Home | Indoor Garden | Growing Seeds for an Herb Garden | Starting Seeds for Spring

<div style="text-align: left;">This Spring we're hoping to do a lot of work to the exterior of our house and lawn... painting the house, building a fence, planting a ton of flowers and having a garden. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Flowers can be super expensive, and I LOVE masses of flowers... so, I'm growing my own from seeds. In addition to flowers, I want to be able to go out into the back yard and pick my own produce for dinner... not to mention, I would hate to add up the amount of money I have spent on fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, the process starts as an "indoor" garden placed by a sunny window, then I will transplant the plants outside in the Spring - early April.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPSvS9i1L3u-itPlr6i2y9Qiy2-U7ve6278VH_1P_UYmWpxxEIJvHExooUc9n4gmwbKDa48qQ5H5IckEEiYazUHm_Pq4J1QBTnIudoyFC5OM4eCO4vztdjxquKQGqNIzV973meGaDOo/s1600-h/IMG_0455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696231163730226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaPSvS9i1L3u-itPlr6i2y9Qiy2-U7ve6278VH_1P_UYmWpxxEIJvHExooUc9n4gmwbKDa48qQ5H5IckEEiYazUHm_Pq4J1QBTnIudoyFC5OM4eCO4vztdjxquKQGqNIzV973meGaDOo/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I started with some lacquered trays I had from catering and inserted "Jiffy-Strips" biodegradable seed trays from Lowes. <br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUsiVwPszU7TI9i0VwgFS7HFUsOYv4PnmZ528hPya4VZSf_0NdfMBkqTw6fT-ttoi5n7jB-aAQgjZbFjNluvcrLdsV9vSEwRPCFWDrGo6QFEKA62qpe3m-0bktNw02Bu27N7bS_lq1_o/s1600-h/IMG_0456.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696461322099490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUsiVwPszU7TI9i0VwgFS7HFUsOYv4PnmZ528hPya4VZSf_0NdfMBkqTw6fT-ttoi5n7jB-aAQgjZbFjNluvcrLdsV9vSEwRPCFWDrGo6QFEKA62qpe3m-0bktNw02Bu27N7bS_lq1_o/s400/IMG_0456.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next, I filled the trays with seed-starter potting soil. Then, water the trays to moisten. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkXXXouHPFIh6TIeMDJeT02DvI7KB90t6hQKGDzfgHRzGHWBsWiIu4tlhRJEQY3ZZCamfLjcEMCuF0YRSRsj0TfJQ9MsNDm9kksZf9GwAv7RxDicZF0XhmOKAs_HXdg1AFSOSE8dqX30/s1600-h/IMG_0458.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696217095200658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkXXXouHPFIh6TIeMDJeT02DvI7KB90t6hQKGDzfgHRzGHWBsWiIu4tlhRJEQY3ZZCamfLjcEMCuF0YRSRsj0TfJQ9MsNDm9kksZf9GwAv7RxDicZF0XhmOKAs_HXdg1AFSOSE8dqX30/s400/IMG_0458.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I poked holes with my fingers to ready the trays for seeds.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagnNYHzEhqZJ9fQqPL0ojs1dM1ZicRSRTZXvM61GsOSU4hdwAyfCFIdwqd88cwWRmib7pEZlsWGeEfI1Is62erRo4OAC4dJHrbGIdOMrgVnqzxZBWDt_Tpo10DUnWjycrHOor2zhlAuk/s1600-h/IMG_0459.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696206379716034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagnNYHzEhqZJ9fQqPL0ojs1dM1ZicRSRTZXvM61GsOSU4hdwAyfCFIdwqd88cwWRmib7pEZlsWGeEfI1Is62erRo4OAC4dJHrbGIdOMrgVnqzxZBWDt_Tpo10DUnWjycrHOor2zhlAuk/s400/IMG_0459.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I planted heirloom tomatoes, bibb lettuce, cucumbers, basil, thyme, chives, italian parsley and impatients. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDlfXqiqERtlk9O6dfbos1k0YJ1VdH0dOohHjwKgxdJ4SwhxEC59dwCte8a3X4NTJKjPXbY3dQKvblF4qd0EnDkQfTmM3-uU8e3pRO44MnhQoNf2Y8Fqxp-P9x9F8muwj4xGo7wOgeM0/s1600-h/IMG_0461.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696192703206658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDlfXqiqERtlk9O6dfbos1k0YJ1VdH0dOohHjwKgxdJ4SwhxEC59dwCte8a3X4NTJKjPXbY3dQKvblF4qd0EnDkQfTmM3-uU8e3pRO44MnhQoNf2Y8Fqxp-P9x9F8muwj4xGo7wOgeM0/s400/IMG_0461.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I added the labels so I don't forget what I've planted!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TfHpG0ANBfgSmQr3-y4MYPrCHAChfUahxFToTGai-I8BXwCTyDwAe99vfTZSSw7LAlHMCayJ9CBSTpuh1WoHewvnDKX4vu2iKQhhk8nFE6Ijy-sn11BAr8uLveZdE3_RfV0Ev1nTpq0/s1600-h/IMG_0462.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439696180835558850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TfHpG0ANBfgSmQr3-y4MYPrCHAChfUahxFToTGai-I8BXwCTyDwAe99vfTZSSw7LAlHMCayJ9CBSTpuh1WoHewvnDKX4vu2iKQhhk8nFE6Ijy-sn11BAr8uLveZdE3_RfV0Ev1nTpq0/s400/IMG_0462.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /></div></div>

Home | Indoor Garden | Growing Seeds for an Herb Garden | Starting Seeds for Spring

This Spring we're hoping to do a lot of work to the exterior of our house and lawn... painting the house, building a fence, planting a t...

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Recipes | Casual Favorites | Mini Slider Burgers & Buffalo Chicken Satay

<div>I prepared simple and casual sliders and satays that could be easily enjoyed without leaving the TV! Football season may be over, but these recipes will be perfect for those March Madness games... </div><div><br /></div><div>It is very simple to prepare, both the sliders and the chicken can go into the oven at 425 degrees on baking sheets at the same time! I had them prepared ready to go into the oven before the party. When guests arrived, I had a crudites platter and a creamy spinach dip with tortilla chips, then served these about 1 hour into the game. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mini Burger Sliders :</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgiZ9u2s_d40QnrthQqJ8syJ9y70Dy8wuJkFpnvnCzKXQNxozn4iCwSE4HqXxeM3J-Pl_HIXrssMA4AlKCvIj406SPBUkNiej-oL0c3SzF5hR0TXhy_qKM5Afq3ojFDIBH7toyniJtEA/s1600-h/IMG_0415.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439627097748611170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgiZ9u2s_d40QnrthQqJ8syJ9y70Dy8wuJkFpnvnCzKXQNxozn4iCwSE4HqXxeM3J-Pl_HIXrssMA4AlKCvIj406SPBUkNiej-oL0c3SzF5hR0TXhy_qKM5Afq3ojFDIBH7toyniJtEA/s400/IMG_0415.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To make 24 mini burgers...</div><div><br /></div><div>2 eggs</div><div>2 tablespoons of ketchup</div><div>1 tablespoon of dijon</div><div>2 teaspoons of salt</div><div>1 teaspoon of pepper</div><div>3 pounds of ground beef</div><div><br /></div><div>Mix together eggs, ketchup, dijon and salt & pepper.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHOmHG9n9gwiTf0mod3WAoFHDOcZCN2yy_qQZaRh0xEVZyQz79XMtGa4kCW89AumLdDtZQ3R4dd1ZKjcZw8Qt3K-JRJ3DorUkcfZPONCVcpcUOBW-_3wkEHIbX3RGmPVrUGN-_QlYrJo/s1600-h/IMG_0420.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439627105938307282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHOmHG9n9gwiTf0mod3WAoFHDOcZCN2yy_qQZaRh0xEVZyQz79XMtGa4kCW89AumLdDtZQ3R4dd1ZKjcZw8Qt3K-JRJ3DorUkcfZPONCVcpcUOBW-_3wkEHIbX3RGmPVrUGN-_QlYrJo/s400/IMG_0420.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Add the ground beef and mix together with a fork - fluffing to keep mixture light.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY8DAuLjc2pI0Gx-b8J4P67LdooHsWTHE4wnDsVcUP01nVqTnQ12NYqnzUlS-mi63dyVKSTsVbgrhRXtqj6V0F79vnKtYJzfnIUi-xiTQAU6ugksr3xLbsdVdHsj86UAlXuge8Gi4jsA/s1600-h/IMG_0421.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439627110310228002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY8DAuLjc2pI0Gx-b8J4P67LdooHsWTHE4wnDsVcUP01nVqTnQ12NYqnzUlS-mi63dyVKSTsVbgrhRXtqj6V0F79vnKtYJzfnIUi-xiTQAU6ugksr3xLbsdVdHsj86UAlXuge8Gi4jsA/s400/IMG_0421.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div>Form burgers with a 2 ounce ice cream scoop. Lightly forming and placing them on a baking sheet. Bake the burgers at 425 degrees for 6-7 minutes, until slightly pink inside.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439626530198655682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInNMNSCFsQAaF0jaL_QlK2DwyO9EhpwUkwr4smGfM_uBR749xuBLF6qXTNbPX_2eq8skXZ2NIZc2eShgrEBfeG_wAztX18ypas9-PNq3L3Uh-n_w1bo-yoQ_dooh2XGMxP5FTq8A34Bs/s400/Mini+Burger.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>Above : photo from myrecipes.com - I forgot to take photos during the party!</div><div><br /></div><div>Buffalo Chicken Satay :</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv2TRlnaFR10V_vOGwAfJGEgMzVJpHkVJ6aKuMeL4gZG_NcJKAZkOGxdV44SeRuaZH1UPtGxUSOzH5OLXC4t3BCR3r5pw_oeZucFAySgGSWL_V7GTi1nG_jpl-lv4Ibb2syLrNNhcy2I/s1600-h/IMG_0424.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439626562280726386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv2TRlnaFR10V_vOGwAfJGEgMzVJpHkVJ6aKuMeL4gZG_NcJKAZkOGxdV44SeRuaZH1UPtGxUSOzH5OLXC4t3BCR3r5pw_oeZucFAySgGSWL_V7GTi1nG_jpl-lv4Ibb2syLrNNhcy2I/s400/IMG_0424.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>These are great healthy alternatives to buffalo wings... they are skinless and baked!</div><div><br /></div><div>2 pounds of skinless chicken tenderloins</div><div>1 tablespoon of olive oil</div><div>2 tablespoons of Franks Red Hot</div><div>1 tablespoon of parsley, chopped</div><div>Salt & Pepper</div><div><br /></div><div>Mix together oil, franks red hot & parsley.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxDbQ9K6AHk9h6EFNtDUyuS2QE3wwqXFTTffDQDLDvfXfdQBo9KYXYRg8VoVuwLVvBpGB97_BdGJIItj2WOOMJUxb-VeGUh67R0r44FQbBCECrXxwtp_idf6uYJ3X4PFl-QiaZB4XQgA/s1600-h/IMG_0426.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439626554754513042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxDbQ9K6AHk9h6EFNtDUyuS2QE3wwqXFTTffDQDLDvfXfdQBo9KYXYRg8VoVuwLVvBpGB97_BdGJIItj2WOOMJUxb-VeGUh67R0r44FQbBCECrXxwtp_idf6uYJ3X4PFl-QiaZB4XQgA/s400/IMG_0426.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /></div><div>Cut chicken tenderloins in to 2 pieces and toss them in the hot sauce mixture. Skewer them on mini bamboo skewers and salt & pepper. Bake them on a baking sheet for 10 minutes at 425 degrees.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkTJkGJ-P5Zub2Castq-O10WN1ulcjsIXMM4Y0Zj4K9btnElrXpKCU4Vmr2bkGr6jg2uccFMYTcaF_9QTkSjv5tZNaaY42t0tM90vlt_KWsBt_9ASpVuHTq8VeNxawvc5N47wkJ7A7hk/s1600-h/Simpson+House+Cute+BBQ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439626542474346754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkTJkGJ-P5Zub2Castq-O10WN1ulcjsIXMM4Y0Zj4K9btnElrXpKCU4Vmr2bkGr6jg2uccFMYTcaF_9QTkSjv5tZNaaY42t0tM90vlt_KWsBt_9ASpVuHTq8VeNxawvc5N47wkJ7A7hk/s400/Simpson+House+Cute+BBQ.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 207px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I serve these with ranch or blue cheese dressing!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6MGP4Eun56WN1ISwsWblKZAomTfXhZphBfm4INg5V2fkPnlqaDjTU7MkEO4YibnH6vW2bkIEVU5G63r7wBxI0mvXG7aNTQ6ENXDdhyphenhyphengakuQUD0aeiCqAgZjFbBAF5vxezFGEhzog3h0/s1600-h/Easy+Hors+D%27oeuvres+Mini+Salmon+Sandwich+Slider.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439626538368408034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6MGP4Eun56WN1ISwsWblKZAomTfXhZphBfm4INg5V2fkPnlqaDjTU7MkEO4YibnH6vW2bkIEVU5G63r7wBxI0mvXG7aNTQ6ENXDdhyphenhyphengakuQUD0aeiCqAgZjFbBAF5vxezFGEhzog3h0/s400/Easy+Hors+D%27oeuvres+Mini+Salmon+Sandwich+Slider.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Do you remember these Salmon Sliders from my <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2009/09/entertaining-easy-hors-doeuvres-party.html">Easy Hors d'oeuvres post</a>? They are a great way to add a special element to your party!</div><div><br /></div></div>

Recipes | Casual Favorites | Mini Slider Burgers & Buffalo Chicken Satay

I prepared simple and casual sliders and satays that could be easily enjoyed without leaving the TV! Football season may be over, but these...

Read more »

My Edith Wharton Hinges

<div>I wasn't looking to buy any hinges but I was surfing the internet for old house parts and I when I saw these, I immediately fell in love. Not only are they really cool but they have a connection to Edith Wharton, author of novels such as <i>The Age of Innocence</i> and <i>Ethan Frome.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYZOW3ew02Oy4KBzk01zEnSKWsksH99j6_TUKmup8MyEdVWHgGpsCx6aJ8BhyG7fIXeRexPI4HXM18ciQxvrxRhDRqRIzBd-4i5OyH1IBpsrHKzxsUf-jI2AmJFt-0iTBww6JMlIzoqQ/s1600-h/IMG_1569.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439403863917817138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYZOW3ew02Oy4KBzk01zEnSKWsksH99j6_TUKmup8MyEdVWHgGpsCx6aJ8BhyG7fIXeRexPI4HXM18ciQxvrxRhDRqRIzBd-4i5OyH1IBpsrHKzxsUf-jI2AmJFt-0iTBww6JMlIzoqQ/s400/IMG_1569.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 345px;" /></a>Actually, they're from <a href="http://www.greatsalvage.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=936">Pine Acre</a> which was Edith Wharton's husband's family's home in the Berkshires, a place she visited often. The mansion was recently converted to condominiums and many of the home's original parts were salvaged. I was lucky enough to buy 50 hinges which should be more than enough for me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WbP_fOEh96z-n4-i9XhaHGReDEs9DP07RQ60poUv23XLpNpzNNEw7yw_QY0hcb75r691v6cPYhFpMR7P77uhGb9QdOeMjjGq9-koGNZImuo9r6vEmAvtzf6JJ1UAHD6_ZWyUI31-Fik/s1600-h/Pine-Acre.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439403857277958754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WbP_fOEh96z-n4-i9XhaHGReDEs9DP07RQ60poUv23XLpNpzNNEw7yw_QY0hcb75r691v6cPYhFpMR7P77uhGb9QdOeMjjGq9-koGNZImuo9r6vEmAvtzf6JJ1UAHD6_ZWyUI31-Fik/s400/Pine-Acre.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 288px;" /></a>I love them just the way the are but if I end up buying new doors for throughout the house, I'm not sure I'll want this "chippy" look on new doors. I did some research on internet on how to strip paint off old hinges and found a lot of people who swear by boiling them in water with some kind of soap. Not wanting to sacrifice my Le Creuset to the stripping project, I talked to the salvage company I purchased them from and they suggested just soaking them in water...maybe for a few days before it would soften.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsB-tHoTyaC6nd5fhOycvXU12OvKSfwYT2NsJAhGuSEHI1eTA0ANt7aO7ENxQY-bDZIr6y8fMYnrYGiheopFA7DFC-GUfKDGQszf8TxivrWGElPNoJ6aWUeJtHIXgewir5BUIoo72K5s/s1600-h/IMG_1572.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439403853010466930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsB-tHoTyaC6nd5fhOycvXU12OvKSfwYT2NsJAhGuSEHI1eTA0ANt7aO7ENxQY-bDZIr6y8fMYnrYGiheopFA7DFC-GUfKDGQszf8TxivrWGElPNoJ6aWUeJtHIXgewir5BUIoo72K5s/s400/IMG_1572.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" /></a>So I took one hinge and soaked in water (in an old coffee can) and some Simple Green and, indeed, after a few days the paint looked "swollen." I used the tip of an old paring knife and in about a half hour, I had removed all of the old white paint. It revealed a lot of the fine detail but it also took off a lot of the original black paint. I'm sure with a little more buffing, they'll be ready for a new coat of enamel. <div><br /></div><div>A little hinge may seem like such a minor detail but I think it's these little things that make an old house sing, or at least ring true. I'm not sure when I'll get to use them, but I'll be happy to have them in my old house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ6Z4IuH-FcFqru7HhrvhKkVLQeuqfLuUJHRzPb1K_7Y2sHmGO1-7vlGpB51M7FVjIO7aJUqtT7B0Dv05uFDBZ-AxOMleN8DdbOCUiKyvO52U3te0jMwpsFbInnAT8H_H8k6MAsbyoZw/s1600-h/wh-por.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439403849195125810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ6Z4IuH-FcFqru7HhrvhKkVLQeuqfLuUJHRzPb1K_7Y2sHmGO1-7vlGpB51M7FVjIO7aJUqtT7B0Dv05uFDBZ-AxOMleN8DdbOCUiKyvO52U3te0jMwpsFbInnAT8H_H8k6MAsbyoZw/s400/wh-por.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" /></a>There were also a few doorknobs that caught attention. I think these white porcelain knobs are great...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaFoHfzM361XTNgGfpxnpR0o_l1gHlP7BSXp5a1IuciO9URjlk8hN8n6Nmc2BjumXlMqEKLJYXy8TdhRdxU4Jz7cwdIQkyCmm9jTgFKOSywRr-op9lUrjbdSl0tmCcnwtOuzlG12deec/s1600-h/IMG_2943+(2).JPG.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439403846753584706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaFoHfzM361XTNgGfpxnpR0o_l1gHlP7BSXp5a1IuciO9URjlk8hN8n6Nmc2BjumXlMqEKLJYXy8TdhRdxU4Jz7cwdIQkyCmm9jTgFKOSywRr-op9lUrjbdSl0tmCcnwtOuzlG12deec/s400/IMG_2943+(2).JPG.jpeg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 260px;" /></a>...but I'm really in love with these Bennington door knobs. I think I might get a few of these to install and try them on for size.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm thinking mahogany doors, with my glossy black Edith Wharton hinges maybe these Bennington knobs throughout the house. It would certainly be handsome!</div>

My Edith Wharton Hinges

I wasn't looking to buy any hinges but I was surfing the internet for old house parts and I when I saw these, I immediately fell in love...

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