This Old House: Mayonnaise for Water Rings

Do you remember me writing about my new-to-me antique farmhouse dining room table? Well somehow, I managed to set a water glass directly on it absent-mindedly in the first week of owning it, and a nice white water ring set in. I was so discouraged, how could it have been used since the late 1800's with only a few scratches and slight dulling of its beautiful dark wood finish and I have it for a week and make an ugly white circle? After some soul and web searching, I found numerous sources stating that full-fat mayonnaise would do the trick. I figured I didn't have much to lose, slathered a few tablespoons of it on the ring, rubbed it in a little, and left it on overnight. I woke up the next morning, wiped it clean with a damp rag, and it was gone! I was so impressed with this trick, I just had to share. This would be great for flea-market or thrifted finds with this same problem, it literally made the table good as new. From now on I will be encouraging the use of thrifted little doilies as coasters. So cute.

-Twill

Photo Source: NY Times

Recipe + Vintage Doily: Chicken Pesto Quesadillas

Quesadillas are an easy meal to make anytime of the week. This recipe is a simple variation of an old standby, but I absolutely love it. I was able to find some local handmade tomato basil flatbread tortillas at Kowalski's (in the deli section) that really brought the flavor over the top.

Ingredients:
Four tortillas
Jar of pesto or homemade
Freshly shredded cheese (I used a mix of monterey jack and provolone)
Four roma tomatoes, sliced
1/2 pound boneless chicken breasts, diced
Two cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil
Splash of white wine
A few big handfuls of baby spinach or chopped spinach

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat olive oil in a pan, add chicken and cook until almost white, then add
minced garlic, splash of wine, and baby spinach, stirring until spinach is bright green, reduced in size, and chicken is cooked through.

Lay out the tortillas on cookie sheets or a pizza pan, spread a layer of pesto, sliced tomatoes, chicken/spinach mixture, and cheese on half of the tortilla, fold other half over and brush with olive oil. Bake in oven until crispy on edges and cheese is melted, about ten minutes.

-Twill

Repurposed: Vintage Doilies

There are a few things that I keep an eye out for whenever I go thrifting; aprons, vintage linens, tea towels and lacy doilies are just a few. So far, they work well as coasters or just under a potted plant, but with spring here, and my creative juices flowing again, I started thinking about what else I could do with the massive amounts of doilies I have acquired. Here are a few fab DIY projects I am dying to try.  They seem to be all the rage this season. . . what new trends are you noticing?
- Alea (Ladybird)

never be late for tea again!

mood lighting

add a bit of flair to a simple pillow

great DIY tutorial, so cute, can't wait to sport my own.

starch, cut, instant snowflake!

*swoon* love the patterns this lamp creates; you can buy them here.