Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Thrifted Dishes & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #93


I visited my mom and dad at the cottage last week. Mom and I now have a routine involving lunch in town and a quick pop into the thrift store. Since I bought so many vintage glass baking dishes last time we went to the thrift shop, I avoided buying more of those. But I found this little orange flower cream and sugar set irresistible. I don't know what it is with me and orange flowers. I can't pass up a vintage dish with orange flowers on it. This sweet little set was made in Japan.

Friday, July 22, 2016

DIY Felt Fruit Mobile #12monthsofdiy


This month's #12monthsofdiy material is felt! So many possibilities, most of them a whole lot of fun. Read on to the bottom of the post to see what felt crafts the other bloggers in the group came up with. You'll be amazed.

The kids and I had so much fun making these felt donuts a few years ago that I decided to make three-dimensional felt fruit. I was going to put it in a bowl on the table (for those moments when the fresh fruit is all eaten up), but then another idea came to me. I love mobiles, so why not turn my felt fruit into a mobile (and in the easiest possible way, of course).

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Assorted Thrifted Finds & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #92


I am a bit late with my Vintage Bliss Tuesday post today, as I'm enjoying a couple of days at "the cottage," aka my parents' house. We have plans for shopping (at the thrift store?) and lunch in town, swimming with the kids later and, hopefully, reading on the deck while holding a lovely cold drink. So I'll make this quick.

Here are a couple of items I found recently at the thrift shop. Another trivet, this time with a rooster on it. I don't have the kind of decor that invites lots of roosters, however, I love these black iron trivets. I would like to put a bunch of them along my wall in the kitchen in lieu of a backsplash (because we have been too lazy to install one). And this rooster has a nice jaunty look. I really like the colours too.

Monday, July 18, 2016

5 Tips to Create a Pretty Mix and Match Summer Table (With Classic Replacements)


The ease and beauty of summertime calls for table settings that are eclectic, pretty and practical. Don't put away your formal china - summer "casual" doesn't have to mean plastic cutlery and paper plates. Instead, opt for a mix and match summer table that nods to summer's informal qualities while celebrating a season made for socializing.

Classic and modern, formal and informal, bold and demure, floral and check, silver and gold, fun and serious, high and low - all of these elements can work together for a lovely summer table. I was challenged to take a few pieces of fine tableware from Classic Replacements to act as the foundation of my summer table.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup (vegan, gluten-free)

Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup requires very few ingredients and practically cooks itself. Nutritious, tasty, vegan and gluten-free. Great for all seasons.

I know, I know, why am I talking about soup in the middle of summer! But now that our air conditioner is fixed, I frequently find myself craving this simple, healthy Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup. (Maybe I should turn down the air conditioner?)

No matter the season, when 5:00 p.m. rolls around and you don't have plans for dinner, this soup seems like a pretty great idea. Trust me. Keep a bunch of red lentils in a jar in your cupboard and you'll be good to go. Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup requires very few ingredients and it practically cooks itself. No kidding.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

What I Ate Wednesday and My Strawberry Obsession



As I haven't done a What I Ate Wednesday post for a few weeks, I have some catching up to do. We made our annual visit to the strawberry farm recently. Each year we go to Spring View Farms in Uxbridge. It's a small farm with chemical-free strawberries (so I feel okay about eating them right in the strawberry patch!). The picking season lasts not much more than a week, so we have to hustle to get to Spring View before the strawberries are gone.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Vintage Glass Baking Dishes & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #91


On my most recent visit to the thrift store, I discovered an abundance of vintage white baking dishes. I found the patterns so cheery and the prices so reasonable that I couldn't resist picking up a few. Plus my mom was with me and she got her senior's discount, for another 10% off. These dishes were all $2 or $3 each to begin with. Practically a steal, no?

Monday, July 11, 2016

Mini Kiwi Cheesecakes (vegan, raw, gluten-free)

These Mini Kiwi Cheesecakes are creamy & delicious, as well as being vegan, raw and gluten-free. Made from all natural ingredients, they are handy to have in the freezer for when a craving strikes!

If you are new to a vegan or plant-based lifestyle, giving up cheesecake can seem like a daunting task. Thankfully, there's no need! Why not make your own delicious, nutrient-filled cheesecake that's not only vegan, but also raw and gluten-free? These mini kiwi cheesecakes are simple to make, use healthy ingredients (unlike traditional cheesecake) and can be kept in the freezer so they're handy when a craving strikes or a friend drops by for tea.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

A Large Deck, Decorative Puppies & A Bunch of Accessories (Summer Yard Tour Part Two)


Last week I shared a look at the newly painted shed window boxes and chairs that now grace our backyard. In Summer Yard Tour Part One I also showed just how many pieces of our outdoor furniture and accessories required spray painting this year. (Hint: there were a lot!) In today's Summer Yard Tour Part Two, I want to show you our refreshed deck area. It was looking quite sad over the fall and winter months and it was definitely due for some summer lovin'.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Pretty Thrifted Dishes & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #90


Thank you to all of the new visitors who came by and linked up at last week's Vintage Bliss Tuesday party! If you didn't check out the lovely treasures linked up, be sure to visit last week's post now! This week, I'm sharing a couple of the finds I got when my mom and I visited the Salvation Army thrift store in her town this past weekend. They tend to have a different variety of dishes on hand than my local store does.