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Three Weeks of Glorious Vacation when my Son's come to visit from Guernsey in the UK

10/14/2017

Three Weeks of Glorious Vacation when my Son's come to visit from Guernsey in the UK

Apologies for not blogging for the whole of the 3 weeks Vacation but I just never found time ...we were so busy cramming everything in that we were on the go all of the time.
But next week I shall blog and tell you about our 3 weeks of adventures
Meanwhile here are a few photo's to wet your appetite.
The above was the view from our Hotel Balcony on the top of the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway ...it is a hotel we always stay in when visiting the mountains ...it's on Mount Pisgah and is called 'Pisgah Inn' ...I highly recommend it ...great restaurant too

One day we went on an arduous 6 mile plus hike up the mountain to Little Cataloochee Valley ...it was an achievement for all of us ...not being particularly fit ...also a magical hike ...we finally made the top of the mountain and were rewarded with this beautiful church that was erected in 1889 and the final resting places of some of the residents of Little Cataloochee Valley..a great place for a half an hour rest, a picnic and a place to reflect on how lucky we are to have found such a beautiful place. Then of course we had to hike back but mostly down the mountain so a little easier ...

This is the open planned Mountain Lodge that we rented it was just gorgeous and so comfortable to stay in ..we felt like we were home straight away and were very reluctant to leave ..we could have stayed forever ...the view was just so uplifting ..the first morning I got up before Dawn and watched the sunrise.
Bears came right up to the house and we were the last house on the top of the mountain.
Even the address was cute ...Bear Cub Way ....so aptly named.

Part of the view from our Mountain Lodge balcony ...it had three balconies in all.

Our weather was amazing just the perfect temperature ...I finally got to wear my skinny jeans but as you see the morning we were leaving storm clouds were looming making a very wonderful sky.
We were going to be heading back home to Alabama where a hurricane was about to happen , thankfully it only turned out to be a large tropical storm with welcomed rain as my garden had not been watered since we left.

We came across 15 Black Bears on our adventures ...we were so lucky and just enjoyed every privileged moment that these dear creatures wanted to share with us.

A Sounder of 8 Wild Boars were seen several times ...they are fascinating to watch ..we were always aware how dangerous these animals can be ...
I researched what a group of Wild Boar was called and I am amused to find that it is called a 'Sounder of Wild Boar' who would have thought and who came up with that name for them ??

Breathtaking ...how great nature is ...unspoilt ..in all of it's splendor.

A Country Harvest Festival at Homestead Hollow in Springville, Alabama ....a great day out in outstanding weather ....so beautiful and full of nostalgia, trade tents, old crafts, log cabins, country food, music, horses etc..etc....

Hope you will forgive my tardiness and enjoy this little taster of our Autumn adventures

More to come

Thanks for popping by

Kindest regards

Janet

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A Quick Review of this Week at Maisonvogue

9/21/2017

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A Quick Review of this Week at Maisonvogue

Just a quick 'hello' ....I have been so busy and not much time to blog ..but I will make up for it in the coming weeks as our Son's are coming over from my British Island home of Guernsey for 3 weeks glorious vacation ...They will be here this afternoon and are at this very moment flying over from London to come and visit us .
We haven't seen each other , well touched each other for over 2 years ....We see each other most days on FaceTime ...I am so grateful to FaceTime.
It is 5 years since they have been to visit us in Alabama
They have been traveling to wonderful places all over the World
They have been here many, many times over the last 20 years
I am so EXCITED I could burst.

I bought two items home from Pottery this week
Here is my bird that I showed you the other week
Now it is glazed ...I used an unusual glaze that bubbles up in the Kiln and leaves places of the clay peeking through.
It is going to be put on the new fence out in the garden ...to make us smile when we see it
Danny will put it on today ..I will photograph it when it is ready.

The boys are coming to my Pottery Class on Wednesday ...we will have so much fun .
They are also going to make lunch for everyone of a very old traditional Guernsey dish called Bean Jar

Guernsey Bean Jar

SERVES: 12

Ingredients450 g (1 lb) butter/lima beans
450 g (1 lb) haricot/navy beans
4 tablespoons oil
2 large onions – diced
4 carrots – diced
700 g (1½ lb) ham hock or leg of pork on bone (or shin of beef)
3 – 4 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Water for rinsing and to cover beans

Making your Bean Jar use dried beans in a slow cooker they must be properly soaked and cooked. Most beans contain varying amounts of a toxin known as kidney bean lectin, red kidney beans having the most. Throwing away the soaking and rinsing water gets rid of leached toxins and boiling the beans for at least 10 minutes with fresh water makes them safe to be added to the slow cooker where they need to be cooked on high setting for the first hour. It’s better to add salt near the end of the cooking time, as salt tends to toughen the bean skins.

Soak beans for at least 5 hours – preferably overnight.
Drain out the water.
Rinse and boil beans in fresh water for 10 minutes.
Drain the beans and drain out the cooking water.
Spray inside the slow cooker pot with non stick cooking spray or lightly grease.
In a large frying pan, gentle sautée onions until soft – about 5 to 10 minutes.
Transfer the softened onions into the slow ccoker pot.
Set slow cooker on high.
Add carrots and stir.
Add beans to the slow cooker and push meat in amongst the beans.
Tuck bay leaves around the meat.
Season with pepper.
Add boiling water until it covers
Replace lid and cook on high for 1 hour
Turn slow cooker to low and cook for a minimum of 10 hours. Bean Jar can be cooked for up to 24 hours, I usually cook mine for 16 hours.
Do not disturb for at least 3 hours.
You may need to check the water level.
Season with salt and remove the meat bone from the slow cooker.

My beloved Spider Lilies are in full bloom ...I have lots all around the garden but intend to buy more bulbs for next year and splitting the plants I have as they create lots of new bulbs and all of the flowers I have came from just 2 original bulbs ....They are such a happy color as Fall approaches.

As you can see I had an accident ...OOPPS !!
Ha! ha! I can laugh about it now but I didn't at the time.
I made this beautiful Chocolate Pie ...full of chocolate, eggs and heavy cream ...no good for you at all
But it was to be a treat for all of us when the boys arrive
I made it ..baked it and then it had to go in the fridge to set
That was the problem ...I was lifting it up to put on the shelf and my injured arm just didn't co-operate
It lost all of it's strength and just gave way
This photo was taken after I had cleaned up the floor ...it was smothered in hot chocolate pie ...such a mess ...I took me ages to clean it up
The splashes went all over the kitchen on the cabinet doors, laundry room doors-ME !!
I had to remove the grid at the bottom of the fridge
And it took 1 hour 10 mins to finally clean it ...
I do have another Chocolate Cracked pie in the freezer that I made several weeks ago
I am not going to remake this pie and if I do I will make it when I know Danny is home and can put it on the shelf for me.

This tray I made came out as I intended ...I had fun making the ladybugs and the flowers ...it was fun to glaze ...I underglaze it on the flowers and Ladybugs then covered them with wax so the glaze I poured over it would not stick to them ...I love this glaze you never know how it will turn out

Elsie wanted to say 'Hello' ...I just love this scarecrow's face ..it wouldn't scare me .
I have put her in a big flower pot overlooking the front garden and driveway
With Pot Mums in front of her ...again I will post the photograph when we go out and cut the lawns today.
It's going to be a hot day again in Alabama today at around 90f/32c

Thanks for popping by

I hope your week was more exciting than mine

But now I have 3 weeks of joy and laugher

Happy Days to you all

Kindest Regards

Janet

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Dreaming of our Vacation where we will be in a few weeks time in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains

9/16/2017

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Dreaming of our Vacation where we will be in a few weeks time in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains

In just a few weeks we are lucky enough to be visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ...
We have been many times before and just love it
Here are some photo's of our visit in May 2014
Spring time but this time it will be Fall time ...both great times to visit.
I will let the photo's talk
I hope you enjoy it

A most do visit is in Brevard ....you will find a colony of pure white Squirrels ....so beautiful and easy to spot ....Some times they come along by the car but this time they were too busy looking for food in the grass.

Elk was reintroduced to the Smoky Mountains in 2002 ...they are thriving and there are lots of them to be seen.

Our most favorite place to be ...Cataloochee Valley ...far away from the maddening crowd ...nature in it's raw ....can't wait to be back there.
By late afternoon this pasture will be filled with Elk ...the Bellowing of the bulls echo's through out the mountains ..filling your soul

Gorgeous hiking tails ....this one is an easy one and takes you to 'Woody's Place'

We met a little friend on our way ..it just came out from under a rock ...I have no idea what kind it is ...but we treated it with respect and just let it go on it's way ...

These brilliant primitive bridges made by the Park Rangers adds a certain charm to the hike ..this is your's truly crossing over the creek.

We always take a picnic and when we reach 'Woody's Place' we eat it on the picnic table on the back porch listening to the singing of nature every where ...there is no other place I would rather be.

We found a Hornet's nest on the porch of the house and this beautiful Elk came to say 'hello' whilst we were walking.

This primitive church has an old piano in it ....

We stay in the Pisgah Inn on the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway ..and will do again this time ..with this morning view from your bedroom balcony where else would you want to stay .
www.pisgahinn.com

Here is the lodge ...with the Smoky Mountains as far as the eye can see .

Several mornings we were treated by this frosty view ...as the trees are filled with morning frost ...a beautiful sight.

Thanks so much for dropping by

I hope you enjoyed my little trip in the Smoky Mountains

I promise to take lots of photo's when we visit it in the next few weeks

Have a happy day

Kindest regards

Janet

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September 09th, 2017

9/9/2017

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Pottery & In The Garden at Maisonvogue

At last I am pleased to show you my Bee bowl that I made at Pottery.
Do you remember the scary glaze wash ..that looked like it had been in the fire.
Who could have imagined that it would turn out this lovely 'milky coffee' color.
I just LOVE it ...Love how the Bee turned out as well.
I love the shape of the bowl ..
So very pleased
Do you love it too ??
So unique and a one of a kind
Made by me ...he! he!

I love all the detail I put on it ..
When I started pottery I never dreamt I would be bringing home so many unique treasures.
I have used the pottery's wheel but with my injury to my arm I think I am more of a 'Hand Build' potter

I also bought home my sweet 'Spent Tea bag holder' in the shape of a teacup ...I just loved making it ..I put some flowers on it ...I am very pleased with it.
A little of the glaze flowed in to the 'E' on the word 'TEA' but I love the glaze and I think I made the back of it just as pretty as the front
Super pleased with the glaze ..it's called ' Textured Leopard'
I could make some more and they would make lovely little gifts for tea loving friends and family.

The early morning sun on my Limelight Hydrangea bush ;
Below is an older bloom and it has turned in to the Limelight color.
They are at first this lovely bright off white.
I love to pick them and dry them to use in arrangements around the house.

I had no idea what to do at pottery this week ...then I thought I would make a quirky mushroom/toadstool for my precious garden ...so here it is.

I enjoyed carving this Daisy flower.

The flower is a little 3D

I love detail so I put these flowers and leaves on the chunky stem of the mushroom.
If it turns out great I will make a larger one and put a ladybug on it.
I can't wait to put a great colored glaze on it to make it stand out in the garden.
Saying "Look at Me !! Look at ME !!'

Danny put up this single panel of fencing for me..in my bird watching corner ...I wanted privacy whilst sitting on my bench ...and I have tried and tried to grow a tree, bushes etc ..but there are too many roots in the soil ..so we put up this fence instead.
I and going to make some bird houses in my pottery classes to hang from the Japanese Maple
And I have made a bird to hang from the fence ...I am waiting for it to be put in the Kiln ..then I will glaze it in bright colors and once more back in the Kiln and I can bring it home.
I hope that it works out really well.

Here is the back of it and the side that people will see when passing along the road.
I want to keep it looking pretty and I intend to make bird houses at pottery to hang from it.
To make passer by's smile.

As you can see it looks nice and cosy and if it's a windy day I may be able to sit out there longer 'bird watching' as now I have a 'wind breaker'.

My Japonica bush is very beautiful this year it was filled with white flowers in the Spring and a large swarm of Honey Bees were buzzing around it for weeks and weeks and now I have lovely pink berries on it.
The Morning Glories under our Bradford Pear tree seem very happy and has decided to decorate the tree ...it makes me smile ..

It has been a very busy weeks at Maisonvogue.
We are expecting our Son's to come over for a vacation with us from Guernsey, Uk ...where I am from and where they live ..just 2 weeks to go ..I can't wait ..
So I have been 'nesting' ..we have not been together for 2 years 2 months ..they are here for 3 weeks, we are going to take a road trip to North Carolina, Blue Ridge Mountains ...for about a week and hope to see some Black Bears and lots more wildlife ..I just am so excited I could burst !!
Ryan and Wayne want to come to pottery classes with me.
So they will come to meet some of my beloved friends.
They are going to make a lovely Guernsey themed lunch for everyone to enjoy ..we will go mid morning so they meet the morning class, have lunch with some of them and then we will stay till mid afternoon so they can meet my friends from the afternoon class.
Thanks so much for popping by and spending some of your precious time with me.
I am working on a bathroom cabinet, painting it and will show you the results in my next blog

Happy days to you all
Have a wonderful weekend

Kindest regards

Janet

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Newly Decorated Hallway

9/2/2017

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Newly Decorated Hallway at Maisonvogue

Finally Danny and I have finished the hallway leading off of the kitchen.
We remodeled the kitchen in July 2016 but I then became ill and we decided to do the hallway when I was better and here we are over a year later finally finished.
I am really pleased with it ....so glad to finally have the joy of removing the carpet and to put down this lovely rustic flooring.
Let me take you on a little tour.

The kitchen was yellow before as you can see below ...with a hand painted lemon tree and a rooster that I loved at the time but now it is so outdated.
I love the grey color it has made everything on the wall just pop and look more modern.
Though I have of course kept a lot of my country items including this Bread,Chip and Onions cabinet made from recycled barn floor boards ..
And my much loved blue shelf that displays my jugs and mugs and a quirky collection of ducks is now sitting proudly on the newly painted wall.

I found this hook rack at the thrift store for pennies and thought it would be great with the color of the wall.
I didn't know what to hang from it but in my cupboard, where I keep all of my ornaments etc ..that I am not displaying in my home at this time, I found two antique flour sifters that would go with my metal theme and a lovely red oil lamp ..I hung them and just loved what I saw.
I found the little detailed shelf at the thrift store too and bought the cute metal cow and the 'God gave me you' sign from Hobby Lobby in their 80% off sale.
My little pottery lizard I bought in a Mexican Market in San Antonio, Texas were I went on a road trip to the Hill Country with my Sister Sue ...We LOVED Texas ..the Hill Country is beautiful ..we especially loved Bandera , Cowboy Capital of the World ....We had such fun.

I love my metal heart and I couldn't resist this metal rooster ...it now sits proudly where the painted rooster on the wall used to sit ...I got these from Hobby Lobby in their 50% off sale.

This little dresser I bought for my Mother in 2000 ...when she passed I bought it back home with me ..I just love it ..each piece is hand made with amazing detail.
Even the little scissors in the dress making basket and the bowl with the whisk and eggs in are all made of either pottery or metal.
My cat on the chair I have had for years but it has received a new lease on life with the grey making it 'pop' and now you can see all the 3D detail ..totally made from wood.

Thank you for popping by and having a sneak peak at my hallway.
I am working on a cabinet for my bathroom and hope to finish it today so I will obviously post it for you to see.
I am also going to reveal how my platter came out , the one where the glaze looked like it was burnt
So a busy weekend ...we are going to put up a panel of garden privacy fence too ...I am making some items in Pottery to hang from it and make it a piece of yard art.
Have fun with all of your projects.
Happy labor day weekend for those of you in USA.

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Pottery Lessons ...This one was scary to glaze ...For a while I thought it would have to be thrown away !!

8/26/2017

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Pottery Lessons ...This one was scary to glaze ...For a while I thought it would have to be thrown away !!

At pottery this week I glazed my lovely bee dish ....here below is what it looked like waiting to be put in the kiln ..
And above is how it looks waiting to have it's final glaze ...
I am super excited and super nervous on how it's going to turn out
I have no idea what it will look like.

Firstly I hand painted the bee with an under glaze in blue's, green's and yellow's.
Then I put on this super scary wash ...it looks just like it has been inside of a fire and is soot damaged.
My teacher Faith has told me it will look wonderful ..so I trust her and hope she is right !!!!

Apparently the worse it looks the better it will turn out.

The final stage was to pour a clear glaze over it all to make it nice and shiny.

It is ready for the kiln.

I can't wait to see what it looks like in the end ...at least I think I am super excited ...or very apprehensive on the finished article ...we will see.

One thing you can be sure of is, that I will share it with you good or bad.

When you think you know a lot about pottery another thing pops up and surprises you.

It's all very interesting and involved.

Pottery makes you think and learn every time you do it.

Not bad brain stimulation for a lady at her Autumn stage of life.

Thanks so much for popping in and checking out my blog.

I love sharing it with you all.

Happy Crafting and Happy Days to you all.

Kindest regards,

Janet

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Welcome to my Teatime Curio Cabinet ...have a peek !!

8/20/2017

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Welcome to my Teatime Curio Cabinet ...have a peek !!

Welcome to my Teatime Curio Cabinet.
These first few photo's are of two gifts I recently received from a dear Friend Cindy.
I was very lucky to have received this gorgeous cake plate, teacup and saucer for my recent Birthday from one of my Pottery Friends ...who clearly knows what I love ....Cindy perused the thrift stores to find me a gift and I am so glad that she did ...I love them ...all are in great 'as new' condition ...thanks Cindy

Lots of details on this one ...I love how I captured the Chandelier in the photo ...proving I am not a professional photographer ..ha! ha!

They go so well with my little gold teaspoons also from a dear, dear Friend Rosanna ..we have been friends since childhood on my beautiful island home of Guernsey.
Rosanna gave me these spoons about 30 years ago a gift from her trip to Italy ...don't you just love them?

This was one of my Hostess gifts when I gave the Downton Abbey Tea Party ....also from my friend Cindy ..how lucky am I ...
This one is special it was made in France from Limoges
Cindy found this beauty in an Antique shop
It is so delicate and so highly decorated ....what's not to love .
Way up there as one of my favorites in my curio cabinet .

Now we are looking in my Curio Cabinet ...there are going to be some reflections and not so good a photo as I have taken all the photo's through the glass.
Just as if you were looking at them in my home.
I hope you enjoy the tour.

This pink one is Royal Albert 'New Country Roses' ...I love the bright colors and attention to detail ..one of my favorites.
The other one is one one my Shelley's 'Wild Anemone" ...my Shelley's are so delicate and I love the scalloped shape of the cup ...so beautiful.

Let me introduce you to my Swarovski Crystal Puffins ..Yet another gift, this time from my boys ...to remind me of the Puffin birds that nest on my native island home of Guernsey. I have had them for years and love to look at them.

Not sure what the turquoise tea cup is ..it was a treasured thrift buy .
The other one is Royal Albert 'American Beauty' another one of my very favorites.
The beautiful plate at the back is 'Andrea by Sadek' another thrift store find for just 0.99c ..so beautiful.

I just love this teacup ..it's not an antique I bought it at 'Home goods' Stecahol by Gracie ..I just love all of it's detail and it's little bugs ..when you lift up the teacup there is a little bumble bee ..always makes me smile.

Over the years the birds have left me little gifts in their nests when the babies have flown the nest ..I nestle them in this teacup ...Bluebird eggs and the other two are Nuthatch Eggs

This is one of my favorites ...it's so beautiful ..not vintage but a lovely 'Lenox' 'Butterfly Meadow' 'Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly'... bees and underneath the cup on the saucer a tiny ladybug ..you can just see the speck under the cup where it is ...

Remember this one ? It's the plate I made at Pottery Classes ...with the honeycomb and bees ..I love it.
The little vegetables are all made of china ...so delicate I placed them in two beautiful Japanese bowls.

This beautiful bowl I also found at the thrift store for 0.99 all filthy and washed it to find this beauty.
It's made in England by 'Princess Royale'

Very cute and much loved ' Lilly of the Valley plate'. Also found at the thrift store for 0.99c.
No markings but so beautiful and delicate.

A little coffee pot set ...no value just pretty to look at.
On the far right my beloved 'Winnie the Pooh' plate.
Danny bought for me on our honey moon in Disney Worlds, Florida.
The pink rose cake knife was also a thrift store find for just 0.50c ..it's bone china.

My Book of special stamps ..made to celebrate HM The Queen's 90th Birthday.
Deserves a place in my curio cabinet.
Below are some of the pages along with some of the official stamps.
These stamps can be used to mail items.
Of course I never will use them.

Prince Charles, HM The Queen Elizabeth, sweet Prince George who is now 4 years old and his father Prince William.

So here is is my little curio cabinet which gives me such pleasure and keeps my treasures safe.

I hope that you enjoyed your little tour.

Have you a favorite collection?

Happy Days to you all

Kindest Regards Janet

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August 15th, 2017

8/15/2017

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Pottery Necklaces I have made for Myself, Family & Friends.

Just a quick update of some pottery pendants I have made to make necklaces for myself and as gifts.

With my love of cats I thought I would design a cat pendant and I am very pleased on how it turned out ..I may make it in different colors to go with different outfits.

I made birds with words from the Lord's Prayer as a few of my friends will appreciate that.

I added little metal roses in various colors to some.

And pretty enamel flowers to others.

Making jewelry is very new to me so I am a complete novice but I am learning new things every time I make some.
I love wearing them and have lots of compliments from some very kind people.
Even having some asking if they can buy some from me.

Thanks for popping by
Hope you are having fun with any craft you like doing
A day without creating is a day wasted

Kindest regards

Janet

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Garden and Home at Maisonvogue

8/13/2017

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Garden and Home at Maisonvogue

Bugs are really enjoying the Wildflowers ....these are just in a flower pot ..not in my Wildflower area.
A big fat butterfly ...I have no idea what Butterfly it is ...and have never seen such a fat body on one.
If you know what it is please let me know.

Here it is again ..pretty wings .

In another flower there was a very Busy Bee ...he was working and working to get lots of pollen on him...

Then on another one was a Cricket at least that is what I think you call them over here.

We are having the wettest Summer here in Alabama ...some flowers hate it and some love it like these Morning Glories ..I have them growing up a Anti-Burglar Window Bar that I found at a junk shop ..I painted it up and put it in the garden...it works well don't you think.

The Limelight Hydrangea Plant seems very happy with the rain too.
These flowers dry really well and you can enjoy them all Winter long ..use floral spray to paint them whatever color you may like.
Available at Michaels Craft Store.

My dear friend Faith gifted me with this gorgeous Cat Whisker's Plant as a Hostess Gift for the Downton Abbey Party ...it fits perfectly in my Woodland garden as you can see.
It's evergreen too ...so I can enjoy it all winter long ..without the flowers I am guessing.
Thanks Faith.

We are back decorating our home again ...always something to do.
This is the hallway leading off of the kitchen leading to the bathroom and Guest room.
We remodeled the Kitchen last year but had to put it on hold when I started to have trouble with my arm again ...
So on Thursday I painted Kilz on my what used to be treasured Lemon tree and rooster ...I want the kitchen to look modern and fresh ..so I have to get rid of my wall art.
I will paint the walls grey like the rest of the kitchen.

I have some cute wall art all at 80% off at Hobby Lobby.

This is going to look great on the wall with the grey paint peeking through the square holes.

The white of this Rooster is going to pop out on the grey walls...I may replace my wall painting of a rooster with it ...I have not made my mind up yet.

Being from the island of Guernsey and it's famous Guernsey Cows ..I had to buy this metal cow.
It will sit on a decorative metal shelf I bought a while ago along with this lovely 'God gave me you' art piece ...I think it will look cute .

I can't wait till the hallway is finished ...I think it's going to look so good.
Danny will finish off the top of the walls where I could not reach because of my injured arm.
Then he will put in the new wood floor.
How great is that.
Hang some items on the wall ..that will be fun,
And the icing on the cake
I hope you had a lovely week and managed to achieve something.
That makes you smile

Have a Happy, happy Week
Happy Days

Janet

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August 12th, 2017

8/12/2017

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Week 22 of Pottery Class and Finished items come Home.

A quick update on my Pottery Class this week.
We are putting up just one panel of garden fencing in an area I just can't get a plant or tree to grow ..I am guessing it's all the roots from the Japanese Maple and Carolina Spruce that is causing this.
So a piece of fencing is about to go up.
I want it to be pretty and I made this cute bird to put on the fence ...I may even make some baby ones to go with it ..I intend to glaze it in a lovely blue ..with another color for it's highly decorated wing, eye and of course it's singing chirpy beak will be yellow or orange ...or however the Kiln wants it to be.

So happy with it's little details.,,this was fun and stress free to make.

I bought some goodies home with me this week.
A lovely oblong bowl and some pieces of jewelry I made for myself and for friends.

I love how this flower pendant worked out ..I think I will find a pretty bead to hang on it ...

My photographs aren't so good but these birds have part of the "Lord's Prayer" on them ..I have a few friends who would be pleased to receive them.
I need to put on my jeweler's hat and make them in to necklaces.

I am so pleased with the glaze on this little 7" x 6" bowl.

I love to glaze the back side of the bowls if I can ..this one turned out perfectly ...so pleased with it.
I have lots of items waiting to be fired in the Kiln.
Then I will glaze them and they get fired again then bought home.
Some of them such as my Bee bowl will be a little complicated to glaze
But I can't wait to do it

Have a wonderful day
I hope that you have a hobby that you just love

Happy Days

Janet

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August 07th, 2017

8/7/2017

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Gluten Free Rich Chocolate Cake - Janet's Recipe - Delicious

Hi...Here is as promised the recipe for these lovely Gluten Free Chocolate cakes with a chocolate and butter icing.
They taste delicious for those who are gluten free or not.

INGREDIENTS

Makes one 18cm (7") square cake
That I cut in to small squares

60g (2oz) good quality plain chocolate or chocolate chips
140ml (1/4 pt) Soya Milk (I used regular milk)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
110g (4oz) Unsalted butter
200g (7oz) soft, light brown sugar
2 eggs (medium) beaten
200g (7oz) All Purpose GLUTEN FREE Flour

For the Topping

2 tablespoons sieved apricot jam
230 g (8oz) good quality plain chocolate or chocolate chips
60g (2oz) Unsalted butter

To decorate

A sprinkle of chocolate chips or white chocolate coffee beans would be nice

18cm (7") Square cake tin, greased and lined with parchment paper

Set the oven at 350f /180c or gas mark 4

TO MAKE THE CAKE

Melt the chocolate in the milk in a heavy based pan
Stir in the bicarbonate of soda
Leave to cool

Cream the butter and soft brown sugar together until pale and light (I use my cake mixer)
Gradually beat in the eggs, beating well after each addition
Fold in the melted chocolate mixture (I melt mine in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds)
Alternately with the flour
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until risen and firm to the touch
Once cooled a little turn out on to a wire rack to cool.

To make the topping

Warm the sieved apricot jame and brush over the cake
Melt the plain chocolate and butter together on the stove top,
beat well until thick and smooth
Pour over the cake and let drip over the sides
Cut in to squares if desired and place chocolate chips or coffee beans on top

This cake can be frozen in pieces to eat when desired

Thaw to room temperature to enjoy

I hope that if you are gluten free that you will try this recipe and enjoy it

If you are not gluten free you would also enjoy it ...and it's fun to make

Nothing stopping you using regular all purpose flour (if you are not Gluten Free)

Everyone who tried them loved them

Happy baking and Happy Days to you all

Janet

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August 05th, 2017

8/5/2017

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Downton Abbey ..Ladies who came to Tea !!

Downton Abbey High Tea Party was an enormous success ...everyone seemed to enjoy themselves very much.
Here they are arriving in all of their glory.
So much effort just to come to my humble home for afternoon tea.
I am so honored that they would all take so much trouble.

I had such fun greeting them ...some so elegant in their lovely vintage gloves.
Some of the gloves which their own Grandmother's used to own and wear.
How perfect.

The tables are all ready set and filled with mouthwatering teatime treats.
I was expecting two other guests but unfortunately one got the date wrong and thought it was the next day ..she didn't feel like getting all ready to come over for tea once she found out ..she was missed.
And one of my dear friends had a last minute family thing going on and was deeply sorry to not be able to attend ...she had a beautiful dress that she had bought as well and was deeply disappointed.
So were we ....she is the loveliest of friends and was sorely missed by us all XX
I have saved some treats for her.

Here is an example of the place settings.
I gifted each of my guests with a sachet of Jasmine Blossom to place in a drawer,suitcase,wardrobe etc.
And my dear Friend in Guernsey on hearing that I was having a Downton Abbey tea party started to make, unbeknown to myself, the most precious Downton Abbey themed gift tags ...for me to use as decoration on the table place settings and also for a keepsake for my Friends to take home with them.
Each one was beautifully crafted with such care and love.
With handmade flowers, butterflies and well known sayings from Downton Abbey.
They must have taken hours and hours of work ..and delighted everyone of us that attended the party.

EVERYONE OF US WANT TO SAY A BIG 'THANK YOU' TO MARY in Guernsey ....WE ARE OVERWHELMED BY YOUR KINDNESS XX

Lots of home made goodies could be found.

I hardly had room to fit them all on each table.
Another dear Friend who attended the afternoon tea made the delicious strawberry jam to go with the Devon Clotted Cream and Scones for the typical English Cream tea.
Thanks Cindy ...she also gifted each guest including myself a jar of the Strawberry jam to take home ..Along with an inspirational book.
I have the best friends...so lucky.

I found these perfect roses for the tea and slipped a few in to my lovely white teapot .

The most glorious roses I have ever seen ...I just love the color ...and they have a beautiful scent too.

Margie, Mary & Debbie ....all three look simply stunning ...

One of my guests has to have gluten free food ...I had a blast trying out recipe's with the very strange flour you have to use for Gluten free ...these chocolate cakes I made from a recipe in one of my cook books from the 70's ....it was lovely to make and the finished cake was quite yummy ....Danny and I tried them and loved them and I am so glad that my friend loved them too.
She even took some home with her.
I loved them so much I will share the recipe with you on my blog in the next few days for those who are to eat gluten free or those who aren't ...I gave them a lovely chocolate and butter icing...Yum !!
I also made scones for her and she loved them too.

Busted !! Texting at the table would never meet with the approval of the Dowager Countess ...ha! ha!

Ladies dressed impeccably for afternoon tea ...gloves included ...beautiful.

My Cabbage Rose Blue chair was always made for elegance ...love this photo ..love this Friend.

I made a little game from the English Party Game of 'Pass the Parcel' and had as the prize one of my handmade pillows ...My Printer has broken and I could not make one of Downton Abbey but this one had fashion from the Jane Austen era.
I wrapped it in about 10 pieces of decorative tissue paper and on each sheet was a piece of card with a famous saying from 'Downton Abbey' with music playing the parcel is passed around in a circle and when the music stops the person unwraps one piece of paper and then has to say out aloud the 'saying' in their best English voice ..then continues to pass it around the room till the music stops again ..the last one for it to be passed to, that has just a final wrapping wins the prize
It was lots of fun with lots of budding actors amongst my guests.

This lovely Lady was voted by her fellow guests ...Best Dressed
And won a little gift from myself of a modern day Teacup and Saucer.
I didn't give a vintage teacup as I thought the recipient would more likely use it if it was a modern day teacup.
Therefor think of the happy memories she has of the day every time she drinks from it.
I am sure she won't mind me saying but all of her outfit was made from her very clever Thrift Store findings ..perfect.

Yours truly with some of my dear friends.

I had fun laying the tables.

Hello over there !!

Another of the roses I bought for the party ..these were cream with a tinge of green on the edges of the petals...they are still looking good.

Thanks for popping by.
And letting me share my Downton Abbey Party with you all.
I hope that if you have one of your own that it will be full of happiness
and laughter like ours was
Happy memories made by all

Happy days

Janet

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July 29th, 2017

7/29/2017

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Collage of Summer Times & Thrift Store Finds at Maisonvogue

Daisy the Raccoon one of the family of Raccoon's who visit us at Maisonvogue each day, loves to play and bath in the little fountain on the back deck ...just outside the Kitchen Nook window ...a perfect place to sit and watch her

Just one of the many plates that I have picked up at the Thrift store and just love

These flowers are just some of the flowers I have in my cutting garden
That I just grow to cut and bring in the house to enjoy
These are Cosmos and Zinnia Flowers all grown from seed ...they just thrive and go bonkers each year
They get so unruly that I have to put wire tomato cages around them so they can grow up them and not flop all over the place
I love my cutting flowers
Free bouquet's all Summer long

I have named her Daisy and she has bought 3 new babies to see us this year....too cute for words

I just love hand thrown pottery but it's so expensive ...I was super lucky to find this lovely dip 'n' chip bowl in a gorgeous blue at the Thrift store for only $1.99 ...in perfect 'new' condition ...I will treasure it always

All of the above , except the fruit, were thrift store finds ...my treasured rose bud plates of which I have a set, you can see below, my precious, beautifully shaped bright red jug (pitcher) ..my metal bottomed basket which I just love to bits and says 'Mmmm! Home Cooking' inside the outline of an apple pie ..then there is my olive oil bottle ..all of them just costing pennies and all 'as new'

Whilst out at the Farmer's Market this Summer called ' Pepper Place' we found this great bus as you can see they have made the roof inside higher by putting a VW Bus on the top ...it was amazing to look inside of it ..so roomy and light ...made us smile

I was really lucky to find this lovely bed cover at my local Thrift Store ..it's just perfect for the Summer look in our Guest Bedroom ...really high quality, in perfect condition and I searched and found the great bed skirt that isn't a match for it but actually matches it perfectly ...as you can see I display some of my pillows on the bed ...I just love my guest room and wish I was a guest in it sometimes ...ha! ha! ..apart from the 4 poster bed and the some of the furniture it is mainly made up from thrift store finds

Another much loved Thrift Store find ...Not Bella the Cat just the 'Kindlin' box ..solid wood ..made beautifully from pine wood ...to keep your 'Kindlin' in it ....after my Husband did a minor repair ..he had to replace the back of it as it had a crack ...I cleaned up the beautifully hand painted snow scene and it came up perfect then I repainted the 'Kindlin' letters in black and revarnished the whole of it ..I use it not for 'Kindlin' but to keep all of my table setting decorations, napkins, etc for our Christmas time tables ..I bought it for only $4.99

Summer Flowers and Butterflies on the back deck ...where the Squirrels and the Raccoons meet

The Squirrels love the Black Oiled Sunflower Seeds that I pile on the bench on the front garden

As you can see Daisy wanted to say ' HI' ....thanks for popping by

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July 26th, 2017

7/26/2017

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I am getting ready for my Downton Abbey High Tea Party ..just over a week to go!!

Looking so forward to my little tea party ...with some of the best friends a woman could have.
I have been busy baking now for two weekends ...and have them all in the freezer waiting for the big day.

I can't reveal everything I have made but some of the baking includes English Sultana (Golden Raisin) Scones that will be served with real Devon Clotted Cream and Homemade Strawberry Jam,Tea Fruit Breads, Iced Cupcakes in various flavors, cookies, truffles and a real British dessert, most of them made with just English ingredients when I could find them cooking and presenting them in a truly British way.

The ladies are doing the occasion proud as they have decided to dress as close as they can to the fashions in the early 1900's such as the real cast of Downton Abbey are wearing above.
I am so proud of them ..so much thought and work being put in to them ...I will of course share lots of photo's of their creations after the party.

One of the teacups and teapots I will be using for the occasion as well as some of them in the basket below.

I am making Devon Scones but the recipe is the same as these Yorkshire scones but mine have a tablespoon of sugar in them.

Here is a typical British High Tea that they serve in English homes and some hotels.

I am so in love with the fashions and the romance of Downton Abbey.

One of my sweet teacup collection.

So now it is time to select the linens, the teacups and plates, serving dishes etc.
I love to do all of these entertaining moments ..from the planning to the clearing up.
I hope that I am able to give my lovely Lady Friends a wonderfully pleasant afternoon of fun.

Do you enjoy entertaining too ??

Happy Days

Janet

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July 22nd, 2017

7/22/2017

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1950's Betty Crocker Cookbook & Daisy the Raccoon introduced me to her three new babies

Yesterday morning at 8am I was walking around the garden and all of a sudden Daisy the Raccoon came across the road from an empty lot and behind her three adorable little baby Raccoon's came along too.

Daisy wanted some food so I gave her some and saw that my flowers in my Wild Flower garden were moving around a lot so I looked over the side of the front porch and this is what I saw ...three naughty rascals ...one of them is almost hidden by the flowers.
They were a little weary of me (that will quickly change) and ran off to hide in the drain pipe at the end of the garden.
I saw the babies a few days ago ...up the Carolina Spruce tree whilst Mum Daisy ate sunflower seeds from the bird feeder.

Whilst we were at the Vacation cabin they had a Betty Crocker's cook book...it's a first edition printed in 1950 sitting on a shelf in the kitchen.

One of my wildflowers can you spy the little Cricket??

A lovely choice of frostings ...I will have to try some of these.

I just loved the illustration's.

Thanks for popping by.

Hope that your weekend is going to kind to you.

This is a photo of Daisy last year with her babies.

Happy Days to you all.

Kindest Regards

Janet

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Three Weeks of Glorious Vacation when my Son's come to visit from Guernsey in the UK

Three Weeks of Glorious Vacation when my Son's come to visit from Guernsey in the UK

A Quick Review of this Week at Maisonvogue

A Quick Review of this Week at Maisonvogue

Dreaming of our Vacation where we will be in a few weeks time in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains

Dreaming of our Vacation where we will be in a few weeks time in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains

September 09th, 2017

Pottery & In The Garden at Maisonvogue

Newly Decorated Hallway

Newly Decorated Hallway at Maisonvogue

Pottery Lessons ...This one was scary to glaze ...For a while I thought it would have to be thrown away !!

Pottery Lessons ...This one was scary to glaze ...For a while I thought it would have to be thrown away !!

Welcome to my Teatime Curio Cabinet ...have a peek !!

Welcome to my Teatime Curio Cabinet ...have a peek !!

August 15th, 2017

Pottery Necklaces I have made for Myself, Family & Friends.

Garden and Home at Maisonvogue

Garden and Home at Maisonvogue

August 12th, 2017

Week 22 of Pottery Class and Finished items come Home.

August 07th, 2017

Gluten Free Rich Chocolate Cake - Janet's Recipe - Delicious

August 05th, 2017

Downton Abbey ..Ladies who came to Tea !!

July 29th, 2017

Collage of Summer Times & Thrift Store Finds at Maisonvogue

July 26th, 2017

I am getting ready for my Downton Abbey High Tea Party ..just over a week to go!!

July 22nd, 2017

1950's Betty Crocker Cookbook & Daisy the Raccoon introduced me to her three new babies

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