Bunnies on Parade

I finally sat down and worked on and finished a project that has been waiting for my attention for awhile.

Hand stringing 135 vintage white and ivory buttons onto crochet thread is time consuming. But the end result is worth it.

I just love the look of a vintage button garland. I started making these from the abundance of buttons that I have when I got a button garland as a Christmas gift one year. I have made multicolor garlands and red and white and green and white for the holidays but my favorite is the all white and ivory vintage button garlands. There is just something so nostalgic about a string of one fabulous vintage button after another. This one is available in my Etsy shop.

After I finished it I wanted to decorate with it and show it's versatility. My favorite things to do with these is drape them in unusual places, like the top of a cupboard, over a cafe curtain or on the mantel.

I am homebound today on a snowy New York Spring day, so I decided to play a little. I started to take all the pictures of my children and grandchildren off the mantel and replace them with all the bunnies I have out for Spring decorating. Tucking the garland in and out of the bunnies added just the right touch.

 

There are handmade chalkware bunnies, a faux birds nest and carved Easter eggs....

 

 

a vintage handmade wooden puzzle bunny and a large paper mache

egg with a bunny family on it....

and a large fuzzy Peter Rabbit complete with a basket backpack 

 



 

Now my project had an immediate purpose and my decorating is complete! I will have to fill in all the spots the bunnies originally were but I don't think I will have a problem with that!

 

I have a new, bright spot in my house to walk by on these dreary wintery, I mean Spring days!

 

 

AnnMarie :)

 

 

Linking up with:

 Aloha Friday Blog Hop 

 My Turn for Us Freedom Fridays

 Thursday Sew Crafty Link Party

 Be Inspired Friday

 No Rules Weekend Blog Party

 Meet & Greet Blog Hop

Marvelous Mondays Link Party

Bouquet of Talent Linky Party

Wednesday's Adorned from Above Blog Hop



 

 



 

Can I Just Brag A Little?

It's the simple things in our everyday lives that stir our hearts.

And so here are a few things in the past week of my life that made me feel so blessed that I wanted to brag about 'em......




 

My adorable granddaughters Cassidy, 7 and Chloe, 19 months

 

 

 

 

Good things to eat! I am blessed to have a wonderful grocery store in my area called Wegmans. They are making quite a name for themselves and now have locations all over the northeast. Their bakery is exceptionally good. This Chocolate Pudding Pie is beyond words. My son, husband and I ate two of them in little over a week......really!

 

 

 



I have the best girlfriends! They all came over my house with lots of goodies to eat and we spent most of the day Saturday eating and laughing. The pictures are not so great but you can see their personalities coming through. Someone said something about angels and well, there they are behind the couch!

 

 

What have you been blessed with this past week?

 

 

AnnMarie :)

Pretty Easter Sunday Table Decorating

I went around that thrift store three times looking for something to buy! I stop in there every so often when I get the feeling something is there just waiting for me. I usually find it right away.

On that third time around there it was. A plastic bag of doilies all squished inside. I grabbed it and started going through them, knowing full well I was going to buy it no matter what was in there!

 

I had been on the lookout for vintage doilies because I wanted to make more runners. I made some before Christmas and I have only one left. 

I love the whole process of it. Finding the doilies, especially a large assortment because there are so many choices and no two are alike. Then laying them all out down the center of the table to come up with just the perfect design....not too perfect and symmetrical but a nice flow for the eye.

Then there is the pinning each one to another in just the right angle and overlap. Then making sure they are pinned securely so the whole thing doesn't fall apart when you go to sit and sew!

I had all Sunday afternoon to sit with my feet up and just sew. With my son in the next chair and the basketball game on in the background, my husband off on a men's outreach, I just sewed for hours. Here is the end product!

 

 

This runner has a 6 point star design doily at it's center and then rounds and square doilies are stitched off of that. There are 13 different doilies in ecru and ivory, beige, and white. One is embroidered, another has an open weave. There are floral designs and star designs. Each doily is completely different from the next. Each doily is a nice size measuring from 8" to 12" in diameter. They are handstitched together on both sides with thread, which does not show!

 

 

I am off to layout another one.....maybe smaller, maybe all white, maybe another round....the possibilities are endless! I will be listing them all in my Etsy shop NaNa's Things in time for Easter decorating.

 

My table is ready.....

 

 

 

AnnMarie :)

 

 

Linking up with Marvelous Mondays Link Party, the Weekend Meet & Greet Blog Hop , Adorned from Above Blog Party, Common Ground Be Inspired Blog Party



 

Spring Ahead!

Just heard that this Sunday we can Spring Ahead with our clocks by one hour!

That tells me to start REALLY decorating for Spring!

I have been slowly putting away the winter but I do still have the winter wreath on my front door and my fabulous shabby chic snowflakes in the windows. My bunnies have started to make an appearance so it is time to go full out with Spring.

My front entryway is very narrow and I painted it in a deep Indigo blue with cranberry accents. The wood is dark and original to my 1870's Victorian home. I just have this need to fill every space, however narrow or small and I find the best way to do it is with vignettes.

A vignette is a contained decorative area that has a theme.

 

I have my little vintage half table painted white and a white milk stool set up on this wall year round. That way I can change it out with each season.

 

The table has a large vintage blue and white crocheted doily folded and draped over. The Easter basket and bunny is from the late 1970's early 1980's when it was THE thing to take ceramics classes and paint your own home decor. I made a lot of these now sought after kitschy items (remember the Christmas trees?). A faux birds nest and eggs fills in the space.

 

 

On the stool is a crazy quilt piece in pinks and blues and pastels with my paper mache bunny perched on top. The pot was a gift from a friend who handpainted and decoupaged it for me, just because. Pale blue and yellow hydrangeas say Spring and Summer!

 



 

 

 

With two boys in the house (who may not be very mindful of delicate decorations!), this actually works out being walked by everyday to go in and out and up the stairs. Just adds enough seasonal decor without a lot of fuss. I actually put this all together this morning in the 15 minutes I wait by the door for my son's school bus!

 

 

Have you started decorating for Spring? Spring ahead!

 

 

AnnMarie :)

 

 

Linking up with Be Inspired Blog Hop Party at Common Ground. Visit this wonderful blog for gorgeous decorating ideas!

 

 

Saturday Morning Baked Oatmeal

I titled this recipe Saturday Morning Baked Oatmeal because most of us just don't have the time to whip up a delectable breakfast like this during the week.

I got up on this dreary, cold, Saturday morning and was inspired to try this recipe. My girlfriend, sweet Carolyn gave me a great cookbook for my birthday, super natural every day by Heidi Swanson. This is the third recipe I have tried from it and thumbs up so far! And that is thumbs up from my husband too, the king of junk food!

 

It is full of good things like bananas, blueberries, nuts, milk, eggs, maple syrup and of course, oatmeal. As I usually do, I put my own tweaks to a recipe according to what I have or what is available. For this I used old fashioned oats as opposed to quick oats....not sure what rolled oats are but I am sure I could have gone to a natural food store for them. I used frozen blueberries because fresh right now are ridiculously expensive, and I used slivered almonds instead of the walnuts. I chose the maple syrup instead of the sugar.

 

Here is the recipe:

 

 

Baked Oatmeal

 

Serves 6 generously

 

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted and chopped

1/3 cup natural cane sugar or maple syrup

1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

scant 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

2 cups milk

1 large egg

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 1/2 cups huckleberries, blueberries or mixed berries

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the top third of the oven. Generously butter the inside of an 8 inch square baking dish.

 

In a bowl mix together the oats, half of the nuts, the sugar, if using, the baking powder, the cinnamon, and the salt.

 

In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, if using, the milk, egg, half of the butter, and the vanilla.

 

Arrange the banana pieces in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle 2/3 of the berries over the top. Cover the fruit with the oat mixture. Slowly drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Gently give the baking dish a couple whacks on the counter to be sure all the milk goes through the oats. Scatter the remaining berries and remaining nuts on top.

 

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is nicely gold and the oat mixture has set. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the remaining melted butter on the top and serve. Serve maple syrup to drizzle over for a sweeter taste.

 

 

I think this would be so good sprinkled with brown sugar over it or cold with ice cream. I am thrilled that my husband plans on taking it to work next week for breakfast.....beats eating a pop tart every morning!

 

 

Happy eating!

 

AnnMarie :)

 

 



Linked with Common Ground, Adorned from Above and Healthy Tuesdays bog hops.
 

Hopping Through the Blog Parties

I just started blog hopping.

Or, technically, I just started linking up and joining in on Blog Hop parties.

There is one (or a thousand!) for every day of the week. It is ALOT to keep up with but it is fun to see all the different blogs out there.

I am a novice at this but this is what I know so far.....

Someone hosts a party on their blog and offers to other bloggers to link up on their page once a week, or how ever many times they set it up for. Sometimes there are co-hosts. Each one is a little different according to the hosts' rules. You just link your blog (each one walks you through how), comment and follow the host and co-hosts. Then you can click and read as many others as time allows and comment and follow them as well. Invite them to visit your blog and leave your address so they can follow you back.

You can link your main blog page, a recipe, a craft, a DIY project.

It is a great networking tool and a lot of fun in the process. I have gotten so many new delicious looking recipes that I want to save, that my recipe file on my desktop is bursting! And I have added a lot of blogs that I follow to my list.

Below are the blog parties I currently follow.....I have one for each day Monday through Saturday.You can find a button for some of them on my right sidebar. It will take you to the page the blog hop is offered on. To link up with the most current party, you can sign up on the hosts blog page via email. Then you will get an email every time the party is open.

A wonderful new find is The Marketplace where you can post up to three items from your Etsy or online shop. Hosted by Debra at Common Ground, there are so many gorgeous items to look at and buy!

On Monday I receive an email from Marvelous Mondays Link Party hosted by Julie at This Gal Cooks  and Carrie at The Frugal Foodie Mama. You can link your DIY projects, crafts and recipes at this party.

On Tuesday it is Healthy Tuesday

hosted by Becca at A Humble Bumble.  Here you can link up your healthy recipes. There are so many links to healthy recipes from other bloggers that you just want to dive into all of them!

 

 

On Wednesday there is Adorned From Above Blog Hop hosted by Debi and Charly

 

 

 

Here you can link up anything from your blog. Be sure to comment and follow the host and co-hosts.

 

 

On Thursday you join in on the Grow Your Blog Link Party hosted by Julie at This Gal Cooks and Paula from Call Me PMC. You link up your main page here. Why? Julie and Paula have said it best....

 



"What is the Grow Your Blog Hop all about? NETWORKING! Meeting new bloggers, finding new content to follow, building your readership. Why is blog networking great for you? Simply put, it increases readership and traffic to your blog. How do you network? Visit. Comment. Invite. Communicate. These are key to growing your blog."

 

 

 

On Friday there is Freedom Fridays Blog Hop hosted by Evelyn at My Turn for Us. There are no rules here. Just link up and read, comment and follow!

 

 

 

And finally, on Saturday join in on the Meet and Greet Blog Hop hosted by Laurie at Created by Laurie and Kim from 2 just B you.  You can link your blog and there are always co-hosts to follow. There is also a fun question of the week you can answer in the comments on the hosts and co-hosts blogs.

 

 

 

Whew! That is ALOT! Of course you don't have to follow all these blog parties at once, like I did! But it is easy to get caught up in all the good stuff to read and it is fun when others come back and visit your blog.

 

Have fun with it if you decide to join in.....let me know which parties you like best!

 

AnnMarie :)





 

 

 



 

Easy Skillet Chicken Parm

I am absolutely, positively blank on what to blog about today. I try to blog at least once a week and usually something comes to me before now!

So, I decided to share another recipe and it just happens to be our dinner tonight! I found it on America's Test Kitchens where I watched them put it all together. It is really easy and it is all done in one large skillet on the top of your stove.

Below are the ingredients. I usually make do with what I can. The recipe calls for fresh bread crumbs and you don't want to cheat on this part! I always save the ends of the sandwich bread and put them in the freezer for such a time as this! It also calls for fresh basil, but since it is not in season here I use dried. I was having a problem finding a nice chunk of packaged provolone so I went to the deli and had them cut a 1/4 pound chunk off for me. The recipe calls for 4 boneless chicken breast but I use six (two boys eating) and it works out fine.

 

To make the bread crumbs I take the frozen ends of the bread and put them in my Ninja and in two seconds, I have fresh bread crumbs.

 

 

Don't be surprised when you are told to put them on last! Now we can continue on with the recipe......

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

Serves 4

1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 2 tablespoon dried)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 pounds), halved horizontally  (I also pound my chicken on both sides for tenderness)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup shredded sharp provolone cheese

Toast bread crumbs in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, without oil, until browned. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 cup parmesan and half of basil. In a separate bowl, combine remaining olive oil, 1/4 cup parmesan, remaining basil, garlic, tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste.

There are the nicely browned bread crumbs, the sauce and the provolone. I really just wanted
to show off my new nesting bowls my daughter Candice gave me for my birthday!

 

Place flour in dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper and coat with flour. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the same, now empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook till golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate.

 



Reduce heat to medium-low and add tomato mixture to the empty skillet. Return the chicken to pan in an even layer, pressing down to cover with sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella, provolone and remaining parmesan over the chicken. Cover with a lid and cook until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture and serve.

 

 

 

Add a little side of angel hair, broccoli and italian bread and Yum!! Easy and delicious. A nice alternative to the calorie laden restaurant dish that has been deep fried. Just look at how tender that chicken is!

 

 

 

You can always mix up some extra sauce and warm it up if you like a lot of sauce on your pasta and over your chicken. We find that there is usually enough.

 

Think of how easy this recipe will be for you to make. You don't have to stop every minute to take pictures and then make your husband and son wait to start eating and then stop eating for more pictures.......yeah, I think those rolling eyes mean they get me!

 

AnnMarie :)