Best Bib & Tucker

Archive for the ‘Other’ Category

Yesterday was a beautiful day to jump in the car and take a drive through the country.  Our destination was Mt. Vernon, a quaint and historic city in Knox County Ohio.
The downtown is full of fabulous, historic buildings.

Look at the balconies on this building that houses an antique shop.  I’m thinking the third floor should be my new apartment!

The main feature of our day was the Rural Society Antique and Garden Show at Warwick Farms.  You know you’re in the country when you turn onto a dirt road and your GPS no longer knows where you are.
But around the bend…
And it just kept getting better.
The displays of home and garden decor set up by the vendors were drool-worthy.
The farm and it’s gardens were beautiful

AND there were chickens!

Be sure to check out the Rural Society Blog for more photos, upcoming events, and other happenings on the farm.

These are the yummy cookies I’m entering in tonight’s Evening in the Village Cookie Contest!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies
with Cinnamon Frosting (frosting recipe follows)

Yield: 4 dozen
Ingredients:

• 2 C flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t nutmeg

• 1/2 C unsalted butter
• 1 C packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 C canned pumpkin
• 1 t vanilla

• 1 C chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries
  (I’ve tried the recipe with each and all have been delicious)

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°. Position oven rack one notch above center.

2. Beat butter for 30 seconds to soften then add sugar and beat until really fluffy
(and I mean really fluffy- it will take awhile, even on high speed).

fluffy butter and sugar

3. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg- set aside.

4. Once the butter and sugar have been thoroughly mixed add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla and stir to combine.  Batter will now look slightly separated.

5. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

6.  Stir in chocolate chips. (I like to hold back a handful to add in later.  It always seems like my batter is running out of chocolate for the last tray.)

7. Drop from teaspoon about 2 inches apart on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

8. Bake 7 minutes then immediately cool on a wire rack.

9. Frost with cinnamon icing once completely cooled.

*******

Cinnamon Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C butter
• 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 1 T milk
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1/2 t cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until your arm falls off, hands have cramped, you’ve discovered you can’t stir with your left hand, and you are about to give up.  Then you will have the perfect frosting

I like to grate the butter to soften it- seems to speed up the process a bit.

clumpy, dry frosting- keep stirring

Use a butter knife to spread a bit of frosting on each cookie

We will be taking a break from weekly What to Wear Wednesday posts during our winter break.  We’ll keep posting fashion, clothing, and stain removal tips but plan on adding some new content as well.

Follow along as we share how we are decorating for the holidays, highlights from Em’s shabby chic vintage wedding, and eventually sneak peeks of the new store!

This morning we attended a great presentation here in Hartville by Cinda Baxter, creator of The 3/50 Project.  (If you haven’t read our previous post on  The 3/50 Project check it out here: BBT Love for The 3/50 Project)  Not only were we excited to have a national speaker come to our little town but we are REALLY excited about all the ideas we have flowing to implement the message.

The 3/50 Project recently launched a campaign called “Keep the Cheer Here” which focuses on shopping in local, independent businesses this holiday season.

Here’s why spending locally makes sense:

Independent local merchants return 68% of their revenue to the community.  Big boxes, national chains?  Only 13%-43% returns.  Out of town websites?  Zero.
Spend it here. Get more back.
- source: www.the350project.net

Plus it save you the headache of the mall parking lot!

I love the idea of using chalkboards in photographs.  The message you write is an instant caption.

I can’t remember a Halloween that mom didn’t make costumes for Em and me.   We did the traditional brides, princesses, black cats and witches.   As we got older we tried cowgirls, mimes, Mary Poppins, Pippi Longstocking, and magicians.  Then there was the year I went as a HOT AIR BALLOON!  There was helium involved a big net and a basket I could step in and out of.  Difficult to sit down but really cool anyways.  I also vaguely remember a jellyfish costume that used an umbrella and lots and lots of bubble wrap.

We always worked with pieces we found around the house, old dance costumes, or things mom found at a thrift or consignment store.  There wasn’t usually a lot of sewing involved just a lot of creativity.

Here are a few how-to’s from around the web that I think mom would have tried:

Cupcake

Zoo Keeper

Garden Gnome

Superheros

Rockstar

Owl

Scuba Diver

Apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities.  There’s just something great about hiking through an orchard on a crisp weekend morning.  A few years ago we were driving around and saw a sign for an orchard.  Of course we had to check it out.  After a little drive down a dead end road we came to Horseshoe Orchards.  Here we found an amazing old orchard and some really friendly people.  We’ve been visiting them each fall ever since.  They have a number of varieties (including Northern Spies- my favorite) that are ready to pick at different times throughout the autumn.

This year we went early and picked an $8 1/2 bushel of Macintosh and Cortlands. We're headed back this weekend for more!

Horseshoe Orchards is located on Cates Road just off of Massillon Rd. in Springfield Township between Killian Rd and SR 619.   They are open on weekends only.   Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5.  There is no phone or website, but trust us the most friendly people are waiting at the end of that little road.

I’m off to pre-heat the oven…just found this great recipe for Apple Peanut Butter Cookies.- Don’t grate the apples, just put a whole one in as chunks- tastes great!

Happy Fall Everyone!

Because I spent a good part of my childhood (and 20′s) in ballet shoes, the ballerina look holds a nostalgic place in my heart.  It’s feminine, chic, and always reminds me stand a little taller.

Flowy skirts, black, white and pink colors, and a tote

Tunic tops or dresses over leggins, a little bit of lace

Pastels and a wrap sweater

Cropped sweaters, skinny jeans and ballet flats

Don't forget a headband to finish the look!

Also loving these pretty buns and updos.

Top Left: In a Rush, Forget the Brush
Top Right: Pin it Up, Girl
Bottom: A Surprise Twist

August is a busy time of year at BBT.  Not only is our clearance sale going on but it’s back to school season in our children’s department.  Put these two together and you can score some major deals!

So, in addition to the obvious look for sales, here are some clothing shopping tips we’ve collected from BBT moms:

• Make a list of what they need- open the drawers and closets to really see what they have in there, what fits, and what they don’t like anymore.  ***This is also a great time to clean out and bring  your items in for consignment.   BBT is currently accepting Fall and Winter items. Check out: How to Consign ***
• Set a Budget
• Evaluate Needs vs. Wants-  I remember having this conversation with my daughter when she was in middle school.  Yes she WANTED three hoodies, but she really only NEEDED one.  Still to this day she will tell you she needed three .  We bought her one and she was welcome to purchase the other two with her own money.
• Know the Dress Code- the school’s and your own.  Have a conversation about this before hitting the stores.
• Ask them what they want- This will help you plan on what stores you need to go to and is a much better conversation had at home instead of the middle of a store.  This is also a great way to start a conversation about budget.
• Don’t try to do it all in one outing
• Bring Snacks- If I don’t keep my girls fed during shopping trips they get grouchy.  (and they are in their 20′s!)
• Spread it Out- Do you need everything now?  If you have a kid who likes to shop, reserve some of that budget for a September/October shopping trip.  You’ll hit after peak season sales and will be able to add some winter items into the mix.

Score one for the little guy!

The idea behind The 3/50 Project is simple.  Pick three  independently owned, brick and mortar businesses and spend at least $50 a month.

It’s not hard.  Get a hair cut at your local salon ($30), a new dress from the consignment shop down the street ($18), a chocolate treat from the candy store ($2) and you’ve done it in one day!

Okay that sounds nice, but why?

Locally owned shops are your neighbors.  They are the life-blood of any town.  When was the last time making a purchase at a big box store made you proud of yourself for  supporting your community?  What’s even greater is that by supporting your community you are supporting yourself.  Dollars spent in independent shops stay local.

As we start a new month, think about where you are spending your money, visit the independent shops in your town, and spread the word about The 3/50 Project.