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| Woke up this morning to pussy willows once again covered in snow! |
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| This summer, plant a pussy willow bush near a window and watch spring come from the inside out! |
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| The Massachusetts' state flower is the Mayflower. This beauty blooms around Mother's Day. It is so fragrant. When in bloom it's like the yard has been doused in perfume. This is another goody to have in your yard! |
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| Our Lemon Tea Cake on page 162 in Two Sisters and The Silver Spoon Cook Book! One bowl...no mixer! So easy! Don't have our book...wait...I may post the recipe at a later date! Now is the time to use those delicious Meyer Lemons! |
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| Our recipe for Wartime Chocolate Cake is a great one for 12 or 24 cupcakes. It also makes a great cake using a 10-inch Bundt pan. If you haven't tried this recipe, you must! It is on page 178 in Two Sisters and The Silver Spoon Cook Book! |
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| From no snow to this in 24 hours. |
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| A Sunday morning with lots of sunshine and lots of snow! Doesn't look like I'll be getting to the clotheslines anytime soon. Hopefully, we'll get down to the garden shed to clean off the ramps. |
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| My garden room and garage with glimpses of pavement thanks to the sunshine! |
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| Diamond, Ruby Emerald and Sapphire Scones Two Sisters Cook Book Page 164 |
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| Depending on the size of the pan, you could get up to 12 scones! Also, try Heart-Shape Cornmeal Biscuits on page 166 in keeping with a Valentine theme. |
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| Pretty pink carnations and baby's breath add to this vintage lady once sent to our Paternal Grandmother. This one as is with the others was sent to patients in the hospital during the 40's, 50's and 60's!. |
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| When a baby was born or a get well wish was needed florists used these darling containers. A shelf in the "back room" is set aside for this little collection! |
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| Whether it was a little lamb, kissing angels or one with a religious motif...these gems filled with flowers would bring a smile to someones face. They are relatively inexpensive. So...this spring when your favorite antique shop opens start collecting. Buy a bunch of flowers or pick some from your own garden and think of a lucky recipient! |
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| To increase chocolate sales during the hot summer months, Whitman's teamed up with GE to develop the first refrigerated display case. In 1946, more than 9,000 Whitman's refrigerated display were shipped to dealers across the country. Our Father's store, "Buddy's Spa" was the recipient of one of these cases. As a child, I can remember organizing the candy and cleaning the case. I wish we still had this gem of a piece. Well, this is perhaps one of the only relics from the past we don't possess. |
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| Stephen Whitman began making chocolates in 1842. Before America witnessed the Civil War, the first bottle of Coca-Cola, the first professional baseball league or even the birth of Milton Hershey, this young man from Pennsylvania was making chocolate! The sampler was only meant to last a year! Today a Sampler is sold every 2-1/2 seconds! |
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| This 100th anniversary box of Whitman's Sampler was just opened at our house. | During World War II, hand-written notes of encouragement from the ladies on Whitman's production lines were packed into millions of Sampler boxes and shipped to servicemen overseas. Many of these letters resulted in long term friendships and even a few marriages. After 9/11 terrorist attacks, the tradition continued. Sampler boxes containing hand-written notes were delivered to American troops headed to the Middle East. |
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| Yes we just opened it after the holidays and in time for Valentine's Day! All of the information here was taken from the brochure enclosed in the box of 100th Anniversary Whitman's Chocolates. |
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| Pretty possessions should be put out on display for you to enjoy! |
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| Enjoy your things! |
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| Here's a dress I wore in 3rd grade hanging on my old bedroom door! |
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| Pretty purses are works of art! |
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| Glittery costume jewelry bracelets hang on a vintage jewelry tree. |
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| Harvest Song Preserves 100% Natural In the rich volcanic soil of Mt. Ararat, where Noah's ark has said to have come to rest, family farms grown fruits naturally and harvest them by hand. Go to www.HarvestSongVentures.com for more information! This is a product we are very proud to sell! |
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| On this first day of January 2013, and a cold one it is, there is nothing better than some home-made soup and a grown-up grilled cheese. The sandwich is made with traditional white bread, freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, slices of freshly baked ham and topped with the Sour Cherry Harvest Song Preserves! What a way to start off the New Year! Just a note...all of our meats and seafood are purchased at Tatnuck Meat & Seafood 1100 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602 508.754.8064 Call in your orders ahead of time! Closed Sunday and Monday Tell Harvey, Mike or Andrew Kathy Fleming or Nancy Doyle sent you! |
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| 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (To soften cream cheese - microwave on high 10 seconds) 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/8 cup orange juice Beat cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add pecans, cranberries and juice. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving. This can be doubled as shown above. One for home and one to bring to someones house! From Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book - Page 21 |
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| This recipe comes from Phyllis Hoffman's "Celebrate" Holiday Magazine - 2012 This magazine gives you great ideas for parties and fun gatherings all times of the year! Yummy, Pretty, Easy! |
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| Preheat Oven to 325 degrees Makes 8 Servings 1 (18.75 ounce) box brownie mix 2 tsp. instant coffee granules 1-1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 8 small peppermint candy canes 1 Tbs. confectioners' sugar Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing edges of foil to extend 2-inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, adding coffee granules and peppermint extract to batter. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake according to directions. While brownie is still warm, top with candy canes, lightly pressing into warm brownie. Let cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Lift brownie from pan, using edges of foil as handles. Cut between candy canes into 8 brownies. Sift confectioners' sugar over brownies. Make sure to wipe sugar off of candy cane! They are nice and thick. I will be putting them into cellophane bags with a special handmade tag and bow. The recipients will be glad to be on my Christmas list! |
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| Several friends have sent along their "Christmas with Santa" photo. |
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| Notice the Christmas cards on the wall along with the very natural Christmas tree with tinsel! |
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| There are no words to describe how we feel. This senseless act of violence on innocent victims is beyond anything we can possibly think or put into words. Our hearts ache. May these beautiful children and their teachers rest in peace. |
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| Find your way to 397 Boston Post Road Wayland, MA 01778 www.russellsgardencenter.com 508.358.2283 |
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| From candles... |
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| to poinsettias |
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| to paperwhites, this garden center has it all! |
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| Byer's Choice, Ltd. in all varieties can be also found here. |
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| Lights, garland, wreaths, silk flowers, ornaments, gifts children's toys, a grand puzzle selection, and gourmet foods, birdfeeders, birdbaths and flowers are in abundance at Russell's Garden Center. |
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| Located in the original Fruit of the Loom Factory in the Manchaug section of Sutton, Massachusetts, Vaillancourt Folk Art is a destination you mustn't miss! |
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| www.vaillancourtfolkart.com 9 Main Street, Sutton, MA 01590 508.476.3601 |
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| They are famous for their chalk ware Santas. They make Santas for Williamsburg too! Check out their website! |
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| If you don't live near place an order online. |
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| The displays are beautiful and the staff very helpful! |
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| Byer's Choice, another American made product is sold here at Vaillancourt. Put this on your list of places to visit... either in person or on the web! |
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| Bake at 350 for 35 minutes 4 eggs plus 2 cups sugar The rind of 1 lemon, grated 4 tsp. anise extract 2 T. lemon juice 1 drop almond extract 1/2 lb. (2 sticks) butter, melted Mix above ingredients together. In another bowl, mix 3 teaspoons baking powder with 5 cups flour. Add flour mixture to egg mixture. Mix until well combined. Divide dough in half. With floured hands, shape two loaves placing them on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Brush the tops with an egg white. Sprinkle with colored nonpareil confections. Makes 2 loaves! |
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| Slice when cool! |
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| You're going to love this old recipe. Many years ago, I went to my friend, Rose's house and she taught me how to make this great recipe. Put them in cellophane bags with a pretty bow for a thoughtful gift. Keep them in a tin and as company arrives, you'll have something to go with that hot cup of tea or coffee. By the way...the house will smell delicious! |
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| Basil and Tomato Frittata 1 (8-ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese 1 T. all-purpose flour 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 6 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup half-and-half 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 large tomato, diced 3 T. chopped basil or parsley |
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| Toss Cheddar cheese with flour. Spread in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle Jack cheese on top. Whisk together eggs and half-and-half. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Pour egg mixture over cheese. Top with tomatoes and basil. Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Yield 4 to 5 servings This recipe is on page 142 of Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book. |
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| This "Priceless" photo of a friend's father sitting on Santa's lap circa 1946 tells a real story about the magic of Christmas! If you have any of these old photos at home, place them front and center for all to see. After all, it's all about the magic in the eyes of those young and old. |
