Hectic!

Life in the 209 has been somewhat hectic these past few weeks.

Lots of good stuff going on!

I will fill you in soon.

However, today I am over at The Pyrex Collective showing off my finds from the Goodwill last week.

Come on over!

~ Karen

The Pyrex Collective

Happy Valentine's Day, blog friends!

I am posting over at The Pyrex Collective today.  The Pyrex Collective is a great bunch of people who share my love of anything Pyrex.  I have been collecting for about eight years now and this is my first post at the Collective.

Come over and see my Pyrex score from the weekend.

Sneak peek!

~ Karen

2/11/11

My Day, thus far  . . .

 I baked whole wheat blueberry muffins.

I started dough for homemade bread  . . .

I roasted peppers to have on hand for snacking.

I added a touch of spring to the kitchen.

All while drinking coffee from my Cape Hatteras mug and dreaming of the beach!

It is supposed to hit the 50's here over the weekend.

Whoo hoo  . . . heatwave!!

~ Karen
   

We're having Beef-a-roni!

One day last week I was having a discussion with B about foods from our childhood and what kind of foods that we considered to be "comfort food".  Which led us to BEEF-A-RONI!  

 Seems as though his Mama actually fed him this stuff as a kid!  Well I guess I can't blame her.  After all, canned convenience foods were just becoming popular in the 50's!


I happened to mention that my Mama NEVER fed me this stuff, but that I may have had a homemade version of it at Girl Scout camp.  Which led me to google "homemade beef-a-roni", where I found this recipe. 

Guess what we had for dinner Friday night?

We're having Beef-A-Roni, it's beef and macaroni.  Beef-A-Roni's made with meat, Beef-A-Roni's fun to eat.  Hooray!  For Beef-A-Roni!

Good luck getting THAT out of your head today!!

I think we may be eating it every day for lunch this week - the recipe makes a HUGE amount!

Disclaimer:  I never fed canned pasta to my boys :)

We're having Beef-A-Roni . . . .   AARRGGGHH!!  Make it stop!

~ Karen

I heart polka dots!

Polka dots are everywhere in my house!

pitchers and chicken from Home Goods

paper napkins

candle

vintage salt and pepper shakers

hot pad

vintage salad cruet

vintage glass

vintage glass with handle

makeup bag

pyrex!

I think this is Fire King, if I remember correctly.

silverware from Home Goods

Christmas tree ornament

~ Karen

Seriously . . .

I have had just about enough of snow, ice, wind and cold  . . . .

Is it spring yet???

Pretty flowers make me happy

What about you?  Have you had it with winter yet?

~ Karen

Vintage Daisy Sour Cream Glasses

I love to collect vintage kitchen stuff - especially if it is red!

Here is my collection of vintage daisy sour cream glasses.  All were purchased over time at either antique stores or Goodwill.

tall ones!

short ones!

Aren't they fun?  And yes I do use them every day!

I am linking up to Apron Thrift Girl Collect Share.

Come join the fun!

~ Karen

I've got skills!

If you know me or have read any of my previous posts, it is no secret that I like to cook.  And I'd like to think I am pretty good at it.  Except I know my "technique" is not always correct.  

Did you ever watch how the professionals on The Food Network wield their knives with such finesse?  I am such a klutz with a knife.  We even have very nice, very expensive knives, which I always seem to be cutting myself with:

Blurry picture of my bandaged thumb - war wound from last Sunday's cooking adventures

 Last night B and I attended a "Knife Skills" class at The Kitchen Studio 

The class was taught by the personable Chef Christine, assisted by her friendly staff.  We spend two and a half hours learning the correct chopping techniques for carrots, celery, onion, green peppers and herbs, which her staff gathered during the class and used to put together a delicious chicken noodle soup for our post-class enjoyment.  Each student was also provided with a whole chicken (EEK!) and we were taught how to use a boning knife to cut the chicken apart.  It is not hard at all, and is a WAY more economical way to purchase chicken.  We currently do not own a boning knife, but B wants to run right out and purchase one this weekend!


Knife skills are not something that are perfected in one evening.  The only way to get better is to practice, practice, practice.  As Cal Ripken, Sr. used to tell my boys when they attended his baseball camp, "Perfect practice makes perfect."


I intend to do that this weekend.


Hopefully no bloody fingers will be involved.


~ Karen

Umm Umm Good!

Is there anything better than a pot of homemade meat sauce simmering on the stove on a cold, snowy, icy day?

                                      Can't you smell it?

Happy Wednesday!

~ Karen

January Thrifting

I swore I was NOT going to buy any more Christmas ornaments!

Last year I loaded up with shiny brites right after the holidays.

Score from January 2010!

But I could not pass these beauties up!

50 cents a piece at the local antique mall.  I love the patina on the silver.  And I love the fact that they are not round.  They are a perfect addition to my collection.

I am linking up to Apron Thrift Girl Thrift Share Monday.

Come over and see what all the other nifty thrifty peeps are up to!

Happy Monday,

~ Karen

Simple goal for 2011

I think that about covers it.

~ Karen

Colorful vintage pyrex collection

I love vintage pyrex!

My collection started about 8 years, quite by accident.  I spotted a set of primary color mixing bowls at an antique store, and they stole my heart.

And now I have cabinets full!

All of these items were purchased at antique stores or thrift stores, some for only a dollar or two.  I love the colors peeking out from behind the glass front white cabinets. (I did, however, open the doors for these pictures so you could get a better view.)

I am linking up to Apron Thrift Girl Collect Share.


Pop on over and see what everyone is collecting!


~ Karen