We're Celebrating!

We're celebrating here at Dewena's Window!

Sweet Kris of Junk Chic Cottage is introducing us

in her Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger.

Today! Here!

That was enough for me to celebrate.

Arrange some pretty flowers…

Clean the vintage metal kitchen cabinet…

We've had it for over 30 years and still don't know

what it is, but I've always guessed that it might once

have been used in a diner or cafe.

I use it now to display pieces of the old Sesto Fior

fish pottery made in Colonnata, Italy, in the Apuan Alps.

Here's a more modern piece, 

pictured here with our wedding silver,

Wallace's La Reine.

It's rare that I can find a piece in my price range,

but this little pitcher stole my heart.

And a picture of my grandfather who was a butcher sits here.

Here's an old postcard I ordered, mislabeled Colonnata.

As you can see, it is not Colonnata at all but the Almifi Coast.

I promised blog friend Amy that I'd show this as she,

lucky girl, just came back from there,

the view from her balcony looking much like this.

Other treasures have found a home in this display,

such as a dear little mermaid from my sister Teresa.

The old green McCoy pitcher just pretends to be Italian.

This old kitchen cabinet holds all my baking sheets

and muffin tins inside it,

and a few Italian cookbooks.

Otis wants in the pictures too.

But what's a celebration without food?

I made Insalata Estiva, a recipe from Cucina Del Sole

by Nancy Harmon Jenkins.

I wish I were a better food stylist,

but basically there are Yukon potatoes in this,

sliced and tossed with Sicilian olive oil and sea salt,

green beans cooked a few minutes and chilled in cold water,

chopped tomatoes, chopped olives in Sicilian herbs,

rinsed and drained salted capers,

a red onion half, sliced thinly,

and the best brand of Italian anchovies you can find.

If you don't like anchovies, buy a can of really good

Italian tuna.

Season with fresh chopped or dried oregano,

and turn all gently, adding the juice from

several lemons.

Adjust the seasoning to taste and arrange on a bed

of lettuce and surround with sliced 

hard-cooked eggs,

hopefully more artistically than I did!

Dessert!

It has to be a cake and this one is from the same book,

Torta al Lemone!

The recipe only called for Confectioners' sugar for the top,

but I thought that sugar needed lemon juice 

and melted butter for a glaze.

Be sure and help yourself to the salad

and cut yourself a piece of cake before leaving.

Welcome to any guests visiting from Kris 

at Junk Chic Cottage,

and again a reminder for my beloved readers

to visit Kris here…

She is such a gracious lady and her talents

abound in the transformation of her cottage.

Y'all come back anytime,

and thank you so much for helping us celebrate!