French Inspired Spring Time Tablescape from Pfaltzgraff

Far away in the remote, untraveled southwestern French countryside, en route from the enchanting old city with an ancient cathedral to the mystical Pyrenees which appear like a mirage at the most unanticipated moments, there is a small village which contains two homes, an eleventh century church, and a very special farm known as Pistoulet.

This is the opening paragraph from author Jana Kolpen's charming little book titled The Secrets of Pistoulet...an Enchanted Fable of Food, Magic and Love. Kolpen's 1996 fable is also the inspiration behind one of Pfaltzgraff's popular French country patterns, Pistoulet.

Pistoulet is a mystical farmhouse where weary guest can find quiet respite and have their spiritual maladies, the parts of their lives which have fallen asleep, magically awakened by specially made potages.

(source)

I imagine the farmhouse table in Pistoulet's vine covered dining room to look something like this, with colorful dinnerware in patterns which appear as if they've been plucked directly from the landscape of the French Pyrenees countryside. 

  I love this adorable bunny covered serving dish...perfect for a favorite side dish or even to hold some yummy croissants.

These cheery soup bowls would be the idyllic vessels for serving up one of the special potages created by Pistoulet's wonderful permanent residents, Madame Claude and Monsieur Andre.

 I adore the gorgeous green color of these darling dessert bowls...the hallmark color of the spring season. I am sure that Pistoulet's guest,  Mademoiselle J., would love to see these bowls filled with her favorite glaces.

From the mugs to the dessert bowls, Pfaltzgraff's Pistoulet dinnerware is beautifully weighted and decorated. The center of the dinner plates are adorned with a wispy French fleur de lis and trimmed in a whimsical poka dot print.

I decided to set my table outside as to celebrate this first day of the most magical season of the year. Just like the awakening potages of Pistoulet, spring heals the maladies of our souls as it brings nature back to life after a long winter's sleep. 

Wishing you all a very happy spring!

Au revoir for now mes amies.

XO

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StoneGable

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What Happens When a Dinner Guest Cancels?

The other evening my good friend Peggy and her son were expected over for our weekly supper together, however at about 2 in the afternoon she called me to say that she wasn't going to be able to make dinner. She had forgotten that she had made other plans for the evening. No problem...now I suddenly had the rest of the afternoon free from tiding up the house just a little bit, and I suddenly I became inspired to take on a project. Usually I don't get started that late but I really didn't think this it would take very long.

As you may know, Mr. RL just finished building and installing my beautiful new mantel and surround, which I love. So all excited, I decided to start creating my spring mantel display! I was putting items up, taking them down, rearranging and then arranging again and again. Suddenly hit me...the color of the framed mirror above the mantel was all wrong!

To me this mirror always gave the feeling of being an architectural feature in the living room, some what like a window as it fits the space so perfectly. But the wood trim in the room, the bookshelves, crown, window and baseboard moldings, are all painted white. So do you know what I did?

I took my trusty green Frogger tape and taped off the glass from the wood...



...and I painted the dang thing white!



Here again is the black frame.

I went ahead and threw a few pops of white up onto my bookshelves to tie together the white from the fireplace. I also replaced the fire screen with an old picture just to add a little interest and color below the mantel.

Now looking at the before pictures the black frame wasn't that bad, however I think I prefer the fresher look of the white frame. Mr. RL is kidding me that I am going what he calls "white" on him. (I guess I wont be filling him in on my plans for the kitchen table and chairs.) 

But hey it's officially spring next week and I am definitely ready for a few changes!

What are you changing up in your home to welcome springs return?

Wishing you a wonderful last weekend of winter!!!

XO

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PJH Designs

A New Look for My Thrift Store Find ~ Patinated Watering Can

A few weeks ago I shared with you a watering can I picked up at a second had store for only $2. I thought it was kind of cute and figured I'd probably end up painting it. As it turned out I received the spring issue of  The Cottage Journal and fell completely in love with the beautiful urn on cover, so decided to use this picture as my inspiration.

Here is my little watering can before...



Kind of boring right?

Well with some aqua spray paint, Minwax and a little watered down chalk paint, I was able to give this can a whole new vibe.

All I did to start was to paint the entire can in Rustoleum's Aqua spray paint. After it was dry I gave it a rub down with Minwax stain in dark walnut using a paper towel. I tried to wipe most of the Minwax off leaving it darker in the areas of the rope detailing. Finally when it was dry, I drizzled the watered down chalk paint on to the can. This gave the can the beautiful mottled appearance.

I think my little watering can likes her new look. Isn't she just the perfect container to fill with spring flowers?

XO

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Delicious Spanikopita or Spinach Pie

Since I gave up meat for the season of Lent I have been revisiting some of my favorite non-meat recipes...and this one is one of my favorites. I love this dish made with fresh spinach, dill and parsley all tossed with feta cheese and nestled between layers and layers of crisp filo dough. The trick to working with the filo is to keep it moist and cover it completely with olive oil after each layer is placed. This dish also has a bit of an earthy flavor because of the hint of nutmeg in the spinach mixture. Make sure your dough is completely thawed before using.

Ingredients:

2 lbs of fresh spinach

4 cloves of garlic chopped

1/2 c. onion chopped

2 T olive oil for sauteing

6 scallions sliced

1/2 c. fresh dill chopped

1 c. fresh flat leafed parsley chopped

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups of crumbled feta cheese

Filo dough thawed

olive oil for spreading on the filo dough during the layering process

In a large pot sauté the garlic and onion in the 2 T of olive oil until soft and onion is transparent. Add the spinach in batches and cook until wilted. Place the wilted spinach in a colander and press out any excess liquid. Once all the spinach is wilted toss with the parsley dill and scallions then go ahead and add the egg and seasonings and toss again. (It may actually be easier to use your hands to toss.) Finally add the cheese and mix again, set aside.

In a 13 X9 inch glass baking dish, spread olive oil on the bottom to cover and lay down your first sheet of filo dough. While working with the dough dampen a paper towel and lay over the top of the open dough to prevent drying. Spread olive oil on the top of the sheet and then place another sheet on top and spread on olive oil. Repeat 5-6 more times. Then spread the spinach mixture on top. Make sure to again squeeze out any water which may have accumulated in the bottom of the bowl while it was sitting. This will prevent the bottom of the pie from becoming soggy when cooking. Then go on and repeat the filo dough layering process 7-8 more times. Cover the top sheet with olive oil and place into a hot oven heated to 375 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes until the top of the pie is a golden brown. Then remove from the oven and let the spinach pie cool slightly before slicing.

Enjoy this dish with grilled chicken legs and thighs which were marinated in a combination of Miracle Whip and Greek salad dressing. (I prefer Gazebo Room Greek Dressing & Marinade) Whisk the two together and marinate the chicken for 2 hours. (You can also par boil the chicken before marinating to cut down on the grilling time.)

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week!!
XO

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