your hair without major catastrophe. Not every time went so well. Those were the times we all dreaded. So tonight, all on my own, I decided to save a buck, and "frost" my own hair just like the old days. I had every emotion and feeling from painful scalp to when I was scared to look, and then...*yes*!! It was perfect! Another missed failure at doing my own hair,(trust me-the failures are many) and having the joy of sweet and funny memories to go with it. Now it's time to lay my newly blonde head on my soft, vintage roses pillowcase...until next time...

Sweet dreams,
Lori