my stint as a “guest blogger”

I was very flattered to be contacted by Kathleen, at HawkersWife blog, for a guest blogger opportunity.   She sponsors a cleaning and organizing week on her blog and this year she asked me to weigh-in.  There are several give-away’s associated with the week of posts, I encourage you to visit and enter to win.

Here’s the link to her blog:

 

Here’s a link to my post on her blog:

 

Thanks for your indulgence!

The Recipes from Our Open House

Every year, for our Open House, I put out the call for some help with baking—and every year, my friends answer this call!  Thanks to Märtha, Patty and Jennifer for making our event so wonderful.  You are very special to me!

This is the recipe for the apples I gave as a “free gift with purchase” during my open house (first 20 customers)—I originally got the recipe from a client (thanks Rocklan!)

Caramel Apples

Ingredients

• 1 pound dark brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons dark molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 apples, room temperature

Directions

Special equipment: 12 wooden sticks

Combine all the ingredients together, except for the apples, in a large saucepan, and stir with a wooden spoon over a medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved and is not gritty. Use a wet pastry brush to wipe around the sides of the pan to dissolve any sugar crystals that may form.

Clip a candy thermometer on to the side of the pan and bring the sugar mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, and cook until the thermometer reads 236 degrees F. Pour into a stainless steel bowl and allow it to cool to 200 degrees F.

While the syrup is cooling, push a wooden stick into each apple from the top through the core. The stick should be deep enough so it won't fall off when you dip the apple into the caramel.

Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or waxed paper.

Dip each apple into the 200 degrees F caramel, watching carefully, so as not to dip your fingers into the caramel. Remove the excess caramel by turning the apples over the caramel bowl and then transfer to the cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.

Chill for 15 minutes, then remove them from the silicon mat or waxed paper. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.

We dipped them in chocolate melted with butter, too.  Nuts and other flavors can be added as well.

The following recipe is the cake Märtha made—these are her instructions:

Snickers cake

This is what you use:

Crust:

6 egg whites
5 dl sugar (2 1/2 cup)
1 pk ritz crackers (4 sleeves)
250 g peanuts 
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
Chocolate icing

6 egg yolks 
1 dl heavy wiping cream (1/2 cup)
100 g butter (or one stick)
100 g sugar (3.5 ozs)
100 g dark chocolate (3.5 ozs)

This is how you do it:

Crust:
Whip the egg whites to a meringue. Add the sugar little by little when it has started firming up. Crunch the crackers to "chunky powder" and add it to the meringue, add the vanilla, the baking powder and the peanuts. Stir well. Pour the batter (it is really thick and almost forms like a ball) into a pan. Bake on 380F / 25 min. Let it cool.

Icing:
Use a pan: add the egg yolks, the cream and the sugar. Bring to boil (light bubbles) and let it boil until it thickens up - stir ALL the time!!!  When the cream is thick - take it off the burner and let it cool for just a little before you add the butter and the chocolate. (If the cream is too hot when you add the chocolate the cream might separate so make sure it has cooled a little – but not too much because then it'll be hard to melt it) Stir until all is melted and you have an even cream. Let it cool to almost cold before you pour it over the cold cake.

You will get the best result if you let it settle over night in the fridge :)

Here are the special request (I requested them) cookies that Patty made for the event—LOVE these things!

Graham Cracker Cookie Bars

· 20 graham crackers (individual squares), regular or chocolate

· 1 1/2 sticks butter (6 ounces)

· 3/4 cup brown sugar

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

· 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

Line a jelly roll pan (10x15-inch) with foil; arrange graham crackers in the pan in a single layer. Combine butter and sugar in a heavy medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 2 minutes; stir in vanilla and chopped pecans. Pour the hot mixture over crackers and spread evenly. Bake 10 minutes at 350°. Remove at once from pan to flat surface to cool. When cool, break into smaller pieces.

This is the recipe for the chocolate covered fruit-nut balls Jennifer contributed (lots of requests for this one!):

Fruit-Nut Balls

taken from "A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg

They do better if made a couple of days ahead, and they will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

1 cup walnuts

1/2 pound pitted dried cherries

1/2 pound dried figs

1/2 pound pitted dried apricots

1/2 pound pitted prunes

1 to 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, brandy, or apple cider

1/2 cup powdered sugar

10 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Put the walnuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, and pulse to chop finely. Transfer to a large bowl.

Return the food processor bowl to its base and add half of the dried fruits. Pulse to chop finely. You don't want to turn the fruit into a gummy paste, but you want it to be chopped finely enough that there are no pieces larger than a pea. Add to the bowl with the walnuts.

Repeat with the remaining dried fruit. When all the fruit is finely chopped, stir the fruit-nut mixture well. Add 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier and stir to incorporate. Pinch off a small wad of the mixture and squeeze it in your palm: does it hold together in a tight ball? If not, add another tablespoon of Grand Marnier.

Put the powdered sugar in a small, wide bowl or pie plate. Pinch off bits of the fruit-nut mixture and, squeezing and rolling them gently in your hands, shape them into 1 to 1/2 inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat, shaking off any excess, and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside at room temperature, uncovered, for 24 hours.

To finish, line a second baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until smooth and loose. Remove from heat.

Working with one ball at a time, use a small spoon to dollop a bit of chocolate on top. Shake the ball lightly to coax the chocolate down its sides (only the top half or so, as if the ball were wearing a chocolate hat.) Place the ball, chocolate side up, on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls.

Slide baking sheet, uncovered, into the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate has hardened, about 2 hours. Tuck each ball into a small paper candy cup. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Yield: 45 to 50 balls.

Don’t forget you only have until midnight tonight to enter to win some great prizes from Hodgepodge—visit this post for more info.

Thanks for your indulgence!

The White Window

The tradition at Hodgepodge has become that we dress one window in an indoor/outdoor theme and the other window in a winter white theme. I’ve already shared the indoor and outdoor “rooms” of the other window and now . . .

This is the scene set on a serving tray on our daybed. The bottle brush tree with vintage-look ornaments and flocking is wonderful. Then there’s the European-style Saint Nicholas with his lantern. The pharmacy canister, along with the pillar candle I wrapped in sheet music and tied with a ribbon round out this vignette.

I dressed the mannequin in one of our little black dress aprons and gave her a skirt of flocked branches. The Fleur de Lis is from the Wendy Addison collection.

This partridge pair is one of my favorite decorative accents to use throughout the holidays. With just the right amount of gilt, these terra cotta birds add the perfect touch to your Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s decor. We had them last year and they sold-out before I could grab a pair for myself . . . that won’t happen this year!

As my life seems to be controlled by these things, why not choose clocks which me happy to be a clock watcher? This large metal clock has a slight curve and a great weathered appeal.

Under this conservatory-style cloche you’ll find a stack of vintage books, along with some pocket watches and an old-world-style globe ornament.

A tight shot of the globe.

This Father Christmas wood cut-out stands about 3 feet tall and looks great on the hearth, in the foyer and on the porch.

Our white feather trees have been part of the Hodgepodge decor since we first opened. I love this simple display of Wendy Addison’s collection of icon disc ornaments and glitter birds.

The icons are printed on a heavy cardstock and hung from a gorgeous bronze ribbon. They come in a set of twelve.

The glitter birds come in a set of three. As with all of Wendy’s glitter designs, they are made using real glass and silver glitter, so their vintage appeal is undeniable, especially as they patina with age.

More of Wendy’s creations round out the White Window this year.

Thanks for taking a look. If you’re in the area I invite you in to see these items for yourself. They would work in almost any home.

Speaking of which, I’m wondering . . . how do you decorate for the holidays? Do you choose a specific color theme? Do you have multiple trees? What are your traditions? Or, are you doing something totally new this year?

Tell you what, leave your comments here for a chance to win one of these gorgeous Wendy Addison Eiffel Tower ornaments, along with the Harlequin Parades banner seen in the first photo. Just tell me a little about your holiday decorating for a chance to win! For more opportunities—become a follower here and on facebook and/or link to this contest on your own blog! Just remember to tell me all of the ways you’re participating!

(Additional Info added later--i'll close this little contest on Weds, Nov 24th--Happy Thanksgiving!)

Thanks for your indulgence!

Tablescape Giveaway Winner

The winner of my giveaway for the Capiz Shells and the Sahara tea glasses is O'Baby! Contact me at my email address, so I can get your shipping address. (Although, I think I know who you are and that means you live locally!)

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest and shared your opinions. I look like Setting 1 was the winner. I thought I would show you the table all set using the stuff in setting one, but I'm happy to say that all of the shells sold! (A nice "problem" to have.)

Thanks again and enjoy you Independence Day celebrations!

Thanks for your indulgence!

Tablescape Thursday al Fresco

On Tuesday, Patty told me about some cool labels on some water bottles she saw at Big Lots. The last time that was the case, I waited too long and missed some of the most beautiful, limited edition etched Evian bottles, that were later featured in Romantic Home. Not again, so I zipped right over to Big Lots and spotted them right away. They were very cool! So, I went back for a cart, got distracted by something—I don’t even remember what it was—bought several things, but not those bottles!

It was late and my family was hungry, so I went home knowing there were too many for them to all be gone in 24 hours (before I could get back). So, I thought all night about how I could incorporate these bottles into my tablescape. The colors could work in a patriotic table, but I don’t have a lot of patriotic stuff (bad Army wife . . . bad, bad Army wife!). I remember a really cute vintage tablecloth with a red, white and blue floral theme, but I can’t find it (actually, I think I’ve got it for sale at The Roost—Taylor bought it!!! It’s all coming back to me now). So, next idea . . .

I went back and bought four of the bottles (should have gotten more) and found myself buying four blue sponge ware bowls—in the hopes that I would come-up with more on the patriotic theme.

I brought them into the house this morning and dropped them on my dining table, right next to a vintage tablecloth with cool orange and turquoise flowers—DONE! So, red, white and blue this year . . .

That’s the bottle—cool, eh?

The only matching flatware we have are these knives with our monogram. When I find knives with a “K” they go into my personal collection.

A little side table for tea for later.

I’m planning a chilled peach soup for this weekend—this would be a great way to enjoy it . . .

My first and favorite white china—Countryware from Wedgwood.

Keylime cupcakes (picked-up at Kroger moments before this photo!).

Remember to visit Between Naps on the Porch for a peek at many, many more tablescapes.

Thanks for your indulgence!

PS The winner for last weeks contest will be announced tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Tuscan Tablescape Dilemma

Okay.  First an apology.  I promise, cross my heart, that I will eventually set a table in my own home—rather than here in the shop!  Next week—consider it DONE!

Second, I had decided to take pictures of our new Tuscan table—it’s actually more Tuscany meets Provence (I flatter myself)—but then realized I had a different idea for the setting, which morphed into a slightly different setting, which . . . well, you get the picture.  Actually, you will get the pictures! 

Below, I’ve added photos of the four options I conjured for this table.  I’d like for you to choose the setting I should use.  So, if you could leave a comment here—choosing the setting you like best—I will select a winner (using one of those random number generator thingees) for the prize prizes shown below:

It’s a fishnet bag full of Capiz Shells from Two’s Company!  These shells have a multitude of uses—only limited by your imagination.  They are suitable for food use and look great with a mini grit cake topped with a grilled jumbo shrimp and pepper sauce!  We’ve also used them as place cards or to label food items on a buffet table.  Trust me—you’ll love them.  I’ll also throw in four of these:

They’re Sahara tea glasses with hand worked gold leaf detailing.

So, here you go:

Tuscan Table Option 1

Tuscan Table Option 2

Tuscan Table Option 3

Tuscan Table Option 4

 

I know, I know—the changes are almost imperceptible, but if you participate in Tablescape Thursdays, you understand.  I don’t need to explain further.

So, tell me what you think.  Leave your comment and be entered to win the Capiz Shells and Sahara tea glasses.  Be sure to tell your friends and other tablescape addicts—the more the merrier!  I’ll be over to visit your post, too! 

If you didn’t start here:

you need to go and take a look!

Thanks for your indulgence!

Anne Head

. . . come on down! Your the next winner on the Hodgepodge blog giveaway! In our very scientific manner ("Pick a number between blah and blah.") You're comment was chosen! All of the comments were great--I love hearing from so many people who share similar interests and memories! Anne Shirley would say we've found our kindred spirits.

I have a couple more sale items up my sleeve.

Are you ready?

All of our Debbee Thilbault American Collectibles are going to be included in this special blog discounts--so for the rest of the week they are 20% off!

I don't remember ever offering these items at a discount--they are collectibles. Numbered and signed.

This sale isn't just for local folks--I can ship these items anywhere in the US. Just call me during regular business hours (Tues - Sat, 10 am - 6 pm and Mon 11 am - 3 pm)--we'll get them to you!

Hope everyone is having fun getting ready for the holidays! More decorating posts later.

Thanks for your indulgence~Paige

gifts & decorating ideas, part three

This post is mostly gifts . . . for that girlfriend, niece or co-worker you still have on your list.

Who wouldn't appreciate the gift of an indulgent treat from Archipelago Botanicals? We have lotions, bath cubes, body butter, lip balms and more! All AB bath and body products will be 20% off thru Christmas Eve for you, my blog readers!

These hip and happenin' wristlet wallets and their matching totes are already incredibly affordable--now you can generously give them together at 20% off. I'll include the matching card holders--not pictured here--in the discount offer.

These velvet applique scarves are beautiful and sophisticated. They are 20% off until Christmas. I'll include the pashmina and cashmere (pictured on the right) scarves, too.

I hope these ideas spark some ideas of your own. Please stop in at Hodgepodge and let us help you choose the perfect gift for those on your list.

Don't forget to leave your comment on my previous post for a chance to win some wine glasses.

Thanks for your indulgence~Paige

Gifts & Decorating Ideas, part two

You know one of my favorite topics is table settings--I love dishes, glassware and flatware. I always have. Ever since I can remember, I've taken note of the silverware, china and stemware used to by members of my family and their friends. I wasn't checking it as a "status" thing--I was taking note for my future table. My mother's "good china" is a beautiful, classic white china with fluted edges and a fine platinum line on the edge. Her flatware is similarly classic. She's very practical--it's easy to coordinate the classics. Her table is always beautiful. As far as I know, my Aunt Billie (Dad's sister) has always used a mix of blue transferware--I think she has a formal setting, but I don't remember it--the mix made it's impression. I have my Grandmother's silverplate tea service (although my mother didn't recognize it on her visit this Summer--a little tarnished, but displayed and loved!). Grandmom was a lot more--ummm, formal (??) than the rest of us. Lots of flowers and lots of gold--that's what I remember about her table setting. I'm sure there have been many other influences on my table settings--books, magazines, etc.

I think a lot of families create their best memories around the table. So, in an effort to help you create your memories and/or memories for your kids I'm offering all of the dishes and glassware available at Hodgepodge at 20% off--now thru Christmas Eve.

I hope you see something you like. I hope the 20% discount encourages you do make a change on your table this season.

Do you have memories of special table settings? I'd love to hear about them. (NOTE: Contest/Give Away ahead--proceed with great abandon!) Perhaps I can add 8 new wine glasses to your setting. I need you to leave a comment here by, ummm . . . let's say Friday. Good luck!

Are you Merry? Be Merry!

Thanks for your indulgence!