{scissor variations}

the 5,042 km yard sale

 

 

the phone conversation went something like this:

 

me: i haven't watched the actual tv show, but did you know you can watch episodes of that Canadian Pickers show online?

sister #2: i haven't had a chance to catch it on tv yet.

me: i just watched the episode they filmed 'at home'. there's a new shop that we HAVE to go to. just have to figure out where it is. now everyone is going to know about our secret antique spots.

sister #2: that big yard sale is this saturday.

me: what big yard sale?

sister #2: you know, one of those 50 mile yard sales.

me: where?

sister #2: right-by -OUR- antique shops

me: i never knew there was one out there. uggh. why did you tell me that?

sister #2: well, if i had told you next week when you come home, you'd be mad that i didn't tell you this week before you came.

me: yeah, i guess (resigned sigh).

 

and so that was how i found myself yard sale-ing along a favorite country road with my sister headed towards OUR antique shops a week earlier than my original scheduled departure. 

ah, kismet.

 

photo is of one of my favorite finds a 3 -1/2" twee trophy dated 1926, found at the "new" place.

 

[5,042 km = 3,132.95 miles]

 

at the thrift store [as of late]

 

 

 

 
 

[vintage articulated hangers] perfect for creating inspiration boards especially if space is an issue-you can hang it wherever you like

a 25 cent inspiration board--what is better than that?

 

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i saw it on the internets [a fine cookie]

 

 

these are a wonderful chocolate chip cookie.

nice + chewy.

or they can be crisp if you cook them a wee bit longer.

if you're of that school of thought.

i won't hold it against you.

 

+ bonus! they have whole wheat flour!

how fine is that?

 

recipe for wholewheat chocolate chip cookies found here

 

[these are our favorite easy-to-make chocolate chip cookies-----i make these with dark chocolate or milk chocolate pieces. i use the smallest size metal ice cream scoop to shape and since the cookies do not spread very much during baking you can fit approximately 20 on a baking sheet]

 

hankering after handkerchiefs

 

 

 

i seem to suddenly have a collection. with a heavy leaning towards monograms.

tip:

if you see a hankie in an antique shop or thrift store, take the time to unfold it as there may be a monogram lurking beneath the folded layers. often hankies get tossed into a pile or folded and refolded-or not folded at all. you could be missing out on a wonderful monogram detail.

 

fascinated with fasteners

 

 
 

 + the boxes they come in

 

 

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summery pasta salad

 

 

a quick pasta salad for basil lovers

 

Cook your favorite dried cheese tortellini pasta until al dente--I use half of a super large package or a couple of small packages (approximately 500g dried). Drain and set aside.

 

 While pasta is cooking prepare the vinaigrette:

 

3 TBSP olive oil

2 TBSP balsamic vinegar

2 TBSP grainy mustard (or Dijon-i use grainy)

1 tsp honey

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

2 TBSP lemon juice

2 tsp minced garlic (i use 2 cloves)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil (Thai basil is wonderful)

 

Whisk all ingredients together except basil. Then add basil and whisk again.

Pour vinaigrette over slightly warm cheese tortellini pasta, toss to coat.

Add a few of your favorite fresh veggie add-ins--I use red onion + chopped red or yellow pepper.

Add some freshly grated pepper + freshly grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

You can refrigerate the salad for several hours to allow the flavors to mingle. Best served at room temperature.

 

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of course there is a lot of room for improvisation...

i prefer a smaller tortellini as i find sometimes a larger size starts to "fall apart" when it has sat in the vinaigrette for more than a day.

If you love lemon-- before you squeeze your lemon juice for the vinaigrette, grate the zest and toss it in with your pasta when you add the other vegetables. It adds a nice fresh zingy flavor.

 

I also tend to be heavy handed with the basil--adding 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped basil to the vinaigrette. This will make your vinaigrette somewhat "thick" when you're whisking it.

 

 

anthropologie origami paper

 

did you know that the paper from the anthropologie catalogues is a great weight for fanciful folding?

 

 

i decided to create my own private art installation...

 

 

the dress below is my favorite.

i love the fact that the circus tent ended up on the front of the skirt

+ the lines of the tent "drape" from one side of the skirt to the other.

a happy accident.

 

 

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dottie angel {at my table}

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

i'm helping Janine @ Uppercase prep a few of the goodies that will be included with copies of Dottie Angel's new book to be released in August.

these are just a few of the tidbits-- there are some other sweet surprises to be included + when you see them all packaged together when you receive your book you will be so delighted.

 

i had Dottie doilies in my dreams all-weekend-long.

[you can pre-order a copy of Dottie's new book here]

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on an unrelated note---the title of my post is in loose reference to the amazing movie, An Angel at my Table the story of New Zealander Janet Frame . a very sad + beautiful movie.  i saw the movie when it was released without knowing anything about Janet Frame. i was so intrigued by her story that i read all of her books. her surname is a common name within my family tree and something i hope to explore a bit further.

the movie was directed by Jane Campion (The Piano, Sweetie)

 

the canadian edition [extended version]

 

Happy Canada Day!

 

i thought today i would take the time to share a few blogs (of the many global blogs i enjoy) that have a Canadian connection, along with some pics of what i will be doing this long holiday weekend:

 

Leslie Shewring brings us her beautiful color vignettes on her blog, A Creative Mint.

Every time Leslie posts a new color collection i feel like i am playing "eye spy"--wouldn't it be lovely to have a collection of her vignettes in a book for easy reference? actually as i am typing this i was thinking it would be wonderful to take a day work shop with her....somewhere close, perhaps on the west coast. a totally self-serving thought of course. like i need an excuse to visit Vancouver.  

 

 
[portable projects]

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Lelainia shares her art projects (+ chats fondly of her Lab, Indy) but this post in particular caught my eye (once you click on the link scroll down a bit to read it)---an alfresco dinner party, a la flash mob style! i think this is a terrific idea and i would totally give it a try. any opportunity to cook for more than two and i'm in. hmm, what would i make? snow pea + wild rice salad? rice wrapper spring rolls w/ ginger sauce? basil tortellini salad w/ honey balsamic vinaigrette?

 

 
[from the garden chive blossoms i couldn't bear to part with--baked potatoes on the BBQ anyone?]

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 i love sending mail

+ so does Jaime, check out her blog, appropriately named send more mail

she also makes up the greatest vintage stamp packs--a girl after my own heart.

 
[ journal w/ bits of ephemera to tuck in my bag]

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Tanya, at snap + tumble  creates wonderful letterpress. she also holds intimate letterpress workshops.

the next time i am visiting my sister in Toronto i might have to see if my visit coincides with a workshop offering.

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bookhou is a wonderful shop (also in Toronto) that offers beautiful bespoke goods. you will enjoy the rhythm of reading Arounna's blog--i find a certain calmness to it-- with frequent peeks into her creative process.

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susan is an artist living in a wee seaside town in my beloved Nova Scotia. oh how i envy her tangled yard (her description) and morning ocean side jaunts with her dog. she often has me feeling homesick, but in a good way.

 

[planning a seaside visit in the near future--sadly, not everyone gets to come along]

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kal barteski is an artist residing in Winnipeg who shares her art work and her busy life with 3 very young daughters--i'll let you read through her blog to discover the wonderful and thoughtful names she and her husband have gifted to them---read about her projects for house90 and view her vibrant artwork.

kal has recently started a very thoughtful + respectful campaign about sharing + crediting others' work read about it here

 

 
[gardening weeding with my shadow by my side]

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and a few of my other regular faves that have had previous mentions here:

Uppercase n Cafe Cartolina n Poppytalk

n Seven Spoons n Forty Sixth at Grace

 

i hope you enjoy perusing a perhaps new-to-you-blog today as i am off to enjoy a long weekend with a bit of celebrating all things red + white