March Fresh Produce

ARTICHOKE ~ These are the flower buds of a Thistle! Look for one without blemishes and the leaves need to be tight against each other; the tighter the better. Sprinkle with water and store in an open plastic in refrigerator for up to five days.  Very popular for Italians for the Easter Holiday.

PINEAPPLE ~ Ever wonder how to see how this one is ready to eat? Go to the center leaves and try to pluck it out, if it is resistant, it still needs to mature. If it releases easily, it�s ready to eat. Pineapples are at their best beginning in March until July.

ASPARAGUS ~ This vegetable is a member of the lily family. Choose the thinner ones that are firm at the stalk and have closely tight tips. Place damp paper towel at the end of stalk and store it in an open plastic bag and put in the refrigerator vegetable drawer.

ORANGES ~ When choosing oranges, be sure to feel its weight. Try to find those that feel heavier than most. These will be the juiciest and tastiest.
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DIY Repurposed Wooden Palette Skids for Home Decor

 I've always been fascinated with re-purposing items into chic and functional pieces for the home.  Recently, my daughter told me that she will need furniture for her off-campus housing next year and I thought some of these ideas with wooden palette skids from my husband's job sites would make a  college home functional and fun and affordable.  By just adding metal legs to this skid makes a perfect dining table.

With several skids and a bit of left over paint we could build this eating area ....

To keep the theme, we could add a shelving unit for the wall...

And for the living room one can add some casters to the bottom and make a great coffee table...

An even better solution is to add some glass to the top surface...

And one could even paint it to match the decor of the room...

Finding some wooden storage boxes would be great as planters, shelving units and storage boxes....

And with a great funky color paint, it would makes a bold statement in any  room...

You can even use it as storage space for magazines...

Great for a TV stand and CD storage...

Funky Junk Interiors

Or even can be used as room accessory art..

And for the bedroom...

Great for a base for a mattress or sitting area..

 

Great for a headboard...

 So, all of these ideas that others have shared online have been wonderful  to inspire me, but always seem to become another project for my husband to do.  I'm sure he won't mind as much as usual knowing that it's for his daughter.

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Just an Old Foot Stool Gone Shabby

 Just an old vintage stool given new life.  Just grab some white paint, sealer, shabby fabric, trim, industrial staple gun. 

 Remove legs and prime, paint and seal them.  Be sure to keep your screws on a piece of tape not to lose any.
Cut your fabric larger than the seat and fold in corners first. Pull fabric tightly and staple.  Then staple opposite sides. Add trim with No Sew Glue for a finishing touch.  Screw legs back on and voila....

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Our Ladies Luncheon at the Vineyards ~ Donations are Starting to Arrive!

 Not only have I decided to ask local patrons for donations this year, but I decided to ask some online shop owners at ShabbyLaneShops.com to contribute to our event.  The outpouring of generosity was tremendous!! Catherine, the owner of the Online Shopping Mall, was sooo generous and I can't wait to see the Huge Boutique Bag that will arrive soon, along with the SLS Magazine which is sold throughout bookstores and various stores.  She has been so generous to provide each guest with the latest issue of SLS Magazine!

Click HERE to Order Your Copy Today!

The Boutique Bag Donation looks like this...

Filled with various items from Online Shop Owners!

Order a Boutique Bag Filled with Various Shop Owner's Items!

Our first donation to arrive in today's mail is from Barbara at SBS Teas. It was like Christmas moring opening her package.  Not only did we receive a gorgeous pink floral tea cup, but it came with a decorative floral box to match.  Along with that she sent a mesh tea ball, A tea measuring spoon and and tea bag to brew the perfect cup of tea.  She sent various tea flavors such as Almond Biscotti, Champagne and Strawberry, and Darjeeling Margaret's Hope.  Oh how I wish I could try these flavors.  Her teas are wonderful! If you've never tried them, head over to SBS Teas.  If you're not sure what to order, try the sample box filled with various flavors.  My daughter at college just loves her tea! Look at the wonderful gifts SBS Teas donated to our Ladies Luncheon at the Vineyards to promote better education in our Parochial School for our children.  

Another gorgeous gift that arrived from Kitty and Me Designs is this lovely hand-crafted Marie Antoinette decorative gift box.  This boutique  carries gorgeous handmade items such as exquisite tussie mussies, door knob pillows, jewelry, quilt dolls, quilt purses, cell phone pouches, ornament and lots of holiday gifts.  If you love Victorian, Quilting and Embroidery & so much more, please visit KittyandMedesigns.com

Kitty and Me Designs Donation

On the same day, we also received this gorgeous Victorian Hankie Card from Moments In Thyme.  This lovely boutique carries the most gorgeous items, from decorative cigar purses, to decorative soaps; from tea items, to cosmetic bags; from childrens' tea sets to so much more!

On the opposite side of the Hankie Card is a Threads of Friendship Poem...

Moments In Thyme Donation

Tea Basket~
Ceramic Cupcake Bank from AngelHeartDesigns.com
Magazines ~ Donation from Catherine at ShabbyLaneShops.com
Fabric Tea Bag ~ Donated By MomentsInThyme.com
Vintage Fabric ~ Donated by Coeurd'Alene.com
Hankie Card ~ Donated by Moments in Thyme
Tea Cup, Tea Accessories, Gourmet Teas ~ Donated by SBSTeas.com
Tea Cup Pin Cushion ~ Donated by TesoroFino.com

Garden Basket~
Garden Tote, Beaded Purse, Garden Tools ~ Donated by ParisChicBoutique.com
Hand Painted Terra Cotta Black Board Pot ~ Donated by TesoroFino.com
Hand Made Rose Wrist Purse ~ Donated by TheVintage Roses.com
Marie Antoinette Post Card & Tags ~ Donated by La Montage Living
Clay Rose Magnet ~ Donated by AngelHeartDesigns.com
Vintage Inspired Paris Gift Tags ~ Donated By
TheBlueHeronStudio.com
Boutique Bag filled with various shops of goodies from ShabbyLaneShops.com
Floral Bookmarkers ~ Donated by It'sOnlySquash.com
Paris Gift Tag ~ Donated by Inspired by Jane.com

As all the wonderful donations arrive, I will continue to post and share some of these beautiful shops at Shabby Lane Shops Online Shopping Mall!  If you haven't visited, be sure to do so by clicking above.  So many lovely boutiques to visit with the luxury of never leaving your home!

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Mason Jar Light Fixture Tutorial

Here's a tutorial that I've been wanting to tackle.  Love the versatility of mason jars.  It gives such a vintage feel to any indoor or outdoor setting. Head on over here , The Secret Pocket Blog for directions on how to make this lovely light fixture!

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VALENTINE WREATH TUTORIAL

 HERE'S A VALENTINE WREATH TUTORIAL. JUST CLICK HERE!
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Perfect for a Romantic Valentine Setting

 Champagne On Ice Cube Filled with Roses!

Get the tutorial here!

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Rasberry Chocolate Kiss Martini is Perfect for Valentine's Day!

 

How delishious does this Martha Stewart Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Martini look?!

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Mint Infused Simple Syrup + a pinch more for the rim
3 Chocolate Chip Cookies finely Crushed
10 Raspberries
1/4 Cup Vodka
2 Tablespoons of Cranberry Juice
Ice Cubes
Directions:
Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.
Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Enjoy!

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VALENTINE DAY WHOOPIE PIE'S FROM ANNIE'S EATS!

 

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 oz. red food coloring

For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2½ cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.  Using a heart template cut out from card stock, trace evenly spaced hearts onto pieces of parchment paper sized to fit two cookie sheets.  Place the parchment on the cookie sheets so that the side you have drawn on is facing down; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Beat in the egg until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.  Blend in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low speed, beat in about a third of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the buttermilk, beating each addition just until incorporated.  Repeat so that all the buttermilk has been added and then mix in the final third of dry ingredients.  Do not overbeat.  Blend in the food coloring.

Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip.  Pipe the batter onto the parchment paper using the heart tracings as a guide. 

 

 Bake 7-9 minutes or until the tops are set, rotating the baking sheets halfway through.  Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets at least 10 minutes, until they can be easily transferred to a cooling rack.  Repeat with any remaining batter.  Allow cookies to cool completely before proceeding.

To make the cream cheese frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.  Mix in the vanilla extract.  Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth.

Transfer the frosting to a clean pastry bag fitted with a plain, round tip.  Pair the cookies up by shape and size.  Flip one cookie of each pair over so that the flat side is facing up.  Pipe frosting onto the flat-sided cookie of each pair, leaving the edges clear.  Sandwich the cookies together so the flat sides are facing each other and press gently to help the filling reach the edges.  To store, refrigerate in an airtight container. 

BORROWED FROM ANNIE'S EATS!

VISIT ANNIE'S EATS FOR MORE GREAT POSTS!

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WELCOME HOME SOLDIERS & THANK YOU!

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Keep the Holidays Simple and Remember the True Meaning of Christmas

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Annual Shabby Lane Shops Pumpkin Contest ~ Please Vote!

Just Click Button Below and Vote!

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple-Marshmallow Cream Filling

  Whoopie pies are soft, cake-like sandwich cookies with a creamy filling. These treats are from Portland, Maine's Two Fat Cats Bakery. 

Ingredients

FILLING

• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme
• 2 teaspoons maple extract

CAKE

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup milk
• Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Preparation

FILLING

• Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in
  
  large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add
  
  marshmallow creme and maple extract; beat until
  
  blended and smooth. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 
  
  hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

CAKE

• Sift first 7 ingredients into large bowl. Using
  
  electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in
  
  another large bowl until blended. Gradually beat in
  
  oil. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to blend between
  
  additions. Beat in pumpkin. Add dry ingredients in
  
  2 additions alternately with milk in 1 addition,
  
  beating to blend between additions and
  
  occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Cover 
  
  and chill batter 1 hour.
• 
  Arrange 1 rack in bottom third of oven and 1 rack
  
  in top third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2
  
  baking sheets with parchment; spray lightly with
  
  nonstick spray. Spoon batter onto baking sheet to
  
  form cakes (about 3 level tablespoons each; about
  
  12 per baking sheet), spacing apart. Let stand 10
  
  minutes.
• 
  
  Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers
  
  comes out clean, about 20 minutes, rotating
  
  sheets halfway through baking. Cool cakes
  
  completely on baking sheets on rack. Using metal
  
  spatula, remove cakes from parchment.
• 
  
  Line cooled baking sheets with clean parchment;
  
  spray with nonstick spray, and repeat baking with
  
  remaining batter.
• 
  
  Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling on flat side of 1
  
  cake. Top with another cake, flat side down.
  
  Repeat with remaining cakes and filling. DO 
  
  AHEAD Can be made 8 hours ahead. Store in 
  
  single layer in airtight container at room 
  
  temperature.

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Vintage Inspired Pumpkins

 How about sprucing up your decorative pumpkins with some handmade silk rosettes, a vintage brooch, and a bird or two to give it some height?

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DIY Vintage Serving Tray

 Imagine serving your loved one in bed with this wonderful and easy-to-make serving tray.

Take a great old frame...

 

Some wallpaper too...

Get out some of these materials & start painting...

 

And add some fine touches like some glass-knob feet...


 

And there you have it! A Serving Tray to serve your loved one some tea on  Any Day!

Here's another great project with an old frame.   Use the same prepping procedure; just add caulk to the back.

 

Perfect for any shabby room in your home to keep your New Year organized and on the right track!

 

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Design Placement ~ Smaller Items In A Room Indicate the Character of the Occupant

 The personal touch...

  

is shown, or should be, in the smaller articles in the room,

  which by their choice and placement...

 ... indicate the character of the occupant.

Quote by: Frank A. Parsons

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