Arcola, Arthur and Tuscola Primitives Show

Leslie and I attended two shows Friday afternoon when we arrived in Arthur, then bounced between the three towns that host shows on Saturday.

You know I love the toleware boxes and there were some beauties at the show!

 Lots of unusual forged pieces...

 

I didn't see as many paper mache boxes this year but I thought this one was really special.

Fabulous quilts...

 

  Great folk art pieces.

 

 

I brought home a few small treasures and will post those as well.

Primitive Paradise

Happy but a little tired and stiff knee-d today after a whirlwind trip to Illinois. We left before dawn on Friday and 40 hours, six antique shows and two antique malls later we arrived home with a car full of new treasures and wonderful memories. As usual, the shows in Arthur, Arcola and Tuscola, Illinois did not disappoint. The vendors take such care in setting up their booths and there are so many beautiful vignettes. I took a lot of photos and will share some here over the next few days.

Prancer--not so much in the mood for a photo op

 

 

 

 

 

Beautifully grained sewing box

 

 

 

Primitive lovers are a friendly group and Leslie and I ended up having dinner at El Vaquero in Mattoon with our new friends, Kathy and Robert from New Orleans.

The bad thing about taking photos is that I look at some of these, like the bear in the first photo, and am kicking myself for not picking that up when I saw it! I guess that treasure will have to wait for another show.

Woods Chapel Quilt Show

I'm glad we have an extra hour this weekend because there are a lot of great happenings going on in Kansas City. After reading  Me and My Stitches and learning that Julie would be vending at a nearby quilt show I took the opportunity to meet this talented artist and fellow Iowa native. Julie's booth was a hub of activity but we managed a few minutes to chat and she is as warm and delightful as you would imagine. It was amazing to see her work in person. Each little charm is a meticulously made treasure as you can see from this adorable fob that I will long enjoy.

The quilts at the show were also amazing. I've never tried quilting--I always think that is something I'll do when I retire because I'm busy enough with my current hobbies--but seeing these made me wish I could find the time now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a crafter, I was very impressed with the craftmanship and the color selection. Colors I wouldn't think to use together looked wonderful in these beautiful pieces.We were given a ballot to vote on winners in various categories and a best in show. It was hard to pick a favorite, but this one won my vote for BIS. It featured elaborate machine embroidery and the lady who made it must have possessed a lot of patience and expertise.

 

Early Work Mercantile Update

Bird in the Hand Primitives Design

Don't forget this is the first of the month and Early Work Mercantile has been updated! If you haven't had a chance please drop by the site and see what's new from the talented artisans. 

Country Rustic Primitives Design

We are celebrating A Log Cabin Christmas so you will find Santas, snowmen and reindeer in addition to pumpkins and turkeys!

Maggie Bononomi Design

As I sit here I am able to look out our office window and enjoy a variety of colorful trees in our yard and the neighbor's. The view is even more lovely since the window cleaner was here today. We've never paid someone to clean our windows before but finally decided it was time we did. I won't admit to age being a factor but will lay the blame on lack of time. My oh my it was worth every penny! I am just ridiculously happy to have a houseful of clean windows. Wierd, I know, but I hope you too have some little thing in your day that brings you as much joy!

Happy Halloween My Pretties

Have a safe and happy Halloween! Please remember, don't drink and fly and watch out for the munchkins.

Fall Recipes

Looking for something to munch on when passing out the candy on Halloween? This is an easy, peasy snack that I found on Pinterest and it is awesome! We had our small group over for Bible study last week and when the guys came in and saw this on the kitchen counter they made a bee-line for it. It was hard to tear them away! Here's the scoop:

1 bag of Indian Corn
1 bag of Reese's Pieces
1 can or jar of dry roasted peanuts
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of mini pretzels

You can also add sunflower seeds, Craisins and/or a bag of mallow pumpkin/candy corn mix. Warning, if you like sweet/salty mixes this is kind of like candy crack. 

For dessert I made another easy recipe that was lurking on my Pinterest page, Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars from The Girl-Who-Ate-Everything.com and this was a crowd pleaser. I have to admit her photo looks way more appetizing than mine and I do want you to know how great these are so I'm "borrowing" Christy's.

 Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

    Crust:
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
    Cheesecake Filling:
    3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
    3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
    3 large eggs
    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    Apples:
    3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    Streusel Topping:
    1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    1 cup all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup quick cooking oats
    1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
    Drizzle:
    1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

Instructions:

•     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
•     In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 forks until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
•     In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
•     In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
•     For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.
•     Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.

Source: adapted from Paula Deen

Finally, this is what was waiting for me at my desk Monday. What a nice surprise! Now if I could only celebrate without actually having to add another year to my age that would be great. Although I take comfort from one of my friends reminder that I'm actually only one day older.

Ingredients

Crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
Cheesecake Filling:
• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Apples:
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping:
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
Drizzle:
• 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

See Kid-Friendly Halloween Treats

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
4. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
5. For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.
6. Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.

Notes

Source: adapted from Paula Deen

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/09/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars.html#oHL7yJotJOLoOvxi.99

Ingredients

Crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
Cheesecake Filling:
• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Apples:
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping:
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
Drizzle:
• 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

See Kid-Friendly Halloween Treats

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
4. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
5. For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.
6. Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.

Notes

Source: adapted from Paula Deen

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/09/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars.html#oHL7yJotJOLoOvxi.99

Grateful

I am so happy I like in a part of the country that experiences four seasons. Yesterday was a perfect fall day and, as DH went to the Chief's game with friends from work, I took the opportunity to drive and walk around a bit and enjoy the height of fall color.

I was glad to come upon this hedge apple (also called Osage Orange) tree in a nearby park and collect several of the lumpy fruits. Do you have these in your area? They are supposed to repel spiders but I like them because they have a wonderful spicy smell and collected several to keep in my craft room to enjoy over the winter.

I've also seen them painted white like snowballs and loved that idea too. Enjoy this beautiful season!