Console Table

View from the back of the house (semi-creepy)

I don't think I've shared any photos of the beautiful console table that A built for me around Thanksgiving. Actually, he built it in about 3 hours the day after Thanksgiving and I painted it over the next few days. I painted it with Martha Stewart's Eggplant in high gloss.

It's the perfect size for end of the entry way. A few vases, a calendar (difficult to see, it's a letterpress nautical calendar), an engagement photo, some Gentlewoman magazines and a platter all find a home here. I don't think the color shows up super well in these photos, but the one below is closest to how it appears in person.

You'd be shocked at the number of photos I had to take to finally get three that don't prominently feature some part of Bailey's body. Mostly her snout.

Weekend, in review

A low key weekend, that's how we like to keep them these days. The weeks are so full that it's nice to spend a few unplanned days just letting ourselves roam. And nap. And roam more. There was time at a secluded cabin (camera left at home accidentally but a little happily I think). We also went to a going-away party for a cousin who is Afghanistan bound until next year and later in the weekend there was a very sweet marriage proposal from the same cousin. I hope you all had weekends that left you feeling ready for the week. Evidence below.

Park time with our favorite

Pizza fixings

One pizza, prepared

Sunday beverages

Reading+new maincure (thanks April)

Sorting and storing

Sunday afternoon light

-We had friends over for a pizza party and came up with delicious combos (spinach and fennel. sausage and mushroom. garlic and arugula.)
-The nails are a gel manicure, which is supposed to last at least two weeks. I have high hopes! It also doesn't do any of the gross damage that some of the other long lasting manicures can do.
-I was re-reading a part of Cat's Eye and am about to start this at my friend Andrew's suggestion.
-I have a huge stack of random magazines and am working on weeding out any good recipes in them to store in a binder. I can't recall where I heard this idea, but whoever passed it along: Thank. You.

Not Your Bitch

Who is this woman? When was this taken? And why am I so into her hair?!

Weekend, in review

We had family visiting this weekend and they all stayed at our house. It was a nice, laid back visit. From Thursday to Sunday we hung around the house, ate yummy food, chatted, and ventured around Jackson. I left my camera at home a lot, so most of the photos are just from around the house: various food, woofers and being lazy outside once it stopped raining.

New citrus juicer, thanks mom!

Nandy's Candy treats

Chocolate covered honeycomb, so good

Backyard time

First pedicure of 2012 (thanks, Mom!)

We made black bean stew, I stirred the beans

While mom handled the limes and other garnish

The girls got plenty of love all weekend long

Lunch Break

At the start of last week, I'd been feeling pretty overwhelmed with several things and was having a pretty hectic day. During the lunch hour though, I had no commitments. Normally I'd settle in with laptop and try to return emails or I'd just grab a book and eat while I read. Instead I called a sweet friend who was having her own very busy week and asked if she wanted to come over for lunch, since she works just a mile from my house.

We shared whole wheat pasta with spinach, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar. It was a nice way to catch up and take a little time away from the computer, the agendas and the stress. This kind of lunch date mid-week is usually pretty impossible, but when it does work out I think it'll be a great Monday pick-me-up. Will be back tomorrow with a few snaps from the end of last week/weekend. We've had lots of guests over the past five days!

Weekend, in review

Early mornings this weekend, so lots of coffee

Two favorite dudes (A and Noahman)

New calendar arrived

Noahman tossing the ball for some sweet woofers

We had a pretty busy weekend, but we got a lot done and managed to see a few friends as well! It's finally gotten cold here which is nice because it finally feels like winter but also not nice because it's really rainy. Oh well! We'll just crank up the fireplace and force the dogs to cuddle. It's not all bad.

As a side note: I've been messing around with a few settings on my camera, and fussing with a new lens. So, if things look a bit off kilter, that's why. Hopefully I'll figure it out shortly!

Valentine's

photo from fieldguided

Happy Valentine's Day! I'll have a weekend photos post tomorrow, but I wanted to wish you guys a day full of pretty red things, maybe some confetti, whatever sweets (or not-so-sweets) you like and even some hugs (if you dig that kind of thing, which I DO!).

Some Favorites

Blueberry sauce (for all the waffles)

-The Joy of Quiet, such a nice article that says what so many of us have heard before about quiet and unplugging
-The Art of Pesto, via Anthology
-Lovely bracelet
-Letterpress calendar, coming to our house soon
-We're in need of new glasses and I think these classics are perfect
-Thrilled to see this project take shape
-I love all things Canal House lately, but especially this site
-Chloe perfume, perfect for spring and summer

Weekend, in review

Lots of rain this weekend here, but I managed to get a lot done, spend some time in the kitchen and enjoyed the Super Bowl (halftime show, I don't really dig pro football) with some friends and family. I also spent most of Saturday reading and chatting. Even did a tiny bit of shopping. To the photos!

Bread, rising

A made this chair! (taken Thursday, pre-rain)

Sweet gift from a friend

Bailey wants some cookie dough

Peanut butter cookies

Giant brownies shaped like footballs

Sunday night working

Notes:
-A actually made that chair quite awhile ago, but it's just recently made it's way to our backyard. It's the perfect nap chair.
-The lipsticks in the package from my friend were amazing (Revlon Lip Butters). Such flattering colors and a nice, smooth texture. All the goodies are being well-enjoyed!
-Those are the only two brownies I cut into that shape. I had big plans for Super Bowl dessert, but they were a massive failure so I just went with brownies and peanut butter cookies. The rest of the brownies were small squares. Snoozefest! (Except not, because they're brownies)
-All manner of work is improved by a beer. The new Shiner Bock spring ale is bangin'. They always do right on the seasonal ales!

Citrus Salts

We've talked before about the abundance of citrus we've got going on here. I'm not complaining, mind you, but once the bounty ends we'll be happy to move to berries for the spring and summer. In the meantime, we're finding all manner of new uses for the citrus we've got. One that I found particularly easy and useful was this method of making citrus salts from Heidi over at 101 Cookbooks.

A part of the bounty

It's a pretty easy process, just zest the fruit then mix it up with a salt of your choice (I used a few different sea salts we randomly had around the house). Then you bake it at a low heat and let cool. I made Clementine salt, Persian Lime salt and Meyer Lemon salt. So far we've used the Persian Lime salt on the rim of margarita glasses (delicious), the Clementine salt was great in a rice and veggie bowl and the Meyer Lemon salt was a nice finish on a batch of roasted broccoli.

Mixed up, ready for baking

I made quite a bit and have randomly been giving little shakers of the salts to friends and family who stop by. Well, all of them except the two who are allergic to citrus. I haven't given them anything. Sorry, dudes.

Tiny jars o' salt

 **A brought it to my attention that some people might not really be familiar with citrus salts. Basically, if you like citrus fruit, then you'll dig it. They do have to bake for just over an hour, but the hands on time is maybe 7 minutes tops. I did the whole process one lazy Sunday after a weekend in New Orleans. By "lazy" I mean hungover. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Posh Nosh

I like to watch cooking shows, and the BBC has done what they do best: made fun of them. Most of the Posh Nosh episodes are on YouTube, and whenever you have 10-15 minutes for laughing, look them up!

Below is the first episode in the series. Extraordinary food for ordinary people! These vegetables have already been embarrassed. The blindfold olive oil test might be my favorite bit in this one. Anyway, happy viewing! If you like this one, make sure you watch the Paella episode, where you'll hear "We make our own stock, but by all means buy your's if you have low self-esteem."