Memorial Day Sales and Going a Bit Crazy



Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

So far, mine has been.

It started yesterday...

...when my sister Nancy decided it was time

to replace her laptop.

I went along for moral support.

Since neither of us is very techno savvy,

it was decided two brains might be helpful

in asking the right questions and making

a good decision.

So off we went to Best Buy.

I had a bit of an second agenda.

Last Sunday's ads had included

what looked to me like a pretty good

price on an I Pad.



We looked at the laptops,

Nancy made her choice and purchase.

As our helpful "geek" was finishing up the sale,

I whipped out the sale circular and asked to see

what they had.

I have had a yen for an I Pad since last winter

when one of my knitting buddies brought hers to

our knitting retreat in the mountains.

I've also been seeing more and more

references to the "Square Reader."

It's a nifty way to accept credit cards

using your I Phone or I Pad.

I have no use for an I Phone--

I think it would be too much phone for me.

However, an I Pad...hummmmm.

My brain has been tossing around the idea

that this might just be just the ticket for

Buttermilk Cottage's Holiday Show.

We've always been a cash and carry show.

But what if we accepted credit cards...

hummmmm.

So I now have a brand new

toy to play with and learn

the ins and outs.

Nancy decided to have some software loaded

onto her new laptop which took a little time.

While waiting I wandered to the appliances.

It's crazy but I have been planning to

buy a freezer all my adult life,

but for one reason or another,

never have.

I even had an outlet installed in the basement

a couple of years ago for when I did.

Well, what do you know,

Best Buy had exactly what I wanted,

on sale.

The one I got is just a small one,

but will be wonderful for the

"Bistro on the Porch"

we do each year.

I can start baking much earlier

and stock things away for it!

So, I think I've done my part this

holiday weekend to keep the

American economy going...

Sales notwithstanding,

I am also remembering and

appreciating all the sacrifices

that have been made

by our military this

Memorial Day weekend.

Have a wonderful one!

(all images are from Google)

Making a Circular Tablecloth

This is one of my favorite spots in my house.

It's a small covered table in my kitchen.

It's the perfect place for simple meals,

a cup of coffee, reading the paper,

and good conversations.

Over time the blue tablecloth was

beginning to show its age.



Have you ever seen a more gosh-ugly table?

It definitely needs a cover.

I had recently purchased a couple of white quilts

at Homegoods and decided to put them

to use in the kitchen.

First, it was necessary to piece the two quilts together

and to find a large workspace to lay it all out.

My living room floor was the best spot.

Since I am making a circular table cloth,

I needed to find and mark the very center of my piece.

From that center mark, begin measuring the desired length--

widest part of the tabletop + (tabletop to floor + hem)2 divided by 2,

in my case 48 inches.

From the center point (previously noted),

begin measuring and marking at intervals in a circle.

Can you see my blue marks above?

With a ruler, then connect all your measured marks,

creating a circle.

Cut along this line.

Once the tablecloth is cut out,

place it on the table, wrong side up,

with the center mark as close to the

center of the table as possible.

Begin pinning the hem to your desired length.

Since this is thick fabric, I made a serged edge and

cut away all but one inch for the hem.

Then the hem was machine stitched in place.

Do you remember that ugly table?

What ugly table?

This week I'm linking with

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

From My Book Shelf -- Two Books for Your Inner Foodie

GARLIC & SAPPHIRES by Ruth Reichl

is not a new title.

It was published in 2005.

(I find I'm having a hard time lately

getting new titles in audio format.

I think my local library is putting all their

funds into titles for eBooks and Kindles.

Thus my selection of this older book.)

I first knew Ruth Reichl's name when she was

editor in chief for GOURMET Magazine.

This book is about her stint as the

restaurant critic for the NEW YORK TIMES,

1993 TO 1999,

just before she went to GOURMET.

Her intent was to open up

the range of food critiques,

and bring attention to some of the

excellent ethnic restaurants in NYC.

In order to get a true picture

of a particular restaurant,

she becomes a master of disguises,

and is able to visit many

high profile eateries, anonymously.

She learns some interesting lessons

in her alternate personas.

After relaying the details

of particular visits to restaurants,

she often includes the actual critique

that appeared in the paper.

Gabrielle Hamilton's, more current book,

BLOOD, BONES & BUTTER,

is a much grittier, unglamorous,

look at the food world.

Hamilton is the chef and owner

of "Prune," in NYC.

Not only is she an accomplished chef,

but has an MFA in fiction writing

from the University of Michigan.

This book is about her cooking education,

not at a culinary school, but rather in life.

She gained her food expertise beginning

in her French mother's kitchen,

in numerous kitchens as part of the wait staff,

as a private caterer, and while traveling.

She's very honest about her experiences,

from numerous arrest at the beginning

of her years in NYC

to some of the disgusting jobs

the owner of a restaurant must perform.

Of the two books, this is the one

that moved me more

because of that honesty.

Bon appetit!

Chaos Comes to Buttermilk Cottage!



This is our idea of  "chaos" at Buttermilk Cottage!

He arrived this past weekend.

Chaos is the fifteen year old Rat Terrier of

my brother Rick and his wife Terry.

Within a month's time they will be on their way

to Germany for the next three years,

where Rick will be stationed with the U.S. Navy.

After much personal "chaos" on their part

 about what to do about Chaos,

it was decided Nancy's and my offer to

have him live with us was the best solution.

Daisy is delighted because her toy selection

has grown twofold with all the treasures Chaos brought with him!

They've already decided they like each other

and will be good buddies.

We're all making some adjustments

and learning our new routines,

but I think a little "Chaos" in our lives

is going to be a good thing!