Wow! If you’ve never tried Frog Jam then you are in for a treat! Contrary to what the fellow at Johnson’s Peaches in Candor, NC. told me, this jam does NOT contain frog legs. It’s actually a medley of figs, raspberries, orange, and ginger. I was skeptical about the ginger because this spice usually packs quite a punch but I was pleasantly surprised to find the flavor very subtle. I’ve never seen this jam around here. We picked it up as we were driving to Lynchburg, VA along a state highway.
I’ve always wanted to make a cornucopia for my Thanksgiving table. Casting around for a nice large horn of plenty, I was disappointed to find that most of those on the market today are too small. Also, they are mainly made of light-colored wicker, a material that does not go well with my home decor. As is often the case, I found something suitable at my local Goodwill store. This cornucopia was also light-colored wicker but was generously sized–large enough to hold a variety of gourds, apples, and corn.
The next step was to paint the cornucopia inside and out. I had a nice craft paint with a metallic gold sheen left over from another project so I started to paint. Alas, the wicker absorbed the paint rapidly and my meager supply was quickly gone. Off to the hardware store for more…only to discover that this brand was being discontinued! But the nice lady at Tru Value came to the rescue with a metallic spray paint that looked very much like the one I had been using.
I don’t have a Michael’s in my area. The next best alternative was to go to the various garden centers and markets around New Freedom to find the gourds, autumn leaves, Indian corn, and mini pumpkins I wanted spilling out of the horn of plenty. In the process, I discovered that Mt. Airy Junction (sorry, no website), a florist and gift shop that normally carried only country-style crafts, had completely changed! To my great surprise and delight, it now features tapestry jackets, jewelry and all kinds of gorgeous scarves. Getting distracted from my project, I immediately purchased the most beautiful scarf in the world!
But I digress… the cornucopia is now ready for another coat of paint and the finishing touches. Stay tuned for the completed project.
On a beautiful fall day this week, Paul and I decided to take a drive to Chambersburg, PA. As we approached Chambersburg we discovered Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium along the side of the road. Mr. Ed’s carries all that old-fashioned penny candy we enjoyed as kids. He also features a museum collection of thousands of elephants in all materials, shapes and sizes. I was especially drawn to the little crocheted elephant languishing on a shelf.
Mr. Ed’s also had a large display of the “poor man’s Dale Chihuly” in the extensive gardens surrounding the emporium.
