Shop Local!

Living in a little town

shopping is limited!

We have "The Walmart"

And a few brave merchants

Who have invested both their money and time

in our town.

And so, when we shop, we first like to

Shop Local

It keeps our money in our little town,

our sales tax comes back to our city

rather than going to some other community!

That is a good thing!

Our very favorite place to shop is

The Iron Star

Picture is taken at our local Good Ol Days festival where Barbara brings her wares out to the sidewalk to sell!
The shop is in the background!

Owned and run by friend, Barbara

In looking around the house, I can believe how many of my treasures 

came from The Iron Star!

The Wardrobe and the Rocking Chair

I was in search of a wardrobe and found it at Barbara's

The chair, not really, but who could pass up that magnificent chair?

The little cream holder for the flowers

Just a perfect touch for that table!

A small set of Old Paris, which included the teapot, sugar and cream, and lots of cups and saucers and a goodly amount of tea plates!

After blue and white my second love is gold and white

And the age on these . . . 

A true treasure!

The baker's rack

bought originally for the breakfast room

When we found a different piece, it moved outside

And makes a cool focal point on the patio!

And our upstairs window box is filled with Iron Star silks -- because it's too shallow

to hold real plants!

Somehow, I always seem to find something there every time I go in!

And Barbara and I like to chat

(if there are no other customers!)

And we share recipes!

The latest . . . 

Great Plains Slaw

and

Gateau au Chocolat

(or a fancy name for chocolate cake!)

Barbara likes to garden as well

And if we're not talking about food, we're talking about gardens!

Not only is is a neat place to shop but it's a neat place to visit!

Thanks, Barbara, for all the treasures

And for your commitment to our little town!

And thanks, too, for sharing the recipes!

GREAT PLAINS SLAW

1 head red cabbage
1 pound bacon
1/2 c. walnuts
2 T. butter
1/2 t. rosemary (I used fresh so used a bit more)

Julienne cabbage. Brown bacon, drain and crumble. Salute walnuts in butter and rosemary. Toss all with vinaigrette

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

1 c. olive oil
1/3 c. salad oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, mined
6 oz. Dijon
2 eggs, beaten
ground pepper

Whisk together and pour over cabbage, bacon and walnut mixture.

Why it's called "Balsamic" vinaigrette, I'm not sure -- there is no Balsamic vinegar in it! It also is noted that it needs to be tossed together right before serving or the cabbage wilts!

GATEAU AU CHOCOLAT

2 sticks butter

4 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

l cup sugar

1/2 c. espresso coffee

1 t. vanilla

4 eggs

Melt sugar, chocolate and butter together.    Stir in coffee and vanilla.    Let cool.    Stir in beaten eggs.    Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.    The middle will not appear to be done, but it will set up overnight in the refrigerator.

Frost with whipped cream that has been sweetened with powdered sugar, flavored with vanilla.     Sprinkle whipped cream with toasted slivered almonds or decorate with candied pansies.