My Handcrafted Christmas...part one

Okay...I love all things vintage, aged, old..no matter how you say it..I love it! They evoke a sense of history, of lives lived, of stories told...so wherever possible, I like to use (and buy!) old things. This year, with our Christmas decorations accidentally tucked away in long term storage...I have decided to make as much of my decorations as possible, with a vintage feel. I always look out for old books at 2nd hand shops, op shops (thrift stores in the US?) etc...and so I bought a couple of old Readers Digest Encyclopaedic Dictionaries for a dollar...circa 1965..and nice and old they are..the more age-d the better for me! I love text on things and sometimes use gift-appropriate text on paper to use as wrap etc...you know, pages with words about love for engagement or numbers for a special number birthday etc. Anyway...I digress! I think this year I'll keep the colour palette dull, aged colours in tones of charcoaly blue, faded white and a splash of red here

and there. A move away from the usual red and green (with gold and silver of course!) I may add in some antiquey metallic somethings here and there.

So first up I decided to make a star garland with these old book pages and some cool red buttons

I KNEW that bag of red craft buttons I bought impulsively once would come in handy

ONE DAY!! :)

All you need is some old books, craft glue (such as Fabri Tac - FANTASTIC fast grabbing, quick drying glue), a stapler, an ink pad in colour of choice (mine is red) buttons in colour of choice, double sided tape and some string/wool/strong thread for hanging, scissors....and we've got the makings of some lovely stars. (if you want a step by step, leave a comment and I'll repost with a how to) Here are my 'progress' pics along the way...

I used mixed buttons to keep it not too uniform...

And amongst the bag of various round buttons was this cute wee heart ...

Laying out the garland that I've threaded onto red wool...untangling was a little time consuming!

And I'm all about instant gratification so had to string it up RIGHT NOW!...so just used two hooks that are already in the wall...but not where it will hang

Nice closeup along the wall....

And there it is..but I must take it down now until I have made all our decos...and then closer to December, decorate with purpose!! And a plan!!

Thanks for stopping by...I'll be back soon with my next project...I think it'll be a bay wreath...cos I got a nice big Bay tree right on my back doorstep...and maybe i'll dry some oranges and apple slices in the oven to glue on...mmm...got some ideas coming now...cinnamon bark maybe??..

What do you have in your hands Ladies?

That's what I'm aiming for here....

ciao bellas!

blessings to you all

Jessie xx

Moving on...

Hi all..well my last post was a little sad...and soul searching...sorry about that! Well, kinda sorry. Just being real with where I was at I suppose. I find the emptying nest a very lonely place, to be honest. Having had 5 children around me for more than half my life(and half of that time my husband would be away at sea so the kids have been my constant really)...seems rather odd to just have one chick left in the nest! So it's now a season of change and moving on into what God has for me in this next part of the journey. I'm getting there...

For now, it's about creativity, I have found. With lots of time on my hands, not working, planning for Europe next year (maybe)..planning for a move 'somewhere' anyway...I've been a bit in limbo. Hard to be in this place - I'm a nester, a nurturer, a 'home creator'...although I love to be out having a coffee and a chat with friends, I also just love being at home...doing, making. Unfortunately that often means baking..and eating! The love of all things food - preparing, cooking, laying the table, eating, sharing...ah, it can be a curse at times! So much so that I've had to make drastic changes...and rejoin the gym! Actually to clarify - I rejoined in February and dont' think I've made it since Italy! So that was June! ...so being a poor steward of my hubby's hard earned money has been weighing on my mind (all those gym fees going out each week...and not actually going!)...so I'm back! Aaghhh...yes, I'm back. And my body is protesting! But that won't last...I have a goal to lose 10kg by years end...and I WILL DO IT!!

I found a great pin on Pinterest the other day..."You are not a dog - do not reward yourself with food!"...haha...had such a laugh at that because I SO DO reward myself with food, and comfort myself with food, and reward OTHERS with food...etc etc. I still might, it'll just be less frequently and maybe more nutritious..?...well, I said maybe ;)

okay..I'll be back in a bit with some of what I'm doing right now...Christmas is coming and all our Christmas decorations are in storage (mistakenly, but still packed away, unattainable! grrr)...this just means I have to be REALLY creative as I determine not to buy any more 'stuff' as we are going away next year...so what will my house look like this Christmas? Well, it begins....

talk soon bellas!

jessie xx

Who knew it would be so hard?

Who knew it would be so hard? When your children grow up and get married...and then one day they suffer devastating loss...and they don't need you like they did...they turn to their husband...as is right. We are still feeling their pain like they were still our little girl...longing for them to turn to us for the cuddle, the comfort, the love, the reassurance that everything would be ok..even when we couldn't make it better, we could be there for them, to share their pain with them..to carry them through. Who knew they wouldn't need us both? who knew it would be so hard? I never knew...

Ciabatta Picnic Loaf...mmm...buon appetito!

Buonasera mi amici!! I am still in awe of all things Italian, and when I came across a photo of someones picnic loaf on the wonderful Pinterest...I decided to make my own...with a CIABATTA loaf no doubt... delicious buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, red ripe tomatoes and REAL Italian salami...swoon!!! I was on my way! This is a great way to make 'sandwiches' for a picnic -ones that won't let their fillings spill out. The whole thing is made up the night before, tightly wrapped and weighted in the fridge. Next day...take out, pack in your picnic

basket and away you go. When ready to serve, just unwrap and slice...beautiful colourful FLAVOURFUL slices...like wedges of heaven!

So..you will need, one ciabatta loaf, some fresh tomatoes, salami, mozzarella, fresh basil and dressing of your choice. Can't believe I didn't take a pic of my freshly made garlic mayo (aioli) which I whisked BY HAND..with a hand whisk not an electric mixer (master chef here I come! lol), adding the oil just a dribble at at time..man! that was a labour of love. Ok..I digress!...assemble your ingredients..

We are lucky enough to have at least two artisan bread bakeries in Nelson...Tozetti Panetteria and the aptly named Artisan Breads at Founders Park Bakery...this loaf bought from the Artisan stall at our WONDERFUL weekly saturday market ...

Fresh basil from the supermarket...

And I even managed to find some really red truss tomatoes with a bit of flavour!...most our tomatoes right now are pale orange in colour and insipid...and something like $10 a kilo!!..so I just bought four for what we needed this weekend...

REAL buffalo Mozzarella from Italy...bought locally from Prego Mediterranean Foods - a wonderful store full of delicious goodies from all over Europe and Asia...mmmm...

Gorgeous fatty salami also from Prego...

mmm...look at the crusty goodness of this delicious bread!!

So! You're ready...slice your ciabatta loaf lengthways but not quite all the way thru...leave a 'hinge' at the back...

Open out and spread with your dressing...then begin layering up...salami, mozzarella, tomato...

A good grind of salt and pepper over the tomato...then top with fresh basil leaves.

Isn't it beautiful? Look at the sun shining thru those bright green leaves! Basil says SUMMER to me! (tho it's only just the eve of spring!)

So here is your finished loaf, ready for wrapping and pressing.

mmmmm

Wrap tightly with clingfilm, place in a dish, weight down and put in fridge overnight. I put mine in a roasting pan, with a baking tray on top then piled some dinner plates on top of that! Hey, just use what you have at hand to do the trick. You want it well weighted so it all presses into a nice firm loaf.

Next day..unwrap and here you have a firm, flatter loaf ready for slicing....

The 'reveal'..! lol...doesn't it slice perfectly?? The sandwiches just 'stand up'..no fillings falling out, just perfect. You could cut the loaf into four wedges and have them like filled rolls...but we sliced it into thin sandwiches...just cos it looks so gorgeous!!

Buon appetito!!

ciao bellas!!

luv jess x

Salted Caramel Sauce...and perhaps...just add a little butter!

Oh girls, I've discovered PINTEREST!!! haven't heard of it?? click here ... Inspiration station! Recipes..craft...event styling...divine fashion...recycling fashion...wedding ideas...you name it I think you'll find something there for everyone! ... so imagine coming across a delicious pic of Salted Caramel Sauce!!! It came from the lovely Julie Marie's blog, Always with Butter... here

The intense richness of caramel sauce balanced with nutty saltiness...m,mmm!! So I HAD to make some...easy peasy...BUT ...I warn you...do NOT step away from the stove! lol...burned the first lot in the blink of an eye!!

so ...if you want to make some you will need...

1 cup water, 2 cups white sugar, 1 cup cream, 1 tsp salt (or more to taste - I used near 2 cos I love the salty edge of a rich sweet dish ) , 40g butter (optional..I like the 'mouth appeal' that only butter can give...sorry...it's true...I'm a butter addict!) There..it's out there!! lol...anyways...here we go...

Okay..so i didn't remember to take a pic of the measured sugar and water...oops..already in the pot...

Over medium heat place one cup of water. Pour 2 cups of sugar into the centre of the water so that it does not touch the edges of the pot...DO NOT STIR - AT ANY TIME...seriously....just watching only...

See it just beginning to colour on one side...the whole process will only take about 10 minutes from start to finish...this is about 5 min after coming to the boil...KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT... While it's cooking, heat the cream for about 45 seconds in the microwave - this will warm it and help it not make lumps or spit up in the pot when you add it..

Cook over high heat till a lovely golden brown BUT not too dark..as soon as its golden all over...

Pour the cream into the centre of the pot and whisk in immediately...if it rises up like a volcano, remove from heat while you whisk..it will settle back down into the pot...

Here it is after adding the cream...all 'gloopy' and bubbling - like the mudpools in Rotorua..only smells waaaay better!!! lol...

Take off the heat and add the salt and butter...whisk in. Pour some onto a plate to cool and test saltiness preference...

I poured a little onto a plate to set to see if it was thick enough and salty enough...pretty much once you add the cream, cook for say 1-2 min more..and it's done. It thickens considerably on cooling.

Here it is (sorry bit messy into the jar)...isn't it glorious?? Oh yes..that's the test plate on the right..as you can see...it was good!!! and m hmm, definitely set enough ;) Practically licked the plate clean ;)

So there you have it...Salted Caramel Sauce. We had it over Rustic Apple Pie (a ha, also from Pinterest!)...with french vanilla icecream...it was heaven on a plate...

but really...it's so good you will want to just eat it out of the jar...as some of my lovely dinner guests did a bit later on...you know...just cos!!

Buon Appetito mi amici!!

ciao for now, bellas

luv jessie xx

OK..just a few more ;)

And not just the delicious sweet fruit...look at these divine eggplant and peppers...the colour!! seriously, have you seen anything so vibrant and beautiful lately? Bet you haven't...unless you are in the beautiful Italy!!!

Looking up at the delightful balconies covered in potted flowers...a bit bright on my point and click camera...but you get the idea.. :)

And off we all go heading for that castle in the background...

Thanks for stopping by :) off to bed now..no, really I am! ;)

ciao bellas

jessie xx

A little more from Guardagrele...

Ok...I'm still up...so here are some more! lol...they're a bit small...not sure why? hmm...anyway...look at the COLOUR of the fruit and veges...they were SO beautiful! And the flavour of the local produce was really really amazing...far more delicious than we get at our local markets and supermarkets. My favourite of all were wee tomatoes from Sicily...sweet and strong flavoured...de-licious!!! Just look at these cherries...I loved how they were displayed with branches and leaves still attached...I didn't sample them myself as I am mildly allergic...but they were soo beautiful I had to take pics...

And the strawberries were HUGE...and lusciously sweet!!

And then there were the A-M-A-ZING doors EVERYWHERE!! Intricate...beautifully detailed. I don't know what it is about doors but I love 'em! I have a whole folder of DOOR pics! lol...will share those when they are restored ;) (restored doors! hehe)

More delightful Italian elderly men just chillin...

And even their rubbish bins were exceptionally styley...

Beauty in the unexpected...Love it!

ciao bellas :)

xx

I'm Back!

Hello bloggerettes! I am finally settled into our little flat that we are renting until our more permanent departure to Italy next January. We're very cosy here...a completely furnished wee place so nothing much to unpack - ours all being in longterm storage...but I did have, oh, I don't know..maybe 10 boxes of kitchen 'stuff'!! lol...it certainly feels like my kitchen now! Got my espresso machine, my breadmaker, food processor, mixer, vintage cake tins, all good sharp knives, mums essence rack, maybe a quarter of my cookbooks (around 25)and my lovely kauri dining table (HAD to get that out of storage...only a wee table for two here and that's just not welcoming at all, is it??) Love my old table so feels good to have it...

Anyway....Wow..it's been over a month since I last blogged and tried uploading pics from Valdirose. Still can't...we brought home a memory stick (usb drive) with our ....3000 photos!!...and something ghastly happened to them...all files corrupt!!! Imagine our devastation!...until...we remembered Steve has them also has copies of them all on his laptop in Dubai! Praise God!! Beth and I were just gutted to see these files corrupt...well, 2000 of them! Luckily another 12 folders were on a separate usb stick...so here are a few from a gorgeous little village called Guardagrele near Chieti in the Abruzzo region...Steve B, Max, Beth, Steve(mine) and I went wandering on this day of village/castle hopping :)

starting with...the lavender shop!...seriously, all things purple, inside and out...

lavender pillows, lavender soap, lilac bath salts, moisturisers, vanilla massage bars...

it smelt good in there!

Dont' you love the old purple bike?? :)

There's Beth 'skipping' up the street...haha..just caught her as she swung around...dad and Steve B a bit further ahead past the old men...I love these old Italian men...all little and so friendly...well, I think they were friendly...lol...no english! or maybe they just liked my girls long legs!! ;)

Catherine (Max) enjoying the buildings as we wandered along...

And in here I bought a very cool wee verdigris coppery bronze bell - sheep bell I think - the shop was crammed...did I say CRAMMED?!...with all things bronze, copper and anything to do with lighting...the old man was lovely...but he started CLEANING and POLISHING my bell!! No No I say...I want it old, rusty and verdigris!! He couldn't understand it! lol...but hey, the more vintage the better for this girl. :)

Well that's it for tonight...but can I just say...have you discovered Pinterest? Oh my...I have...and what a time waster that is!! well not wasting...an inspiration station!!!!!!! but could seriously spend all day and half the night looking at the most amazing inspirational projects, food, recipes, decorating, flowers, diy projects...and the list goes on! If you haven't checked it out...DO IT...DO IT NOW!! BUT I WARN YOU...it's terribly addictive!

ciao bellas...good to be back!

much love and blessings

jessie xxx