pleasure in simple things

jaws 40th anniversary party with printable

June 12, 2015

Duh-duh, Duh-Duh, Duh-DUH! (Click here for more!) That’s right…40 years since the movie Jaws hit the theaters for the very first time! No doubt, the movie needs to be watched (for the five hundred and thirty ninth time?) on June 20th to mark this very special day!

My family is one of shark fanatics…we anxiously await Shark Week on Discovery Channel each year…we have had the pleasure of eating a dinner of freshly caught shark (by my fisherman dad), AND, we know most of the significant (as well as the not so significant) lines in the movie Jaws by heart! So, in honor of the Jaws anniversary, Friday field trip will go back 40 years this week to pay tribute to this cinema classic.

Granted, many of us in New England have had issues with going in the water since watching this movie – particularly after the very first viewing.

A 40th anniversary viewing party is in order and there will be plenty of themed snacks and fun trivia contests! Some of my family members are impossible to stump, but I keep trying! Why not send your party invite on a beach ball? Blow up a small beach ball and add the party details with a permanent marker. Then, deflate the ball before mailing…fun!

And, who could resist these fun ice cube trays!

So, amidst all the decorating you may do for your viewing party, a little candy treat favor is fun to add to to the mix. For my candy bags, I have packaged up blue gummy sharks and candy beach balls. There are so many candy options you can use if you prefer to substitute what I chose to use. You can even do Swedish fish or goldfish crackers –really, any beachy item will work!

I piled mine up in a beach bucket and added it to my Jaws themed décor. The printable I have included here is sized for 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper – I prefer the weighty paper of a card stock, but you can use regular weight paper if you prefer. Four treat bag headers print out on each page. After cutting the paper in four, you can fold each piece to use as a header for a Jaws themed treat bag! Purchase cellophane bags that are the same width as the headers and trim to the length needed based on your contents. I use a couple of staples to attach the headers – first using a blue permanent marker on the staples so they coordinate a little better with the blue on my header design.

Click here for a free printable of the treat bag toppers.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” Happy Viewing!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. If you’d like me to send you a copy of my Jaws trivia contest, just shoot me an email and I will email it to you!

Sharing with House of Hipsters, Thoughts from Alice, The Shabby Nest, Craftberry Bush, and Crafts a la Mode.

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country living magazine fair 2015

June 9, 2015

I am so lucky. I get the chance to attend the best fair ever! The Country Living Magazine Fair is held in four spots across the U.S. each year and one of the locations is the Northeast!

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds are located in Rhinebeck, New York and each year, for three days in the beginning of June, it is host to the Country Living Magazine Fair.

The Rhinebeck countryside pleasure in simple things blog

Driving through the Rhinebeck, NY countryside.

This venue is amazing. Think lush, green grass and beautiful landscaping – with views of rolling hills. Think real, (not portable) nicely maintained restrooms. Think great food. (maybe a delicious chicken lemongrass salad for lunch?) Think free parking. Yes, it is amazing.

The Fair provides tons of great inspiration and shopping, seminars and demonstrations, and a chance to meet the magazine’s editors as well as some fun celebrities.

So, as I attempt to settle down from my busy weekend exploring the Country Living Fair and the community of Rhinebeck with friends, I am sharing some of my weekend inspiration with you.

I hope you enjoy these few photos from my weekend. You can also find some additional photos on Facebook by clicking here or on Instagram by clicking here.

vintage bride and groom pleasure in simple things blog

A vintage collection of wedding toppers caught my eye in a little shop in the center of Rhinebeck.

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Thoughts From Alice, and Finding Silver Pennies.

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shaved brussels sprouts salad recipe

June 5, 2015

Do you like Brussels sprouts? It is a strange thing with this particular vegetable – I don’t enjoy eating whole Brussels sprouts, but I can enjoy eating them when they have been shaved or shredded. So, when I see a recipe that includes a shaved or shredded Brussels sprout, I put it in my ‘give it a try’ file since I know veggies are super good for me!

Many times I will try a recipe from my file and it doesn’t pass the taste test; granting it acceptance into my permanent recipe file and making it part of my regular repertoire.

Today, for Friday field trip, I am taking you into my kitchen and sharing a recipe that made it into the permanent file – big time! It is a cold salad using Brussels sprouts that is not only quick, easy, and delicious, but requires no cooking! It has a marvelous crunch factor that makes it very satisfying and reminiscent of a slaw. With picnic season in full swing, this salad is the perfect easy- to- prepare side dish to bring to an outdoor party!

I like to make a double batch of this recipe each time I make it. For me, this is easy to do on the ingredient end because my grocery store sells a 2 lb. bag of Brussels sprouts and an 8 oz. size of Manchego. I really have no trouble getting through a double batch pretty quickly…it is great to pack up to enjoy at lunchtime!

I have to warn you that Manchego cheese is one of the more pricy cheeses, but it is so worth buying for this recipe – a perfect taste pairing with the Brussels sprouts and almonds!

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced (I shred them in the food processor)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
4 oz. Manchego, shaved (this too, I shred in the food processor)
1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted in a 350 degree oven and coarsely chopped.

Toss the Brussels sprouts, oil, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Let sit 8 to 10 minutes to let the Brussels sprouts wilt slightly. Add the Manchego and almonds and toss to combine.

*this recipe is adapted from one in one of my favorite magazines – Real Simple.

That is it! Quick and easy! Enjoy!

If you should find yourself with some Manchego left over, be sure to try this Crostini recipe!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with House of Hipsters, Coastal Charm and Sand & Sisal.

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annie sloan chair redo (before & after)

June 2, 2015

It’s baaaack…painting season, that is! Once the weather gets warm, I love being outdoors and transforming some old furniture with a little paint! This season started with an old chair. When I saw the detail on the back of this chair, I was hooked! I needed to paint it!

I had some great fabric left from a chair project I completed last summer, so that spearheaded the color choice for this chair. I started by putting a sealing coat, since the type of finish on this chair often bleeds through paint.

Then, I painted the entire chair with a coat of Annie Sloan Paris Grey.

The next coat I painted was Annie Sloan Old White. Using those two paint colors and, also, some Duck Egg, I mixed the paint to add a design to the back of the chair. Because the chair fabric had an abstract kind of a look, I went with the same type of feel for the back of the chair, using soft, loose strokes.

Once that was complete, I added a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax to the entire piece. I then did some distressing of the piece before adding a second coat of wax.

What do you think?

I am calling my first piece of the season Rockport. :)

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with House of Hipsters, Sand & Sisal, Thoughts From Alice, and Finding Silver Pennies.

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june book giveaway!

May 29, 2015

For June, the giveaway book selection is Vibrant Food by Kimberley Hasselbrink. This book celebrates the ingredients, recipes, and colors of each season. I really love when recipe books are organized by season, because it encourages healthful eating and is so compatible with healthy shopping! What better way is there to shop at this time of year than to visit farmer’s markets for in season ingredients that are fresh and grown local?

The author invites you to look at ingredients differently – to let the colors inspire! This book can help you think about produce in terms of color and can reinvigorate your relationship with food. In this collection of recipes, Hasselbrink employs aesthetics, flavor, and texture to build gorgeous yet unfussy dishes for every season.

Leave a comment for a chance to win this wonderful selection! I know the winner of this book will enjoy jumping right into ‘the bold colors of summer’ section to create some wonderful summer dishes!

Now, to announce the winner of last month’s giveaway selection. Daria was chosen at random from the comments left during May and will receive a copy of the book Secret Garden by Johanna Basford. And, I have added a box of brightly colored pencils to the giveaway! Congratulations Daria and happy doodling! Thanks to everyone that left a comment. :)

In honor of the June book selection, the Instagram challenge for June is to share photos of your own vibrant food! Use hashtag #pleasuregram to post photos of brightly colored in season ingredients throughout the month of June.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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pink, white & gold baby shower

May 26, 2015

I promised to give a few decorating ideas for a pink, white, and gold baby shower. You know I love a theme – so, I took pink, white, and gold; added a few polka dots and created some fun ways to decorate!

Finding a pink beverage is certainly not a problem. There are plenty of options including pink lemonade, rose, sangria, or punch. Some easy favors? No problem!

The votives shown here are really easy to create – adding a candle is a nice touch.

A small plant (these are English daisies) wrapped in a coordinating tissue paper, square of fabric, or burlap is also a nice option, or…

A theme colored candy in a cute container. :)

For my shower, I made state shaped sugar cookies (and gift tag), because I was recognizing the hometowns of the families of the soon-to-be parents. Change it up to suit your own shower. Take your cues from the way the nursery is decorated or from the registry. For instance, if the nursery is decorated with a jungle theme, make animal shaped cookies. If the registry shows a crib sheet in a heart motif, make heart shaped cookies, etc.

Of course, the gift has to also be right on theme! I chose a baby outfit and wrapping to coordinate with the theme and also made a gift. I painted a personalized canvas for the baby’s room. You can get the DIY by clicking here.

If you don’t know the baby’s name in advance, leave the heart blank to add later, or paint in the word ‘love.’

I hope I have jumpstarted ideas for your own pink, white, and gold shower!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Crafts a la Mode, House of Hipsters, Nancherrow, The Shabby Nest, and Craftberry Bush.

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a wordless year

May 22, 2015

I didn’t choose a ‘word of the year’ for 2015. I was thinking about that on my walk by the water today. I wondered why I wasn’t inspired to come up with one this year.

I thought if I had, it would have been something that expressed a need to keep things fresh…to constantly learn new things…to go on new adventures.

I don’t have the ability to travel to foreign lands or visit exotic cultures. But, I am still able to find new adventures every day.

Not a day goes by when I don’t learn something new that creates a special interest or the need to explore.

But, I certainly wouldn’t want to confine that need to discover to a single year…maybe that is why no word for the year?

I hope you enjoy joining me on my walk today for Friday field trip…

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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3 ingredient lemon mousse shooters

May 19, 2015

Dessert shooters are always fun– a nice little bit of sweetness without the heaviness of a traditional sized dessert.

This three ingredient shooter is super easy to create. Great for a party, these lemon mousse shooters can be made ahead, and if you use little disposable decorative cups, are clean-up free!

The lemon flavor for these shooters comes from lemon curd. I love lemon curd and very often use it in tarts – it packs so much flavor. For today’s dessert, I used store bought lemon curd (a 10 oz. jar is approximately 2/3 cup) and lightened it up by folding it into some whipped cream. With this mousse mixture and some gingersnap cookie crumbs, the shooter is complete!

Raspberries, mint, or lemon slice candies make great garnishes, but if you want to stay strict to three ingredients, top the shooter off with a piece of gingersnap cookie instead.

The hard store bought gingersnaps work best to make crumbs. If you are not a gingersnap fan, you can easily change the gingersnap crumbs for some shortbread cookie crumbs.

I hope you enjoy these little lemon mousse shooters!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. The napkins and the mini baking cups I used here are from Home Goods.

Sharing at Craftberry Bush, Thoughts From Alice, House of Hipsters, Nancherrow, and Sand & Sisal.

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a visit to ben wolff pottery

May 15, 2015

Because I am so enamored with his handcrafted pots, I have wanted to make a visit to Ben Wolff’s studio for a long time. Even though it is located right here in Connecticut, the studio was one spot on my ‘to visit’ list that never seemed to get crossed off.

That changed this past weekend when my son asked what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day. I decided I could pass on a meal and, instead, we aimed to get Ben Wolff’s pottery studio crossed off my list of places to visit- yippee! It was a great day for a drive and the ride provided some great alone time with my son – catching up on what was going on with him.

If purchasing flower pots were my goal, it would have been easy enough to just order them online. I’m not saying I didn’t want any pots, but that was not my main reason for the visit. I wanted to see the studio and meet the artist. As luck would have it, I was able to do both.

Ben and his wife, Corinne, were both in the studio when we arrived. I knew Ben was a third generation artisan and he was happy to share his history and explain how he got started learning his craft at the age of two!

It was a great visit and it turned out my son’s gift also included a few of Ben’s pieces! As a lover of neutral color schemes, the pots Ben creates in white clay are my favorite! I carefully picked out a few; choosing ones with Tuscan rims.

They are just so gorgeous! It is hard to imagine using a terra-cotta pot after you have seen Ben’s work. (If you read this blog, you probably have already figured out that I don’t use terra-cotta pots because of my aversion to the color and that my passion in the garden is for all white flowers!)

With pieces starting as low as $8, they are affordable pieces of art – each signed by Ben.

I haven’t yet planted in my new pieces, but for Friday field trip today, I hope you enjoyed sharing some of Ben’s works of art – a few from the thousands of flower pots he creates each year on his potter’s wheel in Goshen, Connecticut. I photographed them with some of the early bloomers from my garden.

I hope you are enjoying some of your own garden flowers. If you follow my Instagram, you know I have been enjoying mine!

Ben Wolff Pottery Studio pleasure in simple things blog

The outside of Ben Wolff’s pottery studio in Connecticut.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush and French Country Cottage.

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state shaped sugar cookies

May 12, 2015

Remember when I made the state gift tag for a baby shower I was attending? I was attending a party in Connecticut for a baby being born in Florida. I really wanted to acknowledge both states in my gift and I came up with the idea of using both shapes as a gift tag. (See the gift tag by clicking here.) As the date of the shower got closer, I thought “Wouldn’t it be cool to make cookies in the shape of the two states to add to the dessert table?”

I had visions of spending many hours cutting each state cookie out by hand – since once I have an idea like this; I have no choice but to follow through on it! No question, I have cut out many unusual shaped cookies in my day – particularly for children’s birthday parties. In the past, I have made cookies of each one of the Wizard of Oz characters and all the Ninja turtles – cutting out each shape carefully with a dull knife.

With visions of cutting tons of Florida and Connecticut shaped cookies using a knife, I wondered if there might be state cookie cutters available. Sure enough, I searched the Internet and quickly found, not only could I order a cookie cutter for any state, but I could get them pretty darn cheap! What a time saver!

So, I made my sugar cookie dough, rolled it out, and cut out the shapes of the two states using my new cookie cutters. What an awesome way to acknowledge the two states!

Are the wheels turning? Are you thinking of all the ways you could use state cookie cutters? Showers, rehearsal dinners, reunions, graduations – even Christmas tree ornaments! So fun!

I decorated my state cookies to match the colors of the baby’s nursery – pink, gold, and white. (Did you see the shower gift I made? Click here to see. )

After the shower, when the baby gifts got packed up to be sent to Florida, the Florida cookie cutter was tucked into the box. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Crafts a la Mode, The Shabby Nest, and House of Hipsters.

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jaws 40th anniversary party with printable

country living magazine fair 2015

shaved brussels sprouts salad recipe

annie sloan chair redo (before & after)

june book giveaway!

pink, white & gold baby shower

a wordless year

3 ingredient lemon mousse shooters

a visit to ben wolff pottery

state shaped sugar cookies