Good Things by David

Baking, crafting, collecting & much more were written about on the blog this past May.  It’s always so much fun coming up with new recipes & stories to share with all of you, and if you must know, there is never just one source of inspiration for me.  I’m constantly looking out for things that catch my attention, whether they be recipes, crafts or items to collect.    Speaking of collecting, the jadeite story I put together with the help of a few friends was certainly a pleasure, because I was able to see just how passionate people can be about having nice collectibles in their homes.  It’s so nice to find collectors using their possesions in their day to day lives.  I’m of that ilk that firmly believes collections should be admired and used whenever possible.  The Martha by Mail Danish Fern pattern of earthenware was another story I fell in love with.  I can only say that I regret not getting that particular Burleigh ware china when it was readily available.  Tra

Sweet copper cookie cutters produced for Martha by Mail in the shapes of a Bell & Dove, can be used to bake exquisite cookies for any wedding.  Made by a talented American coppersmith over a decade ago, the delightful duo of 4-inch cookie cutters are now collector’s items that every owner should cherish & use.    Give your good friends, family members or loved ones the gift of hand made cookies for their big day using these open back cutters.  Bake large batches of butter cookies , chocolate cookies  or whatever flavor they like, and ice them in shades pertaining to the theme of the event.  Although cookie favors are customary for weddings, why not make a few for a shower or a special dinner?  Packed into clear cellophane bags or boxes and tied with ribbons, the favors will undoubtedly become the topic of conversation. Revisit these wonderful images from Martha by Mail and get inspired to create beautiful cookies this spring, summer, fall or winter.   A tow

Everyone who likes to eat fresh salads at home, and I hope all of you do, should have a good vinaigrette recipe that is flavorful & easy to make.  I enjoy all sorts of vinaigrettes for my daily salads made with sherry, balsamic, white wine, red wine or champagne vinegars.  Normally we tend to stick with a basic balsamic vinaigrette for everyday eating, but for those days when I want a bit more depth, a bit more flavor and some extra zip, I make a red wine version that I fell in love with at a local eatery.   My Favorite Vinaigrette I asked the chef to share the recipe with me, but instead of giving me the actual proportions, he simply gave me the breakdown of ingredients.  Not one to be daunted by something as simple as salad dressing, I went home and began to experiment with ratios.   This recipe is so easy and so delicious, that I highly recommend you try it at home soon.  Perfect for those weekday dinners in which salads should play a role, you will find yourself

With its origins dating back to the 1930s, jadeite glassware began its mass production through the McKee Glass Co. in Pennsylvania. Their introduction of the Skokie green & Jade kitchenware lines ushered in our fascination with this jade color.  Glassmakers catered jadeite to the American public as an inexpensive alternative to earthenware soon after the Depression, both for the home and for its use in restaurants.  The Jeanette Glass Company and Anchor Hocking introduced their own patterns and styles, which for many collectors, produced some of the most sought after pieces.  Companies marketed this beautiful glass under the monikers of jadite , jadeite , jade glass , jad-ite , jade-ite , so however you want to spell it, let it draw you in for a closer look.  If you want a thorough history of the origins of jadeite, collectors’ pricing, patterns & shapes (don’t forget the reproductions in 2000), I highly suggest picking up the book by Joe Keller & David Ross called, Jadei