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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: June 2013

{Party} It’s summer time and the livin’ involves cobbler

26 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

summer dessert

It’s been a very long time since I published a post with a recipe attached to it.  But it’s summertime and who doesn’t think of a piping hot cobbler made with fresh berries, straight from the kitchen with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top?  Other than strawberry shortcake, I can’t think of a dessert that says summer better than cobbler.

This recipe comes via Blackberry Farm Cookbook.  I first read about this amazing farm/inn from Talk of the House and from her post alone, I decided I had to have the cookbook which was scheduled to be published just in time for Christmas.  Kevin and Sarah bought it for me and I decided I needed to prepare the cobbler for Father’s Day dinner, when they could enjoy it with us.  

Garden, Home and Party, summer dessert

Details about Blackberry Farm from their book:  Nestled in the blue mists of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, the 10,000-acre bucolic refuge of Blackberry Farm houses a top-rated small inn with one of the premier farm-to-table restaurants in the country.  This sumptuous cookbook offers a collection of recipes that are as inspired by the traditional rustic cooking of the mountainous south as they are by a fresh, contemporary, artistic sensibility. Some of the dishes are robust, others are astonishingly light, all are full of heart and surprise and flavor — and all are well within the reach of the home cook.

For information on the book visit Amazon.

Garden, Home and Party, summer dessert

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Blackberry Cobbler

[Blackberry Farm Cookbook]

8 cups fresh blackberries

1 ¼ c. sugar

Zest and juice of ½ lime

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 ¼ c. all-purpose flour

1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt (I omitted the salt because I used salted butter)

6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes and chilled

¼ cup buttermilk

1.         Preheat the oven to 350°

2.         In a large bowl, toss together blackberries, 1 cup of the sugar, and the lime zest.  In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice and the cornstarch until smooth.  Drizzle the lime juice mixture over the blackberry mixture and toss to combine.  Scrape the blackberry mixture into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or any other oven proof pan. (I used an oval baking dish).

3.         In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and the remaining ¼ cup sugar.  Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flower mixture until it is the texture of coarse meal.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.  Pour the buttermilk into the well and stir with a fork until the mixture comes together.  Crumble the dough evenly over the top of the blackberry mixture.

4.         Bake the cobbler for 40 minutes or until the blackberry filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.  Let the cobbler rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

In addition, as per my usual pairing of a good recipe, here are some lovely table settings with the season in mind.

Garden, Home and Party, summer dessert

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Do you have a favorite summer dessert?  Share, I’d love to try it.  There are some desserts that just taste best when served during the season.

I’m linked to:  Art @ Home for her Happy List ~and~ Kim over at Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesday ~and~ Stone Gable’s : Tutorials and Tidbits.

{GHP} Let’s go on a picnic!

19 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Drink, Family, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Traditions

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

Picnic

Because this is National Picnic Week…

I think it’s time to pack a picnic and head someplace picturesque and relaxing.  Want to come along?  This idea of picnicking has become an annual theme for me, but when I read about this cookbook by Tori Finch I couldn’t resist another dream picnic.

Garden, Home and Party, Picnic post

By the way, full disclosure, I never really got around to taking a picnic someplace other than our patio in the backyard last summer.  Enjoying the relaxation of a view, food that’s delicious and easy to eat without fuss, and maybe a bottle of wine (or a jug of iced tea) just never happened.  The last grown-up, memorable picnic I went on with Mr. B was before we had children and it was in this picturesque spot…

[Note:  We enjoyed picnics when the kids were growing up, but they were always more play than relaxation—I look forward to continuing that tradition with grandchildren]

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

{Crescent Bay Point Park ~ Laguna Beach, California}

In fact, when I think of going on a picnic I think of this location.  During summer months nature’s air conditioning works beautifully to keep it comfortable and there are picnic tables and benches to use or you can spread your blanket out on the grass.  The view is guaranteed to relax you.

But since this post is as much about the idea of a picnic as it is a travel plan, I have some images that are what I imagine a picnic would be like in a perfect world.  Of course, this is my car!  Isn’t it cute with that little picnic basket attached?

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

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Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

{Turkey Caprese Sandwich ~ Martha Stewart}

Packed in that pretty blue and white picnic basket I might make the Turkey Caprese Sandwich from Martha Stewart for me and the egg salad (below) for Mr. B.

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

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I love the idea of a wine box shipping crate (large enough) to use as a little table for a picnic…okay, maybe the cloche and footed cookie plate with dome are a bit over the top, but I love the flowers and the quilt.

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post{source}

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

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This is my kind of picnic…the shade of a tree in the country, maybe the soft sounds of a stream nearby….ahhh, what could be better?

Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

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Garden, Home and Party, picnic post

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Why stick with the predictable cookie for dessert when you can have these at the ready for the end of the meal?  I don’t have a recipe but I believe it’s a simple shortbread cookie (that may be cooked so as to be slightly chewy), whipped cream and large strawberries cut and skewered.  How fun.

Garden, home and party, picnic time

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Garden, Home and Party, time for a picnic

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No matter how you get there…by car

garden, home and party, picnic

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~or~

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Garden, Home and Party, picnic

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Will you be making time for a picnic this summer?  Tell me what you usually prepare, or do you benefit from a great deli nearby that can make the perfect sandwich?

I’ve linked to Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesday! ~and~ I’ve joined Ricki Jill at Art @ Home for her What makes me Happy!

{GHP} Happy Father’s Day

16 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holidays

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Father's Day

This will be short…I want to wish all of the dad’s out there a Happy Father’s Day.  It’s a noble, if not challenging at times, profession and I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with the love and attention you deserve.

Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party

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Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party

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Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party {source}

Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party{source}

Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party

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Father's Day, Garden, Home and Party{source}

…and for the childless man, there’s more than one kind of dad…

Garden, Home and Party

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Happy Father’s Day

♥

{GHP} The modern penpal

12 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Misc, Personal Information

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Blogging

Garden, Home and Party
News sources have been insistent that social media and all of the electronic means of communication are ruining us as a society, that we’re becoming more disconnected and distant.  As an optimist, I can’t agree with that view.

Garden, Home and Party{source}

As a blogger I am touched by the encounters I’ve experienced with people from all over the world.  Their sincere kindness and their willingness to take time out of their day to read, and yes, sometimes respond with comments (sometimes not) moves me.  You and I both know how busy life can be, whether you’re a full time worker, like some of my blog friends (including me), retired, or somewhere in between, LIFE IS BUSY!

Garden, Home and PartyGarden, Home and Party{source}

This line of thought came to me when out of the blue I received a message from a woman in another state that was paring down.  I can relate.  She decided to sell some of her things through consignment, one item was a set of Pierre Deux stone coasters.  When she Googled Pierre Deux coasters, my post of the coasters being on my wish list came up.  She contacted me and asked if I would like her set.  For shipping costs only, I will receive a gift from a stranger.

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This delightful surprise and the chats that I’ve enjoyed with friends I’ve never met from blogging brought to mind the excitement I felt, as a grade-school girl when our 3rd grade teacher put our class in touch with a classroom in Germany.  These children became our pen pals.  For a few years my pen pal and I would write to each other sharing our school events and happenings.  I’m sorry to say I lost touch with her about the time we would have entered middle school, no surprise, I suspect other pursuits began to interest her.

Garden, Home and Party{source}

Have you ever had a pen pal?  If you’re a blogger, share with me one of the most memorable, random acts of kindness someone in blog land has bestowed upon you.

{Garden} A porch, atrium, courtyard, or outdoor room—a delight

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Outdoor living

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

outdoor rooms

What better way to relax a home and the soul than to welcome the outdoors in? In a world that seems to move faster every day, fostering a strong indoor-outdoor connection is one way to take a deep breath.  Living inside and out in an antidote to stress. (Country French/Fall Winter 2012 – Meredith Specials Magazine)

In Southern California it’s pretty easy, most of the year, to transition between outdoors and in with outdoor patio/porch space, courtyard, or atrium.  Weather makes it not only desirable but doable as well.

I believe the trend toward making the outdoor space around our houses resemble and live like a room that you could expect to see inside a home, has hit the nation over the past 10 or 15 years, so it’s easy to get the materials and furnishings that make outdoor living a luxury most can afford.

I know spring has probably arrived for all of us by now (she was a little reluctant coming to the dance this year)!  So, I am offering some outdoor living spaces where we can entertain friends, wind down after a long work week, sip something…

1-5th and state 3.24.13{5th and State}

2-CIMG15693-KB blue white gdn stoolOur backyard area under the trees (above)—we created this space because the trees offer shade pretty much all day long and it’s the coolest spot to sit on a hot day, besides, the grass needed more sun to thrive in this spot, the pea gravel never complains.  We used pea gravel in place of concrete, it’s very comfortable to walk on and was a lot less money than concrete.

If money were no object…

4-andrew skurman assoc. SF architect{Andrew Skurman Associates, architect)

My friend Cayley has one of the best courtyards.  It’s protected from wind on all sides and they have a beautiful fireplace and fountain to provide extra comfort and a relaxing vibe…

CJM Outdoor fireplacecourtyard fountain

This is our atrium (below) taken this spring.

outdoor roomangel planter atriumoutdoor wicker, atrium6-courtyard haus design 1.23.13{source}

9-haus design 1.23.13{source}

10-haus design{source}

8-foutain in a courtyard 1.23.13 haus design7-easton511-S&K patio{Kevin (son #2) and Sarah (DIL) bought a house that had this space (above) in place when they moved in, there are a couple of large Alder trees that provide shade and it’s always relaxing to sit there and visit.  Sarah always has a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table, added ambiance and charm!

12-mark d sikes hollywood hills garden patio brick topiaries blue white garden stools cococozy{Mark D. Sikes}

I love the star pendant lights on this porch (below).

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This barely qualifies as outdoors.  Still, I love the fireplace and the high, beamed ceiling.  It would be fun to sit in this outdoor room rain or shine.

14-outdoor-stone-hearth-lsa{Amelia Handegan via Southern Accents (some years ago)…thanks, Kelly}

My favorite outdoor room, the porch that Meryl Streep sat on in the movie Out of Africa.  I don’t think this porch was actually in Africa, but it’s beautiful with its bead board ceiling and the ceiling fan and shutters.

15-outdoor-green-shutters-l out of africa-SA{Hooked on Houses}

As the British would say (if you’re still waiting for Spring’s arrival), stiff upper lip old girl, it will show up eventually.

♥

Linking to:  Savvy Southern Style & StoneGable & Art @ Home

{Home} Wall Art

01 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, House and Home, Personal Information

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

wall art

When it comes to art in our home I tend to buy what I like at that moment, over saving my money and buying that signed piece or original art hanging in the gallery.  The reason for this is that I learned early in marriage that I have a tendency to tire of some of the art trends that come and go.

An example of this, and there are many (I just don’t recall the names of the artists that have flitted across my decorating radar over the years), is in 1982 when we moved home to California from Texas (where we were transferred 2 years earlier), “French Country” was a huge design trend.  Not the kind of authentic, French country rooms we see today, but the kind I would call trend-of-the-decade, which various retailers then create accessories, art and furnishings for the consumer.

Garden, Home and PartyIn the early 80’s this was the look!  I had a version of this look in my home, maybe you did too.  I loved it for a decade or more.  (Maybe you still LOVE this style—I am not out to bash anyone’s personal taste, honest).  The artist, living at the time in  Orange County, that captured this French country look/style with his paintings was John Botz.  I loved his work, still do, but for a signed and numbered print back then, the price tag was too steep for our budget.  His work is wonderful in the right setting, but typical of my evolving style at the time, I would have since tired of his art for my home in  it’s current English country, old world, traditional incarnation, and then been compelled to sell it at a consignment store, at a loss.

John Botz, artistJohn Botz

About that time I began scouring antique shops and consignment stores for art I could afford.  I’ve lived with most of what I purchased back then for a very long time and love all of it.  As you will see, several pieces are old graphics I’ve framed.  Mostly, the framing is the most important thing, it can be costly, but it can make even a simple newspaper page look really nice.

Those that have been reading my posts know I’m a confessed Anglophile…

GHP Bethany House Art1Garden, Home and PartyI ordered this architectural print (below) from a frame shop and then the framer tea stained it to look old.  I apologize for the glare on the glass, it really does look old when you see it in person.

Garden, Home and PartyGarden, Home and PartyThe above painting is a favorite for a couple of reasons…it is a print on cardboard of The Skating Minister, originally painted by Sir Henry Raeburn, but it was a gift from my friend and long-time business partner, Wendy.  She had an artist friend that could touch up a print with paint and create the illusion of an actual oil painting.  Wendy “commissioned” her friend to paint this for me and I love it.

The print below was a gift from my Grandma.  It’s titled “Steady Johnny, Steady” and depicts a grandfather and his grandson walking with their fishing rods.  It always reminds me of the close relationship I enjoyed with my Grandma.

Garden, Home and PartyGarden, Home and PartyMy readers have seen this (above)…the historic sailing vessel painting is from a frame store that sells art students art.  It’s original, not signed, but a lovely painting and the best part, it’s very affordable!  {Thank you, Gretchen—I still want you to paint an Union Jack on the mast for me!}

The pair of riders is probably the most expensive painting I own.  I found it in an antique store in San Juan Capistrano.  The only reason I was able to buy it is that they accepted layaway.  It took a few more months of saving to have it framed, I think it was painted by a French painter and I never tire of looking at it {surprise}.

Garden, Home and Party

Garden, Home and PartyThe above picture was in storage at the office where I work.  They were thinking of pitching it…I rescued it and love it.  It’s some kind of art poster but it almost looks like a glass painting in person.

Alison, over at The Polohouse always comes up with such fun topics for her Favorites on the First, and this was no different.  Thanks, Alison.

June's Linky Party 6/1,2,3

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

Homes that welcome the season

A little this and that

The color of autumn

Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow

Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

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