"French Enamelware"...my new obsession!

 French Enamelware is my newest obsession!

.....I don't own a single piece, but I am very willing to change that...

I remember years ago being at an antique show here in San Diego, & being drawn to a booth that was filled to the brim with the most amazing French enamelware. I was simply captivated...

the lovely colors... French blue, a gorgeous pink & the white, the glorious white.

I loved the shapes, the irregularities & the charm each piece offered.....

 Now years later, I have many collections..... earthenware bowls, lots & lots of white ironstone & a hutch filled with brown & white transferware, but somehow the enamelware has eluded me?...

So I am asking for advice from all of you.....What do I look for?....What should I pay?....& where are some great sources?....

I know all this could be googled over the internet, but asking real friends is sometimes a much better way....I am open to any information you may have!....I know there is great knowledge among us!

 French enamelware is in my future!

Thank you for putting up with me!

heidi

xo



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"My Darling Boys"....

This evening begins a new year of baseball for my oldest grandson Andrew.....& this year he will have a brand new,.... & fairly small, new "fan",.... his 8 week old brother Declan.

My husband will be taking in the game, but alas I have the ladies coming over for an evening of quilting.....not great planning?

Even though tiny pieces of fabric will be keeping me from attending the game tonight, my heart will be there in spirit,...

beating quickly for my darling boys....

heidi

xo

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"A Taste of Spring".....

I realize that winter still has a hold on many areas throughout the country,...however there is no reason what-so-ever that you can't create a bit of "Spring" in your own kitchen.....here's how....

STEP 1: Make a batch of these amazing "Coconut Lemon Bars". A friend brought these, along with the recipe to my Christmas Cookie Party over 35 years ago....( oh my I feel old?) They are incredibly delicious & a cookie that seems to be much better suited to springtime, than the winter holidays. I have made them over & over through the years & they still are one of our families favorites.

Coconut Lemon Bars

Ingredients:
Crust: 3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Filling: 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup flaked coconut

Orange/Lemon Glaze:

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:Cream butter and powdered sugar. Blend in 1-1/2 cup flour. Press mixture into bottom of ungreased 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Mix remaining ingredients; spread over hot baked layer. Bake 20 minutes longer. While warm, spread with Orange-Lemon Icing.

Cool; cut into bars about 3x1".

Yield: 32 bars.

STEP 2: Open your cupboards & take out any little flowered dessert plates or saucers...you know the ones....those that just begged you to buy them the last time you were out antiquing. (or any pretty plates that look like Spring will do)....Add a generous square of the cookie bars on each person's plate.....

Now close your eyes, take a bite & think Spring!.....

Enjoy.

heidi

xo



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"My Very Favorite Blog".....

 I love visiting other blogs. I gravitate to those that inspire me, & allow me to take a glimpse into the "everyday" of other homes & families. This is where true inspiration thrives, in normal homes, with normal families, enjoying the normal activities that make up all the months of the year. I love old homes, wild gardens, an occasional recipe & antiquing.....all photographed in the most lovely way.

 With that said, I have to say that my favorite blog is one that fits all this criteria. The blog I am referring to is Sharon Santori's "My French Country Home". It is where I go first when browsing my blog list. Sharon writes about her life in Normandy.....her family, her friends & her day to day observations, which very much appeal to me....& I'm sure to many, many others as well!

                        Whether it is Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, Sharon's daily entries are ones you simply need to experience yourself!.....

Her thoughts are honest & simple & incredibly beautiful....and may I say today's post is one of her best!.....

You must go visit "My French Country Home".....

I believe you will find it to be one of your favorite blogs as well!

Happy Sunday.

heidi

xo

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"Saturday".....

Greetings Friends!.....

You would think that living in Southern California would give you Februarys filled with warm, balmy days?.....but that it not entirely true, expecially this year!....It has been blustry, windy & cold!...until today.....Today is mild, sunny & completely feeling like Spring!....& I am loving it!

After a morning walk, we had an al fresco lunch on the patio of a neighborhood Mexican restaurant & it was lovely...so lovely....

Now home with a cake in the oven & the project of glittering of Easter eggs on the coffee table, it looks like the perfect Saturday afternoon.

I hope you are enjoying yours as well!

Thank you for stopping by.....

heidi

xo

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