Millie & Elsie

snack mix

2012-02-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

I made a pretty amazing snack this weekend, from a Christina Tosi recipe that was featured in the Halloween issue of Food and Wine last fall.

Christina Tosi is officially invited to my imaginary celebrity friend party.

You melt butter and mix it with sugar and pretzels, and bake until it becomes food gold. Oh, and you also use a bit of dry milk powder, which she says is a secret ingredient in a lot of her recipes. If that is what made this so delectable, it was worth buying the $6 can of dry milk, and I've already found a second use for it (this face mask!).

Back to the food gold- The final step is tossing in candy... peanut butter and chocolate candy. Behold:

photo from f&w, david malosh

My version:

If you are not already sold on this, please know that I accidently dropped the last 1/3 of the batch on my floor... and proceeded to lovingly pick each piece up. You do not throw this away.

Depaving

2012-02-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

This article is exciting and happy making to me!

In that vein, maybe this Valentine's, you want to show a little love to a garden patch?

to buy....or want...

bird nest balls

seed bombs

seed favor bags

seed favors

vintage gardening

chive seeds

heirloom blue shackamaxon pole bean

cookies comme aux 'US'

2012-02-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

Elle à Table published a recipe for cookies comme aux 'US', a straightforward recipe for chocolate chip cookies that I was trying to follow in French. That they call it 'cookies comme aux US', is, of course, adorable. But, chocolate chip cookies are one of our brightest dessert stars as a nation. Anyone who doesn't find a comforting pleasure in a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of *whatever kind of* milk should consider expatriating themselves.

The entire magazine was relatively simple for me to grasp (while not totally comprehending it), thanks to the bounty of food vocab words I remember learning in high school or just around town: 'légumes', 'sel', 'chocolat'.

I understood most of an article by Clotilde Dusoulier, regarding how to blog, written in contained, short paragraphs, and the photo filled nature of a food magazine made it clear what I was trying to match up with the written instruction (much easier than learning about existentialism through reading No Exit and Waiting for Godot in French! ayayay!)

Some things still turn me around, like, it takes me a beat to unconfuse 'poivre' and 'poire' (pepper and pear). Even after using the internet to figure out conversions (180C is precisely 356F in the 'à four'), there were still some things that I'd never learned. For example, the recipe called for 1 cuillère à soupe of vanilla, and 1 cuillère à café of poudre a chimique... so, 1 soup spoon of vanilla, and 1 coffee spoon of baking powder? It sounds romantic, but I didn't want the cookies to turn out like when I got distracted halfway through baking and forgot the FLOUR. *The conversion information on Chocolate and Zucchini is really useful*

Here is the recipe I ended up using. The melted butter is key, and my friend Danica was just talking to me about what a chewy cookie this step can result in! She is right, as usual!

Cookies Comme Aux 'US':
~melt 14 tablespoons of butter (nearly 2 sticks) over medium low heat
~while that melts, mix 1 cup brown and 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon vanilla
~combine sugar mixture with butter, then 2 eggs
~add 2 cups flour, 2 cups oatmeal, 1 tsp baking powder, and 2 cups of chocolate chips

Bake at 350, on parchment lined cookie sheets, for 10 minutes (check for a golden top and a slightly darker edge). Remove from oven, let set on sheets for 1 minute, and then let cool on drying racks.

* Sometimes, I find it difficult to resist buying mini chocolate chips. But, these don't provide that optimum chocolate burst in a cookie. The first batch did not have enough chips (look at that photo, you can TELL!), so I rolled the second in some more mini's. *Regular chips work best!*

heart shaped

2012-01-30T13:42:00.000-08:00

Just as I am realizing the flurry of Christmas is over, heartsy love day swoops in. I succumb, buying a bag of heart shaped marshmallows much too early.

Add to that some gorgeous, linzer shortbread cookies at Wh-y you take all my money-ole Foods, and you have a perfect afternoon treat.

2012-01-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Has your 'get fit' resolution been your top priority this year? Have you been feeling... piggy?

Here is a motivational video, just for you!

Also, seriously, I am on day 2 of the '21 day YogaJournal challenge'. The videos, here, are 15 minutes.

My computer aide says, 'just do it!'

foodstuffs

2011-12-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

~A quick show and tell of some tasty treats I had over Christmas vacation~

Spumoni!! The best 'Christmas' ice cream ever concocted!

Shandy! So refreshing!

Cheese plate on plane

Totally worth $7, look at that tiny Brie!

all is calm, all is bright

2011-12-27T05:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you have all been enjoying cookies for breakfast, card games with family and friends, and a few days without running around.

My sister and I made our traditional Christmas cookies- spritz, gingerbread, sandwich cookies and sugar.

I love seeing all of the different decorations everywhere I go - strings of colorful lights, big and small, have won out as my favorite this year.

Merry Christmas (belatedly)!

20's murder mystery

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

I was invited to a 20's themed 'Murdery Mystery Night'.

It was so, so fun.

The vintage store I had great luck at before left me high and dry this time, so it was a scramble to pull an ensemble together.

Look:

Dress, thrift store, $6

Pearls, my gramma's

FAUX fur wrap - 1/2 yard of fake fur at Joann's (no sewing)

Tights, Anthropologie (mine)
Shoes, possibly the brand MIA (mine)

I tried (and cried) so hard on my hair and make up. I burned my knuckle using those open 'curling rods', and cried while poorly attempting eye liner... which... of course... made it much worse...

Cheeks: Benefit Benetint

Lips- shaped with Revlon's 'Just Bitten' Gothic (it's like a marker on one side)

Friends at the party!

vintage brooch!

Happy Olden Days and Golden Days!

Projects...

2011-12-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

Some Christmas projects around the house...

What are you working on?

My dress project

2011-12-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

My dress project!

I'm quite pleased, it turned out really well.

The pattern is: Simplicity (I'll get the number soon), style A, size 1/2 (Joann's)

Fabric: Windham (Purl Soho)

Yoke and gathering and elastic

Vintage buttons

Button holes

to be a queen

2011-12-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to gossip about royals with you for a month, but I think the possibility of the inheritor being permissed to marry a Roman Catholic is especially old news now that 'scone-in-the-oven' prattle is swirling and Christmas is on it's way!

I love this little velvet partridge ornament.
I think it has been 'loved on' by more than one furry friend.

What have you been doing?

I have been: drinking Trader Joe's candy cane green tea, finishing my sewing lesson project (photos to come!), reading/ listening to The Carrie Diaries and this book review (fascinating!), decorating for Christmas, and accepting chocolates at whatever time of day they are offered to me!

twinkly light tree in progress, with helper

I hope you are able to relax by a fire or a kitty, sip something spiked, and enjoy a few quiet hours!

happy halloween!

2011-10-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

May you enjoy a bit of sugar and fright this Halloween night!

Happy Halloween!

Fairy Tale punkins

My orangie's costume! He loves it :S

Just waiting for a face!

new knitting project

2011-10-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

I am trying my hands at knitting a chart based pattern.

Now that I have started to find a rhythm in checking the chart and remembering to count stitches at the end of the rows, the piece is slowly growing. I have been working about 2 rows a night, and I am ok with that progress right now.

The pattern: Topiary by Michele Wang for Brooklyn Tweed

The yarn: Berocco Ultra Alpaca (in Steel Cut Oats)

Also, did anyone see 'Once Upon a Time' last night?

I so very much like Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison, and I think I'm going to enjoy the story when it unfolds in Maine even more than in their fairy tale world. Even though it was over 80 f this weekend, it will be a good fall show to cozy up with on a Sunday night, perhaps with cold apple cider.

babka!

2011-10-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Belated post on Chocolate Babka

So, yes, I get the Goop newsletter. And, yes, there was a time when I really wanted to be Gwyneth Paltrow, but when you dye your hair blonde yourself, it tends to turn out more 'brass statue' than say, 'golden sunrise'. Meh, what can you do. Anyway, I had to make the Chocolate Babka as soon as I saw the recipe.

That meant overcoming my yeast phobia. Searching on the google to see if there was a real, coined word for yeast-aphobia garnered instead link after link of food bloggers with the same affliction. Here is a brief article regarding some of the properties of yeast.

But, for the love of chocolate bread, I had to push forth!

My activated, frothy yeast!

I carefully followed all the steps until it was time to add the chocolate. I didn't measure the dough into 3 loaves as evenly as I could have, and then there was chocolate filling leftover after all 3 loaves were filled and folded. I used some in the struesel topping, and it worked swell.

My kitchen smelled homey and yeasty, and the bread was eggy and chocolatey and warming and delicious!

nail polish fun

2011-10-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday, I awoke very early. Because I wasn't ready to start my day, but I was also officially an awake adult, I played on Pinterest for a bit. Someone had pinned pretty polish, and I tried it out myself!

After you paint your nails with 1 color, load up a glittery polish just lightly with glitter, and brush from the tip back towards your hands. Stop about 1/3 to 1/2 way, and you will have ice princess nails!

This is a pale buff shade with gold crackle polish on top. Oh la la!

beaded card

2011-10-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I found my hidden PBS station! The very first episode of Foyle's War aired last night! Don't you love when you see the first episode of a show you've come to love? Like, Foyle didn't always know Sam, and she quickly begins to win his affection by deftly maneuvering a garbage pail lid! And,before he was Mr. Tumnus, a very young James McAvoy was a local romantic for 1 episode.

'The Thin Man' aired next, so I stayed up and did a bit of paper crafting.

In 'Alabama Stitch Book', they show how to make beaded post cards, and I've been wanting to make them for years.

Here is how I made mine last night:

~Cut 1 piece cover weight paper (pictured is 'Paper Bag') into 4 pieces, 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2) size.

(For best results, use a self healing cutting mat, a straight edge metal ruler, and an utility cutter).

~If desired, round corners with corner rounder tool.

~Map out in general where you want your holes to be with a pencil and ruler (the pencil marks aren't very visible on the paper bag. I erase them after hammering).

~Using a finishing nail and a regular old hammer on your self healing mat, make holes on the pencil marks by hammering the finishing nail lightly.

Now, the artsy part! Thread a beading needle, pull thread into and through the first hole, and tie securely (I like to tie three times when sewing, but depending on your holes, just make the knot large enough to stay).

~You can now begin embroidering the card with thread and bead in your desired design!~

Bugle beads work nicely for this, and I purchased mine here: JuneMoon Beads on Etsy

morning glory

2011-09-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten about snapping these pics on a walk a few weeks ago. Popping out of a bougainvillea were the bluest morning glories!

housewarming-ish

2011-09-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Make shift dinner table in living room, after serving Pimm's cups to dear friends, whose company I treasure:

I used lemon lime soda with a splash of lemonade, garnished with cucumber and lime slices... I think the soda made it so sweet. Maybe I'll try bubbly water next time.

Menu:

Orrechiette with Heirloom Tomatoes

Tuscan Salad (no beans this time)

Pimm's cups

Tuscan Melon, Jammie Dodgers, Dark Chocolate,

Tea

Good friends always inspire artistic discovery, and I hope to go museum hopping soon!

projects

2011-09-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

I made: This sugar scrub

modified a bit:

1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 cup olive oil

*but it.... smells like olive oil, so I will find something else (jojoba oil? vitamin e?) if i make this again.

Ta da:

Nice and scrubby!

seeing stars

2011-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

This town has been a hard sell for me, even though I've been here all of my post-college, adult life. My friends are my anchor, and I try to see the city the way they do, which I'm sure this blog itself is tired of being used to express!

When family comes to visit, I try to find the most peaceful, relaxing things to do with them. My mom recently came to town with the idea that we should do something 'Hollywood' because I usually try to take her out of town so quickly that she can't even digest that we were on the icky freeway. The last time I tried to do something 'Hollywood', I took my dad to Ripleys and the Hollywood Wax Museum. Just leave your admission money on the sidewalk! Not a great experience. But, we were going to do the Star Walk, and I admit, researching where all the stars were placed had made me excited for an adventure.

From the moment my mom and I left the airport parking lot, adventure was on our side. After a light bite of lunch, we hit the pavement! We had mapped out where all of the stars were placed, highlighting over lunch each of the stars we could not miss (Audrey, Kate, Barbra). We had an idea of who we really wanted to spot, but walking and being surprised at all of the stars was such a treat.

Mom and me, ready to see sights!

Me and Lucy in front of a typical Hollywood Blvd shop.

Mom in proper stance, with Mae West

Mom and me with our favorite Hepburns.
SO MANY MORE-->

I am still thinking about what a great time we had! For the cost of parking and a snack, we reminisced about our favorite stars, and what movies we loved them in. We remembered stars from the 20's (Myrna), stars coming into vixen-hood in the 50's (Liz), stars we knew from old radio programs (George & Gracie, Fiber McGee & Molly), and so many others!

We parked on Wilcox, I applied sunscreen, and made sure I had a bottle of water in my bag. We went east on the south side of Hollywood Boulevard until we hit Vine, then walked south on Vine and then back north up to Hollywood. We caught more stars on Hollywood Blvd until Argyle, then we walked back the way we came but on the north side of the street. We did go north on Vine before continuing all the way to Grauman's Chinese Theater.

We did not encounter a crowd until Grauman's, and I think that is when we noticed it was getting quite hot. We kept walking west until La Brea, and then walked back east on Hollywood (stopping for a cold beverage at the Disney store and soda fountain). We had to reassess there, because we had not seen Barbra yet. It turns out, she was right near Grauman's, and we must have missed her while trying to squeeze out of the crowd.

So, after going back to the Chinese Theater, we completed our star walk on the south side of Hollywood Blvd and made it sweatily but safely back to our car.

This link, if you are interested, gives actual street numbers that you could google map for the stars.

finished dresser

2011-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Here is my finished Tangy Tangelo dresser (with no topcoat). The watercolor was done by my aunt, and the leaf girl is black apple. I didn't buy new hardware, and the more I look at the dresser, the more I like the dark handles with the orange.

Maybe it is time to make a big drop spine jewelry box.

I had a lot of help.
Aww, orangie.

how fun!

2011-08-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

I want to go to this party!

It's a 'jazz age' themed lawn party:
"Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officers’ quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair".

Check out all ~these~ outfits! Swoon!

They even have a pie contest, and you have to read this article about last years winner. She is going on the wall of 'you are awesome and I want to be like you but be me, too- and please come to dinner!'

Maybe I could wear this dress:

from dingaling on etsy

Actually, empty hoops would be amazing, and inexpensive, wall decor.

The hoops could be left unfinished for a Midwest mod look, or painted or embossed in a metallic gold (or even covered in microbeads?) to look similar to those early 60's wall art sculptures. My gram had pretty awesome butterflies that I ~so~ wish my family had kept. Similar to this, but each butterfly was separated:

from mementoretro on etsy

Cheers to fun, cheers to creativity!

more projects

2011-08-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to spiffy up my place a bit, without spending much $$ (when is the opposite ever the goal?)

After purchasing the paint back in APRIL!, I refinished some furniture. After attempting to paint over a varnished wood coffee table and having terrible results ( the primer peeled right off), I was skeptical to attempt it again.
I came across ~this tutorial~ (inspired from a post on apartment therapy), so I got the itch.
I used at least two coats of 'shellac' based primer.
Do not use a sponge brush for shellac (like the tutorial suggests for a water/latex base).
The primer eats the sponge.
I found decent results using the paint with the sponge and bristle brush, but throw a sponge brush away after each project IF you end up using it for multiple paint projects. It loses its structure.

My side table before

Slowly, thinly. This was really hard for me. I'm a slapper on-er. An 'oh i want to do THAT project, too' 1/2 way through what I am doing. My mom made it look so easy!

Go slowly. I had a bottle of ammonia nearby with cotton balls to sort of use like nail polish remover to even out fresh patches that were not smooth.

~ I did not use a top coat, which I think is fine for the side table ( I used semi-gloss paint). I might use a top coat for the dresser project.

After several coats of Dutch Boy Dirt-Fighter Semi Gloss in Tangy Tangelo:

This is a charming little tea tin my sister found for me. Currently, it is holding delicious kitty treats and resting on my new table.

I also did my dresser. In natural light (above), the paint is more cameo peach than the punchy orange below.

The dresser was a beautiful dark brown wood, and it looked romantic and old fashioned in a hardwood floored room streaming with sunlight. Alas, that is not what my bedroom has now, and although it was sad to paint over such a pretty wood (with a little marring on the lacquered top), it was time for a refreshment.

Finished dress photos coming soon!

weekend of projects

2011-08-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

I packed up my sewing projects and headed off to my second sewing lesson last weekend.
My instructor taught me to trace my pattern (and the specific style and size) onto paper. My question of, 'wait, so you can only make one size with a pattern?' was answered with this revelatory information, and I also know I need ~this~ tool.

Although I have been craft sewing for years, I did not know how to read and use a pattern.

Three hours passed in which I learned to trace, cut, label, and then begin to pin my pieces. I have started sewing the yokes together, while practicing:
~starting with the needle down and finding your seam allowance (then lowering the foot to secure fabric before sewing)
~french seams

This has been really fun. I thought I knew how to sew, because I know how to .... sew things. But there have been so many details that my instructor just sprinkles on me from years of experience and the process of making something becomes simple, straight forward, and rewarding.

French seam inside of sleeve

Yolk of child's dress, in a sweet yellow calico

The pieces are waiting quietly in my sewing bag; I don't want to move forward without my instructor. I am going back for another lesson soon. Be ready for show and tell soon!

playing collage

2011-08-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

I found old 'Polyvore' collages I made months ago. What fun to see what I was interested in, and before I saw Midnight in Paris! I want to watch that movie again and again!

I also made this board:

My inspiration for my living room... so much cleaner and better put together than my current 'books go on the floor' approach...

2011-08-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

I just read ~this article~. Not only is it fascinating, it quells that weird 'if you aren't insatiably searching out the latest MEAT au courant (lionfish? really?), then what the heck kind of gourmand foodie chef could you possibly be?' school of thought. Find more photos in the article link above, and ~here~, of 'dopplelganger' dinners- identical dishes made vegan and meat centered. Look at these gorgeously artistic desserts, made from entirely different ingredients:

(photo by steph goralnick)

Speaking of food, is anyone else magnetized to 'Masterchef'? Oy! It makes me so anxious, but I can't stop watching. One of the recent episodes had a gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup challenge. ~These~ would have been fun to serve (thanks for sharing, Sara!!) I think mine would have had smoked Gouda and smoked Cheddar in the sammie.

Tangent #2 Smoked Cheddar is just as delicious as smoked Gouda, and I know that because I went to get the Gouda for ~this recipe~, but didn't go to TJs, so it would have been $8 for only 1/2 a pound. Subbing the Cheddar was most delicious.

project this weekend

2011-08-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am starting sewing lessons! This is my first completed project:

A simple, 'envelope backing' throw pillow cover, stuffed tightly with an 18x18 pillow form. I used the instructions in Martha Stewart's Fabric Craft Encyclopedia, but the instructions can also be found HERE.

my weekend

2011-08-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

My weekend...........

finished object

2011-07-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

I finished a little lap blanket I had been working on. Ahem, a little wool lap blanket. I finished a wool lap blanket in July. But, Gomu likes to make biscuits on it, so it is getting used!

De-stash project (Bernat Wool Felting, 5 skeins)

17 circular needle

Cast on about ** stitches, knit in K1 P1 1x1 rib the whole way

go about ** rows

Finished with a single crochet edging (around blanket 2 full times, because I had more than I expected to have at the end)

** I'll have to estimate and report back! I'm very scientific.

Vive La France!

2011-07-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Bastille Day!

In addition to purchasing quite a bit of fromage, I made this simple tomato tart to celebrate!

A triple cream brie, goat, and Morbier

I used a different recipe for the crust:

2 cups flour

1/2 c.olive oil + 1/2 c. cold water

1/2 tsp salt + about 3 basil leaves (dried)

Mine is easier, but I'd like to try theirs, too.

summer is...

2011-07-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

a seagull or two...

beginners

2011-07-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you can, do go see 'Beginners'. It's really lovely, and tender handed, and sharp. Although Christopher Plummer is the ~one~ to see in this, Melanie Laurent is fall- in- loveable.

Speaking of movies, is everyone else ready for what premieres this weekend? Get your glasses on!

sugar

2011-07-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Holiday!

I hope you enjoyed your weekends! I found these star spangled pop tarts and had to buy them. Now that it is so ~warm~ outside, nothing sounds better to me than a steady intake of lemonade (maybe with gin in the evening?) and bubbly, refreshing soda pop. Speaking of, this article on soda jerking will make you want green river sodas, egg cremes and "flips, fizzes, ades, yips and floats, not to mention malts, rickeys and cows" made the old fashioned way!

summer bag

2011-07-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

I really like my $13 old navy cotton bag.

It just needs more pockets!

I think I can fashion one quite similar, the style is like a

reusable market bag, with a strip of fabric joining the

handles to make one 'hobo' style handle.

rattletattletouille

2011-06-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

And, speaking of tomatoes...
I made a sort-of ratatouille/veggie stew last night, with tomatoes, eggplant, green and red bell peppers, and zucchini. Oh, and chickpeas. And, lots of herbes de Provence. I like cooking one veggie at a time, but all in the same stock pot, and then pushing them to the outer edges of the pan and cooking the new veggie in the middle.

Several friends are tending to tomato plants now, and I've gotten a few of their bountiful harvests!

What are your favorite vegetables to plant in your garden?

Summer crop

2011-06-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I am standing in line, or sitting in a waiting room with poor magazines, I will play the 'what will I serve?' game. I imagine what I would serve at my own restaurant. Currently, my make-believe menu would be:

~house made dill pickles & pickled carrots

~fried green tomatoes, sauteed spinach, and heirloom tomato salad for the table (I like family style)

~pork chops

~assorted hand pies

So good, right?

And that explains, I think, why I couldn't get 'fried green tomatoes' out of my head. Or, maybe it was all the home cooking mentioned in 'The Help', which I recently read and loved. The characters make delicious dishes, from pork chops to strawberry cake.

After several days spent pondering green, heirloom, and all things tomato, I remembered I had bookmarked this pin cushion project: heirloom tomato pin cushion

They are a quick, easy project. I had some strips of fabric already cut that were twice as long as they were wide, so I made the 'traditional' tomato first (the 'heirloom tomato' calls for a circle of fabric). The only supplies you need are: a bit of fabric, stuffing, some felt, and regular thread + pearl cotton embroidery thread for finishing!

summer means baseball

2011-06-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

summer means ice cream

2011-06-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I had a big helping of the dark chocolate w/cacao nibs in a waffle cone at Carmela's. The night before, I had an equally delicious malted crunch cone from Rite-Aid. Ahh, summer!

Saturday Morning

2011-06-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Fuzz Friend

Breakfast

(recipe for the pancakes here, using 1/2 the salt and soda as Betty Crocker...)

And, mint from the market!

beach day

2011-06-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Beach day!

Friend says, "Let's meet early, is 8:30 demonic?" I am only 7 minutes behind schedule.

Just outside of town, she asks if I have had breakfast (gal after my own heart). We get nibbles

"Should we stop?" she asks, when we see a 'Honey Tasting Room!' sign. I'm nervous. Will it be a little, elderly woman who wants to befriend us and show us pictures all day? Which, YES, does sound like an incomparable addition to an adventure, but I am unlike my friend, who has the ability to say, if needed, 'Thank you for the spectacular day and the honey really is divine, but we must be on our way. Let's keep in touch!'

We do stop. We taste: eucalyptus, sage, orange, tropical flower, wildflower, clover, and buckwheat honeys. She takes an orange honey bear souvenir, I take clover. We purchase from two very sweet teenagers, but their total lack of need for us existing at all made them the opposite of a lonely gramma lady.

Toward the mission: collecting seaweed. I am nervous that we will not be allowed to take anything from the beach. More teenagers who are nonplussed by our existence give us the green light, but only for 20 minutes so we don't have to pay for parking and it becomes a grab and go mission!

We finish off the day with a poetry picnic on the beach. My friend brought excellent poetry choices to read aloud, The Lady of Chaillot! And David Kirby (well done, K!)

I hope she isn't too sad that seagulls have actually ripped her lunch right out of her hands. I would be really sad. But we did see an eager seal right in front of us, just come up and out of the water, and we saw SO many dolphins! At least two different PODS, one smaller and one grand, swimming in and out of sight.

I warned her I am a car sleeper, so the rest of the trip is sort of hazy.

My clover honey is delicious, though, spread thickly over sliced bread.

custom work

2011-06-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

I filled a custom order for my Etsy shop, and I just had to share with you the fabric we chose. She wanted something similar to the 'Aquarius' set. Since I only had bits of those vintage linens, I couldn't accomodate a large quantity of napkins. I love the fabrics we found. These patterns, from Kumari Soul Garden and Amy Butler Daisy Chain, are bright, cheery, and have a 60's quality to them.

go see Midnight in Paris, and eat some cheese, too!

2011-06-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

Midnight in Paris is delightful. I'm sure I sound so touristy, but it was delightful to see all the familiar Parisian landmarks, and to fall deeper into the tale.

I recommend seeing it after you enjoy a glass of wine and a bite of cheese.
I happened to specifically enjoy 'Bleu d'Avergne La Veronne A.O.C cheese and a cuvee named something with 'les violettes' in the title.

What's your favorite kind of cheese?

office cat

2011-06-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this post? It's from some time ago, but I love it.

Doesn't every office need a fuzzy office manager? Someone to do the books?

Of course, the trouble with a cat supervisor in a yarn and pin filled office is... a lot of time spent saying 'No', 'Tsk'!

Here is my current knitting project, aka, where they like to knead and 'make biscuits':

This is just a simple 1x1 rib, knitting bernat wool felting that you can pick up at Joann's, on a big, big (maybe 17?) circular needle.

I have a question for all the knitters. For every row I knit that feels 'easy', the following row feels like I go a quarter of the speed, and like my hand is contorting slightly. Does this happen to anyone?

50's atomic home

2011-05-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Or, that which leads me to be the most covetous of all- the most recent issue of Covet Garden (thank, you sara louise!!)

The 'entertaining' section even has a diagram for folding won tons.

And, here is some inspiration for your very own mid century cocktail hour, all from etsy:

mid century shot glasses at lookbackvintage

retro drinking glasses at cherryrivers

mid century ice bucket at retrotreasurehunters

vintage wine glasses at abingtonplace

vintage glass cocktail pitcher from velvetandshag

mid century lowball glasses at theelmsvintage

*** And, why not serve a Greyhound or Salty Dog in your new highball glass?

For a Greyhound:
Mix 2oz vodka with 5oz grapefruit juice (ice cold and freshly squeezed, if at all possible)
Garnish with ice, a juicy lime wedge, and a sprinkle of raw sugar
So tasty!

For a Salty Dog:
Mix 2oz gin with 5oz grapefruit juice grapefruit juice (ditto on the cold and squeezie)
Garnish with ice, lime and serve in a salt rimmed glass

Hmm, what if you want gin and grapefruit juice with no salt...is it called a Snoop Dogg?

little miss

2011-05-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Have you googled recently?

I like when the google art takes me on a nostalgia train ride, and right now it is celebrating what would have been the 76th birthday of Roger Hargreaves, the author of the 'Little Miss' and 'Mr. Men' children's books.

little miss chatterbox

mr. forgetful

little miss sunshine

little miss tiny

Did you have any of these books when you were little?

I might have had a few, but the one I remember reading, thanks to my poor parents who probably just wanted me learn the difficult art of self control and button the lip for 5 minutes, was Little Miss Chatterbox.

The tag line is, "Little Miss Chatterbox talked all the time, even in her sleep. Little Miss Chatterbox loses all of her jobs because she talks on and on when she should be listening to her customers' requests, until she finds just the right job for her".

*Spoiler alert- Her perfect job is the time lady! She becomes the voice on the phone that when you call, tells you, 'The time is currently 3:01.... The time is currently 3:02...'

Thank you, Mr. Hargreaves! I can't say that I've learned the leason all too well, but your work is appreciated!

to watch

2011-05-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

Herman Dune "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" from Jon Hamm

Dress the part

2011-05-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Were you behaving anything like me this weekend?
On Friday, I celebrated at the office with: scones & jam, black currant tea, Cadbury chocolate, sparkling cider and tea sammies.

Over the weekend, I watched several hours of wedding coverage (in bits and pieces).

Pip Pip!

Here are some interesting things I found while hunting more images and information:
This is a gorgeous clip showcasing several historic royal wedding dresses

Another royal wedding chart, highlighting the designers, food and couples involved!

This recipe for biscuit cake is available at Betty Crocker, but it really doesn't look quite like what the baker was making during my extended wedding coverage watching. They were using crushed biscuits. Perhaps this recipe, which is slightly different, is more similar. Who will try it?

Also,

If you were curious as to the line of succession, ~this list~ even includes those who are excluded for 'becoming' or 'marrying' a Roman Catholic, which is strictly forbidden(!). ~This~ list goes in the opposite direction, and the same site has a quiz, once you have mastered your dates and houses!

Easter

2011-04-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

I was fortunate to celebrate Easter in the gorgeous new home of my glowing friend. I was given the official home tour, and then her happy toddler followed up with the important details, like where we could find the spider, sandbox, and sharps (cacti). They served this delectable ham. Thankfully, there was plenty, because I helped myself three times.

I made a coconut cake to share (my first). The recipe for this centerpiece cake comes from Sweets. I would recommend this book to anyone, even if they never planned to bake one gorgeous dessert from it, because the stories and photographs are fascinating, detailed, and stylish. But, that would do a disservice to the generations of the people whose recipes have received enough care to be perfected.

This cake recipe was straight forward, so I had no trouble following it, and the details for tasks I'm newer at, such as 'beating egg whites until they form firm peaks', and cooking sugar 'until it reaches 242F' were clear.

Ta da!

I also brought veggies and this super easy 'Sour Cream & Onion' dip:

Caramelize 1 diced yellow onion.

(Brown in no more than 1/4 cup olive oil, enough to cover onions).

When done cooking (about 15 minutes over low heat),

pour into sieve to reserve oil if desired, but do not use oil in the recipe.

Mix with a few splashes of soy sauce and/ or Worcester sauce and a heaping cup of sour cream or plain yogurt. For company, I use sour cream.

At home, I use yogurt.

And now, I think I must squelch the obscene intake of Peeps... until next year....

spring things for your home (aka put a bird on it)

2011-04-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

A few things that would ring in spring...

And yes, some have a bird on them (<--watch the link if you haven't, because you

should).

chickadee plates & bird calling dress: Modcloth

flora and fauna wallpaper: Anthro

flowerheads print: Eloise Relouf

martha stewart poppy stickers: Paper Source

crewel kit: purl soho

Sheepies: F for Felt

interesting article

2011-04-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

I came across this article today, and while I don't care to get into any heated political arguments, Ann Dunham undeniably led an interesting life. I want to read the book from which this article was adapted. Which reminds me, I wanted to read American Wife, as well. I'll have to put it back on my list. Right now, I am nearly finished with About a Boy, and I hope to read more Nick Hornby right after.

And to come back to the little things-

I love the smell of spring flowers. I love headier, full summer blooms, as well, but the scents of earthy and green budding daffodils, lilacs and hyacinth have a quiet comfort for me.

interior revamp

2011-04-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have been improving on my ability to stave off wants until I have shopped for the perfect (and perfectly priced) item that I have already listed in my 'ok to spend on' column. One of the things I have been debating with myself about my actual need for is a couch.
After months of swooning, worrying over cat damage, and deciding that I can, indeed, put it on my credit card and pay it off incrementally, I have begin my living room remodel.
Behold, the prettiest place to put your keister:

Isn't she lovely? She is very comfortable, and was on deep discount at Macy's a few weeks ago.

Now, wanting leads to more wanting, fo sho. So, let me just tell you what else my heart desires, at the same time that I tell you I don't plan on this anytime soon, and am hoping to find thrifty pieces that are in the same artistic scheme.

There are a few bed frames at Ikea that are similar to the retro mod one above, as well as West Elm, and for lower price tags than I was expecting. I have seen these pillowcases on Ebay every once and awhile, but using the color palette alone is fun, too. To begin introducing the brighter colors, I will be priming and painting a nice wooden dresser a punchy orange (officially 'Tangy Tangelo from Dutch Boy). I can't wait to show you!

Other than painting my dresser, the only other dwelling redo's include fixing my living room drapes (I made them myself with a tree house/nailed wood Ikea fabric, and they weren't quite the same length after my first attempt). It is fairly easy to make drapes by using fusible interfacing- you don't even have to sew them!

friendship bracelet instructions

2011-04-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Instructions

When I was planning the 80's shower, I wanted to have a table with embroidery floss and a friendship bracelet how-to. I couldn't find clear, easy to read instructions (with photos) online. There are some delightful videos on YouTube of young ladies making very intricate designs, and watching someone is perhaps the most helpful way to learn, but I needed something I could print out and leave near the floss. So, I made *~this PDF*~ of how to create a simple candy striped bracelet, so you can make bracelets, too!

There should be a little cloud icon with an arrow under the pdf image, that will allow you to download the document and print until your heart is content! It is also available in the side bar.

Happy memories!

lilacs!

2011-04-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's lilac time!!

the shower

2011-04-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

OK! Here are a few shots from the 80's themed baby shower I co-hosted this weekend!

Sign for the party!

sidewalk chalk

In the nursery, an area for making name tags and filling out address labels was set up.

Sixlets for a consolation prize

hula hooping!

jelly bracelets for favors

In addition to jelly bracelets, guests got now and later cubes wrapped with a little thank you on their way out. Prizes for winning the 'How Well Do You Know the Mom-to-Be' quiz included a Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation CD and an 'I'm a Pepper' metal lunch box.

~The menu included the easiest champagne punch~
To make:
Pour into pitcher 1 bottle dry champagne/ prosecco and about 1/2 to 3/4 Trader Joe's Dixie Peach juice.

We also served lemonade with mint & sparkling water
(served at the bar with rainbow bright napkins)

little pb and j sammies

tri colore orzo pasta

amazing greek salad

mac n cheese balls (tjs)

fruit salad
&

peanut butter chocolate layer cake

I hope your weekends were lovely, too!!!

weekend

2011-04-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Thispast weekend, I was focused on getting some finalization on preparations for a baby shower I am co-hosting. It is a 'young at heart' theme (heavily focused on 80's, and I am eager to show you more in an upcoming post all of the prizes and favors I have prepped!)

I didn't get to making decorations (and I will probably end up getting some fresh flowers and setting them in little glass jars I have stashed), but if I do have any time, I hope to make a paper garland, like these:

from design sponge

from martha's shop

We shall see if I have the time this evening; I have to bake 4 layers of chocolate cake [I say like it's a chore ; ) ]

adelle!

2011-03-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

My friend has just shown her FIDM graduate collection of knitwear that she has been utterly and passionately absorbed in researching, designing and creating.

I was awestruck at the show. Do check out the slideshow of her intricate and spectacular work here. Her work is what is mainly detailed in the article, and the pieces in the slideshow are the vibrant blues and reds and bold black and white pieces. The entire audience gasped when the model removed her floor length knitted red coat to reveal the hand crocheted unionjack suit.

Dame Liz

2011-03-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

I heard the news this morning on my morning drive.

Elizabeth Taylor was one of those inimitable ladies (and not to mention, an actual dame). For all of her allure and glamour and romance, when she spoke during interviews, her voice was so demure and lady like, it almost sounded like my grandma speaking softly about having lunch with her friends.

As a tribute to her excellent work and life, here are a few of my favorite Liz Taylor movies:

National Velvet

If you haven't seen this movie, please do. It is so lovely. It has been years since I saw it, so I'll watch it with you again!

A Place In the Sun

I think my mom introduced me to this movie, and I felt very important watching it and knowing who Shelley Winters was, aside from her Pete's Dragon role.

Father of the Bride
- because, of course! Sometimes, I will randomly think about that scene where 1950's type gifts are pouring in. You know, all the essentials, like silver candlesticks and serving pieces!

and, the mom in this was quite the screen siren, herself!

However, I do like one of her real life wedding dresses the best. The waist especially reminds me of my aunt's, who had such a figure that I couldn't even play dress up in it when I was 10!

I also remember feeling very purposeful and adult having watched The Taming of the Shrew and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and I remember thinking she must have a real sense of humor to be in The Flintstones. But, I will end my mini movie retrospective here, as I would prefer to close with two of my many favorite photographs of her:

If I ever had the chance to meet her, I think I may have said ... 'Well done'.

My little trip east...

2011-03-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

While it is never really 'winter' where I live, it was still nice to visit family and get a good dose of flowers and gardens in bloom. We visited a flower show with a butterfly pavilion, epic roses, and topiaries, and continued on, into a garden preservation area spilling over with air plants!

writer's sheds

2011-03-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

Have you all seen this?

These nests are quite dreamy.

I like imagining them writing letters filled with these insults.

Farmer's Market Flowers

2011-03-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

I bought ranunculus stems at the farmer's market.

Someone said, during a very important conversation about where I got satsumas, that they imagined me shopping at farmer's markets. I responded to that with, yes, I imagine myself shopping at them, as well. I just don't seem to take the effort or make the time. So, I got some flowers, and berries, and street food for dinner.

Yes, that is a kitty tail on the table. They get spoiled at my house. But, where else could they sit to watch the squirrels out the window?

necklace project

2011-03-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

Some of the neatest ladies in town let me hang with them sometimes. We make things. I made a scrunched up scarf for my sister's birthday a few months ago. She reports that it didn't hold together very well. I consider it a success, however, because throughout the trying process of working with elastic thread in my bobbin, I cursed very few times.

The latest project us ladies worked on together is this playful and fancy necklace. The inspiration came from this yarn necklace. One lady made a hip jersey necklace (fashioned after this), and inspired me to buy a rotary cutter (40% off at Joann's last week).

I used some remnants of thick n quick for the three strands of braids. One loop is braided with one piece of yarn each, the next loop is braided with two pieces of yarn in each strand, and the largest is braided with triple thickness for each. After securing the end bits with 'crazy stitch' hand sewing, I covered the 'seam' with a piece of wide silk ribbon (less than 1 yard). The bow is only tied, not sewn closed, in case I want it undone.

The buttons are vintage from Millie.

I couldn't decide where to fasten them; right now, they are as in the first picture, but that might change.

my faves

2011-02-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Because fancy dresses are a good percentage of why I watch, here is my recount of favorite dresses from Sunday.

I really love all the paillettes and sequins that appeared in this whole last season of awards. I wondered who would wear sparkles and if they would look, 'Been there, done that'. But, I think everyone that wore sparklies last night did so in a different or timeless way. I loved Halle Berry's dress. I think it was the perfect combination of sparkles and tulle. I also liked Mandy and Hailee's dresses, which had similar detailing.

So, of the sparkly, ethereal dresses, Halle wins.

In terms of the popping red dresses, I think everyone who wore them (like Sandra, and Anne on the red carpet) looked completely classic. However, one dress stood above all the, otherwise knock-out, reds-

Jennifer Hudson. She rocked that color that I might say is quite in right now (having no credits towards being someone who can say something is 'in').

Attempting to be more fashion forward, I will say that I think the designer that I made mental note of frequently this awards season, and in magazine spreads, was Jenny Packham.

The color, the femininity, the sparkles. All good.

I am picking up bright, orangey reds and peaches like a magpie.

I love this bittersweet lipstick and this chubby cheeks polish.

La nina

2011-02-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

My grey Friday ended in torrents of delicious, splashy rain. After getting in, I watched Fox and the Hound while working on Hap. Yes, I cried.

I hoped that it would continue to rain all day, and although there is a blue sky now, it rained and hailed pin-head sized ice most of the morning.

Two saucer-eyed fuzzies snuggled closer to me than they usually do (give me my space, mom, geesh, one of the neighborhood cats might see me snuggling, how embarrassing!) while I worked a few more Hap rows and brewed tropical green tea. I received the tea, along with chocolate and apple teas, as a Christmas present. I cannot wait to go to the store, Spice & Tea Exchange, when I visit my family again.

Guarding the window to prevent the hail getting in.

Watching the ceiling in wonder at the noise.

Snow is topping the foothills just outside of my back door. I just didn't get any shots worth sharing, but yes, it snowed!

v day felt flag cards

2011-02-11T12:25:00.000-08:00

Do you like the bunting crafts that are popping up all over as much as do?

They are cheerful and simple, and I am happy whenever I see them as a craft, fabric design, or decoration.

I tried my hand at them, and using little felt flags was particularly satisfying, because felt cuts so cleanly and behaves well under the presser foot of a sewing machine.

The tutorials out there are true, one doesn't need to pin the materials together. However, I'll say that keeping the bits really cozy with each other as you feed it through the machine will give more control to the little string.

I put mine on cards for Valentine's Day. After a little experimenting, I found it easiest to sew a line of flags, and then sew that line onto a blank card, trimming the loose thread with snips. Also, having tacky glue nearby (for more control) is helpful.

Happy Valentine's Day!

mickey mouse club... do you remember?

2011-02-04T13:55:00.000-08:00

In my elementary school days, I watched The Mickey Mouse Club every afternoon.

I remember the wee teen soap with Jason Priestley, 'Teen Angel'; I remember Fred Newman, who now has a sweet gig on Prairie Home Companion; I remember learning a dance move where you make a right angle with your arms and then push it to the other side of your body ( 1, 1, 2 and 2).

But, I do not remember all the famous cast members. Watching little clips from the show brings back no recollection that my after school buddies were Justin. and Keri. and Britney. and... Ryan?

Seriously... can you.. even BELIEVE it? I mean... it is The Mickey MOUSE club!! No wonder they are heart throbs. They had us before we even knew we could be had.

Downton Abbey

2011-02-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

"You know me, mother, I have to say what I think" (to Maggie Smith's character, The Dowager Countess).

Maggie Smith's character:

"Why? No one else does."

Her character also gets the brilliant line of, 'No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else's house!'

Have you, too, gotten sucked into the Gossip Girl meets Upstairs Downstairs that is 'Downton Abbey'?

Oh, my, but is it scandalous! And, addictive. Kerfluffle over Apple Charlotte! The ladies evening gowns! Oh, the beading.

My two absolute favorite characters and actors.

Bring back the hats!

I had to play a bit.
Here are little boards for 'upstairs' Ladies Mary, Sybil, and Edith... with some modern options:

Which character do you like most? Which do you hate?

chili

2011-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

"What's a sexy food... Turkey chili, that's sexy"

...loosely remembered from Leslie Knope.

Parks and Recreation is back! I love that Amy Poehler. And, I love Community. I mean, Theo 'my dad gave it to me' Huxtable as Shirley's husband and Abed's charting of when to have chocolate on hand...How can a person not?

Yeay, Thursday night tv. For a cozy evening in, why not make 'Throw it On In' chili. Basically, I decided that there are foods one can make that don't really need a recipe, and chili is one of them. But if you want to know how I made mine, and it's sweet that you do, try this:

Serve with some plain yogurt and shredded cheese, and an Anchor Steam.

Throw it On In Chili:

Heat enough oil to cover bottom of stock pot

Saute 1/2 of large yellow onion (diced)

Brown ground chicken or turkey (1 pound)

Once browned, add 2 large cans of diced tomatoes and a few bay leaves

*Reserve clean cans for making can and string telephone, or recycle

Add diced, chopped or shredded carrots and zucchini (about 5 carrots and 2 zucchini)

Add three cans of rinsed beans (a pantry assortment)

While the veggies cook, season to taste with:

brown sugar, cinnamon, paprika, Worcester sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, tapatio, thyme, red pepper flakes

* This list is respective of amount added, first listed being highest percent of seasonings...

I know. That last direction would make me an awful cookbook writer. Enjoy your programs!

m & e

jolly English countryside... war time

2011-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

At the insistence of my sister, I watched both Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee Returns over the week-end. (*Side tangent, in reading Jane Eyre and similar books, I have noticed and am delighting in the generous use of hyphens in compound words that have long since lost their hyphens, such as 'book-case', and bed-room).

Back to topic- not only are the movies delightful, they are popping with the most beautiful hues. Especially the wartime countryside farmhouse settings and clothes, even Isabel's jammy lip stain caught my eye. If you have watched it, don't you love the clothes that Megsie gives Celia to wear? She provides her with a little peter pan collared blouse and tweedy trousers.

So, I had to play a bit:

a must for monday

2011-01-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

Don't be down that Monday has come around.

Enjoy some She & Him by watching this!

Need more? Yes, you do.

She & Him might be my new favorite.

I like that vintage is, to me, anyway, like recycling. It isn't so much a fad as a way of life. Although, the pretty things do make me want to live with more of a design eye and that tends to mean sharing my pennies more freely with shops, so I will try to be a design appreciator.

cake book

2011-01-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Deciding that I needed to bake a little cake the other day, I pulled down my cook books to peruse photographs and recipes. I gravitate towards being a baker, not a cooker, and I am fine with that, but I was foiled by the lack of cake recipes in all of my tomes. Good ol' Betty Crocker had the most cake recipes, and although the BC recipes usually don't fail and are quite hilariously printed next to something absolutely 70's (marshmallow salad), they still don't have what modern cookbooks include- gloriously lit photo-spreads of the food itself.

Do you have a recipe book you would recommend to someone who is in search of a mostly cake, plus some cookie/ random sweets recipes- collection?

I have already started browsing online... I like the look of these:

The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

Kitchen delights

2011-01-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

Who are your kitchen heroes?

I prefer lovely ladies effortlessly putting a little of this and that together to make simple and sumptuous goodies.

Naturally, I find Sophie Dahl charming and gorgeous.
And her bright and airy kitchen is papered exquisitely!

Do watch a few spots of ~The Delicious Miss Dahl~ for an afternoon visual treat.

Don't you love how she explains how much sugar and water to use?

clean space

2011-01-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

My work-space revamps!

Paper poms from PomLove

Paper from Snow & Graham, artwork from DwellDeep, frames from Ikea

Storage boxes from Ikea

And, although I must curb the 're-do' spending, wouldn't this (or any of these, from Blanca Gomez) be a lovely addition:

Hallo! Happy New Year!

2011-01-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

I am starting M & E anew. I am beginning to discern that 'starting again' is the mortar in building something challenging, so instead of bemoaning it when tiresome, I will aim for pouring a cuppa and getting on with it.

For my first new post, I'd just like to celebrate MLK day by posting this link to Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

Not to compete with the importance of today, I will share my new year space spruce-ups in a forthcoming post.

ox
m&e