Spring Mantel

My vintage blue jars have found a new home on the mantel in my bedroom.

vintage blue jars on mantel

So far I really like them there.  Every time I walk into the room, the beauty of that spot makes me feel happier, lighter.  I love the way the colors all work together, the aquas, white, and cream.  The vintage frame used to hang above our bed.  I like it’s new home.

vintage jars and empty frame on mantel

The child sized blue chair is one of my most favorite vintage pieces.   It’s getting a little rickety, so I rescued it from my children to keep in my own room.  I think it’s happier there.

mantel with vintage jars

Doesn’t it just make you feel like spring might actually arrive?  It does for me!

I’m excited to pull this room together and share the whole thing (that is, if I can find the time to finish it and if the sun will come back so I can photograph it).

Either way, I’m loving my jars!

Heather Bullard’s Casino Butter

One of the delights of starting a blog has been poking around a little bit to read and see what others are doing.  Like every hobby or interest, I had no idea what a big world there was out there!  I’ve enjoyed learning from many creative people.  One of the blogs I discovered (all by myself, even!) is Heather Bullard’s.
I really love her photography.  It’s so beautiful!  Recently she posted pictures of her new baby chicks … in teacups!  Um, cute.  You should check it out if you haven’t already.  I think you’ll enjoy it.

I found this recipe on Heather’s blog, and had to make it.  In fact, it looked so good that I tried it out on guests without having made it before.  The verdict:  it’s fabulous!

casino butter garlic bread

Here is the recipe for how I made it:

Heather Bullard’s Casino Butter 1 pound butter, softened 2 Tb. fresh lemon juice 1-2 tsp. hot sauce (I used Frank’s hot sauce) 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 green onions, finely chopped 1/3 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped salt & pepper to taste Heather chops everything finely, then puts it in a food processor.  I have only a tiny food processor and so I would have had to do 4 or 5 batches.   I put the butter in a mixing bowl and used my hand mixer to whip it a little bit.  Then I chopped the garlic, onions, pepper and parsley and pulsed them in my processor.  I then added everything to the mixing bowl and again used my hand mixer to combine it all really well.  I think it worked.

Heather takes half the butter, rolls it in wax paper and freezes it.  Then she uses the other half on a loaf of french bread.  It was the french bread I wanted to try.  I spread butter over both halves, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, and broiled it.  I think I only used 1/4 of the casino butter, though, instead of half.  I rolled up the rest in wax paper to freeze for another use.

Here is the link to Heather’s recipe, explanations and directions.  (She also puts wine in hers, which I omitted.)  And her pictures are far lovelier than mine.

Can I say that this became an instant family favorite?!  It was the YUMMIEST garlic style bread I’ve ever eaten.

casino butter on bread

Please, do yourself a favor and treat yourself!  It’s delicious!  Thanks for sharing, Heather!

Pear French Toast

I simply changed the fruit in this old family favorite, and it was DELICIOUS!  Oh, so yummy!


Combine 1 cup brown sugar with 2 Tablespoons butter and 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup.


Stir together, then microwave on high for 1 minute.  Pour and spread into ungreased glass 9 x 13 inch baking pan.


Wash, peel and slice pears until you have 4 cups of slice pears.

pears in bowl

Spread pears over brown sugar in pan.

sliced pears

Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of flour over the pears.

sliced pears sprinkled with flour

Slice 1 loaf of french bread into 1 inch slices.

sliced french bread

In small bowl, mix together 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a dash of salt.  Dredge both sides of each piece of bread in egg mixture and cover pears.

eggs in bowl






bread drenched in egg and milk

Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread, and sprinkle with cinnamon.


Cover and refrigerate overnight.  The following morning, remove from refrigerator and let pan sit 30 minutes before baking.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until fruit is soft and bread is golden brown.

baked french toast with cinnamon

Serve warm, adding whipped cream (and maple syrup if you’re my son) if desired.  YUM!

pear french toast with whipped cream

Note:  I’ve made this dish in the morning instead of the night before, and it’s delicious that way, too.   I love breakfast dishes that I can make the night before so that my morning meal runs on schedule, especially when we have guests staying with us.

Overnight Pear French Toast 1 cup brown sugar 2 Tb. butter or margarine 2 Tb. light corn syrup Mix together and microwave for 1 minute on high.  Stir and spread into ungreased glass 9×13 inch baking dish.

4 cups sliced and peeled pears 2 Tb. flour Layer pears over brown sugar mixture and sprinkle with flour.

3 eggs 1 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla dash salt 10 slices of french bread, sliced 1 inch thick cinnamon Mix together eggs, milk, vanilla and salt.  Dip slices of bread in egg mixture and lay bread closely together over pears.  Pour extra egg over bread (if there’s any left).  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Remove 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until fruit is soft and bread is light golden brown.  Serve warm, with whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy!
Hopeful Homemaker

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