Good to be home

Mouse Trap

2011-01-03T07:38:00.001-05:00

Chuck E Cheese you're the one

You make pizza time lotsa fun

I put the money in your game

I get a prize that's pretty lame

One Century Divided by Four

2011-01-02T09:07:00.000-05:00

What I did on New Year's Eve: exactly what I have done for the past 25: celebrate her birthday!

Norwegian Wood

2010-11-06T09:21:00.001-04:00

My favorite part of my heritage.

My favorite Beatles' song.

My favorite shoes.

My favorite four year old feet.

Oh Boy

2010-09-12T10:09:00.000-04:00

Loved loved loved making Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket for Parker. Like knitted origami. The buttons look like worn Indian Head nickels.

Just Not Right

2010-08-28T07:57:00.002-04:00

This is so wrong. I bet after a few weeks it becomes a clothes rack for Barbie outfits and the little girl (aged 3-7 but less than 150 lbs) gets to start her life long obsession with her body image. Also available from this company: mini air walker and weight-press sets. At least they show a little boy on the exercise bike.

Style Information #9201

*The Treadmill is a terrific way for children to have fun while getting the extra benefits of a safe and healthy activity based recreation.

*Low impact workout

*Safe for kids because it is self-propelled, not motorized

*Auto ON (starts when child begins to exercise)/OFF (if not signal is four for 4 minutes, it automatically shuts off)

*Odometer features: Time (minutes: seconds), Speed (km/h or mi/h), Distance (km or mi), Calorie display (KCal), Odometer - Total distance.

*Assembled dimensions: 41" H x 36 5/8" x 37 3/8" L

*For children ages 3-7

*Not intended for use by children over 150 lbs. or over 3.7 feet tall

*Some assembly required (Tools are included with product - wrench and Phillips screwdriver)

Brand: Redmon

Big Sip

2010-08-15T08:19:00.000-04:00

Loving this oil painting of a strawberry shake in a retro daisy glass.

8,9,10

2010-08-13T08:22:00.002-04:00

The little brother is finally here. He is adored with lots of tender love from the big sister. And he has a special birth date: 8-9-10.

Family Cooking

2010-08-08T08:24:00.000-04:00

The span of 4 generations cooking in my kitchen. My granddaughter through my mother. As we wait for another grand to arrive tomorrow!

Even Puffier

2010-07-15T07:50:00.000-04:00

The Place for Poufs

2010-06-27T10:57:00.000-04:00

Looking for large tissue paper poufs? Maybe tissue paper dahlias on a stick? Or perhaps mini paper poufs on a toothpick for cupcakes? Email me!

Got Your Number

2010-06-03T08:35:00.004-04:00

My recent conversation at the MAC cosmetic store:

Sales person: How can I help you today?

Me: I'm looking for an eyeliner in a smoky gray

Sales person: Phone Number?

Me: (Thinking she's going to look up a past purchase) No, I've never purchased an eyeliner here

Sales person: No, Phone Number?

Me: (Thinking to myself) WHAAAAAT? My phone number can help you select what color eye liner I should use? OMG that's so neat. Wait, really?

Me: (Actually saying to sales person) Huh?

Sales person: That's the name of the smoky gray kohl eyeliner we have. Phone Number.

Me: Yes, of course, I would like to see that one please.

Mandala lala

2010-05-19T08:41:00.001-04:00

Mandala ala Tammy at Daisy Yellow.

With a #2 Black Warrior pencil----practicing for a permanent marker.

Sew Fun

2010-05-02T07:18:00.001-04:00

Look what a thrifted tablecloth and an adapted-from-adult sized pattern crocheted bodice and flower embellishment can become!

Flying

2010-04-25T10:15:00.000-04:00

Mid-air joy on the "jump-o-leen"

On the Edge

2010-04-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

After years of trying to figure out how to attach a crocheted edging on to a pillowcase (absent a hemstitch), the light bulb finally went on. That is, after I saw Cassie's post at You Go Girl. First you blanket stitch then your crochet "attaches" to the horizontal bars created by the blanket stitch! Brilliant. Disregard the red chalk line placed for an attempt at even blanket stitches. Hopefully it will wash out. Check out these photos from Rose Hip. Color color color. Wow.

Experiment: Alabama Style

2010-04-11T08:58:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Alabama Chanin, I'd like to make a scarf using layers of cotton jersey and a reverse applique technique. As a first time experiment, I cut up a couple of old t-shirts and made a sort of pot-holder.

Motion

2010-04-05T07:26:00.000-04:00

Always a pretty dress. Always in motion.

Peep Show

2010-04-04T11:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter! Along with the ubiquitous ham, scallloped potatoes and deviled eggs, this cake for dessert. From Taste of Home.

Bumpie

2010-04-03T11:01:00.001-04:00

My daughter's baby boy bump now has a name. Parker Robert. After his two great-grandfathers. His arrival, by appointment, is scheduled for 8-9-10.

More Like It

2010-03-28T13:06:00.001-04:00

Cake decorating- now this is more like it. My style. Italian Meringue Buttercream (recipe here) and 3 layers of 6 inch rounds, plus a few cupcakes. The frosting is a little labor intensive but oh so worth it- light and fluffy with a hint of sweet and no Crisco! It piped like a dream and spread so easy. And it's delicious.

Wilton Away

2010-03-25T08:22:00.001-04:00

I am one class away from "graduating" from Course 1 of the "Wilton Way" of cake decorating. The Wilton Way is not my way. I just can't get past all the Crisco in the frosting. It's awful. My kitchen seems coated in this slimy film that no amount of boiling water will clean. And the decorating style? Ugh. Scary clowns mocking me and refusing to sit up straight, fake colors that end up looking like blobs of Aquafresh toothpaste and that cloying sweet beyond belief greasy frosting.

Now THIS is the kind of cake I want to make (Nikole at Forty Sixth at Grace):

Today's the Day

2010-03-24T08:48:00.002-04:00

~~We find out if grand#2 is boy or girl today-if he/she isn't too shy!~~
It's a Boy! Arriving in early August!

Today's the day they give babies away with a half a pound of tea.

You open the lid and examine the kid and see if it's a he or a she!

Sunday Best

2010-03-21T15:12:00.000-04:00

The best Sunday. Breezy. Lazy. Untidy.

To the Market

2010-03-20T16:16:00.001-04:00

There are many open air markets popping up all over town these days. Lots of produce, hand crafted foods such as olives (saw chocolate olives today!), honey, pastas, specialty sauces and sweets. Today's beauties were huge bunches of fresh radishes. Today's lunch? Whole grain bread spread with sweet butter and razor-thin slices of big fat red radishes, topped with a pinch of sea salt.

Great Scots

2010-02-27T08:42:00.003-05:00

How a ~~sweater~~ jumper is made. Really.

Where I've Been

2009-12-25T08:08:00.000-05:00

Time Flu By

2009-11-17T13:53:00.002-05:00

While we are home ~~quarantined~~ convalescing, my angel sister-in-law did a doorstep drop off (and then a mad dash from the premises) of some supplies. This was in the bag. It hurt to laugh but was worth it. Thank goodness for family and friends.

Unnatural Color

2009-11-08T08:02:00.002-05:00

Daisies in the most unnatural of colors. They match the Tinkerbelle cake in the background- also in the most unnatural of buttercream icing colors. When you are three, these colors are "beee-you-tee-fulll".

Falling

2009-10-25T17:43:00.003-04:00

We're getting ready for Fall around here. Our favorite time of year.

B.C. Blooming

2009-09-15T08:37:00.002-04:00

British Columbia seemed to be one big hanging flower basket during a recent trip through there. Baskets so big hanging from street lights everywhere. Even the cheese made by Salt Spring Island Cheese Company was sporting blossoms.

A Foxy Find

2009-08-09T13:28:00.004-04:00

This little lap tray has to be from the late 50's-early 60's as it looks just like something I had when I was a child. I found it at Goodwill for $1.00. A few little worn spots, but cleaned up fine.

Mr. Fox and friends on the train delivering pancakes and a Minnie Mouse sippy cup. Just right for Saturday morning breakfast on the quilt watching Bert, Ernie and Elmo.

Bootie Call

2009-08-06T07:52:00.003-04:00

I love making these baby booties. The yarn is a lucious cashmere blend in fabulous colors. I make a pair for every baby born to parents that work in my organization. If you'd like a pair to give to a special baby, leave me a comment or email me!

Found Art

2009-08-04T09:01:00.002-04:00

Found Art? I didn't know he was missing! Har-har har.

I found this little watercolor I made a few years ago. Stuck in a cookbook. Why can't I stash $100 bills instead of doodles?

Love Lasts

2009-08-02T09:35:00.007-04:00

My brother is Captain of a huge cargo ship that goes to far away places, some of them even scary places these days. He is now on a count-down to retirement and contemplating the wide variety of options that are available to him for a life after being at sea for 3-6 months at a time and then home again and then away again and so on. In a recent email to our father, Capt. Brother writes:

"There's a million other things I can do and still make a decent living wage. It's just a matter of figuring out what I want to do. I'd like to remain in this industry, but as a consultant so I can have some control over my schedule. I also have thought about doing something with flying - maybe get my commercial ticket and fly freight or start an air charter like my neighbor. I'm so fortunate to have a wife that is as supportive as Sue. She understands what I'm going through out here, and is literally counting down the trips I have left. She is my best friend. "

The line that melted my heart was the last sentence. "She is my best friend".

I recently came across this photo of my brother and his wife taken over 25 years ago. Best friends then and now. That's a love that lasts.

Cupcake Girl

2009-07-31T08:14:00.003-04:00

With all the baking I do around here I am starting to feel like this girl. Only a little larger. And older.

I love this photo. Not sure where it originated or where I found it.

Little Pitchers

2009-07-30T07:45:00.002-04:00

At my mother's house.....

Marian the Librarian

2009-07-26T10:46:00.004-04:00

Yes, I know it's wrong to put corrective eye glasses on a 2 year old. But she wanted to wear them. For just a moment. And now she is going around telling every one to "shhhhh please" and showing off her knowledge of the Dewey decimal system.

Knit-a-Go-Go

2009-07-25T09:24:00.002-04:00

I love knitted whimsies. And knitted absurdities. Love this knitted Vespa from Leah Sutton. It makes me want to come up with a really bad pun involving "taking a spin"....yarn? spin? get it? har har.

Joy Jumping

2009-07-24T08:46:00.002-04:00

It's Friday. Whooohooo!

A Following

2009-07-23T07:49:00.004-04:00

Sometimes it's good to follow and not always lead. Especially in your 'jammas. The ones with the kitties knitting on them.

New Favorite

2009-07-21T01:00:00.004-04:00

My new favorite color. And when I held it in my hand, it was still warm from the sun.

The Whole Half

2009-07-20T08:08:00.005-04:00

With just two of us in the house most times now, full recipes of just about anything are too much. When I got the itch to make a layer cake last night, I found this recipe. It's from Betty Crocker, called a "Dinette Cake" and was developed in the 1940's as a "1 egg cake for a small family". It's delicious! The cake flour (be sure to sift) makes the texture so light and fine. I made it in a 9 inch round cake pan, cut it in half to layer and spread the middle with my homemade jumble jam from a few weeks ago. Then frosted with vanilla buttercream icing. The half became a whole lotta good.

Cameo Cupcakes

2009-07-17T16:29:00.004-04:00

As a dutiful grandmother, I made cupcakes today for the Wudgie. Or, as she calls every cake and every cupcake..."Happy Cakes". I tried a new recipe today from Sarah Magid's new book Organic and Chic. The cake is a delicious chocolate sponge cake (vegan, too) and the icing was new to me. A homemade marshmallow creme. Delicious. The pink tint and the tiny white sprinkles made cupcakes that reminded me of cameos. Cameo happy cakes.

When my daughter yells at me for baking sweets to tempt them, I'll tell her "its OK- its all organic".

Give Away!

2009-07-16T08:56:00.007-04:00

***Contest Over!!*** Congrats to the one and only entrant! You have been randomly selected to win win win!

To celebrate over 200 posts here at Good to be Home, a Give-Away! Just leave a comment before Sunday July 19 at noon (Eastern time)and I'll random pick a winner. The give away? A set of 12 photos embellished with the Good to be Home name. These 4" x 6" color photos make great postcards or bookmarks for cookbooks! The set are all photos that have appeared on my blog and will arrive in a special handmade folder.

Thanks for sticking with me and I love reading your comments!

Blog Crush

2009-07-09T08:17:00.002-04:00

I have a blog crush. I heart Pleasant View Schoolhouse and Anna's chronicles of her family, baking and sewing. All from her 1920's schoolhouse-turned-home. Her photos (and those taken by her son, Giles) are quite remarkable. Anna seems to live in a different era and has a retro wardrobe (that she makes) to go right along with the lifestyle. If you visit her blog, be sure to spend some time going through the archives and you'll get a real sense of how accomplished her children are and how dedicated she is to creating an incredible sense of home and style for them. And let me know if you develop a blog crush, too.

And some news from Good to be Home: look for a little give away coming soon!

Making a Case

2009-07-04T08:42:00.008-04:00

I've been ~~obsessed~~ intrigued with vintage fabric and pillowcases lately. The fabric of pillowcases and bedding can be so luxurious and soft and the prints so fascinating. Take a look at these beauties found around the internet.

Here's a great video tutorial on how to make your own pillowcases (the fabric here? not so much) with an easy way to make that little extra fabric binding-stripe thing right below the hem. Oh and the music is great too.

Apron Strings

2009-06-30T06:55:00.005-04:00

New from old again. These aprons made from vintage pillowcases and a cafe curtain/valance set. The one at the bottom, with the birds, that's the one from the curtain. Just like Scarlett in GWTW.

Homegrown

2009-06-28T10:57:00.005-04:00

It's amazing that even in a little neighborhood in a medium sized urban area, we can grow our own.

Mangos from our backyard start here on the tree:

Then get peeled and sliced in the kitchen:

Get pastry-ed and baked in the oven for 35 minutes and end up looking like this:

Thank you little backyard tree.

Health Kick

2009-06-21T19:32:00.008-04:00

My daughter gave a very unique Father's Day gift to her dad this year. Her thoughtful choice of present takes in to account a concern for his health and for the environment. As a caring, loving daughter, she wishes that he ingest only things that are pure and natural and good for him. And she hopes that those products are made with ingredients grown without harmful chemicals, pesticides and other yucky stuff.

The gift? ORGANIC VODKA! Yes. USDA Certified Organic.

Square One Organic Vodka

An ordinary bottle of clear liquid. But wait...what does that label say?

Organic Booze!

The greening of the martini.

I can.

2009-06-15T07:45:00.008-04:00

After being inspired by this great NY Times article on the gaining popularity of home canning amongst the whole/local food movement, I "put up" some condiments this weekend. 9 pints of Spicy Cranberry Ketchup (omg delicious) and 8 pints of Berry Jumble Jam (a mix of organic blackberries and organic red raspberries---a little runny, but very tasty). Recipes are from this book from the canning equipment people at Ball.

If you read the NY Times article, you'll see this written about one of the mavens of the home canning movement, Eugenia Bone: "She doesn’t decorate her jars with calico, or stick charming labels on them, and is unconcerned about the color of her asparagus and the occasional overcooked batch of artichoke hearts." I didn't follow that canning philosophy. But before I dressed my product up in cotton and twine, I took them out for a walk in the garden and posed them in the flower planters. (see web header photo for proof!).

There is something so satisfying to go through the canning process and end up with a pantry full of delicious goodness.

Yep, I'm still here!

2009-06-06T08:19:00.003-04:00

Dishing it Out

2009-05-25T18:10:00.004-04:00

I love casserole dishes. I'm not talking the all-in-one meal alone---I love casserole dishes---what they are baked in. Now that it is pretty much just the two of us around the house, I am using these oval bakers a lot more. They never held enough for the small army I had to cook for all those years.

Here are my two favorites. The green drip Hull (marked HP Company) has a great lid and is in the oven right now filled with Mac 'n Cheese. The gold lustre baker is just beautiful and glows in the romantic light of the oven (!!).

I also love Pyrex dishes with their glass tops. Pyrex ware is making a big comeback on two fronts: 1. Leftovers are a staple of many frugal kitchens these days and 2. plastic containers are passe in today's green kitchen. Here's a great site that lists Pyrex finds, catalogs all the patterns and is a place to share Pyrex Love.

The Red Thread

2009-05-24T15:59:00.006-04:00

One of my friends at work is going to China in the next few weeks to pick up her adopted baby girl. Following a Chinese tradition, the new mom-to-be is making a "quilt of 100 wishes" for little Megan...asking all of her friends to supply a 9x9 piece of special cotton fabric for a quilt and a small piece of the fabric and a wish that will then be made into a scrapbook so Megan can see how great the anticipation and excitement was when she joined her new family and circle of friends.

I chose this playful fabric loaded with little fish and then embroidered the Chinese symbol for "daughter" on the cotton. In red. Chinese people consider red a very lucky color---especially for children. I then found a great Chinese legend about how a red thread connects those destined to meet and how that thread may twist and knot but will never be broken. I printed that out and machine-sewed a long red thread on a 12x12 scrapbook page, connecting two fabric hearts.

Remember the whole Madonna wearing the red thread around her wrist Kabbalah craze a few years ago? I wonder how that worked out for her.....

Nice and Cozy

2009-05-19T07:41:00.006-04:00

There are many great "how-to" tutorials on the Internet for coffee cup cozies, teapot cozies and ipod cozies...but here are a few interesting and unusual ones I have seen lately.

Ice Cream Cone Cozy from The Object Project

Skip to My Lou's crayon cozy

Lip balm cozy found on Carina's Craftblog. Won't melt in your pocket or get tossed in the laundry!

Where's the Beef?

2009-05-17T09:49:00.003-04:00

Reading "Little Red Hen".......also known as "Chicken-Chicken."

My Mothers Day

2009-05-10T12:58:00.001-04:00

No laundry. A little cooking. Lots of sun.

Mother's Day Jane and Liz

2009-05-10T08:36:00.005-04:00

My mother circa 1955. She was around 16 or so. I've heard through the family grapevine that she looked a lot like Liz Taylor (think National Velvet era) back then. What do you think? That's young Liz below. My mother is absolutely beautiful today so I have no doubt she was just as stunning pre-me. I love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Holy 'Mole-y

2009-05-08T15:49:00.006-04:00

Last Saturday we took a trip to the local Farmer's Market and came across this treat. Made right in front of you guacamole! Check out the huge wooden bowl where guac-guy mashes the fresh avocado. Then he adds a puree of peppers and cilantro. Then fresh lime juice, salt and a little bit of olive oil. And finally fresh chopped tomatoes. It was delicious. And check out guac-guy's avocado green shirt and tomato red shorts!

101 Summer Eats for Summer Nights

2009-04-26T11:24:00.005-04:00

Back in July 2007, the New York Times ran this Mark Bittman list of 101 great summer meals. With my now even busier schedule, I'm ready to try just about all of them. One at a time. These look like they need to be among the first: 14, 23, 29, 31, 32, and 37.

The Minimalist
Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less
By MARK BITTMAN
The pleasures of cooking are sometimes obscured by summer haze and heat, which can cause many of us to turn instead to bad restaurants and worse takeout. But the cook with a little bit of experience has a wealth of quick and easy alternatives at hand. The trouble is that when it’s too hot, even the most resourceful cook has a hard time remembering all the options. So here are 101 substantial main courses, all of which get you in and out of the kitchen in 10 minutes or less. (I’m not counting the time it takes to bring water to a boil, but you can stay out of the kitchen for that.) These suggestions are not formal recipes; rather, they provide a general outline. With a little imagination and some swift moves — and maybe a salad and a loaf of bread — you can turn any dish on this list into a meal that not only will be better than takeout, but won’t heat you out of the house.
1 Make six-minute eggs: simmer gently, run under cold water until cool, then peel. Serve over steamed asparagus.
2 Toss a cup of chopped mixed herbs with a few tablespoons of olive oil in a hot pan. Serve over angel-hair pasta, diluting the sauce if necessary with pasta cooking water.
3 Cut eight sea scallops into four horizontal slices each. Arrange on plates. Sprinkle with lime juice, salt and crushed chilies; serve after five minutes.
4 Open a can of white beans and combine with olive oil, salt, small or chopped shrimp, minced garlic and thyme leaves in a pan. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are done; garnish with more olive oil.
5 Put three pounds of washed mussels in a pot with half a cup of white wine, garlic cloves, basil leaves and chopped tomatoes. Steam until mussels open. Serve with bread.
6 Heat a quarter-inch of olive oil in a skillet. Dredge flounder or sole fillets in flour and fry until crisp, about two minutes a side. Serve on sliced bread with tartar sauce.
7 Make pesto: put a couple of cups of basil leaves, a garlic clove, salt, pepper and olive oil as necessary in a blender (walnuts and Parmesan are optional). Serve over pasta (dilute with oil or water as necessary) or grilled fish or meat.
8 Put a few dozen washed littlenecks in a large, hot skillet with olive oil. When clams begin to open, add a tablespoon or two of chopped garlic. When most or all are opened, add parsley. Serve alone, with bread or over angel-hair pasta.
9 Pan-grill a skirt steak for three or four minutes a side. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, slice and serve over romaine or any other green salad, drizzled with olive oil and lemon.
10 Smear mackerel fillets with mustard, then sprinkle with chopped herbs (fresh tarragon is good), salt, pepper and bread crumbs. Bake in a 425-degree oven for about eight minutes.
11 Warm olive oil in a skillet with at least three cloves sliced garlic. When the garlic colors, add at least a teaspoon each of cumin and pimentón. A minute later, add a dozen or so shrimp, salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley, serve with lemon and bread.
12 Boil a lobster. Serve with lemon or melted butter.
13 Gazpacho: Combine one pound tomatoes cut into chunks, a cucumber peeled and cut into chunks, two or three slices stale bread torn into pieces, a quarter-cup olive oil, two tablespoons sherry vinegar and a clove of garlic in a blender with one cup water and a couple of ice cubes. Process until smooth, adding water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper, then serve or refrigerate, garnished with anchovies if you like, and a little more olive oil.
14 Put a few slices of chopped prosciutto in a skillet with olive oil, a couple of cloves of crushed garlic and a bit of butter; a minute later, toss in about half a cup bread crumbs and red chili flakes to taste. Serve over pasta with chopped parsley.
15 Call it panini: Grilled cheese with prosciutto, tomatoes, thyme or basil leaves.
16 Slice or chop salami, corned beef or kielbasa and warm in a little oil; stir in eggs and scramble. Serve with mustard and rye bread.
17 Soak couscous in boiling water to cover until tender; top with sardines, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil and black pepper.
18 Stir-fry a pound or so of ground meat or chopped fish mixed with chopped onions and seasoned with cumin or chili powder. Pile into taco shells or soft tacos, along with tomato, lettuce, canned beans, onion, cilantro and sour cream.
19 Chinese tomato and eggs: Cook minced garlic in peanut oil until blond; add chopped tomatoes then, a minute later, beaten eggs, along with salt and pepper. Scramble with a little soy sauce.
20 Cut eggplant into half-inch slices. Broil with lots of olive oil, turning once, until tender and browned. Top with crumbled goat or feta cheese and broil another 20 seconds.
21 While pasta cooks, combine a couple cups chopped tomatoes, a teaspoon or more minced garlic, olive oil and 20 to 30 basil leaves. Toss with pasta, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
22 Make wraps of tuna, warm white beans, a drizzle of olive oil and lettuce and tomato.
23 The New York supper: Bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon. Serve with tomatoes, watercress or arugula, and sliced red onion or shallot.
24 Dredge thinly sliced chicken breasts in flour or cornmeal; cook about two minutes a side in hot olive oil. Place on bread with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.
25 Upscale tuna salad: good canned tuna (packed in olive oil), capers, dill or parsley, lemon juice but no mayo. Use to stuff a tomato or two.
26 Cut Italian sausage into chunks and brown in a little olive oil; chop onions and bell peppers and add them to the pan. Cook until sausage is browned and peppers and onions tender. Serve in sandwiches.
27 Egg in a hole, glorified: Tear a hole in a piece of bread and fry in butter. Crack an egg into the hole. Deglaze pan with a little sherry vinegar mixed with water, and more butter; pour over egg.
28 New Joe’s Special, from San Francisco: Brown ground meat with minced garlic and chopped onion. When just about cooked, add chopped spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted. At the last minute, stir in two eggs, along with grated Parmesan and salt and pepper.
29 Chop prosciutto and crisp it in a skillet with olive oil; add chopped not-too-ripe figs. Serve over greens dressed with oil and vinegar; top all with crumbled blue cheese.
30 Quesadilla: Use a combination of cheeses, like Fontina mixed with grated pecorino. Put on half of a large flour tortilla with pickled jalapenos, chopped onion, shallot or scallion, chopped tomatoes and grated radish. Fold tortilla over and brown on both sides in butter or oil, until cheese is melted.
31 Fast chile rellenos: Drain canned whole green chilies. Make a slit in each and insert a piece of cheese. Dredge in flour and fry in a skillet, slit side up, until cheese melts.
32 Cobb-ish salad: Chop bacon and begin to brown it; cut boneless chicken into strips and cook it with bacon. Toss romaine and watercress or arugula with chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion and crumbled blue cheese. Add bacon and chicken. Dress with oil and vinegar.
33 Sauté 10 whole peeled garlic cloves in olive oil. Meanwhile, grate Pecorino, grind lots of black pepper, chop parsley and cook pasta. Toss all together, along with crushed dried chili flakes and salt.
34 Niçoise salad: Lightly steam haricot verts, green beans or asparagus. Arrange on a plate with chickpeas, good canned tuna, hard-cooked eggs, a green salad, sliced cucumber and tomato. Dress with oil and vinegar.
35 Cold soba with dipping sauce: Cook soba noodles, then rinse in cold water until cool. Serve with a sauce of soy sauce and minced ginger diluted with mirin and/or dry sake.
36 Fried egg “saltimbocca”: Lay slices of prosciutto or ham in a buttered skillet. Fry eggs on top of ham; top with grated Parmesan.
37 Frisée aux lardons: Cook chunks of bacon in a skillet. Meanwhile, make six-minute or poached eggs and a frisée salad. Put eggs on top of salad along with bacon; deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and pour pan juices over all.
38 Fried rice: Soften vegetables with oil in a skillet. Add cold takeout rice, chopped onion, garlic, ginger, peas and two beaten eggs. Toss until hot and cooked through. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil.
39 Taco salad: Toss together greens, chopped tomato, chopped red onion, sliced avocado, a small can of black beans and kernels from a couple of ears of corn. Toss with crumbled tortilla chips and grated cheese. Dress with olive oil, lime and chopped cilantro leaves.
40 Put a large can of chickpeas and their liquid in a medium saucepan. Add some sherry, along with olive oil, plenty of minced garlic, smoked pimentón and chopped Spanish chorizo. Heat through.
41 Raita to the rescue: Broil any fish. Serve with a sauce of drained yogurt mixed with chopped cucumber, minced onion and cayenne.
42 Season boneless lamb steaks cut from the leg with sweet curry powder. Sear on both sides. Serve over greens, with lemon wedges.
43 Migas, with egg: Sauté chopped stale bread with olive oil, mushrooms, onions and spinach. Stir in a couple of eggs.
44 Migas, without egg: Sauté chopped stale bread with chopped Spanish chorizo, plenty of garlic and lots of olive oil. Finish with chopped parsley.
45 Sauté shredded zucchini in olive oil, adding garlic and chopped herbs. Serve over pasta.
46 Broil a few slices prosciutto until crisp; crumble and toss with parsley, Parmesan, olive oil and pasta.
47 Not exactly banh mi, but... Make sandwiches on crisp bread with liverwurst, ham, sliced half-sours, shredded carrots, cilantro sprigs and Vietnamese chili-garlic paste.
48 Not takeout: Stir-fry onions with cut-up broccoli. Add cubed tofu, chicken or shrimp, or sliced beef or pork, along with a tablespoon each minced garlic and ginger. When almost done, add half cup of water, two tablespoons soy sauce and plenty of black pepper. Heat through and serve over fresh Chinese noodles.
49 Sprinkle sole fillets with chopped parsley, garlic, salt and pepper; roll up, dip in flour, then beaten egg, then bread crumbs; cook in hot olive oil about three minutes a side. Serve with lemon wedges.
50 The Waldorf: Toast a handful of walnuts in a skillet. Chop an apple or pear; toss with greens, walnuts and a dressing made with olive oil, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard and shallot. Top, if you like, with crumbled goat or blue cheese.

For 51-100...click here

And for more about Mark Bittman...visit his website here.

Hoop-De-Do

2009-04-25T22:19:00.003-04:00

Found this on the community bulletin board this evening at Starbucks. Today was the last day!

Want a custom handmade hoop complete with skull and crossbones? Philthy hoops in Philadelphia!

Where to buy a fire shooting hoop? Known as a PyroHoop----get one here!

Earth Day + 48 Hours

2009-04-24T07:58:00.004-04:00

I'm a little late arriving to the Earth Day party. Like 2 days late. But I did bring something neat! Purses made out of pull tabs! Made in Brazil by women paid a decent wage, these sterilized (so they say) pull tabs are crocheted together to form a fabric. Decent prices of about $65 for the medium clutches. Check out the Escama Studio website here for the full story.

The website also has a great little tutorial on how to make your own crocheted pull tab flower.

Imagine That

2009-04-21T08:07:00.002-04:00

After I changed my blog header photo the other day (way too much magenta- sorry), it reminded me of a photo I took a few years ago. During a trip to NYC we took an unplanned walk through Central Park and came upon the John Lennon memorial, across from his house. On the morning we visited, someone had put these origami birds around the Imagine mosaic.

Leftovers

2009-04-19T00:21:00.001-04:00

I saw this and laughed so hard.....I kinda felt like this today.

Get Excited and Stay Calm

2009-04-16T07:37:00.003-04:00

I love this poster. From here. Love the crown of wrenches.

Would be the perfect companion to this one in my office.

Picture Perfect

2009-04-15T08:27:00.003-04:00

Photos? no.....paintings! Amazing work of Holly Farrell from Toronto.

Monday Mouse

2009-04-13T16:43:00.002-04:00

I feel like this busy little mouse on Monday.

Hard Rocks

2009-04-07T08:07:00.004-04:00

I love rocks. I think I've mentioned that before. Love this idea from Cassi at Bella Dia. She uses rub on transfers designed for scrapbooking on nice flat rocks. Great collection pieces and doorstops (but not on my wood floors!). Photos are from Cassi's blog.

Chocolate Bunny Nuggets

2009-04-05T16:46:00.005-04:00

I just knit a chocolate bunny. Thanks to Rebecca Danger (love that name) and her free pattern on her blog. His name is Norman Love as a tribute to my favorite chocolate master who happens to produce his fine confections in the next town over. Visiting his "studio" is always special.

Finn Fan

2009-04-04T08:55:00.005-04:00

I love Scandinavian design. And black. And white. And coffee. Here is my perfect place: SIS cafe and deli in Finland with the most clever aesthetics and packaging. As Liz Lemon says on 30 Rock: I want to go to there.

Oh La La

2009-04-03T08:33:00.003-04:00

Last year on a trip to a luxury hotel for Mother's Day weekend I discovered French macaroons. OMG. Not the toasted coconut blobs usually called macaroons. French macaroons. Two puffed meringue wafers sandwiching a layer of fruity (or chocolaty or nutty) goodness. And oh the colors.

I've searched for an easy recipe to try to recreate these at home but it looks like these are best left to the pros. The French pros. Each recipe I have found calls for a lot of almond flour and a lot of time. I don't have either stocked in my pantry right now.

I do have a telephone (several!) at my fingertips and could order from here!

One Fine Mesh Mess

2009-03-21T20:29:00.006-04:00

My kitchen gadget drawer is a big mess. And here's proof. The canning jar picker upper-thing is entwined with the microplane is connected to the sandwich crimper is mingled with the egg slicer is conjoined with the fine mesh strainer and so on and so on.

Got a drawer like this? Got gadgets galore?

Take this quiz that tests your kitchen gadget knowledge. And here's a great blog that highlights some new and unusual housewares and kitchen contraptions.

Knick Knack St. Paddy Snack

2009-03-15T17:18:00.004-04:00

These are real easy shamrock treats to make for St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday. I made this batch today. Sweet and salty, easy and delicious. Not my original idea.....saw them on this blog, complete with "recipe".

There's a Party in my Purse

2009-03-08T13:05:00.004-04:00

I love these little matchbooks of celebration candles. Just think, a party can break out anywhere! Stick one in your salami sandwich or in your cubicle mates' morning bagel.

Order from the MoMA store here. $10.00 plus shipping.

from the website:

Packaged like matchsticks, these pocket-sized sets each include ten small candles and are perfect for celebrating impromptu special moments. Set of four packs, each including ten candles. Each candle burns for five minutes.

I wonder if you could cover little matchboxes with origami paper---like here and then stick in a couple of small birthday candles and a few matches and voila...instant portable party?

I've Been Steampunk'd!

2009-03-07T08:10:00.011-05:00

I learned a new term today: Steampunk.

Steampunk is "Goth, Punk, Geek, and Maker Culture whipped into a delicious melange with a healthy seasoning of political and environmental activism. It's the intersection of science and romance, it's sustainable rebellion."

I had to look up Maker Culture, too.

This is how my cultural lesson for today went:

1. I read a short article in our local paper on a new high-end model home that opened here in town. It described the lighting in the dining room as an "armillary chandelier". I didn't know what that was so I googled. This is an example of an armillary chandelier.

2. In reading some of the google hits, I kept coming across the term "Steampunk". As in a cultural or subcultural movement that includes recycling and repurposing and just neat stuff. I clicked on this site and then went to The Steampunk Home. Mad scientist meets interior decorator. Dr. Strangelove goes on safari Out of Africa. Frankenstein wears Ralph Lauren. Makes me want to say "lah-bore-a-torie".

3. I then read that Steampunk is now considered lame and over with. So yesterday. A day late and a bunch of cool short. Don't tell that to Pottery Barn!

Fivefingers:10toes

2009-03-06T07:26:00.004-05:00

These are weird but fascinating. The next Crocs maybe? Created by the inventor of the Vibram traction sole, these Fivefingers "shoes" replicate walking barefoot but provide traction, protection and even some models keep sand out.

The website lists all the models for running, yoga and other sports and I think I have seen in reviews that they are about $80 a pair (thats $8 per toe according to my supermath skills).

I drive half barefoot most of the time. I have anxiety about scuffing up the back of my right foot shoe when I wear heels so off it comes when I get behind the wheel. Contrary to what several people have tried to scold me with over the years, it's NOT against the law. Scuffed heels and poorly maintained footwear are a crime however.

Rock On

2009-03-04T07:05:00.002-05:00

I love my wood floors. We have wood floors in every room except the master bath. They are beautiful and add such warmth and a look to our home that no other flooring could match. They are also a source of anxiety. About scratching and gouging and other wood floor disasters. Everything, and I do mean everything (even the willow laundry baskets) that comes in contact with the floor has felt pads on it's bottom.

Which brings me to my question. How do people that have wood floors have rocking chairs and not end up with scratched floors? If I could figure that out I would so buy this rocking chair. It's on sale at Modern Dose. I would buy it in orange.

After Dark

2009-03-01T08:26:00.016-05:00

I love where I live. Especially this time of year when it's a balmy 78 degrees during the day and the evenings are cool and clear. Here's a few photos from the action around town last night. According to the clock in the 4th photo---at 7:56 pm to be exact!

Happy One!

2009-02-28T08:45:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to Good to be Home!

I love paper and all things that have to do with printing and illustration. If I were to give a gift to Good to be Home I think it would be something like this from Kat's Under the Stairs Studio on Etsy. It's called a paper circus and even twirls like a real carousel.

Turn of the Century Art

2009-02-26T07:53:00.008-05:00

I loved finding these little watercolors stuck in an old journal I came across in my desk the other day.

I think I did them both at the turn of the century.

Whoa. That sounds weird.

La Dolce Vita

2009-02-25T07:37:00.005-05:00

Apparently I enjoy the sweet life a little too much. At least according to my blood sugar levels a few months ago. When my doctor told me the levels were starting to creep up just a little bit and that perhaps I should cut back on things like sugar in my coffee, I looked at her like she was from Mars.

Then she told me about a natural sweetener she was using and how wonderful it is. Agave nectar. She even showed me the bottle she had in her office and told me she uses it in her coffee. All I could think of was the unfortunate (and awful) Starbucks honey coffee drink. A few days later I bought a bottle of agave nectar syrup at Whole Foods and then it sat in the pantry for a few months.

The other day I was feeling brave (and over sugared) and tried it.

I love it. No honey taste at all. Just a light sweetness that's perfect in coffee.

It's made from the same plant that tequelia is made from (whoohooo) and has a low glycemic index number thing. It is available in a light color (and flavor- thats the one I have) and a dark or amber color that is supposed to be more like maple syrup. Probably not so good in coffee.

Try it. You'll like it.

Jesus wants you to straighten up around here

2009-02-22T08:57:00.005-05:00

A Jesus hanger to keep you organized. Oh those Swedish designers.

In black, too.

Speaking of Jesus on Sunday......what if Starbucks was really a church?

Datum Erratum

2009-02-21T08:37:00.006-05:00

One of the great job assignments I have is to lead a terrific team in preparing our organization's annual report. We strive to be creative yet responsible to our mission and I am always on the lookout for new ideas. Here's an amazing one.

Nicholas Feltron is a designer in NYC and for the past 3 years has produced his own personal annual report. It's a very clever collection of everyday information collected in his life and then presented in an amazing format. The 2008 edition has tables and graphs on transportation modes used, dining and drinking (love the 1 Thanksgiving tequila shot and the disclaimer) and great timelines and maps. And I just love the 2008 color presentation.

Here's what his year in transortation included: 366 days of walking, 545 subway trips, 107 taxis, 12 flights, 19 buses, 38 chairlifts, 20 days of driving, 46 trips with other drivers, 64 visitis to the gym, three pools, an ocean, one hayride and 62 hours of Grand Theft Auto IV.

Feltron (perfect name) has developed a personal data collection application that is in private beta testing now. In case you want to track your own doings. I signed up for an invitation.

Here's what I predict my annual report would look like.

This chart is titled "Where did the money go?"

Feeling Lucky?

2009-02-20T07:48:00.005-05:00

I probably should have waited to post this on March 17th. But I couldn't wait to share. I found this great site Luck Happens that "scours the web for the very best in current giveaways and then organizes each giveaway by its deadline."

The reason I am excited about it is not so I can win anything. I never win (Well, there was that bingo tournament last year!). I am excited because just the other day I was thinking about how to get more traffic on my blog (Note to self: post more regularly and maybe not so self-indulgent all the time?) and then thought about doing some give-aways again. This site might be perfect for that.

Take a look, take a chance.

Best of luck to you!

Eye to I

2009-02-18T11:59:00.005-05:00

Ever been up close and personal eyeball to eyeball with a whale? Me neither. This is about as close as I have ever been. As far as I know anyway.

Here is a wonderful site that gives you a great perspective on what a real life whale would look like in an up close and personal encounter. Stare into the whale's eye. Wow. And the background sounds are interesting, too. Then try to close the site and read the message.

I love Natsumi's watercolor of a whale, inspired by the above site. Check out her other little watercolors, too. So simple and pure and lovely.

My Treasure:His Trash

2009-02-16T07:40:00.006-05:00

The Mr. just doesn't get my design sense sometimes. Years ago I fell in love with Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic style and thrifted, painted, and chipped my romantic pink and green heart out. All over the house. I saw the potential of shabby chic everywhere. I got the concept of shabby chic. The Mr.? He got the shabby part but never the chic part. "Why in the world are you dragging that home?" "Ugh, it's soooo old and used" "My grandmother had one of those and threw it in the trash when it looked like that".

Fast forward and all the shabby chic has been gifted or re-thrifted. Clean modern mid-century lines now. One of my favorite pieces is a wonderful Noguchi lamp. It is graceful and delicate and sits all alone on our black Calvin dresser. When it arrived at our house, the Mr. agreed it was "neat" but really thought it would be so much better if you "could take that red sticker and name off the bottom". Ummmm, that's the artist's signature.

Face Time

2009-02-12T07:41:00.002-05:00

OK I admit it...isnt that the first step in recovery? Like a bizillion others, I'm addicted to Facebook. Are you on Facebook, too?

What I did on New Year's Eve---23 years ago

2009-01-01T05:26:00.005-05:00

Rewind to December 31, 1985 at 10:51 in the morning. While most of the world was getting ready to party, I delivered a little tax break. Well, not so little. 11lbs. 10 ozs. 26 inches.

Fast forward to NYE 2008: A beautiful daughter in a gorgeous black lace dress ready to hit the town so the whole world can celebrate her birthday. Hope you had a happy birthday sweetheart!

J'Adore

2008-12-26T20:35:00.003-05:00

I love Quebec...and what a difference just 60 days can make. The photo on the top I took in October. The one on the bottom someone sent me---taken recently.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T07:19:00.002-05:00

ho ho hOCD Christmas

2008-12-21T07:57:00.010-05:00

I just found my favorite OCD Christmas Carol here. The words? Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells jingle......

I have previously posted about my OCD tendencies and my little quirks about list making and other "rules I must live by". I give myself no break at Christmas. Want a rule for gift wrapping? Have I got a few for you: 1. Christmas wrapping must all match or be the same. This can vary by group. For instance, all gifts to colleagues must be the same paper or theme but all gifts to family can be wrapped different but must be all wrapped alike. Got it? 2. All gifts to children that still believe in Santa (OK, I DO still believe in the magic of Santa) must have their gifts wrapped in paper that depicts Santa. 3. Try to lighten up next year.

Now where was I? oh yes, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells...to be continued

Two Swans-A-Swimming

2008-12-17T00:03:00.004-05:00

A big shopping district near my house has several connecting lakes on the property. Instead of the usual ducks, they have stocked the lakes with pairs of swans. These two are probably "married" and while swans do mate for life, I understand divorce sometimes does occur between swans, especially after nest failure.

I am betting that's Mr. on the left and he has heard enough about "nest failure".

Ready to Wear Water

2008-12-15T07:32:00.005-05:00

Evian water does a special holiday bottle every year designed by someone notable. This year, fashion icon Christian Lacroix created the "Pret-a-Porter" look. Very pretty lace. Although I am not sure what coppiced lace means, I like it.

You can order a bottle (or a case) from the Evian website for $13.95 per bottle. Plus shipping.

Or you can pick one up from Target for $3.99.

One more reason I heart Target.

Over the River

2008-12-14T19:01:00.003-05:00

This has got to be the most beautiful version of Joni Mitchell's great song "River". Ever. I guess it took another Canadian like Sarah to pull it off.

Do you ever wish you had a river you could skate away on? Oh, I do.

Enjoy.

TWD: Linzer Sables

2008-12-02T04:10:00.004-05:00

A quick TWD post before I head to the airport for Tulsa. This week's Linzer Sables were....interesting. I am not sure what I did wrong, but the entire batch only produced 4 filled sandwich cookies and they were very hard, gritty, brittle and tasted like a dental preparation. I think I overdid the cloves and the cookies tasted like Anbesol. I also may have rolled the dough too thick as a lot of TWD bakers commented that the 1/4" that Dorie's recipe called for was too thick. I used a pretty snowflake cookie cutter and dusted with powdered sugar. Had I been succesful baking these cookies, they would have/should have been beautiful and tasty. They were neither.

Oh well, the raspberry jam was good!

The Shroud of Turkey

2008-11-29T09:11:00.015-05:00

I love turkey. I have a "secret" way of cooking turkey that my grandmother used and I have never heard of anyone else using this method. It's a little unusual, but it makes a very perfect and deliciously moist turkey every time. Here's my secret: cover the turkey with a butter soaked piece of 100% cotton white cloth and cook. Sound a little weird? yup, I know. But it works. See for yourself:

Start with a fresh turkey. So much easier than dealing with days of defrosting a frozen turkey.

Stuff and season with salt and pepper

Cut a piece of cloth large enough to cover the whole bird. I use 100% cotton white muslin and usually buy about a yard. Melt one and a half sticks of butter in a sauce pan.

With tongs, cover the cloth with the melted butter. Make sure the cloth is saturated with the butter.

Unfold the cloth and drape over the turkey. Make sure the breast is well covered and the cloth is tucked inside the pan. Pour any remaining melted butter over the draped cloth. Add about a cup of water to the pan.

In the oven (325) it goes.

Baste the cloth with the pan drippings every 40-50 minutes. Add water to the pan as needed to keep about an inch of liquid in the pan. The cloth will get very brown.

About an hour before the turkey is done, take it out of the oven to remove the cloth. The cloth will get very brown and crispy....if you like crispy skin, it will look good enough to eat! But don't! To remove the cloth, baste the cloth well and when it is nice and wet, peel it carefully off with tongs. Discard the cloth. Or marvel at it that it looks like crispy skin or brown leather!

Baste the uncovered turkey and put back in the oven for the last hour of cooking. The turkey will brown nicely all over. If the exposed stuffing is getting crispy, cover with a little aluminium foil shield.

The golden moist bird. It makes for......

Happy Pilgrims!

The Bird is the Word

2008-11-27T10:32:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I plan to post later today about my special recipe for turkey. I just have to wait until the cooking is through so I can chronicle with photos. In the meantime, have a great day and enjoy your blessings!

TWD: Thanksgiving Twofer Pie

2008-11-25T07:31:00.004-05:00

Pecan Pie? oh yes, please! Pumpkin Pie? Not so much. I don't know why I don't like pumpkin pie. It's not the consistency thing- I love custards and mashed foods. And I love the spices involved here. But pumpkin pie and I have never been friends. Even with a top layer of gooey pecans, this pie just didn't do it for me. My first Tuesdays with Dorie challenge that I didn't care for.

I enjoyed making this recipe and a few people 'round my house liked it. I did have to cover the crust edges about half way through as they were getting pretty dark and crispy in the oven. I just twisted some foil and fit it around the pie dish.

Maybe I'll try drinking my obligatory piece of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie on Thursday instead. Here's a recipe for a Pumpkin Pie Martini!

Soup's On

2008-11-23T21:09:00.004-05:00

Here's a great deal. Did you know that HoneyBaked Ham stores sells ham bones? I can buy them at my HB Ham store for $7.99 and they come with lots of meat still on them. Like enough for a few sandwiches or a meal for 2 and even then there is plenty enough on the bone to make soup. They don't always have them in the store, so call first before you go.

I made bean soup today with great northern beans. I use the overnight soak method and then softly boil the beans and ham in water for a few hours. I add in some chopped onion, chopped celery (including the leaves) and a diced carrot or two. Add some pepper and a little bit of salt, a few bay leaves and simmer. Then I add my secret ingredient (shhh- don't tell). About a cup of ketchup. It delivers some color and a subtle sweetness. Good on the first night with some bread and butter.

Even better on the second night with biscuits and honey.

Getting Ready to Get Reddy

2008-11-20T08:03:00.004-05:00

The windowboxes in our front window always have some kind of red flowers in them. As we live in a pretty warm area (Well, except for today when it is 40 degrees here!) it's usually geraniums most of the year and then poinsettias for the holidays.

I love the big splash of red on the outside and the glimpse of red from the inside. Our geraniums are still blooming and healthy so they will be sent to the back lanai (porch) to give a color punch there and soon we will have our Christmas flowers in the front window.

Maybe they'll last until Easter again this year.

TWD: Arborio Rice Pudding

2008-11-18T07:35:00.007-05:00

First let me say....ahhhhhhh my internet connection is back! Posting from the iPhone was OK for an "emergency" but this is more like it. Something about a splitter gone bad and more power to the TVs than to the computer.

Another Tuesday is here and another success from Tuesdays with Dorie. This week: Arborio Rice Pudding. Arborio rice is a short and wide grained rice that is makes its famous appearance in Risotto. It is also perfect for pudding. I "played around" with the recipe just a wee bit and added a layer of soaked plump raisins and a few grates of fresh nutmeg.

Some TWD bakers listed issues with the printed recipe---pudding stayed soupy. Dorie Greenspan herself stopped by the TWD blog and let us know of a printing error---the pudding had to cook for 55 minutes instead of 35 as printed. Thanks, Dorie!