a vintage egg cup collection

February 22, 2013

For Friday field trip this week, I am taking you with me for a cup of tea to the home of a friend. She collects vintage egg cups and I thought with the Easter holiday approaching, it would be a fun thing to share with you. The vintage egg cups are scattered throughout my friend’s beautiful old home located in a historic district. I have always been fascinated with her collection and had fun examining it once again while we chatted over tea.

My favorite piece is definitely the sweet little chick egg cup in the opening photo. The egg cup below holds some incense, but most of the egg cups throughout the house are empty. How fun would it be to fill them with colored Easter eggs?

This piece was really unique to the collection because it was the only one of clear glass…

Some of the pieces looked extremely old, like the striped one in the photo below…

This piece proudly displays the owner’s heritage…

The collection displayed on the stove held wishbones from Thanksgivings gone by…

Roosters seem to be a popular egg cup motif…I love these with the pink interiors…

I hope you enjoyed sharing this vintage egg cup collection with me. I don’t have photos of every egg cup I saw, but I do have additional photos I will post to my facebook in case you are interested in seeing more from the collection. I am also sharing at the Inspiration Gallery, Crafts a la Mode, Common Ground, The Charm of Home, and Craftionary.

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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winter whiteness

February 15, 2013

friday field trip…a walk through a white weekend

“You wake up on a winter morning and pull up the shade, and what lay there the evening before is no longer there–the sodden gray yard, the dog droppings, the tire tracks in the frozen mud, the broken lawn chair you forgot to take in last fall. All this has disappeared overnight, and what you look out on is not the snow of Narnia but the snow of home, which is no less shimmering and white as it falls. The earth is covered with it, and it is falling still in silence so deep that you can hear its silence. It is snow to be shoveled, to make driving even worse than usual, snow to be joked about and cursed at, but unless the child in you is entirely dead, it is snow, too, that can make the heart beat faster when it catches you by surprise that way, before your defenses are up. It is snow that can awaken memories of things more wonderful than anything you ever knew or dreamed.”

~ Frederick Buechner, “Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale”

“Whenever she turned her steep focus to me, I felt the warmth that flowers must feel when they bloom through the snow, under the first concentrated rays of the sun.”

~ Janet Fitch, “White Oleander”

“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas: It brings people together while time stands still. Cozy couples lazily meandered the streets and children trudged sleds and chased snowballs. No one seemed to be in a rush to experience anything other than the glory of the day, with each other, whenever and however it happened”

~ Rachel Cohn, “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares”

“Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity”

~ Novala Takemoto, “Missin’ “

“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.”

~ Markus Zusak, “The Book Thief”

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

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in search of bubble tea

February 8, 2013

This week, our Friday field trip is to an Asian market to get the scoop on making bubble tea.

Bubble tea is a sweetened cold tea drink mixed with chewy tapioca pearls (boba). If you have had it, you probably have thought, like me, ‘how the heck do they make this?’

Since it originated in Taiwan, I thought an Asian market would be the best place to do some research on how to authentically create this beverage.

I made a trip to the most authentic Asian market I could find and discovered the manager was from Taiwan…perfect!

If you are a bubble tea lover, you know that the two most important requirements are 1. the tapioca pearls or boba, and 2. the straws… Yes, the straws are major. An extra wide straw is needed to accommodate the boba. Without the availability of the special straws, continuing the research seemed a waste…so, I first needed to confirm these two items were available in the market. They were!! I was so worried the straws would be hard to find. But, the market carried them and a package was only 99 cents!

Now to figure out how to actually make the beverage…It quickly became evident that the manager did indeed know how to make bubble tea, but my accurate translation of her explanation was another story completely! She barely spoke English and most every product in the store had few markings in English. This would be a challenge!

I did find that the store sold a commercial mix for bubble tea in a variety of flavors, but I decided against using a mix since I thought this would be cheating! I wanted to have an authentic bubble tea experience. Plus, I wanted to forgo adding any unnecessary artifical ingredients to my beverage.

So, after quite a bit of discussion (and some creative sign language) I learned how to prepare bubble tea. The store manager suggested coconut as my flavor of choice…I ran with it!

The items I purchased at the market were: boba, a can of coconut milk, STRAWS, and palm sugar.

Although it is not a difficult drink to make, the tapioca or boba used in the drink require some advance preparation.

The preparation of a sugar syrup also requires advance preparation. I discovered, after some experimentation, I preferred the sugar syrup over the palm sugar as a sweetener for the drink. Palm sugar was a sweetener option that was suggested to me.

A photo of tapioca pearls (or boba) prepared for Bubble Tea.

Tapioca preparation

Add one cup of tapioca pearls to a couple of cups of boiling water. The pearls should float – keep them stirred so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Boil the pearls for 25 minutes and then turn off the heat and let the pearls sit in the water for another 25 minutes. Drain and rinse the pearls with lukewarm water. The final consistency of the pearls will be like chewing gum. I only prepared enough pearls for what I was going to use because I was told they harden over time.

Sweetener preparation

Combine 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup dark brown sugar with a cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the sugars cook down and the mixture boils. Cool and store in the fridge. (If you don’t care about being authentic, you can sweeten your tea with honey or sugar while still hot and forgo this preparation.)

Coconut Bubble Tea Recipe

Prepare black tea. You will need 4 oz. for each serving. Put in fridge to cool.

Combine 4 oz. of water, 4 oz. of coconut milk, 2 oz. of milk, and 4 oz. of prepared tea for each serving. Add 1 or 2 Tablespoons of the prepared sugar syrup sweetener. Blend until fully mixed.

Spoon 4 Tablespoons of cooked tapioca into the bottom of a large glass. Pour coconut mixture into the glass. Add ice. Serve with an extra wide straw. ENJOY!

I hope you enjoyed sharing today’s field trip. I was so excited to discover the authentic way to make bubble tea! I don’t think it is something I will make on a regular basis, but it will be nice to be able to make it when the mood strikes… and, I may try making some other flavors in addition to the coconut!

Have a wonderful weekend…here in Connecticut we are expecting BIG snow…

Thanks for visiting and remember to enjoy pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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discovering orchids at terrain

February 1, 2013

It is no secret, whether I am in Connecticut or Pennsylvania, one of my favorite stores to visit is Terrain. If you are a frequent visitor to pleasure in simple things, you have shared quite a few visits with me to the Connecticut store since its opening in Westport, Connecticut last spring.

Friday field trip this week is to Terrain to check out a demonstration on planting orchids. Not knowing very much about orchids, I was intrigued watching Mary Ann from Terrain demonstrate how easy an orchid can be planted and also to learn that their care is not that difficult. This particular weekend, Matthew, the Terrain landscape designer from the Pennsylvania store, was also on hand. It was great to have the opportunity to speak with him. He is a great resource for design questions – pertaining to landscapes or to interiors.

I watched Mary Ann carefully remove an orchid from its pot, removing as much of the moss as she could. She trimmed away any rotten or blackened roots (with the really pretty scissors they sell at Terrain!) This particular orchid was put into a container Mary Ann had crafted from birch bark and made to hang.

In nature, these plants thrive in strong light (but not direct late afternoon sun); high humidity; air flow around roots; regular periods of drying, alternating with drenching rains; and in temperatures between 50 degrees and 85 degrees. So, the closer you replicate nature, the more success you will have in growing orchids.

At Terrain, the orchids are watered infrequently, but misted on a regular basis. In the summer orchids need to be watered weekly, but in the winter, closer to once a month.

Did you know in nature, orchids are epiphytes? That means they grow on other objects, clinging to rough bark or even stone. Here, Mary Ann has created an orchid planting very much embracing the way an orchid would grow in nature. After covering the roots of the plant in moss, she tied it to a piece of a white birch log. Terrain actually sells pieces of white birch logs so that if you wanted to create one of these plantings yourself, you could do so. A screw eye, picked up at Home Depot, is easy to attach to the top of the birch log for hanging. Or, you could have Mary Ann create one for you! Either way, it makes for a beautiful hanging.

I had fun admiring many other beautiful orchids in varying colors and varieties throughout the store.

I think this deeply hued hanging orchid would make a wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day gift!

I have a new appreciation for orchids after my visit to Terrain…I also feel a little less intimidated about trying to repot some plants myself! This field trip definitely made me yearn for spring though!! How many more days!?

I hope you enjoyed our Friday field trip to Terrain to discover orchids…maybe it inspired you to create a planting of your own? Or, to give one as a gift?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

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beach colors in january

January 25, 2013

What are “beach colors” to you? Beige and blue?

Friday field trip this week is to the beach at sunset to explore January’s beach colors.

Not yet cleaned up after Hurricane Sandy, technically the beach I am visiting has been closed since the storm. That, coupled with the fact that the temperature is in the single digits here in Connecticut, I wonder why I chose to make this a field trip! Largely because of the frigid weather, my trip to the beach is a short one.

My stay is not more than twenty minutes long, but as always, I am not disappointed by the display of colors. I don’t get as many opportunities to view the sunsets at the beach in the winter months since they occur during work hours…my sunset viewing usually limited to the weekends…until the days get longer anyway.

So, what do you think of as the colors of the beach? Would these colors come to mind?

How about these?

Maybe not so much?

The photos I am sharing today were all taken at the same beach on the same visit and within a 20 minute time period. I did not alter anything on any of the photos (not that I would know how to if I wanted to lol.)

Isn’t nature amazing?

Can you tell one of my fantasies is to create a paint line lol? I also dream about creating a collection of nailpolish colors with cute, cheeky names, but that’s for another day…

I think showing swatches of some of the colors I saw on my beach visit is the best way to illustrate the amazing display and range of colors I witnessed on this frigid visit…I think it was even too cold for the seagulls!

So beautiful!

I hope you enjoyed the amazing collection of colors from a winter day at the beach…especially those of you that may be landlocked.

Have an amazing weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things…beauty is all around us!

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

I am sharing this post at Mosiac Monday at Little Red House.

6 comments

grilled cheese from a truck

January 18, 2013

Today’s field trip is a lunch excursion. I had some business in New Haven and decided, while I was in the Yale University neighborhood, to take a lunch break at my favorite food truck…The Caseus Cheesetruck. This truck is a mobile version of Caseus Fromagerie Bristro – a restaurant and cheeseshop in downtown New Haven. The star of its show is grilled cheese. Who doesn’t like grilled cheese? If you don’t, you will most likely find a version you will like here.

There are many combinations of ingredients available…one better than the next! You can bypass cheese entirely and order a soup or salad….or, how about a grilled nutella and banana?

With temperatures in the 20’s and a stiff wind, it probably wasn’t one of my better ideas. During the week, the truck is always parked on or around the Yale campus so the surroundings are always fun to admire, and on this trip I was trying to use them as a distraction from the cold. I have an obsession with the doors on campus, so I tried to concentrate on them and not on my impending frostbite! I almost decided to give up on taking any photos entirely as my fingers went completely numb!

I forged on…determined to show those of you that might not have ever seen the truck, just what it looks like. Don’t let the sunny look fool you…it was freezing!!

Admiring the doors of the buildings on Yale University campus while walking to the Caseus Cheesetruck for lunch.

I opted to go for the traditional grilled cheese – in the case of Caseus, this involves a combination of seven or so cheeses. I decided to add one ingredient – pesto (just because I love pesto). I do think a classic grilled cheese and a tomato soup is a great choice for a first-timer. It helps you realize just how elevated this standard can be when prepared by Caseus.

A photo of my choice for lunch from the Caseus Cheesetruck…the classic with pesto added. The sandwiches are served with a side of pickles and mustard.

There have been times (when the weather was nicer and my visit to the cheese truck was more leisurely) when I have been lucky enough to witness a ‘cheese truck challenge’ in process. This is something worth witnessing at least once. Any one customer able to consume 10 sandwiches in under an hour recieves the sandwiches free and can name the sandwich. The challenger is required to add at least one ingredient other than cheese to the sandwiches. The “tekin” for example, is named after Etkin Tekin. Tekin was the first one to successfully complete the challenge. His creation consisted of adding guacamole and bacon and he completed the challenge in 32 minutes and 4 seconds.

It is a fun visit, challenge or not…

The cheesetruck is definitely worth trying – if you go, maybe just pick a day where the temperature is at least a little above freezing!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Please have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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the road less traveled

January 11, 2013

friday field trip

There is nothing new about a brewery in Connecticut…it isn’t the first, by any means. The interesting thing about this newest brewery in the state is the location. It occupies an old factory building not far from the historic district in the south end of Stratford – oh, and it has a cool name. It is called Two Roads Brewing Co.…hard not to like something named after a Robert Frost poem.

A brewery is certainly “a road less traveled” for me, not being much of a beer drinker…or any kind of drinker for that matter. I was really more interested in checking out the renovated building and the state-of-the-art brewery than I was to sample the product.

There is a very large ‘tasting room’ that oozes with future possibilities…private parties are inevitable and, with so many colleges nearby, I expect many young people also.

The ‘tasting room’ overlooks the brewing facility, making it an interesting place to meet a friend for a drink. The place has a warehouse vibe – a unique environment that has incorporated many of the original parts of the building it inhabits. My favorite was the top of the bar. I later found out it was made from wood repurposed from the original factory floor.

Beer is sold in tasters, pints, growlers, and six packs and there is already a strong local following and a presence across Connecticut. Someone ordered a growler to take home when I was there and I have to admit I was kind of mesmerized by the machine that filled it up. It is probably standard brewery equipment, but I had never seen one before.

A photo of a selection of tasters at Two Roads Brewing Co. in Stratford, CT. The bar is made from the original factory floor repurposed from the old building the brewery occupies.

I probably should have planned my visit a little better since I did not realize tours were given on a formal basis and I wasn’t there at an appropriate time to take a tour.

Although there is no food being served at Two Roads, I heard the Caseus Cheese truck (the Caseus Cheese Shop food truck from New Haven that serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches during the week to the surrounding Yale community) parked outside one weekend and other local food trucks have plans to make future appearances. What a great idea.

All in all, Two Roads Brewing Co. was a really interesting place to visit and, if you are a beer drinker, a wonderful place to drink. I would like to make another trip when I can take the tour. Are you wondering if I tried the product? Yes, I did. I’m still not a beer drinker, but I would make another trip to Two Roads Brewing Co. Hey, it’s all about trying new things, right?

Thanks for visiting.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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meeting thom filicia

December 7, 2012

I first noticed Thom Filicia when he was one of the “Fab Five” on the Emmy-winning television show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. For me, he was number 1 of the 5 because he was the one that tackled the interior design part of the segment. His witty, warm style made him a natural as an on-air personality and, after “Queer Eye”, he continued to spread his decorating advice on Style Network and HGTV. His talent as a designer has earned him many accolades, including being named a “Top 100 Designer” by House Beautiful.

I got the chance to meet Thom when he visited Wakefield Design Center in Stamford, CT to sign copies of his newest book American Beauty: Renovating and Decorating a Beloved Retreat.

A fan of Thom’s design aesthetic, it was a bonus to get the opportunity to see Thom’s new fabric collection for Kravet during my visit to Wakefield, the destination for this week’s Friday field trip.

Meeting Thom was great. His personality is consistent with his on-air persona – very warm and instantly likeable. He spent a good amount of time socializing and telling stories as if he were attending a family gathering.

When the time came for him to sign his new book, he continued to engage everyone in stories of the fixer-upper he bought and transformed in Skaneateles Lake, New York – a place he discovered during his childhood and brought to life in his book.

Elm Street Books in New Canaan was on hand with copies of Thom Filicia’s newest book, American Beauty: Renovating and Decorating a Beloved Retreat.

I couldn’t decide if he chose to sign books in orange sharpie to match some of the inside pages, or as a nod to his alma mater (Syracuse), but either way, the attention to detail was noted.

A photo of Thom Filicia, one of House Beautiful’s “Top 100 Designers”, at a recent appearance in Connecticut.

All in all, a really fun night. I got the chance to meet some really great people at Wakefield Design Center, the opportunity to talk to some great designers, AND the chance to enjoy a glass of wine with Thom Filicia.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend, Jackie

A little trip back in time for any other “Queer Eye” fans (Don’t we all have this on our playlists?):

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taken for granite

November 23, 2012

This week’s Friday field trip is a visit to another gift shop. Unlike last week’s, this shop is one of my frequent destinations. Since today is “black Friday”, it seems appropriate to share a visit to my very favorite gift shopping location.

Today, we are visiting Taken for Granite in Stony Creek, CT.

A wonderful sensory experience at any time of year, the shop pulls out all the stops for the holiday season.

Our visit is during this year’s holiday open house – the first night of the weekend event. The open house is the start of the magnificent display of holiday gift items offered for sale.

What really sets a gift shop apart from the rest? To not only offer wonderful items and to present them in a lovely way – but, to provide extraordinary gift wrapping. In this area, any shop would be hard-pressed to compare to the artful wrapping provided by Taken for Granite. Each year, new wrapping designs are created that are a gift in themselves.

A photo of a package with one of the exquisite wrapping designs included when purchasing a gift at Taken for Granite – one of the reasons it makes a wonderful spot for holiday shopping.

Visiting in the evening provides an extra feeling of holiday magic since the outdoor patio and nearby shed are given a dose of decorating and lights…complete with a roaring fire.

taken for granite

You can hear many shoppers planning their holiday gift giving and decorating as they are inspired by all the beautiful displays and decorations throughout the store. Taken for Granite is as much a source of inspiration for beautiful and unique holiday decor as it is a source for wonderful gifts.

A selection of refreshments offered in the quaint outdoor shed at the Taken for Granite holiday open house.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Taken for Granite. If you live in Connecticut or plan to be visiting, try to include a trip to this lovely, coastal inspired gift shop located outside New Haven.

Thank you for visiting. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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an enchanted holiday shop

November 16, 2012

The Christmas Shop at Maynard Greenhouse in Old Saybrook is the destination for this week’s Friday field trip. This trip was actually planned last summer. Last summer was when I first heard about a garden shop in Old Saybrook that transfomed into a Christmas shop each year at holiday time. It surprised me that I had not heard of the store, considering I travel to both garden shops AND Christmas shops all over Connecticut.

Intrigued, I made a note on my November 2012 calendar to make a trip to The Christmas Shop at Maynard Greenhouse. It turned out the store had not yet opened for the season on the day a friend and I scheduled our trip to the shop. Even so, the owner was gracious enough to let us in the store when we arrived…as she worked on getting it ready for the opening.

Even though the holiday display was not yet completed, it was obvious the shop was enchanting…a beautiful collection of gift items, holiday ornaments, paper and ribbon products, and even some antiques.

Of course, I particularly loved the corner where some coastal inspired ornaments were displayed!

There were so many items we really adored in the shop. Even though we were disappointed we didn’t get to see the displays in their completion, timing the trip as we did unkowingly gave us some time to share in conversation with the shop owner…it made for a very enjoyable shopping experience…