The Lakewood Historical Society

I love when the Lakewood Historical Society has a sale!  They are really the nicest ladies, and they always say I'm their best customer!

 

 

 

Treasures from the Lakewood Historical Society

 I have been considering joining the Lakewood Historical Society, but have just been too busy to do that at this time.  Their sales are wonderful, filled with beautiful vintage and antiques displayed perfectly!

From "kitschy" to classic, they really have a wonderful selection!

 

Be sure to check out their website!

After you've checked out the Lakewood Historical Society site, why not check on my three Etsy shops at http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com http://thechinagirl.etsy.com and http://mymilkglassshop.etsy.com .

Happy Holidays!
Jen

Katherine

Tomorrow is December 1st!! How did that happen!?

My daughter, Katherine, came home from college this weekend to join us to see the Nutcracker Ballet (Joffrey Ballet)!  The Cleveland Orchestra was amazing, as was the ballet!

I had the time of my life last night! For someone that someones can be in my pjs by 3:00 in the afternoon (hey, I get up early and work hard!), last night was definitely not a normal "jen thing"!

Katherine (pic from a few years ago)

 
After the ballet, Katherine suggested we check out the Velvet Tango Room (in Cleveland) to have a drink.  She had been there with a friend a few years ago, and loved it.  What a charming place!  The lovely bartender explained to us that their bar was a throwback to the prohibition days.  They had a large menu of amazing "vintage" cocktails!  

While we were enjoy our delicious drinks, one of the nice hostesses asked if we wanted a tour of the place.  Well, of course we did! But it was a very small place, so we didn't think it would be much of a tour.  Wrong!  They have  secret back room, and in this secret room was another entire bar, with people partying and another piano man!  She told us you can actually book the entire room for a party, or make reservations for a smaller group.  I am definitely going back there!

After our drink we were getting ready to leave.  We had seats at the bar, and as as we were standing up, a guy asked us if we were leaving, we said yes, and he was apparently very happy about that (I didn't take it personally, he just wanted our seats!), because he then said he was buying our drinks (the drinks there are not cheap)!  Another good reason to have cute Katherine with us!

I'm not sure what time it was by then, maybe 10:30?  We were hungry so we went to another fun place, "Town Hall", just down the street from the Velvet Tango Room.  That place was packed, with mostly 20-some year olds, and yes I was the oldest there, except I did see one guy that I knew was older than me, yay!!  We ordered some tasty vegan snacks, had a few more drinks, and then headed home.

So I was out after midnight livin' the crazy life!  Katherine is so much fun to be around, and I cherish my time with my kids, since time is going way too fast.  Katherine is my "baby" and already 21.  We have decided when she's back in a few weeks for winter break, we are going dancing together.  We both love to dance!

I'm sure if you are a Mom you know it is the best "job" in the world!  Hug your kids right now!!

Happy Holidays!
Jen

Visit Jennifer Beaton's profile on Pinterest.

My Lastest Etsy Listings

Milk Glass Dish with cute fake candies!

I've been busy vintage shopping, and with a house jam-packed full, I have also been busy photographing and listing tons of awesome vintage in all three of my Etsy shops!

Libbey's Country Garden Glasses

 I'm always in a pink mood!  This post will be pink-themed!

Pretty pink jar - sold!

 This cute jar sold within a few days of listing it!  I will be packing it up and shipping it out in the morning!

Fenton milk glass collection

 Oh how I love milk glass!  It's gorgeous in a collection on a shabby shelf or cabinet!

Large pink floral serving platter

 There you go!  That is just a sampling of what I have available.  Be sure to check out my shops here:  http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com http://www.mymilkglassshop.etsy.com and http://www.thechinagirl.etsy.com.

Happy shopping!

Jen

Rhonda's Rose Cottage

www.rhondasrosecottagedesigns.com

Best gift ever!  Okay, I have been eyeing everything Rhonda creates, and I want everything!  I found her gorgeous creations on facebook, and have been a fan ever since!

pretties

 

 I ordered the rose cupcake, but not only did I receive that, but also the cutest little floral candy and a hand painted wooden plaque!

 And...everything was wrapped in pretty pastel tissue paper and tied with ribbons!  Be sure to check out Rhonda's amazing shop here:  http://www.rhondasrosecottagedesigns.com .

Happy weekend!

Jen

Soup of the day!

I love to make soup, even in the summer!  After a tennis and run workout this morning, I decided I needed to make a yummy soup!

I was inspired by the fact that I had so many fresh veggies in my fridge, and some potatoes from the roadside stand.  Instead of waiting for them to die a horrible death in the refrigerator, which does happen on occasion, I grabbed them all and started working.

I lined a cookie sheet with foil (easy clean up), added some olive oil, and cut up my veggies in uniform pieces.  I happened to use yellow and orange peppers, tomatoes, red and white onion, zucchini, and squash.  Season with salt, pepper, and some italian seasoning.  Roast at 350 for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then I added my mushrooms, and roasted a bit longer.

While that was going on, I sauteed my potatoes (cut up pretty small), carrots, and onion in olive oil and butter, cooking until just about done.  I then added chicken broth (I use no sodium broth) and then add my own salt to taste).  Add the roasted veggies to that.

I like to take some of the soup mixture (about a cup or so), add blend it in the blender (of course!), to give the soup a bit more creaminess.  I add scallions, black beans, and elbow noodles, and cook for another 10 minutes, check to make sure the potatoes are cooked through.  I also added some sprigs of fresh thyme and basil leaves.

I love a bit of fresh cream in my soups, but I just add about a teaspoon to my bowl (I find that if I add it directly to the soup it just gets kind of "icky").

So good and so good for you! If I was making this for my daughter Katherine, "the vegan", I would just use veggie stock, and leave out the butter, and probably use coconut oil instead of olive oil.

Substitute veggies with whatever you have and make it your own!

Enjoy!

Jen

I'm here!

I'm here! I'm here!!

http://www.thechinagirl.etsy.com

 

 Where has the time gone!? It's already July 7th!  

http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com

 

 I've been keeping busy with my Etsy shops.  Of course, I've been doing a lot of shopping for my shops (one of my fav things to do!).  I haven't actually gone to any garage sales yet, those are so "hit or miss" that it's usually a waste of time for me.

http://www.mymilkglassshop.etsy.com

 

 I have some favorite places to shop, that I know will always have something that will be perfect in one of my three Etsy shops!

Summer vacation soon! I can't wait!  Enjoy your summer everyone!

Jen

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the fantastic Dad's out there, including my Dad and my husband, Bob!

I hope you have a fun and relaxing day!

Cheers!

Jen

Denny is Simply Charming!

I met my darling friend Denny at the Blue Barn, in North Ridgeville, Ohio.  She has the prettiest booth ever!  I want to replace all of my furniture, and just buy all of her gorgeous painted furniture!

Simply Charming 

Denny is actually expanding her booth, so be to go upstairs to see all of her pretties at the Blue Barn!

Oh so pretty!

Not only does Denny have beautiful painted furniture, but look at all the lovely vintage china, milk glass, and more!  Everything you need for a shabby sweet cottage!

The name "Simply Charming" is perfect!  Plus, Denny is a super nice person!  I hope you get to meet her!!

Happy shopping!

Jen

Tea party time!

My lovely friend and customer, Patrice, sent me this picture of her gorgeous tablescape with the pretty china she has purchased from me.  This truly inspires me, and yes, I will have my own tea party soon!

Thanks Patrice!

Jen

I'm here!

You missed me, right!?  I've been keeping busy with my Etsy shops, but I thought I'd stop in and show off a few of my latest listings.  It's all about tea and garden parties!

Vintage Milk Glass

Mis-matched English bone china teacups & saucers

Mid century Paden Seville floral plates

 

Adorable vintage poodle tea towels

There you go! Just add tea & crumpets!

Happy spring!

Jen

I Can't Stop Eating This Pasta Salad

My latest culinary creation, and I can't stop eating it!! That is why I've decided to name this "I Can't Stop Eating This Pasta Salad"!

I do not like using recipes; mainly because I am so bad at following directions!  I do love the prep work!  I love chopping veggies!

This is a pasta salad you can make your very own, add what you love, leave out the stuff you cannot stand!

I am a bit partial to using vintage bowls, like this cute Pyrex Spring Blossom mixing bowl!  If you need a vintage Pyrex bowl, head to http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com for a huge selection of retro bowls!  All of your salads will taste better!

Here's what I did:

Boil elbow noodles (make sure to salt the water!).

Chop up veggies into tiny pieces (so you don't get a big chunk of just one flavor).  I used cucumber, radishes, red onion, green onions (scallions), red and yellow pepper, celery, green and black olives, and I think that's it.  I also cut up tomatoes but did not add them directly to the salad, since they would get kind of "mushy", so just add that to the separate bowls of pasta salad.  I added olive oil, red wine vinegar, italian seasoning, dijon mustard, salt & pepper, garlic salad, lemon zest, dried dill weed, dried parsley flakes (only because I didn't have fresh).

I let my pasta cool a bit and then added olive oil, red wine vinegar, a tiny dash of sugar, salt & pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt.  After it's completely cooled you can add the veggie mix.

It's all about making it pretty! Beautiful color and textures, since we eat with our eyes (which would be really weird if we really ate with our eyes).

Make it your own!  It's a refreshing salad, and since we're having seafood for dinner tonight, I thought this would be the perfect accompaniment to the meal!

Have fun in the kitchen!!

Jen

Jenscloset

What's in Jenscloset!?

Milk Glass

 Well, this pretty milk glass vase is in my milk glass shop!

Vintage Dinner Plates

 and these awesome vintage dinner plates are from my china shop!

Awesome Pyrex!

Jenscloset on Etsy is full of a wonderful mix of vintage, perfect for your retro home!

Mad Men Style Glasses

 I love just about anything pink!

Vintage Sandwich Server

 

 And vintage teacups make the perfect gift!

Pink Pink Pink!

And yes, Jenscloset has more than pink!! Check it out!

Jen

Featured Etsy Shop

I love Etsy and the awesome talented artists there (not to mention fantastic vintage shops!!).  Today's featured Etsy shop is "VallonDesTresors".   So many gorgeous handmade items by Aisha!  I love lace and I love pearls, so this Beaded Lace Peter Pan Necklace with Faux Pearls is the perfect way to add a little something extra to your favorite black dress!  I also think it would be great with jeans and a t-shirt!

I love aprons, and have quite a large collection of my own!  This half apron with red cherries and the cute heart pocket, is just what you need to feel like a fancy chef!  I swear I cook better when I'm wearing an apron!

I would grow my hair long just to wear this lovely blue hairstick with an artisan bead!  Aisha has a great selection of this wonderful hairsticks!

Pretty pillow

And, for a special treat- a 10% discount for everyone using the code JENSBLOG2014, good until April 30th!  Be sure to check out
Vallon DesTresors on Etsy (link above) for more handmade items, perfect for gifts, or a little something for yourself!

Happy weekend!

Jen

Think spring!

Flowers to brighten your day!

Happy-almost-spring!!
Jen

Sweet Katherine

Sweet Katherine is my favorite youngest child!  My baby will turn 21 tomorrow.  There was a crazy snow storm the day we brought her home from the hospital.

fun bike rides together

 That should have been a sign that Katherine would always bring a bit of excitement to everything!

so silly!

 Katherine is silly, fun, intelligent, insightful, thought

provoking (it takes a lot to provoke my thoughts!), inspirational, fashionable, athletic, funny, and so much more!

My awesome kids! Katherine, Lindsey & Mark

I see a theme here with the legs!

 

I wonder where she got her silliness from!?

Yes, I do have a favorite child!  I have three, actually!  I have a favorite son, Mark, a favorite older daughter, Lindsey, and a favorite baby, Katherine!

I am a lucky girl!!  Happy 21st birthday Katherine! 

Love, Mom

Jen's Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup

I just whipped up a so-delicous broccoli cheddar cheese soup, so I thought I would share it!

Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup

 
I started by melting 3-4 T of butter, add a tablespoon, or so, of flour, cook on low for a minute, add approximately 2 cups of whole milk, on medium high, stirring occasionally until thickened.  Add a dash of nutmeg, dry mustard, and salt & pepper.  Then dump in as much shredded cheddar cheese as you like (I also had a mix of italian cheese that I added).  Stir until all mixed.  I then added about 2 cups of chicken broth to that mixture.

This actually should be stop one! Take a head of broccoli and chop it up (I use some of the stalk too), next time I will chop mine a bit smaller.  Boil, then put a lid on it and take it off the heat (I don't like to overcook the broccoli).  Let that sit for about 5 minutes.  Then take a cup or so of the cooked broccoli, add to the blender with (okay I am going crazy with my font-not on purpose), with about a cup of chicken broth and blend.  Add that to the cheese mixture, and add the rest of the cooked broccoli.  Taste test to see if it needs more salt & pepper.  It's quick and easy and delicious! Did I mention it is not fattening at all!!?  No, I did not, because that would be lying!  I guess I should have worked out more than an hour this morning!

Enjoy!

Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!

I can't remember what font Katherine told me to use, but anyways, Happy Valentine's Day!

I picked out some things (from Etsy) I personally would love to receive (hint hint).  Here are just of my favorite things.

cute heart bowls

 

 

Subtle bling

lovely scarf

 

I love charm bracelets!