a flea from Zagreb, Croatia...

Zagreb flea market finds

When I travel, I always like to bring back a few souvenirs, but not the "I've been to Vegas (fill in the blank)" kind.  I prefer ones that resonate with the local color or culture, and ones that I will put to use in my home and remember always where they're from.  Here are a few treasures I brought back from our recent trip to Zagreb, Croatia.  I arrived at the tail end of the flea market, when many vendors were packing up their wares (I couldn't get my sorry body moving any earlier due to jet-lag and the time difference!), but I was still able to discover a few gems.  I was delighted to find the moonstone necklace for about $12, since I'd been admiring one just like it in a local jewelry store for around $150 US!  I will forever be drawn to that mysterious glowing stone or glassware.  I plan to disassemble and share the "marbles" among many different pieces of jewelry - I'll show you what I come up with later.  I found the antique coffee grinder irresistible, mostly due to the vibrant color and patina, but it didn't hurt that his name was Titan and he was only $15.  Also, I wanted to compare the taste of fresh hand-ground beans to those ground in my obnoxious electric contraption - I'll let you know!  In the meantime, he adds character to our kitchen, just sitting idly, looking dapper.  The tiny sterling spoon was only $3 and is just so sweet.  I use these mini spoons a lot, either in my salt/pepper cellar, or for serving jam or condiments.  The back is inscribed with something (who knows what?!?!) and I will always remember that it followed me home from Croatia.  I wish I would've had time to look for other mini silver goodies.

tiny sterling spoon from Croatian flea market

What treasures have you returned with from your travels?

PS - linking up to Apron Thrift Girl and Coastal Charm...


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie

wild blackberry jam

favorite kitchen scales with favorite wild berries in favorite moonstone bowl

I feel so fortunate to have wild blackberries growing in our yard.  Around here they can be considered an invasive weed, but not to me.  We purposely invite them to grow wild and go crazy so that we have enough to eat in season, with leftovers to freeze and make into sweet treats.  Today's pickings became jam. Have you ever made freezer jam?  I prefer it to cooked jam because it's much easier AND it keeps its bright fresh-fruit flavor.  Try it sometime!  Someday I'd like to try to make my own pectin from sour apples, but today was not that day...

(jam shown with petalware monax depression glass plate, vintage Vera linen tea towel, and Reed & Barton twisted sterling spoon found at Petaluma Brunch and Flea last year with Selena)

I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences with freezer jam or if you've ever made your own pectin...


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie