Old Fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie

This recipe is my grandmother's, and she made this pie (at everyone's request) for most major family functions. It is a lot of work because it is made the old fashioned way (no instant pudding mix filling here!)...and you know what? Each bite has a deep, rich, old-fashioned, chocolaty taste that is worth every minute of work spent on it. Now my husband's side requests it, and I make it for major family functions....like our Thanksgiving dinner we just had this past weekend. I put only real whipped cream on top--a thick layer of course--without anything added to it--the cream definitely completes the pie without adding any more unnecessary sweetness. You'll need to save out time to do this--really great things take longer than a minute to make, you know--but you and your family will be pleased with the results...I promise!

Mamie's Chocolate Cream Pie

3 cups whole milk (needs the fat in the whole)
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp flour
5 tbsp cocoa (I prefer Hershey's taste)
2 egg yolks (no white parts at all!)
2 tsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 baked pastry shell (a larger shell is best)

Scald 1-1/2 cups of milk over boiling water. Mix sugar, salt, flour, cocoa, and remaining milk in bowl (mix very slowly to avoid any lumps). Stir into hot milk and cook slowly until thickened stirring constantly (this takes the most time). Once thickened, cover and cook over boiling water for 5 minutes. Add egg yolks and cook 1 minute longer. Add butter and vanilla. Cool. Pour into cooked pastry shell and top with whipped cream once cold.

"Tea Time Tidbits" Special Posting #12

This perky yellow teapot and silver cozy belonged to Grammy McKee--my mother's grandmother. Grammy was from Wales--came through Ellis Island-- and was a very special person in my mother's life until she passed away when my mother was quite young. Mom DOES remember having tea with Grammy McKee in this teapot though. Grammy enjoyed her tea parties and apparently this teapot. I'm thankful for this teapot being passed down to me. Who can rises a cheery yellow teapot (which happens to be my mother's favorite color) filled with what I grew up to know as the "Welsh cure-all"--tea, of course!

Some New Vintage Image Brooches

I've been working on some new vintage image brooches. I found some really interesting ones while out and about antiquing last month and am now starting to work on some jewelry. My biggest problem now is finding the time to work on all of my ideas. I was thrilled to find two with teapots on them--you know me and teapots. This above is one of them. The other isn't quite done yet and probably won't be until the beginning of next week. This pretty teapot was actually from a Christmas advertisement, but with the pink and green it will look good all year round pinned to someone who likes tea. It has pink and green glitter on it also as well as touches of 18K gold leafing pen for extra shimmer (can't have enough shimmer!). There are other pins as well--a pretty lady in a hat, a kissing couple, and a blue and white Dutch image (think Delft tile). I will be adding all of these to my shops on Lollishops and Etsy soon.

Thanks for the Blessing, Polly!

I just finished reading the last page of the Romantic Homes December 2009 issue. It is a beautiful issue (love what they did with those gorgeous hankies on the front cover--beautiful material!)...and it ended beautifully with a little "At Home With..." article about Polly Hood of French Cupboard (a group I'd love to be a part of someday when the money allows...someday, I hope) and Counting Your Blessings fame. It was such a blessing to read in a large publication that one of her prized possessions is her Bible! Not everyone would have the guts to say such a thing (might "offend" someone...might lose some business...etc.). I figure if the Lord had the "guts" to die on the cross for us, an innocent man, then why shouldn't we have some guts to speak out for Him and his Word? Anyway, I appreciate and respect Polly for mentioning the Bible--a book which is increasingly getting more and more unpopular--and I know the Lord will bless her and her business for it. Thanks for the blessing, Polly!

Thanksgiving Craft with the Kids

I send out Thanksgiving cards every year because I like Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), and I like to tell people that I'm thankful for them. What better time? I decided to make my Thanksgiving cards this year and bought a packet of pretty green blank cards and some gorgeous, very elegant stickers. Then I decided that our friends and relatives would probably appreciate something handmade and full of love from my two kids rather than something elegant from just me. So, we did this craft as a homeschooling project, and I think they came out quite well. We cut out the turkey shapes from thin foam paper which the kids glued on. There were feathers in fall colors to glue behind the turkey for his feathers. They dotted the eyes with a black marker. Then inside, we glued cut out acorn parts and put glitter on the acorns. Then with their fancy scissors they cut out the Bible verse ("O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good..." I Chronicles 16:34) and glued that in. One child did the turkey then the other did the inside work so that they both would have a part in each card (and I noted who did what on the back). The card is full of texture and color, and it was a fun project which I'm sure the recipients will enjoy--much more than a card just done by me.

The Love of Limoges

I know, I've posted a picture of this teacup and saucer before. My husband and I were at the Charles De' Gaulle Airport for the trip home from our little jaunt in Paris years ago, and I still had not purchased a teacup and saucer--something I like to get from places we visit as a memory of the trip. We went into a little shop at the airport, and, lo and behold...they had teacups! I bought these two ("In case one breaks, you'll still have the other," my husband thoughtfully said.) because they were so French...so Limoges. When I think of France...when I think of Limoges--the quintessential colors of Limoges--I think of cobalt and gold (and, of course, the French lady and gent are a part of that--goes without saying, really). So, with this inspiration and the colorful richness of cobalt and gold/brass, I hand stitched flower beads in cobalt, light blue and white along with little brass rose beads for my newest trinket box (have it listed on my Lollishop and on Etsy). Leave it to something from France to inspire me!

Thank you, Dear Veterans!

With all my heart, I thank you all for having served our country--for the sacrifices, the loneliness, the hurt, the willingness, the difficulties. Because of you--both veterans who have passed away and you who are alive today--we have our freedoms. You have been willing to serve and do what so many others could not or would not do. Shame on anyone who treats you poorly or looks down on you with disrespect because they disagree with whatever war you have fought in or are fighting in. Whatever the war, whether popular or not, you have my highest respect, and I'm thankful for a special day to honor you. Thank you to your families too who sacrificed so that you could serve. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to you all.

Victoria Magazine's Wrapped in Whimsy

In their November/December 2009 issue, Victoria magazine (above picture from there) has a wonderful article entitled "Wrapped in Whimsy" about a store owned by Nicholas Kniel that specializes in ribbons, buttons, and embellishments galore. It's a wonderful article--just beautiful! I checked out his on-line shop, Nicholas Kniel Fine Ribbons and Embellishment, wherein a person may see, I presume, most if not all of what he has to offer. I'd love to actually go to the shop someday--which is unfortunately in Georgia and far from here. There is nothing like feeling the ribbons and seeing the true colors of things in real life. I especially liked the little blue bird embellishments as seen in the article pictures. If you love ribbons and pretty accents, this article is a must-read and the shop a must-visit.

New Listings

Been listing a lot of goodies on Lollishops and Etsy this past weekend. Whew! It is all done finally. It seemed to take me forever. I listed a few new brooches as well as many lengths of various colors of tatted lace found at an estate sale (blogged about that in a previous post).
The lace really is pretty...but not something I would use for awhile (though I'm sure I could come up with some use if pressed!). Hopefully it all can find a nice home somewhere where it will be used and loved and appreciated. I also got three brooches done and listed (two are seen above). I'm working on another little box--the colors are...well, think Limoges. I bid on two projects on Etsy--offering to custom create a little trinket box like the pink Victorian one in my shops--but I don't know yet if the people are interested.

Two Little Estate Sale Finds

I was thrilled to find this little enameled bluebird pin in a bunch of "stuff" from an estate sale. Perhaps these little pins were used to secure certain undergarment straps in days of old, or perhaps it was simply little bit of added color on a lapel. Whatever the case, this is assuredly a treasure.
Also in the bunch of "stuff", was this little book locket.
It appears that it had more enamel on it that has over the years fallen off. I like the intricate details of the back and front covers.
It is a sweet little locket that appears to be old and well used.
I so enjoy "little" things especially if they are vintage, pretty, or interesting. Like the little bluebird pin, this locket is a "keeper" treasure as well.

Teal Etsy Treasury

I'm in the treasury, Tantalizingly Teal, on Etsy (and in fact created it). It was wonderful to hear from a vendor, Teaman (check out his shop--he sells many different kinds of tea in nice tins) that fact that he had at least one sale from it. The ribbon in the treasury sold as well. I know, I sold a brooch once while it was in someone's treasury. I'm very glad for them...and pleased.

New Little Treasure Box

As promised, the little brass trinket box is finished, and here are the pictures of it. I added it to my shops at Lollishops and Etsy this morning...but you know, I really like it for myself! Perhaps if it doesn't sell....I'll claim it for my own. ; )