from france - with love

from france...with love

linking up here

happy days,

Tracey

just for Sissie...

sharing my garden flowers with Sissie...

you know why:-)

happy days,

Tracey

what's a girl to do??

so what's a girl to do??

when you're running late...

and you go whizzing past your favorite-but-i-can-never-afford-the-prices antique store??

and there, sitting all alone beside the dumpster....

you catch just a glimpse...

could it possibly be...??

do the fastest U-turn ev-ah of course...

ignore the rolled eyes and "aww, mom" from the back of the van

and rescue the beauty!!!

really, it doesn't take much to keep me happy...

linking up to DebbieDoos Weekend Garage Salen Party

be sure to check out Debbie's blog, she's a super fun gal!!

happy days,

Tracey

guess??

guess what we've been up to??

i heart summer

happy days,

Tracey

such bliss...

our yard is not all that big...

and we've planted it up from scratch...

but what a thrill to be able to actually cut blooms from your own yard...

]

and fill the house with them....

in a favorite pitcher...

or simple jar...

(i know, i know, i seriously need a bigger nest in my birdcage!)
i'm working on it...

such bliss...

joining Cindy at My Romantic Home

happy days,

Tracey

white ruffle overload!

here's a ruffly burlap table runner i recently finished up

with a wide billowy ruffle down the centre

and a generous double layered ruffle at each end

i love working with soft and shabby vintage white linens...

I'm linking up with Kathleen at White Wednesday, hop on over and see all the amazing white posts

and some other fab parties here

happy days,

Tracey

meringue-a-phobia

that's right ladies, i had meringue-a-phobia!

my nanna used to make the most delicate little meringues sandwiched together with whipped cream

it looked far to fiddly for me...

then one day a few years ago I came across this recipe (on allrecipes.com)

"Drama Queen's Pavlova"

it was time to confront my fear

and let me tell you, I've been whipping up pavlovas ever since!!

it's the easiest thing to make, it always looks fab and everyone is awestruck when you serve it

it was Mr Keeper's birthday this past week and the dessert request was....(drumroll please)

Drama Queen's Pavlova!!!

so here it is:

6 egg whites

pinch salt

2 cups superfine sugar (also called castor or berry sugar)

1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*Separate the eggs and whip the whites up till frothy, with the pinch of salt

(you won't use the yolks, put them in the fridge and make french toast)

*Sprinkle in the sugar one tablespoon at a time (seriously, do not dump it all in at once)

*whip till stiff peaks form

*stir in vanilla and vinegar

*now the fun part : line the biggest pan you have with parchment paper and dump the whole lot out

(I use my large airbake cookie sheet)

*spread it gently with the back of a metal spoon to your desired shape - I kinda make the sides more raised

-don't go right to the very edge as it does expand when cooking

*preheat oven to 450 degrees F (yes seriously!) - pop meringue in oven and turn temp down immmediately to 300 degrees

*bake 40-50 mins till top is crisp and pale straw color - turn off the heat and leave in the oven until oven has completely cooled, or overnight

*now the other fun part : whip up 2 cups cream with some sugar and vanilla, dump in your meringue and top with fresh fruit, you're supposed to do this fancy-smancy but I just spread the cream on and pile on the fruit

(don't do this till you're ready to serve it)

*if you want to be really decadent serve with chocolate drizzling sauce....

VOILA!! you have pavlova and can join the Drama Queen club

i'd love to hear from you if you overcome your meringue-a-phobia and make this spectacular summer dessert!

linking up here

happy days,

Tracey

sunny saturday saleing!

found some fun stuff today!

cute vintage mirror for $1

just needs a coat of paint...

heavy white urn planter, just about killed myself getting it to the van, but it was FREE so had to have it!

roll of chicken wire for $2

super cute vintage toy box

ironstone cake server - so pretty

and my favorite find of the day: crystal doorknobs $2

the seller had a whole bunch but they were all sold, till I found this treasure in the bottom of a box!

and there was this other gorgeous set of doorknobs, but they came with the door...

so of course I had to buy the door too! solid mahogany, it weighs a ton...

just look at how cute the doorknobs are

it was a good saleing day:-)

linking up here to show off my treasures!

happy days,

Tracey

**check out "Times are Tough" linky party**

i'm participating in Times are Tough Thursday at

it's a pretty unique linky party where bloggers get to link up handmade items we have for sale in our etsy stores

go check it out!!

happy days,

Tracey

ready for some more french ooh-la-la?

ready for some more french ooh-la-la?

okay, here we go then...

vintage linen ribbon

soft white with shabby mauve roses...

or wild pink roses

are you loving it yet?

classy ballgown...

authentic parisien postal stamp...

***all glittered up***

that's why I call it:

not-your-grandmas french handstamped vintage ribbon!

now in my etsy store...

I'm linking up to Get your craft on Tuesday (so many fab ideas) and

 White Wednesday (be sure to hop over and take a look, it's the dreamiest linky party...)

and these other wonderful parties

happy days,

Tracey