I think it will be just charming with some flowers planted in it. It's quite large--about as large as a paint can. Now I just need the weather to cooperate so my flowers won't freeze. I'm hoping for July, at this point.
Yesterday I was able to make a run to the antique mall sans grabby-handed toddler. We were there last Thursday to find a Mother's Day gift for my mom when I saw an interesting table out of the corner of my eye. Because I was busy trying to keep my kid from smashing hundreds of dollars' worth of antique pottery I was unable to give it a good look, but I thought about it all weekend and so I went back yesterday with my measuring tape in hand. Alas, I didn't buy it. It really was the shape and size I've been looking for and it was reasonably priced, but its condition left much to be desired and I am just not up to dragging home another piece of furniture that needs refinishing (much to my long-suffering DH's relief). I did find something else I couldn't live without:
Does this not look like something your grandma would have had on your bed? (See again: Long-Suffering DH) I LOVE IT! It's the most beautiful shade of turquoise satin and it's in great shape, and it was a great price to boot! I have a thing for these old smocked pillows so I was thrilled to find such a nice specimen.
It's cold and drizzly today so we're having dinner in the slow cooker. It smells delicious! The recipe is from Real Simple magazine, March 2004 issue and it's one of our favorites:
Spicy Country Ribs
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. cider vinegar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp ground chipotle chili powder *(I just use regular chili powder)*
1 tsp dried oregano
4 pounds pork country ribs
Combine all ingredients in the bottom of a large slow cooker and add the ribs. Cook on low heat for 6 hours. Using tongs, remove ribs from the cooker and arrange on a broiler pan. Heat the broiler, and pour the juices from the cooker into a bowl. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to hasten the separation of fat. Remove and discard fat. Pour the juices into a saucepan; boil over high heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Broil the ribs until browned and serve with the sauce. Makes 4 servings.
We just finished eating and I wanted to add a note: I cooked the ribs for 6 hours on low and they were a bit overdone. Still yummy, but a bit on the dry side. My slow cooker seems to cook things really quickly (ironic, no?) so I usually cut the suggested cooking time way down. For this one I'd probably be good with just 5 hours, but YMMV depending on your slow cooker. Also, if you use regular chili powder instead of the chipotle they are not spicy at all, in case that was a concern.
Andie asked if you could skip the boiling/broiling part at the end--I think you can definitely skip it and they will still be delish!
In a little while I'll make some buttermilk biscuits and I'll serve it with baked beans and potato salad. Yum! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Cool lard pail. It'll look awesome with flowers in it! {I just started collecting old tin buckets and containers for the same purpose.} I *love* that turquoise throw pillow! And the ribs sound delicious.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice Mother's Day!
I was inspired by Jane's (posy.typepad.com) garden of buckets. If you haven't seen it, here's the link to the post...
ReplyDeletehttp://posy.typepad.com/posy/2008/05/the-last-couple.html#comments
I just love it. :)
I am so over this weather too. We live in STL for goodness sake! Where is the warmth?
ReplyDeleteI think I'm coming over for din-din, yum!! That pillow is too cute, I would have probably bought it for my bed as well. That pail will be really cute for flowers. We've had tons of rain here so all of the garage sales tend to get canceled.
ReplyDeleteI was ALL excited about this new slow cooker recipe... that is... until I saw that there were steps beyond "walk in door after 6 hours, dish up a plate" bon appetite! Crimeny, I like the idea of throwing stuff in there and pretending somebody cooked a meal while I was out. What do you think would happen if I left out that broiling step?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great dinner we will have to give it a try...on another note, I had no idea until I read your blog yesterday that it was going to be cold, thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother had a pillow just like that in sage green. I think it met it's demise many years ago after so many granddaughters used it as a "car" for their Barbies. Great find!
ReplyDeleteGreat bucket! I had a couple of those pillows in pink in excellent condition. After holding onto them for over a year with no place to put them I finally put them in my antique booth. I hated to part with them but I was in one of those "must get rid of clutter" modes!
ReplyDeleteI love that lard bucket! Too cute! And the color of that pillow is very pretty!
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