Calling Dr. Kildare, Calling Dr. Kildare

Calling Dr. Kildare, calling Dr. Kildare....just look at this handsome picture of Dr. Kildare here. I'm thinking he was the Dr. McDreamy of the day - what do you think? Well, when I came across this picture, it brought back memories - I, believe it or not, have read this book. I don't really remember it, but I remember the cover and remember one summer reading all sorts of old - odd books. Well, I bring you this picture of dear old Dr. Kildare, because of this weekend.
Isn't it wonderful when you have a weekend that you have absolutely nothing to do and you can just relax? Well.....it figures that that is the weekend that The Summer Kitchen girls get sick. Karrie started off on Wednesday with a respiratory infection, and she made an appointment with the doctor on Friday. Just so happens that your truly took her to the doctor (and waited forever in the waiting room for her). While I was there, I felt it coming on - the throat feeling wheez-ish. Saturday I woke up with it, and poor mom got it Saturday night. Share & share alike!! Well, as of today, we are all on the mend, and can't wait to do something other than lay on the couch, on the bed, and we are really getting tired of watching TV.......I guess what we need is a good book......where is that "Calling Dr. Kildare" book???

Dear God.....is it time for school to start up again?

Received an email with a whole bunch of kid's prayers in it. I found a lot of humor in this one - being spring break and all......kids are all home......and you know that time.....when you know it's time for school to begin again??!

Spring Dreaming

Here in our little corner of North West Ohio, we are starting to see more and more signs of spring. However, old man winter does not want to go away. In fact, 3 inches of snow are once again in the forecast! It can only keep getting better, we keep telling ourselves; but we wonder if the robins are wondering why they've come back. This afternoon Karla and I ventured out for a few minutes to enjoy the rare sighting of some sunshine.
Here are some of our promising finds:

Chives are growing...
Bulbs are peaking through...
snow is melting (until another layer comes)...
















But still, we find ourselves unsatisfied. We pour over magazines, books and anything that has pictures of gardens in it. How we long for the earth to spring forth its beauty! Until then, we will just have to share with you some of our favorite photos we have been drooling over in the March/April 2008 issue of Victoria magazine -"Return to Bliss".

Shop With Your Friends * Dressing Alike is Opptional!

We really have too much fun at The Summer Kitchen - especially when we get out the picture files. We take a picture of one or more of the girls, and come up with all sorts of things they could be saying or promoting. We even start to name these damsels!
Last year we came up with the comment above for this picture.
"Shop with Friends at The Summer Kitchen -
Dressing Alike is Optional!"
We cracked up - thought it was the funniest thing ever, so we put it in the paper.
We aren't sure if anyone gets our strange humor - but hey, we have fun!!

Once upon a time my high school girlfriends and I would all get together for the day and go shopping, out to eat, and have a really great time catching up with what has been going on in each other's lives, reliving old days, and just blowing off the day - no kids, laundry, or cares in the world. We always would go sometime in April, and I think it's time to start it up again. So, make some plans everyone - April is just around the corner!! Grab some girlfriends and take a day trip for some quality time - great for you AND your girlfriends!

An Inheritance

An inheritance. When my husband's uncle passed away several years ago, each of the nieces and nephews were to pick out a piece of artwork of his. Starting from oldest to youngest, we started. We looked, and passed this picture several times. We loved the colors and the picture, however we thought the size was way too big to fit anywhere in our home. Well, guess what? We left that day, without this picture. We left with a small frame with a scripture on it. The next day, my mother-in-law wondered why we didn't take this picture, and I said that we thought it was too big. She said that she was going up to go through more of his things, and that she'd bring it home. If it was too big, she'd take it back. What can I say? The painting was massive, however I had a space on my dining room wall that it fit perfectly - it stayed!

When we moved into our new home three + years ago, we made sure that this painting had a spot. It is so interesting to see people look at this painting. At first glance, it looks like a contemporary piece of art, then, as people really look - they begin to see figures, and then they begin to see that it is Christ on the cross, with figures down below. Look closely - there are three figures. At first you only see the two.

It is a cherished piece in our family now. We don't know who painted it, or why, but we love it!
I was thinking on this Easter weekend, that like this picture being an inheritance, so is our place in Heaven someday - only we know who made it all possible, and why!

Easter Blessings to everyone this weekend!

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried,
and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable."
- Apostle Paul - 1 Corinthians 15:3,4,17-19

Hoppy Spring!

Spring! Glimpses of it have been appearing all over. Have you heard the birds? They are going crazy! Now, we haven't posted a blog for almost two weeks - - - that is sign enough that spring is near! The Summer Kitchen Girls can't get stuck at the computer when it starts getting nice outside!

Last week was our Spring Fling, and we were busy both Friday and Saturday. We were quite slow on Sunday, however we had quite a few people from Home Show stop by with their coupons. It was nice to take the extra time to meet everyone and let them know about the shop though, instead of giving them their bag and thanking them for their purchase and taking care of the next person in line. That part was nice!

On that Friday of Spring Fling we got a fun shipment in - so very exciting! These bird prints are vintage prints, framed in a distressed white frame with mirror - we LOVE them! There are six different prints to choose from, so I've been looking at some walls in my house thinking "Where oh where could I put these.....!"


Spring Flowers are still "in bloom" in the store - Karrie had to make a few more pots up. Everyone who has brought a spring pot of florals up, has told us "It just makes me happy!" Isn't that the truth! Flowers, especially spring ones have a great way of making our spirits soar - don't you think?

As promised to our customers this weekend, we are posting the recipe for the lime bars - a favorite of everyones. If you like lemon bars, you'll love these:

CREAMY LIME COCONUT BARS

FILLING
1 cup lime juice
2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon freshly grated lime peel
1-2 drops green food coloring

CRUST
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup cold butter


TOPPING
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Heat over to 350 degrees. Combine all filling ingredients in large bowl;set aside. (Mixture will thicken slightly).

Meanwhile, combine flour, sugar and ground almonds in large bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Pat mixture evenly into ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Pour filling mixture over hot, partially baked crust. Sprinkle with coconut. Continue baking for 15-17 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely, Cut into bars, Cover; store refrigerated.

They are wonderful!!

Well, to end on a "hoppy note" I thought I'd share a picture that I took yesterday. Pulling out of the driveway, under our sign sat a bunny - a very cute bunny, and what I thought was the funniest thing was that she was facing me on the side of the sign that said: "Hop on in & shop!" - how perfect was that?
Have a great week everyone!

A Spring Fling

Come on in - it's truly spring inside! We're gearing up for our annual Spring Fling open house this weekend. Home Show - it's over, unpacked and we are trying to put everything out "just so" for all of our visitors - both store and blog! Glimpses of spring here and there - plenty of flowers that will brighten our day, cheery runners to add a bit of color - and let's not forget the bunnies!



If you're in the area - please join us this weekend:


SPRING FLING OPEN HOUSE
Friday, March 14th 10am - 8pm
Saturday, March 15th 10am -5pm
Sunday, March 16th 1pm-5pm

As usual, mom is making her cookies - and will no doubt break the record again for the most cookies baked in one week!



















To see more spring & visit more neat blogs - go over to Kari & Kijsa's blog and read their blog "Easter Blessings" There you will find 99+ blogs - we've been visiting several and have enjoyed everyone!

Looking forward to spring - hope you are too!!
Karrie & Karla

Promise of Spring

Look who was waiting out the snowstorm yesterday afternoon. This robin, and his three friends were sitting in our trees - Spring is truly on it's way!

Heading off to the Home Show this afternoon - YEAH - glad that we'll have two out of the three days!
Think of us as we pack up, and get back to the shop and unpack again!

Home Snow...I mean SHOW

Home Show weekend is here! We packed everything in our 10x10 square in the store and put it into two trucks and a van and headed down to the Fremont Rec Center around noon on Friday. Snow was just starting to trickle in, and we questioned whether we should bring as much as we did......we did! We figured that if it was going to be bad weather, those coming to the show would want to make sure that they got great ideas and a fantastic display. Let me tell you - it is AMAZING how much you can fit into a 10x10 square!! Check out the final project - we were extremely happy. Last year we wanted to display one of our chandeliers, but couldn't get it figured out - but thanks to Karrie's wonderful husband - we did it! As you can see - we have a lot of color and spring looking florals in the booth this year.....














We were open last night from 5pm-9pm and we had a steady crowd until around 8pm. Lots of familiar faces of clients and friends, and we talked to a lot of people who have seen our ads, but didn't know where we were exactly. We got them straighted out and gave them a postcard for our Spring Open House next weekend.

In the paper this morning there was a great picture.......in the words of Whitney Houston, "Let's Here It For The Boys"......that's right - check out the Home show article for yourself at The News-Messenger online - The Summer Kitchen Boys are featured - if you look close you'll see Karrie working on a display - ahhh but where is Karla? I'm sure that I'm out getting more things for the display, or something - honestly I was there! Ok - I looked online again - and see, there I am trying to help Karrie with the banner of the girls -see.......


Today, there's a level three in Sandusky County - I doubt there will be a Home Show tonight. We were to be open 12pm-8pm. Time will tell if the level three will be lifted, well....there is tomorrow! We look for Sunday to be busy - check us out if your feeling like you need to get out - Sunday from 12pm-4pm. There are many great business there that have just about anything you need for Home and Garden improvements.

Hot Products on a Cold, Cold Day

Well, it's a level three in Sandusky County this morning, no chance of getting the kids to school after all! (No chance in me getting to the store to get some much needed work done either!) So, I thought I'd get as much done in the office as I could.

When I opened up my email this morning, there was my weekly email showing me "Hot products in home accessories" Well, it is cold, and thought I'd open this baby up and see if it warmed my accessorizing senses (I am stuck in the house today...why not get some inspiration to move some things about?!!) After gazing at all that hot product, I knew I shouldn't keep it to myself, why there's other mothers out there, home with their children, telling them that they also are doing their work on the computer, and would need some quiet for a bit........so, I thought I'd share some pictures of the Hot Products (supposedly) that are in my email today to help your day along as well! Here we go!



"Springing to Life" was the caption for this ceramic vase - yours for only $40...how many would you like today?










"Sublime in lime"
Who thinks of these titles anyway? I want their job!
"Verdant bouquets of Victorian florals adorn this collection of tabletop offerings in a lime, black and white color scheme" $25-$50.
This gets me in to mood for spring - but, I can't say that there's a fire burning for any of these things - but, maybe for you????






"Sturdy stallion" "Intricate detailing in hues of cinnabar red and verde patina - $280" Although it's not my style, I rather like this guy, from an art perspective - he's pretty neat, although I don't see him on a "have-to-have" list for northwest Ohio.

"Taking shapes" This is pretty cool - I really like this one! "Open blocks create the base on this cocktail table." Even though this is contemporary looking table, I could see it in a traditional home - very interesting I think.






"Textural trophy" "Topped with an oatmeal colored loomed linen shade, the lamp features a hand-formed clay base with a splashed glaze - $329" This is an awesome lamp. I love the textures and shape of this - very fun!







"Chinoiserie chic" "A traditional Chinese rug, patterned after an antique. The saffron yellow Mandarin rug showcases soft, leafy vines winding around Chinese medallions and lotus blossoms with accents of porcelain blue and cinnabar - $899 for a 5x8"
I'm still not sure what I think of this rug. I like it, but it's too plain for me. I think in the right setting it could be fabulous.....it will have grow on me!






"Shell style"
"Beads from natural polished coconut shells embellish the pillows with natural abaca cases - $88-$118" I love anything from shells, coconuts and the like......in the right room, it can be refreshing - not practical mind you, but a nice look!



"Geometric looking glass"
"Pyramid designs finished in hand-rubbed mahogany red with burnished details and gold accents create the frame on this mirror."
I love this mirror - this heats up the day! I wish I had it for the home show this weekend - it would fit in perfectly! This company always has mirrors that I love!
What a way to end the Hot Products - now we're talking - at least I am, rambling on, not wanting to deal with the fact that I'm home with the kids.......trying to avoid crafts, and whatever else I have to come up with....yikes - LUNCH - I'd better go figure out what in the world we're having for lunch!!

Tight Quarters

While in Old San Juan, there was an Open House at the narrowest home in San Juan....maybe the world. For kicks, we went in. La Casa Estrecha is 37 feet long by 53 inches wide - and you thought it was hard to find a sofa for your room!! Originally it was used as housing for the slaves of the house next door. Now it is an art gallery, museum, and souvenir shop.



Check out the steps going up to the third floor - interesting! We had regular steps going up from the first to the second floor. The third floor was closed to the public, so we couldn't go up these stairs. In the back is a bathroom. Quite a nice little bath too.....















So, if you think you've got tight quarters - think again! There are some great ideas for those small rooms in your home! Here are two books that I enjoyed looking through and would recommend:

One lump or three....

It's quite humorous really! My children, as well as my niece and nephew, search out sugar cubes when they come into the store. Sometimes they go into the tea, sometimes, directly into the mouth.....so what will it be for you today? One lump or three?

For Karrie and I it was probably a 2-3 lump day. We are trying to finish up the display for Home Show. It's getting there, it just takes a while. Thank goodness we set it up prior to the show - we can't "wing" it for this! We'd be tracking back and forth to the store, because we'd have to pick up just one more thing......and then just another.....and so it goes! Here's a little peak at what we are doing - what do you think so far?





















By the way - Home show is this weekend at
the Fremont Recreational Center

March 7th 5pm - 9pm
March 8th 12pm - 8pm
March 9th 12pm - 4pm



Karrie is working like a mad woman trying to get the most gorgeous floral arrangements on the planet in our store - I'll have to say, she's doing a fine job! Every time she hands me a new arrangement to put out, I have to think "Where on earth can I find room for this in my house!" So, I'm thinking that you won't be disappointed for Spring Fling Open House in two weeks March 14th-16th

Well, Customer Appreciation Month is over, we picked our last winner this evening - Congratulations to Angie Babcock, for winning the candle and candle snuffer!! A big Thanks goes out to everyone who entered! We loved all your comments and well wishes! You guys are truly the best customers two girls could ever ask for!