Thursday, May 7, 2009

Retro RECIPES - California Curry & Cheese Wafers


Today I am featuring some RETRO RECIPES that I tried for dinner tonight!

First I made the Cheese Wafers from the Cookbook "Specialties of the House" from 1960. This cookbook is a selection of "Great recipes that guests ask for - chosen from eight of America's most admired and popular cookbooks ... " My husband thought these were great and is happy that there are more to bake in the fridge... I added freshly chopped chives to the basic recipe.

Cheese Wafers recipe:
Mix together 1 cup flour and 1-1/4 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese. Cut into this 1/4 pound butter as you would for any pie dough. Roll the dough into a long sausage about the thickness of a quarter, wrap in wax paper and chill several hours in the refrigerator; the dough will, for the matter, keep for a week or two. When needed, slice off the wafers thinly, as you would icebox cookies, and bake in a moderate oven on a lightly greased cooky sheet until golden tan, about 10 minutes. These are delicious. For variation I sometimes add 1 or 2 tablespoons minced ham to the dough, or 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley or chives. Or the wafers may be sprinkled with caraway or celery seed before baking.

My second recipe was California Curry from the Pyrex Prize Recipes cookbook published in 1953. This cookbook was "Dedicated to All Men, Women, and Children who Love to Cook in Pyrex Ware." This recipe was good - needs more flavor & I forgot to add the cashew nuts.

Ingredients:
1 package quick-cooking rice (5 oz)
1 can tuna (7 oz)
1 can condensed Cream Chicken soup (10.5 oz)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp curry powder
1-1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
1/2 cup chopped cashew nuts (2 oz)

Recipe Steps:
1. Cook rice according to the directions on the package.
2. Pour boiling water over tuna fish to remove excess oil & drain
3. Mix soup, milk and curry powder in a Pyrex Flameware Saucepan. Cook over low direct heat until almost boiling, about 5 minutes.
4. Add tuna and drain pineapple and bring again almost to boiling point, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve over hot cooked rice. Top with the chopped nuts.
*** If you wish, you can turn rice into a Pyrex Round Cake Dish, pour on the tuna sauce, and place in a moderate oven, 350 degrees, for 15 to 20 minutes. Top with nuts just before serving. ***



Here are Pictures of the Cheese Wafers & California Curry - Also check out more photographs on Flickr!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I made it to the ETSY Front Page!

I'm so EXCITED!! I made it to the Front Page of Etsy with my Retro BUTTON Mini BOUQUET in Vintage Blue Glass Vase !!! Thanks everyone for looking at it!

New Porch, Facia & Soffit - Part 2

All NEW Facia and Soffit has been added around my house, FINALLY (we've been in limbo since Fall)! Also, I was surprised to see that the PORCH ROOF was being added! It looks great and I can't wait for the concrete to be poured and get a chance to sit out there! I have some 1950's blond wood - lounge chairs that will look great out there! These chairs need to be refinished, but I don't think this should be too difficult. I need to find a low table for in between the chairs. I also have to replace some outdoor lights that were were on the corner near the garage. Unfortunately, the Originals are not longer usable. Does anyone know of a Retro Style outdoor lighting source? Check out my Earlier post about my Porch for more information. My next project is to add a Perennial Garden in front of the porch, find some Vintage Planters for the porch and some other Unique Vintage items to display. And More Pictures on Flickr!



Saturday, May 2, 2009

Retro Handmade MAY Design Contest


The Retro Handmade Team on Etsy is holding its first monthly design challenge! This month's theme is GREEN! Please VOTE (for me)!

My entry is the Retro Green Green Green Vintage Button Bouquet! This Retro ReDesign is a Floral Arrangement that contains 10 Green Button Flowers, 2 Green Spiral Accents and 3 Silk Green Leaves. Each Flower has and assortment of 1 to 3 Green Upcycled Buttons and Beads. Each button is hand-picked and individually added to a green cloth wrapped stem. From there, each of the stems is hand twisted. This bouquet can be displayed as a whole or each stem can be displayed individually.

If you are interested in purchasing this bouquet after the contestt is concluded - please contact me and I can reserve it for you. I also have several other Button Bouquets on Etsy and a Variety of Other Retro ReDesign items Available! Also, see More photos of my entry on Flickr!

Friday, May 1, 2009

I love Vintage Clothing!

I have a "Larger" collection of Vintage Clothing. I love the bright colors of the 1940's and 50's era House Dresses, Rhinestones and Plaid! I have just started to photograph my collection... I may end up selling a couple - Or maybe not :)
I need to buy a mannequin, so that I can display them and to help photograph the collection. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to get vintage one reasonably?

Check out some additional Vintage Clothing photographs on flickr!

Also, Check out these Awesome Vintage Dresses that I found on eBay!