Things I Love – Autumn Colors (Part 1) August 9, 2009

It’s a sweltering 95 degrees outside today, with a heat index of over 100. As I’m sitting on the leather sofa in our living room, periodically lifting my legs to peel them from the leather, I’m longing for those crisp, cool autumn days. You know the kind – when there is a gentle breeze and you catch the scent of leaves through your kitchen window; when you can sip a chai latte and not be overcome with the heat inside and out. Pretty much the perfect day.

So, in my wistfulness for those days (which aren’t too far off, I hope!) I thought – hey! this would make for a nice post. And since I’ve been slacking off on the new posts, here I am.

Pumpkin Pie scented anything…

From Mountain Mama Chic's shop on Etsy...

This soap, from Mountain Mama Chic’s shop on Etsy looks delightful! I can smell it already – that spicy-sweet combination of pumpkin and allspice. I just might have to buy this one!

Warm candle light (even better if it comes with a Pumpkin or Spice scented candle!)

From TwilightSpell's shop on Etsy...

As if sipping that chai latte weren’t cozy enough, TwilightSpells on Etsy created this awesome soy candle by using an old tea cup from a charity shop! I love the way the warm light glows through the brown and golden decoration on the cup – so inviting! (and after reading through her list of scents available I think the Banana Nut Bread would be heavenly!)

Autumn crafts…

From TessaAnn's shop on Etsy...

These buttons are handmade by TessaAnn; she chose lovely colors to represent autumn in all it’s glory! These buttons are so inspiring to me! I can see them being sewn to a wonderful knit scarf, or adorning a set of handmade cards to send off to family and friends!

Jewelry

From The Brass Hussy's shop on Etsy...

Ok, did you really think I’d leave jewelry out? These earrings created by The Brass Hussy would serve more than just the autumn season, but that golden color just reminds me of falling leaves on a crisp day.

Scarves!!

From Angie's Others shop on Etsy...

I am a scarf junkie. I have several and want more…including this one. I love the colors that were used in this creation from AngiesOthers on Etsy. Very pretty tones, and will go with many autumn outfits.

Artwork

From AzureDandelion's shop on Etsy...

Just because nature’s artwork is on the outside doesn’t mean it can’t be inside too! This lovely painting created by AzureDandelion on Etsy is just screaming to be on my wall! I love the fiery oranges toned down by the subtle reds and yellows in the background, and the dark starkness of the trunk and branches is a nice contrast against the bright colors.

That’s all for now…be sure to check all these wonderful shops for more goodies! Stay tuned for the next “Things I Love” series – who knows what that might consist of!

A Trip To The Zoo July 21, 2009

Sunday I went to the zoo with my husband and his parents. I always love going to the zoo – mainly I love watching the animals, just grazing or snoozing lazily in the shade. I usually take my camera – shock of shocks – and snap a few images. This trip was no different!

zebra

The new African Journey portion is open now – and they did a fabulous job with it. The mist is a bit much when you first enter that part, but once it subsides its great. We didn’t take the new sky lift as there was a 15 minute wait, and none of us felt like baking in the warm sun standing in line.

I don’t normally enjoy birds, but these were fairly pretty and serene-looking…

One of the bird exhibits in the African Journey.

This little guy looked like a rascal!

Bat-Eared Fox

I immediately get the “badger-badger-badger-badger, mushROOM-mushROOM!” song in my head from one of those obnoxious email videos when I see this guy. Poor thing, all curled up basking in the heat. He’s got to be miserable!

Honey Badger

The regal king of the jungle looked on lazily as he panted in the heat…

Lion

…and fast-forwarding to the end of the zoo, at the farm, was this sweet girl waiting to greet us…

Sheep

To see the rest of the pictures – because Lord knows I took more – please visit my Zoo album on Flickr! (link will open in new window)

Thanks again for looking – and be sure to nab yourself the freebie recipe cards from the other day. I’m getting some new ideas for more freebies, so stay tuned!

A Freebie for You – Recipe Cards July 19, 2009

As a way to thank you for taking time to read my blog, I would like to offer you some recipe cards. Now, they’re not too fancy, and may not be every one’s cup of tea…but I get a kick out of the Victorian clip art from the Dover publications.

Feel free to save them, print them, and use them – but please – PLEASE do not sell them. All images are courtesy of Dover Publications, royalty-free clip art “Crafters Cornucopia,” “Floral Vignettes,” “Old-Time Vignettes,” and “Folk Art Designs.”

Recipe card featuring Dover "Folk Art Design" clip art

For more of the “Folk Art Design” recipe card series, please visit my Flickr account here: Folk Art Design Recipe Cards (will open in new window).

Recipe card featuring Dover clip art from "Floral Vignettes" and "Old-Time Vignettes"

For more of the Victorian Children series of recipe cards, please visit my Flickr account here: Victorian Children Recipe Cards (will open in new window).

Recipe cards featuring clip art from Dover Publications "Old-Time Vignettes"

For more of the “Victorian Ladies/Fabulous Hats” series of recipe cards, please visit my Flickr account here: Victorian Ladies in Fab Hats (will open in new window).

I actually had a lot of fun putting these together, and I’d like to continue to do so as time allows. I hope you enjoy these, and thanks again for taking time to read my blog! It’s much appreciated!!

Fresh Baked Fridays – Muffins! July 16, 2009

Ok, ok – I know I’m a little early…if I didn’t post this now, I will certainly forget about it and then you’ll think I’m a loser. Even though you know I’m a loser any way, but we’ll pretend you love me.

Peach and Strawberry Muffins (not mixed…although that might be kind of tasty…hmm…)

Two cups self-rising flour…(I realized after I made the first batch that I forgot to take pictures along the way…forgive the sloppy looking bowl!)

2C Self-rising flour

1/4 C Sugar

1/4 C Sugar

1 large egg, 1 cup milk, 3-4 tablespoons of applesauce (or vegetable oil if you prefer), vanilla extract (to taste – I measured for the first batch, but for the 2nd I just dumped some in…probably about 1 teaspoon if I had to guess.)

...add the wet ingredients...

Stir together until ingredients have been incorporated – not too much though. Once the dry ingredients are mostly wet, add in your fruit. I used frozen peaches and straberries for these, by all means use fresh if you have them! I do think the frozen strawberries added a bit too much liquid to the batter – and I think I stirred this one too much, which resulted in dense, thick muffins.

Strawberries taking a swim...

...and now the peaches...

Pour into lined muffin tins about 2/3 full (or more if you’re a rebel. I’m a rebel.)

...fill lined muffin tins...

Sprinkle with sugar before placing tins in 425 degree oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops have a nice golden brown color.

Peach Muffins

…mmm…

Strawberry Muffins

Yeah…that’s good stuff, Maynard. Good stuff.

Simple Muffin Recipe

Makes about 24 muffins

• 2C self-rising flour
• 1/4 C sugar
• 1 C milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbs vegetable oil (I used 4 tbs of applesauce)
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
• Fresh or frozen fruit, cut into chunks, amount may vary depending on fruit (real helpful, I know!)

Preheat oven to 425; grease or line muffin tins.

Combine flour and sugar in medium bowl; add wet ingredients. Stir gently, just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Add fruit, and gently combine. Batter should still be lumpy.

Pour into muffin tins, about 2/3 full. Sprinkle with sugar before placing oven.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until tops of muffins are a nice golden brown.

Now, sneak one for yourself before every one realizes you’ve baked anything – best served warm with a great cup of tea or coffee.

Enjoy!!

Red White and Blue…and Everything in Between. July 7, 2009

…or, how I spent my 4th of July holiday.

Much of my family lives in Huntington County, and we usually spend quite a bit of time with them around various holidays. The 4th of July is no different – I love getting together with cousins, aunts, and uncles to watch the fireworks; visiting and snacking on tasty treats.

This year, however, things were a little different since it rained all day on Saturday, but it didn’t dampen our spirits too much! Friday evening we went to Warren, IN for the Salamonie Summer Festival parade. It’s one of those good old fashioned parades, brimming with old tractors, patriotism, and of course, a marching band.

Town Hall, downtown Warren IN.

The theme for this year’s parade was “Let Freedom Ring – A Salute to our Heroes.” Look, here it comes!

Let Freedom Ring - A Salute to Our Heroes

Following the banner was the Honor Guard…

Honor Guard

Honor Guard

Honor Guard

The USS Salamonie was a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler which sailed during WWII; during the last years of the war, the ship supported the Allied operations in the Philippines. After the war, the USS Salamonie served as an oiler from the 1950′s – 1960′s; in 1958 the Salamonie was part of Navy Task Force 88, which was involved in conducting nuclear tests in the very high atmosphere. There is a museum located in Warren dedicated to the history of the USS Salamonie…

USS Salamonie Veterans

It was quite moving to watch a lot of the veterans pass by; I couldn’t help but tear up!

Now, I’m not one to camp, but I have to say I wouldn’t mind if I had one of these beauties!

Teardrop Camper

…hard to pass by a man in uniform!

Color Guard

…and I have to include a shot of my Uncle and his sons in the Huntington County Rescue van…

Huntington County Rescue van

Once the emergency vehicles passed through, I could hear a familiar sound in the distance. I’ll always have a place in my heart for the bands! To my surprise we were entertained by this wonderful drum corps from Dayton Ohio…

TRSS Drum Corps

…as you can see, there are a variety of ages in this group. I felt kind of bad for the smaller guys – they seemed to be having a hard time keeping up!

TRSS Drum Corps

TRSS Drum Corps

TRSS Drum Corps

This was one determined bass drummer!

TRSS Drum Corps

TRSS Drum Corps

…and now for something completely different!

Tractor, pt 1

Tractor pt 2

I have to get one of these little guys…

Hey, kid!

…and one of these…

Pony tails

…and definitely one of these!

Pug-a-licious!

Oh heck, while we’re at it, throw in one of these, too!

Chevy Bel Air

…yeah, just like that…

Chevy Bel Air

Shoot, I’d even take one of these…y’all…

Tractor pt 3

So…what did you do this 4th of July?

Recent Family Portrait Session July 2, 2009

The same weekend we went to the Tincaps game in Fort Wayne, I also did some family pictures for a good friend of ours. With his permission, I’d like to share a few of my favorites with you! (If you live in Kosciusko, Huntington, Whitley, or Allen counties, I’m available on weekends for family portrait sessions – you can leave a comment here or email me directly if you’re interested!)

Me and my Shadow...

Splish-splash

Me and my kid sister

As she walks on by...

A Great Family

(Think I like the black and white ones? Hehe…)

Among the trees

(Ok, one more, and that’s all…I promise!)

exploring

Now, to be fair, they aren’t all in black and white…and there are more of the little boy and a couple other shots of the family together. There was just something about these images that really struck me. The little girl seems so sure of herself, so independent and curious.

Thanks to their dad for allowing me to share their pictures with you!

Baseball Outing in the Fort July 1, 2009

Saturday June 27th, my husband and I attended our first baseball game at Fort Wayne’s Parkview Stadium. After hearing so many people complain while they were building it I was anxious to see if it was as great as I was hoping it would be. Of course I’ve seen the park from afar – I work downtown and am within walking distance, so I knew from the outside it looked quite nice.

We met my parents and my aunt at the gates, and I snapped a few pictures of the entrance.

Entrance to Parkview Field

As we entered the gates, my first view was across the field, and into the city skyline. Now, granted Fort Wayne isn’t the world’s most beautiful or exotic city, but it is quite pretty, architecturally.  So, of course I had to get that shot…

Across the field, into the skyline.

We wandered into the gift shop before finding out seats. This gift shop rivals that of many major league teams – it could be compared to a Wrigleyville Sports I suppose. A nice variety of merchandise, available for reasonable prices. I was very impressed. Truth be told, my husband and I were more Silverhawks fans than Tincaps (they happened to be playing each other that evening) and we had a standard in our minds about what a ball park should look like. This completely fit the bill. And the gift shop was the icing on the cake – the Silverhawks have a few merchandise stands at their games, and that’s about it.

My husband and I decided to walk around the stadium before the game started. We wanted to see it from every angle possible – and it’s built in such a way that you can. One building I’ve always like – both inside and out – is the now Tower Bank building. Thanks to my handy dandy zoom lens, I was able to get a decent shot (forgive the netting in front – our seats were behind home plate).

Tower Bank building

Across the field

We enjoyed the game, even though our Silverhawks lost miserably – no surprise there, really. Fort Wayne has been on a hot winning streak since before their All-Star break! There were some pictures taken of the game, but I’m anxious to move on to the fireworks after the game!

Fireworks over the Fort

Fireworks over the Fort

Fireworks over the Fort - this image was featured on Indiana's News Center's YouNews segment on the Monday night 11pm news!

New Posts Coming Soon…Scout’s Honor! June 28, 2009

I’m slacking again…I’m sorry!

Things have been a bit hectic lately – meaning, I’ve been so mentally and physically exhausted by the time I get home from work during the week that I just want to veg in front of the boob tube.

Over the weekend, however, I actually made myself productive. I shot a family portrait session on Saturday morning and went to a baseball game at the new Parkview Field in Fort Wayne last night. They have done amazing things with that ballpark, and the fans seem to really be interested in the team and the great family outings it provides. Both my husband and I took some photos at the game – mostly of the skyline and the park itself, but a few of the game and of the fireworks at the end.

I’ll be posting photos from both, as well as a new Etsy-related post as soon as I compile my list of goodies for that.

What did you do this weekend?

Things I Love…Pottery and Dishes June 19, 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things…Pottery & Dishes

Growing up my maternal grandmother always had a huge china cabinet – the smooth, dark wood finish contrasted the pristine white dishes nicely. The glass windows were always free of fingerprints and streaks. I don’t know if the dishes were meaningful, or if they were passed down from previous generations – they didn’t look that way – but it was always a treat to be able to use them for our holiday meals.

Now, I never really fancied myself as a fine china person – nothing too delicate and fancy that I would be devastated if something were to happen to them. I do love a nice set of matched or coordinating dishes that can be used for special occasions and serve double duty as lovely art pieces when stored in my less-than-majestic cabinet (no pun intended….ok, yeah, that pun was intended, I’m not going to lie.)

It would make sense to me that my love for handmade treasures and my love for vintage anything would come in to play when I’m browsing for various dishes and pottery items. I love to wander the local antique stores, but often their prices are too high for what they’re selling. Etsy has a lovely assortment of handmade items as well as vintage, and today I’d like to share some of my favorites with you…

Lilac Plates – handcrafted by HappyLake

Lilac Plates, handcrafted by HappyLake.etsy.com

These plates are very pretty, while still seeming durable and usable. The lilac detail is not overly flowery and showy; it’s a simple design that doesn’t over power the dish. I would purchase this item and display it as art rather than it’s intended function. (available in HappyLake’s Etsy shop for $14.00 for both; there are also matching bowls, mugs, and a platter).

Cupcake Stands – handcrafted by Michelle Miller

Individual Cupcake Stands crafted by MichelleMiller.etsy.com

Ok, so I may be a bit biased toward these since I (heart) cupcakes (don’t know if you realized that…), but I really think these would be a fun addition to any kitchen. Even if you aren’t a cupcake fan (please, don’t tell me…we might not be able to be friends. Just kidding! (sort of)) these clever dishes could be used – as suggested by the seller – for jewelry, candles, etc. These could make great gifts paired with a nice candle! (available from michellemiller’s Etsy shop for $8.00 each; this particular listing is for peach colored dish, but she has others listed)

Light Green and White Pitcher – handcrafted my MandyBeeCreations

Light Green and White Pitcher crafted by MandyBeeCreations.etsy.com

While this pitcher is smaller than usual, I love the speckled look to it. The colors are creamy and calming, and would suit any décor I think. Perfect for cream, salad dressings, or simply used as a vase for your spring time blooms, I think this pitcher would get a lot of mileage in any household. (available in MandyBeeCreations Etsy shop for $20.00 – check out her other listings – they’re so fun and whimsical!)

And now for the vintage items…

Butter and Sky Vintage Dessert plates – MaryandGrace

Butter and Sky Vintage Dessert Plates from MaryandGrace.etsy.com

Just look at those colors!! These Hazel Atlas Depression Era dessert plates add a nice pop of color to any collection – be it for use or display. In fact, these might not last too much longer, the more I stare at them. J Every one can use dessert plates – I can see them mounted on the wall of a kitchen or dining nook, in a similar pattern to what is displayed in the photo. They would look delicious on a plain white wall, or a nice bone or ivory color too. (Yep, I think I talked myself into this one…even though my walls are neither white, nor ivory.) (Available from MaryandGrace’s Etsy shop for $16.00 for the set of 4.)

Fire King Vintage Peach Lustre Teacups (set of 5) – carlesther

Fire King Peach Lustre Depression Glass Teacups from CarlEsther.etsy.com

Just look at these beauties! I don’t care if you drink tea, coffee, or vodka out of these babies – you have to agree that they just put a smile on your face (ok, no, you don’t HAVE to agree. But it would be much obliged). Never mind that I’m a java junkie…never mind that I am obsessed with vintage…never mind that I am the Peach Martini…these teacups are the bee’s knees! Originally produced in the 1940’s, Fire King was made for every day use rather than display. I could actually see these becoming sweet little flower or herb pots for your window sill or some such thing…I just love them! (available from carlesther’s Etsy shop for $22.00 for the set)

Amber Pedestal Depression Glass Cake Plate – Vintage from HausProud

Amber Depression Glass Cake Stand from HausProud.etsy.com

I love me some Depression glass…and I love me some cake. So I suppose it’s appropriate that I would love this amber tinted cake plate, no? Yeah. I mean, no. What?! Before I confuse myself any more, lets talk about the cake plate. It’s a lovely shade of pale amber and would work well with many décor options. It’s a decent 10” in diameter too, according to the listing, so it would fit your normal size cake or even a pie if you’re feeling adventurous. Mmm…pie… (available in HausProud’s Etsy shop for $26.00)

Ok…I think I’ve shared enough of my favorites with you today…tell me, what are some of your favorite pottery or glass dishware pieces?

The Barn Project June 17, 2009

IMG_2346, originally uploaded by thepeachmartini.

Talk about a blast from the past! I was looking through some old photos I had archived and realized I’d never posted these…granted I didn’t have a blog back then… I digress.

These photos are a part of The Barn Project. I live in a rural area, and on my commute I pass by all these wonderful old barns – most of which are falling to pieces and look like they’ll crumble in the next breeze. With as much construction and land development that has been going on in the last decade, it seems like these barns will be a scarce sight for future generations to marvel. When driving I find myself wondering the story behind these delicate structures – who built them? What was their purpose? I am often tempted to just pull off the side of the road and snap a few photos, but I want the story to go with them.

I sent a few letters to the editors of several area newspapers, requesting people to contact me if they own one of these beauties…the response was overwhelming. I literally could not keep up with the phone calls and emails – I feel bad about it now, I know there are several people I did not call back. I wish I would have planned better for such a large response…this project is something I’d like to continue working on…my goal would be to compile the photos with stories to go with each barn and create a book.

This set on Flickr consists of two of the barns I photographed, and the write up in the local paper.