My Metal Polishing Products and Secrets

This post is on the fly this morning. Running late for an office meeting.

Yesterday I polished this antique copper coal scuttle. Last time it was polished during my stewardship? Never! I left the inside unpolished. I use this for storing old magazines. It's really a fireplace item but I don't have room for it there.

I polished all of my brass candlesticks and trivets. First I spray down the item with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day multi-surface. Then I dip my dampened cleaning rag or sponge into some Bar Keepers Friend cleanser which I have in a shallow bowl. The rest is magic. The spray loosens the tarnish and the cleanser dissolves it before your very eyes. Wipe and buff. For really old tarnish keep spraying and dipping and rubbing. No need to wipe it all off until you are finished with the entire item. 

For horizontal surfaces like switch plates you will have to soak your rag in the liquid (just the part wrapped around your finger) and wipe over the tarnish first. Then do the second step. I used a Q-tip when I was polishing an engraved brass plate on the top of a cellarette without ruining the wood.

Just experiment. You will be amazed. Handle the powder with care. It's powerful stuff and is probably quite dangerous. But it's been around since 1882 and hasn't been recalled yet. I don't plan on using it every day so I don't think it will kill me before I'm finished. 

I got this "Radish" Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day spray at TJMaxx because this "scent" has been discontinued. I'm sure almost any multi-surface spray will work; this is just what I had on hand. I polished all of my silver trophies using this method and nothing got scratched. You can probably make a paste using these two products as well to "dissolve" the powder if you are afraid of scratching. All of my things are antiques and have already been around the block so I wasn't worried.

Good luck. I think I have hunted down almost everything tarnished in my cottage except for my copper pots and my antique andirons. I will tackle them soon. I spread a small tarp on my kitchen table to do the coal scuttle. For the smaller items, I used a folded turkish towel on my kitchen counter near the sink and rinsed under running water before drying and buffing, Just play around and see what works for you. You can also "rinse" small items in a dishpan full of water and keep using it for that purpose. You can soak heavily tarnished brass candlesticks overnight in this solution for really easy cleaning the next day.

Polishing Frenzy at My Cottage

If you are silver

or 

if you are brass, 

I will find you!

Once I get started on a big project, I can't stop. I have polished almost everything in my cottage that is in plain sight except for the andirons and they scare me. I want to wait until the weather is mild enough for me to do them outside. My fender looks fabulous and so do the fireplace tools. So happy. xo

Prettiest Kitchen Garden Ever

I posted a couple of photos yesterday and found this beautiful fenced garden while enjoying the photos of others. Isn't this the best kitchen garden ever? It's the perfect size in the perfect setting.

Google Images

Classic "Model T Ford Tin Lizzie"

I spotted this classic car outside the bank near my office recently. The proud owner takes it out quite frequently for an airing on nice days. 

This one is a beauty and has been lovingly restored. It's hard to believe 15 million Model T Fords were assembled and so few survived. Read the history here. Have a nice weekend. We have April showers in my area today. xo

Back to Work

Click here for a high resolution version of the wonderful photograph. This dog seems to have this flock under control, doesn't he? Have a great weekend. xo

Wonderful pied-à-terre in Paris

It's for sale too in a beautiful Haussmannian building! Details here. I love the layout, the floors, and especially the views.

I am fine, really! I have been busy polishing silver and brass, cleaning windows and floors, and trying to catch up on inside chores I have been house-blind to because I no longer have any excuses! It's rather overwhelming but I will soldier on and do a little at a time until it's time to start all over again. I have also been busy trying to tie up loose ends with a difficult real estate transaction. 

My neighbors across the street captured photo of a bear at their bird feeder several nights ago with a critter cam. Now they aren't feeding the birds and they are keeping their garbage cans locked in the garage. I have noticed more wild life on my property too now that I have no animals. Flocks of wild turkeys and more deer than I've seen in a long time. Not thrilled about the deer and their ticks though. The turkeys are fun when they fan their tail feathers. 

Thanks for checking in and worrying about me. xo

Gorgeous Landscaping

Perfect for this old house. via

Stay tuned for more about a wonderful real estate listing in my office. Right now it's an exclusive but will be on the MLS any day now. It's really world class! See you soon. xo

Irish Apple Cake Recipe

Recipe found at Connecticut Country House.
It looks so good!

Legend has it that St. Patrick planted an apple tree in Armagh County – also known today as “Orchard County” – an area recognized for its apple blossom tours and festivals. This cake, made from simple ingredients, is uncomplicated, easy to make, and so honest in its appearance and deliciously satisfying in flavor.

Irish Apple Cake, Serves 8 to 12

For cake:

2 large baking apples

1 ¼ cup self-rising flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus a little extra for greasing the pan

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 tablespoons whole milk

Confectioner’s sugar for dusting, if you’re serving it cold.

For crumb topping:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Optional plating garnish:

Sprigs of fresh mint

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan with the extra butter reserved for this purpose.

Make the crumb topping first. Sift the flour into a medium sized bowl, and cut in the butter by rubbing the flour and butter together with your fingertips. It will turn into a bread crumb-like texture. Mix in the sugar with your hands. Easy. Set aside.

For the cake:

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples, to about 1/8 – ¼ inch thickness. Set aside.

Sift together the flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar until light in color and smoothly blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat on low speed.

With the mixer still on low, gradually add flour mixture to the wet mixture. Slowly pour in the milk. When fully incorporated, you’re done mixing.

Scoop the batter into the buttered springform pan, smoothing the top to make level. Using a circular pattern, place the apple slices on top of the batter. (It doesn’t have to be perfect, as it gets covered with the crumb mixture. You just want even coverage.) Top with the crumb mixture.

Bake for 1 hour, or until lightly browned and firm to the touch.

Serve warm, unadorned, or if serving as a dessert, try it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

If serving cooled, give it a dusting of confectioner’s sugar – my fave for to elevating the look of this cake.

I love the simplicity of this recipe, don't you?
I am still doing well even though I missed my Webster all the time. Especially when I am cooking and that was his favorite thing for me to do! Thank you for all of your words of comfort. The Wonder Dog had a fabulous fan club and we all miss him. xo