Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Zeb's General Store - Remember When...

North Conway Village
New Hampshire 03860
603.356.9294
www.zebs.com

Located in the hear of North Conway Village, Zeb's is a fun
place to visit, shop and reminisce. 

Customers were walking around the store drinking coke out of
glass bottles!  No cans at Zeb's!
The vintage cooler is keeping them ice cold on this hot summer's day!

Penny candy is no longer sold for a penny!  I bet you knew that!
Old time favorites are stacked from one end of the counter to the other
calling out your name!
Remember Luden's Cough Drops when you were sick?  Or...that special
package of Life Savers being eaten one at a time so they'd last longer?

My dentist wouldn't be pleased with his patients dreaming about
Turkish Taffy but the memories are wonderful!

Upstairs in Zeb's you'll find toys for the kids.  Puzzles, checkers
and Pick Up Sticks are some of the old-time favorites.
Dips, chips, maple syrup, honey, fancy salts, salsas, popcorn and so much
more can be found under Zeb's roof!
Zeb's is a fun place!  When in the White Mountains, particularly near
Mount Washington, you must plan an hour at Zeb's!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Being Neighborly is a Good Thing!

Our neighbor's is having a graduation party today! 
Made a special chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese butter frosting!
Yummy!
Although, I'm not a decorator, I have fun with a decorating kit!
Monograms are in!!



Beautiful flowers from my garden are arranged in a milk glass container.
Were our neighbors surprised?  Yes they were...pleasantly!
You don't have to have a special occasion to be kind to a neighbor.
Flowers, an extra cupcake, slice of pie, cup of soup all mean something
to those who live around us!  Pass it on!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Watch Hill, RI...Lunch, Shop, Ride!



Stopping along the way!  Unfortunately, the sign showed "open"
but nobody was home!  So, we took photos anyway!
Next, we had lunch in Watch Hill at the Ocean House.
Wanted to have a "Swan" dessert at the Olympia Tea Room.
Unfortunately, they no longer serve just dessert.  You must
have a meal there in order to order their famous puff pastry "Swan".





The Candy Shop in Watch Hill is always a favorite stop!
We love the pink shelves and painted walls.  Even
the curtains are pink and white check!

We bought some lovely things in HighPoint Home!
 
The Carousel is fun for children!  I can remember the carousel
at White City in Worcester.  I'd pick the fanciest horse and Daddy
would stand there and hold me on as the music played.
The wonders of being a child!  
This is the oldest carousel in the United States.  As you can
see, the horses have been newly refurbished! 
It would be a tough choice choosing which one to ride!



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Thirst Quenchers!

Do you have pitchers sitting idle on hot summer days?
Ice water, lemonade and sangria are calling your name!


This cobalt blue set of Depression glass was a gift many years ago!

This set of Riedel with embossed grapes was purchased
back in the 80's!

Fostoria...pattern "American" was our Mother's pattern. 
She received a great deal of it back in 1949.  It can be found
today in many different pieces.



Green cabbage or lettuce anything is a favorite of mine.
This motif can be used in spring, summer and during the fall harvest
right through Thanksgiving.  
Have you every heard of a Gurgle Pot?  Well this fish actually gurgles
when filled with preferably water.  Wouldn't want red wine spitting out
of the mouth of this big fish!   This pitcher looks great in spring, summer
and fall!  You can find one at www.sharfmansjewelers.com


Look around the house.  Can you find any pitchers?  If not
get in the car and find a flea market, tag sale or antique shop!
They are all there waiting to quench your thirst!

Eyes Wide Open...An early morning stroll!

Despite the high humidity, we've managed to keep the zinnias
blooming and bug free.  Their display is incredible!

Early morning with a heavy dew makes for a tranquil scene.

Quiet...The Queen Bee is eating her breakfast!

Mr.. Fur relaxing on the cool soil under the
arborvitae.

Hydrangeas needing some water near the little babbling brook.

The sun rises up and embraces a new day of discovery
along with Mother Nature's magic!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Happy Birthday to ME!

I'm very fussy with "birthday cakes!"  Everyone wanted to
purchase one at a bakery, but I refused.  Instead opting for one of my very own
creations with exactly the type of cake I wanted.
So...I made a delicious "Old-Fashioned Yellow Cake"
from the Martha Stewart Living Cookbook, page 448.
This dense yellow cake is the perfect consistency for a birthday cake!
Here it sits on my sister's dining room table awaiting dessert!

My birthday dinner consisted of a Mexican Feast!
New Melamine plates in the patterns of Mexican/Spanish
pottery are waiting delicious food!  Nancy used
an American Pottery piece as the centerpiece filled with
flowers currently plentiful in the garden.

Four kinds of salsa were served as an appetizer then replenished
for our Tostadas.
Peach Salsa, Strawberry Salsa, Tomato Salsa and
Hot, Hot, Tomato Salsa are pictured here!

From the grill came the chicken along with peppers and onions. 
Cheese was sprinkled over the Tortillas and then grilled. 
Everyone garnished their Tortillas with chicken, peppers, onions,
salsa, hot sauces and sour cream!  A colorful rice was made
using Uncle Ben's Rice, red bell pepper, peas, scallions, and
yellow sweet corn all adding their own bits of color! 
Can't forget the saffron!

When our friends arrived, they brought 2 beautiful arrangements
that fit in perfectly with our theme!  Couldn't be more perfect!
I think you'll agree!



Here's a better look at one of the centerpieces brought to us by
our dear friends.  Hot sauces were plentiful along with
the baskets and Spanish glazed pottery.  Nancy made
Sangria the day before.  Recipes for the different salsa choices
and Sangria are from our cookbook.
A picture perfect evening, a picture perfect setting,
picture perfect food along with great friends!
What could be better than this? 
NOTHING!!



Lastly, the cake...yummy, perfect in every way with a nice
scoop of Golden Vanilla Ice Cream by Hood!
The perfect ending to a lovely, hot summer evening!

Monday, July 15, 2013

It's Time for Strawberry Salsa and Peach Salsa!

"Strawberry Salsa"
2 cups strawberries, rinsed, hulled and diced
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup died bell pepper, red or green
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons minced cilantro or basil (I love cilantro.)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Assorted Crackers

Combine all ingredients.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Serve with crackers.
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Note:  You may also serve with grilled chicken!
 


"Peach Salsa"
2 Medium peaches, peeled and chopped
3 T. Finely chopped red onion
2 T. Chopped cilantro
3 T. Lime Juice
1/8 tsp. salt

Yield: 1-1/2 Cups
 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Zinnias An Old Time Favorite!

Zinnias of all colors and sizes are in the bed next along side the house.
I've been on duty keeping bugs away and spaying during
this period of damp, misty, rainy weather. 
Humidity?  Yes, humidity too!



They are all set to pop out at once.  Always remember to pinch the first bud
and the plant will blossom out and triple its size!
Ready, set, color!! 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Add Some Spice to Your Life!

Spice Merchants in Mashpee Commons is a fun place to go!
If you like to partake in the culinary world...this is the place for you.
17 Central Square
Mashpee Commons
Mashpee, MA 02649

Buy spices in bulk, small one ounce bags or one ounce bottles that
look like old salt shakers. 

On the top shelf are the once ounce bottles.  Next you have
the one ounce packages of all kinds of spices, rubs and great
additions to your favorite recipe.
On the lower shelf are the same spices which can be purchased in
larger quantities.

Spice Merchants has a great selection of other items all
pertaining to spices! 
They'll spice up your  life in one quick visit!
Call for store hours 774.228.2238
or visit their website
SpiceMerchantsCapeCod@gmail.com
Tell Lisa "The Two Sisters" sent you!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Staying Cool in Red, White and Blue!

Blueberries, mini marshmallows and watermelon
cut into the shape of a star.

Yummy and cool...perfect for a hot and humid summer day.

Fourth of July Breakfast!

Take a piece of toast, next strawberry jelly,
sliced banana for stripes and blueberries for
stars!!!  DELICIOUS!