Farmer and Flea

It's market season!  Hooray!  Today I went to the Farmer's Market and the Flea Market. 
Here's what I scored:

An old white trunk for $20 (I think it looks very Anthro).  A vertical frame for $2, a bag of delicious, fresh tomatoes, and a basil plant.  Stay tuned on Monday to see what I have done with that frame...
happy mother's day all!
jessica

Well aren't you lovely?

Why yes, you really are.  and I love lovely things.
especially you.

So I'm changing my name... the name of my blog that is.
We're saying goodbye to Sew Homegrown and hello to.......

My new address is http://www.makeitlovely.com. 

And you can get to the Facebook page at facebook.com/makeitlovely
(although the name of the fbook page will remain Sew Homegrown)
Don't worry - you don't have to do anything differently.  Everything will be redirected and we will go on as usual.  I feel that Make It Lovely is a little more all - encompassing.  It's easier to remember and easier to spell ( no Sew vs. So).
The main focus of my blog is still homemaking  - making our homes lovely - and everything that goes along with that.
So say it with me:
Make it Lovely
Make it Lovely
Make it Lovely
Now you will remember ;)

I really enjoy blogging.  I enjoy meeting new friends and learning new things.  I enjoy the way I am compelled to challenge myself - to create ideas of my own.  It helps me remember to embrace the art of homemaking.  Make things lovely.
I love my family, I love my home, and I am so happy to share it with you.  So thank you.  Thank you for listening to me, and encouraging me with your kind comments.  They mean so much.  And here's to making our homes lovely together!
xoxo
jessica

Last minute Mother's Day gift

Not that we waited until the last minute because we don't love our mommas....it's just the last minute because we are busy...and distracted...and procrastinators.  But no worries - you can whip these sweet dishtowels up in about 30 minutes.  Here's what you'll need:
1/2 yard of 2 different fabrics - I chose a nice linen by Valori Wells
some ric rac (or trim of your choice)
sewing machine/thread
scissors/yard stick
iron/ironing board

Step 1:  Cut a rectangle 18" x 26" out of each piece of fabric. 

Step 2:  Press each side under 1/4" and then another 1/4".  This will hide the raw edges.

When you come to a corner - miter it like this:

Step 3:  Once all the edges are turned under and pressed, top stitch around the entire towel.

Step 4:  Pin the ric rac along the bottom edge of the towel.

Then topstitch it on.  Now you have a nice little gift for your momma.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Guest Post:: liZ from Simple Simon and Company

Today I have a very special guest - a kindred spirit.  liZ from Simple Simon and Co.  She is here to talk to us about homemaking.  Please take a few minutes to read it - she is so inspiring - and leave some comments letting us know what you think, how you feel, about the Art of Homemaking.

Hello.
My name is liZ. Awhile ago I started a little homemaking experiment. And then I started posting about it on my blog. (Which is where the totally awesome Jessica found me.)

You see, recently I've been obsessed with reading books written by homemakers from generations past and then doing my best to follow their advice. I love the complete coolness of the 1950's house wife and dream of one day absorbing all their loveliness but....I haven't always felt this way.

In fact, here are some facts and feelings from my former self:
#1. The whole idea of motherhood---er, not appealing. Seriously? Who wants kids?
#2. Me, a stay at home mom? Not in this life.
#3. I will be educated.
#4. I will have a career.
#5. I cried several years ago on Christmas when my mom gave me a sewing machine.


Oh yea, that was me.



But here are some more facts. (And these are current.)
#1. I am a mom.
#2. I am a stay at home mom.
#3. I am educated. I graduated from 2 different universities with degrees...in art, history, and special education.
#4. I have had two careers. I taught public school for my first career. But that only lasted for 7 years. Right now I'm working on my second career. I'm a homemaker and am confident this profession will last much longer than my first one did.
#5. That sewing machine has been worn out...as have it's two successors. (Who knew that I would like to sew?)



No one could be more surprised than I am with the direction my life has taken. I adore being a mom. In fact, I can't think of a word powerful enough for the feeling of love I have for my little family. It is better than any life I could have dreamed up.

And yes...that includes the part where I am a homemaker (and not a sleek career woman wearing totally awesome power suits paired with fantastic shoes and amazing earrings).


And while I am convinced of the coolness of my job as a homemaker, it wasn't always so. I'm embarrassed to say that when I first quit teaching I was almost ashamed to let people know that I was going to be "just a mom". For some reason homemaking didn't seem important. But as time passed I came to realize just how wrong I was to feel that way.


Then one day I ran across a book that literally changed my life. It validated my growing feelings of the importance of being a housewife and helped me better articulate why being a full time homemaker is such an important and powerful profession.


Here's the book:

Not what you expected? Me neither.

In fact, I bought it for the kitschy illustrations and the hilarious one liners I read as I thumbed through the pages (like "beauty is a duty" and "if it isn't pretty, put it away"). I laughed and laughed. Then I put it on my shelf and forgot about it until one night when I couldn't sleep.

That night I started reading and I couldn't stop. I loved how dedicated this mother was to her career as a homemaker. She literally saw homemaking as an art. I couldn't get enough of her matter-of-fact attitude about the importance of running a clean, lovely, and efficient home. When I finished I needed more.

Soon I was buying up any homemakers guide from decades past. Ingrained within their corny writing styles and their complete political incorrectness are themes of dedication, pride, craftsmanship, and the importance of raising a truly happy family. These women were anything but apologetic about being "just house wives". They were passionate about homemaking and I have found their zeal not only refreshing but irresistible.

Let me share a few of my favorite books and quotes with you.

"The more intelligent, talented, capable, creative, and educated a woman is, the richer can be her life and the lives of those in her family. In this way she is a homemaker, not just a housewife. And she teaches children, instead of merely tends them...A home holds all the areas of achievement that can be found in any field...A wise woman makes her home her business."

---Daryl Hoole 1975

"To be able to manage well as a homemaker you must not only tackle your job with love---which almost goes without saying---but you must be knowledgeable. You must be willing to search for information and learn...Put into homemaking the interest, initiative, and zest that you would give to any other occupation to ensure success."

---Laura Snyder 1970

"...to the everyday housewife with children, tired working mothers, office girls and those others who just never find the time to get everything done that needs to be done...I only wish I could come into your home and sit at your kitchen table each morning and talk of our common problems..."

***Me too Heloise, me too. (Who knew that liZ the super feminist would find her most kindred of spirits from housewives of the past?)

"Love is the greatest thing you have to give. Give it freely ...yes, even if it is expressed through washing dishes and doing laundry...Do what you can. But...enjoy it if possible. Never sit and worry about what you have to do. If it bothers you that much, get up out of that chair and get it done...Mrs. Homemaker, I think you are the most wonderful person on earth!"

---Heloise 1962

I love Heloise, she is my current favorite, but I also love Daryl, Mildred, Laura, and Dorthy...some of my favorite housewives from days gone by. Sometimes I think how awesome their blogs would be if they were around today. I'd definitely be a follower.

Which brings me to this: I love Jessica's blog. I love her dedication to being the best, most creative, thrifty, housewife she can be. I love that she invited me to share some thoughts with you. I love that somewhere out in cyber space another homemaker is reading this and will leave a comment sharing with us her thoughts and ideas.

I love the give and take...this exchange of information. We all want the same thing--to create a safe, wonderful, sanctuary of a home that is perfect for our own individually unique families. And how cool is it that everyday as a homemaker I get to dedicate my time and energy into creating that environment? I love it.

Being a homemaker is important and powerful and wonderful and I will never be ashamed of it ever again. Ever.

Here's to being a homemaker---and for wearing fantastic shoes while being one!

Wow.  Thanks Liz!! Aren't you inspired now?!  Happy Homemaking everyone!
jessica

Graduation Party - Swamp Style

Here are the details from the graduation party I threw my hubby last Saturday.  As you probably know, it is SO tricky to do stuff for guys.  You can't make it to "cutesy".  Ryan was graduating from the University of Florida, whose mascot is the Gators, and whose stadium is called the Swamp.  

So I went with that. 

I made the dessert table swampy with large sticks and assorted dried mushrooms  in glass cylinders, "moss" - green Easter grass, lanterns, and green fabric. 

The hat bunting was strung across the front of the table.

I made green, brown, orange, and blue streamers to hang behind the table.

I also threw in some books here and there - to give it the academic look.  The cake was actually cupcakes in the shape of a gator - from the lovely Hello Cupcake book. 

I made brown icing and mossy green icing and filled my pastry bag half with green and half with brown.  That's how I achieved that variegated look - I thought it looked more authentic than bright green for a man party.  

I made the graduation hat pops - using orange and blue taffy for the tassels.  

I covered half the Oreos with blue melting candies and the other half in white and sprinkled orange sprinkles on them for texture.  I put them on books covered in faux bois paper.  

Finally for the favors I made a play on the drink Izze by asking "Is he finally a doctor?".  

It was really fun to put together - and of course would work for a Gator football party too.  

Go Gators! jessica

Berrylicious Mother's Day Scones

Don't those look delightful? Just the sort of treat for Mom's breakfast or brunch on her special day.

Here is what you will need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp sugar

5 Tbsp butter cut into pats

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2/3 cup cream

1 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries

3 - 4 Tbsp powdered sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut up your strawberries and place them in a separate bowl. I suggest using 1 cup to start. I was over zealous with my first batch and used too many strawberries, and my dough was SUPER wet.

Take 1/2 cup strawberries and set them aside in a cup (coffee mug is fine) and add 1 Tbsp sugar. Let this set while you mix the other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, until thoroughly combined. Add the butter, working it in until the mixture is unevenly crumbly.

In separate bowl, whisk together the cream, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.

Now, back to your strawberries. The half cup of strawberries that has been macerating (such a harsh sounding word, don't you think?) should  have some nice, sticky, sweet strawberry syrup in the cup. Carefully spoon out the strawberries, leaving as much syrup behind in the cup as you can; set aside the strawberry syrup, you will use it  soon. Add the macerated strawberries back to the cut up strawberries. Stir those up a bit.

Let's mix up the scones.
Add the cream/egg mixture to the flour mixture and fold gently. Don't worry if the scone mixture is dry, that is OK. When you add the strawberries, it will moisten up.

Now fold in the strawberries gently until just incorporated. You don't want to smush or damage the berries.

Turn out the scone dough onto a well floured cutting board and pat out into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut your dough in half, vertically, and then cut each half into thirds, horizontally. Cut each third in half diagonally, to give you triangles. Now gently transfer your scones to a baking sheet. I usually line my baking sheet with parchment paper when I am making scones, but it isn't necessary. Your scones may just be a bit brown on the bottom.

Into the oven the go!

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until slightly colored on top. You don't want to dry them out. If your scone dough was still a bit wet, you may need an additional 5 minutes or so. Just watch them if you need to go over 20 minutes of baking time.

While your scones are baking, take that cup with your strawberry syrup in it and add 3 or 4 Tbsp. of powdered sugar to it.

Mix well to create a delicious glaze. I like to add a small splash of vanilla to my glaze to enhance the flavor.

This glaze is just for drizzling. If you want to completely glaze the tops, you may need to add a bit of milk or water to the glaze to make sure you have enough for all the scones.

Once the scones are out of the oven, let them cool for 10 minutes or so before you drizzle them with your glaze.

YUMMY!!! Perfect for Mother's Day. The beautiful thing about these scones, is that you can make them ahead of time and freeze them before you bake them. This way you can have fresh baked scones any time of the day. Using fresh fruit, means that they won't keep for long, but they are so delicious, they may not last the day. They certainly didn't at our house.

Hoping all the Mothers in your life have a wonderful Mother's Day filled with love. . . and scones.
Happy Tuesday to you!

Shannon

Our Weekend...

was wonderful!  We had so much fun seeing family, dear friends, and celebrating!  I am exhausted, but it was wonderful.  Here are some pics - that's about all I could manage this morning :)  Hope you all are doing well!

It was a really long ceremony...

 

 

 

Dr. and Mrs. - yay!

 

 

We are happy.

xo

jessica