Wonderful Old Things

         I just returned from a trip.  Traveling is always so mind-broadening and enlightening.
       I see things with new eyes.   I see old things with deeper appreciation.

 Amish farms in the countryside of Pennsylvania.

I love these old farms and I don't understand why we Americans don't cherish

 our farms,  and why so many times "we pave paradise and put up a parking lot".

  Why is the richest farm land in the world turning into outlet malls?

I took all  these pictures of farms, while driving by at 60 mph,

 so they are blurry, but I just think they are so beautiful.

 I stopped in Norwalk,  Ohio. There was a big antiques co-op.

  I loved seeing all the old dishes, vases, linens,  and things from long ago.

Old   Milkglass

Old places

Norwalk, Ohio

 An interesting  old building that once was a prison, then more recently the home

 of the local sheriff.  It had  a bronze serpent sculpture on the top of it.

Old memories.

We  went to  Berry's Restaurant, where we had eaten 15 years ago on a car-show trip. 

  We ate a fabulous meal in this charming family-owned place with antiques in the dining rooms.  I had "Seafood Saturday",  a scrumptious feast which included lobster ravioli with a  creamy seafood sauce and 3 large grilled shrimp atop it,  a crabcake, and  a juicy piece of  chipotle-glazed salmon.  I chose a waldorf salad as a side, so I didn't need dessert!

Waldorf Salad, an old  all-American favorite, created by the maitre d' of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel,
 in 1893.  Originally it did not include nuts, they were added later. It was just apples, mayo and celery.  

 Here's my version, an old recipe that I've been making since I was a young Navy bride, 40 years ago.

                My Waldorf  Salad_________________ 

1 green apple  and 1 red apple, cored and diced

 a handful of raisins, or halved grapes

1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

handful of mini marshmallows, optional

1/4 cup sliced celery

1/4 cup mayonaise,  or plain yogurt

splash of lemon juice 

Stir together and serve, 
 or allow to sit  a couple hours,
 so marshmallows begin to 

melt and the flavors meld.

 Serve in your prettiest glass dishes,
 or on a lettuce leaf on a salad plate.
For a delicious main course, 
add cubed,  cooked chicken breast.

 I often make Waldorf salad when I just have an apple or two that are beginning to go soft and need to be used up, and the lemon and other ingredients perk up the flavor.   Definitely will make some this week as we reminisce about the trip and all the good things we ate and did and saw..........

I love to see the architecture in the old towns as we visit.

A lovely shop window...  Too bad, it's "Closed"!

A most unusual  old teapot

The most delightful surprise, there were murals decorating the walls of  this big 

 Caputo's Market, near Chicago.  You know how I feel about murals!

And then the sweetest part of our trip---I got to meet Ted's Uncle Wayne 

  He's 95.  He lives in Chicago. 

 He asked for a watermelon from "back home", New Jersey, the Garden State

where he grew up.   So  I got him one,  at the beautiful produce market nearby,  in Des Plaines,

  and told him I'd bring one from New Jersey, someday when I come back in the summer 

when they're in season. 

  We had brunch.  I cooked omelets, Canadian bacon, and English muffins and

 cut up watermelon and strawberries and he loved it.   Bless his heart!  

What a blessing it was to see the beautiful countryside and visit this precious loved one. 

 I had a job but also got to enjoy traveling and stopping at antiques and thrift shops along the way.  

Now I'm inspired and refreshed.  Got my taxes done, my job completed, had a nice scenic ride,

 and a safe return trip home,  and I'm ready for spring and fixing up my garden! 

 Can't wait to see the grandkids!  I missed them terribly! 

 Here's Tommy with his little girlfriend, who was born the same day!  

  

Love,  Linda

I've joined the super fun parties at:

Fish for Good Friday

My little Easter Bunny community on my kitchen window sill.

   

 Years ago I was busy making Easter gifts in my ceramics studio into

the wee hours of the night for many days before each holiday.

   Now we have blogs and online shops to tend.

  Recently,  I found some of my vintage ceramics that were never sold,

and I've listed them on my Etsy shop since they are vintage

and they are handmade! 

 Meanwhile, I'm enjoying them on my kitchen windowsill,

 with some of my mini collectibles.

They make me smile, they are my toys!  

 I love Easter and I love miniatures! 

I love to cook too!  Teddy and I went shopping recently and bought some frozen fish,

 so I could make some easy economy meals.  Fried fish is perfect for a meatless

Good Friday meal!   It can be prepared quickly and it's tasty.

 Cole slaw and fries are also good accompaniments, like good old Fish and Chips

from Ted's English heritage.

  

Fried Fish for Good Friday

A simple meal of cucumbers vinegarette, red potatoes, peas,
 and  fried fish  with homemade tartar sauce, at the kitchen table,
 set with  everyday Corelle dishes, old etched glasses, and  colorful vintage linens.

 Whiting, it's flaky and mild tasting. 

At Aldi, I bought  a 2 lb. bag of frozen fillets for $3.99.
I thawed the fish, marinated some cucumbers,started boiling red-skin potato halves, and opened a can of peas to warm.
 I set out 3 plates, assembly-line style, one with flour, one with  a beaten egg and one with bread crumbs, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and you can add any herbs you like.
First I coated each fillet in flour, then dipped in the egg wash, and finally the bread crumbs.  I fried them at med-high heat   in a large preheated skillet with about 1/2 inch of oil. . When golden-brown,  I turned  them carefully, using an egg turner and fork. It only takes several minutes on each side,  and it's done when it flakes easily and both sides are nicely browned.
While they are cooking, I mix up some  simple Tartar Sauce, using equal parts mayonaise and sweet pickle relish.
I like to use mayonaise either homemade, which  I make with olive oil, or low-fat,  but you can use whatever mayo you have.
.

 How do you like my mismatched silverware?
  I get a kick out of collecting different patterns and am making us
 a unique set of one of a kind pieces.  I like to think of all the tables they
 graced and imagine  the families that used them through the years.
Isn't it fun?

After dinner clean-up, when  all the dishes are done,
 We  sit down with a cups of green tea and some cookies.

This is a vintage tablecloth, with lots of spring flowers 

and it goes with my red and white kitchen.

I am using a darling,  pretty fluted-shaped teacup. 

 I really like the name of the pattern,  "Health and Happiness".

It's  by Royal Stafford Bone China, 

Made in England, from the Special Occasion Series.

 I baked the Swig Cookies, that are all over Pinterest, couldn't resist.
Mandi , from www.vintagerevivals.com, says they're
 "LITERALLY the best cookies known to man"
Who wouldn't like these simple sugar cookies with sour cream frosting?

Our nice little quiet evening meal for two.

 I'm not Catholic, but I know many people keep the tradition of not eating meat on Good Friday.

  Easter Sunday, we'll enjoy a huge  traditional ham dinner with lots of family!  I can't wait to see the children and share the special day with loved ones.  

Easter is so special to me, as I personally celebrate God's gift of his son to us, and  remember his death  and  resurrection..  He's alive, and in me.  And because he made the ultimate sacrifice, and I believe in Him,  I  have eternal life!  It's a free gift to all who believe! 

I feel renewed and joy-filled, my life has meaning and peace "that passeth understanding" !       

May you experience the joy of Easter and know God's love and grace in your life.

Happy Easter Hugs!

  Love, Linda

I'm joining Monday  parties:  Easter Party,   Cottage Style Entertaining at www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com

 Mop It Up Monday #60, at
 www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2013/03/mop-it-up-monday-61.html
                          and
 Kathe's You're Gonna Love It!  at
www.kathewithane.com/2013/03/youre-gonna-love-it-week-47.html

Happy Spring!

 Spring is nature's way of saying,

"Let's Party!"  

                                                                            ---Robin Williams

Well, I'm ready to celebrate spring!   Let's get this party started!
Unfortunately  it is 25 degrees below normal temperatures for this time
of year here  in South Jersey, and this year's bloom are late.


"The first day of spring is one thing 
and the first spring day is another. 
The difference between them
 is sometimes as great as a month."
--- Henry Van Dyke

But soon, I know these flowers will come out,  just  like last year.

Nature is a painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty

if only we have eyes to see them."--- John Ruskin

"Flowers always make people, happier and more helpful,

 they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul."
---Luther Burbank

So, yes, these are last year's flowers and I'm anticipating them soon, once again.

I'm enjoying looking at my pictures, just like I love drooling over seed catalogs!  

"An optimist is the human personification of spring"  

---Susanne J. Bissonette

"Spring's greatest joy beyond a doubt, 
is when it brings the children out. " 
---Edgar Guest

Ice cream  smiles

Tommy didn't care if it was chilly today!
 We played outside  for a little bit anyway!

Granddaughter Amber with her cousins!

Our sweet little friend

Sweet Ava!

Happy Spring! 
Love , Linda 

We're all Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two

May the sun always shine upon your window pane

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near you and

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. 

                                                           --traditional Irish blessing

I made the Irish Potato Candies, but no corned beef and cabbage this year, because we were with the grandkids overnight.   Our granddaughter's high school girl's softball team had a fund-raiser, so we attended a spaghetti dinner instead!

Here's my recipe for 

Irish Potato Candy

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 lb. confectioner's sugar

1 pkg. flaked coconut 
4 cups confectioner's sugar
 Mix together, shape into oblong balls
dip in cinnamon Coating

Coating:

1 tbsp.cinnamon

1 tbsp. cocoa powder

I like the coconut extra fine, so I process it in the food processor, then I simply add the butter, sugar, vanilla, and blend, then slowly add sugar and pulse on slow.  When it is well blended, roll into 1" balls and shape slightly oblong.  Roll in cinnamon-cocoa mixture to resemble potatoes.  
   It makes about 4 dozen, if you can't use that many, save the fondant and form Easter eggs to dip in melted chocolate.  Keeps well in refrigerator.  

Tradition states that St. Patrick used to travel the Irish countryside and use the symbol of the shamrock to explain the trinity- the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  It's Ireland's National Plant and used and worn  in many ways on St. Patrick's Day.  

Four-leafed clovers are supposed to be really lucky, and  I have one in my Etsy shop! 



 My lucky find!
A pretty  silk scarf with Irish landmarks printed on it!  It's in my Etsy shop!



St. Patrick's Cathedral

Since I am posting so late today, I'll leave you with an evening prayer of St.Patrick's.

 "May our sleep be deep and soft, 

So our work be fresh and hard."

 May the blessing of light be with you--

light outside and light within.  

  Love, Linda