Friday, October 30, 2009

work costume


For work today I dressed up as a mercury thermometer. My office is the periodic table, I am mercury. This is a whole new arena for me. I can't wait to dress up in my real costume, the tomato.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

forget-me-not


I love this gorgeous locket from Sundance.

halloween chili

Chili and Halloween go hand in hand where I come from. Every year my Mom always serves chili and breadsticks to the neighbors. It is a tradition that my siblings have continued as we have moved away from home. Here are some of our favorite chili recipes.

CHILE CON CARNE

1 lb. Red kidney beans

2 quarts Water

3 Tb. Green Chili pepper, chopped

2C. Tomato sauce

Salt to Taste

1 ½ tsp. White pepper

½ C. Bacon fat

2 medium–large Onions

2 lb. Ground beef

1 ½ tsp. Garlic powder

2 Tbl. Chili powder

1 qt. Tomatoes, chopped

Soak beans overnight, then cook in same water until tender. Drain an add chili pepper, salt, white pepper and tomato sauce. Let stand 2 hours. Heat onions, ground beef, garlic powder and chili powder in bacon fat; cook 30 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook 1 hour and serve.

This recipe is from Rancho De Los Cabelleros, in Wickenburg, Arizona. Chili con carne represents the essence of Southwestern cooking. This luxury ranch-inn is set in the high desert, about an hour’s drive north of Phoenix.
Treasured Recipes of Country Inns


My sister prefers to serve this white bean chili

WHITE BEAN CHILI

6 – 8 cans white beans (small)

2 cans black beans

2 tablespoons cumin

1 large onion

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Old Bay spice

3 (7 ounce) cans diced green chilies

1 can Salsa Verde (Herdaz brand)

1 (4 ounce) can jalapeños

7 cans of chicken stock

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 cup chopped cilantro

4 chicken breasts, cooked

3 – 4 tablespoons lime juice

Sauté onion. Add cumin, chili powder, Old Bay and Salsa Verde. Simmer 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and cilantro – bring to a boil. Add beans, jalapeño, green chilies and chicken. Simmer at least one hour, can simmer all day. Before serving add lime juice. Serve with sour cream. Makes a ton. Note: if you choose to simmer all day you may want to hold the jalapeños out until near the end depending on how hot you want the chili.

girl in the green scarf


I love this handwoven green scarf by amberkane. I especially love the red undertones.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

haunted houses

Do you like Haunted Houses? The chainsaw guy always scares me.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

more plate walls


I have been mulling over the idea of trying my hand at a small plate wall. I have a couple of plates that would work. The real question is, can you display plates that you use?


Monday, October 26, 2009

etsy coats


I love these gorgeous coats/jackets by Little Houses clothing.


pumpkin pancakes


photo via sweetladysweets flickr

I really wanted pumpkin pancakes this weekend, so yesterday I googled them and came away with this recipe. They were delicious. I added chocolate chips to mine.

Pumpkin Pancakes
from StreamingGourmet
Serves 2 people (makes 6 shapes)

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1.5 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 large eggs, separated
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat griddle on medium heat. (Don’t add any fat to the griddle yet. Just let it sit there heating up).

2. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin and egg yolks. Melt the butter in a small ramekin in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Mix the vanilla in with the eggs to help cool it down a little. You may have to wait a minute or two. You don’t want to cook the eggs. Add the butter/vanilla mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly.

3. Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix thoroughly. The batter will be thick. You’re going to add the egg whites next. Using an electric handheld mixer, or a crank one like that pictured here, beat the egg whites until they are stiff, but not too dry. Fold them into the batter gently.

4. Using a ladle (to control the amount of batter you use each time), pour batter into the mold, moving your hand around as you do so to spread the batter around all the little areas. Only fill the mold up about halfway. It will rise during cooking. Once the edges become firm, you are ready to gently lift the mold out of the pan. Check for places where the batter could be sticking to the mold and gently push it away with a butter knife. Once you’ve removed the mold, you can flip the pancake like normal. Let cook for another 2 minutes or so.

5. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.

lovely blog award


Thank you Fabricated Ends!
Here are the rules for the "One Lovely Blog Award." Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and her/his blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Here are 3 new ones I love!

Rocky Bella- I am sold on her counter top fix.
Mimi and Meg
Pewter + Sage

Friday, October 23, 2009

greek chicken sandwich


I made this Greek Inspired Chicken Burger from More than Burnt Toast last night. Oh boy were they good. Delicious. I highly recommend them. Especially because they are very easy. And delicious.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

music box


I saw this on House Beautiful, they have a segment on gifts under $25. It looks awesome. Also found one here.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

courting chair


Have you ever seen a courting chair before? I saw one on my trip to Kentucky, they are pretty awesome. I think I want one someday. Preferably with different fabric.

photo found here

pumpkin carving


A pumpkin village

This seems to be a popular method this year. I am intrigued by it. It looks like it might be really hard.

This one gives me the creeps, which I guess is appropriate for Halloween.

It is pumpkin carving week! I have been looking around for ideas, my pumpkin is huge this year. You can find instructions for these and more here.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

lasagna rolls


I saw a recipe for lasagna rolls on Yahoo! yesterday. I like the concept. I am going to combine part of this recipe to this recipe and add shredded chicken.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

upgrade


I saw this dresser face life on Little Green Notebook. I love it. I wonder if you can paint faux wood with the same success. Anyone ever tried?

feature friday: paint me a picture


Today's feature comes from Lindsay of Paint Me A Picture Etsy shop and blog.

She has some lovely stuff. My favorite are her animal paintings!

Tell us about you and your Etsy shop.
I have always enjoyed art; it probably started back in kindergarten when I drew a girl standing in the "I'm a little tea pot" pose. My drawing was recognized, and from that point forward I have been creating. I began painting for friends about 5 years ago, but I didn’t get serious until last Christmas when I sold paintings at a holiday market. I opened my Etsy shop, Paint Me a Picture, in May of this year after settling into my new world of being a stay-at-home mommy to Charlie, aka Mr.C. My paintings are primarily for nurseries and children, but I also like creating fun flourishes and other personalized designs. I get such joy in creating something someone loves and will enjoy in their own home


What is your favorite thing/piece you have made?

A painting of a guitar. I really like Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitarist” and because my husband really enjoyed music I made my version of the Blue Guitar for him when we were first married. It is definitely not my “best” piece. I had no idea what I was doing, I just played around with a lot of paint nd wire, but it worked and my husband still has it hanging in his office 6 ½ years later.


What would you say are the five must see places in your city/area?

I live in a small, southern town. If I were to take you on a tour to a few of my favorite places we would grab breakfast at (1) The Bread House for homemade pumpkin bread or a cranberry walnut fiber bar. Then, we would take (2) 3rd Avenue lined with ancient oaks covered in Spanish moss to downtown Albany. Next we would visit (3) River Front park to see the old train bridge over the Flint River. Then we would have to stop at (4) Livi & Company the Marketplace for a great selection of vintage and handmade items – it’s our local Etsy. We would finish with lunch at (5) Corner Café.

One thing you must have with you at all times?

For the past 8 ½ months it has been a burp cloth…lovely, I know.

What is your favorite accessory to wear?

Any one of my big, funky necklaces

Favorite flower?

My upcycled flowers, of course.

One place you dream of visiting?

Italy

If you had $200 to spend where would it go?

Towards a dishwasher…I have been washing dishes by hand for almost 7 years!

One person who inspires you?

My Aunt Melanie. She passed away when I was 16, but was an amazing artist who spent her talent and energy towards teaching art and special education.

A favorite blog/website to look at?
Spearmint Baby

Thursday, October 15, 2009

bedazzled

I was looking through facebook photos yesterday and loved all the headbands. I think I need some with a little punch. Here are some favorites from Etsy.

black bow

rhinestones

madrid

leaves changing

gold rose

pop up cards


I love the pop up cards from Tracy Chong

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

farewell peony

It appears as though Bath and Body works has discontinued the Peony scent. My favorite. As I am running low I am going to have to find a new lotion for my dry, dry hands.


I love the chapstick, if the hand salve smells the same I may be on board.

Maybe I will just have to go on a smelling rampage and find a new scent. Cotton blossoms? Maybe.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

travel tuesday: your spot

This may not constitute as a true travel post but it is close enough. Have you heard of Your Top Spots? You take a quiz and it populates results of where your ideal locations (in the US) would be. My top 5 were:
Knoxville, Tennessee (I am a little skeptical about this one)
Denver, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
Orlando, Florida (I would like to substitute my number 6 and 10 cities, Seattle and Austin for the Florida cities!)

travel tuesday: pennsylvania

*This is by my little sister, I liked it. I was going to make one for myself but really work, class, study wasn't very interesting. She is living in DC right now and gets to tour the East Coast on the weekends..

Yesterday...

Yesterday I went to Pennsylvania.

Yesterday was Sunday.

Yesterday all the Amish places were closed because it was Sunday.

Yesterday I went to Valley Forge for the first time.

Yesterday I ran the Rocky Steps.

Yesterday I got to talk to my friends Rose and Holly. It was nice. They are wonderful. I miss them.

Yesterday I went to the Number 1 ranked Haunted House in America. It was scary. I loved it.

Yesterday while in the Haunted House Steve out-acted the actors. I felt the full effects of it.

Yesterday I ate a true Philly Cheese steak from the 2 best places in town, Geno's and Pat's. Pat's was better.

Yesterday is history.

Today...

Today a Kiosk ripped Dave and I off. Dave got really mad at it. I was amused.

Today we went back to that Kiosk and it gave us more money then we gave it.

Today a Park Ranger blew a whistle at me. A lot.

Today I saw the Liberty Bell.

Today I saw Benjamin Franklin's grave.

Today I stood in the room where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed by our Founding Fathers.

Today I went to a town called Intercourse...yes someone really did name it that and yes it is an Amish town.

Today I learned how to twist and make a pretzel.

Today was an unusual day.

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow I am not working.

Tomorrow I get the honor of visiting Arlington Cemetery and the World War II monument with World War II Veterans. I wish my Grandfather was going to be there.

Tomorrow is still mostly a mystery.

Monday, October 12, 2009

children's art


Have you seen this post on Design Mom with creative ideas on how to display children's art? Well I don't have children, but I was a nanny once upon a time and I remember the wall dedicated to art brought home. I loved the idea of this frame that has a hinge so you can easily swap art in and out. Brilliant.

state pillow


The Sundance Catalog has these state pillows, one for each state . They caught my eye but I am not sure if it is because they are a little off the wall or because I really like them. The jury's still out.

Friday, October 9, 2009

calligraphy


I often wished I could do calligraphy. My Mom can, although she doesn't use if often. It is so beautiful. A computer font just isn't the same.



photos via oh joy, flickr and google

tres hombres necklace


I have a thing for owls. I am liking the look of this necklace.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

chocolate chip cookie pie


A favorite restaurant of mine serves what they call "Tollhouse Pie." I haven't seen many recipes that look like they make a similarly delicious pie until I saw the Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie on Bakerella. It looks divine.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

graveyard brownies


My work has an annual Halloween party which includes a competition for the spookiest dessert. I think I might try the graveyard brownies from Better Homes and Gardens, for my submission.
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