New Year, Better ME

I love how a New Year has the promise of new beginnings. I hope that this year brings them to me. I know that I am the only one who can make that happen and I am determined to do so! My resolution is to just focus on bettering myself mentally and physically. I am not going on a DIET..since they don't work! I need to focus on just eating better and making better choices. A co-worker of mine posted a quote on Facebook that clicked with me. Before eating something, it basically says "Will this help my body or hurt my body." I will do my best to remember that before I devour a plate of cookies! Another resolution is to get on here more often! I hope to post my progress on here and hear from others on the path to better health.

We are expecting over a foot of snow in the next 2 days! I should be used to snow living in New England, but I hate it! It's sure pretty to look at, but I just dislike driving in it.

Here is a pic from our last storm a couple weeks ago. My birdhouse looked so cute, but I sure hope the birdies inside were nice and cozy :)

 

Here are a couple from Xmas. The first one is the result of a tv commercial I saw. It showed these mason jars on a mantle with decorations inside. It's such a fun idea and so easy! I love they turned out and they look so nice with lights around them.

 

And a close-up of a table place setting.

 

I hope everyone had a great holiday and best wishes for a fabulous New Year!









Potato Gnocchi and Fabric bins

I have always wanted to make gnocchi. I tried years ago, but failed miserably! You really need to have a potato ricer to get that fluffy texture. I got this recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I love this show, since they show you step by step and test every recipe until it's perfect. Here is the recipe and some pics of the process.

Ingredients

Gnocchi

• 2pounds russet potatoes
• 1large egg , lightly beaten
• 3/4cup plus 1 tablespoon (4 ounces) all-purpose flour , plus extra for the counter
• 1teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

• 1. FOR THE GNOCCHI: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Poke each potato 8 times with paring knife over entire surface. Microwave potatoes until slightly softened at ends, about 10 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through cooking. Transfer potatoes directly to oven rack and bake until skewer glides easily through flesh and potatoes yield to gentle pressure, 18 to 20 minutes.
• 2. Holding each potato with potholder or kitchen towel, peel with paring knife. Process potatoes through ricer or food mill onto rimmed baking sheet. Gently spread potatoes into even layer and let cool for 5 minutes.
• 3. Transfer 3 cups (16 ounces) warm potatoes to bowl. Using fork, gently stir in egg until just combined. Sprinkle flour and 1 teaspoon salt over potato mixture. Using fork, gently combine until no pockets of dry flour remain. Press mixture into rough ball, transfer to lightly floured counter, and gently knead until smooth but slightly sticky, about 1 minute, lightly dusting counter with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
• 4. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and dust liberally with flour. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Lightly dust counter with flour. Gently roll piece of dough into ½-inch-thick rope, dusting with flour to prevent sticking. Cut rope into ¾-inch lengths. Holding fork with tines facing down in 1 hand, press each dough piece cut side down against tines with thumb of other hand to create indentation. Roll dough down tines to form ridges on sides. If dough sticks, dust thumb or fork with flour. Transfer formed gnocchi to sheets and repeat with
•  6. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add remaining 1 tablespoon salt. Using parchment paper as sling, gently lower gnocchi from 1 sheet into water and cook until firm and just cooked through, about 90 seconds (gnocchi should float to surface after about 1 minute). Using slotted spoon, transfer cooked gnocchi to skillet with sauce. Repeat with remaining gnocchi. Gently toss gnocchi with sauce and serve. remaining dough.

There was a step 5 for this recipe, but it was for the sauce. You can add any sauce to this. It is perfect with brown butter and sage, or pesto!

They were so light and fluffy, just like mini pillows :)

I am in love with these fabric baskets. I make these in oilcloth as well, but so far this set is my favorite. These would be great for a new baby's room as a diaper holder, or toy holder. They have endless uses.

Thanks for stopping by! Someday I will get a tutorial on here!





Vintage Bazaar and Family Reunion

This weekend was full of activities for me! Saturday morning I headed up to Salisbury, MA for the Vintage Bazaar at Pettengill Farm.  This event is held twice a year and is filled with antiques, handcrafted items, and unique vintage finds. I love coming here to look for fabrics and get inspired! Here are a few pics-

I just love the way the vendors set up their spaces! Each one just draws you in. The weather was very humid that day, so I didn't stay as long as I normally do. I look forward to September when the Vintage Bazaar returns!

Today was my family reunion. We try to do this every year and I look forward to seeing everyone. From before I was born, the reunion has been held at the same exact place each year. It is at Rye Harbor State Park in NH. The memories come flooding back each time I step foot there! There is the long jetty that I have only made it to the end once! The rocks get very scary the farther you go!

The view is amazing and the weather today was picture perfect! I look forward to next time :)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope everyone had a great weekend!







Upcycled!

I love to upcycled when I can. I think it gives the finished product that extra something! I came across this vintage military duffle bag at a yard sale-

I removed the strap and cut this baby in half. With the top part I made a super roomy tote! I added in some wool herringbone lining and reattached the strap to the top. I love the finished product!

I love the "war wounds" on this bag and the hardware. Thanks for stopping by! I hope everyone is having a great Father's Day!





Beacon Hill Garden Tour

For my birthday this year, a friend took me to the Beacon Hill Garden Tour. I have been wanting to go to this for a few years now, but the past couple years it has rained. For anyone not familiar with the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston, it is a historic area. It is known for its federal style rowhouses, narrow gas lit streets, and brick sidewalks. It is also the most expensive and desired Boston neighborhood. The garden tour allows you to go into private gardens that can't be seen from the street. The exciting part for me is that in order to access the gardens, you need to go through the house! I love looking inside these old rowhouses. They are simply stunning! Here are a few pictures from my day. Space is limited in this area, so most of these gardens are tiny, but they are still peaceful and full of inspiration.

I love this idea for a plant stand!

These Hydrangeas were HUGE

Most of these homes have these great window boxes

This was my favorite garden..very tranquil

I hope you enjoy a glimpse into these private areas! 

Oilcloth Project

I had to pick up a book I had on hold at the library, and while I was there, I took a peek at the sewing books. I am glad I did! I found this great book by Kelly McCants called Sewing with Oilcloth. I have a bunch of this stuff for making my tote bags. This book has some great ideas for new projects! I have been wanting to make storage bins for the longest time. I was originally going to make them from fabric, but now I am loving the oilcloth! These would be great to hold fruits and veggies! If something happened to spoil, you can just wipe them clean! I have only the 1 so far, but plan on making more of these!



Easter Bunny

I felt a little experimental today and came up with this cute little Easter Bunny! She will have fun hanging out with my owls :) I had this cute seersucker left over from a project I did. I added the fleece accents, button eyes, and of course the cotton tail! She would be so cute sitting on your desk or on a shelf somewhere with her little legs dangling off.

Thanks for stopping by!