CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Healthy, Natural, Chocolate Pudding

If you or your kids like chocolate pudding, you must try my own recipe for homemade pudding. Made with 1% milk and dark chocolate, it is not only delicious and healthy, it is low fat, 110 calories per serving and not full of junk. 

I checked the ingredients of a store bought ready made pudding to compare.  Here are the ingredients in a Hunt's Choclate pudding.
Ingredients:  Non Fat Milk, Water, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Vegetable Oil (contains one or more of the following: Palm Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Less than 2% of: Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Artificial Flavors, Color Added. It also was mentioned that it is stable on the shelf for 18 months!! Here is my more natural recipe:

Ingredients
3 cups 1% Milk
3 tblsp. Custard powder
3 tblsp. Sugar

2 squares (2oz) Semi sweet chocolate, melted in microwave (about 45 seconds)

½ tsp Vanilla


Directions
In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar and custard powder, whisking together and stirring until it comes to a boil, Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla. Remove from heat and pour into ramekins.

BAUBLES

A Call for readers photos of their stash.
While I put my finer jewellery pieces away in a proper box, my everyday bits usually get tossed onto the dresser at night. Given that I have a THING for bracelets and necklaces, this results in a heap of tangled clutter that is unsightly and a real bother to sort. Whenever I see silver plated trays such as these at markets, I always pick them up. They make the perfect catchall for keys at the front door, desktop bits, makeup in the bathroom, perfume bottles etc. This one works perfectly in my bedroom to coral all of my STASH.

I recently came across a picture and post on Linda Merrill's site www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com that got me thinking of the stories that jewellery tells. Gathered from trips, friends, self-indulgence, lovers.......the list goes on. How fun would it be to have you send me your snaps of your piles of baubles. Email them to me at chania@razmataz.ca and I will post the most interesting ones. Add a little comment if you like to give us the story.

Chania

Clockwise from top left:  1. Stash of bracelets, necklaces etc that gather on my dresser 2. LOVELY perfume, alos on the dresser 3. vintage Rhinestone and Pearl Pin. 4. Silverplated tray I found at a thrift shop.

ROAD FIND-Art Deco Dresser

Art Deco Dresser

Never ,never, ever, be too embarrassed to stop and pick up a road find. It is not gross or cheap, it is wise and thrifty. When someone discards an item, they often leave it on the curb in hopes that it will become someone else's treasure.

I was walking the dog the other week and a neighbour was moving out. They had a heap by the side of their house that didn't seem to be finding a place on the truck. I spotted this dresser amongst this heap.

The homeowner was outside and so I stopped to say goodbye…..(and to put in my pitch for the lovely dresser). Turns out she was taking it to the dump the next day and was only too happy to see me rescue it. It had belonged to her mother.

My husband cringes when I call him when I am out walking, as it usually means bringing the truck somwhere and lifting something heavy.

It is from the 30's I believe with a book matched walnut veneer in near perfect condition. A solid piece of furniture for sure. All dovetailed and with a bit of scrolled carving at the bottom on the feet and also on the 2nd drawer.

It now sits in my guest room, housing books and a silver dresser tray. Not even a hint of embarassment on my part.

Chania

Check out Show and Tell Friday at

http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/

HAITI

I just can't post anything lighthearted and frivolous today with so many people suffering in Haiti, as well as their loved ones from around the world. They need help and we need to give money so they get it.
www.redcross.ca

DESIGN TREND 2010

BLACK PAINTED DOORS

Image from Canadian House and Home.  http://www.houseandhome.com/

I have always loved interior doors painted black.  I think whether you have a modern home or taditional, they look fantastic. It also really shows off nice hardware and hides fingerprints.

My basement door

 In the Trends issue of Canadian House and Home magazine last month, they identified one of the hot new trends to be interior doors painted blue-black. I embraced the black painted interior door several years ago, but find it is either a LOVE IT OR HATE IT thing. It still is not very common at all.  When I ordered my new front door with black inside and out, I was called three times by the salesman and the manufacturer to confirm my order.

My own home

When my basement was renovated last winter, I specified black doors. Farrow and Ball's Off Black to be specific. I cut some corners though and had my local Benjamin Moore Store color match it. NOT THE SAME! Believe me. The look is more blue black, which  means I was ahead of the trend! Still would have preferred the OFF BLACK, but like them enough not to have them repainted.

From Canadian House and Home www.houseand home.com

Even more charming on french doors.from   http://www.elledecor.com/

I am with House and home on this one, I think this is going to be a huge trend for 2010.             

Chania

OUT- FLEA MARKETING

I had wonderful day out last weekend with my Razmataz Vintage partner Lorraine, scouring the countryside for wonderful finds for the shop. We are bit delayed in getting things posted to Etsy, but we are almost there. We want everything to be perfect first, clean, pressed, polished……..

Here are a few things that caught our eye. Old gals-lots and lots of old dolls. I love the faces, and the scary eyes of some of them.

Boy books. Is it just me, or did they make more books for boys?

I could spend hours admiring the old jewellery. It is all made so beautifully. Shiny rhinestones, pearls, beads…..I love it all. I like to arrange little vignettes in the stalls of like items grouped together. 

I fell in love with this little Mohair Steiff dog. Made in Germany in 1934, it has a jointed head, glass eyes and the Steiff button on its ear. Germany and Steiff especially, was renowned for their stuffed animals and teddy bears. This one may not end up in the shop, as I am a little attached to it. 

Old household items always fascinate me, especially when they are grouped together like this cabinet full of darning eggs. They were used to stuff into your socks or stockings when darning them. A lost art, although I do still darn old woolen blankets. 

And comic books, more boy reading.  Most seemed geared to boys, although I did find Lois Lane.

Chania

NOTED – DESIGNER FABRIC THROWAWAY

As a designer, fabric samples are a part of almost every project. When you start picking fabric, you begin with your color theme and start pulling fabrics from within "the palette". You usually start by pulling loads and loads of them within your scheme.

As you check wear ratings, color lots, stock and your clients preferences, you start to narrow it down to maybe five, then three, then THE ONE. The one your client has to have for that sofa, drapery or toss cushion. Its is magic once you find that ONE. It is the jumping off point, the element that starts bringing other things together. You have your direction... the paint is selected, the drapery, co-ordinating fabrics.....

 You then return the samples to your supplier and they go back on the hangers.
Until they get discontinued, which they do all the time.

Color and style preferences change so often, the fabric houses have to come up with new and better ones. There are dozens of fabric houses, all of which send hundreds and hundreds of their samples to hundreds and hundreds of showrooms, designers, workrooms and upholsterers, in dozens of countries.

 So what happens to the truckloads of samples that are discontinued. Some go to design schools for project sample boards, and the bulk of them??? THEY GET THROWN OUT. Yes trashed. (I am sure somewhere, someone puts them to good use, so if you know, let me know).

Not one to see an opportunity go to waste, I rescued several boxes of these samples in some of the finest mohair, velvet, silk and cottons. I made a few toss cushions, and gift bags, but started to think of a bigger, better use for them.

I contacted my cousin Sam who works with women in Peru who sew to make a living for their familys. She thinks they could use them, but they need ideas and maybe samples of what they could do with them. Just think of the cottage industry these samples could provide to women around the world.

If you have a brilliant idea for their use, I would love to hear your ideas as to what you could do with the bits.  They are all 18" x 18", and are a mix of upholstery weight and drapery wieght.  I will post some of the ideas here later. Email me at chania@razmataz.ca

Chania

Examples of the gorgeous fabric samples thrown away.

NOSH - Belgian Waffles

A treat for my overnight guests. Homemade waffles, fresh fruit and maple syrup. 
Vintage knife and fork, vintage Irish Linen table runner.

As you get to know me better, you will discover things like, I can't use a paint color if I don't like the name of it, or I can't enjoy soup if I eat it with a teaspoon, or that I hate square waffles. I just don't think they same the same. My neurosis likely has a name, but my friends and family have been kind enough not to mention it (yet).

When I have guests, I love to treat them to homemade (round) waffles served with fresh local fruit and real maple syrup. I buy maple syrup in 2 litre bottles from Mennonites in Williamsford, Ontario. There is nothing like it, especially drizzled on yogurt in the morning. My uncle in the Uk likes to eat it by the spoonful.

ALERT: Did you know that AJ's "Butter Rich" table syrup has 13 ingredients (chemicals). (INGREDIENTS: CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, SALT, CELLULOSE GUM, NATURAL BUTTER FLAVOR WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL MAPLE FLAVOR, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVES), CARAMEL COLOR. From www.auntjemima.com )

Real maple syrup contains 1 ingredient-maple syrup. Of course it is twice the price, so buy it in season, locally if possible or use half as much. Far better than drowning your lovely round waffles in the faux stuff.

BELGIAN WAFFLES
2 c. flour 2 eggs 2 c. buttermilk 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar 1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. cooking oil Mix eggs, buttermilk and oil together. Add dry ingredients. Bake on a hot Belgian Waffle iron. Makes 5 waffles   from http://www.cooks.com/

FRIDAY FIND - A SHOCKER!

WHY THIS IRONSTONE PLATTER HAD ME GOBSMACKED.

I am a collector of white ironstone. You can never have enough white platters, and as long as they are in good shape, I pick them up, either for my own use or for my shop. So, when I spotted a stack of plates and a couple of ironstone pieces, I was so excited. One large white platter was in such pristine condition, better than I had ever seen a piece of Ironstone in. I purchased the whole stack and knew I had a good find.

I didn't have my glasses with me that day, so I could not check the marks on the back. When I got home, I carefully washed them and checked the marks.

To my great surprise (and utter shock) when I turned it over I saw this:

and closer..... this................

Holy Crap!!! A Swastika, KPM, FL. UV. an Eagle and the date 1940. I was completely shocked. Stunned in fact. A platter used by the Nazi's.

I contacted Geoff Pringle from http://www.oldnautibits.com/ in the UK to see what could tell me about such a thing. Here is what he had to say.

 "The Luftwaffe eagle and swastika are Luftwaffe ( German Air Force 1933-1945 ) property marks. The KPM is the makers code and the Fl stands for 'Flieger' in German meaning 'flying'. Values in the US may be different from here in England but if good condition it may fetch up to US$ 125 ish"

 It needs a home, but not mine.  It is meant for a museum as it does have some historical value.

Chania

Check out www.romantichome.blogspot.com
 for Show and Tell Friday

JOE

What is your favourite coffee cup?

It has to be the right cup. White, rounded, wider than tall, a good sized handle. I have different favourites for different times of the day. Morning cup has to be large. 2 cups worth at least. If I am having coffee with lunch, I like a fancy cup, and with dinner, a cafe cup.

Best restaurant coffee cup -in Montreal-the latte bowl at Le Cartet on McGill Street, or downtown Oakville at the White Oaks restaurant where they have the original diner cups.

Here are some of my most enjoyable coffee cups. For the next week, I am asking my blog readers to email me a photo of their favourite coffee cup, and I will post the pictures here in a week. chania@razmataz.ca . I can't wait to see everyone's go-to cup.

Chania

Photos. Main photo. Vintage J & G Meakin Vitresol Hotelware cup and saucer Clockwise from top left:  1.Vintage J E Heath "Erica" Hotelware cup and saucer.  2. Handthrown pottery mug  3. Emma Bridgewater cup and saucer purchased in the UK.(by far the most expensive cup I own). 4. Standard issue Starbucks mug  All from my own dish pantry.

BITS

Baby Gift

To me there is nothing nicer and more authentic than receiving a vintage gift. You just can't personalise a gift as beautifully as when you peruse flea markets, garage sales, auctions etc to find treasures. Shopping this way works on so many levels. First you are recycling and reusing rather than buying new. Second, the charm, value and workmanship on vintage items are often so much better than new, mass produced items. Third, it is UNIQUE. Yes, a Tiffany baby spoon and cup is nice, but mass produced, but how incredible is this adorable vintage baby cup and spoon and fork.

This little baby spoon and fork, although mismatched has the sweetest engraving and the charming cup has the most intricate fret work band and barley twisted handle. Pair them up and tie them onto the cup with a pale silver organza ribbon (pink or baby blue) and you have a keepsake for your new baby friend. LOVELY!

Chania

ART

The beginning of "Nest".

MAKING MY NEST

I started making felted vessels a year ago, and have been working on this piece now for some time. This I call NEST. It is hand felted with Corriedale wools with hand appliquéd "combs" that give it another dimension and look a bit like honey combs. It so far has about 300 circles of felt, all folded and hand stitched to the vessel. I tend to work with GUSTO for a bit on my art and then slow to a crawl. Soon, I hope to get the motivation to make, cut and sew another 200 pieces to complete it.

If you have an interest in textile art, you may be interested in this. I have admired the art of Joetta Maue for some time now. Joetta works with embroidery in a way you have never seen before. There will be an exhibit of her work next week in New York. Here are the details if you are interested. To see her work, check out her blog http://www.littleyellowbirds.blogspot.com/

MAny layers of my nest

In the Elizabeth A. Beland Gallery —
Waking With You"
Recent embroidery drawings and photography by Joetta Maue,
exploring the act of sleep, the role of the bed and the lover in our lives.

January 8 – February 19, 2010
Please join us for our opening reception, Friday, January 8, 5-7 pm

E s s e x A r t C e n t e r
56 Island Street Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 685-2343 info@essexartcenter.com

For complete details: http://www.essexartcenter.com/gallery.html