I'm going for it...finally

Another fabulous find for my $25.00 fantastic garage sale haul was canning supplies!! For the last couple of years, I have been meaning to get my own canning supplies so that I can take advantage of all of the great farm markets we have here all summer in Northern Michigan. I have canned before, but never made the investment to buy my own supplies and can on my own.

So I have the momentum and now I have the supplies ( I have to get jars this weekend ) and there are no excuses. I think I may start with asparagus and some strawberry jam. I am a little late for the REALLY good asparagus, but in the winter it'll be better ( and cheaper ) than what will be available to me then. Canning is actually a very easy and rewarding process, so if you have never tried it, just Google canning and you will get all of he information you need to get started !

I thought I'd share with you a canning recipe that I have on my to-do list. Hopefully it will inspire you to jump on in and catch up on the canning trend, like I am! ( I swear I was a farmer's wife in a past life...lol )

Strawberry Lemon Marmalade

Makes 7 (8oz.) half pints

1/4 C. thinly sliced lemon peel

4 C. fresh crushed strawberries

1 T. lemon juice

1 (1.75 oz) pkg. pectin

6 C. sugar

7 half pint jars with lids and bands

Prepare water canner. Heat jars and lids and set bands aside. Combine lemon peel and water to cover in an 8 qt. saucepan. bring to a boil for 5 min, til peel is softened. drain and discard liquid. return peel to pan.

Add strawberries and lemon juice to peel and mix well. bring mix to a full boil that can not be stirred down over high heat stirring constantly. Add entire measure of sugar stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 min. stirring consantly. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Ladle hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rim and center lid on jar. Screw on bands til fingertip tight. Process in a water canner for 10 min. remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours.

What can $25.00 get ya???

What can a great garage sale and $25.00 get ya?? ALL of THIS!! Garage sale season is beginning here in Northern Michigan and I started off with hitting the bargain motherload!! I almost feel a little guilt taking all of this stuff it was so cheap!! I didn't even have the energy to take pictures of it all, but here is a little peek to get you inspired to get out and start bargain shopping those garage sales!!

The TV cabinet I purchased for $10.00 at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, then painted it pistachio green and just re-sold it this weekend...

In this load were three vintage quilts, three quilt toppers and this yellow chenille bedspread.. I also grabbed a bag of 12 vintage aprons!!

An antique scale and red enamel pot...

2 old locker baskets and 5 old green ball mason jars

This adorable kids chair and two bundles of spindles..

This stool is now in my kitchen, I was going to paint it, but like the way it is looking now, so the paint job may wait a while..

New Listings on Etsy!!

Just popping in for a quick update to let you know that I have been a busy bee and recently listed a few new items in my Etsy shop!! I'll be back soon with more updates on what I've been working on!!

Yum of the Irish!!

Just popping in to share a great St. Patty's day recipe with you!! Every March 17th, I serve the usual Corned beef and cabbage dinner.. I look forward to it each year, but another great irish recipe that I love to serve is Shepherds Pie!! I vary it depending on what I have on hand, but it is a great comfort food on a cold night! This recipe is particularly good with the Guiness.. mmmmm!! Hope you get a chance to try it. You won't be disappointed!! Following the recipe I have some pictures of decorating your home with touches of green. Hope they inspire you to getin touch with your irish side!! Happy St. Patricks day!!

Guiness Shepherd's Pie

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 c. onion

1/2 c. diced carrots

2 t. minced garlic
1/4 c. Guiness stout

1/4 c. cabernet wine

3/4 c. beef broth

1 T. worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. each.. dried Basil, oregano, sage, marjoram

1 c. peas ( fresh or frozen )

2 T. butter

2 T. Flour

1/2 t. salt 1/2 t.pepper

Potato Topping ( Mashed Potatoes )

In a dutch oven, brown beef. Add onion ,carrot, garlic, wine, broth ,Guiness, w. sauce, and all of the dried herbs. Simmer until carrots are fork tender and then add peas. In another saucepan, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Add roux tobeef mixture slowly to thicken sauce. continue to cook for 5-10 min. Add salt and pepper. Put mixture in large casserole dish. For the potato topping, make mashed potatoes to your liking. Many shepherd pie recipes vary this topping from simple mashed potatoes to mashed potatoes with white cheddar mixed in, herbs, cream cheese.. whatever tickles your fancy. I use just a simple mashed potato. Top your meat mixture with the mashed potatoes. If you are serving this to guests, you can pipe these on with a piping bag. Bake at 350 for 20- 30 min til potatoes are golden. Serve!!

A Fling with Spring!!

I am having a fling with spring!! I don't feel fully in that spring decor mode, but I am almos there, so I've decided it's a "fling"!! :) I have been going through my stored spring images as well as some I have found here and there and thought I'd share some pic's to get you inspring mode as well!! Maybe my next post will have some of my own personal spring decor to share.. Maybe.

I love this bucket of flowers in this kitchen. I know it's not truly a spring inspiration pic, but I love how just a few flowers reminds me that it is no longer winter!!

It's still cold enough for a cup of coffee or tea, but you should drink it in a spring mug for sure!!

Time to start planning those Easter eggs.. so many ideas!! And don't forget the outdoor decor!!

Feelin the love!!

Just a quick post.. I just finished the cupcakes I had to make for my daughter's first grade Valentine party.. Phew!! I do like the heart candies on top of that yummy buttercream!!Today are the class parties at school and I have to say, I'm glad it's over! Just thought I'd share some of the Valentines I made for the kids.. Just some scrapbook paper and I cut out felt hearts, sewed and stuffed them with a saftey pin on the back so the kids can wear them at school.. they turned out pretty cute and like I said, I am GLAD they are done!! :)

Inspiration...

Inspiration these days is ALL over the web.. one site that I always find myself finding inspiration on is Potterybarn and Pottery Barn Kids. Sometimes I wonder we get our inspiration from them or if they get it from us!! So many decorating ideas they feature can be found all over the web and on blogs and can be created at home for a fraction of the cost. I thought I'd post some pics of great ideas that can be done yourself.. and you won't even have to pay shipping!! Doing a blog search for pottery barn tutorials will have you spending the better portion of the day looking at crafty ideas on how to make some of these items, or a varitaion of them. So when you get a chance, request a Pottery Barn catalog or browse the website and get inspired!!