Painting and Baking

This is what I've been up to this week. There are alot of pic's- so be patient please. I have repainted the kitchen(2 coats) and today the family room. After the tile went in my pretty yellow didn't go anymore. I didn't think it would, but wanted to make sure. I went with a light tan. I'll post finished kitchen soon.
Next, my soon to be graduate son and I made a simple pastry that he could take to his class where they are studying food from different cultures. This is an Armenian recipe that's been passed on to me by my sweet Auntie Sylvia. If you've ever tried baklava you'll love this. It's called Boorma and is a simplified version.
Let 1 bag of the phyllo dough defrost(i microwaved it for about 5 min. on defrost. Carefully unwrap and lay it out-keep a damp dish towel over dough at all times. Assemble other ingredients.
About 1/2 cup of any kind of chopped nuts, about 1 stick of unsalted butter melted and honey. Yes just 4 ingredients! You need a broomstick or dowel rod( we used his karate staff).
Take one sheet of phyllo and put a row of nuts across the dough. Carefully and loosely roll up around the dowel. If it tears, just patch it together. After it's rolled scrunch the ends together-it kind of makes a ruffle, and than slide off dowel rod.

Place in a 9x 12 cake pan that has been buttered. Lay them close to each other.
When you have used all the dough, drizzle with melted butter-I use a pastry brush for this. You want to be liberal with the butter-that's what makes the dough crisp up in the ruffles. Bake at 350 until a little brown and crisp looking. I think about 20 minutes.keep checking.
After you take it out of the oven drizzle with honey- maybe about 1/2 cup or to taste. Sorry the measurements aren't real exact-it's been passed down. My son made them and were a big hit at his class. They are pretty easy and an unusual dessert.
I loved reading about your enamel ware pieces. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'm off to clean up and more graduation parties. I think I need a rest, but am trying to enjoy all the excitement. Have a great week-end!
Leslie

Red and White Enamelware and Three Bears

I looked around my house this week to find something red to join the Rednesday Party at It's A Very Cherry World and I came up with this little set. The book and the little hand made bears are all from garage sales. I just couldn't pass up that sweet little Mama Bear. And you know I love vintage children's books.
I had to take down my red and white enamel ware from above my cabinet, so I could get ready to paint this week. That should be the last step of the kitchen re-do. I took all the pieces down and cleaned them. Now I can rearrange them when I put them back up. I weeded out some others and decided to concentrate on coffee pots and tea pots.
How many of you collect enamel ware and what colors do you collect? There are so many variations and colors out there. Just trying to get the painting done and I'll show pic's when I'm through. Happy Reds!

Leslie

Happy Memorial Day!

It's been a crazy week, with the tile being installed and then putting the house back together again. Bathroom and laundry room still aren't done. It will get there this week end-or else I can't do laundry. Oh- maybe that would be a good thing.
Remember a few posts ago I showed these plates and assorted stuff I got from thrift stores? Well, here is my first attempt at a tablescape. The only thing I bought new was the flowers and the candy in the dish. It was really fun putting this together .
I've got to find out how to put the silverware-I can't believe the fork is tilted! Anyway, my BFF came over yesterday and we had fun, pulling out different dishes and thinking about more tablescapes. My rule to myself will be, use what I've got or buy at a thrift store. Anyway hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Leslie

Red Tea Sets

It's Rednesday! Thank you Sue from It's a Very Cherry World for hosting. Here is one of my childs tea sets.
I love children's tea sets. I think the graphics are great. I'd love to collect more , but the prices are way too high for me.
This set is plastic and is complete. I've never seen one like it. The tray has ladybugs on it.
Last is my thrift store afghan that I got for 97 cents! Love the shade of red.

I want to thank Sally of Sally Annie Magundy for my first blog award. The Trendy Blogger Award. I was so excited. I am having a hard time doing links today-Blogger is not cooperating.I can't get the image up. Sorry. I will pass this award on to some old and new blog friends. Please go check them out-they have alot to offer.
Rick Rack and Gingham
A Conversation at Goodwill
Linda Ruthies Aprons
Old Glory Cottage
Pretty Little Things
Georgia Peaches
Sawdust and Paperscraps

Thank you Sue and Sally. I hope you all have a great day!
Leslie

Senior Mini-Scrapbook

Here is a pic of the Mini Scrapbook I have made for my graduating Senior. I did a collage in his name of all the things that have been important to him through his school years. Below is what I started with. A kids board book that I thougth would be the right size and number of pages.A GW find.
I did a little repair to the right corner and I sanded the gloss off of every page. That way the glue will stick.
I glued on primary color background pages. I weighted each page down with books until they dried. I wanted to keep it simple and schooly without going over the top. I was keeping him in mind-not me(otherwise I would have done a retro themed book)
I counted the pages and planned on one side per grade. Example-1st grade left side, 2nd goes on the right and so on.I shrunk down the pic's on the computer.I only put a few pics-things that he participated in or enjoyed. This is not meant to be a full record of school years-I have done that in his school scrapbooks.


I had 2 pages at the end left-did all the pics through the years and a little thought at the end.
This was my first board book. It was really fun to do and I plan on doing some more. Probably vintage next time around-I really had to restrain myself. I will give this to him on graduation day. I can't believe it's in a few weeks!

Have a good day!
Leslie

Extreme Makeover

Here is the before-
And here he is after. Quite a difference. Max is sitting on my best thrift store find from yesterday. I almost missed it. The price-hold on to your hats-97 cents. It's full size and in great condition, I couldn't believe it!
These are small conductor scores-there was a bunch of them, I may go back and pick up a few more. Great for crafts.
I've been seeing all these wonderful tablescapes from alot of the bloggers and when I saw these all seperated at GW I felt a patriotic tablescape for two coming on. I've never done one-in fact my dishes are white. So I thought I might have fun with these. I even got the striped sheet to use as a tablecloth..
Of course I can't pass up ME stuff. Too cute. THose are my treasures from yesterday. I'll be holed up here next week-the tile is going down, starting on Monday. Have a great week-end!

Again I want to thank you all for your comments. I look forward to reading them all. I have a question-what is the correct way to respond to a question on the comments. Do you go to their blog to answer, email them, or post the answer on your own comments. Wasn't sure what to do on that. And I want to respond, but not get in the way of your blogs. Help!

Leslie

More Random Reds

I thought about these plates for a week and decided to go back to Home Goods and get them. Love them!
I love to sew and bought this at an antiques mall in Arkansas.
Story behind Raggedy Andy is-when I was 6 years old I already had had my Raggedy Anne doll for 2 years and she was my favorite. I slept with her every night. So of course I wanted Andy for Christmas. I saw the wrapped box under the tree and shook it and just knew that was it. Christmas morning I go to open that box and there were a pair of slippers! Oh my-disappointment. A few presents later there was the much awaited Andy Doll in a different size box. So there he is.
Little Tiddly Winks game in mushroom- what a cute game" box". Thanks you Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for hosting this party. Go check out everyone elses red and have a great Rednesday!
Leslie