There are often times that I forget to upload bits and
pieces from just normal living that I want to share, and even more occasions
when I forget to capture those moments. But, I managed to save some images below of a few noteworthy snapshots and nostalgic pieces.
The past few weeks I have been helping a friend with some
event planning in my spare time
(believe it or not), so I took that as a chance to have a small gathering for
an early dinner, as we discussed plans. It was also a perfect time to take out
a few kitchen and culinary items that I purchased some time ago, including another
smaller size chalk board for fine cheeses, nuts, etc.
I was pleased to receive a few old original recipe books (seen below) handwritten
from my mum, I also found some additional pages pieced inside from the late fifties and seventies, she managed to transfer most of them into another cooking pamphlet. I also found a booklet of colonial 18th and 19th century recipes (reprinted in the eighties) that included old English and American recipes.

I set up a more rustic-chic table for our concept discussion dinner, and kept my spring-esque tablecloth. By adding a few books for inspiration and baskets, it helped to combine the freshness of spring with white and cobalt, with natural elements like dark wood and cotton/linen together.
I set up a more rustic-chic table for our concept discussion dinner, and kept my spring-esque tablecloth. By adding a few books for inspiration and baskets, it helped to combine the freshness of spring with white and cobalt, with natural elements like dark wood and cotton/linen together.
I had no problem grabbing these mason jars from a small
consignment/country gift shop. Everything still newly packaged in a box. I was chatting
with the owners (a cute elder couple) about alternative suggestions for what
they could use them for. They mentioned that they had too many for their little
shop, and gave me some for less than the price of a tea cup … and
helped me pack them as well!
I boxed twenty, but they told me that I could take even more. So, I boxed an additional twenty, said “thanks,” and “farewell,” then went on my way. There are far too many useful projects to use these jars for, remember this crafting goodness? Ah, yes, special plans are certainly in the works. But, I digress …
Although, afterward, I was firm in using some of the jars for
our dinner.

(Above) Rustic French country theme: Churchill dinnerware, decorating my table, teatime, chalk cheese board, plate back, table view with jars.
Since I felt as if I had somewhat struck gold (thanks to the owners
paying it forward), I gift packaged and shipped ten jars to a family friend who
likes to do canning. Thirty jars are plenty for us! I did the math: twenty jars
for hosting, or summer barbeques, and ten for crafting/gifts, etc. It’s an equation that would unavoidably
result with an excellent solution, given the charitable situation!
(Above) floral printed napkins, cut figs, and homemade pizza with, balsamic, blue cheese, figs and onions. pizza.

(Above) A few behind the scene shots of bag making. Finished handmade clutches with feathers and leather, and bright orange straps (will style it on
the blog soon).
Happy weekend! Do you
have anything special planned this weekend?

*Don't forget to enter the NudeFood giveaway here!
nice pictures! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lamodalena.blogspot.com/
These are wonderful doll, love the old cookbook, i have some old ones as well, so fun to make things from them. The bag you made is beautiful. I hope you have a sweet weekend x
ReplyDeleteHi Madison!! The old recipe books look marvelous. I have some recipes from my mother too but it's in Cyrillic handwriting and not easy to dicipher. Yes I can remember the jar post and I loved what you made of these jars. Your diy bag looks amazing and I'm looking forward to see you style it. You're welcome. That was so funny I had to mention it. I did some shopping too lol. Wish you a wonderful Friday!!
ReplyDeletexx Mira
www.glamdevils.com
Lovely pics, dear! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeletexxx
Tatiana
http://www.bonnieblog.net/
My FACEBOOK
My TWITTER
ВКОНТАКТЕ
Those recipe books are really wonderful - what a wonderful thing to have!
ReplyDeleteCourtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
Madison, I need a friend like you IRL...that's all Imma saying:D
ReplyDeleteAnd OMG! Those recipe booklets!!!!! I wish my mom did this, coz she had some recipes from my childhood I would love to make now.
Have a fab weekend:)
Thanks for your comment Mira! That would be very cool if you could get someone to translate it. And, I'm happy that you found the other comment funny, lol. I hope you're doing much better now. Have a great weekend. xx/M
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Enjoy a lovely weekend as well! :-)
ReplyDeletex/Madison
nice post! And I love the DIY with the bag it's very pretty!
ReplyDeletehttp://ladyparisienne.blogspot.co.uk/search
The combination on that pizza sounds divine! You should add it to the handwritten recipe books!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that the owners gave you such a great deal on mason jars. I'd love to find a few in a store near me!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Wow you could do some amazing things with those mason jars and I love how you incorporated them into your tabletop decor.
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
Na da hast du aber ein paar hübsche Dinge gefunden. Die Rezept-Bücher sind klasse.
ReplyDeleteHab ein schönes Wochenende, Cla
so nice! makes me wanna spend more time with my home
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! Your "Rustic French Country Theme" dishes are so beautiful! xx
ReplyDelete<(') Hoda || JooJoo Azad ~ Free Bird
Love seeing this side of you Madison! Cherish those recipes! How fabulous. There's nothing like them. Love the cutlery and tableware. So pretty. Beautiful clutch.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
lovely photos!:) and the porcelain is so cute!
ReplyDeletewww.Lorietta.cz
Oh wow my mother is going to teach me how to make a couple of bags this weekend. Love how yours turned out!!!
ReplyDeleteI love treasured recipe books that have been handed down in the family! Im sure it will be such fun trying all the recipes out, the bag looks amazing! I appreciate your kind words, Have an awesome weekend doll!
ReplyDeleteOh wow you made out good!! Nice. Jars make fun cocktail glasses too. In fact there is an Irish term that say "lets have a couple of jars" which means a couple of drinks. But not sure why they use that term.
ReplyDeleteAllie of ALLIE NYC
www.allienyc.com
How wonderful that you have those recipe books! My mother was one of those savants who did it all by eyeing it and so I have very little in the way of family recipes. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
The silverware and all those plates look so, so beautiful! It looks like the table looked really beautiful! :)
ReplyDeletewww.callmemaddie.com
The clutches look great! Would have been nice to see more details / pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam! I am very fortunate that she has passed down many recipe books to me and my sister.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend. xx
Thanks Kim, yes I will definitely cherish them. :)
ReplyDelete~Madison
Yes, thanks! I reckon I'll enjoy more than a couple of jars now, haha! Happy weekend Allie!
ReplyDelete/Madison :)
Yes, it's nice to finally have time to decorate and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Lyosha!
Thanks so much! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, perhaps we'll meet one of these days! Thanks Emmy for your sweet comment. xx/M Enjoy your weekend as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, I scored big time. So grateful! Do try out the pizza, I've pinned several other recipes on my board: http://www.pinterest.com/ladyofashion/food-for-thought/
ReplyDeleteThanks! xx
Fun! Enjoy the learning process! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteCla, Vielen Dank für Deinen Kommentar. Ich wünsche Dir ein schönes Wochenende auch!
ReplyDeleteLG,
Madison :)
Thank you! The dishes are a favourite. I was glad that the dinner it turned out great. :)
ReplyDeleteI do love jars for crafting - they add such an elegant yet rustic touch!
ReplyDeletexx
yummy yummy
ReplyDeletexxx
http://a-mylifestyle.blogspot.fr
There actually are detailed shots above, without making the post entirely about the bag. :)
ReplyDeleteHello dear,
ReplyDeleteLovely blog. I would be very happy if you also visited mine and follow me if you like it. Just don't forget to let me know, so that I can follow back.
Thank you
Chadlen
http://chezmoibychadlen.blogspot.de/
Tolle Bilder :)
ReplyDeleteWünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende!!
Liebe Grüße
Love to have a look at your things, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday, dear Madison
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Oh wie schön, liebe Madison, dass Du diese alten, handgeschriebenen Kochbücher hast! Und ich finde auch die Tischdekoration sehr ansprechend, wir haben ein ähnliches Geschirr, das ich sehr mag. Ich finde es sehr nett von Dir, dass Du Deiner Freundin geholfen hast :) Einen wunderschönen Sonntag für Dich!
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße von Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de
I'm so in love with your handmade clutch! absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteChiara
♡EFFENSHION…essence † fashion
Thanks so much for your sweet words, they made my day!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable bag, are you going to show us how you made it?
Have a great week,
-Kati
http://almoststylish.blogspot.de/
Liebe Rena. Danke! :)
ReplyDeleteDas Gericht ist lecker! Ich hoffe, Sie genießen Deinen Sonntag!
LG,
Madison xx
Nice post, pretty photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week!
http://ladyparisienne.blogspot.fr/
You're welcome. I may do a regular tutorial post for the clutch, like I normally do, but not certain yet. Otherwise, I can just show you how to make it. Thanks for your comment! :)
ReplyDelete/Madison
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Marj! I agree, I think the best recipes that I know are the ones from family, and older recipes handwritten. I'm happy that you were inspired with the jars--they are such an old staple, and a multitude of ways to use them nowadays. x/M :)
ReplyDeleteThat pizza looks delicious. Love the tablecloth and napkin holders. How lovely of your mum for the hand written recipe book. Cute idea. xo.
ReplyDeleteI love the DIY clutch with the tassels! Thanks for stopping by my blog :)
ReplyDeleteCHECK OUT MY NEW POST http://sapphire-brushstrokes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dont-blend-just-mix.html
Oh, you've been busy... Love that table setting and beautiful plates so much and it must be so wonderful to have the old recipe books, they always feel special. x
ReplyDeleteI am loving your tablescape! And that pizza has my mouth watering :)
ReplyDelete~Alexis Grace of North On Harper
That's a lot of mason jars! How fun and sweet of you to ship them out to people, I'm sure they will appreciate it :) Old recipe books are so neat and I think they make great decorations.
ReplyDeletestylethroughhereyes.com
Yeah, some of the Nākd Bars and Cliff bars for me are still a bit high in sugar. Have you tried Larabars or Health Warrior? They are good and no added sugar. I've not found NudeFood in the UK, yet but I do know that they do ship to many countries on their site (check the drop down menu). I have found some comparable health bars in the EU though, which I try to keep on hand when I travel for work.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, it was quite like a finishing school, we went to both private and public schools growing up which taught etiquette as well. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy the week.
Thanks Elsie! The pizza is definitely delicious! Do give it a try.
ReplyDeletexx/Madison
Yes, it's been busy the past month. Thanks for your comment. x/M
ReplyDeleteThank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexis! The pizza was amazing! :) x
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought why not share the gift? Thanks for your comment. Have a great week Jenmarie! :) /Madison
ReplyDeleteDanke! x
ReplyDeleteI love natural foods! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Jars come in handy for so many great projects.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with jars lately. I like them for lighting and I started collecting different once for cocktails in the summer :)
ReplyDeletehuh, that's a lot of nice goodies! you're super lucky ;) I would totally love to try all that stuff so I'm sad it's not an international giveaway. but hey, at least I started to think about the fact we will have a 4-hour long flight this Saturday and a snack will probably be needed there. a very interesting post, Madison!
ReplyDeleteMaiken,
Maikeni blogi - part of me
That dinnerware set is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTara x
This is a great giveaway. I haven't heard of NudeFood, but now I'm willing to try. Thanks for this great share :)
ReplyDeleteLu ❤ www.balgarka.co.uk
toller review!
ReplyDeletehab einen schönen Tag!
http://www.getcarriedaway.net/
Thanks! It's a great brand indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I know! My giveaways are usually only catered to EU and UK, but I thought this time I would do a US giveaway, but no worries there will be other international giveaways in the future. Enjoy your getaway! Thanks! :)/Madison
ReplyDeleteThanks! They're a great option for healthy/snack treats! Happy to introduce you to this brand. :)
ReplyDeleteOld recipe books are so neat and I think they make great decorations. http://num.to/4788-7890-5061
ReplyDeletelovely! I adore the look
ReplyDeleteI have a new look on my blog; come visit!
Kisses from Miami,
Borka
www.chicfashionworld.com
sounds great! thx for the tips!
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the STYLE Fringe BLOGLOVIN
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