A Fond Childhood Memory

With the coming of Spring I am reminded of my Childhood in California... When I was a young girl I lived just outside of Oakland Ca. My father worked in a big building in Downtown San Francisco. I have a memory of a day when I went into the city with my father. My mother had dressed me in my Sunday best floral dress with lots of layers and ruffles. Little white gloves on my hands... We would wear white gloves whenever we went somewhere" fancy".

I remember going to Chinatown. What a treat! A wonderful cultural experience all its own! All of the beautiful dolls and fun little toys one would find there. Riding Cable cars, their bells clanging feverishly, up and down the steep streets of San Francisco.

One of my fondest memories of that day in San Francisco is of my father and I walking hand in hand through the bustling city and he stopped at one of the many whitewashed, wheeled flower carts. Lush with every kind of fresh and beautiful bloom. He asked for a small bunch of violets for me. She lifted the purple posies from the cart and wrapped them in a small bit of green paper. I remember raising my little gloved hand to clutch the beautiful bunch. How wonderful that my father had stopped to pick out some lightly fragranced violets just for me!

Fast forward some 15 years... We attended a wedding in California and my father and I, once again were walking along together in Ghirardelli Square. The sun was just peeking below the building and , once again, Spring was in the air... when we came upon a flower cart. I looked at dad and he looked at me...He stopped and asked the attendant for a small bunch of violets, again wrapped in paper, and this time tied with a neat little satin ribbon. It was all I could do to hold back my tears. Harkening back to a sweeter time, a simpler time...that special day when my father and I walked hand in hand through the streets of San francisco. What A wonderful memory for me ...as I lost my father to Cancer some 8 years later.

He is greatly missed!

A Breath of Fresh Air!

Have you ever waited, through the duldrums of winter... hoping against hope that each snowfall is the last? Although I love Snow, and have loved this season. .. Vacillating between deep drifts of fluffy white snow and endless rainy days, can make for a long, long Winter. Those are the days that I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time indoors...in a darling little Antiques and Home Decor shop called JB Winterberry.

Every time I set foot in the door it is as though the "pixies" as I call them, have arrived and sprinkled their magic dust about the place. Creating imaginative vignettes throughout the three store Shop is their specialty. There's nothing I don't love about the "winterberry shop" as many of the regular customers call it.

The owners are fantastic! Julie and Barb are a mother and daughter duo. They are both extremely gifted. Julie tends to work on the "big picture" while Barb specializes in the details. It is truly a wonder to behold. Each display is lovingly created. It is such an easy going atmosphere that they have created together.



I work with many wonderful peers. Ages ranging from 17-80. It is amazing what Women can achieve when they work together. I have never, nor will I probably ever again, work in a place where they make you feel so at home. They cater to the Emloyees! Birthdays are traditionally celebrated with a Harvey Wallbanger Cake....yummy... if you have never tried one you should! Not one of us has a bad word to say about any of the other women that work there. We respect others and truly celebrate each and every one of them.

I am so thankful everyday for the Breath of Fresh Air that I have as an employee at J.B.!

Just Like Getting a Letter From An Old Friend!

Below you will find an excerpt from my Epinions writing days. It still applies as "Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine" is still a favorite. I also love "Cottage Living", "Cottage Life", "Country Home" and "Country Living". If only I could have a subscription to them all!

Every couple of months I find myself, like a child, nose against the window (almost) waiting for the postman to arrive in hopes that my new issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion will be arriving in the mail. Day after day until....finally... it's here. Like a letter from an old friend I gather it from the box. Shuffling all of the other mail aside I drop into my favorite comfy old chair and begin to turn the pages. This magazine is full of artful inspiration for all.
Once inside, I find what reminds me of the "Martha Stewart Living" magazines of old (10 years ago or better) before less content and more advertisement.
"Just a Note to say Hello..." a regular feature which includes some thoughtful words from Mary. There is usually a darling illustration included on that page. The content of the letter is an abridged version of what is to come within the pages of that issue.
She will often include a section on collecting. Anything from plates to doorstops. All of which inspire me to look at things differently and find beauty in the unusual.
There is often an article which might feature a worthy cause from feeding the hungry, helping a neighbor in need or adopting a gentle greyhound. Every magazine should devote a page for goodness sake!
A favorite section of mine describes a duo of friends, and/or Sisters, heading out for some "together time" with a photographer in tow. I love to see where they end up in each issue. Much to my delight...I recognize a favorite store or vacation locale. Once while reading this feature I received a call from my OWN sister asking if I had received my issue of Mary's magazine along with instructions to turn to a certain page...My sister and I have had the good fortune of being able to travel together from time to time and have visited many of the featured locales..
There's always a section devoted to a featured artist whom Mary Engelbreit herself admires such as Joan Walsh Anglund. It is fun to find out from whom Mary is inspired.
You will find each and every issue filled with lovely detailed photos. In most issues, there are at least 2 homes featured. Both of which have the ability to arouse the decorating wannabe in us all (you may not want to admit it but it's there).The first is generally an older style home creatively painted and decorated right down to the smallest detail, while the second seems to be more upscale like something you might find on the French countryside.. Whatever your decorating style, be it Country, Southwest, Shabby Chic, etc...You will probably find it touched on in this magazine. A little something for everyone.
At the conclusion of her magazine you will always find a paper doll. One of her signature illustrations, Ann Estelle, or one of Ann's many friends. I usually find my 6 year old peering around behind me just to get a glimpse of the doll contained within.
Finally, like a letter from an old friend, the last page has been read. I place it on the table beside my sun drenched chair and look forward to the day when I can find the time to open and read from it again, dog eared pages and all.

Found it! The Wedge Recipe !

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
This dressing is delightful on wedges of iceberg lettuce.

1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup real mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1/4 teaspoon salt
fresh cracked black pepper to taste
crumbled blue cheese
finely chopped fresh chives ( you may use dried if you choose)

optional but delicious additions...
grape tomatoes
spiced pecans
red onion
bacon bits

In a medium sized bowl with a fork... Blend buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire, garlic, salt and pepper with a fork until smooth. Add blue cheese and mix until creamy yet slightly chunky. Stir in chives. Dressing will be thin... but delicious!

Serve wedge with dressing generously drizzled atop and sprinkle with additional crumbled bleu cheese. Sprinkle pecans, thinly sliced red onion, bacon bits to taste. Garnish with grape tomatoes and enjoy!

Time: 10 min
Servings: Makes about 1 1/4 cups
Keeps: Covered and keep chilled... recipe can be made a day in advance.

PS...Just had a brain storm that I have not tried yet.... what if you put a little dab of wasabi in the mix.... I think that might be a winner too! Try it and let me know.

Recipes

Just thought I would quickly share my new favorite !   I know it is an oldie... but goodie I am sure... I love it all the same.  The Wedge Salad... Iceberg lettuce, buttermilk blue cheese dressing topped with spicy pecans, blue cheese crumbles, bacon bits , thinly sliced red onions, and a thin slice of Gorganzola on the side.  Not to mention the little grape tomatoes that just burst with flavor.   It is the best.  I am looking for recipes to share.  I found one but I need to try it out yet.   When I do ... I will add it to my blog but in the mean time if you have a Houlihan's or local eatery that serves one... Try it out!  It is yummy!   

Welcome Home! Or should I say... to my Home page

You have found my first blog spot!  I never dreamed I would be "blogging" !  I have a difficult enough time typing as it is!  I have run across so many beautiful and inspiring blogs that I thought it was time to try my hand at is as well.

    A bit about me...I am a Married Mother of 3.   Midwesterner, born in California.  I Love Art and Music of all types.  I am the embodiment of  the old phrase " A Jack of all trades and a Master of none!" (my husband can attest to that)  I work in a darling, award winning Antique and Home decor shop where I am Manager.  That type of job is right up my alley.

   My Husband is a fisherman.   An all around outdoorsman and he will tell you that is a trait he gleaned from his........... mother!  That is correct.  She was a dynamic woman.   Definetely wore the pants in that family.

    My eldest Daughter will be college bound next fall. So we will be eating lots of leftovers in order pay her tuition.   She is Creative and very stylish!

    My next Daughter is very funny and has many friends.  She is always making others laugh.  She is a kind soul and Helpful!  

   My Last child, or should I say...Last but not least... Is My son.  He is a kid with a quick wit about him.  He entertains us all with his sharp ideas. He is the peace keeper and break dancer of the family.  He has just learned the moonwalk. It is quite fun to see him take instruction from his old Mom!

  We have a Lab Pup who brings us her water bowl when she is thirsty.   We also have a Cat that was born in our home almost 12 years ago ( yes we lived here at the time) who has the crabbiest Meow I have ever heard.

                  My name is Martha.... Stewart is a family name.   Folks are forever comparing the two of us.  I have the creative ideas that is for sure. I once read a description for my personality traits listed as " Ideas, I've got a Million of 'em" That describes me to a Tee!   In this Blog I hope to share some of them with you!   

          

     Thanks for coming home.... to my new blogspot "home" page that is!

Aunt Martha's Attic