FABULOUS FINDS: THANK YOU MARSHALLS

You just might want to get yourself over to the nearest Marshalls!

I found these last Saturday for $25.00

Kind of "faux" Chanel, no? But the rubber sole might be my favorite detail...(second only to the color)

They will be perfect for wearing on that lo.....ng flight to Paris next month (I just realized it takes about three more hours to fly to Paris from Miami than from Kennedy). 

Let me know

 a) If you go to Marshalls   b) If you find these and love them!

"IRENE" IN THE MORNING

Saturday morning, as Irene approached: 

Then today I came across this video from last April: same fields, same Beltie cattle, same view:

We had some rain and a little wind: that was it. But the Belties didn't mind any of it!

FRIDAY FLOWERS: DRYING HYDRANGEAS

I've been wondering how best to dry hydrangeas. And then earlier this week, Heather Bullard answered my question! She didn't know it was THE perfect day for her post... but there you go: that's why I love blogging. So click on the link and read just how to do it.

Here are a few flowers I cut today:

From this bush:

Same flowers on June 29:

And from May 26:

Beautiful throughout the season, right?

Do you dry them? Any tricks to tell us?

LONG BEANS

"Long Beans": have you ever heard of these? 

They were new to me at the farmer's market last Saturday.

I know, they look sort of worm-like...

yuk: they DO look like worms!

cut up and drained

steamed:

and served with cherry tomatoes

I added those great little cubes from Trader Joe's, both the garlic and basil. They have become a staple in my freezer!

Check out here for more information on "yard long beans".

P.S. They were delicious!

FABULOUS FIND: VINTAGE LEATHER SUITCASE

There is nothing quite like a well worn piece of leather luggage... or so thinks Jeff! Jeff sent me this "Fabulous Find" out of the blue, and it is great. 

A leather suitcase, vintage @1950, that belonged to his father. It sat in an attic for a long time, after its many years of service. 

 I asked Jeff what it is about this piece that so intrigues and enthrals him:

"I like old leather. I like the fact that it's been around the world; that it has a certain smell; the soft tan color, that it's reminiscent of another, bygone era"

"I very much like the signs of wear and usage. They are sort of marks of honor! You don't find any of this on "modern" synthetic luggage"

Where did the suitcase come from:

"It belonged to my father, who travelled a lot, and was used mostly in the 50's and 60's"

Do you ever use it?

"Yes, but only when I travel by car. I would never, ever subject it to airport use".

Great stickers, remnants of a bygone era:

Beautiful brass fittings:

Top of the line: Peal & Co. for Brooks Brothers

Leather hinges; gold stamping:

Even the interior shows years of use:

Many thanks to Jeff for submitting this wonderful find!

A STORY ABOUT GRANITE

I'm not crazy about butcher block counter tops. I'm sorry: if you like them, fine. I've just never been a fan. So, of course, that is what we inherited in our new kitchen. 

We tried to make do. We sanded. We put on oil. We scrubbed. We asked "the experts".

No, no way. 

Granite it had to be. But first, see what I'm talking about.

eeey...ooooo... sticky, awful mess here:

We're talking almost twenty years with no care whatsoever.

 This stuff is expensive! So off we went to the "quarry" i.e. remnant warehouse.

We were allowed in the actual work area, but only if well supervised. These pieces are VERY heavy, and are moved around by a pulley system.

Everything is done by computer: 

Installation day: and the stove top is removed

they roll it in

Perfect fit!

I love the rounded corners.

I love that it's about half the depth of the butcher block.

 I love that it looks sleek and contemporary. 

I love that it always looks so clean!

I love the color.

Yes, that about says it all...

You might notice our stove top...yep, it's the old fashioned real electric burner type. It's been here for fifteen years, had only light use, and is in perfect condition. But after replacing EVERY other appliance (we had to), we stopped short of replacing this one. I love it! I had a glass top in my old house and couldn't stand it.... those pots would dance around and shimmy if the bottoms weren't COMPLETELY dry; it took ages for a burner to get hot (and it was a top of the line stove..); and no, we didn't find it that much easier to clean. All in all, I vote for burners. We're hoping this one goes on for many years. Oh, and did I mention that the downdraft in the center REALLY does its job? 

Hope you enjoyed the story!