Peach Harvest

This week we picked four big boxes of beautiful peaches from my old, faithful peach tree--we had a very late spring this year and I was afraid the frost would come before they ripened, but my old friend came through again--one last time.

Many years ago my dad found a peach pit growing in his yard, nurtured it along with his wonderful green thumb, and then brought it 600 miles to plant it in my yard. Although it's hard to predict how a wild peach tree will produce, Dad was right--the little tree faithfully brought forth many bounteous crops of sweet and juicy peaches that ripened late in the season, as well as shading my kids (and then their kids) as they played and climbed.

I'm sad to say this will be its last harvest. Time, weather, and insects have taken their toll, and although we have babied it along, we now have to say goodby. There will be a big gap in our garden--how we will miss its fruit and shade!

My dad loved trees, and continued to plant them well into his eighties. He too is gone now, leaving a hole in our lives, but we still have his strong roots...the more lasting kind of roots we can keep and pass on!

Thanks, Daddy! I'm eating a peach for you. . .

Thrift Thursday--It Was Cabbage Day at the Thrift Sote

Just when I thought I must already have a ceramic example of each and every item found in the produce section. . .

. . .a bok choy leaf--a bok choy leaf divided relish dish! It's about 10 inches in diameter, divided in four sections by the raised ribs, and that perfect yellow-green bok choy color and texture. There are no marks on the back, but it's really very nicely made, and cost $1.50. It delights me!

We had just picked up the fabulous majolica cabbage teapot that I posted earlier, and then on the way to the door spotted a little cabbage creamer pitcher which had seen better days and stayed at the store. Cabbage Day at the thrift store! It almost seems like a sign from the Yard Sale Gods. . .but what could it mean?

If the little cabbage creamer is still there next time, it's coming home with me.

Scraping Wallpaper..and Scraping...and Scraping...

I'm facing the consequences of past deeds--I need to replace the carpet in the bedroom, but before I can do that I have to paint. Sadly enough, before I can paint I have to deal with that dated 80's wallpaper. I've put it off too long.

I really don't get to complain at all. I chose the paper and I pasted it up, and now I must take it down. I can say, though, that I wish I hadn't done such a thorough job--the paper was pre-pasted, but I used a good-quality paste as well, just to make it last. And it did--not a single lifted seam or dangling spot. Both of which I could use at this point!

I can no longer lie in the bed each morning, staring with dread at the wall. I've made a goal to remove a few square feet a day. Each morning, I will take my old towel and red plastic Betty Crocker dough scraper ($1.00 at Dollar Tree), and soak and scrape away for an hour.

It's a contemplative job--plenty of time to think and plan the new decor!

Miniatures Monday--Pea Pod Salt and Pepper

Our family does love the thrift store--the adventure, the quest, the surprises! We sometimes declare a contest as to who can come up with the most needed, the most delightful, the most useful, or even the most bizarre find on any particular trip.

This trip daughter Ibu wins the Most Delightful Find Ever prize! Salt and pepper shakers--two tiny ceramic peas in a pod. I have to admit that in my rather extensive ceramic-fruits-and-vegetables collection, I haven't had a single example of peas, or their pods, and Ibu has magnanimously allowed me to add it to my collection.

Each little pea is one inch in diameter and nestles perfectly into the charming pod, which is very nicely detailed. They have a delightfully fresh-from-the-garden green color and texture and are beautifully made.

There are no markings, but the shakers have plastic plugs so they can't be too terribly old. I can hardly resist picking them up and enjoying them!

Thrift Thursday--Cabbage Teapot

A fabulous thrift store find this week--a beautiful green majolica teapot, made in Portugal.

What a great addition to my ceramic-fruit-and-vegetable collection--I love the deep green finish and the satisfying shape. It's marked 'Bordallo Pinheiro, Portugal' and measures 7 inches high and 9 inches wide, with no cracks or chips. The price: $3.00!

The four pretty little harvest-themed place card holders are from the same thrift store outing--their original price tags read $3.99 each, and the thrift store tag was $1.00 each--which seemed a little steep to me, especially compared to the teapot! The cashier thought so too, and charged me $.75 a each.

Now to decide where to display them. . .

My Bread

I love the act of baking bread, the smell of baking bread, eating good crusty bread. . .and the library. Two loves came together this week!

This summer my sister-in-law Alice ( a fabulous baker) recommended the book 'My Bread', by Jim Lahey, and I've been eagerly awaiting a library copy. My turn at last!

Traditional baking expert Lahey has developed a unique and low-effort method for baking artisan-style bread at home--no kneading and a long, slow rise are the keys, as well as baking the bread inside a heavy pot. You simply stir the flour, water, and salt with a tiny amount of yeast in a bowl, and leave the dough to develop--up to 24 hours for the first rise.

My first try made a flavorful, crusty loaf with, great holey texture and a moist interior. Lahey recommends using a large, heavy, covered pot such as enameled cast iron, but I had pretty good first results using a large, covered casserole dish--none of my larger pots seemed to fit the bill.

'My Bread' is full of baking info and recipes. It's recommended!

Miniatures Monday--Erasers!

Tired of dressing just like all the other Littlest Pet Shop girls, Lindsay takes matters into her own hands.

Tiny things! I love them--and so do many of my kids and grandkids. My grandsons recently shared with me their love of collectible erasers.

Maybe you aren't familiar with them--collectible Japanese erasers come in a unbelievable (and often puzzling) assortment of colorful shapes and forms--food, vehicles, and objects of every kind, all detailed and delightfully tiny.

I found the perfect set of erasers at the craft store last week! The sewing machine and dress form delight me---and they're perfect with the dollhouse furniture.

It's Project Runway in miniature!