InspirationToday was a very emotional day! And I am feeling sentimental. I don’t often post about very personal things, but thank you for indulging me tonight.Today, our family went to Fort Indian Town Gap National Cemetary to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers and to my Dad. He is laid to rest there along with thousands of men and women who have served in the Armed Forces to defend and protect all Americans.As we drove through the quiet gently rolling landscape of Pennsylvania draped with American flags and decorated with flowers marking the graves I was so struck with a sense of……
Archives for May 2010
StoneGable Weekly Menu
Menu Plan: May 31- June 6Exciting news from StoneGable this week. Stop back on Wednesday evening for my very first GIVEAWAY! I have teamed up with April Cornell and put together some fun and fabulous finds! This is an easy menu planning week. I have guests (family) and we are going out a couple of nights. And I will be away in Virginia this weekend to see my niece go to her senior prom. I am also sneeking in a trip to Old Lucketts Store-Lucky me! Have a very Happy Memorial Day! Please take time to honor our soldiers and……
Sunday Scritpture
Sunday Scripture: Memorial Day Weekend 2010(Photo credit)Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his firends. Jn 15:13…
Pink Peony Tablescape And Birthday Party!
A PINK SATURDAY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:The peonies are in full bloom at StoneGable. Their big moppy heads are bent close to the ground, wet with last nights rain. Their glorious perfummy aroma wafting up onto the back porch. I have been planning this table for months. Finding the few elements to go on the table in thrift shops, flea markets and antique shops. Simple, white and pink. Lace, starched linens and touches of silver. Letting the beauty of these magnificent flowers be the center of attention. I have been anxiously anticipating the arrival of the pale petal pink peonies.The very best part about creating……
StoneGable Granola
Granola: We are having a house full of family for the long weekend. Nothing thrills me more! I often say our home is more like a hotel! So I made granola to have for my snackers. It also makes a great breakfast when we need to eat something quick. Sweet and crunchy, this granola is a real energy booster! StoneGable Granola: 6 cups of oatmeal 1/2 cup wheat germ 1 1/2 cups slivered almonds 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1 cup coconut (flaked) 1/2 dark brown sugar ( I use a little more) 1/2 cup non flavored vegetable……
Memorial Day Table
Memorial Day was originally called Remembrance Day. First established to honor and remember soldier’s who had lost their lives in the Civil War. Their graves were decorated with flags and flowers to remember them and their ultimate sacrifice.Remembrance Day was later changed to Memorial Day and remains a day to honor American men and women who have given their lives so we can be a free nation!At StoneGable we will mark this day with a trip to a beautiful National Cemetary where my father is laid to rest and honor his memory with prayers and flowers. And then back to our home for a family barbecue to live out……
StoneGable Weekly Menu Plan
Weekly Menu Plan: May 24- 30, 2010This week I am revisiting some StoneGable standby recipes. They are easy, delicious and one’s that are tried and true family favorites! A recent favorite is a wonderful pizza from Faithfulness Farm. My family thinks this pizza is the best! Thanks Mrs. P!It would not be a good cooking week however, if I didn’t have a couple of new things on the menu. I love to peruse all the great dishes posted on Foodie Friday. This week I just couldn’t resist the sound of Orzo Asparagus Salad and Kickin’ Pasta Sauce. Both are from……
Sunday Scripture
Sunday Scripture:Jezerel Valley, IsraelThe kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field. (Parable of the worth of the kingdom) Matt 13:44…
Pansy Shortbread Cookies
Don’t you love having creative friends? At a recent bridal shower at StoneGable the mother-of-the-bride brought a plate of fabulous pansy cookies to share. Of course I thought they were the prettiest cookies I had ever seen! Everyone ooooohhhed and aaaaaaahhhhed over them. And not only were they beautiful to look at… they were wonderfully delicious too! I just had to try to make them myself. Shortbread cookies are quite easy to make and fixing the pansy on top was and fun. Very impressive for the little work they take. They taste buttery and sweet, and the pansies have no taste to interfere……
Tea On The Porch
Yellow China And Black Tea:Tea time on the porch is one of my favorite things to do at StoneGable. And tea with friends on the porch is an event! Tea time for me is reminiscent of my childhood years in Scotland and England where tea time was a cherished and time honored part of the day!The inspiration for this table came from my antique yellow porcelain tea set. I waited around at an auction, years and years ago, to bid on and finally get this pretty prize. I love yellow and dishes so I just knew I had to take it home.This set,……
Ruffled Burlap Runner
Ruffled Burlap Runner Tutorial:Burlap is a very trendy fabric right now! This lowly workhorse of a material has been elevate above some of the most historically sought after textiles- silks, satins, brocades- to take center stage in many decor circles. This astounds me! Burlap is not a friendly fabric to live with. It is scratchy and it sheds. It looses it’s shape and does not wash well. Burlap smells funny, too!At first I bucked the burlap trend. But burlap used it’s natural wiles on me and has somewhat broken me! Although I don’t want to decorate my windows with it or cover my furniture……
Menu Plan May 17~23, 2010
How To Menu Plan and SG Weekly Menu:”How do you go about menu planning”? This is a question I hear quite often from StoneGable readers. And, “You are so organized” or “I could never do that”. I have been menu planning for years and now it is just second nature to me. I menu plan because I am NOT organized by nature and if I waited till the last minute to decide on dinner, we would be eating take out…every night!Menu planning is not rocket science. Do what works for you. I’m not perfect at it, and sometimes I fall off the menu planning wagon.……
Sunday Scripture May 16, 2010
Sunday Scripture:Qummaran, Israel- Cave of the Dead Sea ScrollsEvery part of the scripture is God breathed and useful in one way or another- showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 The Message…
Chive Blossom Vinegar Tutorial
Chive Blossom Vinegar Tutorial:Chives are in full bloom at StoneGable. They are wonderful perenial herbs with a mild onion/shallot flavor and the most beautiful purple flowers. Here in Pa. they are one of the first spring herbs ready to harvest and use. And they are perfect for making a delicous vinegar.Making herb infused vinegar is easy and so rewarding. And cooking with it is even better. Store bought vinegars are delicious but can be very pricey. With a little time, a handful of chives blossoms and some good quality vinegar you can have your very own homemade Chive Blossom Vinegar! And it is so……
Tea Sandwich Recipes
Tea Sandwiches and Punch:For over 100 years,Tea Sandwiches have made their appearance at most occasions hosted by women of good breeding. But sadly, they fell out of vogue some years ago. That is until lately. They are making up for lost time! In the past few months I have attended three functions where these lovely, dainty savories were served. And in planning a bridal shower, my daughter (the very young matron of honor) requested we make them. And if I do say so myself, they were a hit!Last Foodie Friday, I posted the savory treats and tidbits for a recent bridal shower.……
Green Limes and Blue Transferware Tablescape
Green Limes and Blue Transferware:There are some color combinations that play so nicely together. Blue and green are one of those happy copasetic combos. Mix almost any blue with any green, throw a little white in for kicks and giggles and you have a color scheme that is irresistable! Clean, crisp, serene, organic, cool and just perfectly pretty. The inspiration for this tablescape were these lovely, fabulous quality placemat I found on an recent shopping trip to HomeGoods. I immediately knew how I would use them as a springboard for the rest of my table.I also have a large blue and……
SUMMER CUPBOARD
What To Do With All Those DishesOne question that I get asked quite often is, “Where do you keep all your dishes?”. I must admit that finding a place for all my beloved dishes and accent pieces is a real challenge. Like trying to park the Titanic in a stream!I have a kitchen with large pantries. Lots of space in there. And a buffet and a small built-in in my dining room. My last resort for dish storage is a toy closet (more like a small room) turned dish closet in my finished basement. Mostly seasonal things, such as Christmas and Easter go there. And……
SG Weekly Menu
Weekly Menu: May 10~ 16, 2010As I am sitting here in my study planning this weeks menu’s, my husband Bobby is busy in the kitchen and out at the grill making a Mother’s Day feast for us. Aaaawwwww! So cute!Yesterday we (Bobby,my Mom and our wonderful friends Deb and Denny) traveled to Washington DC to visit my daughter and her prince charming husband for the day. And my knight-in-shining-armor son came up from Seminary in Southern Virginia to be a part of my Mother’s Day outing.The marrieds live on Capital Hill so we spent some time at Eastern Market, before driving to……
Sunday Scripture
Sunday Scripture: Mother’s Day 2010Women’s Area, Wailing Wall, Jerusalem IsraelAnd Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,And my spirit rejoiced is God my Savior.For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;For behold from this time on all generations will count me blessed.For The Mighty One has done great things for me;And holy is His Name. Luke 1:46-49…
Bridal Shower Recipes, Part I
Bridal Showers Recipes, Part IThank you everyone, for your interest, kind comments and positive e-mails about the recent Lovebirds Bridal Shower hosted here at StoneGable. It was so much fun to live it again through these recent posts!One question I heard over and over was, “Are you going to post the recipes?” My answer, “Of course”! I’m all about sharing. Due to the numbers of recipes, I will share them in three parts. One for the savory food, one for the tea sandwiches and drinks, and one pansy cookie tutorial. I hope you try some of these recipes when you entertain. Savory RecipesSalmon……
Bridal Shower Desset Table
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY… BRIDES, PART IINothing is sweeter than a table full of decadent desserts except, maybe, a bride! And this darling bride is the sweetest!Last week I gave you a peek at the savory food table at a recent bridal shower hosted at StoneGable. Click HERE to see original post.So, this week it is time to see the desssert table. The bride loves daisies, yellow, country and cheesecake.The theme for this shower was LOVEBIRDS, and the feel was vintage and organic with a dash of whimsy.Desserts were set up on the kitchen table. The centerpiece was a tower of daisies. To……
A Little SomethingTo Crow About
How To Have A Very Good Day!The mailman came this morning and brought me a fabulous package! Don’t you just love getting this kind of mail? I couldn’t wait to open it because I knew what was in it. I won the Toile and Rooster Giveaway from The Pleasures of Homemaking and all wrapped up in pretty tissue and bows were some lovely treasures! I received :some very beautiful hard to find yellow toile material. (I already have plans for it- upcoming post)black and red toile tissue paper packs8 toile paper plates8 toile matching napkins6 rooster coasters ( I’m thinking of a project for these!)a darling rooster plaque……
StoneGable Menu Plan & Inspiration Party
Menu Plan: May 3~ 9, 2010Inspiration PartyBefore I begin with my menu plan this week, I want to join Maggie at The White Farmhouse for a wonderful new monthly party meme. It is an Inspiration Party! Each month Maggie is giving us an opportunity to salute someone or something that has been an inspiration to us. And bloggers get lots of inspiration and encouragement, especially from our own wonderful community. So I certainly want to join in!!!!! Click HERE to this thoughtful new addition to blogland!This month I would like to give a big THANK YOU to someone who has inspired me and supported me since I’ve……
Sunday Scripture
Sunday Scripture: May 2, 2010Negev, IsraelThen Moses said, “I pray Thee show me Thy glory!”And God said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”Then the Lord said, “Behold there is a place with Me , and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My Glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and……
Laundering Vintage Linens
Wash Day, Part IToday is Wash Day at StoneGable. I am freshening up some lovely old napkins and a vintage pillowcase.Caring for antique table linens takes a gentle hand and a little know how. Today I am focusing on general laundry care for linens. More aggressive stain removal will be addressed on a future post.Always launder vintage linens by hand. Never use a washing machine or dryer. They are too rough and may damage fragile fabric.Start by inspecting your linens for any stains. Very badly stained fabric will need extra cleaning steps, look for a post coming soon to address stain issues. If your……
