2.21.2013

Spring 2013


It's coming on Springtime and the perfect opportunity to grab a glimpse of the "Studio".  I enjoy sharing my "quirky", vintage and repurposed style!  In my world, each and every piece has a story... Each and every piece belongs.  They all make up our "Warehouse Chic" style.   Here is the story behind some of my favorite finds.  

First,  the vintage dining room table... an old, industrial, wooden table with glass inserts.  I adore it because the reflection off the glass brings light into an otherwise dark corner of our home.  This table lived out its former years as a display piece in a  little shop in Dekalb Illinois.  I knew when I saw it, it would be perfect for this spot!



Below, the table is set for a fiesta with friends!



    Lube barrels become side tables, cast offs from an old trucking company.


Below, collections of milk glass vases filled with flowers.






Believe it or not, 
The tool caddy and electrical supply box were found at different flea markets in different states!
My husband is a toolmaker by trade, I picked them up in our travels, as a nod to him!
They house more of my vintage milkglass collection.

+++
A glass container with mossy finds from our spot up north can be found in our bathroom.



Old spools, both metal and wood... repurposed as candle holders, brighten the mantel.



My crazy, colorful, original oil paintings inspired by places I've been
 and things I love.
An old carriage foothold acts as a mini canvas holder, and an old root
 from an ancient fallen tree, deep in  the Rocky Mountains... polished and mounted
 is a special gift from an artist and friend.




 Above, Colored pencils used in my artwork
and 
Vintage bakelite knitting needles and colorful yarn
 below.


 Metal film canisters from the 70's and postcards of the railroad, remind me of my Dad!


 The  kitchen is filled with light and color, I enjoy collecting vintage artwork by unknown artists.
The  painting below was done in the 1930s it is happy in my kitchen!



 On the counter, the fruit bowl is one of my favorite things!
It was well used and repaired after cracking many years ago, with old metal pieces.
 I imagine them from an old barn, shed or warehouse!
 I can't help but think about the hands that took the time to repair it.

"Keep your sunny side up"...hangs in the window
while an artist's rendition, in glass, of a sunrise
sits on the window sill above the kitchen sink.


Mirrors added to vintage saucers bring a sparkle of light to the arched doorway.


Cabinets adorned with colorful glass and Fiestaware, both old and new.

Below, some words to live by!
I don't know about you... but,
In my home, they ring true!

I love collecting and I love sharing the stories behind the collections...
What do you collect?
Share a link below in the comment area with a photo of your space and the story behind your shot!


2.17.2013

Flea Market Style Magazine 2013

Thrilled to find out that the AWESOME chairs that I purchased
from the
 Hunt & Gather booth at the Junk Bonanza Fall 2012,
( while at the show representing Etsy and the Vintage Etsy Society Street team
are featured in the latest Flea Market Style Magazine ( Spring 2013 issue) !
     

Notice them hanging in the display on the right


The Artist, Charlotte Strait and her amazing work: from Hunt & Gather, Minneapolis


  Here is how they look in my spot.


How lucky was I to have found them!



2.11.2013

Sweets for my Sweet!






Step one:
pretzels, almond bark, sprinkles





Step two:
melt the almond bark in the microwave, mix to be sure all is melted





Step three:
dip the pretzels in the almond bark and lay out on parchment or aluminum foil



   

Step four:
add some sprinkles and allow to cool





Step five:
enjoy a few and share many with friends





2.10.2013











If you are my age, you may remember Dick and Jane. Early readers were how we learned to read.  Simple and repetitive.  Years ago, I  found an entire  collection of  Dick and Jane Readers, Primers, and even a Teacher's manual.
What a delight.  I kept them for years but decided to part with my collection recently.  I managed to snap a few photos before sending them to their new home. The illustrations are pure delight.  Enjoy...

Sunday Morning Sausage Biscuits and Gravy

tastythumb.files.wordpress.com  until I get my own photo!

A family favorite since my friend taught me how to make it almost 25 years ago

Here's the simple recipe

Preheat oven to 400* or to specifications on the recipe for the biscuits you would like to prepare

For the gravy you will need:

1  1lb package Breakfast sausage
   ( I like Jimmy Dean,  or Tennessee Pride original the best)
Flour
Milk
Seasoning salt
Pepper to taste

For the biscuits you will need:

1 tube of biscuits ...big homestyle buscits from pillsbury ( the ones in the tube) and bake them for 8-10 minutes while the gravy is thickening.
 You may also make your own from bisquick or your favorite recipe.  I find the pillsbury are just as good.

I brown the breakfast sausage in a large saute pan on medium heat.  Once browned, sprinkle the meat with flour.
  ( I use about 1/4 cup of flour)  and swizzle around the pan for about 2 minutes for the flour to absorb the flavor from the sausage.

When the sausage is coated with the flour, begin adding the milk to cover the meat.  Stir until the mixture thickens. Sprinkle with seasoning salt and pepper to taste. Stiring occasionally.

While the gravy is thickening, pop the biscuits into the oven and bake as recommended on the package, usually 8-10 minutes.

Continue to stir the gravy.  It will thicken over time and become even thicker when it is removed from the heat.

Remove the biscuits from the oven and split.

Place the split biscuits on a plate and spoon sausage gravy over top as desired

This recipe will feed 4 hungry adults at 2 biscuits each.