ADJUSTABLE PIE CRUST SHIELD

 

With Thanksgiving coming soon, I thought I would write about a great device I found to eliminate burnt pie shell edges.


While at Hobby Lobby one day, I found this on clearance.  I thought, what the heck, if it worked, I would use it a lot with my quiches and pies. Had it not been on clearance, I would have passed it up.

There are 3 reasons why I liked this product.  No. 1-it is adjustable from 11-15 inches.

No. 2- the silicone washes easily

No. 3-it really works!

If your pie is smaller the silicone sleeve just folds over itself.  It has silicone prongs(see the holes in the base of the sleeve?) that secure into any of the sections to keep it stable on your pie or quiche while cooking.





Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture after I took the pie crust shield off.  But, I will say, I will continue to use the shield because my crust was perfect!



OCTOBER MANTLE

When I redid the fireplace mantle, I was looking into using texture more than color.  It is very soothing when sitting on the couch looking at the mantle.  For October, I wasn't wanting to add the fall colors even though they look amazing with the grey walls.

With a filter on the photo, the black and white photo enhanced all of those textures so well.

But, then I came across these beautiful taupe, grey and cream colored velvet pumpkins.  I was in love.

I clustered them near the cream mantle clock.  They gave the mantle a slight bit of color, but the velvet texture is amazing.

Sometimes, it is just the smallest tweaking that creates a whole new mood.

Happy Autumn!

JUST LIKE GRANDMA'S SWEETENED RED CABBAGE FOR OKTOBERFEST

It's about time for Oktoberfest.  Since we were not having a dinner at the Church this year, I decided to make a dinner at home for Mr. Thrifty.  The usual braised bratwurst in beer and onions and Grandma's potato salad were staples. I wanted to recreate her red cabbage so I bought a jar of Aldi's ready made red cabbage.

This jar of cabbage was already prepared but I wanted it to taste like home, or  like Grandma's recipe.

So let's get started making 'Grandma's Cabbage". 

First, I put 2 tablespoons of bacon grease into the skillet.  I peeled, cored and chipped 1 apple and added it to the hot bacon grease.  I cooked the apples until they were softened.  To this, I added 1/3 cup of Riesling wine, but any white would work and 1/3 cup of sugar.  I stirred the ingredients and let it cook on low for about 30 minutes. 

Once cooled, I placed it in the fridge until dinner.  When ready to eat, I put the cabbage in the microwave and heated it through.

The red cabbage turned out perfectly.  The brats and German potato salad made an incredible Oktoberfest dinner.



NORITAKE ALVADORE CHINA CROSS

I begin this next project with a few plates that I bought at the thrift store last summer.  The plates have beautiful pastel colors so I was anxious to make them.

In the end, I only used the smaller plates.  My Mom would have liked this one.  She loved the colors, like blue and pink. 

It is now hanging in my bedroom.  It really works well with the pastels.



VINTAGE PLANTER REMOTE HOLDER

Years back, I up cycled an old sewing machine drawer to use as a remote holder on the coffee table.


 As much as I liked the holder, it just wasn’t fitting in to my newer streamlined décor.

Then, I found an idea online.  Why not use a vintage planter to hold the remotes?


You might recall this past upcycling project.  I bought this at a road side sale for $1.00  I'm not sure why I was drawn to it, but I bought it.



I posted a blog on March 8, 2018 on the upcycling project.  I loved the outcome.



Unfortunately, since the planter didn't have drainage holes, the plant withered and died.  I pulled out the plant and stuck the planter in the garage.

While on Pinterest looking up velvet pumpkins, I spied a great idea.  Why not use my vintage planter for a remote holder? Using chalk paint and silver gilding wax brought this planter into the modern era.

I cleaned out the old soil, a good wash and drying and voila— a remote holder that fits much better on the coffee table.

Sometimes it is the easiest fix that is the most satisfying.