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a slice of life

a slice of life

Rosa’s Fruit Salad Recipe

I’ve mentioned my great-grandmother Rosa’s fruit salad many times on this blog over the years.  It’s a must-have at Thanksgiving and Christmas in my family.  It is citrusy and sweet and we all look forward to it each holiday. I only make it twice a year, but Rosa used to make it once a week in single-serving aluminum molds to keep in her fridge for when the grandkids stopped by.  I just love that and I almost want to do it, but I would probably eat all of them and that wouldn’t be a good thing. This is Rosa, holding her daughter, my Oma (grandmother), also named Marian. Most of our family recipes came from Rosa and most of them are pretty common southern favorites like cheese straws, biscuits, pimento cheese spread, and teacakes. But her fruit salad seems to be pretty unique.  I have never, ever been served it or

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a slice of life

my favorite things 2015

Today I’m joining Melissa of 320 Sycamore and a few other bloggers in sharing a few of my favorite things!  She was one of the first bloggers I met and is such a genuine and encouraging person, so I loved the chance to team up with her and some of her favorite bloggers. I decided to share a mix of things I’ve loved for a long time, things that are new loves and things that I would be very sad to do without. And, here they are… (Disclosure, this post is not sponsored by any of the products I share, but it does contain affiliate links.) Mrs. Meyers Lavender cleaner – This makes the whole house smell amazing! Wood-handled dish brushes – I bought these for the way they look, but they are the best dish brushes I have ever owned.  I want to hoard them. Oreck steam mop – I received

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a shopping trip & a cleaning day

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to “breakfast at Ballards” a celebration of the opening of the new Ballard Designs store in the King of Prussia mall near Philly.  Usually, invitations like this are too far for me to travel, but this one was just a couple hours away, so Kriste and I decided to take the day to attend the event and do some non-antique shopping. We started super early, so we could make it to the mall in time for the breakfast and to tour/shop the store.  I’ve never been in a Ballard store before, but I have to say that it’s worth it if you have one near you.  I’ve been getting their catalogs, but everything is even prettier in person. I now have the distinction of being the second shopper ever at that Ballard store.  I bought some blue and white checked pillow cases for

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a slice of life

dear reader | what are you afraid of?

When I posted my first “dear reader” post, I asked for suggestions of what you, my readers, would like me to write specifically to you. I received this suggestion from Krista and I really loved it, so this is what I’m writing about today… “I do have a suggestion for the “Dear Reader” series, “What are you afraid of?”  What I mean by this is I have ideas, plans, goals for my own business/craft projects but I always put them off.  I’m too busy with house cleaning, gardening, and kids to just do my own thing.  So I never ‘do my own thing’.  And I wonder why.  Why can’t I just make time for me to do what I want to do?  Certain things can wait so why don’t I try?  I think I’m just afraid to do it.  How did you do it?  How were you able to justify time on what you wanted to do when you

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a slice of life

royal scout giveaway

Once the milk paint line started taking off, my business became more about no’s than yeses.  I said no to blog tours, giveaways, almost all sponsored posts, antique fairs and special events I was invited to.  I was saying no to pretty much everything and I think that’s what I needed at that time.  I needed to simplify and focus. I got to the point, though, where I felt a little isolated.  I wasn’t plugged into this amazing online community of entreprenuers, creative souls, kindred spirits and all-around fun people like I once was. I decided to start saying “yes” more.  Intentional and careful, yeses, but more of them.  And I’ve had a great time being a part of a few blog tours, working with more brands again and introducing my readers to great products (and giving them a chance to win some!) So, when I recently received an e-mail from

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a slice of life

Basil Pecorino Corn Recipe

I shared this picture of one of our Plated dinners a couple of weeks ago on Instagram and a few people asked for more details on the corn side dish.  This Basil Pecorino Corn was so delicious and easy, that I decided to make it again with the summer’s last corn and share the recipe.   Hello dinner… #platedpic #dinner @plated A photo posted by Marian aka Miss Mustard Seed (@missmustardseed) on Aug 28, 2015 at 3:11pm PDT   Ingredients three ears of corn 1/8 cup grated pecorino cheese 1 T mayonaise 1 clove garlic coarse kosher salt pepper fresh oregano, parsley and basil Cut the kernels off three ears of corn and saute in a pan with a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, for about 3-5 minutes or until corn is tender. I always use Kosher salt out of a little salt crock when I cook.  I

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a slice of life

10 minute ideas | cherry chocolate ice cream

It’s time for another 10 minute idea!  My previous 10 minute ideas were teacup topiaries and making an “antique” bread board. This month, the challenge was to share a 10 minute no-bake dessert. I immediately knew what I was going to share, because it’s my very favorite summer treat… …homemade cherry chocolate ice cream. I love cherries and look forward to them with great anticipation each May.  And I mourn their departure in September.  So, I squeeze cherries in every meal, snack and treat I can when they are in season. For this dessert, I cut the cherries off of the pit and then chop them into bite-sized pieces.  (My fingernail beds are pretty much permanently stained from cutting cherries during the summer, but some things are worth it!) I use Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream as the “base.”  It’s the only vanilla I’ve been able to find in my grocery

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a slice of life

business, blogging & balance

In a recent comment, Cami made a request. “I for one, would love to hear you talk about balancing a blogging career with kids and family.  I’m just getting mine rolling and I feel so overwhelmed at times.  You’ve been going at this longer and I would love to hear your ups and downs and ways to manage it all.  Balance.  The great juggling act of life! 😉  Thanks for all your words!” Oh, Cami.  You’re asking the blind to lead the blind.  Everyone who knows me even a little bit, knows that I struggle with balance. I struggle. I can manage okay when our routine is in motion, but when it’s off, because of a snow day, vacation, sickness, whatever, all of the balls I’ve managed to keep airborne, awkwardly at times, come falling down.  And it’s not the funny, slapstick routine where the balls fall down and the clown spastically tries to catch

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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