The lovely folks at Whisperwood Cottage featured my kitchen in an article about window treatments. Click on the icon below to see:
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Love Always,
Cindy
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Spice and Extract Storage
April 23, 2012 by 6 Comments
Nature's Colors.
All the Spices in a Row.
I am a creature of convenience. So when I remodeled my kitchen, I needed to store my collection of spices and extracts in a way that was easily accessible. For years I have used tins for spice storage and kept extracts in their original packaging.
I intuitively wanted glass containers for the spices and new lab bottles in amber color for extracts and put the oft used salt and pepper in vintage squat Kerr jelly jars. The spices themselves are in what are generally used for…wait for it…specimen jars. Just typing that makes me chuckle.
But seriously, the jars have a certain heft and elegance about them and I like their weight and feel. Being able to see the spices in glass jars (versus opaque tins) has a practical application, too: I know when I am running low by simply looking.
I store my measuring spoons separated by measurement because I find I use them that way. Tucked near the spices and extract, their placement is perfect for the way I cook and bake and navigate in the kitchen.
I made the shelves to keep things neat and organized and made the labels using Kraft paper labels.
Hope you like it.
Love Always,
Cindy, Lillie and Samantha
As a post script, I am submitting this article for consideration for a feature in Cottages & Bungalos. Stop by the blog when you have some time, there are some terrific entries already:
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- All the Spices in a Row.
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- Nature’s Colors.
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- Vintage Kerr Jelly Jars.
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- A Mix of Vintage and New Vessels along with measuring spoons at the ready.
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- In Alphabetical Order…
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- In Larger Quantity for Homemade Mustard.
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DIY Pendant Lights
April 16, 2012 by 6 Comments
- Completed Lamp.
Completed Lamp.
Lighting had always been an issue in my kitchen but since the renovation had a strict budget…I had to be very creative. I needed some lighting over the new peninsula and the solution seemed to be to swag the lighting over from the only ceiling junction box in the kitchen.
All the pendant lights that I looked at, even the simpler designs were budget busters…so I resorted to making my own when I came upon some hurricane globes at Michael’s. The shape of the globes really spoke to me and I already had an idea to use some rustic, vintage, scalloped tart pans as an embellishment to hide the wiring.
Including the globe, lamp parts and wiring, each of these lamps came in at about $11 each. I also spent $10 on a special drill bit that was used to drill the hole in the bottom of the globe.
If you want to try a project like this on your own, one thing to look for are glass vessels that don’t have super thick bases. Thicker bases can take 30 minutes or so to drill through and they can fry your glass drill bits. If you find a beautiful glass vase or vessel that has a thick base that you simply must use…take it to the closest glass shop. They will usually drill the hole for you at a cost of $15 – $25 per hole. It can get a bit pricey…so just a fair warning from the voice of experience!
xoxo.
Cindy, Samantha and Lillie.
As a post script, I am submitting this article for consideration for a feature in Cottages & Bungalos. Stop by the blog when you have some time, there are some terrific entries already:
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- Completed Pendant Lamp.
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- Completed Pendant Lamp.
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- Completed Pendant Lamp.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Dad.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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- Lamp during pre-assembly.
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Nature’s Rubies
April 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Nature's Rubies
Dough Crossing.
Kneadful Things.
Three smaller loaves for sharing.
Ready for the oven.
Deliciously crusty and golden.
Heavenly.
I love this recipe because it can be made on the spur of the moment because it doesn’t require the pre-softening of butter or leaving eggs out in advance. I make one substitution to the recipe below, using craisins instead of currants.
Besides cranberries (or craisins) I love this recipe because it uses orange, one of my favorite flavors.
This is an Ina Garten recipe. As usual, she makes great impact with few ingredients.
Enjoy!
xoxo.
Cindy, Lillie and Samantha
Orange Cranberry Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
- 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 cup dried currants
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.
With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.
Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
