Our Girls

For Easter I got 3 Americauna hens. They aren't laying eggs yet... probably around the end of June they will start laying. I have always wanted to have a farm and have chickens and goats. I am so happy that we are starting our own little homestead.

This is their favorite spot...curled up together under the Weigela bushes. We let them roam free on our little 2 acres, but they prefer to stay under here.

...or walking on people

A few days ago we rescued this giant hen. She was living on an abandoned farm. She is very wild, not used to socializing at all. We named her Toothless, after the dragon from the movie, "How To Train Your Dragon". She gets along great with all our younger girls. Plus, she is already laying eggs.

New Dishes

My fiance just found these lovely dishes. Got the whole set... service for 12. I am a lucky girl... he finds the best treasures.

 Aren't these so pretty? This is the Avalon pattern by Noritake.

Each one is covered in the prettiest little blue roses. 

It even came with these gorgeous crystal glasses. They have the faintest blush of blue color.

The only thing missing is a coffee/tea pot.... but I was lucky enough to find one online. I can't wait until we have company again so I can bring these beauties out.

Showing off Customers' Projects

One of my customers sent me a picture of the chandelier he finished with chandelier crystals he purchased from our shop. Isn't it pretty!!

I would like to see more of the beautiful pieces that have been made using our crystal prisms. 

I am going to make a new section on the website to show off your awesome projects.

Please email me your photos using our chandelier crystals.

All About Crystal Chandeliers - Swarovski, Schonbek, Strass & more!

Pie Facts... and some Pie recipes ♥

Pie is fast becoming America's favorite dessert. Maybe 2013 is the year when Pie will surpass cupcakes as the trendiest treat. Here are some delicious pie facts for you:

•Pie just isn't for dessert. Thirty-five percent of Americans say they've had pies for breakfast. Pies as lunch (66%) and midnight snacks (59%) also have a popular following.
•When asked what dessert Americans would prefer a friend or family member bring to their house for a holiday dinner, pie was the winner with 29%. Cake (17%) and cookies (15%) rounded out the top-three spots.

•Pumpkin pie was first introduced to the holiday table at the pilgrim’s second Thanksgiving in 1623.

•Pie was not always served as dessert – in the 19th Century, fruit pies were a breakfast food eaten before the start of a long day.

•6 million- Number of American men ages 35-54 who have eaten the last slice of pie and denied it
•20% of Americans have eaten an entire pie by themselves
•113 million Number of Americans who have eaten pie for breakfast
•32% Americans who prefer no crust on top of their pie
•Almost 25% of women say they believe their pie is the best and they make better pie than their mother or grandmother.
•9% Americans who prefer to eat their pie crust-first
•7% Americans who have passed off a store-bought pie as homemade

•More than one-third of Americans have eaten pie in bed

•Oliver Cromwell banned the eating of pie in 1644, declaring it a pagan form of pleasure. For 16 years, pie eating and making went underground until the Restoration leaders lifted the ban on pie in 1660.

You can read more awesome pie facts at 100 Cafe St.

Here are some of my favorite pie recipes:

Buttermilk Pie Recipe from MaryJane at The Beehive Cottage

Peanut Butter Cup Pie from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

Corn Tomato and Cheddar Pie from Clockwork Lemon 

Pie crust is easy...

Just take 
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
Mix in your food processor. With the processor still going add water a tablespoon at a time until dough just sticks together and makes a ball. Dump it out on a floured surface, roll, and use to line your pie tin. 

♥To make rolling easier, put a piece of plastic wrap on the counter, sprinkle with flour. Then use another piece of plastic wrap on top of pie dough. Roll the dough out between the two pieces of plastic wrap. Saves you from the headaches when trying to pick up the rolled out crust and transfer it to the pie tin. 

New Dining Room ♥

Don't you just love the Rolling Stone wallpaper in my new dining room? 

I got this old shelf for free years ago. It got painted the palest pink and I covered the back with pretty pink rose paper.

See my cute mini jukebox on top of the shelf?

♥

I just bought this cute vintage Raggedy Ann on Etsy. 

 ♥

I love this little mini chintz tea set.

♥

One of my Christmas snowglobes.

♥ 

There are 2 built in china cabinets

A girl can never have too much china!!! 

♥

My New Kitchen Photoshoot ♥

For my whole life I have always wanted a kitchen with white cabinets and a black and white checkered floor.

I have never decorated using this much color...

I painted these canisters as soon as I found out we got the house. I really love the clashing aqua and red.

Some of my vintage aqua canning jars, and part of my nutcracker collection.

If you click the photo above, you can see my "I love you more than Bacon" sign. My parents got it for me for Christmas.

Ha! I painted the dish drainer too!! Hot pink, aqua, and red.

I love, love, love all the little shelves and cubbies all over the room.

It may be tacky, but I put my pink Candylights in the kitchen.