October 13, 2011 As a wife and mother I am always looking for those “short-cuts” to everyday tasks. One thing that I have recently started incorporating into our routine is Crockpot meals. I normally steered clear of the Crockpot because most recipes are filled with high levels of sodium, fat, and calories. The “traditional” Crockpot…
Have you ever wondered what marks you see when turning a piece of pottery upside down? Well, these personalized symbols that are usually found right on the bottom of a piece of vintage or antique pottery are like a signature. In other words, the manufacturer’s logo provides information about the porcelain’s origins, age, and value….
Before technology developed and refrigerators appeared in our lives, stoneware crocks played an essential role in American kitchens. People used this airtight container to hold their heat-sensitive foodstuffs, like vegetables, salted meats, and butter. Antique stoneware crocks were mainly used because of their affordable, practical, and durable nature. Their core was sturdy enough to hold…
October 4, 2013 Oktoberfest is all of October, so I decided to share this hot potato salad recipe with you. It’s a vinegar recipe that originates from north Germany. Germans were known to eat brats and potato salad on Christmas Eve. But, it wasn’t the cold salad you might be used to. Recently I showed…
March 12, 2019 It seems like every time we turn around there’s a new holiday “tradition” designed specifically to irritate already stretched thin moms. Christmas comes with elves and shelves. Valentine’s requires decked-out boxes filled with “punny” homemade cards. Even St. Patrick’s Day has come far from when the main activity was scoping out your…
February 22, 2013 Chili – the comfort food you can make your way. Even firefighters have been known to hold a chili cook-off for fundraising. Find out when you’re city is having theirs and head on over to taste all the different kinds of chili that people make. My dad used to make chili during…
September 7, 2012 If you have kids who have gone back to school, then you know just how crazy the hours between the time they get home and bedtime can be. We call it rush hour around my home. It seems from the moment you pick them up from school it is rush, rush, rush….
February 15, 2012 Batch cooking is a great way to spend a little extra time to save a lot of time and money later. Once the food is prepared, all you need to do is prepare and serve later. And even better, there’s less clean up. Here are a few batch cooking recipes I love…
January 13, 2012 I have always loved being in the kitchen. Cooking, baking, anything that is homemade tastes better in my opinion. Enter three children in five years … lack of sleep, lack of time, lack of energy led us to boxes of cereal instead of homemade granola, yogurt with more sugar than a serving…
December 30, 2011 Nothing says party like a festive atmosphere, good friends, and delicious food. Appetizers are a fantastic choice to serve at your New Years Eve party for a number of reasons. Many of the appetizers you can make well in advance, so when your guests arrive all the cooking is done. Appetizers also…
Genuine antique mirrors are an incredible addition to any home. Their often ornate frames and mottled glass surface grace sitting rooms, hallways, and bedrooms with an elegant ambience. Mirrors were first produced in Ancient Roman and Greek times – people would polish up a metal surface to make it highly reflective! Mirrors as we know…
Various civilizations have engaged in pottery since cooking became a prevalent part of human life. The practice began as early as the Pre-Neolithic period and was facilitated by the pottery wheel’s later invention in Mesopotamia. Thanks to its enormous clay deposits, Ancient China impacted the ceramics world by developing porcelain, also known as fine china,…
Knives are fascinating objects with an incredible history of use dating back to the stone age. These items have been used as tools, weapons, in ceremonial situations, and as decorations. Certain styles or brands of knives are synonymous with important periods of human history including wars, or used for specific purposes such as pre-industrial hand…
When a 20-piece dining set is passed down the generations, you could be unknowingly holding onto a fortune! China, the delicate white or translucent dinnerware pieces that chip and smash so easily, could be centuries old. Other items which are vintage rather than antique can be valuable too, as people like to collect fine china…
February 27, 2018 If there was ever a year to throw an Oscar Viewing Party, it’s this year! The 2018 Academy Award nominees are the most diverse in history—nominees of all color and gender—and films many people have actually seen! Plus, could you ever before have imagined a world in which Star Wars, Blade Runner,…
November 10, 2016 It’s that time of year. From Halloween through New Years’ Eve, many people have a tendency to pack on a few pounds—or more. Perhaps it’s the candy and sweets, or maybe it’s the cold weather, which makes it difficult to head outdoors for exercise. Whatever the reason, it’s easier to prevent weight gain than…
March 12, 2016 I’ll admit it. When I’m having a busy night, the first thing I tend to cut back on is the time I spend in the kitchen. I enjoy cooking, but when I’m rushed and working late, I just don’t have a chance to spend several hours making dinner. I don’t want to…