My favorite things . . .

I can't believe this photo turned out so well. My wellies were on top of a windsor stool in my vestibule. I had just returned from the grocery store with my favorite apples ~ Ginger Gold from upstate New York. They snap when you bite them and are so tart and juicy. The best! This one had especially nice color so I sat it down in front of my favorite boots and snapped away.

I am very pleased with the way the apple "pops" against the dark background. I hope these apples are available for a long time. They are unwaxed and don't have those awful stickers. Just the way I like them.

Pretty soon I will be wearing these wellies each time I go out for a walk. The fall season will soon be in full swing. I am putting all the gardens to bed and am looking forward to another blogging season. My first one (summer 2008) was fabulous. I hope you will join me for my next chapter!

I am very happy that all of my favorite TV shows are starting up again too.

My kitchen has gone to the dogs . . .

Webster could never look directly at the camera when there was food before him!

He is the greatest pot licker in the East. I fixed scrambled eggs with cheese this morning and he thoroughly enjoyed the job of cleaning the skillet.

He wanted me to post the recipe for his favorite all-natural snacks.

WEBSTER'S HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
2-1/4 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry powdered milk
3 Tablespoons molasses
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 eggs
--------
Mix everything together and knead into a ball.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness.
Cut dough with cookie cutters (bone-shapes are available).
Sometimes I just roll into a log and slice.
You can prick your dog's initial with a fork. A "W" is easy.
Bake on greased cookie sheets for 20 minutes at 375.
Enjoy all the licks and kisses you will receive from your pet.

Don't have a pet? Boo Hoo!
Make some for your canine friends. All dogs love presents!

Gwyneth + Mario in Spain on PBS ~ Premiers 9/20 . . .

SPAIN - On the Road Again premiers on PBS the week of September 20th. The 13-week series begins tonight in some areas. In New York and New Jersey it is on at 3pm tomorrow (Sunday 9/21). That seems like an odd time slot to me ~ I am so glad I checked the schedule so I could set my DVR. How did we ever live without those great machines?

You can view the listings for your area on this PBS site and see lots of photos and video clips. I don't think you have to be a foodie to enjoy this program. The scenery looks amazing. The stars are Gwyneth Paltro, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, and a Spanish actress named Claudia something. So that's two actresses and two chefs.

I hope you read this in time to see the first episode. I should have posted about it earlier. Better late than never. Enjoy!

FREE DOWNLOAD Seed Saving Envelope for 2008 . . .

Seeds are maturing everywhere in my garden. The cilantro berries are nice and big. I will harvest and save them for my culinary garden next year.

Friday is usually an off day for blog viewing so I decided to give something away. I made a pdf document of the seed saving envelope shown above. It is fresh off the presses...I designed it this morning. You will see that it prints beautifully in a nice large size. Use it for big seeds or as a master envelope for the smaller ones I made for you earlier in the year. Search for them on my blog. They are filed under "seedpacket pattern".

FREE DOWNLOAD ~ SEED SAVING ENVELOPE FOR 2008

Save some seeds this weekend and remember me!

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Collector's Kitchen with Transferware Backsplash . . .

I've been tying up loose ends all day and need to hop on the tractor and finish up the mowing I started yesterday. It is nice and cool...a good day to work outside.

I though I would share this clipping from an old Renovation Style magazine with you. The antique blue and white Staffordshire plates have been permanently grouted in place on the backsplash behind a commercial range. I think they look stunning against the solid white tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. The moulded tile picture frame sets them off quite nicely. The remaining white tiles are laid subway style.

This collector looked everywhere for decorative tiles to set off the plain white ones and finally gave up. Her husband suggested using some of the plates she had collected over the years. The end result is highly personal and beautiful.

Budget for Royal Dogs . . .

And I am sure they were worth every penny.

Martha Stewart Show ~ All Bloggers Today . . .

The Martha Stewart Show today (9/17) is about blogging and all the audience members are blog authors. Some began blogging live on their laptops as soon as they entered the building at 8:30am. I am watching the show right now. It is on at 11am in New Jersey. Later in other places. Try to watch.

I don't get Fine Living Network but I am pretty sure this show will be rebroadcast there tonight. Check your local listings.

I was following the live posts from Geek in Heels and WeddingBee in case you want to read their comments from the audience.




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Brown and White Transferware Plate . . .

A brown and white Staffordshire transferware plate in a Willow Pattern (most often seen in blue). Another item that was sold some time ago. I wish I had saved all of my photos; but unfortunately I was not blogging and figured I would never need them again. So many lovely things were permanently erased from my hard drive. What a shame.

A miniature portrait on ivory from my collection is in the background.

A Wonderful Weathered Pot . . .

It is virtually impossible to get this look on a new cement pot. This one was old when I got it over 30 years ago. Unfortunately it is getting ready to "blow up" from the potbound roots of a boxwood planted inside. I am quite sure it will just crumble to pieces when I attempt to remove the shrub. That's why I keep putting off this chore.

Maybe I can put some sort of putty inside to hold it together. I will certainly try! Maybe I can get help from all the King's horses and all the King's men!

When a Chicken Finds a Typewriter . . .

Look what happens when a bored chicken finds a typewriter! I don't know about you but this just seems wrong to me.

There is a lady in Basking Ridge who sells fresh eggs from her porch. From now on, that's where I am going. I know her hens don't know how to type!

I took the last photo ~ I found the others on Flickr.