Lisa and Nikki's Friday Finds!

Happy Friday!

What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!

 How charming are these rosettes made from ornamental cabbages!

Take a look at the size of these yarn balls and needles! That is a normal sized table behind them. They are used to create super chunky knit throws and rugs. Awesome!

And while I'm on the topic of knitting, I found this unusual piece at an estate sale and immediately thought of repurposing it to hold my knitting projects. It appears to be a vintage dough bowl mounted to an antique pedestal. I like to think that some handy husband made it for his wife back in the day.

Pausing to enjoy a spekuloos and whipped cream Belgian waffle in Manhattan, NY! Gourmet food trucks are all the rage and Wafels & Dinges based in Brooklyn, NY is one of the best. You can choose between sweet and savory and embellish with toppings as desired!

Do you have vintage furniture with new scratches and dings? Try using a walnut or pecan to repair the spot. Simply rub the nut over the damaged area and watch it darken. This technique works best on minor damage and blends better than many commercial products. (These are unedited photos!)

Vintage oilers. The perfect gift for the handyman in your life. Look for them at flea markets and antique malls.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Dill-icious!

Being a full time communications professional, business owner and blogger, any recipe that is quick, easy and flavorful has my immediate attention. My life changed when I tried this new entree salad recipe that features seasonal fruits, nuts and a dillweed vinaigrette that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. If there is one variety of food that must work extra hard to inspire me, it's salad. I'm not that girl who can sit down to a plate of lettuce and a bottle of ranch and be happy or satisfied. But this salad really packs a punch. Try it for dinner one night this week and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Happy dining!

Mixed Greens with Dill Salad Dressing 

Assemble ingredients

Dressing Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. dried dillweed

1 large garlic clove, minced

1/4 Tsp. freshly ground pepper

1/4 Tsp. dried oregano

Salad Ingredients:

4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 1 pound of shrimp

Steak and Chicken Rub (any brand will work)

8 cups spring/mixed greens or baby spinach

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup crumbled goat or farmer's cheese

1/4 cup pecans, chopped & toasted

For the vinaigrette, mix all ingredients in a bowl and combine with a whisk or fork. Let stand while you prepare the salad. 

Next generously cover the chicken or shrimp with a steak and chicken rub and grill on a gas or charcoal grill (12-15 minutes for chicken / 2-5 minutes for shrimp). I skewer my shrimp to avoid losing them through the grates. Cool.

Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and toast chopped pecans (5-8 minutes, turning often). Arrange salad greens on four plates. Top with cranberries, goat cheese, toasted pecans and chicken or shrimp (if using chicken, slice thinly). Give the vinaigrette one last whisk then drizzle over each salad. 

Dill-icious salad pictured with chicken and shrimp. Enjoy!