Hollyhocks

Homemade Pastel Butter Mints

If you make homemade butter mints when your 4 year-old twins are home...

You're going to have to hide some on the back porch for your mom and brother. It also wouldn't hurt if, after looking at the recipe, you happened to be at an estate sale and find the perfect tin for them...

I found the recipe in the Back in the Day Bakery cookbook. It's super easy. Just butter, confectioner's sugar, sweetened condensed milk, a pinch of salt and 1 TABLESPOON (!) of peppermint extract. I did have to add extra sw. condensed milk to get the perfect consistency. Now, if this isn't tempting enough, Josie made some with orange and vanilla instead of the peppermint. So good. Have fun. Kids and adults love these. The book is under $15 and just terrific. Don't ask how many baking books I have. Note: I made my own vanilla last fall (as pictured above) - a huge bottle of vodka and 10 vanilla beans, purchased online. I shook the bottle every few days and voila! Homemade vanilla by Christmas-about 8 weeks.

Skinny by summer is getting more and more questionable...

On Friendship

It's a "blog friend's" birthday tomorrow. I was going to send a card, but I am sure this post will "get there" in time. We met through our blogs. She sent me a vintage blue silk layette when I was expecting the twins. When the package arrived, I noticed that she only lived a couple of miles away. When my husband did a feature on bloggers on his news show, I looked her up and called to see if she would be interested.

She was- so she appeared on TV. Then, one day, when I was on bedrest, the phone rang and it was Josie, wondering if I would like some company. We had never met in person, so we had a visit. She brought handmade gifts for the twins and Orange-Vanilla cake. I reclined on the sofa. We talked a mile a minute and have been friends ever since.

Her children are a bit older than mine, so I always ask her for input on issues as they arise. Most notably, I called her last summer when the DH was out of town and the twins were at a one-week summer camp. One of them (who shall remain nameless but has 2 X chromosomes), reportedly pushed a friend down. The camp was at a place we hadn't been before, where I didn't know the teachers or parents...so I was mortified. The school made a big deal about it and I felt awful...and judged...for days. I called Josie and she made me laugh. She said something to the effect of "the other child is probably not completely blameless" and told me a story about her own angelic offspring biting her older brother hard enough to leave a mark.

We like most of the same things and respect each other's opinions about everything. Josie makes sure that no matter how busy life gets, we keep in touch, often to bake together in her kitchen.

So today I just want to say- thanks for being such a good friend. I am influenced all of the time by your ability to make a house a beautiful home. Happy 35th birthday! I can't wait until I reach that milestone!

Bleak Weather- Has to get Beather

The weather here is disappointing. That's the only way to describe it. Sunday we smelled Spring in the air. Then it snowed again...and again...and again. The photo above is from last summer. The recipe is from the book Homemade Pantry. I made so many things from that wonderful book that I lost count. The ricotta was made with goat's milk and homemade pesto was stirred in. One of my then 3 year-old twins devoured it on wheat crackers. The only recipe I didn't like was the ketchup. Not tomatoey enough and too peppery.

Another fun recipe, this one from Pinterest, is that great Williams-Sonoma scent. It turns out that it's pretty easy to duplicate, just lemons, rosemary and vanilla, simmered with a couple of cups of water. I wonder if I could make a room spray with those essential oils and vodka...hmmm...

This was lunch with Josie at Hurd Orchards last June. Oh boy am I nostalgic for summer. The strawberry soup recipe (we asked) was simple: 2 cups of strawberries, one cup of cream, one-half cup of sour cream and sugar to taste. Puree it in the blender. Serve chilled.

So, I guess it has to come eventually, right? Nice warm weather...

Beach days....

10 weeks, give or take. Summer Solstice here we come.

DI Why and the Five Dollar Strawberry

Five years ago I hauled 200 antique bricks home and made a nice little rectangle of bricks in the tiny yard. This was great for the first couple of years, but our harsh winters took their toll and now it's time to replace the cracked and flaking bricks with big, strong pavers. Holy cow, pavers are heavy!!! I like to start a project and work until it's done. It's the instant gratification thing. Unfortunately, this one will need to be done in small chunks. I'll gleefully post an update when I finish.

In other news, I started a strawberry pot. It seemed like a good idea for growing lots and lots of strawberries ver efficiently. The pot was inexpensive and we used organic soil...however, the darned thing takes 10 strawberry plants...which means that the strawberries will be about 5 dollars each... Let's hope production increases!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

A Little Vintage

You know the tabletop thread displays? They are just so sleek and utilitarian and just thinking of owning one and filling it with thread...opening the drawers to find a rainbow of possibilities....well, the price is generally prohibitive, but...I found this little reasonably priced cabinet and it found its way home this spring. It is filled with embroidery floss and needles.

I bought tweezers last week, off of a rack. Imagine going to the local apothecary, years ago, opening a tiny drawer and finding your tweezers...much more fun.  I could fill a house with interesting cabinets...A couple of years ago, Susan offered me a great deal on a library card file. It killed me to turn her down. I just didn't know where I would put it. I still think about that cabinet...

Speaking of dwelling in the past...

Since I am going to be home this summer, I think it's time to start using the vintage linen collection. I can just see the freshly laundered linens, hanging on the line (that the roofers removed), fluttering in a summer breeze as I sip lemonade, garnished with lemon verbena...as my clean and pressed twins play quietly on a vintage quilt...yes...I'm sure that's exactly how it will be...

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks...

Selvedge Potholders

You know how you put off buying things that you really need? Well, at least I do. I have needed pot holders for MONTHS! I have been using my lone red one along with a dish towel. The other day I thought, hmm, I have a LOT of selvedges up there in ye olde sewing room. They aren't really doing anything, sooo I sewed them to sqares of fabric, added some batting and Insul-Bright, backed them with fabric and quilted them with 1/4" lines and satin stitched around the edges. I added a loop and that was that. Now on to other matters.

My back yard is wild. It's a tiny yard but it needs a bit of a makeover this year. I love doing that stuff. The yard is so small that I can get a lot done in a day. I am thinking pavers to replace the cracked bricks, lots of mulch, a blueberry plant or 2 and some flowers that the twins can cut for bouquets. Strawberries too. We are serious strawberry people here.

In other news, I want to share one of the best bargains ever...

Buying books at Amvets. They are 3 for $1. You can't beat that anywhere. The twins screamed with joy when they saw the pile of new books. I am even going to let them look at my favorite book...

Instead of "Illustrated by" it says "Stitchery by" on the cover...

Such fun!

Handmade for the Twins

If your mom taught you to sew and cook and even repair simple things, mostly with glue...

Your young children will think you are a genius. I know these days are numbered, but right now the twins think that mommy can make or fix anything. It's kind of nice.

Often, they will place an order for a specific item. First, they wanted fleece sheets for their toddler beds-specific motifs of course. Now, they want summer sheets.

Thomas the Tank Engine for him and Strawberry Shortcake for her. With matching pillows, of course.

 I will link to a tutorial, but all you need to know is this...Buy, thrift or use from your collection...2 yards of fabric and about 28" of elastic, 3/4 or 1" wide. Leave the width of the fabric alone and cut the length to 69" (so you'll have about 45x69), Fold your fabric twice  and cut 8" squares out of all 4 outside corners at once. Make 2" casings at all 4 corners only. Start about 7" before the seam and end about 7"after (an inch or two off doesn't matter at all.) Thread 7" pieces of elastic through all four casings, gather and sew the ends down. Trim your threads and you are done. Voila, fleece sheets for a fraction of the cost of store bought and new cotton sheets from just about anything. Easy! 45 minutes start to finish and the kids will think you are a genius...for now.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks.

May Day!

I saw pansies on sale so the twins are bringing a May Day present to their teacher today. Isn't May Day just a perfect little holiday? I am so happy about Spring this year that I could do a little dance every time I think about flowers and sunshine and warmer days. It's such an easy holiday-just give someone some flowers... There is another reason why I am so happy about spring this year...

For the first time ever, I am taking the summer off to spend it with the twins and our (almost 12 year old) dog. I just told work last week and cancelled day care for the summer so now it's real. It's very strange to think of not being a worker, but I'm sure 2 (almost) 4 year olds will keep me busy.

I am very fortunate to have optional summer employment at my school. It truly is the best of both worlds. I am really looking forward to slowing things down a bit for a while. We are hoping to give the twins the kind of summers that I had...long sunny days with popsicles and trips to the park, zoo and pool.

I knew that I needed to be home more when I saw this...my tiny 3 year old daughter is coloring in the lines. Stop growing so fast!

One funny thing...my little guy accompanied me to a quilt show this weekend. He insisted on being in all of the photos (this was his favorite quilt). He made funny faces in all of the photos and I bribed him for more time- with cherry pie. As we finished our pie he spotted a basket of Sweet and Low packets. He pointed and yelled "POISON"! "No", I corrected, "Mommy said that is made of chemicals, not poison". The lady who was reaching for the basket at the time laughed (thankfully) and told me that her son used to point out people eating junk food and tell them that it was "not healthy food." Darned kids. Why don't they remember the stuff I want them to remember?

Happy May Day!!!!

Spice Drawers and the Little Things

It's a quality of life issue.

Every time I opened that spice drawer, I cringed as the search began. Sometimes I had to open a little bag and try to determine what it contained....hmmm...marjoram or basil....??? Consequently, I had doubles and triples of some herbs and none of others in there.

After searching Pinterest for ideas, I found this etsy seller and voila!

..About 2 hours later I had this! Every time I open that drawer now, I am so pleased with it. Sharp eyes may have noticed that the majoram is empty. Unbelievable...the one herb I need today...

I have about 5,000 more projects like that...let's see at 2 hours each...that's....

Making a Nest Wreath

A few weeks ago I was in the Bird Store and I saw a wreath covered in nesting materials for the birds. This way, the birds can just stop by and pick out some nesting material to avoid that matchy-matchy look so many robins have...brown nest, mud base...yawn... I have always wanted to make one, so yesterday I gathered the supplies while the twins watched Their favorite show.

We used roving, twine, yarn, cotton balls and angelina fibers, glued to a $2.99 Joanns straw wreath form. The twins loved the project except when the Angelina fibers stuck to the gluey hands-they both rushed to the sink amidst great theatrics to wash their sullied skin.

 I hope we see a lot of snazzy nests around here soon.

I am saving links to tons of rainy-day projects. I think I have as much fun as they do, making things.