Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen

BLACK AND WHITE AND SILVERWARE ALLOVER

                   My husband and I got up nice and early this morning to attend the Swedish Christmas fair. It is sponsored by the Swedish Womens Educational Association every year as a fund raiser. It is small town holiday happiness to us and a perfect way to start  thinking about family,   friends, and celebrations. Every year, we find something special to bring home with us. My big excitement this year, was a black and white rag rug. Since I started going to the fair, many years ago, they have always had a table full of these hand made rugs for sale.
Usually they are much smaller. I have bought so many of these that I did not expect to find or buy one this year. When I saw that they had one in black and white, I had to look more closely, and I realized that it would fill in our downstairs hallway. I thought of my Goth-Girl collection and how well the black and white would work with them, and I thought of the kitchen floor and how well the rug would play off the black and white tiles. That was pretty much it for me...a new rug for the hallway, and a helping and grateful  hand once again to the lovely Swedish ladies.
  
 
 
                There is something about an approaching holiday, that makes me want to be neat, tidy, and super organized. 
Could it be the thought of relatives looking through the drawers in the kitchen? Well, our silverware drawer came apart the other day, and I nearly went into panic attack mode! First of all, we put all new cabinets in the kitchen about seven years ago..top of the line Kraftmaid...all wood. How could this happen? That poor drawer was supporting two sets of flatware, many assorted serving pieces and several seafood, fondue, and cheese serving implements. It was time for a major reorg. I decided to make better use of the drawer in the desk/sideboard in our dining room. It had turned into a catch-all junk drawer, so I cleaned it out, found containers to fit in the drawer, and organized the things that I rarely use in it. Seafood crackers and forks, fondue forks, cheese servers, pie cutters, napkin rings, and all of the candles waiting in the wings to be used. This is much better. Now the two sets of flatware can fit in the silverware drawer in the kitchen. The drawer has been fixed...we are now organized...so bring on the holiday company. You need a fork? You know where to find it...no embarrassment here.  I am linking this organization metamorphosis with Susan's Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and thank her once again for hosting this fun event. 
♥, Susan
 
 

BITTERSWEET

         This weekend is the official start of the holiday season in our house. On Sunday morning, we will attend a little Swedish Christmas fair in Montclair, New Jersey, as we have every year since our children were very little. You can read more about it here, in a post written in 2007. These lovely ladies dressed in authentic costume come out to greet us at the beginning of the event, and it is just a so fun time for us. It always puts me in the spirit of the holidays.
           This week, I have been surprisingly reflective on the closing of my store, Black Eyed Susan's kitchen. It has been several years now, and I always thought that in time, I would detach and forget all about it...however, I am finding my feelings are quite bittersweet right now, as the sign says. I thought, perhaps, you might like to see a little of what Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen looked like, so here are some pictures. The front window was a favorite display area...especially at holiday time. Imagine, a pink shiny brite wreath in the window, backed by twinkling lights...it was magical. The store consisted of three rooms. In the front room there was a hutch full of bags made by Suzy and Beth. There was also this hand painted, vintage black hutch which now resides in a local century home. I always stocked a mixture of vintage tableware (milk glass, silver, aluminum, dishware) and new items made by vendors like Two's Company. The back room was filled with vintage linens.  Lots of vintage linens, and hand painted signs. One of the original artists to supply the store with signs was Carolee Clark. To say that her signs were a favorite of my customers would be an understatement. I sold handmade pottery, and there was always a corner reserved for pink. It made me smile when I would hear someone walk in the front door, focus on the pink corner and let out a loud sigh.  It was the type of place that would have made me happy, and I thought others would love it as well...and they did. A month does not go by when someone will come up to me at the local market, or on the street, or most recently in my doctors office, and tell me how much they miss my store. My answer is always the same...I do too...especially at this time of year. Like everything else, this feeling of nostalgia will pass, and I will move on to other projects. After all, the "what once was" is what makes us who we are today.
       Thank you for indulging my bittersweet moment, and now it will be time to get on with the holiday decorating and festivities. Melissa at The Inspired Room is having a Holiday Linky party on Friday's. Go over and see how others get into the holiday spirit.

♥, Susan  

 
 

 


 

 
   

DINNER FOR TWO .... AND PIXIE

                

Getting ready to set the table for Tablescape Thursday, and deciding on a retro-vintage cafe table for two was going to be a cinch... until someone very furry decided to lend a paw. She is hiding under the tablecloth. She made it clear from the start that she did not like this tablecloth. I thought it was pretty, in a Mediterranean olive trees kind of way, but Pixie was having none of it...so I went in search of something a little more retro, and came up with this tablecloth. This 1950's atomic fish cloth apparently has the kitty seal of approval (and this is when she was sent out to play on the porch). Here we have the table set for a soup or stew dinner. The bowls were a great find at one of this summers yard sales. Made by Rosenthal, I acquired a set of eight of them for five dollars. Since I was using the vintage Everlast hammered aluminum water glasses in the Bali Bamboo pattern, I thought that I would use my hammer patterned flatware as well. The seashell shaped napkin rings went with the fish pattern on the cloth and the rust colored napkins picked up the color in the fish. I love eating in the kitchen. It is a cozy, cafe style table which makes the meal nice and intimate for two to four people.  I also love the view of the bookcases and Hoosier cabinet in the kitchen. 
The candelabra is also made by the Everlast company and is a mid-century piece. The bread dish is made by Wendell August Forge in the dogwood pattern. It has always been one of my favorites because the style is all about the shape. It is unique.

             I will have to remember to use this tablecloth again one night when I am serving fish for dinner. Next week, it will be all about the Thanksgiving table...I am honestly excited!!  Thank you to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for once again hosting  Tablescape Thursday. It is quickly becoming everyone's favorite day to play with dishes. 
♥, Susan
 
 

 
 
 
 

BIG FURNITURE...BIG RE-ARRANGEMENT...BIG PAYOFF

                    It has been written on this blog before, that I am a serial re-arranger,and perhaps some of you will remember this piece of furniture that I snapped up at a yard sale this summer. I fell in love with this credenza/sideboard, and the fact that it was a mega bargain didn't hurt either. It wound up on this wall in the living room, because it was the only place that would accommodate such a long piece.
I knew that it was only a matter of time before I would have to move it..if only for my sanity. My inner Feng Shui was fighting with this arrangement.
In my minds eye, I saw this in the dining room, on this wall, where the big hutch was. My son was gracious enough to help me out and with a little muscle, we had it emptied and  moved across the dining room in...well..not lickety split...it was a big job!We of course had to empty the china cabinet on the wall that the pine hutch was now going on, so...everything wound up on the dining room table, and that china cabinet was moved to the living room, but not before we emptied this huge cabinet out and found a new place for it in the office. Have you lost track of where everything was being moved? It is a little confusing, but let's keep our eye on the reason for all of this...
the credenza is now a side board in the dining room, with the mirror hanging smartly above it. The pine hutch is on the wall across the room, and the antique china cabinet that was on this wall is now in the living room. It is now filled with part of my hammered aluminum collection and thanks to my husband, the paintings were hung above it today. The big bonus in all of this work, is this corner of the living room. Where the credenza once stood, we now have the two leather chairs and were able to hang my Russian Tea Room poster up. This poster has been rolled up in the office closet for many years and now, finally, sweet husband of mine built a frame around it and I can look at it everyday in the living room.
          Was it worth emptying, and moving four huge pieces of furniture, a large, heavy mirror, and several framed paintings? Absolutely! I couldn't be happier with the results.
          I am linking this with Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch, to participate in her Metamorphosis Monday.  I am also linking up to Smiling Sallies, Blue Monday for the pretty blues in this poster.  Stop by these blogs and check out all of the amazing Monday posts....it is never disappointing.
♥, Susan


 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YANKEES...IN PINK

                      Watching the Yankees and their families ride the floats in the parade in New York today was beyond exciting. I have been lucky enough to have had the privilege of seeing this first hand, many years ago when I worked at the American Stock Exchange and again when I was working at a brokerage house on Broadway. Today, I was happy to watch it from the comfort of the overstuffed sofa on the big screen in our den.
                       So, here it is Pink Saturday again and how can I be thinking in Pink when I am still thinking about Yankee pinstripes. Well, here you go...In honor of Pink Saturday, I give you Yankee pink. Yup, I can still be a big fan and stay decidedly feminine.
                Thank you to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday once again. Click on over to her blog, and check out all of the other pink goodies.
♥, Susan
 

DUCK SEASON...WABBIT SEASON...UMMM, TURKEY SEASON!

                 You might think that I am writing a blog post while my New York Yankees parade up the Canyon of Heroes and you would be correct...however, there is a reason for this. During the baseball season, my husband is my baseball game partner, and I thought it would be more fun to watch the parade with him, so thanks to the miracle of recording on the DVR, we will be watching that parade tonight. Hooray Yankees!!
                  Melissa, at The Inspired Room as a part of her beautiful life Friday link up,  is asking how we get into the holiday spirit. I have to say that at this point in the season, I try to enjoy every little bit of Autumn that is left before I think about the December holidays. That said, I went to an estate sale this morning and bought a Spode, Christmas Tree pattern platter. Pretty exciting for me because I seem to find pieces to add to an already large collection every year. I have been collecting this set for more than 20 years now and to find a platter like this for three dollars just makes my day. I was also lucky enough to find a set of cookbooks at the sale that I have been hoping for. This one on preserving in particular.
                   One of the things that puts me in the holiday mood is the onset of the Thanksgiving season. Yes, in our house, Thanksgiving is considered a season. It is my favorite holiday, and we have dinner with relatives here, at our house every year. Over the years, a collection of turkeys has made its way to our house. They show up all over the place, and in some unexpected spots as well. On hutches, and on plates. In the living room, and in the hallway. The dining room has its share of turkeys too and most of the turkeys are vintage to the 1950's and some much earlier than that.
        Walking through the back yard this morning, I thought that these nasturtiums were looking lovely up against the garden fence and inside the garden. I was excited to see that our second round of green beans have come in and will be ready for picking soon. I love extending the gardening season. The Holly trees in the backyard are coming into their best season too. In the summer, they get a little whimpy, losing some of their leaves, but in the winter, they are green and full of bright red berries. They have grown to be a majestic marker in our yard. Before we know it, snow will be covering the outdoor furniture and winter will be here, but until then, I will be enjoying the Thanksgiving season and looking forward to seeing family on Turkey day.
♥, Susan 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY AND THE DISH PEOPLE

                   "Are you a dish girl?" Someone asked me this question once, and after thinking long and hard, I had to admit that I am indeed a dish girl. I am also a table girl (as opposed to a chair girl or a bed girl). When I had a spot in an antiques mall many years ago, some of the other vendors and I noticed patterns. Not specific collection patterns, as in some people collect depression glass and others Italian pottery, more like people being drawn to tiny vintage chairs or big wing chairs while others have lots of little side tables. If there is a set of dishes, or two or three at a yard sale or estate sale, it is where you will find me first. So, yes, I am a dish girl, and I have noticed that a few of you people joining up with the Tablescape Thursday crowd are also into the dishes.
                    This weeks tablescape, comes to us compliments of the Scandinavian countries. The yellow and blue theme also happens to be the colors in the Swedish flag...and a very happy color scheme it is. The dishes are vintage, Norwegian, and I am guessing they are from the 1970's. I love the moderne tulip pattern on them. The dishes are made by Stavangerflint Co., and the name of the pattern is Flamingo. One of my favorite pieces in this collection is the casserole dish with its festive blue lid. The hobnail glasses are vintage Fenton, a set that I found at an estate sale many years ago, and I love to take them out for fun holiday meals. We have a set of nine of these, making them very handy for those bigger crowds. The tablecloth is 1950's vintage, and an unusual victory garden theme with corn and radishes and other veggies found in a home garden. The candleholders were an amazing yard sale find. They are vintage Royal Copenhagen, from Denmark. The napkins were found recently at a church sale and hard to resist at 5 for 50cents. The last part of this tablescape, I took out to show you, because it has been a part of our December dinners since my children were very little.  A Swedish Advent candle, that counts down the days till Christmas. My Mother in Law bought one for us as a gift, a long time ago and it became a family tradition. It gave us just one more good reason to have dinner together at the table, and it reminded the children of how close the holiday was. You can be sure that it will be a flickering part of our tablescapes from December first till the 24th.
              Now I am off to see what all of my other "dish" people have on their tables this week. Many thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, for her brilliant Tablescapes Thursday link up. Please stop by her blog and see what all of the tabletime fuss is about.
♥, Susan
   
 
 

 
 
 

BLOG APPRECIATION DAY

                      A while back, my friend Jenny, sent me an email that went something like this....Have you read this blog? The blog that she was referring to  was the Pioneer Woman Cooks, and yes, I had read the blog...I have actually tried several of her recipes. Also, a yes to Jenny's question was the answer about how in awe I am of this woman. To a suburban New Jersey mom, she is living on another planet... a scary planet that at times promotes a very enviable lifestyle.
The memory jog to this came this morning while I was reading the New York Times food section because I noticed that Pioneer Woman now has a cookbook, and it is one of the cookbooks featured in an article today. Cookbooks As Edible Adventure is the name of the article. Ree Drummond is the Pioneer Woman, and I want to congratulate her for becoming published and hope that the book sells well.
                   Now that blogging has become more mainstream, and some of the blogs are going from popular to famous, it occurs to me that this will eventually be big business for some. A few of the crafters who consistently delight and enthrall me with their innovative ideas are Suzy, at Georgia Peachez, and Beth at Whimsies and Words. From Suzy's blog today, a new line of whimsical Christmas decorations based on vintage Christmas kitsch. They are fun, retro remembrances of holidays gone by, and they are brilliantly innovative. From Beth's blog today, she has pin cushions that are not only vintage works of art, but are little bits of colorful folksyness that I dare you not to smile at when you see one. Both of these bloggers sell their crafts on Etsy and occasionally Ebay.
             Two other blogs have become wildly popular and I am a very big fan of both. Brenda, of the Cozy Little House blog, has taken us through renovations and restorations while photographing her gardens and home. Her blog has become total eye candy for me. Her pictures of flora and fauna are coming to us via an artists eye and her decorating skills and eye for detail is something to see over and over again. Her little vignettes in a flower pot are amazing, and she continuously delights my senses.
                Mille  Fiori Favoriti is the other blog that consistently wows me. Pat writes about New York City and other places that she has traveled to. She has the best photographic eye for architecture and a romantic thought process for the history of the city, its boroughs, and both historic and contemporary events. Her pictures of the New York Marathon this weekend far surpass any that I have seen in the newspapers. Through her photography I get a better sense of emotion and place ....she is gifted.
                 There are some businesses popping up that have developed software for you to publish your blog. Now, some blogs are personal, and I could certainly understand someone wanting to have their family history and recipes in a book. It is a lovely and sentimental idea. The blogs that I have mentioned today are so extraordinary, that I would gladly keep a book of them on my coffee table. The creative and innovative ideals, are a gift from the internet gods....blogging is most definitely coming into its own and the cream is rising to the top.
♥, Susan 
   
   

 

ARE BLOGGING FRIENDS, TRUE FRIENDS?

              After reading several blogs this week, I discovered that I believe we have bonded friendships that transcend what is normal. In the years that I have been blogging, I have come to learn that just because I can not look into your eyes, by reading what you write, I have glimpsed into your souls. I have learned that you are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, doting aunties, and loyal friends. I have learned that you would go to the moon and back for your children, and I have learned that you are just like me and yet, you are more clever than me (sometimes), and that you are more hip and original than me (sometimes), and that you are more daring than I am (sometimes).
                 It has come to my attention that I have learned so much from all of you, and I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you. Thanks for the advice, for the concern, for the unending commaraderie, and for just being there. If no one has told you this recently, then let me be the one to say, I love what you write and I love how you think (even if it is different from me), and I appreciate your blogs. So, please, continue to write and create and know that there is someone out here who is thankful for you.
Your friend, ♥, Susan

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, HAPPY TRICKS AND TREATS AND HAPPY PINK DAY

                 Remember when you were a kid...the excitement and anticipation till the big day arrived. The perfect Halloween day would fall on a Saturday...lots of time to ring doorbells and ask for treats. In the New York, New Jersey area, the big hope would be for weather warm enough to not need a coat. Our choices for costumes in those days? There was the ghost, the gypsy, and the hobo. All were made from what we could beg our mothers to let us have. When our kids were little, we started making costumes for them or buying them from a store. They were Disney creatures and story book characters..and then they were television characters. My oldest daughter was a clown, a Rainbow Brite, a princess, a blue bunny rabbit, and several other adorable characters until she decided to be spooky...then it was bloody makeup and vampire capes.
                  In honor of pink Saturday today, I rounded up a group of lovely pink costumes. There is the mighty morphin Pink Power Ranger, and the always lovely pink Marilyn Monroe, but one of my favorites would be the very pink Miss Piggy!
             There were pink costumes galore at the local Halloween parade this year as we saw marching down the street many pink babies dressed as butterflies, poodles, and princesses.
My favorite pink costume in the the parade had to be the Pink Princess mellophone player who has the best sense of humor...get it? She plays the mellophone and she is a pink phone...brilliant!
             
To see more pink brilliantness, head over to How Sweet the Sound and don't forget to say hello to Beverly. She hosts this event every Saturday, and it is quite the phenomenon. Now get out there and scare somebody...in your cute pink costume!
♥, Susan