How About A Fabulous Gift?

To purchase our cook book, Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book, go to

http://www.twosisterscookbook.com/.  Books are $26.95 plus tax.  Some of the proceeds

from our book go to support the Melanoma Research of Dr. Michael Atkins of

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  A great book with a great cause.

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Remember, this cook book containing 435 easy recipes makes a great gift! 

These two are wrapped and ready for delivery!  This weekend, they will be

given as hostes gifts by our friend, Pat.  Our book makes a perfect gift

             gift for any ocassion and our signature wrap adds the finishing touch  

             It's colorful , pretty and fun to receive!

Share Your Harvest




Freshly picked herbs in a simple recycled jelly jar can put a smile on someone's face. 
This bouquet is heading off to our cousin Robin's house and will be left on her back porch for a nice summer surprise.

 

This Takes the Cake!



Nancy spied this gorgeous covered cake plate on a recent garden tour in Osterville, Massachusetts! 
What's better than pink and bows?  Maybe the cake underneath.  We wish we could tell you where to purchase

one of these but it was in a private home on the tour.  We'll keep our eyes open and report back should we find one.



Adams National Historical Park - Quincy, Massachusetts

The birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams are the nation's oldest presidential birthplaces.  These historic homes stand on their original foundations just 75 feet apart.  The trolley will also take you to Peace Field, the retirement home of John and Abigail Adams.  Begin at the Visitor Center - Adams National Historical Park, 135 Adams Street, Quincy, MA 02169-1749.  Phone 617.770.1175 or visit www.nps.gov/adam for more information.

John Adams, our second president, grew up in this rural setting just 7 miles south of Boston.  In October of 1764, he married Abigail Smith.  The couple moved into the farmhouse next to John's birthplace.  This little cottage was the birthplace of their oldest son John Quincy Adams.  John Quincy became the 6th president of the United States. 



    Kathy and Nancy in front of "Peace Field."  "I think to christen my Place by the Name of Peacefield." -John  Adams                                                        



If you love history...this is the place for you!

The "Inn at Bay Pointe" offers a large menu and great vistas!

After a delightful tour and visit to the gift shop, we enjoyed a nice lunch at the "Inn at Bay Pointe", 64 Washington Court, Quincy.  This bay side dining experience was a great way to top off the day in historic Quincy.  Their phone number is 617.472.3200 and is a short drive from the Visitor Center.

"Tangy Barbeque Sauce"

PAGE 239 OF TWO SISTERS AND THE SILVER SPOON COOK BOOK!

2 garlic cloves, minced                                             1 teaspoon salt
1 cup minced onion                                                  1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons butter                                                 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup ketchup                                                          1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup water                                                          1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Combine garlic, onions, butter, ketchup, water, brown sugar, salt, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, molasses and vinegar in a saucepan.  Simmer 30 minutes.

Nancy and I have added freshly chopped rhubarb (about 1-1/2 cups) to this recipe.  You could delete the water because the rhubarb is very watery.  The addition of rhubarb gives this recipe a very interesting consistency.  Baste pork chops, pork tenderloin, chicken and burgers. The left over has been placed on hot dogs!  A superb and easy recipe for you to try.  You'll never buy bottled BBQ again!

Lastly, another twist to this recipe would be to add 1/4 cup peach preserves instead of the rhubarb!  Since peach season is coming up...Go For It!                        

Green Bean, Yellow Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad

A blue and white spongeware platter is the perfect summer serving piece.

This refreshing, colorful and delicious recipe can be found on page 57 of Two Sisters and The Silver Spoon Cook Book.  If you don't have the ingredients in your garden, one quick trip to the Farmer's Market will do the trick.  This recipe is served cold so it can be made ahead of time.

Let the food do the talking!

My sister, Nancy suggested we use more crystal or cut glass bowls when serving food!  Crystal lets colors shine through for a beautiful presentation.  In the photo above, the watermelon looks so appetizing.  The colors of food are phenomenal.  Give them a chance to speak for themselves by using crystal or vintage cut glass.  If you're china cabinet is lacking in that department, you'd better get to a flea market or antique shop quick.  You'll love the results.  Your guests will appreciate your presentation and the colorful  food will do the talking!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie - Page 197 of our cook book!

A Mariposa pie holder is the perfect frame for this gem of a pie!  Mariposa
is 100% recycled aluminum designed in Manchester, Massachusetts and
available at Sharfmans Jewelers in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Petruzzi Farms in East Brookfield...It's worth the trip!

Nancy selects vegetables for dinner. 



The Petruzzi pet does tricks for corn!













Nancy and I love supporting the local farmers.  One of our favorites is Petruzzi Farms in East Brookfield, Massachusetts.  Follow Rte 9 West just past the center of East Brookfield.  There you will find Paul Petruzzi,
 a 3rd generation farmer and his family providing people with the freshest most beautiful produce ever.  Stop by and see the Petruzzi Family and tell them The Two Sisters sent you!


Paul and his daughter

                                       

Roseland Cottage

Roseland Cottage sits along Route 169 in Woodstock, Connecticut across from the town common.  This "pink" cottage was built in 1846 by Henry C. Bowen.  Open Wednesdays through Sundays from June 1 to October 15 from 11 - 4.  Tours are held on the hour with the last at 4:00.  A walking landscape tour will be held from 10 - 11 AM, August 6.  Registration required at http://www.historicnewendland.org/

The old boxwood garden is a beautiful sight!  Bring along your camera. 

In the little gift shop, I purchased a small boxwood plant and hope to nurture it to a larger size.  A short drive down Rte 169 and you're there!





The main entrance to the house is on the left facing the boxwood garden.  What looks like the front is facing Route 169 in Woodstock.



Is the heat wave over? Mr. Fur hopes so!

 Usually around 4:00, Mr. Fur finds his way to the English garden bench.  The breezes blow through the slats on the seat and back providing a bit of air-conditioning, if you will.   Mr. Fur knows where to go for relief in the heat, during rain storms and of course in the snow.  He really loves being outside and comes in out of sheer necessity. 

Get Organized & Be Creative

 I live in my family home built in 1887.  I have a "backroom" with lots of old wooden shelves.  I group like things together whether they be milk glass, old bottles, cobalt blue items, canning jars (used for vases) and vintage buttons with like colors together.  These items are placed on the shelf in a color coded manor. Vintage floral containers, old presidential bottles and insulators are neatly kept in the "back room".  Decorating is fun when you're organized!

Be Creative!

         

The above little old desk chair was purchased at a yard sale in Kennebunkport, Maine.  An old children's history book was found at the fleamarket in Brimfield, Massachusetts.  I used the old pictures along with stickers to decorate this patriotic chair.  Decoupage is lots of fun! The chair on the right is my Halloween chair!  This chair is an old schoolhouse chair spray painted black.  Pictures from magazines and catalogs along with stickers decorate this "spooky" chair!  Start your Halloween chairs now!  They make great conversation pieces not to mention they are fun for little people to sit on! The Cottage Journal says, "Dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, decoupage continues to be a cherished art form."  Get thinking, look around your home you must have old magazines, stickers and an old chair or table hanging around!  Get creative and enjoy the journey of decoupage!                                      

Black and White Bean Salad

This recipe is on page 70 of our book.  It is as easy as opening two cans of beans, picking some basil from your garden along with some cherry tomatoes and adding a few other simple ingredients.  This dish is refreshing!  Now is the time to make this side dish.

Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

6 ears of corn
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup packed julienne fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cut corn kernels from cob.  Heat oil in a large skillet. Saute corn and garlic about 5 minutes until tender.  Remove from heat.  Add basil and mix well.  Transfer mixture to a large bowl.  Cool slightly, stirring occasionally.  Add oil, tomatoes and vinegar.  Mix gently.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Check out our other delicious seasonal recipes in our cook book, Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book.  Visit http://www.twosisterscookbook.com/ and get your copy today.  We have PayPal!!

Mr. Fur

Hazy, hot and humid isn't for me!  This is all you can do during heat waves!