Storybook Woods

Things I Love

Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm, this is a new blog to me. Very inspiring !!!! above image from Rose Cottage.

Smartwool socks, now these are not the cheapest socks, BUT they are really wonderful, thick, guaranteed not to itch and are worth the money. I decided it was more frugal to invest in better socks, that if I take care of, they will last a long time and will really keep my feet warm. We have all wood floors and heat with wood. Our floors are very cold. Last years I could barely keep my feet warm. These socks I think will really help.

The Fox and The Child movie, I really loved this movie, it is just stunning. It is now out on DVD. If you get a chance, please watch it. Both adults and children will love it. Chloe and I want our hair just like hers !!!

Make Bulk Food Bags, talk about a charming way to spruce up your pantry !!!

Grown-up Pop-Tarts I could live on these. I make bittersweet chocolate and marmalade ones xoxoxox

Ginger Syrup, it is yummy but also good for upset tummies.  Really ginger has a lot of healthy properties.

On-line Handbook Of Nature Study By Anna Botsford Comstock. This is a very popular Charlotte Mason book, but I have to say I go to it a lot. It is a wealth of info and very interesting. I wish they still made educational books like this. You know we are all so blessed to be able to have these old, rare books on-line to enjoy. How did I live without the internet ????

I am off to start decorating for fall. Are you decorating yet  ????

Frugal Things I Love

 

I am starting to think fall and winter and what I can do to prepare, do ahead of time. For example this last winter my feet really froze (we have no carpets) so I plan to knit (and buy) a few pairs of wool socks. There is nothing like wool to keep you warm. I have a wool shaw I knitted two years ago and it kept me sooo much warmer, them my polar fleece one. Yes, the wool was more expensive but it did the job.

I also read in Mary Jane Farm mag, the idea of taking veggies that are starting to go but I am not ready to cook and drying them in my dehydrator. I just set up my dehydrator in my pantry, so I can add bits and bobs to dry. Here a few more ideas I am doing

Make your own elderberry syrup youtube

Here is another youtube on the subject

To help build up our immune system this winter (which is ones best defense in staying well) I plan to make batches to either freeze or can, I have not decided. Or maybe a bit of both and see how they do.

Homemade Natural Deodorant

Sharon just posted this recipe, so I had to post it. Thank you Sharon xoxo

Make your own oil lamps

Last winter, I pulled out my two oil lamps and I loved them. Not only do I like the light but they put out heat (can you tell I was really cold last winter :-)

Simple Windowsill Chives

Tracey had such a brilliant idea of using broken stemware and a sprouting onion. Your soo smart Tracey xoxoxo

Make your own old French Grain Sack

Well okay this have nothing to do with winter, but it is just a rocken idea I had to throw in !!!

Parsley, Peppers, Potatoes and Peas

I am trying to be better about harvesting and preserving this summer. This is a book I really love. She covers a lot of veggies and fruits, beside the typical ones you always read about. Like celeriac, chestnuts, dandelions, herb roots, kohlrabi. She tells what does best canning, freezing, dry, etc. She even has ideas of what to do with corn husks and cobs, after you cut the corn from them.

Onion, Garlic Soup for Colds

This is a soup I am going to have in my "fight the cold" arsenal. I plan to have a nice batch in the freezer. Because once you get sick, who wants to make a complicated soup. I will add more garlic, when I serve it.

Make your own sprouts in a canning jar

My mom and I were saying sprouts are a cheap, easy green veggie to have in the winter.

I have more ideas, I will post soon. If you have any ideas, I would LOVE to hear them xoxoxo

Things I Love

 

 

One of my new favorite blogs Na-Da Farm Life and her Na-Da Farm Potager

A Number Of Things paper dolls. Alice is soo talented, you will love these.

This recipe for make your own strawberry lemonade concentrate, thank you Lorrie we LOVED this. We are going to make more for the freezer xoxox

By the way I just threw in all the ingredients in the blender and did not heat it up. The sugar (I used regular sugar) melted just fine.

T-shirt Twist

Youtube of the Hallmark movie  The Magic Of Ordinary Life, thank you Paula for telling me about it.

Homemade shampoo

image form Na-Da Farm

Things I Love

 

One of my new favorite blogs is Styling by Coty Farquhar. I hope when I grow up one day I can create such a beautiful blog.

  Carrot Tutorial at Rose Cottage by the Lake

  Overnight chicken stock in crock-pot at Nourishing Days (who I found through Prairie Mouse, thank you)

  Spring basket at Maya*Made

  How to soften butter quickly at Simply Recipes

  BBC Lark Rise on Candleford on Youtube

Speaking of things I love, I have opened an Amazon Shop with recommendation of things I love. For each item I written why I think it is a worthy item. Rigtht now I have 7 things listed but hope to add more. The is a link on the right side of my blog.

  Also thank you to One Pretty Things (which is a wonderful blog of creative links) and Whip-up for featuring my silhouette cake plate tutorial.

 

PS. just a reminder you can now get my posts e-mailed to you. Just click on the chair on the left side of my blog xoxoxo

Things I Love

A  blog new to me Sweet Cottage Dreams. I am ready to move in xoxoxo

 

Memories Of The Past, Books: Paris, London, New York, etc. I was in Costco and saw these wonderful books and had to get one. While writing this post, I discovered there is an interesting site about these book.

 

Daniel Deronda, I really enjoyed this movie. It is sad but I liked how the main character worked through the challenges placed in front of him. Plus the costumes are amazing. For Netflix users, it is on instant watch !!!!

(I wanted to say, this is not a family film. They do not show anything objectionable.But the film does deal with adult situations)

 

I am going to have to start cutting up some sweaters.

 

Seasoned seaweed. Okay some of you may go, seaweed, ewe. If you do not love sushi, misso soup, etc, you will not like this. But if you do, you will LOVE seasoned seaweed. It is sheets of seaweed toasted with sesame oil and salt. It is sort of the potato chips of seaweed. Very addictive. For anyone local, Central sells packs of 5.

Things I Love

I was lucky enough to win this charming little owl cushion from Marmee Cratf. Isn't it wonderful. You also must check out her regency bonnet  inspired from Sense and Sensibility. I think we all need to make one. Thank you Marjorie xoxox 

Oh this is serious love Coconut Bliss ice-cream. Those who can not have dairy, will really like this. I had the vanilla bean, akkk I want some more, right now.

The girls and I (even my hubby, but do not tell anyone) love Penelope. It is charming, has amazing clothes and set, wonderful message, nothing objectionable (and I am picky), very funny (Catherine O'Hara is soooooo funny) and a dreamy vacation for a couple of hours.

 

The new Calico Petals store. She has the sweetest yo-yo potholders and vintage ephemera kits. Of course her yummy soaps. Well done Miss.Jill xoxoxo

Thanks to the new Artful Blogger, I have found Tammy Ficher. She has a lovely blog, with some great tutorials. But I really loved her scrappy blossoms. 

 You know I am really not one for kitchen gadgets. I tend to keep it simple, I would rather take my money and buy chocolates. But I have to say I really love my dough whisk. It cuts right through dough and batter so smoothly and really mixing all ingredient. Chocolate and Zucchini  has an interesting post about the dough whisk .

Things I Love

I am not a car person. I really do not care about them, except I adore my heated seat. But now if I had Magnolia Pearl's car, oh this is a car I could love.

Image from Curious Sofa

Signature Creator, Thank you Cassie for the link.

This BBC Woman's Hour, Dales Woman Hannah Hauxwell

 

 Oh my gosh I LOVE this gathering apron, at The Cottage At Frog Creek. Actually I love the blog too.

Puttery post at Broncante Home 

Things I Love

Things I Love

Well first, my hubby. Not only did he put in this amazing lamppost (we got at Costco) in the front of our home, but he dug a huge ditch and putting in all the wiring. We had no outlets outside. On a gray day (which we have a lot) it looks like the lamppost in The Chronicles Of Narnia.

Second my new print of Monsieur Hedgehog by Miss. Marjorie at Cozy Little Whimsy Nook. I had such a  hard time choosing a print, I love all of them in her shop. I think I may have to get her dapper fox for my library next !!!  If you have not been to Cozy Little Whimsy Nook, you should check it out. Marjorie is an amazing seamstress and you should the dresses she sews. Thank you Marjorie, I think he will be so charming in my kitchen xoxoxo

Third this fantastic vintage flash card tutorial by Everyday Cookies at Sweet Woodruff Acres !!!!!

Lastly a ribbon toilet paper holder from Harrington House. Very clever Katie.

Things I Love

Just As I Am 5-minute note cards what a simple, great idea Debi !!!

 

 

This I-am-going-to-die-with-love Pink chair at Chez Fifi

Right now I am addicted to Nates artichoke, cream cheese tacos

 

Pattern for Tasha Tudor shawl

Laura Berch has a new blog with wonderful tutorial. I love the one about antiquing paper

Things I Love

 

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Things I love

These wonderful Out Of Hands, Paper Roses. I love ideas of using what I already have around my house.

   

Susan if you read this post, I can not tell you how much we are enjoying China Bayles' Book Of Days by Susan Wittig Albert. I like that each page is just a bite of info. Not toomuch but very interesting. I have read a lot about herbs, but am still learning things I did not know. Aubern'e is also really enjoying it. She is really like the bits of history. At the beginning of the week, we check out the book for the upcoming week. This is a really wonderful resource for our homeschool. Susan also has  About Thyme podcast. If you go to the China Bayle link, you can sign up for a free weekly e-mail that is very similar to what is in the book. Thank you Susan.

          

Ohh my gosh what can I say about Harry and David's Moose Munch Bars. Well except you HAVE to try one. I got mine at Target. Heaven !!!

 

I rented Great Scotch Whiskey  at nextflix (Although I think it is called On The Whiskey Trail, but it is the same thing) and I have to say David and I loved this video. I am not into whiskey at all but it was like a wonderful travel video of Scotland. There is also the most fascinating history. It was like a little mini-vacation. There is also one on Irish whiskey. We enjoyed them soo much, I bought them for David.

Lastly, if you bought a copy of the petite-mag and your first page is the content page and not the cover, please e-mail me storybookschool@hotmail.com so I can fix it. Thank you xoxox

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Things I Love

Thank you ladies for all the understanding words and encouragement. It is nice to know you understand how I feel !! What a wonderful start to the new year. Speaking of the new year I though a "things I love" post would be a good way to start off the new year.

But first I feel soooo bad. How could I missed thanking both my good friends Kristin and Tracy for their Christmas gifts. I am soo sorry. Kristin gave me that gorgeous vintage pink ornament. I love it soo much I will keep it out all year.

Tracy thank you for this star. It makes me think of you and what a kind friend you have been to me over the years xoxoxo

I still have this nagging feeling I am misssing someone. If I am, I am sorry !!

When I saw this phone at Claire's Vintage Home and have serious envy (which equals love). Now I am thinking can I paint my phone ?????

Purl Bee napkin tutorial, I have been wanting to make my own napkins. I love the idea of making my own binding (which I did not know I could do?) Check it out.

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a wonderful story on-line you can listen to. It is sad and I do not usually like sad, but I found the story draw me in. There are several other stories to listen to.

The Yellow Wallpaper

In this classic late-nineteenth-century story by Charlotte Perkins Stetson Gilman, a new mother suffering from what we might today call 'post-partum depression,' is diagnosed with a nervous disorder. Instructed to abandon her intellectual life and avoid stimulating company, she sinks into a still-deeper depression invisible to her husband, who believes he knows what is best for her. Alone in the yellow-wallpapered nursery of a rented house, she descends into madness.

Salami Gorgonzola Biscuts    Well what can I say. Add a simple green salad, a good red wine and bit of chocolate to top it all off. Heaven !!!!!!!!!!!

Things I Love

Chloe has decorated her doll-house for the season. It is hard to see she made little fimo lanterns and pumpkins for each window. She also glue gunned little leaf garlands. This was all her idea and it warms my heart. She is already planning for Christmas !!!

I love Debbie, well because she is Debbie. But also because she did a hot-pad tutorial and I could see all the things I was doing wrong : - )

At Target Method spiced pear cleaning supplies. Ohh my kitchen smells yummy !!!

Mantal of the Month Sighhhh total love !!!

 

Things I Love

Aunt Dimity books

I love cozy mysteries and Aunt Dimity is one of my favorites. I do want to say not to be put off by the fact that there is a ghost in these stories. I actually would not call it is ghost. Aunt Dimity is dead and speaks to Lori through a diary. But it is small part of the book and a way for the characters to communicate together. My mother who is very sensitive about this type of thing, loves these books. So please give them a look before you decide what you think.

"Lori thought Aunt Dimity was just a character in a family bedtime story until a law firm summoned her to a reading of her relative's last will and testament. Lori will inherit a sizeable estate--if she can discover the secret hidden in a treasure trove of letters tucked away at Dimity's English country cottage."

Stramondo Organic Marzipan from Sicily

Now I know this marzipan is really expensive but it is really worth it. And it is hard to find. But if you are lucky enough to be able to get some and love marzipan, you need to try this. It is amazing. A fresh almond taste, a creamy texture and much softer to work with.

"From the ancient town of Salemi in western Sicily comes this organic marzipan of unsurpassed quality. The fine texture and clean, simple flavor makes cakes, candies and cookies more delicious than ever. Try it by itself as a candy. Contains only organic Palma Girgenti and Mandorla Cuore almonds, organic cane sugar, and organic vanilla. No milk powder, flour, or lecithin. This marzipan is also used in Italy to make a superb almond drink (latte di mandorla). Place 1 quart of water and 2/3 of package contents in a blender. Blend until all the marzipan has dissolved."

Photos (above) by Lacke Heemstra

If you love Victoria magazine you will LOVE Victorianne

Things I Love

 

Krisly Designs. I love her use of nature resources in a new way. Her feather tree is a favorite and I am wanting to make a bark moss runner. Make sure you look at her objects page.

I also love Alpineberry but her espresso praline muffin  just make me pine !!

Looking for some inspiration, check out Just as I Am. Her day 19 above.

At Safeway they have these yummy O Organic Ice Cream Bars. I had the coffee one. I liked them because the chocolate was a very good dark chocolate and because they did not use corn syrup but evaporated cane sugar. Yummy and healthy !!!

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Varieties

Vanilla Ice Cream Bar With Dark Chocolate

Blackberry Ice Cream Bar With Dark Chocolate

Coffee Ice Cream Bar With Dark Chocolate

Strawberry Ice Cream Bar With Dark Chocolate

 

 

Things I Love

    

Happythings I like this blog and loved her Mama Backpack Tutorial !!

I LOVE chocolate. The darker the better. My all time fav is Dagoba chocolate bar with Lavender and dried blueberries. Ahhhhh heaven !!! 

They have some wonderful recipes on their site. But my other favorite thing is red wine (especially with chocolate) I thought this list of pairing of chocolate with food and wine was very interesting.

I adore this cooking blog Cream Puffs In Venice. Just this Strawberry Tiramisù alone, makes me melt !!!!! 

Lastly I love Tongue In Cheek. Cory has an an amazing eye. But I had not seen her Pandora's Box. How fun is that. Very Inspirational !!!

Things I Love

 

I just wanted to say thank-you to all who come to my blog. It is such a joy for me to write this blog and it is thrilling to think that anyone would want to come and hear my ramblings. There are sooo many wonderful blogs out there, more then anyone can read. So I am so blessed that you would chose my blog as one you would take time out of your day to read. I do hope you are inspired to play !! xoxoxoxo Thank you all again.

 

I realized that I did not share my other secret to strawberry shortcake. It is in the strawberries. An hour or two before I serve them I mix the berries with a couple of spoonfuls of sugar and 2 TBLS of rose water. You do not want to have a strong rose taste, so do not use to much. It should be a back note. But I find that the rose water enhances the strawberries. I also adore strawberries with lavender !! So if you bought that bottle of rose water, now you have another use for it. It would also be good in the sangria or lemonade.

 

I thought these patriotic irons for shirts would be a fun thing to do for the 4th. I hope to get some white tees this weekend.

 

Sangria. I ADORE sangria. Maybe because it is pink and fruity. The same has been said about me. Then there was the sangria incident but us CM ladies will not speak about that ;- )

 

I usually just take a bunch of ripe fruit cover it with rose wine (although you can use white or a light red or yumm champagne) and let it sit a day, but  not ifyou are using champange. It is better to let it sit and let the fruit juices macerate. You can eat the fruit too but be careful. It packs a punch.

Here are several recipes, recipes 2, recipes 3 !!!!

 

Sangria

1 small, seedless watermelon

2 cups raspberries

2 cups strawberries

1 cup blueberries

mint leaves

super fine sugar to taste

1 vanilla bean

1 orange sliced a bottle of rose wine

1. Rinse the berries. Cut the strawberries in half or quarters depending on their size. Place on towels to dry.

2. Squeeze the orange. Cut the mint leaves.

3. In a bowl, gently mix the fruit with the wine, orange juice, sugar, and the chopped mint.

4. Cut the vanilla bean in half, lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Scrape the seeds into the wine/berry mixture.

5. Cut a small slice off the bottom of the watermelon, so that it will stand upright. Cut the watermelon in two.

6. From one half of the watermelon, scoop out the flesh, cutting it into small pieces. Add some of the pieces to the wine/berry mixture. Reserve the rest for another use

 

Lastly I have a new computer scrapbook. As you can see for the picture above I am having fun playing with it. Center image is from allposters