German Food Night

After struggling with a Blogger upload problem for months I finally managed to figure out a way to post a few pics of a dinner I made months ago.  I got this crazy idea at a late night grocery store run that I just HAD to have a German Food Night. 

It started with a mix packet for Sauerbraten - I love Sauerbraten.  Or rather, I should say I loved the Sauerbraten that I used to get at a now closed cafeteria here in St. Louis.  Grone's Cafeteria made the most delicious roast beef (French dip sandwiches to DIE for) and twice a week they had thin sliced delicious Sauerbraten with potato pancakes and applesauce on the side.  Grone's closed suddenly one day without a clue to their customers (and rumor has it - even the employees) and I was shocked and saddened.  I tried to find another restaurant that made sauerbraten and the few that did just weren't anywhere near as good so I thought I'd never have it again.

Then, low and behold - one day I found an article online that had the family that owned the cafeteria saying that old customers wanted their recipes and they were willing to share!  Oh joy!  My only problem - I didn't have a Dutch Oven, apparently a neccessity to making delicious Sauerbraten.  So that night, standing in the grocery store looking at a mix for sauerbraten I decided - we NEED a German food night!  Bring on the roast beef, the applesauce, and hey, how about some pickeled red cabbage?  And while we are at it - I think we need German Chocolate cake, too!

My family thought I was crazy, but I was determined!  I bought a dutch oven from Target (not cheap) and then made up my menu and ta da!! 

My Lovely Sauerbraten:

Note:  I had always planned to share this meal on my blog, but wouldn't you know it, in my enthusiasm and hunger for the meal I nearly forgot to take a picture of the food!!  I jumped up mid meal and ran for my camera - took a picture of the only plate on the table that wasn't nearly finished (not mine - mmm...).  Pictured is a lovely sauerbraten, potato pancake, applesauce and red cabbage.

And this is my new dutch oven:
 

You can get one at Target.  A lovely addition to my kitchen.  I plan to make other meals out of it, but for now I'm already dreaming of a new sauerbraten...

Here's what it looked like as I was serving out of the dutch oven - the recipe was a 'reduced for family' recipe that was originally made in mind for cafeteria cooks.  I found half way throught it that it needed one major change, which meant I ended up with far more sauce than I needed.  But still!  Delicious!!

Here's a quick snap as we eat - the potato pancakes are not perfect, but they were crispy and still delicious...

So - if anyone is interested in the Sauerbraten recipe I will gladly share it or you can google Grone's Cafeteria recipe Sauerbraten, too.  I recommend cutting down on the flour in the recipe.  I used applesauce and red cabbage from jars - after all the fuss with the meat and potatoes I am glad I didn't make the rest of the sides.  Once you have the recipe down for the meat it is actually an easy meal to make and did I mention delicious?  :)  Just as good as the ones I remember.  Mmmm...  And the German Chocolate cake was good, too.  Out of a box, but if it tastes good, who cares? 

More posts to come now that I figured out a way to post pics again.

Happy Monday!

New to Shop - A Custom order of Jane Austen Silhouette Ornaments

Just wanted to post about my latest Custom Order at my Etsy Shop -

 

30 Jane Austen Style Silhouette Ornaments!

The order was for 20 originally, but grew to 30.  They are 10 rectangle French book paper, 10 rectangle Antique Sheet Music paper - 10 round ornaments half and half.  I used all the ladies and gentlemen and children I have that will fit on the ornaments and they are all different front and back - all together I stenciled 60 silhouettes!  Quite a bit of work sanding, painting, papering, stenciling, sealing, drilling holes and then tying ribbon on them all, but the end result is worth it, I think!

 

 

 

This picture and the next two are of the same exact ornaments in the same spots, but flipped over so you can see front and back views.

 

 

If you would like a custom order of silhouette ornaments feel free to convo me at my shop for details and questions.  Prices depend on quantity and other details.

Valentine Decor - French Shabby Chic, oui!

Nothing says romance and Valentine's Day like French shabby chic vintage finds... 

 

I wish I had a lovely romantic room like this:

 

And everyone likes chocolate, but since I'm on a diet I guess this would have to do:

 

Available on Etsy here.

 

I added a few new items in my shop that are sweet and romantic:

 

 

 Some wood ornaments on French book paper.  There are different silhouettes on the backs - check out my listing here for more details.

 

And one on antique sheet music.

 

 

Two different silhouettes on one ornament. 

Available here.

 

And this latest pair of framed silhouettes are still my favorite.  I'm finally keeping a pair for myself.  I love the antique silver color of these frames and the romantic details on the frames really suit this pair.  I have a listing for these in my shop, too.  Just FYI.

 

 

 

Available here.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Jane Austen Lady and an Antique Typewriter - New to My Shop!

A closer look at new items now in my shop.

 

A new Antique Typewriter print in a black frame:

 

 

 

 

Available in my shop.

 

So cute!  I love putting it on a wall or next to one of the real antique typewriters I have in my collection. 

A great gift for a writer or anyone that loves antiques or steampunk chic.

 

Also new to the shop:

 

 

A lovely lady silhouette - she's all dressed up for a fancy party or dance.  I love the little details like her hair and the rose on her dress. 

 

This picture shows the difference in size in both frame and silhouette compared to previous listings in my shop -

 

 

 

 

 

Silhouette available in my shop.

 

More on the way.

Vintage Keys and Locks of All Kinds...

Sharing my love for antique keys and pretty or funny locks...

 

 

Aren't these pretty??  Found here.

 

 

 

Cute and whimsical!

 

 

Photo by Typologist

(go see more collection photos for inspiration)

 

Found here

 

And then there is a new necklace in my shop...

 

 

I call it 'Keys to My Heart' - two different types of keys, a shift key and a skeleton key charm.  It's slightly larger than the letter and number keys so I needed a different setting to show it off.  The fancy prong setting really shows it off.

 

 

 

 

 

Note the fancy prongs or arms gripping the sides of the key...

 

 

 

I love the back of the setting, too.  Necklace available here.

 

Silhouette Saturday - A New Selection

Working on new items to come into my shop soon.  Here's a little preview...



As I said in my last post I will be adding more and more new silhouettes to the shop over the next few months.  Some needed larger frames than I had already so I had to get new ones, but they are the same style as the ones I already had in the shop.  The ones on the left and right are the larger silhouettes - you can compare them to the smaller ones in the middle.  I just love the variety it provides.  I am thinking of making a permanent silhouette wall in my own house - large and small silhouettes, oval and rectangle frames, music paper and french book paper backgrounds, etc.   The overall effect will be beautiful! 

I have to wait for better lighting before I can take proper pictures of my new items for the shop.  I also framed an antique typewriter print on french book paper - it is sooo cute I don't quite want to part with it, but I will.  I don't think I can bear to part with the newest antique silver colored frames I put my usual silhouettes in (the smaller ones towards the middle) - they are so pretty!!  I think I'll have to see if I can find some more frames like that to sell.  Just this once I think they need to stay with me.  ;)  I've been promising to keep one set for myself to hang up, but I can't seem to keep these in stock and I've sold off my own set at least 4 or 5 times now. 

Is anyone else having a problem with blogger and uploading pictures from their computer?  I can't get the upload button to stay on the screen - it blips in and out and then there is no way to upload.  It's been the root of my rare posting these days - can't post without pictures!  If you have this problem, too - there is one semi-solution I've found, if you post the picture anywhere else on the web and then copy and paste it directly into the post you can get your pics in.  I sometimes just copy and paste from my shop photos, but what about my personal or rather my non-shop photos?  I don't have photo bucket or anything else, but I guess I'll have to do that soon.  Blogger isn't being helpful about fixing this problem.

Oh well, have a Great Weekend!!

A New Year

and

New Silhouettes for the shop!!

 

 

I've added a few of the new silhouettes I'll be adding to the shop over the next few months.  Two ladies and a young boy.  All are Regency period like the other silhouettes I offer in my shop, but these are a bit larger and different profiles.  I will be adding more when I have some slightly bigger frames in stock as they are a bit larger.  I love having some more variety available!

Available in my shop.

First up, a boy who reminds me of a young Mr. Darcy or perhaps he is the son of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? 

Available in my shop.

And this could be Miss Elizabeth herself, or Elinor or any of Miss Austen's characters, but I do like the fact that it looks remarkably like Miss Austen's own silhouette as seen in the National Portrait Gallery in London.  It's slightly different, but still evokes her spirit.  I think this is my favorite of the new silhouettes.

 

Available in my shop.

This one reminds me of Downton Abbey's Mrs. Bates for some reason.  Perhaps her proud bearing and elaborate hat.  I picture her sipping tea and listening to gossip while she waits for her husband to come to her. 

And speaking of Downton Abbey - how glad am I to have the new season finally here!  I love having the silhouettes about my house as they make me feel like a piece of Downton Abbey is in my own home, just think of Mrs. Hughes sitting room.

Many more new silhouettes to come - be sure to check my shop out for more coming up soon.  I also have a few items that are perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Have a great day!

Chantilly Raspberry Cookies Post, the 2nd

I complained a long time ago about the loss of the Chantilly Raspberry cookies that Pepperidge Farms stopped making for some reason.  I missed them dreadfully and my one attempt to make a linzer cookie similar came out too nutty and not at all like the smooth crisp white cookies I love so much. 

I have good news, though!  Right before Christmas I was in the Target holiday food aisle and found that Pepperidge Farms made a Linzer cookie!  It looked the same, but I've been fooled before by a softer cookie with a raspberry filling so I wasn't too sure.  I bought one package and low and behold!!!  It was the same cookie!!!  YUM!  I only saw them the once and they may only be at the holidays - it says Linzer cookies - not Chantilly.  Be sure to check your own local stores and see if they have them.  I'm hoping they stick around outside the holidays.  I so miss those crispy raspberry filled cookies.  My only complaint is they really skimped on the powdered sugar dusting(they don't look like the image on the front really), but I can always add a little extra myself.  ;)



Just wanted to share that bit of info with you for all the other people who have expressed their own disappointment in losing those cookies in my comments on my original post found HERE.  I really do think they are a seasonal cookie, but so long as they are available sometimes I'll be happy!

And here is where you can find them online!!

Country Christmas Decorations - My Living Room Decor

Just a few pics of my living room decorations...

 

 My Christmas tree - about 8 foot tall and loaded with our ornaments - musical, Santas, mercury glass, etc. 

 One of my smaller trees - loaded with bird houses and skis.

I love the Scandinavian look to them - the skis are my favorite! 

 

 

 

 

I always love a woodsy Santa - he has a Fox at his side. 

 

My newest ornaments - pretty little pine cones.  So cute!

 I love globes and ancient maps.  Also pomegranates

 

This woodsy Santa seems to have come by sled.

And back I go to working to get ready for the holidays!  So many cookies to bake!  ;)

O Christmas Tree - My Little White Christmas Tree...

 Every year I love to decorate a little white tree for my bedroom.  I put it on my dresser and enjoy it every evening as I read and get ready for bed - the soft light soothes me and I am able to put my own personal style on it so it truly reflects my aesthetic.  I love mercury glass, musical instruments, antique keys, fleur de lis and light shabby chic colors.

Each year is better than the year before as I find more ornaments for the tree...

 

 

Shop note - I sold the Paris sign seen here - we were sad to see it go, but we do need money so I'm glad to have made the sale along with the Paris typewriter key necklace/bracelet listing - guess someone loves Paris for Christmas as much as I do! 

 

The topper for my tree varies from year to year as I try to find just the right one - I used a new glittery sign that says 'Believe' this year.  I strung antique keys on ribbons, used tiny mercury glass ornaments I've collected and a few pastel round ornaments for color.  There are two different style violin ornaments on the tree, too.

 

 

This year I found some incredibly cute cupcake ornaments for just a dash of sweetness.  I got one green and one red.  They are SO cute!

 

 

I also added a large white fleur de lis ornament (subtle against the white tree) it had a tacky crystal on the bottom of it, but I cut it off.  I also added a glittery snowflake ornament - I love the antique pink glitter!!

 

And on my bedroom door is my antique white bottle brush wreathe I found last year at Joanne's!! Exactly the type of wreathe I was looking for and also my tiny metal sign that says 'Snow' - because that is what I always wish for on Christmas!!

 

More decorating posts to come as I make progress.  I'm going to get a tree this weekend and work on my new gingerbread house! 

 

Happy Holidays!!