The Well Seasoned Nest

Life's Little Pleasures...never to be taken for granted. The list goes on..

2012-03-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

and, please, feel free to add your own.

Initial Post:

1. coming home after after a trying day and putting on your sweats...or even better, your pj's and slippers.

Comments:

Isobel
Hesitate to admit it, but a nice glass of sherry - Amontillado preferably - (especially when I'm preparing lunch for my husband and myself!
Barbara Jean
Coming home from 'work' (running my store) =), and having dinner made and ready by me sweet fella. =)

2. Sunday Mornings - crusty rolls and crumb buns from the Irish bakery in town, and the Sunday Times, with "Sunday Morning Baroque" on NPR as the backdrop. Doesn't get much better.

Dying Clothespins

2012-03-01T21:15:00.000-05:00

Sales in my Etsy shops have been quite steady of late, and it (sometimes!) makes me think that I really can make a "go" of this. I LOVE my work, but obviously need to continue to make sales that generate revenue to keep going.

One of the items in my "thewellseasonednest" Etsy shop is spring-type wooden clothespins that I hand-dye in various colors. They've been pretty popular - the clothespins take my dyes well and are fun for hanging kid's artwork, photos, memos, and more. With a magnet glued to the back, they look cute and function nicely on bulletin boards. My preference to dye, rather than paint, the pins is the look - I like that the grain of the wood still shows through, and the metal stays bright and shiny, not chipped as often happens with paint.

Several weeks ago I was contacted through Etsy by a company who wanted a quantity of clothespins dyed in a specific color. So, not one to miss an opportunity!, I did some calculations and placed a bid to dye 11000 clothespins, never really thinking that I might get the job. But, in the "be careful what you wish for" department, I did!

Luckily, they are to be all one color - the company's signature color, that I label as "lemonade". After some back and forth with the company to agree on terms, I ordered dye supplies from one company and 11000 clothespins from another. (wonder what they must have thought when they saw that order form ...)

The other caveat is the time element...I have less than one month to complete my task, as we have a mini vacation that had already been planned towards the end of March AND the company needs them for a Spring promotion.

So I thought I'd give you a little glimpse of the job facing me, just in case I fall off the face of the earth for a bit!

Today, I returned home from a dental appointment to:

11000 clothespins in six boxes sitting at my garage door! I had NO idea what size the shipment might be; to date, my largest order has been two dozen clothespins for a customer, and that was just a few packages I bought at Target.

After a lot of brainstorming with friends and family about the best way to accomplish the task, I had weighed my options, and decided to do them at home rather than finding a commercial kitchen, and to work in batches of 500 at a time. Luckily, we have a big kitchen with lots of counter space! So I set up a work station:

Two large enamelware pans with boiling water for the dye:

The subject: 30 to a package, and I ordered 375 packages

the largest bowl I could find - a little pre-soak

So, here I am at the end of Day #1, having dyed over 500 clothespins - with tired feet and yellowed hands! The counting and sorting alone was an awesome task (forgot to mention it was requested that I prepare 22 portions of 500 clothespins apiece.)

...but yes! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can ... pull this off.....

The Versatile Blog Award

2012-02-21T13:49:00.002-05:00

A comment on my blog posts from Isobel of the Coldham Cuddlies blog is always a welcomed sighting. A sense of sincerity, kinship, and good-naturedness radiate from her remarks, and I'm always delighted to have her visit. The other day was no exception, but Isobel's comment that day hit an extra high note of jubilation for me! She nominated me for a "Versatile Blog Award". And, before I go further, I want to say "thank you" to her for the nomination, and for her friendship! You must sneak a peek at her blog - she's a busy and talented lady!

Initially having no idea what that was all about, Isobel, in her usual fine fashion, had also given me explicit instructions on how to handle this "prestigious" award. In accepting this designation, as with any other important life event, there are certain inherent "responsibilities".

First, I am to publicly divulge seven factoids about myself. (looked it up! ... factoid - (noun) a small and often unimportant bit of information) Not so easy, I'm finding, but here goes:

1. I view everyday on this earth as a gift, and one I want to be worthy of and never take for granted.
2. I love corn (the vegetable! not the foot ailment or type of humor) in almost any form. And a nice glass of crisp, chilled sauvignon blanc.
3. My two grandkiddies mean the world to me - I am so very much enjoying watching them grow into wonderful little people.
4. I love junkin' ventures. Discovering rusty, old, and lovingly distressed items with a history or a story inherent in their being.
5. I never mind dirt if it means I'm digging in the garden.
6. Working really hard on a project is something I truly enjoy - be it gardening, household stuff, paperwork, creating, whatever. I don't mind working hard to get where I want to be in life.
7. I was a high school Home Ec. teacher for 29 years, and survived.

And, true to my being, I did a little further investigation to find out more about this Versatile Blog award. First, I found a website to help me sort it all out, which gave me some perspective. After reading and digesting the comments, my "take" on it is that the award is a token of comradeship, a mutual respect and admiration bonding between bloggers - all good stuff in the blogosphere.

That being noted, the next step I have in accepting this nomenclature is to pass the Versatile Blog Award torch to fifteen other fellow bloggers. I am delighted to recognize the following blogs, based simply on the fact that they are a good "read"; they inspire and delight me in some fashion! (in random order...)

lebanonbandbinprogress

carletongarden

downourcountryroad

brabournefarm

contentinacottage

awaytogarden

inmykitchengarden

laurejanus
mylifeonebitatatime
robenmarie
backwoodscottage

msdewberrys

feliciakramer

a-bird-in-the-hand

marie-lostbirdstudio

I'm sure when you visit these blogs, you'll know exactly why I've chosen them - drop on over!

Life's Little Pleasures...never to be taken for granted

2012-02-17T20:21:00.002-05:00

and, please, feel free to add your own.

1. coming home after after a trying day and putting your sweats on...or even better, your pj's and slippers.

Vintage Paper Flower Tutorial - fast and easy!

2012-02-15T21:53:00.063-05:00

I'm on a roll here! Into these art journals and learning more everyday ... and the more I learn, the more I want to! I love the idea of this blank "canvas" in front of me, begging for adornment, and some magazine page, billboard, website, whatever gives me an idea or inspires me, and I just have to go create another!

I was in the dollar store the other day and saw these little kids books for yep! $1. Well, actually, there were two of these little guys in a box for $1, and I bought several. I thought they would be perfect as a foundation for a book because the pages were so nice and sturdy. But that's another tutorial post down the road.

This morning I was finishing up the newest little book I made from one of the childrens books, and needed just a little something for the cover, an embellishment of some sort. I had been playing with some techniques I had read about and simplified one that's a great way to use up paper scraps and can be made in a heartbeat. It's dimensional so it would be great as a gift wrap adornment, on a journal cover or scrapbook page, strung together as a garland, and more.

For this flower, I used two varying sizes scallop circle paper punches, one by Fiskars that was 1.5 inches and a larger by EK Success that was about 2 inches, both of which I purchased at A.C. Moore with 40% off coupons. (gotta love it!) I see no reason why you can't use the same size punch, but I had both, so decided to use them.

Punch some circles from paper scraps - patterned, plain, textured. I used some vintage sheet music, vintage book pages, and some pretty ivory paper that was leftover from a scrapbook page.

Probably obvious, but the thinner the paper and/or the fuller the flower desired, the more circles you would need. For the flower above, I used four large and three small circles.

The next step may seem a little weird, but ... scrunch up each of the circles into a little "wad".

"Wad" gently if using vintage papers so as not to tear them.

Then, flatten each of the circles pretty flat. Layer them one on top of each other with the small ones on top. Staple the pile in the middle (or glue, if you prefer). The staple won't show in the finished flower.


Just for example, this is a different flower, stapled in the middle. For this one, I used a scallop punch with a daisy flower punch to vary it a bit.

OK, back to the original flower: Starting with the top circle, scrunch each layer up again into the center, one at a time. Fluff the top and gently push some of the layers down till it resembles a flower shape.

the variation

the original , in place

Beware - these are addictive to make, as they are simple, sweet, and so very quick to make! Try a few, and let me know how they work out for you, and how you'll use them...

Where the Pearls Sleep ... my contenders

2012-02-09T13:03:00.001-05:00

I love the NY Times in the morning. Mr. WSN and I have our little coffee klatch - this morning with Irish oatmeal. A pleasant start to the day...

Thursday is one of my favorites - has both "Style" and "Home" sections. I usually, as I did this morning, save the "Home" section for another time. Love looking forward to it, and it seldom disappoints.

This morning, Tim McKeough, in his "Shopping With" column, did a take on a jewelry designer named Andrea Panico and her picks for containers in which to store jewelry. She states, "Good jewelry boxes are hard to come by." I immediately thought back to the jewelry box I had as a teen - velvet lined, little compartments, and a vinyl leather-like exterior with gold swirls on it. Pretty tacky, I think today! She further says that "If you care about jewelry, is should be stored in something that's also beautiful."

I'm not a big jewelry person - have very few items of any worth, but, like most women, do have some pieces that are special because of their sentimental value. But, in agreement, I do have a "thing" for making storage attractive AND functional.

Here are my contenders:

I sold this on Etsy in December; these repurposed frames seem to be pretty popular right now - functioning as a memo or photo board, but could just as easily be used for hanging earrings and bracelets. Easy project - old picture frame, a coat of paint, a little distressing, and some chicken wire carefully stapled to the back with a heavy duty staple gun.

One of Andrea's picks in the article was a vintage letterpress drawer, like this one I recently purchased at an estate sale:

Propped or hung, it's got a bunch of little compartments and some larger ones where cup hooks/hardware could be used to hang pieces. Here's an example, seen in a shop called LegalMissSunshine.

At home, vintage wood boxes are my primary choice for pretty trinket storage:

handmade - beautiful dovetailing and detail - love it!

front slides up and off to reveal little drawers

I was told this one, purchased some years ago, is a salesman sample...

like a mini dresser...

Another repurposed goody....an old oak index card file

While the choices of the designer and I may differ, the idea of beauty + function is always a winning combo for me. Gotta go for good value wherever we can today!

Altered Art Journal ... A First Take Tutorial

2012-02-04T17:54:00.000-05:00

I've embarked on a new creative journey. Art Journals.

I love paper ... pretty paper, grungey paper, textured papers, tea-stained cardboard, all of it. I love playing with paper. Tearing, crumbling, texturizing, dyeing ... all of that, too. It's a perfect fit for me. Relatively portable, so I can move from upstairs craft room, to warehouse, to the bog cabin, and back. Not like my metal or wood work which are both very satisfying and lots of fun, but way more cumbersome. And if I mess up ... I mean, it's just a piece of paper and I can always add a layer and give it another element. Sometimes I think mistakes can actually add a new direction or dimension to a project. So what's to lose?

Got my feet wet online looking at, inspired by, drooling on, a few websites and several Etsy shops - for example, iHanna's blog on utilizing used books from flea markets and thrift shops. Then there was one from IMGirl, a handbound journal filled with lots of embellishment. Or the hour I spent on Pinterest checking out an altered art journal board by Pam Billingsley. The variety is staggering, almost as impressive as the talent and creativity. Blows me away. Humbles me. Spurs me on. Here I go ......

Picked out a book from my stash that I had purchased for a song at one of my weekly stops at Goodwill, falling apart and begging for new life.

loved the cover color and texture

It didn't take much to remove the body of pages from the spine, using some of the pages here and saving the others for another journal down the line.

I divided the spine section in half with an exacto knife, glued then folded it back onto the inner and outer covers to reinforce the side of each.

clamp and allow to dry - so far, so good!

After they dried, I used my new Big Bite punch (purchased with a 50% off coupon - yahoo!) to quickly and easily put two holes in the two cover pieces for O-ring fastening later on.

For the cover, I stamped and blurred a saying on torn paper and antiqued the edges. Then, stamped some numbers/symbols using a Stazon pad so the stamping wouldn't smear.

Now, to decide what to do with the inside. I gave it a lot of thought and decided to make it somewhat generic and, therefore, more "saleable" in my Etsy shop, which was my intent. ( I definitely don't have time to KEEP a journal right now!!! ) So, I grunged a manilla tag for the inside front cover and glued it in place.

inside back cover - a little marketing identification

For the last page of the journal, I zig-zag sewed a pocket from two pieces of an old folder:

For the inner pages, I gathered new and vintage papers from here and there, and made copies of some vintage papers and other pieces of ephemera. I had some tired index cards that were added. I cut all the gatherings to relative size, some a little bigger, some a little smaller to give it some size variation interest.

And...ta da!

tied with hemp twine and ready to sell!

Enjoyed the process so much that I went on to yet another, utilizing a vintage file folder for the cover and similar applications for the inner "workings".

I don't know what direction my next art journal might take, but I know for sure I'll love the pathway!

Another reason to love Etsy...

2012-01-24T13:33:00.000-05:00

Not only is there an AMAZING array of wonderful products on the Etsy site, but on a daily basis I'm blown away by the talent of people from around the world that make such inspiring and creative items. Seriously!

And the people that you "meet" - both buyers and sellers - are giving, and personable, and engaging. Another reason to love coming to my studio to "work" everyday, and another reason to love Etsy!

A short bit ago, I posed a question in the Etsy forums. A simple, but, granted, weird question. I'm looking for a real, natural, unoccupied (!!!) hornet's nest. Yes, for real. Tell you why in a sec. Within minutes, I had responses from people I will never meet face to face, but took time out of their busy day to respond to my query. Never ceases to amaze me.

OK - why I am looking for such an obscure item: I have a studio/warehouse that I work from each day listing, producing, shipping, etc. items for my two Etsy shops. It's my plan to run seasonal studio sales from here when the weather is conducive. And I want the place to look good and be inviting. And, truth be told, I love things of nature, and am REALLY into birds nests - they intrigue me.

So I'm thinking spring and thinking I want to start planning these sales, and want to spruce up the joint.

Above the door to my studio, I have a sign which I've adorned with some tree branches and I want to place a hornet's nest amid the branching. I'll also do a nest, but I can create or find one of them more easily than a hornet's nest.

Well, there you have it - the story in a nutshell, weird but true.

But, gee, thanks to you all who responded and gave me another reason to love Etsy today! You're the best!

Cheddar Beer Soup - warming the winter's chill

2012-01-23T18:08:00.001-05:00

Have a recipe to share!

It was a snowy day Saturday so I decided to make a quick meatloaf for dinner and to enjoy as leftovers for sandwiches during the week (one of our favorites, on onion rolls - yum!) But it also felt very much like a "soup-cooking-on-the-stove" kind of day, so I cozied up to my cookbook corner and spent a little time with a few of my soup cookbooks to see what enticed me.

What spoke to me was Cheddar Beer Soup. I almost ordered it from a restaurant menu recently and have been thinking about it ever since. Something about the creamy-ish texture and the combination of flavors appeals to me.

Here's the recipe - adapted from the one on the Epicurious website after reading a lot of the reviews and checking what I had in my frig and pantry to work with. I had just purchased a block of good Irish cheddar at Trader Joe's and knew that would be a great addition.

Cheddar Beer Soup

2 medium leeks (white and pale green parts ), cut into slices ( about 2 cups)

2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup)

2 celery ribs, also sliced(1 cup)

2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

1/2 California bay leaf

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups 2% milk

1 3/4 cups chicken broth (14 fl. oz.)

1 (12-oz) bottle ale (I had Harpoon IPA)

1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. extra-sharp Cheddar (the Irish cheddar was wonderful!), grated (4 cups)

1. Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander.

2. Cook leeks, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaf in butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes.

3. Using a hand-held stick blender, process the vegetables till the texture is a thick paste with small chunks in it. (or to the consistency you desire - I wanted a little chunkiness from the veggies.)

4. Reduce heat to moderately low and sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, then cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes.

5. Add milk, broth, and beer in a stream, whisking, then simmer, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper.

mise en place!

6. Add cheese by handfuls, stirring constantly, and cook until cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes (do not boil). Discard bay leaf.

7. The finished product - slightly chunky, full of flavor, a nice piquancy because of the beer, I imagine. A very satisfying soup - and the colors are pretty too!

I'm happy to have a bay leaf plant to pull fresh leaves from whenever I wish - an older plant of mine, who loves a sunny window spot in the wintertime, but prefers the garden (natch!) when the weather allows.

Pretty, Glossy Leaves - full of flavor

A soup I hope you'll try, and let me know what you think - the quality/sharpness of the cheese and the variety of beer will create some flavor variations, but I think it's a "keeper". Enjoy!

A Winter Day...We're Going to Pay for This, I Fear

2012-01-19T09:06:00.002-05:00

I am as smitten as a pig in "u-know-what". It's early Saturday afternoon, January 7th. We're home this weekend (not traveling to the cabin) to catch up a little, dismantle the holiday decor, chat with the neighbors, etc. ... with zero obligations. (yahoo!) AND, as if that weren't enough, it's 55 degrees outside. My, my. This is the southeast corner of CT, for goodness sake. I'm lovin' it.

With quick abandonment to the items on my to-do list, I opted for a walk to the beach, generally unheard of at this time of year. It was amazing - like early spring. I walked all through Morningside at a pretty fast clip, then climbed some rocks along the beach. I had missed that sound of the waves against the rocks! There were a lot of people out and about, seizing the same opportunity as I did. Good physical exercise, and great for the soul!

I couldn't resist a little scavenging along the way - came home with driftwood boards tucked under each arm - and beach stones, sea glass and other beachy fragments in my pockets. Always on the lookout!

love the blue hued boards....

simply can't resist rusted metal

Back to the Saturday project list awaiting at home (but not without a little longing to paint some signs on those driftwood boards!), I went quickly through the list which allowed some time to "play" a bit.

While walking, my mind had wandered a bit to the direction I wanted to take on some new artsy projects in the works and in my mind. The "funky junk birds" that I worked on for my Etsy shop (sample below) were a lot of fun to plan and create. Definitely more of them in the horizon...but I knew I also wanted to create one with some "age" to it, more rustic, rusty.

So I decided to work on some metal pieces I had been saving in the garage to see if I could age them a bit. I had found this kind of beat up plant holder thing at Goodwill one day with metal parts that were "wings" in my eyes. I cut the "wings-to-be" off the plant holder with my trusty bolt cutters. Knowing they were way too brassy and new looking for my rusty intent, I did some quick research about ways to alter the appearance of metal. I found a site called "instructables" which had a page on rusting metal with common household chemicals. Perfect!

Took the metal pieces to the kitchen and placed them in a clear glass casserole dish. I poured a solution of vinegar and table salt dissolved in very hot water over the pieces and set them aside for a good soaking. A tip on another site suggested putting in a few copper pennies to augment the process.

It took a few days but, poof! The metal wings had taken on a new look that I was really pleased with.

Now to decide what project to use them on! I'll let you know.....

The Start of a New ... and Very Good Year

2012-01-06T18:13:00.000-05:00

Love the positive thinking in the title of this post - yes??

I'm delighted to have a new year beginning - don't know why, but I feel like it's a fresh start, and I needed that. As much as I love the holidays, they leave me somewhat drained and out of sync. For some reason (could it be an age thing???) I've done a lot of thinking about this new year - more than I've ever done in the past. I guess part of it for me was the intensity of care that I willingly and happily gave Dad in his last few years, and now that's he's gone (and still sorely missed!) there are not the same encumbrances on my time. Quite the opposite, almost three months have passed and I still look at my clock at specific times and think "it's Dad time". Oh, wait...

Mind you, I've had no trouble filling the time. There's STILL not enough time in my life for all I want to do. Never will be. So I've taken some time to re-think my priorities and decide how I want to proceed with "the rest of my life".

And what have I been up to, you might ask?

On the personal side of life, we've been spending time with family and friends and at our beloved "bog cabin". Having not been through a winter going back and forth, we've been "winterizing" - getting heat (!) in them there New Hampshire walls, battling with the mice, prepping the garden for its winter rest, and other such mundane but necessary tasks. Also taken some time to begin a little accessorizing to give the place some signature, some character.

old carriage wheel, full of history and charm


gotta work on those wires, but LOVE my new desk - finally got some blinds up, too

local winterberry - it's everywhere here, much to my delight


found this sweet little coffeepot at a local antiques place ... makes darn good coffee, too!

My Etsy shops had a great Christmas (thank you, thank you). I've spent the greater part of this week in my studio/warehouse office creating some calm after the storm - and it was bad, really bad. Three days later, I'm ALMOST done, and then I can start the storage/work area. OMG, and I thought the office was bad. I certainly have my work cut out for me... My goal is to ready the space to run some sales starting in the spring, and have my workshop totally up and running, so I can be more productive. Yep. Them are LOFTY goals but I'm psyched and focused. Keep you posted on this one!

the side table adjacent to my desk - now, organized with all the "stuff" I use everyday for my shipments and some tools for creating...love using those tin cans and vintage loaf pans - have them everywhere!

small office but it works! Now I can actually find things - amazing....

gotta have a few personal touches, natch

Will finish the office part of the project, hopefully, on Monday ... and then on to the bigger challenge. Kinda like life itself - one step at a time.

Hope your new year is off to a good start ... anxious to get back to my blog reading & commenting to see what everyone else is up to. Till next week, all - make it a good one! Thanks for stopping by...

A Holiday Hiatus

2011-12-03T10:52:00.001-05:00

Still feeling the loss of Dad, but healing ... thanks for the many emails from you wonderful people sharing your kind thoughts, personal reminiscing, and expressions of hope and love ... they have helped so much. It's a big void in my life to fill, but I will. I've done it before, and unfortunately, we all do it time and time again as life goes on.

So I will / am taking a few more weeks off and get some holiday spirit cookin' in my heart and life, but didn't want to leave without promising I will be back ( hope you see that as a good thing, and not a threat!) and wishing you some holiday cheer:

*** May love, good health, friendship, and happiness surround you like the garland around your holiday tree. ***

***** May peace abound in your world, and in this troubled world. *****

* May your creative spirit flourish and send its vibe and great energy to all the other creative beings out there. *

Happy, Happy Holidays!

A Tribute to A Life Well-Lived

2011-10-20T13:02:00.000-04:00

I know it's been awhile since I blogged. Rather than go through the whole laundry list of why I've been neglectful, I'll just say "it feels good to be back." I've always enjoyed writing, putting my thoughts into written words - a personal journal, you might say. Validation. A gathering of dreams, projects, ideas, friendship and more...

Unfortunately, my re-opening post today is a sad one. My dad died a week ago today. Not a young man by age (he would have been 92 in December), but a man who had vitality and a zest for life that many never achieve. What I've heard so many times in the past week was how kind he was to people, with a constant smile on his face and, ALWAYS, a ready song in his heart and on his lips. Devoted to my mom, he spent everyday at the nursing home where she spent her final years, staying to give her company even when she didn't even know he was there. He "gave" freely and generously, was a hard worker, and LOVED people.

The values and ideals I hold close to my heart and try to live up to everyday came from the way he lived his life and treated people. He was my "rock". When my first husband died at a young age, Dad was as compassionate, loving and supportive as anyone could be, and helped me through some tough times. Family always came first to him.

In the last few months of his life, as he started to wane, my brother and I struggled to find ways and words to pass the time and help him keep his quality of life. I would come to the health care center where he lived around 5:30 and we would talk, watch the news, and play solitaire. I'll never look at a deck of cards the same way again.

With him gone, there is a void in my day, but more so in my heart. I miss him fiercely yet am comforted by the fact that he no longer has to struggle to breathe, eat pureed food, and be pained by the fact that his memory was leaving him when he couldn't remember things like he had so easily been able to before.

I'll miss you, Dad, more than these words can even begin to say. I love you so very much. In peace, I leave you.

After the Hurricane...

2011-09-07T22:29:00.008-04:00

We are here at "the bog", enjoying the holiday weekend, but bemoaning the fact that the weekend is coming to an end shortly, and it's back to the work week we go. I have no complaints, as I love what I do, but, gee willikers, I sure love it here.

It has rained on and off today, although at the moment, it is a steady, pleasant, kind of rain. Love, love the sound of rain on the metal porch roof. We've just poured a glass of wine. (Kendall Jackson, delicious toasted oak chardonnay) There's jazz playing in the background, pork chops are marinating and the mango/peach salsa I made an hour ago is mingling its flavors. Ah - life is good.

We sure earned the relaxation this week. The hurricane was all-consuming and then, four days later when the lights and power came back on, we played catch-up at home to regain some sense of normalcy, and then packed for this weekend at the cabin.

We arrived Friday night, late. I got up early Saturday morning, made a pot of coffee, and took my first cup out to the porch - notebook and pen in hand to make a TTD list. The hummingbirds were feeding with a frenzy ... delightful to watch! There's a stack of the "special" sections of the New York Times on the porch table - Home, Metropolitan, Dining, The Arts, Thursday Styles - that I save for weekends, to immerse myself in the design, lifestyle, culture vibe when I'm here and can better absorb without the interruption of the everyday activities at home. Getting to enjoy some of them is definitely in the cards....

On "THE List" for this weekend, in addition to whittling down that NYTimes pile:

one - re-glue and sand the dining room chairs, put the final finish coat on the dining table top

I'd been eye-ing this set of four chairs for over six months on the porch of an abandoned house near home where I walk along the shoreline in the morning. When they were finally thrown into a dumpster on the property, I seized the opportunity and brought them home to give them a better life ... in good shape for the most part, they needed re-gluing and, having no finish left on them, were in dire need of some restorative nurturing. I'm thinking satin black, and perhaps the base of the table the same.


I finished the top a honey brown, base finish still to be decided

two - hang the deer head over the living room fireplace

Generally speaking, I'm not into the cutesy, country, campy type look, but I have to admit "the deer" (yet to be properly named) looks very comfortable there and serves as a memory of some nice visits to a great antique barn in Northfield, MA that we have to stop at when they're open on our way to/from the cabin. And it is a "cabin in the woods" after all, right?

three - remove the cushions from two inherited chairs, to be re-covered and used in "The Winter Room"


hmmm - now I need to find fabric. gotta make a trip to the new fabric store ...

four - remove the finish from an old floor lamp


not sure about this lamp, but I'll give it a shot and see what happens

Now I realize I'm giving you little bits and pieces of the decor of our new little cabin, but, hopefully, soon I'll be showing you the whole enchilada. Not that any decorating project is ever stagnant - quite the contrary! For me, always a work in progress, and that's the fun of it - don't you agree?

And, dinner's ready, so I must bid adieu, till next time.....

fresh from the garden goodness...healthy and delish!

Bracing for the Storm...Lining Up the Projects

2011-08-26T13:12:00.000-04:00

I like odd weather - always enjoyed a hearty thunderstorm, and loved a "snow day" when I taught about 1000 years ago. Nothing like waking with the snow coming down, and listening to a voice on the radio saying "schools are closed" ... hit the snooze button, and drift back to sleep for a bit. Nice!

That being said, the despair, destruction and difficulties that so many have faced because of freak weather events is not to my liking, and I have empathized with the pain so many have experienced. That aside, and in no one's control, we are bracing for the brunt of hurricane Irene to hit the northeast US coast this coming weekend. As we live about 750 feet from the coastline, we have reason to take the warnings seriously and prepare to the best of our ability. I've brought in groceries and tomorrow will "honker down" and do what can be done outside to protect the house/garden as best we can.

It's always been my "thing" to be ready for a storm - I like to have lots of good food on hand to prepare, water, candles, a few bottles of wine, and several projects lined up! I've committed to take a table at the local farmer's market for the next two Wednesdays and all items must be hand crafted, not commercially/mass produced. So I have been in production mode. (hence, not much blogging - sorry!) I've been a bizzy girl!

I had new business cards printed by Vistaprint with a byline that reads "Handcrafted Creations from Collected Cast-Offs". Over time, I have amassed from yard/estate sales, Goodwill, Savers (my newest favorite!), etc. a number of small decor / home accessory items in need of a facelift. Not that my warehouse wasn't stuffed to the gills already, but you know how that junkaholic sickness strikes. There's ALWAYS room for one more irresistible item...

Take this little chair: it called to me, "take me home..." cute little shape, good condition, nicely made, cheeeeeep. What to do with it? How about stripes....

I cut strips of wood to fit the seat, and sprayed them ivory and barn red. I sprayed the chair the same shade of ivory. When dry, I glued the wood strips in alternating colors to the seat of the chair. It's darn cute, if I must say so!


cute little birdhouse perch ... or

home for a potted plant (coffee pot, that is - no pun intended!)

More to come on prep for the crafts endeavor - set up, other projects ... hopefully, you'll get a few new ideas or just enjoy the pics!

Have a wonderful weekend, all - hope the storm spares you any and all issues!

It's Distressing - paper, that is...a mini tutorial

2011-08-19T22:03:00.007-04:00

OK, so I was thinking I should pour the leftover morning coffee on my blueberry bushes (good source of acidity, ya know). But, on the way to the kitchen garden, I passed a pile of papers on the counter I had gathered to take to the studio to create some "thank you" enclosures for Etsy sales. Hmmm. ~~I had a few minutes~~ I was already late getting out of the house, but sometimes you just have to stop and play a bit.

So, I poured the leftover coffee into a large Corning roasting pan and added the grounds that were still in the coffeemaker. Lined up a couple of cooling racks on the counter with newspaper underneath, tore the paper into half size sheets, and put them in to soak for a few minutes. (The paper was a lightweight white cardstock.) I tried a few different things to get some variation in the look. (Let me apologize ahead of time for the photos - it was a gray morning and the light was poor - but I had to "seize the moment".)

In the one above, I rubbed some of the grounds into the paper against the rungs of the cooling rack, creating a ripple effect with some darker spots.

Paper before and after - on this, I allowed some of the grounds to stay on the paper and put it, still wet, into the microwave for 30-40 seconds, then brushed off the grounds.

This one had just a little pool of coffee on it which created a splotched effect. Looks a bit like parchment paper. Nice.

A page ripped from a home decor trade journal I had been looking through. Will definitely use this for journaling or scrapbooking or some such thing - love the "vintage-y" look of it. (again, the pics don't do justice...sorry!)

Very cool - the paper towel tube, which I unrolled and put in the mixture. LOVE the color and the text. What I also found was that the papers (actually, all of them) seemed to get a bit of texture and substance (stiffness?) from the coffee soak. I liked the "feel" of them.

Here's a sample of one of them, in use: This little chair was a Goodwill purchase - love it! I spray painted it ivory and slightly distressed it, then glued down a nest embellished with strands of straw and three hand-painted robins blue eggs. For the little stamped" nest" label, I used the paper (above) that had the "pool" of coffee, the parchment-like one:

cute, yes?

Most of the research I've done in the past has used tea for staining/distressing/coloring papers - but I liked the results with the coffee, too. Definitely worthy of more exploration. I love that antiqued look and the way that every paper takes on it's own personality.

Wonder if any of you have tried coffee and may have some insight or tips to share?? Or perhaps you have another way to "antique" papers and cardboard/stock? Love to know...

Cabin Fever ... a severe case

2011-08-14T10:49:00.003-04:00

Well, my symptoms aren't classic, but I know for a fact that I have a severe case of cabin fever. I have it, and I have it bad. And, I hope, in my case - there is no cure to be found.

For as long as I can remember, I've had a dream of one day having a "cabin in the woods" to escape to. It isn't that I have a miserable life (I don't!) or I have the need to run away from my everyday life. I can "escape" to my garden at home or my warehouse/studio to ponder, plan, play. I love what I do and I love my life, but there was always that allure of having a place that is very different from where I carry on my day to day living ... to explore, experience and, oh, okay - play with and in. An adult play house - yep, that's it!

I've had this cabin fever ailment since March - and even with 3 feet of snow all around the place, I was stricken at the initial glance. Yes, there is love at first sight and, and I sure felt it. The place had good bones, as it is said. It FELT good. Now, with the snow long gone and just nature's beauty all around, I love it even more.

Spending mostly just weekends at this point, we have been working on putting a personal stamp on our "bog cabin".

From plantings ...

to putting our "mark" on the sweet little place with furnishings and finishing touches...

desk crafted from old door and plumbing pipe - tutorial to follow in another post

estate sale find - cedar lined mahogany chest - $25.00 ... yahoo!!!!


it's a repro - but looks really nice on the kitchen counter

If I have to have an ailment, let it be this cabin fever. Having a place for solitude, family, a oneness with nature, and a creative outlet all-in-one is good for the soul and mental state of mind!

Whether it's a desk in the corner of a room, a place you like to walk to, the garden, wherever ... where is your "escape"? How do you make your "mark" there? Love to know...

What Constitutes a True Junkaholic?

2011-07-22T16:30:00.001-04:00

Junkaholic: aka Junker. Junkomaniac. Junkster. Junk Collector. Junque Meister. Lover of all, well, maybe not ALL, things JUNK. Not Hector the Collector junk - but who's to criticize. He loved his junk!

What lengths will we go to to attain the title of "Junkaholic"? What are the attributes or traits of a true Junkaholic?

It was 95 plus degrees here today; humid and oppressive. I normally don't do junkin' on Thursday - I do have WORK to do, ya know. But I was sitting having breakfast with Mr. WSN and my eye just seemed to drift to the classified section of the paper, and there it was, BIG and BOLD. ESTATE SALE. Today, Thursday. Instant high gear..."gotta get to work early today, dear" and off to the shower I went.

The sale was twenty minutes away if the traffic was in my favor on I-95 near Long Wharf in New Haven. It was! I arrived and grabbed my necessities from the car: glasses, $, keys ..... all in an over the shoulder, zippered bag (purchased for just such events and the occasional trip to a local casino) to keep my hands free to rummage and roam.

I always create a pile of my findings near the checkout person; and I do have a strategy (often based on what's in the listing). Today it was for basement, garage, kitchen first. I go through quickly first, and then go back and take my time, from one end of the house to the next. When I'm through, I ask for the tally of my findings and always say it's too much, over my budget. Resolution comes quickly, and I leave with a smile on my face and great junk in my car! It's a hoot!

Today, for the grand total of $32.00:

two old ladders (one handmade) three lidded porcelain kitchen tins, old sieve on stand


yes, I hand picked these with a project in mind - you'll see!

great old kitchen scale in nice condition, galvanized zinc can, little oil can, some old tools

fab old suitcase with nice leather trim

a nice cigar box filled to the brim with old square head nails, great old cookbook

two nice old percolators - remember when?

Today, I went for the more primitive looking stuff, other days it may be dishes or linens that suit my fancy - mostly always with some idea of what I want them for, but not always. That's what makes it fun!

As to the attributes of a junkaholic - well, this is one for continued discussion, fer sure, and I would certainly love you to add your suggestions. For starters: passion, thinking out of the box, a bit of craziness ......

Close to Cloche ... A Blog Event

2011-07-19T17:04:00.010-04:00

Hot, humid summer day here along the CT coast. I'm in my studio /warehouse doing my Etsy thing, and also trying to create some sense of order in this place so I can better function. No easy task - I am the ultimate accumulator.

After a few hours, and with some progress, I tired of that task and went back to the computer, only to be distracted by the "lure of the blog". I love to see what other people are up to, what projects they have going on, and am constantly inspired by the creativity I see. I swear some of these gals don't sleep at night! And I thought I was a hard worker...

I stumbled upon a blog event on a blog called "A Stroll Thru Life". I don't do a lot of blog events - just can't seem to find the time. But having just moved a cloche to a new storage spot a few minutes earlier, I decided I'd take a bit of a break and compose a few scenarios with things I had here in the studio - a little playtime, well-earned. Some of what I've utilized here are found in my two Etsy shops. (www.thewellseasonednest.etsy.com and www.nestibles.etsy.com)

A little background, from Merriam-Webster:

cloche

noun \ˈklōsh\

Definition of CLOCHE

: a transparent plant cover used outdoors especially for protection against cold

: a woman's close-fitting hat usually with deep rounded crown and narrow brim

Origin of CLOCHE

French, literally, bell, from Medieval Latin clocca

First Known Use: 1882

Well, there's surely no chill in the air here, but this is the closest I could come to the intent of the event!

a cloche-shaped bird cage, faux paper flowers, a wire nest with vintage paper shreds and pink speckled wooden eggs

a wire cloche (used at picnics to keep pests off the food), the same metal nest with excelsior shred and buttercup and pale avocado speckled eggs, with a few faux silk sunflowers

the same wire mesh cloche as above, but this time with a real bird's nest (now abandoned), and a handmade vintage-inspired birdhouse

That is it - close to cloche! Now, back to see what others have created....be well till next post.

Thanks for stopping by! If you haven't become a follower yet, please do...your company makes this all worthwhile.....

Recipe Delights from the Garden - Creamy Cilantro Ranch Dressing and Fava Bean Dip

2011-07-18T17:20:00.028-04:00

The kitchen garden is definitely coming into fruition and I couldn't be happier. This weekend it delighted me with some sungold tomatoes, cukes, tomatillos, parsley, cilantro, two varieties of peppers, some fava beans, and some flat Italian-style green beans. As we had decided to take a weekend off from the Bog Cabin to catch up a little (so much dust, so little interest, but it had to be done!), I spent time utilizing some of what I had harvested.

Last week in a post I mentioned a dressing I had enjoyed in a cafe while in Dallas. Via a little Google detective work I found that it originated in a place called Cafe Rio, a Mexican Grill "quick-service" franchise mostly in the west. I've been thinking about the flavor of that dressing almost non-stop. The cilantro in the garden was at its best and we're big cilantro fans ... also, a few tomatillos made the garden scene, so I had no choice but to put my spin on it! The flavor is irresistible and it's versatility is right on! And ... it's incredibly easy - what more could one want???

Here's the recipe:

Creamy Cilantro Ranch Dressing

One (4 ounce) packet buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix - I used Hidden Valley

2 - 3 tomatillos - cut into quarters

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 garlic clove

1 jalapeno pepper

juice of one lime (about 2 T.)

1. Mix buttermilk dressing as directed on package.

2. Combine all other ingredients and mix in a blender until creamy and smooth.

3. Seal in airtight container in refrigerator. (make ahead - the flavor improves if the dressing sits a bit)

Great, natch, on salad greens, but also as a dip for fresh veggies, or even french fries. I used it on a main dish summer salad with leftover london broil, some chicken, garden greens, fresh corn and cottage cheese - so, so good. Definitely gotta try it as a dressing for potato salad. Has officially been dubbed my new go-to dressing!

Then, there were Fava Beans, not plentiful at the moment, but enough for me to play with. I was in the mood for a dip as I had some fresh, crusty New York style peasant bread perfect for slathering dip onto. The recipes I found in a quick Google search were a lot like hummus, so I decided, instead, to construct my own out of ingredients I had in the frig. Sorry, but I have no ingredient amounts but make it "to taste", and it'll be as you like it.

I used lightly parboiled favas, cooled them, removed the pods, and put the beans in my mini-processor. I then added green onion, goat cheese, a medley of herbs/greens (dill, basil, parsley, arugula), 1/2 jalapeno pepper, sea salt and freshly ground pepper, a little fresh lemon juice and a bit of olive oil to create a chunky style, fresh tasting, herby-ish dip - much to our liking, I might add. Give it a whirl (no pun intended!) - it's quite lovely!

Can't wait to see what's "ripe" in the garden tonight when I get home - I love summer cooking, fresh and simple!

Some Simple Delights of the Summer Season

2011-07-14T15:52:00.003-04:00

From my nest to yours...


hibiscus in the garden


working outside

the start of fresh peach / strawberry frozen margaritas


baby Meyer Lemons

the first cucumber

a front porch

the chirping of birds


new projects to play with

the garden shed

beautiful scenery

tomato plant growing from inside the compost box (very healthy! very happy!)

summer main dish salads

A recipe for this yummy dressing in my next post ...

Tell me what you love about summer.

Cleaning Encrusted Bottles or Jars ... a mini tutorial

2011-07-07T23:18:00.004-04:00

At the last estate sale I escaped to, one of my favorite finds were several chicken water dispensers or feeders. I loved the zinc galvanized bases. Galvanized metal is one of my favorite materials to "play" with. Each base screwed on to a 10 inch tall Atlas "Strong Shoulder" Mason Jar, which was also quite cool.

While I loved the components and the overall look, I was not as enamored with the pretty thick encrusted film on the inside of each of the jars. How to remove the encrusted layer - a dilemma to be dealt with, for sure.

Not quite sure how to best remove the seemingly baked on layer, I first put the jars through the dishwasher - no success. The surface dirt on the outside of the jars was removed, but there was no apparent change on the inside layer.

Hmmm. On to Google for the requisite research. After visiting several sites, I combined the recommendations given and rounded up my arsenal. (Other suggestions included vinegar, baking soda, and Tang! the granular orange drink!)


Yes - Efferdent Denture Cleaner!

I had used Efferdent (dissolved in hot water) on filmy vases before, and it worked like a charm. So I figured I was headed in the right direction.

I boiled some water, added a denture tablet, and about 2 tablespoons of dishwasher detergent, into each jar and let the jars sit in the sink for several hours.

When I returned to my task, it wasn't immediately apparent that there was much change, but some work with the bottle brush and scrubber did the trick! (not easily, but do-able)

I left a bit of residue around the letters on the bottle as it seemed to highlight the letters and give some vintage authenticity to the jar. (...OK - and because I got tired of scrubbing!!...)


AFTER ..... BEFORE

The next decision - how to repurpose the jars, as I don't expect to have chickens around the house anytime soon. (zoning doesn't allow)

The bottom could certainly be a cute, rustic little candleholder ... or maybe tomorrow I'll get back on Google and see what I can find....

But not tonite - it's time for sleep! Any suggestions - bring them on by!

The Fourth of July - Dallas Style

2011-07-04T13:28:00.001-04:00

A happy Fourth of July to all!

We are celebrating the fourth, Dallas-style, at a family wedding weekend. As the temperature will again exceed 100 degrees, (as it has since we arrived on Thursday) we've spent limited time out of doors, as has the local population - the streets are strikingly empty ... feels a little odd as you walk about.

We're enjoying our five day mini-vacation at the Hotel Adolphus, which has a lot of old world charm, great architecture, and is nicely appointed. Its downtown Dallas location has given us a nice vantage point to enjoy some of the local sights.

from a tavern in the hotel

A visit to the Cathedral Guadalupe was recommended - this historic landmark, built in 1898-1902 by an architect whose identity remains a mystery, is said to be "the sentinel to not only the Catholic Church, but also the essence of a bygone era". Constructed of locally produced brick; renovations over the decades have retained the integrity and dignity of the original structure. Quite impressive!

As I always do, I shot a few images for my design element/background collection. I'm sure people wonder what I'm up to with my camera pointed toward a brick wall or fence, clicking away ... indeed, the work never ends!

With a rather large Brogan contingency in residence for the weekend, there always seemed to be a group at the City Tavern around the corner. They have a great, varied menu ... and delicious food, amply served. The service is friendly, fun, and attentive. I MUST find the recipe for their creamy cilantro ranch dressing - yum! And a nice selection of draught beers - my new favorite from the Driftwood Brewery in Oregon. A great find overall!

And back to supplement a previous post, a new use for a vintage window:

Memorabilia - Pub Style

So we'll be celebrating Dallas style - at a barbecue, post wedding day ... wherever you are, or whatever you do, make it YOUR style. Enjoy!

Summer Salad Favorite: Orzo Pasta Salad with Black Beans and Cilantro

2011-06-24T09:55:00.003-04:00

Just as the cilantro begins to ripen in the garden, my thoughts and senses start longing for one of my favorite summer salads.

This recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad with Black Beans and Cilantro has been in my file for some time; I believe it came from a friend who served it at a summer barbecue and I just had to bring it home - the recipe, that is! It has been a favorite ever since.

It is surprisingly light, flavorful and easy to prepare ... and always brings compliments when I serve it.

I must apologize for the lack of ingredient amounts, as it is the type of dish that a little more of this and a little less of that makes no diff. A very forgiving and adaptable dish. Just keep the ingredients as fresh and seasonal as you can and you'll have a winner! I must admit to making this in the winter from time to time; while it doesn't shine like it does in the height of the summer garden season, it still is a nice dish to come home to!

(Notes: 1. For those of you unfamiliar with orzo, it is a type of pasta, common in the grocery store, that looks a bit like grains of rice. 2. Adjust the seasonings, oil, vinegar, and lime to taste.

And so I offer you .....

Orzo Pasta Salad with Black Beans and Cilantro

1 cup dry orzo, cooked a bit past al dente, but not mushy - rinse in cold water and drain well

1-2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

2-3 ears or corn, cooked and kernels removed (frozen can be substituted)

1/2 red pepper, chopped

1 small red onion or 3-4 shallots, chopped

cilantro, chopped

cumin

ancho chili powder

fresh lime juice (about 2 small limes)

olive oil

red wine vinegar

salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients. (Make early in the day and refrigerate so the flavors marry.)

A great colorful dish to take to a summer party ... present this summer salad favorite on a bed of fresh red and green looseleaf lettuce - yum!! Gotta love the colors. Hope you'll love it, too.

Fresh From The Garden

2011-06-21T14:01:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Tidbit Tuesday, a new feature for my blog. Through a weekly theme, I hope to give you some inspiration, things to ponder, resources to use - simple vignettes for you to enjoy. Today - fresh from the garden, on this first day of summer.

Fresh from my garden this morning:


Red Hot Poker . Torch Lily - Hummingbirds Love It!

Window Box - just starting to shine! Coleus, Gazania, Sweet Potato Vine and Lantana


A Pot of Lemon Verbena - amazing fragrance, nice in teas and lemonade ... simply wonderful!


Painted Lady Runner Beans, beginning their upward climb

Wonderful Gardening Sites and Blogs:

Daves Garden

Skippy's Vegetable Garden

The Cooks Garden

The Whimsical Gardener

A Way To Garden

Food For Thought: Fresh From the Garden Quotes....

Gardens are a form of autobiography. ~Sydney Eddison, Horticulture magazine, Aug./Sept. 1993

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~Author Unknown


Vintage Chinois or Conical Sieve - planted with a Super Petunia

Those of you who have a JoAnn's nearby - their garden pottery is 70% off at the moment. I fashioned a birdbath from a pot yesterday, plugging the hole with a wine cork and some silicone and placing it on a vintage stand I had in the shed.

Parting tidbit for today:

Teach a child the joy of gardening and they'll have a gift, and skill, for life! Hannah and Jack - budding gardeners, their own potted tomatoes...gotta love the smile!

Hope you enjoyed the first segment of Tidbit Tuesday ... as always, your comments mean a lot to me - share your thoughts or feel free to add your own "fresh from the garden" tidbit!