Shoo fly, don't bother me....

I want to thank Tina over at Old Glory Soldiers for the inspiration on this one. I love the look of vintage kitchen pieces, and although this one is new, it is made old again by using the rusting technique of spray black paint and cinnamon. I wanted to put something inside that would add to its uniqueness, so I mixed up some "fixens" of miniature clothes pins, rosehips, coffee beans and cinnamon stick pieces and put them in an old aluminum jello mold. The distressed hang tag has a copy of an old Farmer's Almanac.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Oh, I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to find this lovely antique scale at my favorite little antique shop. I have searched FOREVER to find just the right one to use as a background for my version of a favorite design of Terrye French. The scale has a metal plate on either side that reads, "Wimberly & Thomas Hardware, Birmingham, Alabama." Isn't it ironic that after all these years, this piece was found only 45 miles from where it was originally used? I love to think of what it weighed over the years... nails, screws, or seeds perhaps? I wonder about the stories it could tell. I don't think it minds one bit that it has found a new life as a candle stand or maybe a base for a mason jar full of rosehips.

Oh Diane...... find a scale as quick as you can. If you thought that garden trowel was fun to paint on, just wait until you try this!!!

What's for Supper???

I bought some lovely peppers and Vidalia onions at the market. I found this recipe that I am going to try tonight. It sounds exactly like something my dearest will love! I think I will serve it on poppy seed buns with a roasted new potato salad and fresh fruit on the side.



Italian Sausage Sandwiches
1 lbs. ground sweet Italian sausage
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 green peppers, sliced & seeded
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 c. red burgundy wine
1 can diced tomatoes
1 c. grated cheese (Romano or Parmesan)

Brown and remove from skillet. Add peppers to same skillet (do not rinse), stir quickly as peppers stick. After 3 minutes, add onions and mushrooms. Saute until onions are transparent. Add red wine, scraping pan as you stir. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, add cheese and stir before serving. Place in a large bowl and top with a little extra grated cheese. Serve with Italian bread or as a sandwich on sub buns.

Chicken and Fruit Topiary

I have long been inspired by Rosemary West as well as my wonderful friend, Diane Knott. They both have distinctive techniques in their painting styles that I so admire and strive for. Rosemary's tole painting is flawless and I love her choice of color, patterning and banding. Diane is an artist extraordinaire... the warmth of her personality shines through in her work. Each piece is a treasure and I especially love those with fruit and berries. So, that being said, I decided to do a piece in which I would try to incorporate all these qualities. Here it is, a topiary painted with fruit and a chicken finial on top!

Precious Memories Altered Book Box

The Old Farmhouse Gathering Team on Etsy is preparing for a Mother's Day Celebration and this is the first of my two entries. I love making assemblages in book boxes. This one has a page from an old "campground meeting" song book decoupaged on top of vintage style paper. Lots of other goodies include a baby shoe candle light, a little cameo, forget-me-nots, tea stained lace and antique buttons. I experimented with printing a vintage photography of two little children in a wagon onto osnaburg cloth and I love the way it turned out! This was a departure from the painting I have been doing and nice for a chance of pace. Sometimes going in a different direction is a good thing.

Prim Angel Altered Guitar

This is a child's 1/2 scale guitar that I just finished. I found it without strings and shoved in the corner of a shop. I felt its days were numbered since it couldn't be played any longer --- what was I to do other than rescue it???? So, with a favorite Terrye French angel in mind, I began to layer on the paint and antiquing glaze to get the proper patina. And here she is, holding a wooly lamb with a saltbox scene on her dress. I love her baby's breath wings and halo... who said angel wings had to be feathers? I had a wonderful time painting this little piece.

My Recipe!!!

What a surprise was in store for me when the electric bill came and one of my recipes was printed inside! Almost a year ago the Alabama Power Company sent out an invitation statewide to submit easy recipes that required a minimum of ingredients. At first I didn't think much about it, but at the urging of my dearest and Megan also, I finally sent in a few. One of them was a recipe my daddy had shared with me years ago. He loved to cook and was always finding "new and improved" dishes to prepare. Well, the people at the Power Company chose "Papa's Supper Bread" to be the recipe of the month for April. My daddy would be so proud!!! I hope you try it --- it is especially good with soups and stews.