Majestic South Lake Tahoe

I had a little break from blogging while visiting beautiful South Lake Tahoe with family.  Since my daughter just started a blog and she is our photographer, I decided to direct you to her blog for some photos of scenery that is majestic and the beautiful people I am blessed to have in my life.  My Fleet of Fords.blogspot.com 

Combining the Romance of Chess

The first Friday of every month is the blog party "Vintage Black Friday" and every Friday is "Foodie Friday" so I wanted to join the two.  I believe you will find this combination both delectable and inspiring.

I couldn't decide which should be posted first so I chose the way opponents decide in a Chess game.  Holding a white pawn in one hand and a black pawn in the other, my husband chose the black pawn which represented the "Vintage Black Friday" party.  Therefore,  let the "Romance of Chess" begin.

The 1945 chess board was set up on a vintage desk.

The black pieces were placed first upon the vintage 1945 board since they won the draw to be first played.

The feather bouquet in the vintage black metal vase adds romance to the setting.

Adding a touch of black on the vintage clock helps to speed the game along.

This vintage chess set had the original First Edition, June 1945 rules book.

This booklet states, "The development of Chess through the ages presents an interesting and enlightening story.  It is a history that lends dignity and honor to the game."

All the chess pieces were still in the "Chess Men" box.

All the vintage black squares, numbers, and letters add charm and romance to this vignette.

It is interesting to note that the first person to bring Chess to public notice in the United States was Benjamn Franklin, who wrote an essay on "The Morals of Chess."  However, very little Chess was played in the United States prior to about 1825.  From then on, it gradually increased in popularity. 

In fact, this Independence Day weekend, my son, Nate, who lives in Philadelphia, is playing in the Continental Chess Association Chess Tournament:  'World Open 2010'  held at Valley Forge, PA..  He, also, has designed a Chess tournament online for his California relatives young and old.  They love the competition.

"Chess is truly a game that should live forever.  It sharpens the wits and is an endless source of intellectual pleasure for novice and masters alike."

You say, "How does this tie into Foodie Friday?

The first ingredient in this deliciously rich dessert is  
Chessmen Cookies.

When I first had a piece of this yummy dessert, it was so rich and delicious, I decided to make it for a "Lunch in the Country" dessert.  If you would like to go back to that post click here.

I didn't learn until after I had tasted the dessert (I should have known) that it is Paula Deen's 

"Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding"

Ingredients:

2   bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies

6 to 8 bananas, sliced

2 cups milk

1 (5 - ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding

1 (8 - ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

These are the ingredients so you know why I said it is so rich and yummy.

You first line the bottom of a 13 by 9 x 2 inch dish with one bag of Chessmen cookies.

Then, layer 6 - 8 sliced bananas.  I used six.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer.

Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth.

Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. 

Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended.

Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas.

Even the "Mama" couldn't wait for a taste of the banana puddin' before the cookies were placed on top.

Cover with the remaining bag of Chessmen cookies and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This is a great recipe for serving about 12.  Prep time is about 30 minutes and it is easy.

Whether romancing playing the game of Chess or 

 using Chess to romance your decor or

or romancing over a Chess cookie dessert

It all ties in to the Romance of Chess.

WISHING YOU A SAFE AND

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!

I will be celebrating for a week with family so watch for posts after that time.

I am joining Vintage Black Friday or click on VBF button on my sidebar or

Foodie Friday click here.

Lunch in the Country

Well, here I am celebrating with my friends again.  Three of us have birthdays within a month of each other so we have much celebrating going on at this time of the year.  It is time to say "Happy Birthday" to Ruth.   We took a little ride out in the country to our friend, Cindi's house.

After passing by oil fields full of oil derricks,
the green pastures at "Addis Acres" are a pleasant sight.

You travel along the drive and see horses grazing in the pastures.

The front walkway  is a refreshing respite from the heat with plants, ponds, waterfalls and creeks running through the area.

This would have been a beautiful spot to have lunch 

if the temperature wasn't around 100 degrees.

So, we had Ruth's birthday luncheon inside.

 The lovely parlor is the perfect setting for conversation while
Cindi and Ruth wait for guests to arrive.

 

We swooned over Cindi's lush tablescape of pink flowers  

with black accents and a touch of leopard print.

The pink candles are battery operated which is perfect for a hot day. Cindi said she purchased them at Tuesday Morning store. I hope you can see the beautiful etching on the vintage stemware.

This vintage pink and black set was going to go to a garage sale but lucky for us we got to enjoy them.  Cindi has the best garage sales so one of us would have purchased them I'm sure...lol

The black gloves have vintage rhinestone brooches to add some bling to this dazzling tablescape.  Most were given to Cindi  from her relatives.

The large dining room accommodates many guests.  

Cindi usually hosts our Christmas get-together with spouses.

  If you would like to see the past Holiday tablescape at her house click here. You will be in for a treat.  It may get you thinking of Christmas in July.

A black dinner plate with an embossed pink plate.
The pink cutwork design on the placemat is dainty and delicate.
The pink rose napkins with the pink wrapped chocolate tied with a cute ribbon is a yummy touch to this place setting.  Notice the black and white dot ribbon on the stemware.

There is "eye candy" every where you turn

Even though my picture didn't turn out so great,
I wanted to share this vignette with the Victorian boots and vintage stacked suitcases.

While on our way to the salad buffet we passed through the vibrant nook area.

We had a salad potluck lunch.  Many yummy salads to choose from.

You have to taste a sample of everything.
We all love to take a doggie bag  home (I should say husband bag).
We are all too full to make dinner so this works great.

I just ate this dessert last week and it was so good,
I had to make it for our birthday girl, Ruth.
After I  tasted it, I should have known it was a Paula Deen recipe.
It is called "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding".
I hope to be sharing the recipe for Foodie Friday.

Happy Birthday Ruth

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.  ~Author Unknown

Ruth does a million things for each one of us with a kind, gentle spirit.
We are blessed to call her friend.

Thank you Cindi for hosting our Birthday celebration.

Take a ride out in the country with a friend, you never know what you might discover.

 I'm joining Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.   If you would like to see more creative tablescapes, click on the TT button on my sidebar or click here.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

My sister is a Congregational Care Pastor.  She recently wrote a post on her church website that got me thinking about how important it is where you place a mirror in your decor.  What does it reflect?  So I went around my home and took some pictures to share with you.

A black vintage mirror that reflects the black antique armoire across from it in my entry way.

Green plants are great to sit in front of an antique mirror. 

It adds depth and dimension to the vignette to see the greenery.

When you have an object like this antique urn, 

the mirror allows you to see more of the patina.

This vignette sits on top of my vintage armoire.

The mirror reflects the dropped crystals from an antique chandelier.
At night it reflects the dimmed lights.

I remember growing up with this mirror.  My Mom said that my Grandma worked as a Nanny during World War II. around 1942.  At the time, my Grandma lived in Stockton, California. The lady she worked for gave her a pair of these mirrors and my Mom gave me one of them about 15 years ago. 

In my mind, it reflects my childhood but in the mirror reflection it shows

vintage movie reels in the photo vignette in the hallway.

My sister, Pastor Jeanette, (Our family affectionately calls her "Rev Jet")

had this to say in her post:

How Does God See Me?

Many times we see a picture of ourselves and say, "I hate that picture!", and we try to get rid of it.  Recently, my brother-in-law made a video of me that my whole family enjoys laughing at and of course, I hate it.  I offered good money for him to discard it!

I am so glad to see that scripture in 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "...man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  Have you ever wondered how God sees you?

I have two daughters in their 40's.  The other day I was thinking, "I can't remember anything that they did wrong!  Of course, I know that my daughters did do wrong things, but the older I get, I just remember the good things they did.  Jesus said he removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.  When we ask Him for forgiveness, He doesn't remember our sins any longer.  So, each morning I ask Him for forgiveness.

The staff of my church is so gifted.  Many times I say to the Lord, "Why am I sitting here among so much creativity and talent?"  Then the Lord reminds me of Gideon, who was "just a farmer."  When Gideon saw himself a scared child of God trying to get through life and feed his family, God saw him as a mighty warrior.

The things (circumstances) that are happening in your personal life have nothing to do with how God sees you from heaven, or the plans that He has for you today!  (Jeremiah 29:11)

When God sees you, He sees the mighty man or woman of God that He has plans for.  Try to see yourself as God sees you today.

Pastor Jeanette

How does your heart and home reflect who you really are?