Friday, April 9, 2010

In the Kitchen...


Good morning, my friends!

I've always loved Gooseberry Patch...I just always have!  For years, I've collected their cookbooks, loved their calendars and catalogs, their fabulously vintage-inspired kitchen wares...all of it!  So when they asked me to be their featured blogger this week, I was obviously thrilled!  You can see the article here...



You'll have to go there and check out my Grandmother Velda's amazing cheesecake recipe...you'll love it!

Of course, this got me thinking about our kitchens...we spend so much of our life in them, don't we?  So many memories of meals, laughter, family gatherings...most of it happens in our kitchens.


Here's a kitchen from my long-ago memories...in my Grandma & Grandpa Smith's house...that's them on the left, along with their dog, Vinegar.  I don't know who the other ladies are...I remember those wonderful refrigerator units above the counters--what a cool thing!  (No pun intended!)  I remember they were a creamy yellow...and I want them!  Such a '50's kitchen, don't you think?!

Yesterday, I made two cards just for me...just for fun!  I think my favorite images are the kitschy kitchen images...and Crafty Secrets has provided so much of that wonderful fun for us to play with!  Here they are...



Can't get more kitschy than this, can you?!  Love this very excited baking mom--"You take the cake!"  The image inspired the wonderfully vintage colors of aqua and peachy-pink--love them together!  The images comes from Crafty Secrets' "Homemade" Images & Journal Notes booklet...


Of course, I couldn't do this one without an overabundant amount of silver glitter and rick-rack! 

And this one...


I love this image--brings to mind all the wonderful mother-daughter baking days I've shared with my grandmother, my mother, and my own sweet girls...This image is also from the "Homemade" booklet...


Once again, plenty of silver glitter, ribbon, lace, a wonderful button that reminded me of cross-hatch marks made with a fork on a homemade peanut butter cookie...For both cards, I typed up the wording in my favorite "Apricot" font--so vintage!

Here's another vintage kitchen memory...this one hails back to my infancy...I was born in Boston, Massachusetts while my Dad was attending Harvard Business School.  We lived in a very old house in Cambridge that was divided into 3 apartments.  My Mom said it was built by the "Mahogany King" of Boston, and there were beautiful mahogany touches all through the house...here you can see it on the doorframes...



...another very '50's kitchen!  Here's my beautiful young mother (Karen) fixing her mother's (Velda's)  hair...I love all the little knick-knacks and appliances you can see in the kitchen...

My daughter Annie had a class party today, and needed to bring some cookies.  Whenever I want to try something new, I always turn to my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks (I have lots!)  They are always delicious, and usually turn into new family favorites.  This time was no exception!  This is what we found in their "Church Suppers" cookbook:


Granny's Chocolate Fudge Cookies

2 6-oz. packages semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts  (I omitted the nuts--my family is nutty, but they don't like them in their cookies!)

Heat chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl on high setting until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.  Add vanilla, flour and nuts.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  Makes 5 to 6 dozen.

Easy peasy, and very fudgily delicious!


Oh, yes!  I added white chocolate chips to them, too--yum!

One last vintage kitchen image to leave you with...


Here's my Mom, Karen, in her college apartment kitchen in the late '50's...love the hair, Mom!  Isn't she cute?

Thanks for stopping by today--and thank-you, Gooseberry Patch, for the kind words and for continuing to make me smile--you always bring lots of yummy joy to the Campbell Kitchen!

Make some delicious memories today...

41 comments:

  1. The cards are beautiful...love the kitchens images.

    Hugs,Willy

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  2. Congratulations on the interview! When I was growing up our kitchen had pink metal cabinets and a pink and gold swirled formica counter tops! I'd love to have that today.

    karen

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  3. OK loved all of this post. But I am curious. The picture of your Mom in her college apartment. To the right of her is an appliance - that LOOKS like a stackable washer/dryer . . . but is it? Or is it some type of oven?
    I just loved this post. I sat here thinking back to the kitchens of my past and can put my finger on 4 of them that have so many memories wrapped up in them. And only one is still owned by the original owner. And three of the four women who cooked in them are now gone.
    But thanks for the memories. This was wonderful. And love the cards!
    Have a good day! Karen

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  4. This was such a fun post to read and I enjoyed the photos as well as the cards.

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  5. What beautiful cards Julie! I so love reading your blog posts...I love looking at your old pictures and how you tell a story. There is nothing I love better then seeing how our parents and grandparents lived and dressed back then! It's such fun! TFS

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  6. Thankyou for the memories and off course the wonderful kitch images....love them all!!

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  7. Love the photos of your grandparents' and mom's kitchens...so fun to look in the background for all the things we didn't notice before! :)

    Thanks again for sharing with us for our Featured Friday post today...that photo of your back porch view is so beautiful!

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  8. Julie,
    Congratulations on being on the Gooseberry Patch Blog! I have loved their things for years, getting their catalgo was always a joy! A cup of something to drink and an hour to just drool! I love looking at old kitchen photos and spying all of the vintage goodies! I can see we are alike there. I have never seen or heard of the refrigerator cupboards in your G&G house! How very modern!!!! Thanks for this post! I really enjoyed, and you have beautiful women in your family! :)

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  9. Very Fun and congratulations on being chosen, I love looking through their catalogs. Very fun indeed! Hugs, Diane

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  10. You never fail to impress me with your beautiful cards! And many congrats on your feature at Gooseberry Patch! I'm going to check out the article right now!
    Have a great weekend!
    Carol

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  11. Fun Julie! I've been in my kitchen a great deal this week too! And I'm a fan of GBP too! :D

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  12. Fantastic feature Julie - how interesting I haven't heard of Gooseberry Patch over in the UK. As ever I love your cards and family pictures and how cool to have a dog called Vinegar! Love it! Happy weekend xxx

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  13. Hi Julie,
    I love gooseberry patch as well. I have recipes in three of their cookbooks. My 15 minutes of fame!! HA!!
    Blessings~

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  14. So much in one post phew! I love memories like these I almost feel i lived with you too lol and I have to say loving loving the stamps and what you created with them

    Love Dawn xx

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  15. Lovely post! How exciting to be on the Gooseberry Patch blog! I'm a big fan also. What a nice interview and your Gram's cheesecake sounds yummy...so do those chocolate fudge cookies! Have a great weekend! ;) Paulette

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  16. Hi Julie,
    Wow how fun ~ congratulations on the Gooseberry Patch feature! I'm going to run right over & check it out! Love all the kitchen images....especially that last one. Reminds me of when my girls were little......Have a wonderful weekend!

    Shellagh

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  17. Oh Julie, I love the pictures of your mom and grandma! So awesome to have these treasures. Moments in time that mean so much to you now. I love Gooseberry Patch too. These cookies look so easy and delicious. Thanks for the recipe. Have a great weekend! Twyla

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  18. We do spend alot of time in the kitchen... even when not cooking.. it seems to be the place to gather for other things. I love your old photos. I have never seen a over the counter fridge before. Love your cards as always, you do such great work. I am off to check out gooseberry patch now.
    Gwen:)

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  19. Julie, I am beyond excited for you! Oh how I wish you could visit the real GBP which is in my backyard. It is more wonderful than you could possibly imagine! If you have "Made From Scratch" I believe it is a light green cover, be sure and look inside for photographs of me! Again, they could not have chosen a more wonderful person to feature! PS the photographs you shared today and very special as are your amazing cards as always! Vintage Retro GBP Love! E

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  20. Julie amor, I love these family pictures :) I've never heard of gooseberry before...is that a sad thing?? but I thank you for sharing this delish recipe! I would love to try it and I am just so happy that there are no peanuts in it :) YAY means not only can I make them, but get to eat some lol Have a beautiful weekend! Besos, Rose

    ps..I love your pretty new creations...now where are you in Ca. again..because I think I need to take come classes from you :)

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  21. Love this post - 50s kitchens were the best! Those over-the-counter fridges are so sensible, I wonder why we don't have them now. Great vintage images too.

    Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  22. Congrats on being Gooseberry Patch Featured Artist! They made the perfect choice, with all you do from Fab-u-lous art to wonderful recipes, I can just image how great they must taste!
    Love your take on the 50's kitchen! just Awesome!

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  23. Lovely memories Julie and scrumptious cookies - I shall be having a go at those. Your cards are gorgeous as always.
    Lesley x

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  24. A lovely post Julie.

    Sorry not been by in a while, had family probs, so now trying to play catch up.

    B x

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  25. Congrats on the Gooseberry Patch interview. They do have great things. Fun to step back in time & see your photos of your Mom's kitchens.

    You said you want to visit Texas... COME ON DOWN! You know you have your very own tour guide & place to stay. Book that silver bird & fly! HUGS! Charlene

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  26. Congrats Julie on being Gooseberry Patch's Featured Friday Blogger!! How cute and talented are you?!!!

    It's going to be fun getting to know you, through your blog!! Isn't modern technology amazing?!!!

    Enjoy your weekend! :-)

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  27. This was such a great post ;) Thanks for the recipe!

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  28. Oh, what a fun trip down memory lane! Loved it, thanks! I confess I've never seen "refrigerator units" like the ones in your first picture. How COOL, though!!

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  29. I absolutely adore your vintage blog - with all your fantstic vintage cards - your wonderful photos - and lovely stories - it is such a treat to visit, and re-visit, I can't get enough them!

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  30. I just loved this post. Whenever I think of any my relative's homes what room do I picture? The kitchen of course. It can't be overstated - the kitchen is the heart of the home. Right now I'm on my laptop at the kitchen table where I just put the finishing touches on a blog swap. It's where we do everything at our house. Sweet memories!

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  31. Whoo Hoo! Congrats on the Gooseberry Honor!! They know a good thing when they see it!!!

    LOVE all the kitchen photos ... what an awesome posting idea ... yes there certainly is a lot of time spent in the kitchen ... then & now!!

    Glad to have you back & blogging! Missed you but glad you had such a wonderful vacation!! Hugs to ya!!

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  32. Hi Julie,
    First time to you lovely blog. I love vintage, too, so I will follow and be back soon. I love the old kitchen pictures. Please stop by and visit, as I tend to post some vintage, mostly Hollywood, but some other things too.
    Best,
    Robin

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  33. Oooh, I love Gooseberry Patch too! I especially loved the gardening one! Your cards are precious as are your sweet images! The cookies look yummy..hmm, wonder if I have everything I need to make them tonight? Have a Great Weekend~

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  34. Julie,
    I have always thought I was born in the wrong time. I do love the 20's and 30's. Everything was so classy then, especially the 20's. The clothes, etc. As you can see, I am an old Hollywood buff, so I lap up anything from that time period.
    Best,
    Robin

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  35. This is a really lovely blog. A good trip back in time, to when I suspect we were all less busy, less stressed, and had more time for the things that mattered. Thanks for sharing.

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  36. How exciting, Julie! I love your pictures of family, as always. I am going to check out your post on GBP now.

    Did you get all those cute pictures from Crafty Secrets? I need to check them out...

    Hope you are having a great weekend!!

    Erin

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  37. I'm back...I had to tell you I LOVED your interview!!! It was so much fun to read and to learn even more about you. Our husbands have the same name! How about that!

    Congrats again, I am SO excited for you, friend.

    Erin

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  38. Wow Julie, such a lovely images and pictures! I'm off to visit the link, curious... I'll be back soon! Hugs for a great new week. xoxo

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  39. Just saw that I didn't follow you official yet, I DO NOW, so I don't have to miss any future posts... xoxo

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  40. Julie, love this post and your blog! Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog. I'm glad you are getting started on a sampler. They are so much fun to work on! Maybe I'll start another with a different color theme :)
    Happy Sunday to you!
    Connie

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  41. Your Mum ;looks like the pretty cheerleader in Heroes (Claire Bennett?)
    I love my kitchen so much! I think I am a bit mad for saying that, but really I do!

    Thank you so much for your sweet comment, it made me smile, thank you,

    Sarah x

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