Vintage Tablecloth: Kate Greenaway, Somerset pattern

Next in my small collection of Kate Greenaway tablecloths by Leacock Prints is this small bridge cloth.


Named “Somerset”, it features a farmhouse on each corner, partially hidden from view by the trees.


Printed on spun rayon/cotton cloth, it measures 32 by 37 inches.  It’s small size makes it a nice piece for the center of a table.  This five piece set has survived intact, with all four napkins in pristine condition.


As always, I love the beautiful blue in this cloth.

Basil Shrimp Pasta



I made this for the first time at the beginning of the summer, and it was a hit.  A few minor adjustments and it’s now a family favorite.  My six year old even requested it for her birthday dinner.

Basil Shrimp Pasta Ingredients:

1 pound peeled, deveined, cooked shrimp.  (I use the 71-90 count.  They’re smaller, which is great for my younger children and also allows more shrimp per bite without spending a fortune.)
1 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered 1 cup Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing 2 cups water 2 tsp. chicken bullion 8 oz. Neufchatel cheese fresh basil (about 6-8 leaves) 1/3 cup parmesan cheese 3 cups uncooked farfalle (bow-tie pasta) If you purchased frozen shrimp, thaw it.

Cook pasta according to directions on package.

Pour 3 Tb. Sun Dried Tomato dressing into a large skillet.  Add chopped zucchini and stir.  Cook over medium heat until zucchini is tender.

Add water, bullion and remaining salad dressing to skillet.  Cook for about 2 minutes, to heat through.  Add Neufchatel cheese and shrimp.  Cook and stir 2-3 minutes to heat shrimp and melt cheese.

Drain pasta and add to skillet.  Stir to coat pasta.  Slice basil leaves into thin strips.  Add basil and parmesan cheese to pasta, stir lightly.  Serve and enjoy!

Adam Pattern Gravy Boat



I found a gravy boat to match my very small set of vintage restaurant china .  It’s small in scale, only an inch wide.


Perfect for an individual serving of syrup, sauce or gravy.  It is stamped 1943 on the bottom.


I love this pattern.  I love the deep green against the creamy white.  I love the way the garland wraps so beautifully around the curve of the dish.  Decoration also follows the graceful line of the handle.


This little beauty is just begging me to make breakfast in bed for someone.  Unfortunately I don’t see a “sleep in” kind of morning on our calendar for the next two months at least.


And so it waits patiently in my kitchen, making me smile each time I look at it.

I’m pretty sure I would have loved the forties.

Hopeful Homemaker

1 384 385 386 387 388 525