What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!
Summer door decor at Georgia's! It's as simple as a white geranium tucked into a vintage (early 1900's) German fire bucket. The fire bucket is flat on the back side as it was designed to hang on a wall, most probably full of sand. If you love it, Georgia's has several available. Contact us for more information.
We love this photo of a vintage lifeboat taken by Georgia's tech guy, A.J., at Magen's Bay Beach in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands!
Why not use marmalade instead of spice rubs and sauces to marinate your meat before grilling. Try this simple recipe: 1/4 cup orange marmalade, 2 tbsp. of orange juice, 1 clove minced garlic and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Mix together and marinate meat for an hour. In addition to infusing flavor, you will reduce carcinogens by up to 80%.
How great is Love & Toast's roller ball perfume, just $12, in fragrances like candied citron, clementine crush and juniper gin! The philosophy of Love & Toast: "It is just as important to do good as to look good." A portion of every sale goes to Regional Affiliates of Girls, Inc. where girls everywhere are encouraged to be "strong, smart and bold."
Lilacs are blooming, but only for two weeks! Often considered to symbolize love, these fragrant flowers are good for cutting! Georgia's is attending Chicago's Green Festival this weekend; we'll share what we learn with you next week! Have a good weekend!
Hi Friends: With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought I would post a letter to my children, Nikki and A.J., and to children everywhere, as to be a mother is to feel bound to all children. Happy Mother's Day to all moms and their beloved children! Dear Nikki and A.J.: Each year on Mother's Day, I realize that my gift is the privilege of being your mom. From the moment that I first held you in my arms, I have never been happier than when I am spending time with you. As your mom, it was my job to love you, protect you and encourage you and I wanted to get an "A" in it! I know well that I have been imperfect, but I hope you realize that every decision that I made was rooted in my love for you. Through you I have fine-tuned who I am, what I stand for and experienced the purest form of love. You have been my teacher. So on Mother's Day more than any other, I want to celebrate you. For without you, I wouldn't be a mother. On a day when you go out of your way to make me feel loved, know that you love me with every smile, with every hug with every phone call; you love me when you're compassionate towards others, courageous and responsible. And now that you are out there finding your way in life, I want you to know that I am proud of you for who you are. Strive to pay attention to what is meaningful in life and always take the high road. In your lowest moments, picture me standing there right beside you holding your hand and be strong. You are never alone, for you are in my heart and I am in yours.
What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!
Hello Summer and hello pop of color! We just love the green on these front doors that lead to a great vintage walk-up in Chicago.
New York's Central Park, early evening, after a beautiful Spring day!
These dome handle napkin rings with place card holder from P.O.S.H. Chicago are definitely utilitarian. Slide in a sweet note instead if you like!
Who knew! Monkeys, the banana experts, peel bananas by slightly pinching the bottom as opposed to the top or stalk end. The fruit splits open easily and the strings come off with the peel. Give it a try!
Summer is upon us; what are you using on your lips? Give eos (evolution of smooth) lip balm a try! This 95% organic, 100% natural balm is free from paraben and petroleum products and made with vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil. Best of all, it comes in a variety of yummy flavors including pomegranate raspberry, honeydew melon and tangerine. Available in grocery stores and pharmacies everywhere.
We love the inspiration that can be found on You Tube. Take a few moments and listen to the heart and soul of this young boy as he sings "Dance With My Father." You will be touched beyond words. We wish you a beautiful weekend!
Hi Friends: I feel the need to confess that I am in a long term committed relationship with Starbucks' pastry case. It's no accident that you have to walk by it before ordering. Let's face it, aren't we all looking for the perfect match for our beverage? But, like any relationship, there have been highs and lows. Do any of you remember Lemon Knots? I loved every tender, tangy bite. And the Chocolate Cupcakes...oh, they were moist and flavorful without being too sweet. Starbucks, bring them back; letting go has just been so hard! What about the Cake Pops you ask. Please, I'm gonna need more than one bite! Occasionally, I've ordered a Cranberry Orange Scone or an Iced Lemon Loaf, but not with the same fervor. And then, along came the Ginger Molasses Cookie and I was happy again; but they, too, have disappeared from my neck of the woods. So broken up about this, I've been on a search for a good recipe so I could make them myself. Eureka! I've settled on the Ginger Spiced Molasses Sugar Cookie from FOOD52. If you're a fan of this cookie, give this recipe a try - it couldn't be more simple! (Click the link for complete instructions.)
Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, 2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp. each of ground ginger, allspice and salt in a bowl and mix well.
Beat 3/4 cups unsalted butter and 3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar in bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add one large egg and 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses and mix to combine.
Stir in dry ingredients just until combined. Too much gluten development will result in a tough cookie. Cover and refrigerate batter for one hour.
Roll dough into 1 1/2" balls and then roll balls in granulated sugar.
Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet, gently flatten and bake in a 375 degree oven for 11 to 12 minutes or until crinkled on top. For a chewy center, do not over bake.
Scrumptious! When I find myself at Starbucks now, I always order a Brown Sugar Walnut Tart if I see them - perfect shortbread crust and just the right amount of spice, and I'm a fan of the seasonal Cranberry-Bliss Bars! What's next Starbucks? Do you need my input? I'm available for your consumer surveys!
What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!
How beautiful is this Forget-me-not grown and photographed by Georgia's tech guy, A.J.! Legend has it that God named all plants and when a small, unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord," God replied, "That shall be your name."
If you make homemade gravy, you'll appreciate this - a vintage French gravy boat with two pouring spouts! The lean (Maigre) gravy is drawn from the base of the boat and separated from the fat (Mas) which is easily poured off from the top! Of course it's French; no one does sauce better!
It's really all about the wine isn't it? Save the stemmed wine glasses for special occasions and go with inexpensive bistro glasses for the everyday indulgence. We love this French version available from P.O.S.H. Chicago.
Looking for a unique and meaningful graduation gift? We love Alex and Ani's patented signature bangle bracelets. Made from recycled materials in the U.S., these eco-friendly bracelets are expandable and come in several finishes. Alex and Ani's designer "infuses each piece with positive energy through symbolism."
We love Michael Buble's endorsement of Boyce Avenue's cover of "It's A Beautiful Day." Michael, you made it "a beautiful day!"
Thought for the weekend: "They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind." (Hosea 8:7) Go out and sow!
Hi Friends: At Georgia's we are drawn to vintage glassware; crystal, depression glass, cut glass - we love it all! Spooners (spoon holders), my passion, harken back to Victorian society where they were considered a sign of hospitality and a way for the growing middle class to display silver spoons which they previously could not afford. During the Great Depression, "depression" glass, both practical and decorative, was frequently a giveaway with purchase or sold at the local five-and-dime. This translucent glassware was often produced in colors meant to brighten and cheer. Three of our favorite pieces, spooners, sugar bowls and celery vases, are so utilitarian. Intended for use as their names suggest, these items can be used interchangeably and repurposed to hold napkins, breadsticks, cocktail nuts, toothbrushes and so much more. But just now, we love them filled with flowers. Take a look!
A celery vase is the perfect vessel for long stemmed daffodils.
A cut glass spooner and sugar bowl complement sweet bouquets. Pick early blooms from the garden, cut to desired length and bundle!
Repurposed or used as intended, these pieces are so pretty.
Three really lovely spooners!
While this glassware is highly collectible and there are serious, knowledgeable collectors out there, we recommend that you pick up whatever you find attractive and useful. All of the glassware pictured above is available at Georgia's! If you see something you like, contact us for pricing information.
What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and "Spring" one-of-a-kinds we loved!
While the warmth of Spring is most welcome, I will miss the bare trees that look like lace against the sky.
Embellish a grapevine wreath with your favorite seasonal stems - great door decor!
Every gardener needs a caddy. We love this vintage Sears tool caddy! Perfect for carrying all the essentials out into the garden.
Create the garden of your dreams in miniature! This project assembled with live mini plants makes a great indoor or outdoor centerpiece. Find supplies at your local garden and/or craft center.
I love listening to the birds in the early morning and watching them dart in and out of the bird house outside of the kitchen window. These bird houses made from repurposed lumber and natural elements fit right into the landscape!
Georgia's fell hard for this vintage French planter! If you can't live without it, let us know; it's available for purchase!
Great vintage scoop basket! We can think of so many ways to use this. Gather produce, fill with fruit, stack with magazines, or create a floral arrangement. This, too, is available at Georgia's!
"Simple Gifts," sung by Jewel, is a one-verse Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett. It has been adapted and arranged many times and reminds us of the gift to simply "be" this Spring.
