Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

For those of you with our cookbook, this recipe is on page 62
under "Salads".  Something different that will take you right on through the fall!

Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil

2 T orange juice

1 teaspoon ground cumin

 

Whisk together oil, juice and cumin.  Set aside.

 

Potato Salad

 

4 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes (2 - 3 large)

1/2 cup olive oil  - (1/4 cup will do)

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup diced celery

1 bunch parsley, minced (1/4 cup)

 

Combine potatoes, oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in a roasting pan.  Toss to coat

Roast potatoes at 400 degrees 45 minutes or until crusty and fork tender.

Cool.  Combine potatoes, cranberries, celery and parsley.  Pour dressing over potatoes

and toss to coat.  Serve at room temperatures. 

 

This is so good, you may want to double! 

 

 

Serves 6 

Strawberry Time

My first "Strawberry Rhubarb Pie" of the season! 
I've already made "Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler" many times!
But the pie...it is the BEST! 
Everyone loves this pie! 

A pretty painting of strawberries given to my husband and me
for an anniversary several years ago by my late Mother-in-law.

An old tray along with a vintage copy of "Yankee Magazine"
on display in the breakfast room!

A bookcase in the kitchen has the strawberry theme for the summer months.
Notice the "Wild Strawberry" wallpaper by Waverly in the background!
This wallpaper has been in this kitchen for about 36 years and...
it's still LOVED!!

Grandma's strawberry cookie jar, old paper coasters, wooden napkin
holder holding up a strawberry cookbook find themselves in
another cubby!

Mom's strawberry cup and saucer along with vintage towels are
keeping company with an old tole painted box (done by me many years ago)
are found on an old oak dry sink.

This little strawberry bowl is fun to use while washing and draining
strawberries.  This, a gift from my sister, is a favorite piece!
Ready, set, get your strawberry things out or start collecting!
The colors are bright, fun and delightfully help to make your house a home!

White Flower Farm

www.whiteflowerfarm.com
1.800.503.9624
Litchfield, CT

White Flower Farm has a wonderful catalog! 
Give them a call or sign up for it online.
The catalog is amazing and quite enjoyable.
I have purchased hydrangeas while sitting in my comfy chair!
Recently, we took a drive to White Flower Farm and
here is my report! 

They have prize begonias and so many varieties of herbs, flowers, bushes and so much more!

Take a walk around the farm.  I would recommend getting one of
the free maps of the property.  This will help you navigate the
greenhouses and gardens with ease!

I have purchased many different types of hydrangeas...among them
Little Lime, Pistachio, Pinky Winky and most recently Pistachio!
Take a trip in your car or from your easy chair! 
You'll love what you'll find for your garden at White Flower Farm!

It's That Time of Year Again!

A large snapping turtle has once again found her way up the 250 feet
from the pond to the edge of a perennial bed.  She's looking for the
perfect soft spot to lay her eggs. 
Each year around the 14th of June, Flag Day, this
natural phenomenon occurs. 

In the pouring rain
on this Friday the 13th of June,
she works very hard digging, looking around all the while being
totally aware of her surroundings. 

At last she has found the perfect place to deposit her eggs. 
Please know, she will lay the eggs, cover them up and return to
the water never again to return to this place.
In 3 months, the little turtles will hatch knowing everything there is
to know about life itself.  These little babies will never know their
mother but will instead upon being hatched find their way down
the lawn to the pond.  Isn't nature wonderful?!!
Will we see the little turtles when the hatch?  We'll see!
Hopefully, we'll be able to  catch a photo or two!

A Good Book..."A Fine Romance"

Lemon Butter Cookies from "A Fine Romance" by Susan Branch
1 cup butter, softened
2/3  cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
zest of one lemon
1-1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup cornstarch
sugar crystals

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and zest, until smooth; add dry ingredients; mix until just
incorporated.  Use waxed paper to shape and roll dough into two 8-inch logs, (about the width of a cookie.)
Wrap in "cling film: (plastic wrap) & refrigerate for an hour or so.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Slice cookies about 1/4 " thick; put on ungreased cookie sheets; sprinkle on sugar crystals
(or roll the logs in sugar before cutting).  Bake 15 min., until slightly golden.
Cool on waxed paper.  Makes about 40 cookies.  Can be rolled out and cut with cutters into
teapot or heart shapes. 
 

As Susan Branch says, "Just Yummy with a special cornmeal crunch!"

Blueberry Scones
 Don't tell anybody they are from a
mix from King Arthur Flour.  You can't make any better
than these.  Easy and so, so good!

A beautifully illustrated and hand-written book
by Susan Branch which chronicles her journey on the
Queen Mary II and visit to England is a delight to read.

I know two sisters who are from England.  One met her husband
during WWII.  These lovely ladies still have their wonderful accents.
I will be delivering these little "tea time packages" to each of them in just a bit!
It will be a nice surprise for two nice ladies!

As you can see...my baking on this Saturday morning was inspired
by this book!

An Observation of a Neighbors Family Picnic!

There won't be a picture included in this posting.  You must use your imagination of kinder, gentler days gone by. 

My neighbors, who have 5 children, greatly fascinate me.  They are a real family unit.  This little family consists of a Mom and Dad along with 2 sons and 3 daughters.  The children all have the names of great grandparents and grandparents.  Each has a unique name.  You might say old fashioned.  Yes, that's what I'd call them. 

These children play outdoors from morning until dark the way I used to when I was a child.  They are exploring, making believe and discovering nature all the while being barefoot, footloose and fancy free.  We have a pond in our backyard and so their little voices echo and the sounds of games are magnified.  I can hear when they say, "I don't like this game." or "Let's pretend...!"  Computer games aren't in their daily diet of things to do.  Instead, they are being kids.  What a special childhood they are having.  Do they know it?  I don't think so but someday they will look back on days like this, the start of the summer, and smile. 

Parents and friends are sitting at a picnic table with a few umbrellas scattered around the yard.  Dogs are barking, hot dogs are cooking, friends and family members are sitting on lawn chairs listening to conversations, the voices of happy children and an occasional bird or two. 

I go outside to listen to the sounds of summer and a day that will be cherished in the memory of a child for years to come.  If only more families were like my neighbors, I believe the world would be a better place. 

Hummingbirds...Bring Happiness and Color to Your Garden!

I found this pretty pot up in my garage.  Just by coincidence, it has
hummingbirds on it!  Just the other day, my friend, Tracy and I
were talking about attracting birds and all of the ones that come to our
feeders. She has hummingbird feeders and I used to have them. 
So, after finding the pot and our discussion, I decided to fill the pot
with hummingbird attractors. 




So...off I went to the local nursery!  There I found a wonderful
assortment of hummingbird attractors. 
Temari Verbena in Cherry Red  - Temari Verbena is an annual that
thrives in hot and is cold hardy temperatures to 14 degrees F.   Plant in full sun, avoid soggy soils
and fertilize once a month.

Cherry Red Verbena on the right. 
On the left some Starcluster Rose Pentas which will provide clusters of flowers
all season long.  They are low maintenance plants and limited deadheading
is required!

"Carnival" Coleus on the left is a vibrantly colored foliage.
It has wonderful shades of red, pink, purple and lime green.
The Coleus really compliments the colors of the pot and
other flowers. 

Do you love Hummingbirds?  In addition to a feeder,
you can stop by your local nursery and pick up flowers that
will bring hummingbirds to your deck or garden all summer long.

A suggestion:  Don't forget to look at the stick labels in each plant. 
They provide a wealth of information about their care. 

Victorian Fineries

Meet Carole Shaw of Victorian Fineries!
If interested in contacting Carole, please email me at
info@twosisterscookbook.com and I will put you in touch with her.
I am building a collection of Carole's superb work.

Carole Shaw is a very talented lady from Worcester, Massachusetts.
Carole's specialty is turning vintage fabrics, trims and buttons into
pillows, table runners, pocketbooks and so much more!

Here is a photo of one of my latest Carole Shaw pieces. 
Chickens, sunflowers, daisies complete the color pallet of
yellows, beige and greens. 

This is the first table runner I purchased several years ago. 
Notice the pies, baskets, cherries and flowers...
ALL things I love!

The "Strawberry" motif pillow is one of my favorites. 
Vintage handkerchiefs, buttons and even needlepoint grace
this masterpiece made by Carole!

On Saturday, I bought this pillow from Carole.  I especially love
the linen centerpiece.  Notice the little dog drying dishes and
the one which broke into 3 pieces after having been dropped!
I bought this one because I love to do dishes.  After all...we visit
with our things when we clean them all.
On the back of this piece is a patchwork quilt!

Beautiful buttons can be found on Carole's pieces. Here's a
pretty one on the corner of my latest runner.

Can you see the slices of pie on this runner? 
Everyone loves my pies...time to bake
Strawberry Rhubarb pies!!

Notice the needle work...small evenly spaced stitches, trim and buttons
make this piece so special.

You will be able to find Carole at an event on the
Common in Grafton on Saturday, June 21st!

Once you see her beautiful fineries, you'll be hooked just as I am!

Did I mention her gorgeous heart-shaped pillows and baby pillows
which can be put in the nursery on the rocking chair?  You must see...
You Must, You Must!!

A Glimpse of a Delicious and Beautiful Day!

Guests enjoy the delicious selection of homemade items!

Carrots with fresh dill, asparagus with a champagne vinaigrette
potato salad and pea and cauliflower salad are pictured here!
Notice the cabbage and vegetable themed tray.  Oh,
Mariposa and Vietri take center stage on this buffet table.
I just love my dishes and serving pieces! 

Selecting which ones to use, getting them ready and filled with
lovely recipes, looking at the entire table as these special pieces
become a focal point on a special day is what it's all about for me!
I don't even mind washing them and returning them to their year-long
places.  I enjoy visiting with them as I wash, wipe and dry these
much loved pieces.  My Mother used to say, if you don't dust and clean
off your collections, you won't even know they exist.  It is a nice way to
visit your lovely things!

Little Easter venues all have their own themes! 
Baby chicks...Don't you love them?

Our Easter Tree, filled with vintage cards given from years past,
little nests, and wooden eggs and bunnies! 
Do you have an Easter Tree?  If now, start thinking about one for next year!

Let's Begin with the Eggs!

Each year in January,  I start saving onion skins and by the time Easter arrives
I have plenty to color my Easter eggs.

Here is the beautiful and natural result of using onion skins!
The recipe requires about 4 cups of dry outer onion skins.
For those of you who have our cookbook, you will find
"Armenian Easter Eggs, Naturally" on page 8
of Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book!
These are just like Grandma used to make.  Our Mother,
carried on the tradition and I continue to as well! 
Do they taste better?  Some seem to think so!
Make as many dozen as you want.  Once you have the
onion skin mixture you are set to color, color, color!

June's Bakeshop - Unbelievable, Unforgettable and Delicious!

135 Pierce Road, New Braintree, MA 01531  ~  www.junesbakeshop.com

June's Bakeshop...You've got to experience it!

 

413.477.6962 or 508.867.0099

My sister, Nancy and I loved the "Easter Open House" this past weekend. 

I couldn't decide which pictures to post...it was a difficult decision. That's why there are so many!  

The shop was filled with June's famous cookies!  

I bought some of these basket cookies!

These adorable little ducks were set in a basket waiting for someone to purchase them.

Daffodils in a package! 

I went crazy.  It was a difficult decision on which cookies to buy!  

Remember these?  Well, you can now find them at June's Bakeshop. 

Check out the wonderful website.  Better yet...Put June's Bakeshop on your list of "things to do"!