Sweaters & Granny Boots

Hello Friends!
I have a secret to share with you.
I'm not all that into the most current styles.

Yes, it is true.
Maybe that is why I like Thrift Stores...
nothing is in or out of style at the thrift store.

It is all there for the taking depending on how daring you are!

I'm not all that daring, but in my closet at one time was a vintage 50's coat with faux fur collar! That one was beautiful blueberry blue. I passed it on when we lived in Mississippi. Now I have a jaunty red number that I wear with a black scarf and gloves! Lindsey gave me a sparkly monogramed J pin that looks quite cute on the lapel.
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Seriously though,
I love wearing denim skirts with tights and boots.
I picked up on this style back in the 90's in the Victoria magazine.
Those girls always wore classic, beautiful clothing.
That is what I love, classic sweaters, classic shoes, classic handbags & jewelry.

In the winter, I want cozy Fair Isle Sweaters.
Sweaters that remind me of going on woodland walks, ski lodges & hot chocolate.
Sweaters that smell faintly of woodsmoke.

These are so easy to find at the thrift stores.
Seems like nobody else is interested in these traditional winter garmets.
This gray/green one is classic Eddie Bauer
Lucky for ME!


Sweaters with a little bit of wool in them are fun.
Yes, they can be a bit itchy but you wear them over turtle necks.
This cute little sweater was a thrift store find from last year.


I researched the label and it is from New York and sold for about $175.

Now to wear these with a denim skirt, you need the right type of tights. You want the thick, warm tights. The ones I bought this year are chocolate brown, and black. The boots are a bit harder to find especially for a good price. I did a search on Etsy and found a lot of them. Some were a bit pricey though. My favorites though are the ones with...

Buttons!

I have worn my granny boots with...
long denim dresses,
short denim dresses,
denim prairie skirts,
and just plain denim skirts.
Denim skirts are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores.
But to me they are always in style...Victoria magazine says so!
~*~
So my friends let's enjoy winter!
Wear cozy sweaters, and
warm, woolen mittens,
and
Granny Boots!

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~ Jill ~

French Country Cupboard

Dear Friends,
After the taking down the holiday decorations, I decided I would spend a little more time putting things back in their normal place. I dusted, washed dishes, baskets and bunnies. It took me awhile, but I finally found an arrangment I liked with all my found "goodies".

I've had this little conservatory for awhile, it was a thrift store find.
The design idea is from a Nell Hill's book, the tea cups an antique store find for $3 each.


I have a couple of friends that see transferware and think of me.
This one is from my friend, India.

On my last thrift shopping trip in Colorado, I spotted this little silver teapot lamp. It wasn't a bargain, it was in the "display case". But I had to have it, and it is a wonderful reminder of fun times.


The beautiful transerware teacup set, was a great Salvation Army find. I found a set of 4, they were $3 each. I was certainly doing the happy dance that afternoon! The dark transferware plate in the back came from a friend who was stationed at the time in Germany. Thank you, Trisha it is such a treasure!

Aren't they beautiful!
I use them when I have my morning coffee.

The pair of chicken pictures was another Thrifty find.

I may paint the frame black, still deciding.


Cute finial birdies and floral hat box.
I love how the white, red and apple green go together



This hooked rug is one of my favorite possessions.
It came from my friend Peggy's garage sale.
Oh, Peg it is as you would say, "to die for"!

This little basket sits in the open space at the bottom of the cupboard.
I found the Julia & Jacque cookbook at a garage sale for $2.
After I watch the movie, Julie & Julia I pulled it off the bookcase and sat it here.
I ran across this book on Amazon and it sells for over $120 now. I think it was a gift when you donated to the PBS show!

Even though temperatures are slowly rising, it still is very cold outside!
The Kansas City weatherman said it was 7 degrees in our area this morning.
Brrrrr.
I am enjoying wearing all my sweaters though!
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The Burpee garden catalog came in the mail a couple of weeks ago.
I have picked out some strawberry and blueberry plants I want to order.
We bought some picket fence at an auction last month, and I am so excited to begin planning and building my cutting flower and herb garden. It is going to be beside the little chicken house, complete with an arched arbor and an antique garden gate!
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Hope everyone is staying warm because I know it is chilly everywhere!
Jill

Soup makes me Happy

Dear Friends,

I love soup!

I look forward to fall and winter so I can make heart warming pots full of soup.

My family loves soup too, especially Tyler. I get so tickled at him when he starts to smell the soup simmering on the stove. Yum he says, is it ready yet?
This soup is a new recipe I tried, Cheeseburger Soup. Oh creamy and delicious. I was so glad that I had dried some herbs this summer. I sprinkled in my own dried basil right before I served it. And now is a perfect time to use my snowman dishes!

I have had this set of dishes for about 14 years. This little snowman never fails to melt my heart. When Tyler was just 2, I would make homemade French toast for him every winter morning, served on a little snowman plate. What a wonderful memory.
What goes wonderfully with homemade soup?
Why, homemade bread of course!

I adore dilly bread and whipped up batch and baked it in my flowerpot baker!
Fresh and hot from the oven with a little butter...

Oh be still my heart!

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~*Cheeseburger Soup *~
1/2 lb. ground beef, 3/4 C. chopped onion, 3/4 C. shredded carrots, 3/4 C. diced celery, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. parsley, 4 Tbs. butter, divided, 3 C. chicken broth, 4 C. peeled & diced potatoes, 1/4 C. flour, 8 oz. Velvetta, 1 1/2 C. milk, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 C. sour cream
***
In a large saucepan, brown hamburger; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 Tbs. butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 min. Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to boil. Reduce heat;cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 min. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and if you wish pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream. Yields 8 servings.


~*Easy Dilly Bread *~
3 C. all-purpose flour, 1 pkg. active dry yeast, 1 1/4 C. milk, 2 Tbs. sugar, 2 Tbs. butter or margarine, 2 tsp. dried dill seed or dill weed, 2 tsp. instant minced onion, 1 egg
***
In a small mixer combine, 1 1/2 C. of the flour and the yeast. In saucepan heat milk, sugar, butter, dill, onion and 1 tsp. salt just until warm, stirring constantly to melt butter. Add to dry mixture and add egg. Beat at low speed with electric mixer for 1/2 minutes, scraping bowl. Beat for 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in remianing flour. Cover and let rise until double (30-45 min.). Stir down. Spread evenly in a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan ( or flower pot baker). Let rise until nearly double (about 30 min.). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if bread browns too quickly. Remove from pan and let cool. Makes 1 loaf.

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It is very wintery here at Hickory Hollow and it is very cold!
It snowed almost all day yesterday. Made for a very cozy day tucked inside.
I have been doing a little thrift store shopping and have found some lovely cozy sweaters. Every day when I snuggle into one, I remember years ago when my Grandma told me I was a sweater girl. Yes, Grandma B. I am a sweater girl. I am glad there are so many to choose from at my favorite stores!

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I have also had a challenge trying type, my little Socks cat climbs on my lap and kneeds my arms, she is doing it right now with her kitty purr motor on! Oh my, we just Eskimo kissed, her little nose and mine! She also likes to prance on the computer desk, and I can't see a thing! I'd rather she stay on my lap all warm and fuzzy! I do love my pets.

~*~
Hope you are tucked in safe and sound wherever you may be!

Love,

Jill