My Gaga's Sweet Pickles.....

These are my grandmother's unique pickles. I did a quick google

search & couldn't find this recipe. She was the love of my life & I

called her Gaga until she took her last breath. I miss her everyday.

I made these pickles because my father loves them & he was her

youngest son....yesterday he had hip replacement surgery & he can

enjoy these delicious pickles while he recovers.

Here they are all canned up & ready to go into the refrigerator.

That is where they are stored. I think it is because you don't cook

them & there are cloves of fresh garlic in them. They will keep indefinitely

in the refrigerator though.

These pickles are sweet.....& the funny thing is.....they are made from

whole dill pickles.....that is why I call them unique. Gaga was always very

particular that each jar got garlic cloves & cinnamon sticks. She said it

made for a pretty presentation & I couldn't agree more. I hope you try

making these easy & fun pickles. People get such a kick out of them

because they are made from dill pickles. Here's the recipe......

Crisp Sweet Pickles

1 Gallon Kosher dill pickles, drained

1 box (or jar in our world today) cinnamon sticks

2 buds garlic

5 pounds of sugar

1 Cup Cider Vinegar (used on the last day)

Slice the whole dills into 1/4 inch slices, thinner if you are using them

for sandwiches. Break the cinnamon sticks into 1 inch long pieces. Break

open and peel the garlic into cloves. Place the sliced pickles, garlic, &

cinnamon sticks into large crock. Gaga specifies it must not be metal. Pour

in the 5 gallon bag of sugar. When it has dissolved give it a good stir. You will

want to stir your pickles each day for 5 days....using a wooden spoon. Gaga was

very explicit about this because the pickles will be very crisp & a metal spoon

might break them. On the fifth day add 1 Cup of cider vinegar. Stir & allow

to stand for 1 hour. When the hour is up fill your jars....and don't forget to add

those garlic cloves and cinnamon sticks to each jar.

My grandmother....Gaga... was the love of my life. She departed this earth

in May of 2000 at the age of 88. I miss her every day.....& I make these

pickles as a tribute to her. I hope that you enjoy them as much as

my family enjoys them.

Some Bridal Jewelry.......

A little snippet here.....a little snippet there. I know these cuffs

have been such the rage. Now I know why. They are so fun

to make. Little, sweet bits of vintage goodness. I was thrilled when

my friends daughter wanted me to create her bridal jewelry. A true

compliment is given when the younger generation likes what you do.

I was really nervous too. I am finishing up so that I can present them

next weekend over the holiday.

Here is a close-up of the headpiece for the maid of honor. I really

don't understand these new head garters as I like to call them....but

apparently the younger girls like them. I am not sold quite yet.....but

I love the vintage yumminess that I have added & hope the bride does

too. It is a destination wedding....I won't be attending....so I guess if the

bride really doesn't like these pieces she won't have to use them.....that

takes a lot of pressure off me.

Dorm Life...........

This is what I have been doing this week. We moved Lindsey into

her first college dorm on Sunday. It is so exciting & unbelievable

at the same time. She is going to IU & living in the Kelley Living

Learning Center in McNutt. She is in the IU Kelley School of Business

and wants to major in finance......Oh my goodness....let's just say she fell

far from her momma's apple cart....which is a really good thing!!!!

Here is a picture of the room mates. This is Nisha and

she is from Chattanooga TN. I think they are going to get

along beautifully. Nisha got a little homesick & we dealt with

a few tears. We have been adopted as her parents away from

home. I guess that is part of the beauty of going to college in your

home town. That has been a true blessing....but I still feel this huge

empty nest. It is much more lonely having her gone. Lincoln & I seem

to just rattle around the house together.

Lindsey's bed isn't AS GOOD as her home bed.....but we got a mattress

topper & she is thrilled with it. So....that is great. It is very cozy and

cute & helps makes her space her own.

Nisha's big sister graduated in the spring from Georgia Tech....so she knew

exactly how to create a beautiful desk space. I didn't jump in and help

create or anything....but let me tell you when glue & scissors come out....

it is really hard for me not to dive in. She made Lindsey & Nisha matching

desk bulletin boards. I was very impressed and Lindsey was thrilled.

I bought the desk organizers from Office Depot....Lindsey had seen them

on Facebook in another friends room.

ummmm......the closet is spacious.....NOT. I really don't know how Lindsey

is going to survive this one part of dorm living....but so far so good. I think she

will be just fine. We are so excited to see how she just blossoms at IU. I know

she will take the campus by storm. She is so excited to go through rush and

work on the big fundraiser for IU Dance Marathon. I know one thing for sure....

I miss her a bunch.....but know this is just the next chapter in raising a

beautiful daughter....I love how it is going.

Some Belgium Lace.....and some gorgeous buttons...

While out junking yesterday I came across these gorgeous linen towels. I love the look and adore displaying them in my powder room. I love the tag just as much as the towel as I am a huge lover of vintage labels. The navy & white is so crisp & clean and reminds me of the final days of summer.

Aren't these just the most YUMMY! These celluloid buttons about took my breath away. Truly, the photo doesn't do these justice because they are the most beautiful shade of amber with a cream colored 'dogwood' blossom. I fell in love with these the moment I saw them at the re-sale shop.

And once again....the photo doesn't do these justice either. The outside edge are pave set rhinestones. The center is a yummy mother of pearl. These buttons are convexed which gives them the most beautiful look. I ADORE these buttons & can't wait to make something so special from them. Maybe adorning a lovely sampler....or maybe added to a special Christmas stocking????

I would be remiss if I didn't add these adorable spools. They will add to my collection so nicely. None of them are too special.....but I like 'mass' in my collections....because you never know when you might need that special part of your collection for an art project. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my sweet vintage finds that I got while out junking the other day. Blessings for an artfully creative evening.

Little Glimpses.....

I can't show you the finished projects yet....but

here are some of the supplies I have been using. I

can't wait to post to you the finished projects.

Maybe you can guess what these are??? I think they are fun.

Very holiday. I had to use up a bunch of glue.....so

I made these. Tint your glue with a little brown paint

for a yummy vintage look. I think it really makes things

look special..... & very vintage.

What's not to like about felted balls of pink.....vintage

mercury glass balls & hannah silk ribbon.

What a yummy combination....sure to make your heart swoon.

This will surely please....when you see where it is going.

I can't wait....but don't tell anyone....it is such a fun

surprise. Remember....Santa is checking his list.

......and these little ditties are for a special friends wedding.

Not exactly sure how they will turn out....but I think she

will be thrilled.

A New Kind of Trail Mix.....

I have known that I loved these dark chocolate almonds

from the moment I tried them. It is like having a dessert....

but in a healthy kind of way. I buy mine in the huge 38 ounce

container at Sam's Club. They are my go to snack. But I came up with this

delicious new taste sensation that I know you are going

to love. You simply must try this concoction.

Raisins have always been a personal favorite

of mine. So sweet & delicious. But added together

with cheerios & cocoa almonds......YUMMY!

Literally.....I just dumped into a ziploc baggie. Shook

it up really well & put it in my purse. Now I have a healthy

choice that I really like. So portable & simple easy to make.

I know you will adore this little snack. Do you have any super

easy....super healthy things that you like to eat? I would

love to hear from you....and I know others would too. Have a

wonderfully healthy evening.

Family Room Re-Do....

Yesterday I sat down to complete some special orders. I

couldn't concentrate and I didn't feel inspired. Sure....those

projects around the home that were screaming at me had

needed tending to for a long time....in some instances for years.

In some instances.....since we moved in18 years ago. But yesterday....

they screamed louder. I couldn't take it anymore....so I called my

mom. "Please...come over...let's play". So...I took down a large mirror

that was so ugly...years ago....I thought mantles needed mirrors above

them....NOT. I added this adorable vintage game table.....my

vintage collection of tops....some old stools & some old boxes. I love

the look...it is playful & this is a nice space to recreate in now

which is where we play video games & watch movies as a family.

I love this hand-lettered vintage sign. I bought it for Jeff

for his birthday. (I love presents that are for him & me!!!)

I had been dying to hang it. All though my room is red & green...

this touch of blue works for me. I have some accent pieces

that are in the grey tones that have original paint & I don't want

to change them....I am working with what I have. That is one of my

motto's. I really don't ever get rid of too much & rarely feel that

I make furniture 'mistakes'. Buy what you love....if you like it....

it will work.

Okay....I know this looks sparse....but I love the grouping

on the wall. The large circle thing is something from

a working farm. I don't know what it is....but I

bought it originally to use at a picnic to keep flies off

foods & desserts. That never happened....so onto the wall

it went. My mom thought I was crazy but I like how it

picks up the brown colors from the woods. My mom loved

it after I did it. I made the little rabbit framed picture. I love

stitching. I felt flattered when my mom asked where I

got it & was able to say I created it. That little red hinged

box is my saving grace. I am putting cuddly blankets in there.

Part of the reason for the re-do was the atrociousness & chaotic

feel to the room. The family wanted a cozy room & had ugly

gross blankets & pillows every where. Today...I will buy some soft....

fuzzy blankets that will be housed....out of the way for our comfort.

I always love the fabrics I pick out for furniture. This

is my favorite chair. It is big enough for 2....but isn't

a love seat. I think it is cozy. I loved picking up the reds &

greens in the room. I didn't buy one thing except a couple

of lampshades. I shopped my house for the things I have

collected over the years. Really....that is the way I decorate.

Kind of a hodge-podge kind of way...but it works for me. I really

hesitated posting these photos.....I guess because they don't look

like magazine photos. I'm trying to keep this blog real....I want it

to reflect me....so these are my 'normal' photos of my home.

This is a close-up of something I have always loved. I bought

it for an Easter decoration.....but somehow.....can't ever seem

to put it away. Once again...the red & green circulates around the

room. I hope you have enjoyed my little room re-do. Now I

feel inspired & accomplished. Ready to tackle more of my to-do

list to make the ever daunting task of home keeping fresh

& updated. Are you tackling any projects around your home...if so...

please share your photos so we can be inspired by you. Also...if you are interested

in my 200th post give away....scroll to the last post and sign up. Have an artfully

inspiring & creative day.