Pretty in Pink

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Spring has sprung in New England, finally! It’s still been chilly, especially in the mornings, but there’s definitely a change in the air. The days are longer, the air has been warmer, and the skies sunnier. The massive ice that encased everything for so long has finally disappeared. As for color, pastels are popping up everywhere, from food to nature, in decor and everything in between. Welcome Spring!

After such a long, harsh winter, pastel colors are such a welcome breath of fresh air. Y’all know how much I adore red, but my other favorite color is actually red’s softer cousin – pastel pink! I’m not talking about syrupy, bubblegum pink, but the pale, sophisticated pink found on almost everything in the 1950s. Pink is one of those colors that people are passionate about – they either love it or not. I love it – and lately it seems I’ve been noticing it more often.

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I see pink in nature. Recently, we’ve been treated to some stunning pastel pink skies!

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“Gidget” is uncovered! I know it is spring now! (Insert Snoopy happy dance here)

“Gidget” is uncovered! I know it is spring now! (Insert Snoopy happy dance here)

Nothing’s really blooming yet, but soon we’ll have leaves and flowers again.
I’m looking forward to my favorite flower showing back up – big fluffy pink peonies!

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My pink Bleeding hearts will be one of the first blooms to appear in my yard.

My pink Bleeding hearts will be one of the first blooms to appear in my yard.

Soon the trees will be blooming!

Soon the trees will be blooming!

There’s also nothing cuter than pink ears and noses, especially on spring babies!

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There’s so many little farms all over Connecticut. Look at that pink nose!

PINK piggie last spring at Strubridge Village, Massachusetts

PINK piggie last spring at Strubridge Village, Massachusetts

My friend Donna just had babies born on her farm. Look at those pink ears!

My friend Donna just had babies born on her farm. Look at those pink ears! Photo courtesy Donna Nowlin

 

My favorite local chocolate shop hand paints the pink ears on their bunnies. This cutie was almost too cute to eat. Almost...nom..nom

My favorite local chocolate shop hand paints the pink ears on their bunnies. This cutie was almost too cute to eat. Almost…nom..nom

Easter is in April this year. I like to cook for Easter; it’s the last “big” holiday meal until the fall, when Thanksgiving comes ‘round again. Much of Easter decor is pink. It was such a popular color in the past, especially in the 1920’s through the 1960’s- though pink’s heyday was during the 1950’s.

Vintage pink and red dishes, and vintage linens set the table for Easter

Vintage pink and red dishes, and vintage linens set the table for Easter

Pink Depression glass sherbet dishes, found at a thrift shop for .50 cents a piece, look dramatic on Memory Lane pink and red dishes, a grocery store bonus in 1965

1920’s Pink Depression glass sherbet dishes, found at a thrift shop for .50 cents a piece, look dramatic on Memory Lane pink and red dishes, a grocery store bonus in 1965

Pink depression glass is a favorite flea market and thrift shop find, and I’ve been lucky to find some neat pieces. I’ve scattered it in my sunroom (aka the “tea room”), as well as in my kitchen and dining room.

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Pink Depression glass lightened spirits during a difficult time in history. It’s one of my favorite types of glass, and fairly easy to find reasonably priced.

Pink Depression glass lightened spirits during a difficult time in history. It’s one of my favorite types of glass, and fairly easy to find reasonably priced.

For Easter, I love to make a classic 60’s cookie that Mama always made. Delicious and beautiful, they are light and crispy and low in fat.

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“Forgotten Cookies” aka Meringues are made with egg whites, (which I have plenty of since my chickie girls are so busy laying, now that it’s spring). I’ll serve them again this year as they really are easy to mix up. There are many variations with add ins, from chopped dates, nuts or mini chocolate chips, but I prefer mine plain and simple. Tinting can be done with naturally sourced vegetable-based food tints, beet juice or traditional food dyes (not my favorite choice). There are many versions of the cookies at various temps (even turning the oven off and leaving them overnight, but this variation is my favorite).

Forgotten Cookies

4 egg whites
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to slow (200 F). With a mixer, blend on medium speed the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until frothy. Increase speed on mixer and add sugar gradually 3 tablespoons at a time. Remember to scrape the bowl frequently or cookies will become lumpy. Beat until mixture becomes fluffy and has a glossy sheen, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Meringue can be tinted with food coloring of your choice; a little goes a long way to tint. Using a pastry bag or cookie press with a star tip, press cookies onto parchment-lined cookie sheets, or drop small spoonfuls. Bake for 2 hours.

Speaking of mixing, the next batch will get mixed up with the adorable vintage mixer that my husband got me for my birthday last month!

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It’s from the 1940s, made by Hamilton Beach and restored to the most beautiful shade of retro pale pink! Though it’s on a stand, it converts to a hand mixer. I am over the moon for it! Justin, of Vintage55Restorations shipped it all the way from California to Connecticut. He does all sorts of restorations, from small kitchen appliances to larger ones like refrigerators, to restoring vintage campers! My little mixer is a focal point in the kitchen, and I love how it pops against all the red, softening it.

Pyrex Pink Daisy is so pretty it’s crazy...

Pyrex Pink Daisy is so pretty it’s crazy…

From pink aprons to pink Pyrex, to pink lipstick (my favorite shade is San Fransisco by  Honeybee Gardens), a bit of pale pink, though a soft color, can really have a strong effect. (Think Pink)!

So, dear readers, where do you stand on pink? Love it or leave it? What is your favorite spring color? What is it that says “spring is HERE” to you? I hope you are enjoying the season, and Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY EASTER!

Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  1. Connie Hester says:

    Spring is my favorite time of the year! It just doesn’t last long enough. Here in South-Central Il. it is starting to thaw, robins and song birds have returned. The buds on the lilac bushes and the red bud trees are swelling. Soon, when they flower and the leaves are just about half unfurled, I just relish in that time!!

    We have had a very long cold, snowy winter also and I am ready to throw open the doors and windows so my spring cleaning (and this year, new paint on the walls) can begin!

    My peonies are peeking through and I love them so. Mine are double whites w/the pale pink centers. Oh, they smell wonderful.

    Have a FABULOUS Spring!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Connie, Your comment made me visualize spring for sure! Seems you all are a bit ahead of us in Illinois. We still need a few more weeks to get there, but it spring is arriving! I’ve seen more birds now, and the daffodils are peeking out of the ground. I love the double white peonies! Peonies are so beautiful and there is no scent as lovely! I can’t wait! Thanks for reading and commenting…enjoy Spring! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  2. Elizabeth says:

    I loved seeing the mixer! My Mom had the same one (in white) and just seeing it brought back great memories of cooking together. She was married in 1948 and received the mixer as a wedding gift. To my knowledge, it was still working when we sold the contents of her home in 2007.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for sharing your memories of your mom. What a great wedding gift that was back in the day! I have a milk glass cake plate that is just like the one my mom got from her mom for a wedding present. It isn’t my mom’s but is identical to the one she received (hers broke in the 80’s). Glad I brought you back a happy memory! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  3. Mary Murray says:

    LOVE that Gidget is out…truly spring has arrived! And the mixer is amazing…a step back in time, I love the 40’s…music, clothes, ahhh, the look. Pink, well I’ll tell you it’s not one of my favorites but that mixer, oh my, may have just changed my mind!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Mary, I am so happy to have Gidget uncovered! We have a little heater inside so I can go in now. I can’t until it’s truly warm enough to throw open all of the windows! Isn’t that mixer a hoot!? I love it so much. It runs beautifully. I was “born in the wrong generation” and the 40’s is my favorite era. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great spring! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  4. Beverly Battaglia says:

    i LOVE this blog, Nicole! Pictures are beautiful! I have never before seen such a pink sky.
    Table settings are beautiful. Fun to read this and do you have a cherry tree? Love you,
    Mother

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Mama, Thank you. You know how much I love pink! The tree isn’t mine; it’s a magnolia in one of my friend’s yard. Soon it will bloom again. It is just lovely. Love you! Nicole

  5. Donna Stone says:

    Love pink too my work station in salon is pink evern the ruffle on my haircutting apron!And April is my month too

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Donna, I bet your work station is pretty! Pink makes me happy! Thanks for reading and commenting, and Happy Birthday! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  6. Peggy Poole says:

    Nicole, I totally enjoyed your blog. I am a red girl. You should see my kitchen. I even drive a little red truck..given to me by my husband on my birthday. You gave me a great idea. I am a tea person. I think I will make a corner of my sunroom into a tea room. I have a large collection of tea items. Fall is my favorite season here in Georgia. I am just getting my Easter decoration out. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Peggy, Thank you! I bet I’d love your kitchen and truck! I am so happy I’ve inspired you…you will have to let me know how your tea room corner comes out! I’d love to see! Enjoy, and thank you for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  7. Brenda Martin says:

    I adore pink all year long!!! Your blog is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Spring is arriving slowly here in Columbus Ohio. Like you, I adore the spring babies. Have a wonderful spring and a joyous Easter!

  8. Julie Pruett says:

    Thank you for your “cheerful” pink blog…I like pink…It’s been a LONG winter…I think we’re all ready for Spring with it’s yellows, greens, lilacs and PINKS…

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Julie! You’re so right; it’s been a long winter. Like the Beatles song says, “Here comes the sun!” I’m ready! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  9. Marilyn says:

    I love all the pink. Pink is my favorite color. Thank You for sharing.
    Marilyn

  10. Sarah says:

    Happy Spring! You’ve inspired me to make the merengue cookies—brings back memories of “Home Ec” in Jr high. Also going to take the cover off my “glamper” this weekend—Ida Mae Rose—named after my great grandma. Can’t wait! Thanks for your inspiration!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Sarah, thank you so much! Enjoy! I have been having hot tea in my glamper this week. So happy to have her cover off. Thanks for stopping by the blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  11. Sandi King says:

    Hi Nicole
    Spring is definitely here. My yellow and white with pink Daffodils are blooming all over the place, and our Irises are up along with blooming tulips already and my hostas have appeared also. We just planted a Japanese Snowball bush and a mini yellow rose bush that I received for my birthday last November. The Snowball I received from my older son this week along with my favorite annual, a pot of pansies. Our apple trees, lilac bush and our tulip poplar are budding. The robins are numerous already and we have rain but also lots of sunshine. As for the color pink, I like it in some areas and in some shades. I used to always wear a pink lipstick as it looked the best on me with my skin color; couldn’t wear red or orange or any wild color. The pink depression glass is lovely but my favorites are the amethyst or blue depression glass. Love your blog. Until next time.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Sandi, Ooooo lucky you with those flowers! Our daffodils are just peeking their tops up from the ground. Soon! There are the tiniest little buds on the trees but give it a few weeks and we will be in full bloom. I have to put our pansies out yet. Hopefully this weekend. Last weekend on Friday we had snow showers then Saturday was warm and almost seventy.

      I think the blue and amethyst depression glass is pretty as well, but it is the pink that is my favorite. I also have a few pieces in yellow and a juicer in green. Lovely, all of it. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a happy spring! Thank you so much. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

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