Monthly Archives: October 2010

Just in time for Halloween or any other reason to celebrate the season.

29 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Fall Entertaining and Decorations

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Just in case you haven’t decorated for fall yet—hey, I get it.  We’re all busy and maybe you don’t even like this season very much…no, that can’t be it.  Who doesn’t like Thanksgiving?  One of the best holidays because there isn’t any gift buying involved and lots of good food, what’s not to like?

Come on in, doesn't this entry say "welcome"?

In any case…here are a few more fall pictures to fire up your imagination and help you with ideas for putting a few fall decorations out, natural or not.

If you feel a little chill just cover up with the throw, I'll get you a cup of tea.

Not a pumpkin in site and yet this arrangement gives you a sense of fall bounty.

Too much, have we gone too far? This image can be seen live at the Dallas Arboretum Botanical Garden.

And for my friends that really don’t care for the color orange {you know who you are}…

La Dolfina had this lovely image on her site recently---for those who prefer something other than orange this fall.

Come back and see me! Happy fall, enjoy your Halloween.

{images courtesy of Country Living unless otherwise indicated}

Fall gardening—growing peonies in Southern California

27 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Flowers, Gardening

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One of my favorite flowers is the peony.  I love their bold yet lacy beauty and the delicate to daring, colors they bloom in.  Unfortunately I am in zone 18 (according to the Sunset magazine guide).  We rarely get frost in my neighborhood (peonies like a chill in the winter) and we can warm up in the summer to the mid-to high eighties, even nineties, this is not an ideal climate for peonies.  Until now?

Monrovia sells some very lovely peony however they can be expensive.

I just read that there is a variety of peony called ‘Itoh’—a cross between herbaceous and tree peonies—not sure what that means exactly…but if it means I might be able to cut a peony blossom from my yard occasionally I’m up for giving a 5-gallon plant a try.

There are some David Austin roses that remind me of peony blossoms; if all else fails I will plant a couple new DA roses.

According to Sunset you can plant the ‘Itoh’ peony in spring or fall.  You want to make sure the rootball is level with the soil line—taking care not to disturb the tender feeder roots.  The article even says you can plant them in containers if the container is larger than the container the plant came in from the nursery.

Wouldn't it be fun to be able to stroll into the yard, clippers in hand, and come in with a bouquet like this? Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Add plenty of compost mix to your planting soil.  The plants should be watered regularly and you should feed them once when the plant starts to leaf using a low nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) and again after the last flower of the season fades.  The article also said that as the plant ages there will be a noticeable increase in blossoms…especially after 3 years in the ground.

Ahhh, yellow, so sunny and happy!

I realize that most of the U.S. probably can grow peonies with ease, it’s just that here in Zone 18 of Southern California we miss out on lilacs and peonies, two of my favorites.  We can grow hydrangea without much difficulty so that’s the consolation prize for living where it’s warm nearly every day! If any of you have grown these peonies successfully, please give me any and all advice you may have on how to do it.

Mom Cave

25 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by in Decorating

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*Censational Girl is hosting a contest on behalf of Home Goods—Describe your ‘Mom Cave’—okay, that’s easy.  My “Mom Cave” (which is really a misnomer since while I’ll always be a mom, my kids are adults) is a room in our house that used to be our dining room…the room is fairly small and several years ago we decided to flip the living room / dining room.  The living room was getting used so seldom and we generally entertain friends and family a lot.  So—I moved one of the love seats into the former dining room and gave the second away to Son #1.  I moved the ladder back chair and declared it my reading room or library.

*A) Describe your ‘Mom Cave’ and get creative! It can be your home office, your craft corner or closet, your reading nook, your vanity, or your favorite getaway spot.  Wherever it is that YOU take time to recharge, create, get organized, or just relax.  Why is it special to you?   How does your existing ‘Mom Cave’ help you stay organized, unwind, or simply be a better Mom?

I have a wish list for this room---it may become my blue and white room somewhere down the line.

One of the reason’s I love this room is its south-facing sun exposure.  This exposure makes the room cheerful and full of light for reading.  The ladder back chair has an ottoman and I find this to be one of the most comfortable chairs in the house—great for reading or relaxing.

The picture above the sofa was given to me by my grandma.

I’ve surrounded myself with art that I love (the picture over the sofa my grandma gave me) and lots of books.  I usually take my stack of magazines or catalogs that need to be sorted and passed on, or using a clipboard I’ll take a stack of notes in for catching up on correspondence.

I don't sit in this bay window to read, but Madison, my little dog, does! (Well, not to read---she's not that clever---but she watches me read)

However, there is a “wish list” for this room.  I’d like to remove the wallpaper and paint the walls, upholster the sofa (which is in a faded state) and have the ladder back refinished to take care of the damage from the sun exposure.  We may have to tint the windows or put up a shade…not sure which, to avoid the sun damage from reoccurring.

Layla at The Lettered Cottage, created this reading nook for herself when they remodeled their home. I love the cozy inviting feel of this space.

The Lettered Cottage

This reading nook was created from a closet space---very nice.

Do you have a room of your own?  Or a space where you can relax, read, unwind, write, blog, reboot?

Table settings and a good recipe

22 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

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As I’ve mentioned before, I love to entertain and for me one of the best parts is setting the table.  I enjoy the process of deciding which dishes suit the occasion and often the ‘simple white dishes’ (Villeroy & Boch ‘Chardonnay’) are my go-to pattern (or lack thereof).  But sometimes, as in the case of a birthday dinner we hosted that took place shortly after I inherited my Grandma’s china, I used her pretty dishes and dressed the table accordingly.

My friend, Gretchen, found this fabric and then made my runner...it has violets that match the dinner plates.

For me it is more about a comfortable, casual feel to the table.  I really don’t use my crystal anymore but instead opt for a stemware pattern that has been discontinued by Mikasa—it’s simple and can be put in the dishwasher.  What could be better, right?  I’ve gotten very un-stuffy with entertaining—it suits my lifestyle and our home.  I realize trends in entertaining, much like fashion, come and go.  The main thing is making our guests feel welcome and comfortable.

This was the blue and white table setting for my birthday group.

I love the green and white plates off-set by the green flowers. {"Flair" by Joe Nye}

Joe Nye’s new book, “Flair” is a fun read if you enjoy entertaining and like setting the table.  He exhibits a flair (no pun intended) and creativity.

I realize most of us don't entertain the masses but I love the use of these lanterns and I think they would look good with only 6 guests and maybe 3 or 4 lanterns down the middle of the table.

{image by Salis Studio}

Ohhh, toile table cloth, I love it! {"Flair" by Joe Nye}

Fabric can be expensive but if you search you can find some great buys on decorative fabrics at JoAnns (where they have a weekly coupon for 40% off) and even Big Lots.

Beach Bungalow 8 featured this table setting recently. I love the use of greens.

What is it about white? I love it. I believe the table cloth is an off-white or even oatmeal. Subtle contrast but beautiful.

{Image via Country Living}

So simple, so lovely!

{Image via Country Living}

And to serve on these lovely plates…this super simple, but so yummy chicken dish.  My friend Carla first served this recipe some years ago at a birthday party—I request it whenever she hosts my birthday.

Carla’s Parmesan Chicken

Chicken  (serves 6)

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INGREDIENTS:

3 eggs

6 chicken boneless, skinless breasts

6 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Olive oil

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

6 ounces Parmesan, grated

1 tablespoon parsley

2 cups heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

Dip chicken in egg, then seasoned crumbs.  Brown chicken in olive oil over medium high heat.  Place in 9 x 13 baking dish.  Cover with grated mozzarella, set aside.

Heat cream and Parmesan until cheese is melted and sauce is slightly thickened.

Bake at 350° uncovered for 30 minutes.

Great with white and wild rice.


Easy Barefoot Contessa pasta night

20 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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In my quest to prepare several new (to me) recipes out of Ina Garten’s “Back to Basics” cookbook before the October 26 release of her new cookbook, “How easy is that?” I have been trying a few of the easier recipes.  I work full time and sometimes when I get home from work I don’t feel like cooking a multi-stepped, overly involved recipe…you understand, right?

Since my photography lessons (self taught) aren't up to speed just yet, I borrowed this from Google. It's not what the pasta the recipe calls for looks like but you get the jest of the overall image.

So…I made Pasta with Pecorino and Pepper last week.  Wow, is it delicious and super easy.  I confess I took the time to pick up an Italian ‘tagliarelle’ pasta…they carry this at most specialty markets and even had a version at Trader Joe’s.  I also bought the Pecorino cheese at Trader Joe’s.  I grow fresh parsley almost year round so I had that on hand.

This recipe has a fresh herb taste and is very delicious, in my humble opinion.

(Could this picture be any smaller?)

To go with this I prepared Garlic Ciabatta Bread (from the same book).  I personally loved this bread, hubby thought it was good but not his favorite accompaniment to a pasta dish.  I usually make a basic sour dough bread with butter, Lawry’s garlic salt and Parmesan cheese (brown under the broiler) bread. I thought the Garlic Ciabatta Bread was so fresh and flavorful, it’s a winner in my book.

This really is a great book and the recipes are pretty easy.

PASTA WITH PECORINO & PEPPER

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon whole black Tellicherry peppercorns

* Kosher salt

* 1/2 pound dried Italian egg pasta, such as tagliarelle

* 1 cup freshly grated aged Pecorino cheese (4 ounces), plus extra for serving

* 2 tablespoons heavy cream

* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

* 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Place the peppercorns in a mortar and pestle and crush them until you have a mixture of coarse and fine bits. (You can also grind them in a small food mill or coffee grinder.) Set aside.

Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta and cook according to the directions on the package until al dente. Ladle 1 cup of the pasta cooking water into a glass measuring cup and reserve it. Drain the pasta quickly in a colander and return the pasta to the pot with a lot of the pasta water still dripping.

Working quickly, with the heat on very low, toss the pasta with 1/2 cup of the grated Pecorino, the crushed peppercorns, cream, butter, parsley, and 1 teaspoon salt, tossing constantly. If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved cooking water. Off the heat, toss in the remaining 1/2 cup Pecorino. Serve immediately with a big bowl of extra grated Pecorino for sprinkling.

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GARLIC CIABATTA BREAD

Ingredients

* 6 large garlic cloves, chopped

* 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

* 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves

* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

* Freshly ground black pepper

* 1/2 cup good olive oil

* 1 loaf ciabatta bread

* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the garlic in the bowl of a food processor and process until minced. Add the parsley, oregano, salt and pepper and pulse twice.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan and add the garlic mixture. Remove the pan from the heat.

Slice the ciabatta bread in half horizontally, and spread the butter on 1 half. Spread the garlic mixture on the other half of the bread, and put the halves together. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil.

Place the bread in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Open the foil, and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes.

Let me know what you think.

Hard copy vs. digital

18 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by in Trends

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For as long as I can remember I’ve loved perusing magazines and books on the topic of interior design/decorating (I’ve been told there’s a difference; I think some RULES are involved with design).

This room looks comfortable and inviting for an afternoon of reading.

With the inevitable continuation (yes, there was a time I thought, “surely magazines and newspapers will always be around”) of digital media I’ve pondered, “Can a self-proclaimed home decorating enthusiast ever find happiness with digital magazines and books?”  I confess the answer for me is a resounding NO, with some qualification.

Reading about room design is such an escape for me.  I have often said that feathering my nest is my artistic outlet, my hobby and my passion.  I know from reading my favorite blog sites and design books that I am not alone in this.  In fact some of my closest friends share this passion.  So with the loss of magazines such as Southern Accents, Cottage Living and House & Garden, I felt the blow.   I kept it to myself for fear that most would wonder what was wrong with me—after all, they are only magazines!

I love the ease of viewing images of rooms by the hundreds (thousands even) from all over the world on the World Wide Web, with just the click of a mouse.  That said, spending hours in front of my computer fails to give me the same enjoyment as curling up in a favorite reading chair with a stack of magazines or design books and a cup of tea, or glass of wine if it’s after 5 p.m. is pure bliss!

I don't own an iPad but I've heard they are wonderful.

The Analog Sherpa, a site that features news and opinion on the rapidly changing marketing/advertising world recently had a thought-provoking piece on this topic.  While THIS article focuses on newspapers, it’s a trend that seems destined to take down some of the publications I cherish.

I’ve visited Nesting Newbies, a digital magazine that has gotten lots of recognition since its first issue late last year.  And don’t get me wrong, the magazine is very attractive and has a lot to offer readers, including some wonderful recipes, BUT at the end of the day I want to wind down instead of boot up for a visit to a favorite magazine.

This toile-covered ladderback chair and ottoman has given me hours of comfort while reading.

I am an optimist by birth and choose to believe there will be new shelter magazines to replace the ones shuttered and that IF they all go away I’ll get used to sitting in that comfy chair with my iPad (which means I’d have to purchase one) and be eagerly flipping pages of my favorite digital magazine.  I’d love to have you talk me down on this—what do you think?  Will you be okay with digital media?

Is it me? Am I trying to hold on to a archaic ritual?

Fall is a new beginning…

15 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food

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Does anyone remember that little book by Joan Walsh Angland titled “Spring is a new beginning”?

This is such a sweet book!

I digress—Hubby and I are empty-nesters once again.  Son #2 has been living with us most of this past year when stability with his employer’s company seemed uncertain.  I’m happy to report the company has made a turn for the better so Son #2 is moving in with a couple of buddies he’s known since 2nd grade…history with friends is such a great thing.

Son #2 even tolerated the toile quilt, what a good sport!

Since we’ll have our Guest Room back I look forward to a good “spring fall cleaning” and a purge of unnecessary items.  I’ll also move my wrapping paper and ribbon back in that room (which will make hubby very happy since it currently sits in close proximity to his work bench)…it must be a guy thing.

I shop the after Christmas sale at Container Store every year with my friend, Debbie. I do have wrap for occasions other than Christmas.

Looks like my ribbon drawer could use some attention.

As with any new beginning—I’ve laid out plans for a few changes and I’ve decided one of those changes will be a plan to cook 1 new recipe (new to me) each week.  I’ve always thought that even if I NEVER bought another new cookbook, which isn’t going to happen, I’d never be able to cook all of the recipes I have amassed.  Besides Junior League cookbooks (which I almost always love, regular folks cooking good eats), Barefoot Contessa, Ian Garten, is probably one of my favorites!

That said, I prepared Coq a Vin from her (BC) Back to Basics last Saturday—hubby loved it.  I thought it was good but not great (my problem with it was that it tasted very much like beef stew only a little less full-bodied due to the chicken.

My walking buddies said I couldn’t post the recipe because my blog should only feature recipes that I love!  Anyway, I’m posting a recipe that I have never prepared before (how is that better you ask? Don’t know, but this recipe has been on my list for several weeks).  It was given to me by a friend who obtained it from a little inn in Italy (how romantic is that?) and she said she has prepared it for lots of dinner guests and the reviews are always wonderful.

So here goes…if you prepare this before me, please let me know what you think.  Once fall weather returns (it’s been a balmy 80+ degrees this past week) I’ll cook this…unless you tell me it’s awful (which will save me lots of time, so please report if it’s a winner! 🙂

Image via Google search for Lasagna Bolognese...looks delicious, doesn't it?

Lasagne Al Forno Recipe

From Felicita

Hotel Pasquale

Monterosso al mare

Cinque Terre, Italy

(My friend Linda’s comments are in parentheses)

Ingredients for 6 people

100 grams of flour  (3/4 cup)

100 grams butter  (4oz)

One liter milk  (4 1/3 cups)

A bit of salt

80 grams of powdered Parmesan cheese (2/3 cup, grated cheese)

In one pan put butter, flour, salt and stir together for five minutes.  Then add milk on medium heat.  It must boil until the sauce is smooth.  Remove from the heat, add powdered Parmesan cheese and mix Parmesan and sauce.

Place in one pan a first layer of besciamella sauce, then a layer of lasagna (cooked pasta sheet) and alternate lasagna and besciamella sauce for five layers.  Cover the last layer with besciamella.

Bake in the oven at 160 degrees (325 degrees F, covered with foil)

When you take off the pan from the oven you can put on the top pesto sauce or Bolognese sauce.

Have a good meal.

Felicita (the chef at the inn in Italy)

Happy Friday!

What says Country French design to you?

13 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by in Antiques, Decorating

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I have only been to France once.  I visited Paris 20 years ago and haven’t had the opportunity to return!  Even though my visit was brief it began a long-standing crush on all things French and peaked my interest in Country French interiors.  Up until then I was headed towards the English Country style.  {Our home is a combination of French and British influences, two of my favorite places to visit}

Image via Sandra Malters

I believe I got a sense of what a visit to the French countryside would be like after reading Peter Mayle’s first two books on the subject, “A Year in Provence” and “Encore Provence”.  Note:  When I visited Amazon to borrow their image of the book jacket I realized Peter Mayle has a few more books about life in the south of France that I may want read.

I’ve oohed and ahhhed over Charles Faudree, Betty Lou Phillips and Linda Dannenberg images (to name but a few of the experts on the subject with books that will inspire you).  Still, I believe I’ve come to the conclusion that the French style is less a “look” but more a “feeling” one senses when you see it.  You just know it when you walk into a room that feels Country French.

There are plenty of talented souls in blog land that nail the look; Jermaine at French Kissed provides images of rooms she has styled that speak the language, and Cote de Texas often features rooms you’d swear were on location in a country house in the south of France.

A recent post on French Kissed---love the candlesticks.

I love the French screen and settee.

Cote de Texas recently posted this picture from Cabbages and Roses new book; I love the subtle gray tones in the room.

I believe this room could go either way, the buffalo-check and transfer ware plates could be English or French.  Its an inviting style that makes me want to take a break and read for awhile.

Image via BHG

The stone fireplace looks very Country French, doesn't it?

I love the symmetry of this vignette.   The French chalk ware figure add interest, as well as the basket under the side board.

I love the Trumeau mirror above the fireplace, so classic.

The above image could be comfortable and inviting  in a variety of home styles, English, Italian, or French!  I do love the stone floors and pan rack.

Even a little French bistro chair can add just the right amount of Country French to any space!  What says French style to you?

Avoir une belle journée, profitez de votre maison [have a lovely day, enjoy your home]

Trends in upholstery fabric

11 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by in Decorating, DIY (do it yourself), Trends

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Trends [current style; the popular taste at a given time] tend to come and go so I typically don’t try to keep up with every little thing in vogue.   In part because I’m a person that likes change in my surroundings but I keep the bulk of my changes to seasonal accessories and re-purposing items I already own.  I change out upholstery and wall coverings when the room or item is old enough to warrant it.

This sofa may not be drop cloth upholstered but the canvas slip covers share the look.

Image via Country Living

I would say my design model is Traditional with a cottage/country leaning.  I prefer European influenced furnishings and accessories, but because our home is relatively small the cottage look is very appealing.  The traditional style leans towards furnishings that supposedly never really go out of style.  Maybe?

A trend I’ve noted in blog land and shelter magazines is the use of fabrics that aren’t manufactured to be ‘upholstery fabric’ in the strictest definition of the word.  I’m talking about Home Depot/Lowe’s canvas drop clothes.  There are even tutorials out there for the ambitious and talented do-it-yourself person.  I love the simplicity of white drop cloth upholstered chairs and benches.

Mustard Seed Creation covered this little bench and gave it a grain sack look with paint, including her initials...so cute.

Miss Mustard Seed's dining room chairs look amazing---bet you wouldn't guess that this is made with drop cloth!

Marian over at Mustard Seed Creations has covered several pieces of furniture with these drop clothes and they look amazing.  Visit HERE to read her instructions for making slipcovers for chairs using drop cloth.

This is another chair that the talented Miss Mustard upholstered. (I don't believe I could tackle this project but I have an upholstery guy that could do it if I provide the drop cloth.

Another favorite design-site is Brooke’s Velvet & Linen. Brooke recently wrote about a beautiful chair her husband designed called the Clive.  The first chair was covered in drop cloth fabric—it looks so amazing.

The Clive chair is so pretty, especially in this particular room.

Osnaberg fabric is another fabric not originally meant to grace a lovely wing back or cover an ottoman.  Osnaberg got it’s humble start as a loosely woven fabric designed to transport dry food…essentially the fabric originated in Osnabruck, Germany and it’s coarse but strong thread count was used for feedsacks, among other things.

Another fabric that is receiving exposure is burlap—A Country Farmhouse used a runner on their newly remodeled dining room that looks like it could be washed burlap.  The effect is so pretty…less really is more!

Isn't this a pretty room? I love it's light and simplicity.

Most of us have seen and loved the French grain-sack pillows/cushions that are so popular right now—they are earthy and appealing in homes around the globe.  Isn’t the whole global market amazing?  You can find sites that offer tutorials on how to apply words and pictures to fabric that provide the same look as some of the more costly grain sack cushions…this, in the words of MS, is a good thing!  A recent post by the charming site:  Ticking and Toile offered a tutorial HERE.

This is one of the many grain sack pillows sold by Ticking & Toile.

I love these pillows, not sure where I can use them but still...{dream}

Are you using/or have you used any of the above mentioned fabrics on any projects in your home?  I want to use the drop clothes for something, not sure what just yet.

Working my way thru Barefoot Contessa’s Back to Basics cookbook

08 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by in Entertaining, Food, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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As I mentioned previously, Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) has a new cookbook coming out titled, “How easy is that?” on October 26th.

I’ve linked to Amazon for the book but only because it was where I borrowed the images from.

When I read about her new book I suddenly realized that I had started out cooking out of her last cookbook, “Back to Basics” with great enthusiasm and then I got busy or something.  I hate making excuses, not very good at it.  In any event, I decided that between now and the 26th, I would start preparing a few recipes each week from book #6 (BtB).

Last evening I prepared Mustard-Roasted Fish.  I’ve posted the recipe below (courtesy of foodTV website). The only modifications I made was to use Trader Joe’s frozen tilapia (they didn’t have red snapper) and it was delicious.  The sauce is mild but flavorful and, the best part, this recipe is super easy.  I made her Roasted-Broccoli Parmesan which was also very easy and tasty.  You can find the recipe HERE.

Mustard Roasted Fish

Fish (Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics)

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 (8-ounce) fish fillets such as red snapper
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces crème fraiche
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 teaspoons drained capers

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (You can also use an ovenproof baking dish.) Place the fish fillets skin side down on the sheet pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Combine the crème fraiche, 2 mustards, shallots, capers, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fish fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it’s barely done. (The fish will flake easily at the thickest part when it’s done.) Be sure not to overcook it! Serve hot or at room temperature with the sauce from the pan spooned over the top.