Above photos taken by me with my iPhone at Randolph Street Market http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com of Dollies’ Antiques and Treasures http://www.dolliesantiques.com who will be outside at the July 29th and 30th Market. I became fascinated with her collection in May and she explained how she got started collecting Flower Frogs. Another reminder to engage the vendors in conversation, not only are they eager to talk about their treasures but you will learn something new every time…I most certainly do.
A rare matte green flower frog
A marriage of a wire cage flower frog on top of a vintage plate. Owner says it is quite useful for floral centerpieces. Above photos were taken by Linda Heister of her flower frog collection exclusively for nenasnotes.
Above photos on how to use your flower frog collection (when not used for flower arrangements) from Pinterest photo credits unknown.
A site to show you how to use flower frogs from Martha Stewart http://www.marthastewart.com/271596/how-to-use-flower-frogs
A book, of course, there is….looks quite interesting…found this on Amazon.
When I was a little girl we lived in Rogers Park on the Northside of Chicago (I wish I had that apartment today, it had incredible space, never did understand the long hallway from the front door to the living room but it did make a great gallery for my Father’s artwork, but no matter, it was extraordinary!) Mom and Dad would often take me with them (read, always took me with them) to dinner and one of our favorite neighborhood spots was in an alley at the end of Howard Street just before you came to Sheridan Road. It was an exquisite French Bistro and I adored it. One of their specialties was fried frog legs (don’t get your knickers in a twist, they happen to be delicious, taste rather like chicken, you should be able to find them in the seafood section of a Whole Foods for an example) and I couldn’t eat enough of them. My Father was of Russian descent, so perhaps his food tastes were a bit more European than most, and he was a superb cook, as was my Mother, (he loved to cook and I would stand on a chair and be his sous chef, I wish I had his recipes, I have shared his borscht with you in a previous post) and I ate many unique items from birth, one ate what was in front of them, I wasn’t told to clean my plate but knew early on that what was there was the choice for that meal, therefore, I eat just about anything (no insects, please and no, they weren’t on Daddy’s menus….). I am sharing a recipe for Fried Frog Legs that I found on the internet, it sounds much like the recipe used from my childhood….this nostalgia is making me crave them again….I need to get to the Store……..
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds frog legs (have your fishmonger remove the skin from the frog legs)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced very thin
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
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Soak the frog legs in the milk in the fridge for an hour. Meanwhile, mix the salt, black pepper and flour in a bowl, then chop the garlic and parsley.
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Heat 5 tablespoons of the butter in a frying pan large enough to hold all the frog legs; if you don’t have a pan large enough, put a baking sheet in the oven and set a rack inside. Turn the oven to about 180°F. You’ll use this to store the finished frog legs while you fry the rest. If you do have a large enough pan, set the baking sheet with the rack set inside next to the stovetop.
- Dredge the frog legs in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess. Fry in the butter over medium-high heat until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Flip only once if you can help it, as the flour coating is fragile. Set on the rack to drain when the frog legs are done.
- Discard the butter in the pan and wipe it out with a paper towel. Set the pan back on the stove over medium-high heat. When the butter is hot, saute the garlic until it smells good, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and swirl in the lemon juice. Arrange the frog legs on individual plates, and, right before you serve, mix the parsley into the sauce. Pour it over the frog legs and serve immediately.
Hank Shaw’s comment: “I served my frog legs with sauteed chanterelles and crusty bread. But boiled or roasted fingerling potatoes would be another good option, green beans an ideal veggie, or maybe a bitter greens salad with a vinaigrette dressing. White wine or a lighter beer, i.e., a lager or pilsner, is a must”.
Hank Shaw’s fascinating site, Hunter Angler Gardner Cook can be found at http://www.honest-food.net
I want to live here…..photograph from Pinterest from Architecture Digest.
Photo from Pinterest credit unknown.
Unless otherwise noted photos of hydrangea from friends country garden.
These two photos are from Grant Park between Congress and Roosevelt from Michigan Avenue to the railway tracks.
View from the top of a building looking down at Lincoln Park and Farm In The Zoo. Our entire City is a garden…..
Three photos from a friend’s City penthouse terrace.
An old fashion English rose bed in the country.
Nothing beats the color of geraniums, from a country garden.
A lush fern in a vintage urn from the front garden of a country home.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a garden of your own (or be able to visit country gardens which I have the pleasure of doing) you can always enjoy botanical prints…these found at Paper Patty’s at the Randolph Street Market, the next Market will be Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30 
This is the first book I have read by Marcia Willett, I will now investigate her other works. I don’t really remember where I saw the recommendation/review (I must start writing those things down…another learning curve!) I do remember it appealed to me that the story is set in Devon, England. It was 20 years ago, just about now, that I was in the general vicinity of the setting of the story…the only reason I remember this is that I had just returned to the States when Diana, Princess of Wales died.
Viktor & Rolf’s whimsical Fall 2017-2018 Haute Couture Collection
And in reality… I really love the shirred jacket and the patchwork jeans
From their program notes “the mascots are rooting for a world that is creative, diverse and eco-conscious.” The collection is all manipulated recycled fabrics.
The Chanel set
The traditional Chanel tweed suit given modernity
A new version of the LBD. I particularly liked the nod to Chanel’s beginnings as a milliner.
Schiaparelli’s up next….I felt these represented the surrealistic feeling of the original designs of this imaginative creator.
Of course, it is Dior, another collection that is inspired by the original designer in this instance Christian Dior and his Bar suit from the first Dior Collection in 1947. This Collection celebrates the Brand’s 70th anniversary. Again, an ode to the importance of quality, longevity and pure style and looking perfect for today.
Almost looks like a Galliano for Dior piece….take note of the red suit in the background, I’ll explain a bit further in the post
Speaking of John Galliano, here is a piece from his collection for Mason Margiela
From Iris van Herpen’s collection which compares water and air (?) and was accompanied by underwater musicians, Between Music……
Another look from the Dutch designer’s Haute Couture collection.
From John Paul Gaultier, as alway,s a fun but exciting collection. I usually wear a knit cap with my ball gown, don’t you??!! But why not it is young, quite tongue in cheek, and very Gaultier. Please note the long gloves, they were most definitely a trend in many of the Collections as well as the platform shoe and lots and lots of black, gray and white.
From Valentino, looking a bit like Armani…there were many beads, this gown with beaded fringe, in the Collections but done with a light hand and quite beautiful.
One of my most favorite pieces from the shows by the master of elegant sophistication and subtlety (perhaps not so subtle here!), Giorgio Armani for Armani Privé
Another from Armani, I’m obsessed with the cocktail hat, if only we dressed like that again, so glamourous!!
Two American Brands showed their Spring 2018 Collections the Sunday before the Haute Couture Collections. Above three looks from Rodarte.
Another from Rodarte by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy. Baby’s Breath adds a Spring touch along with the flower garden set.
Interesting red lace, the shoe bootie throws me a bit, don’t mind the idea but a bit heavy in the black, tan and white with the delicate lace….Many, if not all Collections had red in them…yet another trend to watch.
From Proenza Schouler
Remember last season the corset over the garment now we are seeing the bra over the dress
Love this look from Proenza Schouler need to lose the ruffle on the arm…aren’t the shoes to die for!!!
I end today with this exquisite gown from Giambattista Valli…he continues his short/long silhouette and it really works, here just one of his incredibly beautiful gowns from his Haute Couture Collection.
Each month at the Randolph Street Market 
A couple more shots from the booth. All three photos I took with my iPhone.
Love this!
Of course, I have to share his book….what would nenasnotes be without a book recommendation!!!!
Taken from Pinterest, photo credit unknown.
Isn’t he glorious. He graces the lobby of AT&T in Dallas. Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Here he is for all or us to admire in Chicago. The staff were quite intrigued with my story and I happened to have a photo of Daddy’s illustration which I shared. And now I share it with you……
Ivon’s illustration for the Bell Telephone Book from early 1930’s to early 1950’s.
Enjoy our day of Independence!