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June 25th, 2017

6/25/2017

I am Preparing to Host a Downton Abbey Type High Tea Party for my Pottery Friends.

I have not had a fancy Afternoon High Tea since I made one for our Daughter's Bridal Shower in 2013 would you believe.
Having been ill for such a long time with my injured arm ...I haven't dared to take on such an endeavor.
But now as I am getting a little stronger ...I have asked some of my friends at my Pottery class if they would like to come along to my home and I would host a Downton Abbey type Afternoon High Tea for them.
They all ask me about being British and all of our customs and about the Queen and the Royal Family, etiquette etc...that what could be better than showing them some of our traditions inside of my home.
I am not able to work for hours on anything these days as it I get tired so easily but I look forward over the coming weeks to make items for it in dribs and drabs ...to eventually get to the finish and host the tea.
I first intend to design some cute invitations to send out to them, within my craft room.

It will be so great to select some of my favorite teacups and saucers from some of the ones I have photographed above.
Pretty Linens, plates, silverware etc...from my collection,
Floral arrangements,
Fabric shabby chic flag buntings that I have hand made and sewn,
Gorgeous perfumed candles with English garden flower scents,
All that make a great High Tea so special.

My guests (those that I have spoken to so far about the subject) look forward to dressing up in 1920's
clothes or just wearing an afternoon tea hat ..it will be such fun.

This collection of Downton Abbey cookies are adorable but too detailed for me to ice these days with the weakness in my arm and hand

My 1920's clothing choice is very simple for me as I bought this charcoal one above for our daughter's wedding ...I just am sorry it's grey now ...it was great for the theme of the wedding but I prefer something pastel and pretty ..perhaps I can add a lovely peach or green scarf ..I will have to look and see what I have in my collection of scarves.

This is one of my favorite teacups I intend to use on the day ..it's Royal Albert 'New Country Roses'

My Grandmother gave me a full tea set of this Colclough 'Wayside' teacup and saucer, with the templates,bread and butter plate etc..

Here is a cute invitation I found on Pinterest

I could make these cute 'Teabag' Cookies.
I will make the food in advance and keep it in the freezer so it's easier for me on the day.
Dainty sandwiches, cookies,rock cakes, wedding cookies etc ..can all be made in advance along with delicious Sultana (Golden Raisin) scones to be served with Devon clotted cream and homemade Strawberry Jam.

These are some of my teacup collection I will use on the day

I don't think I will be wearing white gloves for the occasion but wouldn't it be nice.
We need a butler don't you think ??

As you may already know I won't be using tradition vases for my floral table decorations.

So that is some exciting news I have .
Here I am at the Bridal Shower Tea in 2013 ...that was a buffet;
But for the Downton Abbey Tea Party we will be doing it properly;
And will all sit down at the tea table just as if we were in Downton Abbey.
I hope they aren't expecting a castle instead of our humble abode !!
I can't reveal too much more to you before the day as it will not be a surprise to my guests.
I do however promise lots of photo's and a full posting of how the party went.
After the event.
I am expecting anything up to around 12 guests in all

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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June 23rd, 2017

6/23/2017

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Tropical Storm Cindy dumps way too much rain on the South.

Morning....Just a quick post to show you how much rain we have had thanks to Tropical Storm Cindy .
This is the lake that has spilled over our main road ....and making it impassible ..
We live up a road just past these cars.
We have had days and days of relentless rain .
Storm Cindy has been dumping rain on us without stopping and is going to carry on today and on Saturday.
The lawn is very green and now of course needs to be cut.... but that is impossible at the moment
And my flowers are down on the ground looking very sad.
But once the sun comes out on Sunday I am hoping that they raise their pretty heads to the sun .
Each plant seems to have doubled as they are being fed by the rain.
I have a shopping day today ...so guess I will have to find a different route from our home that is not flooded.
We have had a tornado as well that damaged and wiped out a few business's
4 people were injured but nothing serious thank goodness.
Wherever you are stay safe
Thanks for popping by

Kindest regards

Janet

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June 20th, 2017

6/20/2017

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Pottery Update Week 14 ....Finished Log Vase came Home to Maisonvogue.

I finally bought home my unique Log Vase ...I was told it was a 'Masterpiece' by my Pottery teacher and Friend Faith.
I am very pleased how it turned out.
First you see the raw clay on the day I made it.
Then the bright orangey brown of the glazing stage.
Then the first photo shows the finished article.

Before !!!
And below is after !!!
The finished article.
Do you see how cute my little bird turned out ??

My sweet little Turtle survived the journey.
As you see it was glazed and looked plain turquoise.
But look how it turned out.
All mottled and lovely almost like marble.
I think that Horatio the Turtle is very pleased with his new look .
Don't you.

As you can see it looks really lovely with a few of my Wild Flowers in it.
It was made just for flowers that have snapped off leaving short stems in the wind.
Or when I go to pick them and I cut them too short for other vases.
It's doing it's job well.
Don't you think ??

Here is the floral tray I made last week and showed you ...it was then fired in the Kiln for me to glaze this past week

I could not decide what color to glaze it ..so I asked lots of my friends and they came up with so many colors that I just went along and incorporated some of them.
I have put in the glazes and will leave the raw clay around them.
Here it is fully glazed.
I have put in a deep blue, Turquoise,Deep candy pink,a yellowish green and a proper green.
So when it is fired it should come out with lots of bright candy colors all shiny and glazed.
The underneath is glazed in a Turquoise and so are the underside of the handles.
I can't wait to see how it turns out ...

I am as you can tell enjoying immensely my pottery lessons.
The creating, trying to tame the clay.
As it has a mind of it's own.
The companionship is most dear to me.
I have met lifetime friends and deeply cherish their friendship.
And the laughter ...so enjoying the laughter

Then just when I can't think it can get any better.
I get to bring my items home to enjoy.

Go see if there are pottery lessons near you.
You will never regret it and will learn things about yourself you never knew.

Happy Days

Janet

Thanks for popping in

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June 18th, 2017

6/18/2017

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Maisonvogue Flowers and Handmade Jewelry Gifts

My very needy Wildflowers are just coming on very, very well.
With lots and lots of tender care and water ...they are growing like mad and I can't wait till I have an endless show of glorious flowers.
The Cosmos showed it's beauty first and then the Zinnia's and Cornflowers are now showing their happy colors.
This is just one of our Zinnia's ...there are many buds almost ready to burst open.

I made some pottery jewelry about 8 weeks ago but have not been able to post a photo of them as they were gifts and I wanted the recipients to receive them first.
This one I made for my Sister Sue ....She loved going to Thailand and Sri Lanka and riding Elephants so that is the theme I did on her necklace.

This one I made for my dear Friend Mary ..
I was very pleased to see how the glaze worked out .
I used just two glazes.
Where the glazes overlap you never know what color they will create.
This time they created a wonderful turquoise.
It was a total surprise ..very happy with it.

It is hard to see my lovely Mexican Pottery planter as the flowers have just over taken it all in all of their glory.

Here is Sue's finished pendant complete with little Elephants

I thought that the Nuthatch Bird had forgotten us then all of a sudden there is a nest ...built in to my faux window on the front porch.

Here is Mary's pendant ...finished off with a sweet heart and a little metal turquoise rose.
Mary received it last Friday and sent me the sweetest email saying how much she loved it
And that I had captured her personality perfectly.
Let's hope so we have been friends since we were little children at school.

The Nuthatch picks the safest place to have a nest ....it's covered and weather proof as it's under the large roof of our front porch.
It's impossible for the rascally Raccoons and the cats to get to it ...just has to put up with us humans passing it through out the day and sitting chatting on the front porch .
But that doesn't faze it at all as it keeps returning with new nesting material whilst Danny and I are chatting away ..joyfully watching it build a safe haven for it's soon to be precious babies.

I hope that you are going to have a great day whatever you are planning to do.
I have some pottery things to finish off ready to get fired next week.
It's also Father's Day today.
So I will light a candle for the day in honor of my darling sweet Best Dad in the World
Who left us far too early in 1988 at the young age of just 62 and 2 months.
I think of him almost every day and can still hear him giving me advice when I am remodeling our home or trying to do something handy around the house.
As Dad taught me how to paint, hang wallpaper,use power tools etc...
So glad that he did I have used those skills many, many times since he passed.
Also remembering my dear Father in Law who I only knew for a few short years as he too passed at a young age ..leaving me with lovely memories of a sweet, loving man.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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June 11th, 2017

6/11/2017

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Faith's new Shabby Chic Guest Room & Pottery of Hers that you can Purchase from Her.

Faith as most of you know by now is my lovely Friend and she is also the lady that teaches my Pottery Lessons.
Faith recently decided to redecorate her Guest Bedroom on a Shoestring ..using inexpensive items and repurposing or vamping thrift store treasures.
This incredible head board was Faith's own idea and creation...She made it from garden fencing panels as you can see.
Cutting each one 3" shorter, she graduated the fencing slats ...
Before she assembled it she washed them over with a lovely paint combination making them look worn etc..
Faith also said that she sanded them down so that the wood was no longer rough as it was going to used for sleeping.
Then Faith put a piece of wood on the wall behind the bed and hand screwed each fencing panel to the wood ...the bottom of the head board panels are all the same size making a straight cut across the bottom.

I just love how it looks ...well done Faith ....it's just too adorable and cost very little, in a high end home decor shop they would be asking high dollars for the same item.
I love the color of the bedding with the headboard and one of my own French peacock pillows (a gift from myself to Faith) just looks at home on the bed doesn't it.

This super cute lamp with it's lovely shade and finial was a thrift store find ...great buy.

I am featuring lots of Faith's Earth Art Pottery that she has for sale in various shops but would love to sell to you ..if you contact her by either of these ways on her business card above you will find Faith a wonderful lady to talk to who will bend over backwards to make you happy..give her call or email her ...she is also available on Etsy.com as you can see.

I believe that some of these pots that Faith has displayed in her guest room are for sale.

In the guest room Faith has the bottom half of a Vintage Singer Sewing Machine ...found at a thrift store ...she placed this lovely box on top of it and shabby'd it to match her room.

Faith very cleverly is displaying some of her stock of pottery, all made by her own hands, on shelves, that decorate the guest room ...she has white washed stacks of red bricks and placed painted turquoise wooden boards for shelves ...I think it looks great and very economical..the vintage windows were also thrift store finds.
Faith also uses wooded crates to create shelving to display her beloved pottery ..each item is made with great love and attention.

The cute bedside table was also a find as an unwanted table ...and Faith shabby'd it to suit the room.
The lovely lamp also found at the thrift store Faith cleverly crochet'd a cover for the shade and added beads to the bottom of it ...it looks really great.

I believe that all these items are ready for sale ...Faith wraps them very carefully to ensure they arrive at your door in perfect condition.

How gorgeous are these plates with all the beakers and bowls to match ....I just love them.

The items on the top shelf ..the 'cat', 'sunflower','blue bird' and 'pig' are all for sitting your Smart Phones in and make the most wonderful gift for adults and children...there are other designs that I believe Faith can make ..I know there is a 'dog' with it's tongue hanging out ..you can see it on the wooden crate shelves next to the bedside table in previous photo's.

Faith has a mug tree full of lovely mugs and gorgeous Jelly Fish chimes.
They all come at very reasonable prices.
Especially as I now know how long it takes to make pottery items and what skill is required.
Worth every penny for a one of a kind item.

I hope you enjoyed me sharing my Friend Faith's home and art work.
Please don't hesitate to contact her if you would like to discuss purchasing anything.
She could even list it on Etsy.com for you if you prefer to buy through Etsy.com.
Go on her Facebook Page and please share the love by 'liking' her page.
I have enjoyed telling you about my wonderful dear Friend
Happy Days

Janet

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June 10th, 2017

6/10/2017

2 Comments

Update on Pottery Lesson Week 13 plus update on my Wild Flower Garden

Here are just some of my wild flowers from my Wild Flower garden ...it's just a small raised bed but after lots of tender care it is producing lots of flowers for me to cut and decorate my home with . I am thrilled with them.

Because of the recent storms we had and the pottery kiln being outside in the my teacher's garden ...there was a delay on items I had made being ready to either bring home or glaze ..
So I decided to make myself a tray ...
I had lots of fun making it ...the handles were something new for me.
They look very thick but when the clay is put in to the kiln it shrinks by 12% so they will be smaller on the finished item.

It was also the first time that I got the chance to make some feet for one of my projects ...
By doing this I can glaze the underside of the tray too ...
I must leave the bottom of the legs free of glaze as if they had glaze on them it would stick to the kiln.

My Hydrangea's are just loving the new fertilizer that I am feeding them once a month on them ...I have constant pretty blooms to cut and bring inside the home.
I have these lovely purple Mop Heads and I also have a pale pink and blue Lace Cap ...

I hope to take some more photo's of the flowers in our garden today.
Everything is going to plan.
Not quick enough though.
But you have to learn patience when being a gardener.
They bloom in their own time.
But for most of the time they reward you with such beauty and joy.
Here is a photo taken yesterday of a Sunflower on our back deck.
It must have been planted by birds.
Or perhaps Bella our cat had it hanging on her long fur.
Collected at the bird feeders.
But we have watched it grow strong and straight then yesterday this smiling, happy sunflower said ' Hello'
It is a bit smaller than we thought with such a large stalk.
But perhaps as it opens up it's face will get larger and have a bigger smile.
We love it anyway.
Thanks for popping by.
I had fun.

Kindest regards

Janet

2 Comments

June 05th, 2017

6/5/2017

1 Comment

Pottery Lesson Week 12 Update ....I NEED your help please !!!

Week 12 Pottery Lesson update .....

Here it is my biggest build ever after 12 weeks of lessons.

I have made myself a plant pot ....I will fill it with soil and either put Cacti in it or shade plants as it's going to sit on the back deck's table underneath the garden umbrella.

But I need your help, so that it doesn't crack in the firing process ...I need lots of your blessings or prayers please ...I need all the help I can get ...ha! ha!

It was a huge learning curb ....I so enjoyed making it.

It took me 7 1/2 hours to make it ....so much concentration ...such devotion to producing a finished pot.
It took a lot more math than I would have thought.
Certainly made me use parts of my brain that have been dormant for years ...ha! ha!
But look I have made it .
It's not perfect ..
It would not win a contest.
A Master Potter would pick it to pieces.
But I am proud of my achievement.
It is more than I ever thought I would make.
7 1/2 hours seemed like 2.

Now please cross all of your fingers and toes that it behaves in the Kiln ..
Can you imagine the heartache if it cracks in the kiln.
All that work for nothing .
But no it would not be for nothing as I certainly learned a lot about Pottery doing this project.
If you crossed your fingers and toes correctly I will then be able to move on to glazing it.
I haven't thought of the glaze color yet.
Let me know in 'comments' what color you would like it to be please
I would love your input
Thanks for popping by
I had fun

Happy Days

Kindest regards

Janet

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June 04th, 2017

6/4/2017

1 Comment

Love is Hearts and Flowers of Maisonvogue on a Sunday

Happy Day to you ....just a few of the hearts and flowers at Maisonvogue

Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, the romance- and you find out you still care for that person.

True love is worth waiting for even if it takes a lifetime. Then in return a lifetime of love will be waiting for you.

True love is not finding someone else but finding your other half.

Love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off. It takes you by surprise at first, but keeps you warm for a long time.

Love, the strongest emotional bond, is the most satisfying human experience imaginable for those fortunate enough to find it.

You haven't found the right person if you can live with them, you've found the right person if you can't live without them.

Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.

Love is giving someone the ability to hurt you but trusting them not to!

If love is a drop, I'll send you shower;
If love is a petal, I'll send you flower;
if love is water, I'll send you the sea;
if love is a person,
I'll send you my HEART

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June 03rd, 2017

6/3/2017

1 Comment

Sparrow's Nest .....A 4 Day Getaway for my Birthday !!

I have a birthday coming up soon ....and was delightfully surprised when my Son's said to choose a cute cabin or hotel to go on a 4 day getaway vacation break and they would pay.

How lucky am I and so thankful for their generous gift.

So here is where we are booked ..this super cute little cabin on the edge of a State Forest just 3 hours away from home , in Tennessee.

How rustic is the kitchen ....these are obviously not my photo's they are the photo's that were on the vacation listing.

But you know that I will be taking lots of mine and will share them with you.

We chose a secluded cabin instead of a lovely hotel as we will love to sit on the porch and have our breakfast and again to watch the sun go down....we can get up whenever we want and we won't be doing any major cooking or anything so still a lovely.

I Love the wooden floor and the real tree trunk holding something up or perhaps just for more rustic decor.

It is just 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga ...so lots to see and do.

Chattanooga has wonderful restaurants,

An amazing Aquarium, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Incline railway up to the top of Lookout Mountain, A visit to the very unique Rock City with it's spectacular views and Ruby Falls that are inside a massive cave system that we can walk in to so we can see the falls.

We can visit Lookout Mountains cute little town of Mentone ..I love that place and eat at Wild Flower Cafe ..so unique and quirky.

We can even go on a trip in an amphibious Duck vehicle that rides around Chattanooga telling you all the history of the buildings and then after a chorus of 'Quack, Quack, Quack' turns in to a boat as we enter the Tennessee River via the slip way and go for a ride around the river ....lovely experience ..

Super cute bedroom too ...with it's pine ceiling ....so cozy and lovely ...every area and corner of this cute mountain home is unique it seems.

Sliding barn doors take you to the other bedroom that has two single beds ...perfect if you are taking children with you .....

Lovely sized window ...I can't wait to see what the view is from it ...

Full of surprises this little wash hand basin is just darling in the bathroom and below the large shower.

Some of the view of the valley below.

We also have a hot tub on the backside of the cabin.

I hope that some wildlife come to say 'hello'

So here is another view of our home for 4 days.

The cabin is called ' Sparrows Nest'

For a birthday treat to remember.

I can't wait to start creating memories with my Darling Danny.

Are you going on any mini breaks just to unwind and take another view of life for a while?

Thanks for popping by.

Happy days to you all

Kindest regards

Janet

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May 29th, 2017

5/29/2017

2 Comments

To those who serve Thank You.

2 Comments

May 28th, 2017

5/28/2017

0 Comments

An over night fire burns parts of my beloved Historic Dinan in France ... Shop Signs & Shop Fronts are a complete curiosity & work of art in France

Parts of my beloved Historic area in Dinan broke out in fire overnight !!

The photo's look dramatic but it could have been so much worse as most of the houses are made of wood..
I am not sure but I do believe that no one was hurt ...thank goodness.

I don't like to post such sad news ...so I have put an album together of some of my favorite shop signs in France most of them are in Dinan.
I just love them each one a piece of beautiful art.

In France I always look out for unusual shop fronts and sign's and I don't have to look too hard

This one advertising 'Hotel Maison au Pelerin' translating to 'Home of the Pilgrim'

These are some of the signs in my favorite town to visit when I am in France, Dinan..a medieval town..

This isn't the greatest of photo's but it made me smile ...it's of a Hotel advertising bedrooms with the silhouette of a woman running up the stairs to bed ...so cute and sure to make you smile

The Dwelling of the Monks

Butter and Cheeses ..Yum !!

This house is one of my favorites in Dinan and it is at the top of the most incredible cobbled street that leads down to the River Rance ..

Le Mont Saint Michel

Bakery and Pastries

Hardware and Ironmongers

I have eaten many a good meals in this great restaurant in the incredible Le Mont Saint Michel , a very ancient monastery on a tiny island that has been there since the 8th century, AD ..it had red gingham tablecloths the last time I ate there

A gorgeous sign for the local French Pancake Shop

And one for the library book shop

Below is part of the main street of Dinan, France

As you can see it's very old and beautiful and looks like it's just out an old Three Muskateer's movie

The old town is most atmospheric, crammed full of half timbered buildings dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, with cobbled rambling streets all carefully restored and preserved. Interspersed throughout the old town are numerous individually owned cafes, bars, restaurants and the colourful shops of butchers, bakers and today scented candle-makers. The shops of florists, artisans, craftsmen and weavers mingle with the ubiquitous gift and post card shops that thrive in any town that is a magnet to tourists.

Monsieur Vannes and his Wife ..so cute

Of course being a cat lover I couldn't leave this one out

Hope you enjoyed my tour of French shop signs

I will take lots of photos of other ones when I am in France this Summer ...they are such works of art

Below is a sign for a sewing shop that does alterations for women only it seems

Merci d'être venus et en regardant mes signes

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May 27th, 2017

5/27/2017

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Pottery Update ..Week 11 ....Glazing my Log Vase.

I so enjoyed my pottery class this week , well I always do .
I had to glaze my log bud vase, ready for it's final firing.
So here it is.
Looking very vibrant.
It won't look like this when it is fired and taken out of the kiln.
The bright rust color will turn in to a wood tree trunk color ..so a brown in various shades.
It was interesting and another learning curb.
When I rolled up the clay to make the log I had to roll it over scrunched up newspaper to keep it's shape.
The heat in the kiln burns up the newspaper.
Therefor I had to turn the log upside down and shake out the ashes ..that was very interesting to me.
Then it had to be washed out a little and then a lot of dark brown glaze was poured in to the log center through the flower bud holes ...and swished around to coat the inside and help make it more waterproof.

This photo is before it was fired in the kiln.

The grass will be in a dark green and the flowers will be turquoise and a yellowish green

Here is my sweet turtle ...I placed wax underneath him so that if I dripped any glaze it will just burn off in the final firing in the kiln.
He will have a mottled dark green shell and his head and legs will be dark brown.

I so enjoyed making this unusual log flower bud vase ...I made it as when I am picking my Wildflowers sometimes there is a broken flower or one with a short stem ...now I will have a place to put them ...it will also look great with just the head of a lily, Zinnia etc ..

Now it sits on the shelf waiting for the final firing .
It may be a few weeks before there are enough items to put in the Kiln
But I think it will be worth waiting ...don't you .
The incredible planter in the back was made by our Tutor and friend Faith.
She is amazing and so fast ..I doubt I will ever be that fast ...I am a little slow just like my turtle...ha! ha!
I am going to have a go at making a planter like this for myself ...Faith believes I can make it.
So we will see ....
Her bird is also going to be blue ...not too sure what the walls of the houses are going to be ...
As you can see the glaze has flooded in to the windows ..making them dark.
I think it's going to be incredible when it comes out of the Kiln.
The Jewelry pieces in the front are my friend Mary's ..she loves to make jewelry.

Thanks for popping in.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my Pottery glazing.
I am as you can see now able to pick some of my Wild flowers.
That gives me joy.
I also purchased some seeds for unusual colored Cosmos flowers,
And some unusual Sunflowers ..more than 10 different varieties so the packet tells me.
So I will sow them today and hopefully will have some to enjoy through out the Summer.
I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday/Bank Holiday weekend
We are going to have a lazy one except for mowing the lawn.
I will do that whilst Danny works on a little problem on his truck.
Otherwise we are going to stay away from the crowds and enjoy sitting on our decks and porches.
Watching the birds, chatting to the Raccoons and loving on our beloved cats.
Eating amazing food.
Fillet Mignon on the grill/BBQ and on Memorial Day hot dogs on the grill .
Lots of lovely healthy salad.
And finally going to watch the latest Star Wars movie on our television.

Happy Days to you all

Janet

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May 24th, 2017

5/24/2017

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Sweet Potato Yeast Bread ....Yummy & Super Easy to make

I love to make my own bread but I especially love to make my Sweet Potato Bread.
It is such a lovely tasting bread.
Very easy to make with just a little effort.
Why not have a go.
This recipe is for two 2 lb loaves
There are no preservatives in this bread
So it will only last for about 2 days
I slice mine up and wrap two slices at a time in to cling wrap
Then I place several in a 'freezer' zip lock bag
And place them in the freezer
When you want them just take out your 2 slice package
place in microwave for 30 seconds
And you have wonderful homemade bread
It toasts perfectly
This is sandwich bread not a cake
As lots of sweet potato bread recipe's are cake

Here is the recipe.

You will need :

2 Packages of Active dry Yeast ...I use the 'fast' acting one
1 3/4 cups warm water
1 cup mashed sweet potato (without added milk or butter)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup of honey ...I use Wildflower Honey available at Walmart stores etc..
1 egg
2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 1/4 - 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
plus 1 tablespoon of melted butter to brush over baked bread

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
Add sweet potatoes, softened butter,honey,egg,salt and whole wheat flour
Beat with a wooden spoon or something similar till smooth
Stir in all purpose flour to form a soft dough
(I use my hands near the end of this process.)

Turn on to a floured surface
Knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes
Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top
(I spray my bowl with non stick spray
I also spray cling wrap and cover the dough with that)
Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled
About one hour
(I put mine on top of our tumble dryer and turn the dryer on for one hour
works perfectly this way.
You could have a load of washing in it too so not to waste the electric)

Punch dough down
Turn on to a lightly floured surface, divide in half
Shape in to two 2 lb loaves
Place in two greased loaf pans
(I like to butter my pans
Then I line my pans with parchment paper)
Once again cover with sprayed cling wrap
let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes

Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes
Until a lovely dark brown

Remove from pans to wire racks

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter, brush over warm bread

I think that you will love this bread
It's got the most wonderful texture as you can see in the photo above
Danny loves to have it for his sandwiches for work.
I love it toasted with grated cheese melted on the top
Or the warm toast spread with crunchy peanut butter or mashed banana or both
Even if you have never made bread before this very easy recipe would be a great place to start
The hardest part is the kneading but that is not really hard at all
Perhaps the hardest part is waiting patiently for it to rise
Let us know through 'comments' how yours turned out .
Happy baking to you all

Janet

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May 20th, 2017

5/20/2017

0 Comments

Pottery Update on week 10 of Pottery Classes.

Hi...This is my update on my Pottery.
I am now in to my 10th Pottery lesson over 10 weeks.
Enjoying it more than I could possible hoped for.
Love creating ..the time flies past very quickly when I am there.
I love all the other pupils ...we have such fun and laughter.
This week I was able to bring home finished items.
Always a special time ..it feels like Christmas.
As when the item comes out of the Kiln from their final firing.
You never know what you are going to get.
It's just like opening a gift.

This is my 'My Bird Watching Corner' sign that I made a few weeks ago.
I have a corner in the garden with a bench and table that I like to sit on amongst the trees to bird watch.
So I thought I would make a cute sign for that corner and hang it on a shepherd's hook.
I just LOVE how it has turned out ...do you ???

As you can see I used a real Fern leaf in my pattern.
You push it in to the clay and the leaf burns away in the Kiln.

Do you remember this Cheese and Cracker Plate ?
It was the item I made on my second pottery lesson.
I had such trouble with the glaze.
It just would not work, hence I haven't showed you the finished project yet.
In the end it had 6-9 different layers of glaze.

Last week I decided that it would just come out as it comes out.
No more trying to correct the glaze.
Well here is the finished project.
Completed and finally glazed.
It's not perfect in anyway but I am still proud.
That it was the second piece I made.

I also made 4 pieces of jewelry pendants.
Two for me.
And two for gifts.
Here are my bird pendants
But as the others are gifts I will have to wait till they have received them to show you.
They were the best glaze ever ....I just love them.
And I guess I am learning a little more about glazing.
I hope the recipients love them too.

I have started to make,this week, a 'Teatime' Spoon rest for my oven or to put the ladle on for soups.
I then made another gift soon to be revealed.

Here is my sweet 'Bird Watching' sign in it's place in the garden.
It will make me smile every time I see it.
Happy memories of making it too.

Thanks for popping in and checking on my Pottery progress.
I hope you have a hobby that you enjoy as much as I do mine.
Take a little time out of your day and be creative.

Kindest regards

Janet

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May 14th, 2017

5/14/2017

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Happy Mother's Day everyone ....I hope you have a wonderful day.
Today is not Mother's Day for me although I live in the USA.
I celebrate the British Mother's Day as that is what my Children wanted to do.
It was on March 26th, 2017 this year ...I had a lovely Day.

The modern holiday of Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. St Andrew's Methodist Church now holds the International Mother's Day Shrine. Her campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother's Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed that they were "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world".

In 1908, the US Congress rejected a proposal to make Mother's Day an official holiday, joking that they would also have to proclaim a "Mother-in-law's Day". However, owing to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, by 1911 all US states observed the holiday, with some of them officially recognizing Mother's Day as a local holiday, the first being West Virginia, Jarvis' home state, in 1910. In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother's Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.
Although Jarvis was successful in founding Mother's Day, she became resentful of the Commercialization of the holiday. By the early 1920s, Hallmark cards and other companies had started selling Mother's Day cards. Jarvis believed that the companies had misinterpreted and exploited the idea of Mother's Day, and that the emphasis of the holiday was on sentiment, not profit. As a result, she organized boycotts of Mother's Day, and threatened to issue lawsuits against the companies involved. Jarvis argued that people should appreciate and honor their mothers through handwritten letters expressing their love and gratitude, instead of buying gifts and pre-made cards. Jarvis protested at a candy makers' convention in Philadelphia in 1923, and at a meeting of American War Mothers in 1925. By this time, Carnations had become associated with Mother's Day, and the selling of carnations by the American War Mothers to raise money angered Jarvis, who was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Thanks for popping by.
May all the Mother's reading my blog have a wonderful day
Full of love, fun and flowers
Happy Mother's Day

Kindest Regards

Janet

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June 25th, 2017

I am Preparing to Host a Downton Abbey Type High Tea Party for my Pottery Friends.

June 23rd, 2017

June 20th, 2017

Pottery Update Week 14 ....Finished Log Vase came Home to Maisonvogue.

June 18th, 2017

Maisonvogue Flowers and Handmade Jewelry Gifts

June 11th, 2017

Faith's new Shabby Chic Guest Room & Pottery of Hers that you can Purchase from Her.

June 10th, 2017

Update on Pottery Lesson Week 13 plus update on my Wild Flower Garden

June 05th, 2017

June 04th, 2017

Love is Hearts and Flowers of Maisonvogue on a Sunday

June 03rd, 2017

Sparrow's Nest .....A 4 Day Getaway for my Birthday !!

May 29th, 2017

To those who serve Thank You.

May 28th, 2017

An over night fire burns parts of my beloved Historic Dinan in France ... Shop Signs & Shop Fronts are a complete curiosity & work of art in France

May 27th, 2017

Pottery Update ..Week 11 ....Glazing my Log Vase.

May 24th, 2017

Sweet Potato Yeast Bread ....Yummy & Super Easy to make

May 20th, 2017

Pottery Update on week 10 of Pottery Classes.

May 14th, 2017

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