Of Pilgrims, Plimoth Plantation, Pumpkins...and Thanks!

Good morning, everyone! Hope the day is going well for you--wherever you may be!

Today, we're going VERY vintage.....as far back as we can go in this country and still be speaking English--with a Dutch accent, that is!




I LOVE the Pilgrims...those hardy, God-loving people who came here in 1620 on a very small ship, The Mayflower. We all know the bare-bones of the story so well, but I've studied them quite a bit in my life. I've always loved these people. My family history has been done pretty far back...I was lucky to have a lot of it already done for me by the time I was a girl and fell in love with it (genealogy). The vast majority of my family came from England in the 1600s and settled in New England. And quite a few of my direct ancestors were on the Mayflower.

It's interesting when you get a small group of people that live in one place, set down deep roots and don't move around much....they start to inter-marry, and pretty soon, most of them are related! My husband and I are descended from many of the same families way back then, and as a result, our children are directly descended from 16 of those original Pilgrims...which is why I love them. Very grateful for all they did, so I --and many of us--could be where we are and who we are today. (I'm sure I've got MANY Pilgrim cousins out there!!!)

Don't worry...not going to give you a history lesson today! Just wanted to remember them in my post, as they've been on my mind lately...

Our Thanksgiving celebration is so much different from the one they celebrated in 1621, but I'm so grateful that we have it...to be together, to share our thankfulness with God and with each other, and to remember these wonderful souls.

There is a wonderful place very near the original Plymouth settlement called "Plimoth Plantation"--have you ever been there--it's amazing! Costumed actors go about their duties and conversations with each other, and they interact with you, but they don't "know" or speak about anything past 1627, I believe. It's really fun! I've been there a few times--without my girls, though, and I can't wait to go again with them!

Here's a link to Plimoth Plantation--so much wonderful information for your kids and for an authentic Thanksgiving meal!

I found a delicious recipe in one of my books, "Giving Thanks", which was done in correlation with Plimoth Plantation. This is for Stewed Pompion, or pumpkin! Ready? Here you go:



"The Housewives manner is to slice (the Pompions)when ripe, and cut them into dice, and so fill a pot with them of two or three Gallons, and stew them upon a gentle fire a whole day, and as they sink, they fill again with fresh Pompions, not putting any liquor to them; and when it is stew's enough, it will look like bak'd Apples; then they Dish, putting Butter to it, and a little Vinegar. (with some Spice, as Ginger, &c.) which makes it tart like an Apple, and so serve it up to be eaten with Fish or Flesh; It provokes Urin extreamly and is very windy."

Well...what do you think? Are you going to give it a go for your Thanksgiving Dinner next week?! Just in case, here's the recipe again in more modern terms!

Stewed Pumpkin

4 cups cooked and mashed pumpkin

4 Tbsp. butter

1-2 Tbsp. cider vinegar

1-2 tsp. ground ginger (or any combination of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and pepper, to taste)

1 tsp. salt

Place the pumpkin, butter, vinegar ginger, and salt in a saucepan over low heat. Stir and heat until all of the ingredients are well combined and hot. Adjust the seasonings to your liking and serve.

Sounds a bit like a pumpkin pudding--I'm going to try it! I like trying historical recipes--helps you feel a bit of a connection, doesn't it?

I made a simple little pilgrim card to share with you today. Got this beautiful, old image from Cora on her lovely blog Clearly Vintage. Thanks, Cora!

Didn't get very glittery with this one...just wanted to stay simple. Sorry--can't seem to quit using this brown/cream gingham ribbon--I promise I'll stop after Thanksgiving...or when it runs out, which will be soon! I just LOVE it!

Before I go, just wanted to say thank-you to Maureen at Celestial Charms ...I won a couple of beautiful vintage aprons yesterday that she was giving away--so excited about that! I'll show you when they arrive! Thanks, Maureen! Go visit her at her beautiful blog--you'll love it!

Another big THANK-YOU to the sweet Jessica at Chronically Vintage for awarding me her own special Chronically Fantastic award--I'm thrilled --and what an adorable award--she's just so clever! (You can see it on my sidebar!) When you go for a lovely visit, tell her I said hello!

Well, that's enough from me today...my posts tend to get a little long sometimes...hope you don't mind! Thank-you for letting me dig deep into the vintage well today, and share some of my favorite people with you!

I'll be back tomorrow with favorite Thanksgiving recipes....be thinking about your own traditional recipes...we'll talk about them then! Have a wonderful day!

(Thanks to Karen, the Graphics Fairy, for sharing this beautiful image!)

Lessons Learned from Service, Holiday Cards, and "North and South"...

Good evening, all! Hope the day has been wonderful!

My daughters are hard at work on their homework...My husband's laughing in the family room with an old friend who came tonight for a visit. They've been friends since they were both babies, but don't get to see each other very often anymore. So while they're reminiscing and enjoying a visit, I'm here visiting with all of you--that works for me!

Do you ever find sometimes that the things you dread doing usually teach you the most important lessons? Last night, our church was responsible to feed the homeless men in our town at another church. We do this every few months, but I haven't been able to go for awhile. I prepared the food our family was supposed to bring during the day, but I just wasn't looking forward to going...but, obviously, I know it's an important and a good thing to do...!

While there, the men were gracious. They thanked us over and over again for the meal. I watched my daughters refill emptying bowls of food. My husband and I talked to many of the men...and I was so humbled. I enjoyed every minute of it.

As we drove off to our warm and comfortable home, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for what we as a family have. I so regret my selfish feelings, and I'll try very hard not to repeat that next time it's my turn to serve them. As I get older, I'm realizing that when we serve others, it's really ourselves that are blessed the most.....



Okay, on to vintage things...!

I was able to take part in the Crafty Secrets' challenge over at Splitcoast today--I so love the ladies over there! They have all become such very dear friends of mine--go and visit--you'll see what I mean!

This week's challenge was hosted by the lovely Pammyjo. She decided to take it easy on us this week, so the challenge was to use red and green in our cards...not necessarily with a Christmas theme...but, as I still need some Christmas cards, I went with the obvious!


This adorable image is from Crafty Secrets' "Christmas" Images & Journal Notes--I keep turning to that lovely little booklet time and time again--makes cards so easy!!! I actually have two of that booklet, and I really wanted to give this image a little dimension (I love doing that!), so I sacrificed the second image, cut it up and popped it up!


I think you can see it pretty well here...added a bunch of fat, glistening Martha Stewart glitter for a snowy effect, and fine diamond glitter on the trees and behind the sweet little carolers. I found these holly berries at Michael's and stuck them in the corners...I'm happy with the way it turned out, I think!


I fell in love with a lovely old vintage that Karen, The Graphics Fairy, posted on her blog yesterday, and used it in a card today...such a sweet, simple image...she also shared the back of the postcard, which was postmarked 1914--wonderful!



I went fairly simple for this card, the image didn't want to be fussed with too much--no glitter here! Although the little sprigs I put up at the top are a bit shiny, aren't they?! Loved the gingham for this--very old-fashioned and simple. The dp is from a retired SU! dp pack--"Au Chocolat"--I loved that one--hoarded it, too...obviously! Thank-you, Karen!



Finally, after my experience last night, I kept thinking about another of my favorite movies, and decided I'd share that with you tonight. I love these fabulous BBC dramas--the longer the better, in my book! This one is another by Elizabeth Gaskell, called "North and South"--anyone else seen this beauty of a film?





One of my quiet favorites--so much gentleness and beauty on the one hand, but also the harshness of a life lived in poverty for factory workers in the Industrial Age. And, oh so much misunderstanding for the lead characters to overcome!


You see the main character as a kind, giving young woman, who helps the poor and isn't worried about befriending the "lower classes", but has problems with the lead man (the dreamy Richard Armitage!), who of course you know she'll be with in the end! Just a lovely film! I don't want to give details, I just want you to see this! I promise you'll absolutely love it...Let me know when you do!

Well, that's it for tonight! Off the serve some delicious, warm Pumpkin Crumble to the chatty men and my studious daughters! Sweet dreams!

Thanks to So Many, a Christmas Card, Yummy Cherry Dessert, and Oh, My! What a Sunset!

Good evening, everyone!

Well, ladies...I have very few brain cells today! The bug that was trying to bite me yesterday bit HARD! I'm mostly just really tired and muddle-headed--not good for a busy mom! Hope those of you that I know are ill are starting to feel better--wish I could brew up some of my Mom's hot honey-lemon drink for all of us while we sat and visited with a huge box of tissues nearby!

So many things to share today--we'll start off with some thanks, and then we'll end with more...how's that? First off--thanks to two very dear blogging friends, who become more dear each day as thoughts and images are shared...Julie Ranae of Julie's Open Window, and Anne of Anne-ecdotes, have both presented me with this colorful, cheerful award:

Julie presented me with this yesterday, and Anne today--thank-you both, ladies! I'm so honored that you thought of me! Going along with this award, we are to tell you 5 things that you may not know about me...here goes:


1. I LOVE history, as well as family history, and have been in love with both since I was a young girl.

2. I love to bake! Okay, this may not be such an unknown fact! I love finding new recipes, especially old family ones.

3. I love Old England and New England--they are my two favorite places on Earth! I was born in Boston, so I'm prejudiced, I suppose!

4. I love listening to classical music while I stamp--helps me think better and I love the atmosphere it creates. My kids love it, too (along with all the other kinds of music teenagers like!), which makes me happy!

5. My favorite thing to do when I have free time is to sit and watch one of my favorite period dramas (think "Pride and Prejudice", "Wuthering Heights", etc.), and I love to introduce them to my daughters, and help them to learn an appreciation for these wonderful old stories in a new way.

Well, that's all I could come up with today! (Hope you're still with me--that was long!)

I'd like to now present this around to 5 new friends: I was already going to present it to Anne, so here's a repeat award! Marie (oh, my! You've got to check out her blog--she's such an amazing cook, and just her pictures, descriptions and recipes make me want to whip up each and everything she posts about!), Darlene, Charlene, and Deb. Gosh! This is really hard to do when there are so many that I'd love to include!

Thanks again, ladies!

Now, for a Christmas card--I kind of forced myself to make this today--trying to get myself out of my slumpiness, so I'm not sure if I love it, but....I basically wanted to do this to use my new Martha Stewart snowy village edge punch--isn't it wonderful?!

Sorry the pictures aren't the best--we've been really gloomy here the last couple of days--no good sunlight! This beautiful Santa image is from Crafty Secrets' "Christmas" Images & Journal Notes booklet--love it!

I glittered up the tiny village with chunky Martha Stewart glitter, then diamond glitter, and a bit of German gold glass glitter on the edge, and apparently everywhere else! Glitter does have a mind of it's own, you know!


Moving on...are you hungry yet??? My kids wanted to take something sweet to their youth group at church tonight, so I did a very SIMPLE family favorite: Yummy Cherry Dessert!


This is from my mother-in-law, Shirley Campbell. She made a couple of family cookbooks a number of years ago, which I'm so grateful for! This is a favorite I fall back on time and time again, and it never disappoints! I've had people request it when they know they're coming over, so....it's good! Here's the recipe:


YUMMY CHERRY DESSERT


2 cans cherry pie filling

1 box white or yellow cake mix

1 stick butter, melted


So simple! Just pour the cherry pie filling in the bottom of a 9"x13" pan--I never need to grease it. Pour the cake mix on top of the cherries, making sure everything is covered nice and thick! Then, with a spoon, put the melted butter all over the cake mix, until there's a bit of buttery goodness just about everywhere! Bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour.


That's it! I usually whip up some whipped cream for this--ice cream is wonderful, too! Enjoy!

Now to end with more thanks...to Charlene of My Heart's Ease for so kindly and surprisingly featuring me on her blog tonight. Such nice things were said, and I was very touched...thank-you so much, Charlene! Her blog is another wonderful place to stop awhile and visit--always filled with beauty and sweetness. Go soon and say hello!

This crafting blog world is such a beautiful place! I have met so many generous-hearted, loving women over the last few months--I'm very grateful to you all for touching my life as you have. Thank-you, all!


I'm so thankful for the men and women who have served this country and given us the freedoms we enjoy today. Those that are fighting this very day, and those that have fought for us throughout all the past generations...we would not be who we are today if not for them and their service and sacrifice...Thank-you.

Last of all, I'm so thankful to God for this beautiful earth and the glorious sunset tonight--WOW! I'll just leave you with these images, and wish you all a good night and sweet dreams....and I'll see you all tomorrow!

A Little Vintage Thanksgiving, Boston Baked Beans with a Twist, and Pumpkin Cornbread

Good evening, all! Hope this has been a fabulous day! I've had a good one...a little baking, lots of glitter, my family around me--doesn't get better than that!

Unless...it's an unexpected phone call from someone I've only "talked" to in forums and on blogs--my good friend from Splitcoast, Darlene Pavlick! She had my number, which I just included with my address months ago, and just felt like calling! It's so wonderful to match the voice with the picture and their wonderful, warm type-written words.

Darlene was my first "follower" on this blog, and a big cheerleader! She's so fun, creative, and friendly, and I enjoyed our conversation immensely! Thanks, Darlene, for making my day even better! Looking forward to our next chat! You can visit Darlene on her lovely blog Dar's Crafty Creations--tell her hello from me!

Well, on to a sweet little Thanksgiving image I used from Crafty Secrets' "Homemade" Images & Journal Notes booklet--I just love these! (I'm sure I've said it a thousand times!) I love this little chef, and this seemed like the right time to use him! I copied some recipes that are found at Recoverd Recipes (I talked about them in my post a couple of days ago), printed them out, and there's the background--easy peasy! I used a cute hounds tooth print from DCWV's "Mod-Retro" stack.

And look at this yummy new glitter I just got from Little Pink Studio--bronze glass glitter--oooooh!

I found this Shakespeare quote online, and it just seemed perfect, so I typed it up in an old-style font on cardstock.

How about a recipe? I've been planning to make this for a week or so now, and finally got the chance last night--Alton Brown's Boston Baked Beans. If you ever watch his show, which is fabulous, his new cookbook--"Good Eats, The Early Years"-- is based on the show and so much fun to read! I changed the recipe up a bit, but here's how he gives it:

Boston Baked Beans--Alton Brown Style!

1 pound bacon, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 small jalapenos, chopped

1/4 cup tomato paste

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 pound dry Great Northern beans, sorted and rinsed

1 quart vegetable broth

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. kosher salt

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Place a dutch oven over medium heat and add the bacon, onion, and jalapenos, stirring until the fat has rendered from the bacon and the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, brown sugar, and molasses.

Add the beans to the dutch oven, along with the broth, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the cayenne, black pepper and salt.

Give them a stir and cover the pot. Place the pot in the oven and bake for 5 to 7 hours or until the beans are tender.

I chose not to use jalapenos, and used a can of mild green chilis (chopped) instead. Very good. I also found the beans to be a bit on the salty side, so I would cut that down a bit.

These were absolutely delicious and worth the long baking time--a repeater in the Campbell house!

Now, to serve along with these, my sister Becky gave me the perfect recipe:

Pumpkin Cornbread

1/2 cup flour

1/2 whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup cornmeal

2 large eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree (canned)

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. molasses

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9-inch square or pie pan. Sift flours, baking powder, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in cornmeal. In separate bowl, beat eggs lightly. Whisk in pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and molasses. Make a well in the dry mixture and add pumpkin mixture and blend batter with a few quick strokes--don't over mix! Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cornbread is browned and the surface has a slightly springy feel.

And what goes better with pumpkin cornbread than some amazing...

Fluffy Honey Butter!

1 stick butter, softened

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup marshmallow fluff

Now, to quote my sister, "and whip it....whip it good!" and serve at room temperature---DELICIOUS!!!

One more card for you tonight, then I'm heading off to bead--my eyes are half open right now!

This is an adorable free vintage image I found online and printed out on cardstock--I love this period in illustration--about the 1920's--just adorable! Look at that village in the background--just like a fairy tale! (Can't remember where I found it--I think I just typed in "Free Vintage Thanksgiving images").

I used the cute red polka dot patterned paper from Crafty Secrets' Radiant paper pack, some Bayou Blue, Close to Cocoa and PTI Vintage Cream. A little lace, gingham ribbon, some delicious velvet ribbon, and a real vintage button from my husband's grandmother's stash.

The little saying at the bottom says, "I wish it might granted be, you'd join the 'Turkey Line' with me! So vintagely sweet!

I'll see you all tomorrow...and as always, thank-you all so much for visiting me and for your very kind words! Sleep tight!

Soup to Warm Your Soul, Sammies...and a Card

ood evening, everyone! Just a few things today...been a busy one...shopping for the week & a birthday lunch with my friend, Loretta. A good day!

First off, I have some soup to make you swoon! I tried this at a restaurant in Monterey that my husband & I love. It was so good that I took some notes in my little notebook, went home & tried to make my own version the next day. I have to say, upon a repeat taste at the restaurant, that I like mine better! It's easy peasy to make--seriously, maybe 5 minutes to put together, then just let it simmer till dinner!





Here's my recipe for TOMATO BASIL BISQUE:

3 large cans tomato soup
handful fresh basil
about 5 cloves fresh garlic (you can vary this depending upon your love of garlic!)
Fat-Free Half & Half
2 Tbsp. butter

Empty 2 cans soup in pot. Fill one can with water & add to pot. In blender, put 3rd can of soup and fill empty can with the half & half. Add hand ful of fresh basil and the garlic. Blend till smooth. Add to pot with the rest of the soup. After well heated, add 2 Tbsp. butter, and let it simmer away!


See...EASY!

Next, we love this with it--my sister Becky's decadent ham & cheese sandwiches that she calls "SAMMIES"--here they are:




These are super easy to prepare, as well--the hardest part is spreading on the mayo!
Here's the recipe:

In bowl, melt 1 stick butter
add 4 cloves diced garlic
Heat in microwave until butter is melted. Add to this:
1/2 tsp. (approx.) Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. yellow mustard
Set aside.

Sweet Hawaiian rolls are best for this, but any lovely, soft rolls would do!
1 lb. ham
1 lb. Swiss (my family likes Havarti)
Mayo

Spread a bit of mayo (I use reduced fat) on each 1/2 roll. Top with ham & cheese, and replace top of roll. Put all "sammies" on baking sheet, and top each with the butter/mustard mixture--I use a pastry brush to do this.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Oh, man! Your family will thank you for this one!

Last of all...a card, of course!

This is my first card using Crafty Secrets' Thanksgiving stamp set--love them! I love to do paper piecing for the dimension and did that here. I wont' give too many details right now (my family wants to eat!) Let me know if you want any details. This is also for the Crafty Secrets' challenge over on Paper Craft Planet, hosted by the fabulous Darlene, the challenge is to use orange in our card.



Well, that's it for tonight, and thank-you all for visiting me!