Quahogs

On Labor Day I went out to dig for quahogs. It's part of the "ocean/land to table series". I got my quahogs and made my chowder.

Steam the quahogs in water, then remove quahogs and reserve the broth.
In a medium size pan, saute 2 cut up slices of bacon. Add 2 diced potatoes, and 1/2 diced onion & saute until translucent.
Add the chopped up quahogs, & broth.
When ready to serve add cream or milk & some butter, salt and pepper to taste.

Shells can go into the compost bin.

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

I ordered this book from the Tiverton Library. This book by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois proves that you really can make and bake delicious bread with very little time and effort, plus the photos by Mark Luinenburg look like the baked goods from the delicious and unavoidable "Seven Stars" bakery in Providence: http://www.sevenstarsbakery.com/

This is a great budget buster book, and I'm looking forward to baking up some goodies.

Holiday Decorating

Now that we are officially entering the holiday season, I decided to post some photos of Christmas wreaths that I came across from White Flower Garden in Henley-on-Thames in England. Their website is http://www.white-gdn.co.uk/

Adorable Shed Ideas

Country Living Magazine

Garden Inspiration

Credit Karen Mordechai and Sunday Suppers.

Here is some inspiration for raised beds. A really good use for those overgrown weedy areas. I'm trying to decide what to construct the raised beds out of as I have a lot of old bricks and lumber. Plus I need to figure out size & depth. But as I have been collecting & composting my leaves & grass clippings I will have some compost for them, come next Spring.

Ric-Rac and Handbag

Finally I got some time to make a bag I bought the handles at least 2 months ago. The fabric is bark cloth that I got years ago at a yard sale, with plans to make a bag from it.

I made some alterations, as I needed to piece my fabric together I took giant red ric-rac and sewed it over the seam. You could even incorporate 2 different fabrics and a contrasting ric-rac. The bag is lined in a pink striped cotton and even has an interior pocket. Can't wait to take it shopping!



Many thanks to:
http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/how_to_make_this_pursebag/

Inspiration

I came across this blog with really interesting illustrations. The Vintage Moth by Abigail Mooney. They are great inspiration for cards and paper crafts.