Easter is just around the corner...



A collection of foil bunnies captivate this setting on the porch!
Notice the pink and green Depression glass. 



The bunny tray was a feature at last spring's
boutique!  What will this year's boutique feature...wait and see!
Green depression and an old Fostoria salt & pepper
set are used quite often.
 





Everyone loves chocolate he he!!!
It is fun to fool our guests!
They have said, "It is so warm out here.  We're surprised
the chocolate hasn't melted!"



The color purple along with pansy flowers are the theme here!
Vintage doilies, a milk glass basket, Easter books
along with a ceramic Easter egg made by our Mother
is part of this lovely setting.



Old Mrs. Rabbit, found in the attic, now has a special
place on an old white child's rocker. 
Lovely Easter pillows are scattered about the house!

Our love affair with Peter Rabbit continues...
This year in September we should all celebrate
the 110th anniversary of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"
by Beatrix Potter. 

Carrying the Peter Rabbit theme into the dining room for
Easter dinner, the buffet is decorated and the table will
have the same theme too!

Springtime, Easter, Peter Rabbit and friends go hand in hand!

Orange Pound Cake - From Our Cook Book!

1 stick butter, softened     1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/4 cups sugar       1 teaspoon salt        
2 eggs                         1/2 cup orange juice
2 cups all-purpose flour                                           
~Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and mix well.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt. 
Add juice alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture. 
Pour batter into greased and floured 9 X 5-inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees 50 - 60 minutes

PS:  This was Uncle Pepe's favorite and is now Uncle Vinnie's favorite!!

A few pansies, pussywillows and some
silk forsythia enhance this early spring display!

Hocus pocus
Comes the crocus!

Mr. Fur isn't too crazy about these hot temperatures.
He is still carrying around his winter coat!

Spring Arrived at 1:14 AM

Pussywillows picked earlier this morning!  With the summer-like
weather predicted for the next few days, I had to harvest Mother Nature's pearls!

Here's an adorable bunny pillow!  Made in the USA!!
A preview of what's in store for our
Spring Boutique on April 28 and 29!

Daffodils are popping up all over!  These warm temps
have us all confused.  We're a month ahead!

Two Authors Meet!

Meeting Christopher Sawyer, Co-author of
Denholms, The Story of Worcester's Premier Department Store,
was a thrill!  An evening of great conversation about
Worcester's past, present and future were great topics along with so much more!. 
If Denholms & McKay was part of your life and remains in your fond memory bank,
this is a must read for you!  It makes a great gift for all of those who shopped Denholms
many years ago!  Bring a smile to someone's face by giving them the gift of this great book!
...A Great Mother's Day Gift!...

Get your copy of this memory laden and factual book!
  Meet Christopher and Co-Author Patricia Wolf
during one of these special events!
Barnes & Noble - The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury, MA
March 31 at 1:00
Worcester Public Library - Book Signing & Slide Presentation
Sunday, April 1 - 2:30 PM - Main Library - Saxe Room
3 Salem Square, Worcester

Window Decorating!

Over the kitchen sink, where we spend a lot of time, is decorated
for early spring.  Bunnies begin to appear along with the forced forsythia,
vintage doilies and a lone daffodil.  Little white lights make this space bright and sunny even on
a cloudy day!

March Madness Pie

1 stick butter, melted                             1/2 cup sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips         1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans                            2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla                                  1 (9-inch) pie crust, unbaked
1/2 cup all purpose flour

Pour warm butter over chocolate chips and stir until melted.  Combine pecans, vanilla, flour, sugar, brown sugar and eggs.  Stir into chocolate mixture. Pour filling into pie crust.  Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 40 minutes.  Yield: 8 servings            An old Southern tradition!

Got Syrup?

Winter ending and not quite spring...this time of year is sometimes called the "Fifth Season" - Maple Syrup Time!  Here are some recipes from our book you should give a try in case you haven't already!

Maple Sweetened Goat Cheese - page 15
Pink and Green Salad with Maple-Balsamic Dressing - page 54
Early Spring Maple Slaw - page 58
Maple Dijon Cream Salad Dressing - page 65
Maple Apple Sweets - page 81
Maple Mustard Glazed Pork Roast - page 107
Grilled Maple Chipolte Pork Chops - page 109
Chicken in Maple Sauce - page 115
Pumpkin Maple Corn Muffins - page 154
Maple Walnut Muffins - page 158
Maple Scones - page 166
Maple Walnut Pie - page 198
Pumpkin Maple Custard - page 208
Maple Pudding Cake - page 210

Check out the Denholms Blog!

For those of you who remember downtown Worcester in its heyday...check out the Denholms Blog.  Christoper Sawyer's grandmother, Josephine Carbone used to work at Denholms.  She was the inspiration behind Christopher's new book.  Visit the Blog and take a walk down memory lane.  You'll be glad you did!  Christoper will be at Barnes & Noble, Millbury on March 31.  Pick up this wonderful book as a gift or for yourself!  You'll find the link to the Blog if you scroll down on the right and find the Blogs we follow! 

The Soup Is In The Kitchen!

Minestrone Soup
2 -  14.5 oz. cans Diced Tomatoes with Italian Seasoning

       1 -  15.5 oz. can chick peas 

       1 -  can reduced sodium vegetable broth

       1/2 large yellow sweet pepper, chopped

       1 tsp. garlic powder

       1 tsp. dried basil

       black pepper

       1 cup dry rigatoni

       3 cups baby spinach

In a large pot, combine all of the ingredients except spinach.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium.  Cook covered for 10 minutes. 

Stir in spinach.  Top with shaved Parmesan cheese if desired.

Makes 4 - 6 servings

After a trip to Atwells Avenue in Providence where we had lunch at Joe Marzilli's

"Old Canteen" Italian Restaurant, I had to come home and try to duplicate their

delicious Minestrone Soup.  The walls are pink, the chairs are pink and the tablecloths

too!  This fabulous restaurant established in 1956 requires RESERVATIONS!

Telephone 401-751-5544 ~ 120 Atwells Avenue ~Sal Marzilli, Owner



Early Morning Sunrise Lights Up Teacups!

The sun is now at a different angle!  It lights up some of
Mommy's cup & saucer collection.

March is here! "A slice of Irish Soda Bread please!"

If you have our cookbook, Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cookbook
and you hopefully do...this is a recipe you MUST try! 
It is perhaps the most delicious Irish Soda Bread recipe you will ever make!
Page 161
Someone, please enter it into a contest!  I'm sure it will win!!