Dogwoods Are Blooming!

Dogwood trees are more than pretty fragrant blossoms to Native Americans who consider these trees as symbols of protection and safety in southeastern Native American tribes. In some Mohawk communities, the primeval Tree of Life in the Sky World is said to be
a giant dogwood tree. 

 The tree usually blossoms in April. An interesting fact is that the blossoms of this tree are not actually flowers but a type of leaf known as bracts. The blossoms last for three or four weeks, and the scarlet berries that follow them can linger into the early winter months.

 

In the summer the dogwood's beautiful green leaves give way to beautiful scarlet fall foliage.  

We have an abundance of the beautiful Dogwoods throughout our property. What a lovely sight when they're all blossoming! Truly a sign of spring and new life.

Vintage Find ~ 1800' s Letterpress

 

A late 1800's or early 1900's Baltimore cast iron tabletop letterpress. Looks like it's already been 'jerry-rigged' but the self inking disc turns a little with each stroke of the handle for printing.

The printing press is for 2.5" by 4" paper size. Needs some work, but in the meantime as just a stand alone desk top piece looks like art to me! What a find!

Vintage Find ~ Smith Corona Typewriters

Two wonderful typewriters! The Smith Corona with the green keys is from the 1950's. The metal maroon Corona with the black keys I believe is circa 1941. They both have all keys, no missing parts and work! How super lucky! 

Love 'em! Great treasures!
 

Vintage Find ~ Cameras

Two cool vintage cameras! The Graflex Speed Graphic folding camera (with a wooden tripod, all manuals and case!) has a Kodak lens and a Flash Bulb attachment. Believe it's circa 1940's. Shutters work and appears to be in working order, just need some film!

The Voightlander  Braunshweig is an old antique German folding camera and possibly from the 1920's or 1930's. 

 

The Bell & Howell Automaster is a 16mm movie camera which is from the 1940's. Just so cool looking!  

All are great pieces of art and wonderful just to display!

Custom-made Mini Book Presses

I have a larger book press but was wanting something for smaller scale books. After mentioning my dilemma to my sweetie he handmade these custom mini book presses just for me! What a sweetheart!

 

Miniature Bookcase

Had fun working on this project building a miniature bookcase. It measures : 7"W x 11"H x 3"D . Made the cute little specimen boxes and mini books too! 

Tutorials and specs for all of these can be found over at Nik the Booksmith on YouTube. As her name implies she also shares tutorials on bookbinding as well as eco printing, paper marbling and more!

Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Foods

A few of the traditional Ukrainian foods I enjoy making over the Christmas holiday.

Khrustyky are Ukrainian fried cookies dusted with powdered sugar.

Holopchi are cabbage rolls stuffed with ground beef, rice, buckwheat groats, onions and butter seasoned with salt and pepper with stewed tomatoes on top.

Borscht made with beets, cabbage, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes and beef stew meat. Season with dill, bay leaves and vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Babka bread was not only a holiday tradition but a staple growing up.

          

          Then there's the

'Lazy Cabbage Casserole'

Layered like a lasagna and bit less

labor intensive not having to stuff

the cabbage rolls.