The Star of My Power Outage

I bought this vintage stovetop Revere Ware Drip Coffee Pot years ago at a garage sale simply because it reminded me of my grandmother. I never knew I would grow to love it so much at the time. Luckily I have a gas stove and could boil a pot of water and start my powerless days with nice hot cups of coffee. Strangely enough my grandmother used hers to brew the best iced tea in the world. I am looking forward to having a day filled with tasks involving plugging things in wall sockets.

I dreamed last night or rather had nightmares about buying a new TV and figuring out how to set it up in my bedroom. I'll have to make some colored-coded labels for the tangle of wires. I'm in no rush. I watched a program or two last night in the living room before going to bed with my fascinating new book -- STORYTELLER The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock.

I picked it up at a library used book sale and it is a brand new hardback. I started reading it when I went to Town Hall to charge my iPhone on Sunday evening. Since the Irene disaster, they decided to be open 24/7 during all power outages so residents can get warm, charge their devices, and read while waiting. The library offers more during business hours with wifi too. There was also a working garden hose for bring home buckets of water to flush since we are all on wells. Looking forward to a normal day -- see you later.

Homemade Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Ever since reading 'The Help' I've been hungry for some hot biscuits. I think I finally found the perfect recipe. I just took these out of the oven and my mother and I nearly finished them off. I have the worst oven in the world so I cooked them longer and next time I'm going to set my oven at 500 degrees. Chances are you have all the necessary ingredients on hand now so why don't you make some too. The photo above doesn't show all of them. Quote below by the author followed by the link for the recipe. I did not use my food processor. I cut the butter in with my pastry blender and did everything by hand. These were just as good as those I remember from my Southern childhood. I like my biscuits brown too.

"These biscuits are authentic - this recipe came from my Great-Great Grandmother, and was handed down to all the women in my family, and we are all Southern. I am the first one to commit the sin of using a food processor (lol) but I find it works very well. I would put these biscuits up against anyone's - they are perfect in every single way. I hope you all enjoy them. "  

Recipe here. A reader made these with gluten free flour and it worked perfectly.

Orchid Portrait

I took this photo several years ago while I was hosting a realtor open house. I took my camera along and luckily there were many interesting things to photograph and pass the time away. I was very pleased with this portrait of a beautiful orchid that was in the seller's living room. 

I can remember when you could buy orchid corsages in almost any grocery store for women to wear to church on Easter Sunday. We always bought one for my grandmother.

Make Do and Mend -- Again

My grandmother used to take outgrown hand-knitted garments apart and reuse the yarn for other knitting projects. Rush over to The Homely Place to see more versions of the "Make Do and Mend" slogan that is so timely once again. Elbow patches are all the fashion these days so don't throw away your worn garments. Patch and be proud.

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

It's Easier To Keep Up Than To Catch Up

This was my grandmother's favorite saying and she lived by these very words. She was never behind in anything...housework, cooking, sewing, gardening, and more. I wish a little more of her had rubbed off on me. But then I remind myself that she didn't have the Internet!

My grandfather (a minister) used one of these little wisk brooms to brush off his coat before he left the house every day. This one hangs in my vestible here at the cottage. My mother always says the reason Grandma was so caught up on everything was because she made the kids do most of the work. All I remember is that in her elder years she did everything herself with only Grandpa's help.



Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Smell The Flower

This is a picture of me when I was a baby holding up a flower for the photographer to smell. I think my grandmother probably made the romper and embroidered the dog on the front. I miss those wavy edges on old pictures, don't you? Someone should make a paper cutter that replicates that edge. I wish I had an old one. Notice I tagged my photo under antiques.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Actress Lynn Redgrave Has Died At Age 67

Actress Lynn Redgrave Has Died At Age 67:

"Lynn Redgrave died peacefully Sunday night at her home in Connecticut. Children Ben, Pema and Annabel were with her.

"Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven year journey with breast cancer,' they said in a statement Monday. 'She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time."

Read more via The New York Times

So sad. Rest In Peace.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Quote from my Grandmother, "It's easier to keep up than to catch up."

My grandmother used to say this all the time. She was a fabulous homemaker and never got behind in anything. My grandfather had one of these little wisk brooms hanging on a hook in the hall closet. He always brushed off his coat before going out.

I was so happy when I found this small vintage broom at a tag sale. It hangs in my entry and helps me recall a valuable lesson from my early years.



Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.