Surprise Wedding Shower

Lindsey and Katherine



What a fun weekend we had!  Thanks must go to Thomas first, because within just a few short days, he had planned a surprise wedding shower for his fiance (my lovely daughter), Lindsey!  Since his sister, Cordelia (hope I spelled that right) as in town this weekend to shop for bridesmaids dresses, he thought this would be a great idea!

Lindsey with the traditional bouquet made of ribbons!



A big thanks to Thomas's (I don't know where the apostrophe goes so you can let me know!), Mom (Rosemary) and sister!  After shopping for bridesmaids dresses, they can home to prepare a lovely table of treats, and welcomed us into their beautiful home!



Pretty bridal tissue paper

So I've come up with this great idea!  You all know how crafty I am (NOT)!  But I'm going to try to make a wedding scrapbook for Lindsey!  Starting with some of the ribbons and wrapping paper from her shower!

Cute handmade napkin rings

My inspiration came from this cute handmade floral napkin ring from the wedding shower!

Some of the wrapping paper I used from Target

I will even include some of this pretty wrapping paper I used from Target (I love that store!)!

Hopefully soon I will post the first few pages of my scrapbook!  I know everyone looks forward to "Jenny's crappy craft" segment!

I welcome ideas from everyone!

Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!~!

Clinchfield Pottery

I have a distant memory of a not-so-fun Valentine's Day, back in 2008!  It actually seems like it was more like 20 years ago!  At that time, I was devastated, now I thank God it happened!

Fenton Fairy Lamp

I won't go into a lot of detail, because it's not that big of a deal anymore.  Just picture the scenario:  I've worked at the same company for years, a woman named Regan (who really didn't know me), from a corporate office, came in on Valentine's Day, 2008, eating a cupcake, and come's up to me and say's "Jenny I need to talk to you".  She finished her cupcake and then proceeded to tell me that they had to lay me off from my job.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Now when I look back to that day, I honestly laugh!  The cupcake part is the funniest!

It took me awhile, but I moved forward, and started my first Etsy shop soon after all of that!  I now have 3 Etsy shops, and I love love love (did I mention I love) having my own business!

Thanks Regan!! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Jen

Don't forget Valentine's Day!

http://www.chelseavictoria.etsy.com/

Don't forget what day it is tomorrow!! Valentine's Day!  I did a quick search on Etsy for some pretties I think would be great Valentine's Day gifts!  Like the photograph above (my 2nd favorite thing is looking at food, of course my 1st, is actually eating!).

http://www.dianavintageboutique/

Love this pretty headband for a little girl!  By the way, if anyone can help me to change the links to the actual name, instead me writing out the entire link, I'd love the help!

http://www.missingpiecesstudio.etsy.com/

I love this cute rose pendant!  What a cute little gift (and inexpensive too)!

http://www.dalenavintage.etsy.com/

I want this pretty pink feminine 1960's dress!  Ever notice how small the waist on vintage dresses is!?

http://www.tagyoureitjewelry.etsy.com/

A personalized gift is always a great idea!  Perfect gift for the new Mom!

And don't forget, you don't have to spend a lot of money to let someone know how much you care about them!  Handmade cards are the best (even when I make them and they're just not that cute!)

Happy Heart Day! :)

Jen

Vintage Teacups

A small fraction of the teacups/saucers I have available!



Vintage teacups! Oh so lovely!  This is a small fraction of the teacups & saucers I have listed in my Etsy shop.  http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com/

Tea party time!

Vintage teacups are gorgeous for weddings and showers!  I have a variety of colors and styles!

My favorites are pink and green ones!  I particularly love the green and gold one shown above, Crown fine bone china, from England!

A beautiful way to enjoy your tea...or coffee!

Jen

Man Treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA4OTMzMjF8MjExNjkwNjUwMw/for-my-valentines-a-dream-den-for-the

Beautiful Turkish Scarves/Shawls

http://www.asuhan.etsy.com/

The scarf above is exactly like the one I just received all the way from Turkey!  You must check out http://www.asuhan.etsy.com/ for more incredibly gorgeous handmade scarves!  I can wear this one with simple black dress, or even throw it on with jeans!

Love this color too!



I was surprised how quickly my scarf arrived too!



I love pink! I just might have to have this one next!



This is the perfect gift for any women, young or old!

Beautiful variety!

I highly recommend this Etsy shop!  Be sure to check it out!  http://www.asuhan.etsy.com/

Happy Shopping!

Jen

Not Diet Mac & Cheese

"In moderation" Mac & Cheese

Okay, you don't want to eat like this all the time, but my mac and cheese is so good! 

I'll tell you how I make mine.  You can "tweak" yours my adding low fat milk, low fat cheese, etc.

I start by melting 2-3 T of butter.  I then add a couple of tablespoons of flour.  Cook it for at least a minute, on low heat, stirring the entire time.

Then add slightly warmed cream, at least 3 cups, and some regular milk, maybe another 2 cups.

At this same time, you should be boiling your noodles.

Stir the cream mixture and heat at a medium high heat, until it starts to become somewhat thick.  I like a creamy mac and cheese, so I don't make it too thick.

Then add cheese~ I did something a little different this time, and not only added cheddar cheese, but also fontina, and mascarpone~!  Oh, almost forgot, before adding the cheese, add just a dash of mustard powder and a dash of nutmeg (not too much~).

Stir the cheese in. 

Hopefully by now the pasta is done.  It can be slightly al dente since you'll be cooking the mac in cheese in the often.

Strain the pasta, add the cheese sauce, stir. Oh..and sometimes I even add a can of chopped tomatoes in the cheese sauce, since my husband loves tomatoes!

I use a shallow long casserole dish and spread a thin layer of butter to prevent sticking (and because I love butter).

Yummy!

Spread a layer of the mixture in the casserole.  Then add a cracker/butter mixture (by crumbling saltine crackers, and mixing in melted butter) (I told you this was not a diet mac and cheese).  Spread a layer of that on the layer of mac and cheese you just spread down.  Then add the rest of the mixture.

Add more of the cracker mix and why not a bit more cheddar cheese on top of that!?

Cook at 350 for about 20 minutes without a cover, another 10 with a foil over it.  The bubbly sound will make you hungry, plus the smell of all that goodness!

And believe it or not, my cholesterol is low, mainly because I do not eat like this all the time (just most of the time) :)

My next recipe will be a super low fat tilipia dinner, that is quick and so easy!

Jen

Plumdrop

Sometimes I forget the online things I've signed up for! Plumdrop! I can't even remember signing up for it, but I just received an email saying I have a new friend there, YAY! I'll have to keep better track of this stuff!! Jen

Library Book Sale

Vntage Gardening Books

I love our local library, and love it even more when they have their annual book sale!  Tables and tables of fun books, and of course my eye goes right for the vintage ones!  These gardening books remind me of my sister, Susan, since she loves to garden, and has created her own amazing garden!

This cute Paris book is pink!



This cute vintage "The Paris We Love" books is one of my favorites, one reason, it reminds me of my daughter's, Katherine and Lindsey, who have both been to France, and are pretty darn good at speaking french!  The other reason is the book is pink!

It's Pink!

I didn't really see a lot of vintage cooking books though.  I love looking through those and spotting vintage bakeware that I actually sell in my Etsy shop!

Old Classics

Tomorrow is the last day of the sale, so it will be a bag sale!  Whatever you can fit in a bag (can't remember the cost).  If I have time I just might have to go back!

Love old history books!

I love the "Historic Buildings of Massachusetts!  As a child, I spent every summer in Worcester, Massachusetts, where my grandparents lived (and my Dad grew up in the house!)!

I have a passion for vintage books! 

Get out to your local library book sale, or even check out Half Price Books Store, they have some great old books!

Jen

Quick Lunch Idea

This has nothing to do with the recipe, but it's a cute Georges Briard bowl!

Next time, I will take a picture of this before eating it!  It's quick, easy, and you can make it as low fat as you want to!

I used whole wheat tortillas, two for each serving, butter the outside of the two pieces, place one on 2 fying pans, add shredded cheddar cheese and salsa, then place the other tortilla on top of that.  Cook at about medium-high heat for approximately 4-5 minutes, then flip it and cook about the same amount of time for the other side.

Again, this has nothing to do with the recipe, think of it as an annoying advertisement!



While that is cooking, heat up salsa verde (I buy a jar of it at Trader Joe's), in the microwave for about 30 seconds.  Chop up tomato, green onion, black olives, lettuce, and whatever else you like! 

When the tortilla's are cooked, I cut mine into 4 triangles, then add whatever you like, I add all of it!

Quick and easy, and so yummy!

Enjoy!

Jen