Another Room, Another Collection!

Hi Everyone,
Happy July 4th! Thank you for all the thoughtful, caring comments on my first attempt at participating in a “Tablescape Thursday,” hosted, as you all know, by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

The solarium is where I photographed the mojito cocktail I mixed for you a few days ago.

I LOVED the comment from Susie Q. who said...
“Make them however you want...I want the flamingos :D”

In case you missed that post, here’s a link: http://affordableaccoutrements.blogspot.com/2009/06/cooling-mojito.html

Do you mind if I call it the solarium? It just sounds more interesting (and fancier, more pretentious) than sunroom … or sun porch, doesn’t it?

The "tablecloth" below is a shower curtain from Goodwill. It was priced at $2.99, but it was half price that day. Dinner guests always comment on how much they like it -- I just smile and say thanks!

Above: The empty vintage pilsner glass



Below: Ready to refresh!

While we’re here, I thought I’d show you one of my favorite tabletop collections. They’re in a display cabinet in this room. Sizes I have include wine (the company listed them as “water” glasses, but I’ll bet this size wasn’t JUST used for water – even during Prohibition!), cocktail, tall sherbet/champagne, iced tea, juice, and cordial. I also have matching plates. Since I’m among friends (and fellow collectaholics), I’ll admit that there are more of these (many more!) stashed elsewhere

Since I decided this particular Rock Sharpe stem is my favorite, I’ve found them at estate sales, thrift stores, antique malls, and on eBay. Sometimes the prices are quite high (up to $20 per stem), other times $1, or less! You can guess which ones I opt to buy! I usually ignore the etching pattern and just focus on the stem. I think it’s very sculptural-looking – like varied sizes of ice cubes stacked atop one another

Below: The "water" glass

Some quick history:
It’s called Libbey/Rock Sharpe because it uses Libbey Glass Company's blank (Stem # 3005) which Cataract-Sharpe Company used for their Rock Sharpe line. Cataract-Sharpe Company purchased blanks from Libbey for their fine cuttings. This stem was made during the 1930s - 1940s and has Libbey's chip-resistant "Safedge" feature introduced in 1924. Bryce Brothers Crystal and A. H. Heisey were other big suppliers of crystal for Cataract Sharpe in the 30's and 40's. The company made no glass itself.

In the 30's and 40's, the company widely promoted its Rock Sharpe Crystal products in major women's magazines. Rock Sharpe was sold in fine department stores and was some of the best-selling stemware in America.

I get compliments on the glasses every time I use them to serve guests. If you like them, and find some the next time you go shopping, buy them for me and I’ll reimburse you. Wait --- I didn’t mean to say that!!! I meant that perhaps you can start a Rock Sharpe collection of your very own.

Let me know what you think, OK?

Bye for now. Hope you all have a wonderful July 4th!

A Cooling Mojito

After checking out mojito recipes online and viewing numerous youtube videos by bartenders claiming THEIR way is the ONLY way, I know how confusing it can get!

Some say to use lime juice (rather than lime wedges), to use confectioner’s sugar, that simple syrup is best, to crush the mint leaves to smithereens (yuck, they come right up the straw and taste bitter). I've tried most of the options, and I think I've found a nice balance -- one likely to please and impress your guests.

I like to use pilsner/ale glasses like the one in the photograph. I hate beer, but I love the shape of these glasses!


Here’s how I make a mojito:


Bill's Mojito

· Cut half a lime into wedges
· Place lime wedges in the bottom of a double rocks or highball glass (or perhaps a pilsner glass)
· Add two teaspoons of granulated sugar (more or less to taste)
· Crush the above-listed ingredients with a wooden muddler (or use the non-business end of a large wooden spoon as I do)
· Add fresh mint leaves. Pinch them off near the stem and add as many as ten small ones – fewer if the leaves are large.
· Crushed ice comes next. If you have an ice maker with a “crush” feature, you’re in luck. If not, wrap ice cubes in a dish towel and pound away with a hammer, rolling pin, etc.
· Now pour in light rum … lots of it!
· Stir with a long-handled bar spoon. Naturally, being a good Southern boy, I always have an iced tea spoon nearby. Iced tea is the "house wine of the South" … for goodness sake!
· Stir gently, to bruise and distribute the mint leaves and to bring all that sugary, sherbet-y, limey taste upward.
· Now top off with club soda to give it a little fizz and sparkle.
· Garnish with the sexy end of the mint sprig. Some people just shove mint into the top of the glass, but I like to anchor it with a lime wedge on the rim. It’s pretty, and it puts the wonderful aromas right under the nose as you enjoy sipping this cooling beverage!
· Add two straws – not that you’re going to share it … it just allows you to cool off faster … and enjoy life more!!!

Now you have my recipe, try it and let me know what you think, OK?