Sorry that I have been away so long. It’s been so busy around here since the middle of April when we spent 8 LONG days helping our oldest with his new (1932) house–pulling out carpet, cleaning, painting, putting down hardwood, putting up drywall, and refinishing floors. Shortly after that, we went to help our youngestContinue reading “The Ancient Basement–Long time, no see…”
Author Archives: cathyboettner
All the Easter Table
I did a centerpiece that is all of the Eastery stuff that I have, plus some narcissi in little glass bottles. I have collected all of these items over an extended period of time–probably 15 years or so. Most are from thrift stores and estate sales, but I did buy some items new. It isContinue reading “All the Easter Table”
An Argument for Lenten Rose
I have a LOT of lenten rose planted in the perennial bed on the north side of our house. I love it because it stays green all year. It does well in dry shade–not many things do. It does well in part sun/part shade too. And the flowers (once seed pods have formed) are justContinue reading “An Argument for Lenten Rose”
Fun Floral inspires table
I went to a local PBS fundraiser with a friend to listen to the host of Life in Bloom, J Schwanke. He spoke about the show and upcoming episodes and made about 10 arrangements while he talked. It was really inspiring. At the end of the program, they announced that the centerpieces on the tablesContinue reading “Fun Floral inspires table”
Exquisite Easter
I started this table with a cute bunny runner; Smith and Hawken bunnies; silverplate compotes with paper eggs; and a Southern Living metal container. The place settings are Wedgwood MaxaDura Service plates; Mikasa Spring Ivory (embossed like a hibiscus flower); Mikasa Italian Countryside rim soup bowls; Williams-Sonoma napkins; and etched glassware.
When Life Gives You Lemons
This is a fun table with yellow and green. You could use fresh lemons for the centerpiece. I used a Majolica daisy pitcher, narcissi in glass bottles, and Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage bowls. The place settings are my Wedgwood MaxaDura Service plates; Williams-Sonoma Lemon napkins; RAK buffet plates; Mikasa Lemons pasta bowls; Murano green glasses withContinue reading “When Life Gives You Lemons”
Bright Easter Table
I used a bunch of items together that I have been thinking about for a while now. This is a really fun and fresh tablescape for an Easter meal. The place settings are the Wedgwood MaxaDura service plates; lemon paper napkins; Villeroy and Boch Alea Caro Dinner plates; Villeroy and Boch Switch Summerhouse Arabesque; MexicanContinue reading “Bright Easter Table”
Simple Stroganoff
I have ALWAYS loved Beef Stroganoff–ever since I was a kid. I have tweaked the recipe over the years, and this is how I make it now. My husband used to tell me that he didn’t like stroganoff, but he loves the way that I fix it. Ingredients: 3 tbsp vegetable oil 2 lbs sirloinContinue reading “Simple Stroganoff”
More Mushrooms–Maitake edition
My husband was feeling really ambitious when he was shopping for mushrooms, so in addition to the shitake spawn and all the tools, he also bought Maitake spawn, also known as Hen of the Woods. So the process for this type of mushroom is VERY different from the shitake mushrooms that we did. First ofContinue reading “More Mushrooms–Maitake edition”
Making Mushrooms
My husband bought me a Shitake mushroom “log” for Christmas 2023. It was a really neat gift and I loved it. So for Valentine’s day 2024, he did a bunch of research and bought the stuff to innoculate a bunch of logs–and this post is about harvesting Shitake mushrooms from those logs: https://cathyathomeontheriver.com/2024/09/22/fall-garden-update-shitake-edition/ I amContinue reading “Making Mushrooms”
Cathy At Home on the River 