grandma's collectables and cardamom cookies

In the course of a search for a perfect little jar for solid perfume (which I did not find), I did find this fantastic little marmalade crock at Grandma's Collectables, a funny little shop near Weymouth with just about everything antique-y and collectable and old that you could imagine. I'm a little bit giddy over it. Next time I go, I want much more time and my camera.
I also found these jars. I know, I know. Why on earth would I need more glass jars? Because these ones have the glass centre piece in the top, along with the metal ring. Fantastic! I have semi-specific plans for these ones, once they've been washed up and moved from the top of the washer.
And I found this cute little biscuit cutter, too.
To use some of my cardamom, I wanted to make something where it would be the main flavour. So I made these cookies. I wasn't expecting the lemony taste that cardamom has. All of the spiciness and warmth, yes, but not that citrus-y tang. It makes sense since it's in the ginger family, and the recipe is pretty good. Not amazing or earth shattering, but definitely decent.

Speaking of baking, I heard Michael Ruhlman on the radio this afternoon, talking about his book Ratio. I must say that I'm intrigued. The idea is that to be more creative in cooking, one needs freedom from the restrictions that recipes impose. By learning basic ratios of ingredients, you can then play around and make what you like. Part of me likes the idea, but the other part of me says, "Why bother?" I'm kind of thinking that the "Why bother?" side might win. I requested the book from the library, so I'll let you know what I think once I get my hands on it.

Lastly, we're working away on the kitchen! Adam's sanding the ceiling as I type. The "before" is above, and is now happily covered with new gyproc so that all potential lead is sealed in. It's crackfilled and will be painted tomorrow. A new floor will be installed next week (!), and then we're going to paint the trim and fix all of those little silly things that should have been done long ago. I am SO excited. And then we'll paint the porch, and redo the bathrooms and the spare bedroom...

Happy Friday!

fondue with a new tablecloth

Guess where I picked up this tablecloth yesterday? Of course - Frenchy's. $1.50.

And I found this Pier 1 table runner, too. Also $1.50.
I bought them especially for tonight - we're having our annual Christmas fondue. Everyone wasn't able to make it in December, so we decided to have it tonight instead, and I'm excited. Phillip's napping, so I was able to get everything ready. Now I'm just waiting for him to wake up and for the guests to eventually arrive. Have a great weekend!

a fine find

You may remember my driftwood shelves, laden with jars of herbs and spices and other natural soap additives. I like to keep things visible, so I can see what I have, and how much. I have some things which don't have jar homes, and I can never remember exactly what is stored away, so I was happy to find some more wire-closure jars at Frenchy's last week for 75 cents each. They're cute stubby ones, too, which is just right for the small amounts of many things I have. Like cranberry seeds and strawberry seeds and crushed grape seeds, for example. Kind of like red berries, I have a thing for glass jars. And seeds, apparently.

I just have to mention that I'm having a fantastic weekend, in case you didn't get that impression from last night's post. P and I visited a bit today, did a couple of teensy errands, and cuddled and read lots. What more could I ask for?

frenchy's finds

I arrived in Digby a bit early this afternoon, and found these treasures at Frenchy's. Some beautiful wool remnants, which I'm going to use to make something like this.
A cute onesie. Adam has a scooter t-shirt, so they'll be especially handsome in semi-matching shirts.

And a brand new Halloween costume for Phillip! Guess what he's going to be? We got him to roar when I came home. "Rarr!" He's going to be one cute lion.
A new wooden tool bench, and a Little People set. The Little People set will be a Christmas present, even though P played with it for a few minutes tonight. It made him cry, actually, so we'll see how it goes. Total: $14.

mile-long yard sale

Blogless Annie, Ingrid, and I went to a mile-long yard sale this morning in Pubnico. I found a few great things, like these beautiful napkin rings (10 cents each),
and this handmade pottery dish with the imprint of a pine branch tip, which I'm going to use as a soap dish. Also 10 cents.
I love this antique tin, which was 25 cents, and will fit right in to my kitchen.
And I finally bought a Mini! If only a toy version for Phillip to play with. He wanted the Hummer, but I explained to him that we don't really support the idea of driving around in Hummers, and would rather have a Mini in the house. One other thing I bought which I didn't take a picture of is a sun shade baby tent thing. Difficult to describe, but it's similar to this one. Only not striped. We had a lovely time together and a snail's pace drive home because of a) an accident on the highway and b) the international air show was happening today, which resulted in lots of traffic. Which is unheard of around here, and reminded me to be thankful for that!

quilt

Nights have been getting chillier, and Phillip is big enough now to sleep with a blanket. How fortuitous that I found this sweet little quilt (I'm quite certain it's handmade, but not 100%) at Frenchy's! I love the Peter Rabbit print on some of the squares, and it's the perfect size for cuddling with.

vandermint

I found this awhile ago at Frenchy's and fell in love. Apparently 'Vandermint' is a mint chocolate liquer from Holland (could you have guessed from the windmill?) I think it would look great on a bathroom wall holding toothbrushes. Really, though, how cute is that windmill?

soapy news and a couple of fun new things

I bought this great bag for $5 today. I love summer sales! It's perfect for throwing my wallet, keys, phone, and a book in, and there's lots of room for a couple of diapers, some snacks, and Phillip's water bottle. It's tricky to see through the pattern, but the shape is similar to this beautiful bag which I adore, but couldn't afford. And can you see Phillip in the picture?
Phillip and I went walking downtown today, amongst the Seafest fun, and we stopped at Frenchy's. I found this super-cute summer skirt and a few things for P.

Yipee! My soaps are now available at Yarmouth Natural on Jenkins Street in downtown Yarmouth! They have Spiced Rum Shaving Soap, Happy Carrot Complexion Soap, Simple Simon, and Chai Tea bars in stock, and I have some Chocolate Peppermint and Cherry Almond bars which are curing and will be delivered mid-August.

teacup treasure

Sweet little teacup, n'est-ce pas? 15 cents. Not bad at all.

antique sale finds (again)

Some more (and better) pictures I had taken earlier in the week of my antique sale finds last weekend. Soap updates tomorrow!