Wednesday, May 9, 2012

FABBY: Sea Food Table for my Mama.

First of all I want to wish the best of Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers and even great-grands, throughout blog land. May you have a very special day, filled with love and attention from all your loved ones, just as you deserve it! Hugs and best wishes to your dear daughters and Dils as well. 


LOVE,
FABBY

 Here is my beautiful and wonderful mother Yolanda, who is the second and only girl, (they broke the mold after she was born, lol) with three brothers, since, she's lost her eldest and youngest brothers. This picture was taken about a year ago. My mother is 82 years old. She's had her ups and downs with her health lately, but thank goodness, nothing mayor, except for osteoporosis on her spine, which gives her a lot of pain, and she has to get medicated with injections for it.
 I thought I show you the beautiful crocheted tablecloth work she did for me several years ago.  Now, because of her osteoporosis in her spine she can't crochet any more, but I'm so blessed I have great treasures from her and for my daughters and also from my Grandmother Stella... her mother.
 She did many accessories for the tablecloth too, like buffet and dinner table runners. The doilies I'm showing here, at right, she made them for my chargers.
 She also crocheted for me this gorgeous, runner that looks like it has bows. The tobacco color next to it and other pretty things I will share.
 The basket mat to cover the bread... and here is a close up of the table and buffet tobacco color runners. I love them for the fall decor.
 The table scape specially for my mother for today, Wednesday.
 The pot, or tureen is for the Escabeche of Fish, (recipe is at the end of the post) that she loves and the sherbets are for the Ceviche of Shrimp, another favorite of the Ecuadorian cuisine she prefers. The beautiful Spondilus shell with pedestal of the same shell, we see up front, is for the chili sauce. There are gorgeous spondilus shells in the Ecuadorian sea and they make the most lovely things for the homes and jewelry too.
 Here is the tureen I designed at our past Ceramic Co. The handle in the lid has a cute fish, sculped by hand and with a design of the bottom of the sea. The fish dish is an antique, English from my Mil and it's Johnson's Brothers..and I serve it with little "empanadas" that go with the Ceviche.
 The blue charger, the square yellow plate and the sherbets were made by us too. Look how pretty the sea horse inside the sherbet is. Everything, or every piece was hand decorated.
 Here is a Ceviche bowl with a fat fish decorated inside.
 The third place set, they all have different color square dinner plates, where the escabeche and rice goes.
 The flower platter was also made at our former Ceramic Co. The serving spoon is made in Ecuador too and it's made of "mother of pearl" and wooden handle. The spatula you see by the fish plate is also from the set.
 I used this tablecloth I love, because it's in sea blue and the design reminds me of the ocean's waves, or the tide.
 Here is a close up of the tureen, or pot, I often use it to hold my Fish Escabeche.
 White roses for my mother in a crystal Czech urn.
 The hand design around the sherbets.
 Look at the cute little turtle, flanked by the fishes. The waves you see on the decorations is to simulate fish scales.
 The Spondilus shell bowl with pedestal is used around here for the hot sauce, or chili sauce.

I love this pretty Indian, cotton tablecloth..I like the design and color of it.
This table is for my dearest mother, who loves Shrimp Ceviche and Fish Escabeche, both delish dishes from the Ecuadorian cuisine. We will go for lunch on Mother's Day to her home, kids, grandkids and  great-grands. She comes every Wednesday and has lunch with Alejandro and me and than we go for afternoon tea to a cafeteria, or we simply go shopping. The dishes and some accessories were designed by me and made at out former Ceramic Co. The motif, or design is for sea food and the pot or tureen is for the Escabeche. I do hope you like this table as mother did.

All my love and best wishes for you lovely ladies in blog land. I can't wait to go and visit your fabulous posts for this special day dedicated to us mothers. Many blessings for and your families.

Thank you gracious hostesses and may God bless you and your families this Mother's Day.

Let's Dish at:  http://cuisinekathleen.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingies Thursday at:  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
It's a Party at:  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Open House Party at:  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Full Plate Thursday at:  http://countrycottage.blogspot.com
Feather Your Nest Friday at:  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Home Sweet Home Friday at:  http://thecharmofhome.blogpsot.com
Think of this Things at:  http://agratefulprayerandathankfulheart.blogspot.com
Shine on Fridat:  http://oneartsymama.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Friday at:  http://myromantichome.blogspot.com
Addicted to Decorating at:  http://addicts(notso)anonymous.blogspot.com
Foddie Friday at:  http://designsbrgollum.blogspot.com
Pink Saturday at:  http://howsweetthesound.blogspot.com
Seasonal Sunday at:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
On the Menu Monday at:  http://stonegable.blogspot.com
Show Off your Cottage Monday at:  http://the houseintheroses.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday at:  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at:  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Time Time Tuesday at:  http://rosechintzcottage.blogspot.com
Beautify it Monday at:  http://bringingbeauty.blogspot.com

                                              FISH ESCABECHE

Some of you have asked me for this recipe...so here goes!

1 lb. of any white fish you prefer, cut in cubes, fried and reserved  (fry in vegetable oil)
1 med. onion, chopped
1 tablespoon, or more of tomato paste
2 ripe tomatoes cut in small squares, or chopped
1 teaspoon of fresh cilatro, chopped
2 sweet platain cut into small squares, fried and reserved  (fry in vegetable oil)
2 big potatoes, cut into squares, fried and reserved   (fry in vegetable oil)
1 red pepper, shredded
1 teaspoon of crushed, or minced garlic
 - salt, pepper and cumin, to taste
2 tablespoons of flour for coating the fish squares, (before frying)
1/4 Cup cream, if you prefer a little more, go ahead!
- vegetable oil for all the frying you have to do
1 1/2 Cups water

In a deep pot put a little bit of oil, chop the onion, cilantro, minced fresh garlic, tomato paste, cilantro, the red pepper and chopped tomatoes. Cook for like 4 minutes. 
Fry the fish squares add a little salt and pass them by flour, than. deep fry them. Cut in squares as well, the sweet fresh plantains, (like bananas, they have them in Latin-Hispanic stores) and deep fry them directly in a pot.  Fry the potatoe squares the same way, if you wish you can use the same oil for both. Set aside and reserve all the 3 items you fried.
Now, in your pot where you cooked the onions, add the water, like 1 1/2 cups and boil it, than inmediatelly add the fried fish, the fried platain, and the fried potatoes...and mix softly so not to brake the fish pieces. At the end add the cream, mix slowly and don't let it boil. Cover until you serve. This is a really yummy recipe and serve it with white rice, or even the wild kind. To make it more elegant I also have added cooked big shrimp and have served at dinner parties and my guests totally loved it!!


Since it was a family recipe from my Mil, the quantities of the ingredients are not perfect, but you try it to your taste.  Hope you make it, believe me, you won't be sorry!


FABBY

Sunday, May 6, 2012

FABBY: Our Den's New Look!

Hi sweet darlings..hope you've been having a great weekend, with warm weather too! In my neck o'da woods it's raining a lot, not lots of water, but raining anyway...almost everyday, as in spring.
 BEFORE: Our white couches had more years than I like to admit. Although the upholstery you see here was hand woven in wool, and back then, they were great, but after my kids and grands, they really had seen it's days! They're not bad in the pics, but really, in real life they were awful!!
 AFTER: This beautiful soft, buttery yellow, Italian damask was really instant, love at first sight, as it didn't take me too long to decide on it, as soon as I saw it, I knew this was it! It's also a very THICK and STRONG fabric, which I also love, since it is our family room, where we watch movies and read on the weekends...sometimes hubby even falls asleep in the couches too, lol! We also have family evenings with my daughters, Sil and grands when they come to visit.
 You can see that the couches now have wooden feet, which were upholstered before..NOT pretty! Now the couches look so modern, with the straight, very stylish lines, since they wero so OLD they already had before, just like some sofas in the market now, like a retro style, actually. My grandgirls, Victoria 7 and Cayetana 5, said to us:.. "hope you grands are going to reupholster your couches with a material we can be allowed to sit here and PAINT and watch TV",  their remarks were so funny and cute...cause their parents don't let them play, or sit, or worst to draw, or paint.. they don' let them even stay in the two silk living rooms they have, they can only be in their upstairs den..hahahaaa..so strict!!
 Ok, we did say they could and will be ALLOWED! I have slip covers for the couches, so when they come I'll just cover them and that's it, I want my little ones happy in our home!
 You can see a little of the counter bar hubby loves to entertain his friends and family.
 BEFORE: Here are our cute arm chairs, we have them for 32 years; with  pretty covers that were also in wool, hand woven HERE.. and it was the second time I had reupholstered them, around ten years ago. They are three and they were very scratched in the arms and legs, the upholstery was so stained from drinks and who knows... so they have a new look too.
 AFTER: Don't they look brand new? I'm loving how they look, after we had them lacquered; so our den is really a pretty and comfortable place to be and have friends over now... as I was not happy with it before.. at all!
In the back of the chairs is the counter bar, which holds a lot of glasses and stems for all the right drinks; it also holds wine bottles, in a rack so they can be in a slanted position. Alejandro likes to be the bartender and loves to prepare drinks and cocktails for our friends and family.
 The coffee table was lacquered  too, as it was also very scratched and with water stains all around it! In the back of the front couch, you can peek a little of our living room. Our apartment has a big open, social space which I love when I have parties...this way everyone is close by and can mingle easily.
 You can see at your right the third chair, the other two are at left by the counter bar.
 I love this vintage, French bisque porcelain girl, sitting on the flower vase.
So, all our furniture here has gotten a "brand new look", which has made us very happy, nothing like giving your OLD furniture a real METAMORPHOSIS... I like it even better than buying the new! Hope you like my choice for upholstery and all I did to our family room.
About a month ago we had our long over due couches, re-upholstered, as they had seen it's days, after my grands really spilled drinks and food, water colors, painted on it, playing with make up, etc. I had them cleaned professionally in the past, but they just didn't look good anymore. Our den has two very comfortable couches and three arm chairs by the counter bar, which also got the new look. Like our breakfast table is next to the formal dining room, in order to have more dinner guests..well, the same applies to our den; it's also next to our living room, so to sit more guests that can be close to each other and flow and mingle easily. Therefore, it needed to look as good as it's neighbor and it WASN'T!!..lol.. Now it can be "proud" to be next to the pretty and elegant living room.  Hope you liked the AFTERS.

Thanking you in advance my darling and sweet ladies for your wonderful and forever generous comments, I appreciate them so much and make me so happy, as your opinions are so valuable to me and of course, you're wonderful and inspirational posts.

I just love to link up to so many fabulous parties that such terrific ladies host them every week, with the only purpose for us to flaunt our things, tables, homes and even food!  Thank you very much ladies.


Metamorphosis Monday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Masterpiece Monday at:  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
French Party on Monday at: http://lechateudefleurs.blogspot.com
The Sunday Showcase Party at:  http://underthetableanddreaming.blogspot.com 
Amaze Me Monday at:  http://dittledattle.bogspot.com
Show Off your Cottage Monday:  http://thehouseintheroses.blogspot.com
Your Cozy Home Party at:  http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com
Beautify it Monday at:  http://bringingbeauty.blogspot.com
Monday French Obsession at:  http://lechateudesfleurs.blogspot.com
Table Top Tuesday at Marti's:  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at:  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Knick of Time at:  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Riverton Housewives Round Up Party at:  http://therealhousewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday at:  http://savvysouthernsatyle.blogspot.com
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at:  http://primp.blogspot.com
What's It Wednesday at:  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Bunny Hop Party at:  http://bunnyjeandecorandmore.blogspot.com


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

FABBY: My Mother's Things

 I used the salad plates from my mother's vintage French Limoges she gave me several years ago.
 This pretty square doily was also a gift from her for my last birthday. I love all the embroidery in it.
My mother loves the Onion Soup Alejandro makes and I always use this bowls for it, so I thought I use them in her honor. I used my reticulated dinner platesfor second course.
 Here is the serving salad bowl, I don't think I ever posted it before.
 The sugar bowl is so pretty and I have used it with sauces before, like here.
 The flower cyclamen plant was also a gift from my mom's a year ago and it's still full of flowers! The silver vintage tray was a gift from my Mil and I placed it here with my silver S&P shakers. The candle holders are mercury glass.
 Here is the oval platter I like so much. I don't think I ever posted the service pieces from these dishes before.
 Mother also gave me this cute, silver butter dish many, many years ago.
 Look how pretty the embroidery on the big square doily is, I love it. The cyclamen flowers are so pretty and I keep it in my kitchen's window sill and she gets lots of the morning sun, she will last a few months more and die, it's happened before! The silver butter dish and vintage silver spoon.
 I placed the square topper like in a triangle fashion...or diagonally.


 The crystal stems were my Mil's and are French.
 The place mats are from a long time ago and I love the contrast with the darker wood in the table.
May first is always a pretty date because it marks Mother Day's month and for Catholics, it's also the Virgin Mary's  month, or "Month of Mary". Therefore, I was inspired to make this table with some of the pretty things mother has given me throughout these years. Of course, you all know her beautiful aqua and gold vintage French Limoges dishes she gave me several years ago. I also have in the table a beautiful embroidered square, doily?. I guess is what this is. Anyway, she gave it to me because she says is what you put in a table for 8 when you just have 6 guests for dinner. You will see why and yes, it does make sense. Well, hope you like it. I will be linking to Let's Dish at Kathleen's and many other fun and great parties...thank you ladies for having me each week.

You always make my day when you drop by and leave me such lovely and kind comments, I so appreciate.
Thank you wonderful and gracious hostesses for having me, week after week at your terrific parties.

Love,
FABBY

Let's Dish at:  http://cuisinekathleen.blogspot.com
White Wednesday at:  http://fadedcharm.blogspot.com
Wow Us Wednesday at:  http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
Wayfering Wednesday at:  http://  decortoadore.blogspot.com
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at:  http://primp.blogspot.com
What's It Wednesday at:  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
The Bunny Hop Party at:  http://bunnyjeandecorandmore.blogspot.com
Tablescape Thursday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingies Thursday at:  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Open House Party at:  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
It's a Party at:  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Full Plate Thursday at:  http://countrycottage.blogspot.com
Seasonal Sunday at:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

FABBY: Italian Tablescape

 Hi my dear sweet friends!  Here is my Italian tablescape for Let's Dish at Kathleen's and Tablescape Thursday at Susan's.  I will enter more parties too, as I am such a party animal!..hahahaa
 The tablecloth is an Italian antique silk brocade, all embroidered in silk threads, with bows, butterflies and flowers. This beauty was my dear MIL's and we're so lucky to have it to enjoy.
 The dishes I chose for this table are from my Italian Tognana set, which is one of my very favorite. I used my Turkish glass chargers in gold, as I love them with the silk, gold tablecloth.
 The etched-stems comes from an antique set we have from my Mil's also and I always liked to use them for shrimp cocktail. The other stems I chose for this table, to continue with the Italian theme are Bormiolli Rocco, from several years ago.
 The pretty crystal flower vase it's also Italian, from several years ago.

Some of you are asking me if I have used the tablecloth before and I'm so happy to say yes, on two occasions, for formal dinner parties. I washed it once in cold water and it also irons well. My Mil also washed it, I would think, several times even, as she had it for, I don't know how long, as this is an antique.
 The antique brass candle holders were a gift from my Mil and she said they were from a church, originally. I don't know where they're from, but Martine Aleson said they looked "British", not French..which is what I thought, because they have "Fleur de Lys" on the feet.
 I love the center embroidery of the tablecloth...I took this shot from high up so you can appreciate it better.
 The tablecloth also has ribbons and flowers woven throughout.
 Here you can see the butterflies embroidered on it too, along with the flowers.
 The cups for some coffee, or tea after dinner. The putti tray is Capodimonte.
Our dining room set is also Italian style, it has brass angels on the buffet doors and it has marquetry on the table and buffet as well.
 This painting of the lady with our pug, Benito, who died almost two years ago, was made specially for us,seven years ago, by a famous lady artist, Adela Tobar, who likes to paint dames from the fifties and sixties holding dogs. I just couldn't take a good, clear shot, it kept on shining, with or without the flash, oh well... so Ben didn't come out to clear. My daughter Sofia has a beautiful painting of the same artist with a pretty lady with a shitzu dog, so cute! You can see it on her home's post I did a couple of months back.
Here is the center embroidery of the table cloth. The crystal Italian flower vase.

The weekend is getting closer than ever and here I thought I was wishing everyone a great week just yesterday, Tuesday! April is practically over and soon it'll be Christmas, at the rate we're going! Therefore, I hurried on making a table scape with all my Italian goodies, starting from my dining room set, which is Italian style too, with brass angels in the buffet doors, and marquetry. I might add that the brass chandy is also Italian. 


As always, thanks so much in advance for all the wonderful comments you always leave me, my dearest blog friends.. they are sooo very appreciated!

LOVE,
FABBY


Thank you wonderful hostesses for always having me at your fabulous parties!


Table scape Thursday at:  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com
 Let's Dish at: http://cuisinekathleen.blogspot.com
A It's a Party at:  http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Vintage Thingies Thursday at:  http://coloradolady.blogspot.com
Open House Party at:  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Share Your Cup Thursday at:  http:// haveadailycupfrommrs.olson.blogspot.com
Feather Your Nest Friday at:  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Vintage Inspiration Friday at: http://commonground.blogspot.com
Inspiration Friday at:  http://thepicketfence.blogspot.com 
Feather Nest at:  http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Inspiration Friday at:  http://thepicketfence.blogspot.com
Beverly's Pink Saturday at:  http://howsweetthesound.blogspot.com
Seasonal Sunday at:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Sunday Showcase Party at:  http://underthetableanddreaming.blogspot.com
Thank on these Things at:  http://withagratefulprayerandathankfulheart
Masterpiece Monday at:  http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
Amaze Me Monday at:  http://dittledattle.blogspot.com
Marty's Table Top Tuesday at:  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
Beauty it Monday at:  http://bringingbeauty.blogspot.com
Lady Katherine for Tea Time Tuesday at:  http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com
Tea Cup Tuesday at:  http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com
Trish's Tea Party Tuesday at:  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at:  http://rosechintzcottage.blogspot.com
Tea Time Tuesday at:  http://sandymyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at:  http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Knick of Time at:  http://knickoftime.blogspot.com
Your Cozy Home Party at:  http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at:  http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com







Sunday, April 22, 2012

FABBY: I'm Such a Copy-Cat!!

Home made angel food cake with country eggs, which have very yellow yokes, that's how the cake comes out yellow as well.. like this one.    
   I decided to fix my bedroom today, Sunday.. and in the foot of our bed we have a table where I have layers of decorating magazines of all types!

I spent an entire afternoon looking through them and then an old issue of a decorating magazine showed up and I remembered where I copy-catted our stained glass-sky light for our new kitchen, almost two years ago.  So, this is the third copy-cat thing I've had made in the past and posted, who knows, maybe I'll remember other ones too! Artisans here, in Cuenca-Ecuador, are so skillful that you almost want to copy-cat everything you see in magazines, or Internet, lol...at least I do!!

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 BEFORE: Here is the beautiful window, with the red roses in stained glass on the pages of an old issue of an Old-House INTERIORS magazine,  which I had fallen in love with, many years ago and saved it, just in case!
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 AFTER: Here is our kitchen's sky-light I copy-catted, almost two years ago, when we remodeled our kitchen. If you notice, I did added blue hummingbirds to the beautiful red roses, for an extra touch, as they remind me of our past home where we had so many in the garden..and the magazine designe didn't have...so I guess you might say, more than a copy cat, it was a GREAT inspiration.. lol..

 

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 In the day light the colors look awesome and at night with the lights on underneath the pretty stained glass colours, take up such brightness and we enjoy looking at it so much. I'm also blessed hubby almost always agrees with my decorating ideas...but believe me, when he doesn't, that's it!!
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 This is a new vignette I made today with my hand decorated Delft from Holland pieces in blue and white, my porcelain doggies and a vintage Chinese wooden box from my Mil.  Before I had the big mud Foo Dogs here, along with the silver framed photos of us, which I kept here.



 This beautiful chest is an antique Spanish style piece that belonged to hubby's grandfather. The carvings on it are beautiful.
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Ok, you saw the magazine and our kitchen, stained glass-sky light, for you all to compare.

Thank you my friends for your wonderful and generous visits, they're very appreciated.

Thank you gracious hostesses for having me once more.

LOVE,
FABBY 

Sunday Showcase Party at, Under the Table and Dreaming
On the Menu Monday at, Stone Gable 
Mix it Up Monday at, Flour Me with Love
Metamorphosis Monday at, Between Naps on the Porch
Masterpiece Monday at, Boogie Board Cottage
Amaze Me Monday at, Dittle Dattle
 Show Off Your Cottage Monday at, The House in the Roses
Blue Monday at Smiling Sally
Mod Mix Monday at, Mod Vintage Life
Beautify It Monday at, Bringing Beauty
Marty's Table Top Tuesday at, A Stroll Thru Life
You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at, Kathe with an E
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at, Coastal Charm
Knick of Time Tuesday at, Knick of Time
Your Cozy Home Party at, Cozy Home Scenes
Riverton Housewives Round Up at, The Real Housewives of Riverton
Magazine Copy Cat Challenge at, Debbiedoo's