An Ordinary Person's Tribute to Anthony Bourdain

I grew up with women cooks. My Mom was taught by her Father's Mother how to cook from scratch. My siblings and I were never shooed from the kitchen. We watched and learned.
I worked at fourteen in my Mom's pizza and deli shop. At sixteen I bussed in fine dining.
I always loved to read but, somewhere around 21 I really started blowing through books to relax. I read a lot of history and non fiction but, basically really was not interested in people living in the present.
Along came Kitchen Confidential. I was twenty three and having an exciting social life. This handsome, rebellious guy is on the cover and he wants to tell you about real kitchen life. I am intrigued because it's an old friend calling back from my bus girl years. I'm not going to act like I can recite from the book from way back then because it would be bullshit but, what I can tell you is he hooked me from beginning to end. Why? Because it was raw and honest. I knew the people he was talking about and I knew him. He was this smart, charismatic sexy guy who relished a bit too much in the party but, had a lot to offer. Just because he indulged and made some not so great decisions did not make him less it made him human. He was not an air brushed, hypocritical GQ cover. He was real. He is many of us who are creative, emotional and like connecting to all kinds of people. We are not hedge fund managers and analysts. We are the artists, creators, cooks, cabinet makers, designers and more. Part of the art, recipe, production are people with their emotions and stories.
When Bourdain died it really shocked me. He was an amazing contributor. He was a realist and still had so much to offer all of us. However a part of me understood. We can all say why did you leave your daughter, mother and friends? Sometimes being an emotionally, connected human being is tough. I don't judge Anthony. He was clearly critical of himself. He was an adult making a life decision in his mind was the best exit. Will this be excruciatingly hard for his daughter and loved ones, yes. If he can see the pain this has caused I am sure he has regrets because he was not callous.
At some point those hurt the most will accept he had his reasons which he thought were accurate in the situation he was in. They will hold onto memories and continue to live their best life. Perhaps Anthony thought he lived the best life possible and it was time to extinguish the flame. It is bitter. Even us random people would have loved a proper good bye. God Bless you Tony. You showed us there was more to the world than just bad headlines but, real people just like you.

DIY With Wood Chips

I got wood chips on clearance at Hobby Lobby in the Spring. I love little doodads and have a craft box full of spare parts. If you are a crafter then you have one of these glorious catch all boxes. Hey you never know where an idea may take you!
Anyways, I needed markers for my herbs. I did not want to buy one more thing for my flowers as I was already over budget. Upon rooting through my craft closet I got the idea to use wood chips and left over craft/jewelry wire.

The wood chips I purchased had holes which made this project easier. Some pieces looked like price tags. Neat! 
I painted my wood chips and let dry . I then took a metallic permanent marker and wrote my herbs. Once dry I sprayed with outdoor craft clear coat for outdoor protection. Let dry. I then cut a piece of heavier wire and put through tag hole. Knot or make a hook at the front of the tag so the wire does not slip through hole. Cut your remaining wire to desired length. 
Note; Green floral craft wire will not work as it is not heavy enough . You need something a little heavier and will flex into pot. You can also curl the flexible wire for a more creative look too.

I have a pot at the end of my sidewalk . So I put my house number on a tag for our UPS driver.

The Girl and the Wasp

We have all been there. A week when you think things can't get worse. I was on a real bender last week . I'm not talking about poor choices . I am talking about bad luck.
I had to share the following cake topper to the week as you just can't make this stuff up!

I am not a fan of looking at most insects. They creep me out. Just finding a wasp picture was a stomach churning slideshow of various bee varieties. The seemingly innocent one next to this paragraph looks like the predator that almost took me down! To think something an inch long made me scream and swear for days something was crawling on me is comical! Oh but, we haven't gotten to the good part yet!
So after a horrible day I decided to take a shower . 
I grabbed my nightgown and underwear and set it on the bathroom sink . I spent the next 15 minutes steaming up the bathroom and washing the bad day away. I got out of the shower and proceeded to towel off. I grabbed my nightgown and underwear and went into the bedroom. I put my towel on the hook and proceeded to put on my pink underwear. My underwear are on and I feel a snapping and I think it's just the elastic on the leg pinching me but quickly realize this really hurts!! I pull on my underwear at the leg seam and feel something as I am dancing around my bedroom. I am now freaking out and yank off my underwear because my bum feels like it is on fire! My pink underwear now lay on the floor. As I look down there is a huge wasp crawling out of my underwear! My jaw drops to the floor and my eyes have to be huge like yes, a creepy bug. No, the wasp did not survive. I quickly attacked it with my flip flop. Needless to say I was left with a huge welt. Yes, I did cry. It was a bitter end to a long day. 
The next day I woke up and laughed about it because what are the chances of being bit on the ass by a bee? However, it will take a few weeks to shake off the creepy crawlies!

DIY House Number

Do you have little bits that represent things you love or enjoy?
I had a chicken wire frame I snagged at a flea sale for $2.00. I wanted to do something fun with it and needed a house number for the seasonal delivery guys.

Why be conventional? Just be creative and have some fun. I decided the chicken wire was going to be my canvas for a house number collage.

Halloween Address. Scrap book paper for flameless candles. 

I have Christmas Ornaments I hate to put away. Notice their beautiful edition to my theme! Do your kids play sports or love the local team...add a pennant or a small football.
The dirt sign came from a jewelry aisle. The red backing is scrap book cork or weather withstanding material.
📍If you use wooden tags give them a quick clear coat.
📍I took floral wire, twine and added stuff so I could easily change up.

Going to the Show

 Gorgeous wood slat folding chair. Beautiful butter churn with sweet hand painted strawberries.

Complete set of Gothamware!!

Fairy Chimes!

Pig Candy-Yummy Appetizer and Conversation Starter

Oh my little bacon fans you will be pleased with this one! I served up this candied bacon at a holiday party and have been meaning to share it. People wanted to talk about it!  The men practically wanted to bathe in it! The women said only half a piece until they tasted it or their husband's went back for more...and more!
This appetizer is so simple it is ridiculous. I do not have a wire rack so just like the picture I rolled up tinfoil and created my own tubes for the bacon to lay over .

Products You Will Need:
Good medium not thin sliced bacon. I recommend going to the butcher and getting quality bacon and not that cheap stuff at the grocery store pre-packaged in the deli . The cheap stuff tends to be very fatty and salty . If you prefer thick sliced bacon then you just might have to adjust your cooking time.
Brown sugar.
Pan with rack or like above make your own tin foil rack. 
If you purchased quality bacon then there should be no issue with the bacon being wet like in cheap packaging.
Get a dinner plate out. You will use to cover your bacon in brown sugar. 
You must work quickly when covering your bacon in the brown sugar otherwise it will start to fall off . Have your rack ready so when you cover a piece of bacon in brown sugar it goes immediately on the rack .
Let's get started! Set your oven to 275 degrees.  Simply put some brown sugar on your dinner plate and quickly pat the bacon into the brown sugar. Cover each piece very good but you don't have to overdo it with clumps sugar falling off. When you're done with each piece place on the rack. Once done place in oven for around an hour. Check at 45 minutes. Notice my picture above. The bacon is cooked but not crispy burnt around the edges . The oven at a low temperature basically is drying out the bacon and caramelizing the brown sugar.  Once done let the bacon stand for 5 to 10 minutes so it is not too hot for guests. It is excellent served cold . I put it on a pretty dish but next time I will be filling a jar with brown sugar and standing the bacon up in it for a really cool look. The jar I think will add more to the finger food effect as well . 
Honestly, if I would have known this was going to be the hit of the party I would have made more!
** Experimental ideas for the next time . Perhaps using maple syrup or cracked black pepper are some options I was thinking about . Enjoy! 

Post Cards From the Road

I love taking snaps from my car.

Smicksburg,  PA

It's actually a fun challenge to get a picture expressing a day out or a story.  I spend a lot of time in the country and around Amish areas.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as me!

Near Rural Valley, PA Dutch signs.

Just outside Spring Church, PA

Favorite snap. Dayton, PA

Looks like a painting!