"Green" Is Not The New Trend

Hello my lovely followers!  I have been super busy getting geared up for this Holiday season on my Etsy Shop!  Hence my absence from writing. With Thanksgiving almost upon us, and Christmas weighing heavily on our brains I have listed some great entertaining items, gift items, and Holiday cheer! But that's not the sole reason I am writing today, I want you to all understand my purpose, my dreams, my vision.  Okay, so you may be thinking, who cares!  But it helps for me to let it out, put some perspective on it and share.  Even if I am the only one who reads it.  My handsome, and uber smart husband said, "Let it out of your brain and onto paper!  It makes more sense that way." Thank you darling, you are right.  Yes, I said YOU ARE RIGHT!  See, in black and white for the world to see! ;-) My paper is this, my blog, the paper of today!

I was out and about yesterday with my Little C, we wanted to go and explore the droves of people that make this time of year the shopping wonderland it is!  So many faces, shapes, sizes, and types of people from all over the world.  It is so interesting and fascinating for a 9 month old to see!  As she was awestruck by this, I was pondering something.  Retail.....what a draw!! All this new shiny stuff that fills our minds, homes, and for some their souls (not good).  I decided quite some time ago that I would try my best to be conscious of my purchasing habits, work within my shoestring budget, and try and go a more "Green", healthy route.  I know, I know, "Green" seems so trendy right now, but I don't think that is the case. In fact, it's not! Talk to just about anyone from any generation and see what has been going on for decades to conserve, reuse, and re-purpose.  We just have the fortune to have the methods to spread the word like wild fire now! Thank you World Wide Web, social media, TV, and print!  Fascinating things have been happening for years and thank you t all of you who have been practicing what some see as "trendy" now! Don't get me wrong, today's trendsetters keep setting!! You lead by example and your children, and grandchildren will be the bloggers 20-30 years from now writing this stuff and carrying on the traditions!

I started the concept of Seedling Plantation this past Spring.  It, as many ideas, have evolved and found more meaning and purpose.  I see beauty in nature, people, plants, houses, things that have history and mystery.  A treasured piece that has seen many things and could tell many stories.  When I see that unique silver dresser tray, milk glass vase, or silver banded cocktail glass I want to know....  I want to know where did you come from, who has sipped out of you, what stories have been told, what fun will we have together and what joy will you bring to others!? Sounds kind of silly but its what makes vintage and antique items so alluring to me.  Then I think, you need a good home and someone to appreciate you!  New items just don't have that.  They may look all sparkly and shiny on the shelf and carry the promise of fulfillment, but if you think, and look deeper they are so lifeless and dull.  Most likely "Made In China" is stamped, stuck, embossed, sewn, glued, or printed on it, and if you put it up to your nose it smells like rubber and oil.  Yuck!  It carries with it no real richness, uniqueness, or character.  Is lacking in quality and durability, and certainly does not fit in with my desire to reuse, re-purpose, or revive.  Sure, you think it is easier to head to Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, Home Goods, Pier 1 and grab or order those overpriced hobnail tumblers.  BUT -there are so many other resources for reasonably priced, exceptional quality vintage, and antique items, (which is where big retailers get most of their ideas and inspiration for "new" designs from) and you can order those too and have them show up on your doorstep!  AND-you are supporting an individual, not a large and wasteful corporation.  Sure they need to eat too and so does everyone that works for them, but think about the little guy.  The ones trying to make a difference one antique bowl, or silver tray at a time. 

So born from this, my Vintage side of Seedling Plantation.  A passion igniting a need to bring these quality items to all that are in search of them.  AND-to open the eyes of others who didn't even realize they were! A prefect way to add a little "Green" into your life this holiday season and joy into your home. As my ideas evolve so will my mission and concept.  With the advise of my handsome husband I will write it, share it, and encourage it.  Try and let it out and make a difference, even if it is a small one.  Its all the small ones added up that make this life, and world a place worth being a part of.  Okay don't gag, that's really how I feel :-)

And they are off!!

More Pretty Vintage items find happy new homes!  So excited for my customers to receive them!   A gorgeous brass, scalloped tray, and stunning porcelain napkin rings!!

All this week I will be adding beautiful new and unusual items, groupings of items, and Holiday cheer! Please keep cheeking back for your next pretty treasure!

Halloween = Family, Food & Fun!!!

What an awesome Halloween!! The best in my most recent history of Halloweens! We had tasty treats, drinks, trick-or-treaters, a warm and cozy fire in our custom handsome-husband-built fireplace, and the most important; family and friends!!

 

Hand carved by the Handsome Husband for his Pretty Little Turtle!

I started the day by sewing my most precious of Halloween treats costume! It was my first homemade costume and I did a pretty good job, a few snags and miss stitches but overall a success!! Pretty Girly Turtle she was! My husband thought it would be so cute since she is crawling full speed ahead now.

 

 

 

The punch was delicious and cake a success!! (See below post for recipes) They did not have any spice cakes left at the store so we got a vanilla cake and added pumpkin pie spice to it.  We just added and tasted to our liking. My Mother and I kept looking at the batter and second guessing if this was going to work and low and behold it did! The cake was moist, flavorful, and filled with yummy pumpkin flavor!

Preparing for Halloween with some Easy and Delicious Recipes!

Thursday is Halloween!!!  My favorite holiday next to Christmas!  We have been preparing for a gathering at our home to celebrate and what fun it has been.  My handsome husband and our good friend built the most perfect fire pit and we are putting it to good use Thursday evening.

I have been scowering Pinterest, (crack for the eyes) to find an apple cider punch, pumpkin cake, and appetizer recipes.  After my eyes started to strain and felt like they were going to bug out of my head I came upon what I think are some easy, and look to be delicious recipes. I love making things look pretty and even more so tasty, but too many steps at this point in my life do not fit in like they use to.  So here are some of what I found.  Wish me luck and hope they turn out well, stay tuned.....!

 

Apple Cider Punch

750ml bottle of spiced rum

1 cup orange juice

1 cup lemon juice-fresh sqeezed

1 cup spiced syrup

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups prosecco or dry champagne

cinnamon sticks and apples for garnish

1 large punch bowl

 

Pumpkin Cake in Bunt Pan

1 box spice cake mix-

1 can 100% Libby Pumpkin

Grease and lightly flour bunt pan

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

Icing to Drizzle over top: 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 1/4 cup speeders sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla, 3-4 Tbs milk.  Stir until mixed well and lightly drizzle over cool cake. 

Fall Festivals and Pretty Things!

Hello and Happy Monday Seedling Plantation followers! What a busy week it has been!  With the safe arrival of my family from NY last Wednesday we have been working on getting a truckload of new vintage items from NY unpacked, and cataloged, my studio set up, preparing for a fall festival that I had a booth at this weekend, and putting together orders!  I have many things to share and am excited to show off my latest orders headed to their new happy homes!

 

Saturday was my first festival, it was a great learning experience and now I feel like I have a handle on that and what it takes to get set up and selling. We offered the most beautiful Rosemary Trees and they were a hit!  I will be listing more for sale today and tomorrow on my Etsy site!

 

This week promises to be a busy one and we have plans to pack in some around-town-fun in between work!  I can't wait to share our travels with you and look forward to our adventures!  

Here are a few more pretties I have recently listed on my site, 

enjoy looking and have a wonderful day!

Getting Ready for Christmas!!!

Today I started shooting items for the Holidays!! I just love this time of year!  These hot little numbers will be available soon!  I will keep you posted!

Enjoying the Comforts of Comfort, TX

What an AMAZING fall weekend! We took full advantage of the cool sunny weather and headed out to Comfort, TX. A little town with a lot of character in the Texas Hill Country. They held their annual fall antique show this weekend. The shops along High and 7th Streets always deliver an array of beautiful vintage, and antique wares that ignite that warm and comforting feeling of nostalgia, and bring inspiration to my heart and mind. Whenever I'm feeling lonely and missing my home in upstate New York, I head to a shop like these. The sites and smells remind me of my Grandparents houses and bring me back to times when I was young, carefree, and full of wonder.  This little town has such a peaceful, laid back vibe and makes you yearn for a simpler life. There is good food, good drinks, and beautiful places to enjoy both of them in! Have fun scrolling through my day below, and enjoy the Comforts of Comfort with me!! I hope they bring inspiration and comfort to you!

Comfort Pizza-Hand tossed, wood fired, so delicious!!  Ask for the White Pizza, its not on the menu and amazing! Another fun and nostalgic way to see this little town is on a Cruiser!  You can rent them here!  https://www.facebook.com/ComfortPizza

Hotel Faust-So pretty and inviting!  This treasure was purchased and remodeled last year.  A great place to relax and unwind!  It holds true to the German Texas Architecture and the attention to detail brings its history and charm to life!  http://hotelfaust.com/

Bending Branch Winery-What a delicious array of hearty wines!  This is from their blurb in the Hill Country Wineries pamphlet-"A small family operated vineyard and winery, we are passionate about sustainability in viticulture and wine making.  Growing 16 interesting varieties.  Our wine and viticulture program is focused on the Tannat grape.  Tannat is a black variety, bold in flavor, hardy in nature, and a multi-century hidden treasure, making it a perfect metaphor for the Texas hill country."  If you like that dry, oaky, deep, rich flavor as much as I do, this is your place!! No fruity stuff here!  What an awesome, bold, flavorful $10 tasting my husband and I shared, yeah the uber handsome man shown below with the wine glass, that's him! I call him the Patient Saint, ha! We left there with a smile on our face and our taste buds alive!  A few kisses ensued as well, which made the venture that much sweeter! http://bendingbranchwinery.com/

Uber handsome husband!!

Ah, perfect!  Just what I was looking for!! 

Well, cheers for today!! Look for part two of our Comfortable day in Comfort tomorrow!!