My Kinda' Cookin'...

All  G o o d  things must end someday. . .

and so it is for my G r e e n Theme posts!

Since "Mr. Ed's" retirement. . .
we try to watch Barefoot Contessa's cooking show at least once a week! During the early part of March, Ina made Risotto. . . as did "Mr. Ed" and I.

Not having long grain rice in our cupboard, we varied her recipe and made ours in "under 30 minutes or less". My kinda' cookin' On Crooked Creek!

MR.ED'S RISOTTO

2 cups Chicken Broth

1 1/2 cups Minute Rice

2 tablespoons Butter

1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup frozen peas

Pour chicken broth into a Dutch Oven pan.
Add butter and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Stir in minute rice and frozen peas.
Continue to boil for 1 minute, cover pan and remove from heat.
Let the rice and peas sit covered for 5 minutes.
Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese.

This will be quite creamy in consistency.
Spoon into a serving bow and enjoy!

On Crooked Creek this green dish was delicious!"Mr. Ed's" Risotto served us for our dinner meal and the next day's lunch, as well!

Until next time. . .

FYI:


During the month of March, I've aspired to connect each post On Crooked Creek with a Green theme. In this post the green theme, obviously, are the green peas in the Risotto! Thank you for allowing me to bring a wee bit of green to your world! Each of you, in the Land of  Blog, add color to my world by your friendship! I am continually blessed!

For Mademoiselle!

For Mademoiselle, indeed!

When it became necessary to renovate the Main Bathroom in our 1970's Ranch Style house, I was at a loss for ideas. Off the West Wing Hall On Crooked Creek, my own private bath would also be the public bath for guests.

I had envisioned one of those free standing furniture based sinks, but everyone I asked thought I'd lost my mind. Ten years ago, they weren't in vogue, yet! So~o~o. . .I settled for the big box store cabinet with drawers for storage!

"Mr. Ed" and I had discussed an over ~ the ~ toilet storage unit; however we have a floor ~ to ~ ceiling linen closet at the end of the hall. Instead, I painted and distressed a maple shelf we had received as a wedding gift. I adore its crackle finish!

Unlike any other room On Crooked Creek, I chose purple accessories to  compliment the gold and black rose toile wall paper. The various purple hues add an air of royalty to this "oh so French"  Le Petit Main Bath!

These two oil paintings are heirlooms from my MoMa. Their golden leaf frames are now beginning to crackle and chip from age and the moisture ever present from daily showers!

The swag above the pair of prints is iron wheat shafts with various florals. I purchased the iron wheat shafts years ago from Home Interior and added the florals after arriving On Crooked Creek. Only the lavendar is truly Provence!

Vintage , white linen guest towels belonging to my beloved Grandmother! The towels on either side of the Shabby Chic towel bar were taken from her restaurant. Remember when you dried your hands in a public restroom and the cotton towel was pulled from a roll? These were cut and hemmed from that roll when Grandmother closed the restaurant.  The middle towel has hand crocheted with tatted lace finished off with a running embroidery stitch made by Grandmother's hands! These are priceless!

I admired this wooden mirror and shelf from Pottery Barn, but at over two hundred dollars, I settled for the big box store knock ~ off at less that $40!

This vintage gold lipstick holder belonged to my MoMa! I adore how it is the "perfect" floral vase for my faux florals!

This pair of watercolor prints belonged to my beloved Grandmother! They were purchased @ Woolworth's for $2.29 each! Yes...they are identical to the oil paintings of my MoMa's! As the saying goes..."Like Mother, like daughter"...and both were gifted to Mademoiselle!

Inspiration abounds, many times, where we least expect to find it. I had stopped in to The Wall Paper Place in Wichita and when I saw this wall paper in their public bath, I was smitten! I thought it was the most beautiful, le petit bath I'd ever seen! I knew it would be a perfect fit On Crooked Creek, as well! Oh...and ladies what you can't see is the ceiling...painted Coffee Kiss brown!

My guest are quite smitten with this "oh so French" bathroom! During a recent open house, one guest stood for quite some time soaking it all in. "This is just lovely!" was her remark.

I'll leave you with a few random photos. . .

Indeed, for Mademoiselle!



Until next time. . .

FYI:

During the month of March, I'm aspiring to connect each post On Crooked Creek with a Green theme. Keep in mind that the word green has multiple meanings. In this post the Green theme implies to environmentally friendly!

On Crooked Creek uses environmentally friendly, biodegradable, cleansers containing essential oils, and plant derived ingredients. My favorite fragrance is Basil Blue Sage an aroma therapeutic housekeeping cleanser consisting of the essential oils of basil, blue sage and rosemary by Caldrea.

A Celtic Tablescape. . .

Upon the arrival of the Farmhouse dining room chairs last Fall, I've been striving for a Frenchy Farmhouse Style On Crooked Creek. Tablescaping has been challenging for this Traditionalist!

Featuring my Majolica Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage dinnerware for St. Patrick's Day was the goal for this Celtic Tablescape. After several attempts ~ my finished style comes from an unexpected inspiration!

An heirloom, white eyelet tablecloth serves as the background.

Atop the eyelet tablecloth, I added brown quilted, scalloped place mats. The center of the place mat reminds me of a Celtic Knot!

Layering of our everyday white and sage green dinnerware elevates the Majolica Bordolla Pinherio cabbage dessert / salad plates giving them a stately presence.

We prefer our everyday flatware for its sleek lines, simple beaded edging and its heft in ones hand. Freshly pressed, white linen napkins keep distractions to a minimum.

Everyday bubble goblets paired with our bee stemware sets this tablescape for tomorrow mornings breakfast.

The unexpected inspiration for our Celtic Tablescape is an heirloom figurine ~ March Angel!

I placed our vintage March Angel figurine atop a candle jar lid disguised with a vintage miniature crocheted doily.

This delicate little "lassie" stands in front of a column of vintage white milk glass bud bases filled with soft yellow hued faux florals.

These combined elements are placed on a footed, wooden round tray to create an easily removable centerpiece for dining.

Simplistic,

Celtic Tablescape for St.Patrick's Day,

in the Farmhouse Style!

Until next time. . .


FYI:

During the month of March, I'm aspiring to connect each post On Crooked Creek with a Green theme. Keep in mind that the word green has multiple meanings. In this post the Green theme reduce is featured. By reducing the amount of decor items used in this Celtic Tablescape, On Crooked Creek kept a simple dining experience during meal times.

Celtic Cakes. . .

Celtic Cakes???

The Celtic knot symbol also referred to as the mystic knot, or the endless knot has an esoteric or spiritual meaning eluding to beginnings and endings. Celtic knots have no beginning or end, reminding us of the timeless nature of our spirit.

Individual Celtic Cakes:

2 1/3 cups Bisquick
3 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 cup Milk
3 Tablespoons Butter, melted

Pre~heat oven to 425 degrees.
Melt butter.

Place Bisquick in a mixing bowl and add the sugar to combine.

Add the milk, then the melted, cooled butter.
Stir all ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Flour an individual tea biscuit cutter.

Turn the soft dough out onto a lightly floured working surface.

Work (or knead) the dough just until it is no longer sticky. Too much flour will make the dough tough!

On Crooked Creek, I seldom use a rolling pin. My Grandmother owned and operated a restaurant. My MoMa did the baking and short order cooking in the restaurant. My Aunt Jean was the head cook for the Garden Grove Elementary Schools.

Coming from a family of cooks, I was taught to use my hands to flatten the dough.

Cut out the Celtic Cakes until all the dough has been used.

Form the remaining dough (the scraps) into another ball and repeat the process.

Place on a cookie sheet. Melt  1 tablespoon butter and brush the tops. Then sprinkle lightly with sugar.

Place the Celtic Cakes in a 425 degree oven and bake 10 ~ 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.

While the Celtic Cakes are cooling, rinse and slice fresh strawberries.

The above recipe for Celtic Cakes is full of Irish Blarney. . .
these are On Crooked Creek's mimic of Barefoot Contessa's Individual Shortcakes!!!

"Mr. Ed" chose to have his individual shortcake served in the traditional manner.

Sliced shortcake ~ then layered with whipping cream, strawberries, more whipping cream ~ finishing with the shortcake.

Topped off with a dollop of whipping cream and a strawberry!

Being the non~traditionalist in the family. . . I began with ample whipping cream!

A uniform layer of strawberries, followed by crumbled shortcake. Another ample portion of whipping cream with more strawberries and a spoon to dive right in!

These vintage, green depression dessert saucers and bowls seemed the perfect choice for our Individual Shortcakes on Crooked Creek!

Much like the Celtic knot that has no beginning or end is the following toast!

Let the purpose of all marriages

and friendships alike

be the deepening of the spirit

and the enrichment of the soul.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Until next time. . .

FYI:



During the month of March, I'm aspiring to connect each post On Crooked Creek with a Green theme. Keep in mind that the word green has multiple meanings. In this post the Green theme refers to the hue of the vintage, green depression dessert saucers and bowls used to serve our Individual Shortcakes!

http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/

On Crooked Creek is joining our dear hostess,Yvonne @ StoneGable for On The Menu Monday just in time for some amazingly delicious recipes for upcoming St. Patrick's Day Holiday. Be sure to visit for some inspirational menu selections for your family dining experience! Welcome back, Yvonne it's refreshing to have you back in the Land of Blog!!!