WREN BAY BY Clarice Fox-Hughes

Hello dear friends - I hope your week is going well! 
 I have been reading a book:
  WREN BAY the story of making a home

This book is written by Clarice Fox-Hughes

I have had this book since September of last year but just finally got around to reading it.  Sunday night my husband was watching football and I opened the cover at the kitchen table.  I was immediately engrossed in a wonderful story.  Each chapter has recipes at the end so tonight I made one of the recipes which was for Caraway Stuffed Pork Chops.  You may be familiar with Clarice's blog "Storybook Woods" where she shares craft ideas, cooking, homemaking and everything in between.

I have to tell you about Clarice's book and why I enjoyed it.  First of all, I never just sit and read a book.  I always feel I must be making something, cleaning, cooking or doing something.  I am not one to sit.  I feel guilty sitting and reading a book. (I do read my Bible) Maybe while I'm eating I can.  Today I wanted to finish this book because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next so I just sat and read.  I did feel guilty as my husband was finishing touching up the paint around the new windows on our house.

I loved the recipes in Clarice's book and plan to try many of them.  She excels in knowledge of French cooking.  At one point in a part I was reminded of Julia Child.  Another time I remembered something from "Little Women" and another time "Anne of Green Gables".  The story is so sweet and I related to the main the character who was a young woman.  I highly recommend this book.  It would be a lovely gift for teenage girls as well.

If you are interested - it is available here:  Lulu.com 

I have now ordered her newest book:  "Wishes are like" the sequel to Wren Bay.  I can't wait to read it!

BERNIDEEN'S TEA TIME, COTTAGE AND GARDEN

I have so much to celebrate today!  For one thing, we have our new windows in and that project is done!  Last Friday we were afraid they were going to cancel us again as the sky was cloudy but they got the job done! (just for anyone interested we got replacement Pella Windows in every window of our house except one) 

Today, I was able to squeeze one last floral bouquet out of the garden.  Can you believe I still have Queen Anne's Lace?

  It wouldn't have lasted this long but by deadheading it all summer, it kept blooming from May until now.

We have lived with messes at our house now for over 3 weeks so while in the holding pattern, I have been doing some sewing.  These are the items I was able to make by cutting up a old Pendleton throw which had a few holes in it.   I also used some vintage crochet and old potholders. 

 I made myself a tote bag for Christmastime. 

I was able to make a total of 3 small pillows.

 I made a liner which goes all inside the old picnic basket we found at the flea markets in Fort Collins.  That project used up the most fabric as it goes all down inside.

The birds are enjoying their new bird feeder!

My tea set is by Crownford from about 22 years ago.  I also have luncheon plates I love.  This was a New York company that private labeled from England.  I think they had a lot of quality control issues and they closed after being around a long time.

CHAPPIE HAS A GARDEN

Recently I made a new friend.  He comes to my garden every day.  His name is "Chappie" and he loves to just hang out here:

As you can see Chappie doesn't know this is for birds!

Chappie reminds me of a cat we had years ago in Texas who would suddenly bite you.....not hard but unpredictable.

When not in my garden, he lives somewhere
 on the street behind us....

FINDING TREASURES

I can hardly believe October is almost over!  Where does time go?  And friends, I can hardly believe I am telling you this but we are still waiting to get the replacement windows put in at our house.   Hopefully they will be put in later this week.  Last week it was raining on the day scheduled.  Life requires patience.  

This morning I am sharing a few treasures we found yesterday while out antiquing.  It was a beautiful day so we drove up to Denver.  I was looking for one last old wind up alarm clock for my mantle display I will be doing for a New Year's mantle/2016.  I looked back at Jann's blog "Have A Daily Cup of Mrs Olson" so I could show you her idea last year which I plan to copy for a whimsical mantle.  Isn't she clever.  Whimsy isn't for everyone but I think it will be fun!

I also found this very old Victorian compote and in my mind I see cookies in it at Christmas on the buffet or mounded with whipped cream or trifle or ?????

And since this is after all a tea related blog party - how do you like this old cup and saucer I found yesterday?

During the winter months I plan to sew in the basement.  I wonder if you know how things have changed in terms of the cost of fabric and really the unavailability of 100% wool.  Back in the day when I sewed a lot it was everywhere but now what you see is blends and cotton.  If you do find wool it is incredibly expensive.  I have found you can find these old Pendleton throws and others from Scotland and Ireland inexpensively and they are 100% WOOL!  Besides using them as throws for warmth you can cut them up and use them in sewing projects!!!  If a throw has holes you can pick it up cheap and I mark the holes with large safety pins and cut around them.

The quality of this fabric below is incredible!

My last treasure is the beautiful white LACE vintage tablecloth!

INA GARTEN'S FRENCH APPLE TART

I think I have too much time on my hands this week because I have been baking up a storm.  I saw Ina Garten's recipe on face book yesterday and went right to the kitchen.  We had a basket of apples that needed to be used for something.

This was the smaller of 2 tarts that I made. (larger one now in the freezer)  Ina's recipe called for using a large baking sheet but I used a 4 x 12 tart pan and an 8 x 10 tart pan.  These were the type with removable bottoms.

Click - Here is the recipe so you can make your own:
Ina uses a large baking sheet where as I made 2 using French Tart Pans!

We were supposed to get new windows today but rain is forecast so we shall see.  If this is canceled again we wait 1 1/2 more weeks.  The Lord is teaching me a lesson in patience!  Furniture and everything else is pulled away from every window in the house in a "holding pattern".  We will be waiting though - raining like crazy here!

Have a lovely weekend!