Welcome: LobotoME

I've been enjoying these eco-friendly, upbeat products for a few years now so it's with great delight that I introduce you today to LobotoME notepads and planners. This is likely not the first time you've seen these simple, happy, motivating notepads around. I've spotted them at The Container Store and LobotoME products have also been featured in Real Simple and Cookie Magazine...favorites of mine and yours too I'm guessing.

I use the MomME planner daily...I like the way it's organized and sized. I also love to use the "Sit Me" notepads for my babysitters and the "Feed Me" notepads for meal planning. If you are a Twilight fan (or am I the only one out there that isn't?) you may want to check these out too.

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Alice Lane Home GIVEAWAY

What a wonderful place to be inspired...Alice Lane Home. Just the website alone is incredibly alluring! Imagine what a trip to this newly-opened design mecca would be like. Mmmm...dreamy. The well-edited collection of furniture, lighting and accessories is just what Utah needs. Who has time to flip through a bajillion magazines/websites when so much goodness is available in one pretty place. Lovely.

One lucky reader will receive a $100 gift certificate to use at Alice Lane Home. Wowsers! Just think of the fun you'll have. If it's been awhile since you entered a giveaway, peruse the guidelines below before entering; but most of all, have fun!

Giveaway Guidelines:

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Tuesday, November 3rd at midnight).
- Make a comment on THIS POST to enter.
- One entry per person please.
- Anonymous comments will be ignored so make sure we know who you are!
- The winner will be chosen via random.org and then announced by Wednesday, November 4th.
- Winners, please respond by the end of the week to secure prize. Thank you~

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Art Weekend Approaching

A gentle reminder...

Locals, the gonna-be-fabulous Art Weekend is just a week away...make sure you sign up for a class or two in the next few days. I can't tell you how excited I am to attend! I feel confident I will walk away with added skills and for the price point, it's an incredible deal.

You can sign up for Salt Lake's Art Weekend here.

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Welcome Turtle Papers

Here is an etsy shop you'll want to bookmark! Some of the most beautiful, useful and affordable stationery I've ever purchased was from Turtle Papers. I especially enjoy the monogrammed notes...I use them all.the.time. Who knew a simple note could be so elegant and cheery at the same time?

See all her paper goodness here.

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Opening My Closet to You

Last night I set up listings on Ebay for some pretty little things I cannot fit or sadly have no occasion to use. I'd love for them to find their way to you :) These are all designer pieces (or close to like "Banana Republic") and are in "new" or "like new" condition. I've started them off low with no reserves. I like a good deal...you like a good deal...that's the way it should be.

See the pieces on Ebay here.

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Winter Squash Soup

These blue pots are really coming in handy, I must say (still kicking myself for not tracking down more). I made a batch of my favorite squash soup and used them as little serving pieces. My husband is not a squash soup fan, but even he loves this recipe. Needless to say I make it a few times every Autumn...especially when Costco stocks conveniently packaged cubed squash. Talk about a time saver! Once you buy your pre-cubed squash, all you'll need to do is cube a couple of acorn squash and you're good to go. I garnish mine with a dollop of creme fraiche (or sour cream if unavailable) and a sage leaf.

For those of you who've eaten at The Sentinel in San Francisco, do you know of a squash soup recipe that mimics the one they serve there? It's quite different from this version but very tasty as well.

p.s. thanks Jordan, for the recommendation to eat there :)

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Vintage Cast Iron

I love to cook with cast iron pans. Love, love, love. They are wonderful for sauteing, roasting, baking, etc. I use at least one of my two vintage cast iron pans daily if you can believe it. If you don't own one, I highly recommend getting your hands on one quite soon. They are available, brand new, at places like Sur La Table but we prefer the vintage ones in our home. There is something about cooking with an old, seasoned, been-through-it-all kind of pan. As an added bonus they are quite affordable.

Here are a few of my favorites for sale on Etsy and Ebay right now. The prized Descoware pieces are particularly intriguing. Did you know Julia Child preferred to use these well-made pans from Belgium? I can only imagine how fun it would be to own one of these well-priced vintage versions from Europe. It makes me want to have a white kitchen with an entire wall of vintage cast iron pans in all different colors. You'll see what I mean in just a minute...

on Etsy:

Descoware Flame Red Casserole Dish + Lid

Deck of Cards Pan (perfect for a game night!)

Classic Cast Iron Skillet

Pair of Red + Yellow Skillets

on Ebay:

Vintage Le Creuset Turquoise Pan

Autumn Leaves Muffin Pan

Red + Blue Skillet

Pale Green + Blue Skillet

Flower Muffin Pan

p.s. If you're interested in the proper care of cast iron pans, click here.

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For the Love of Cows

Living in the French countryside means seeing a whole lot of cows...every day and all day. I have no complaints though; I fell in love with this aspect of country living and enjoyed observing the cows and their habits. They are the happiest cows I've ever seen--the ones living in Beynac. You may think this sounds crazy but it wasn't uncommon to see them trotting around their pretty green, hillside pasture. They seemed pretty content :) Needless to say, when we stumbled upon this turn-of-the-century print of a beautiful cow at a local antique market, I knew it belonged in La Maisonnette.

I believe these will be the last of the images from La Maisonnette du Coteau I'll be sharing here. If you would like to see more, click here.

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Chicken with Morels

I revisited this recipe recently and was reminded how much I love preparing it and consuming it :) It's an excellent make-ahead meal with a very "gourmet" feel. I included a few notes here.

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Barometer Floor Lamp

Several people asked if I purchased this lamp at Restoration Hardware. I take that as a compliment...I dream of furnishings from RH. But, do you want to know a secret? I bought the lamp at IKEA and it cost me 1/4 of the price of any lighting piece at RH. Just thought I'd share this budget find as I'm always thrilled to find a "look for less" too :)

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Twigs and Honey Wedding

Gorgeous, GORGEOUS wedding pieces from Twigs & Honey. Belts, shrugs, veils, bouquets...and it's all really pretty. When I see handmade lovelies like these, it makes me wish I could redo a few things about my wedding as my taste is quite different ten years later. Does anyone else feel that way too?

p.s. if you need a last minute Halloween hair piece, this is the place...Myra also offers several non-wedding accessories too.

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Intimidation in the Kitchen

During our last week in Beynac, we invited two couples over for dinner on different evenings. Both couples helped us out in some way during the renovation and we wanted to express our appreciation to them. I admit I was quite intimidated as both of these couples were far more experienced cooks than I. But, then I remembered an important mantra--it's not about the food, it's about being invited. Yes, the chances that the meal I'd prepare would be sub par to anything they would prepare, but was that really the point? I quickly reminded myself that it wasn't and went ahead with a simple menu I felt comfortable preparing. I know the meal didn't "wow" these experienced French cooks but I know they appreciated the dinner invitation and that is really what matters in the end.

Above you see a few images my husband took of Jean-Luc giving me a lesson on making mashed potatoes (yes, the French have no inhibitions about stepping in and telling you how to do something better!). His method? Heat the milk and butter over the stove before adding it to the potatoes and then mashing them with a fork, instead of the obvious potato masher. Best potatoes I've ever consumed!

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Halsea Overnighter

About a week ago I joined a few gals for a sleepover at a friend's cabin. Can I just say how fun it is to have sleepovers as thirty-somethings? All the fun without the teenage drama. Why don't we do this more often I wonder...

Anyway, some of the attendees asked about this fun weekend bag from Halsea...I can't tell you how happy I was to forgo jamming my stuff in an old duffel bag of my husbands' or worse...a trash bag. It's such a happy little tote.

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Nomiya Paris

How would you like to eat at a Parisian restaurant that only serves 12 people per meal? Oh, and did I mention the restaurant overlooks the Eiffel Tower and rests atop a famous monument itself? Yup. Pretty darn amazing. Keep in mind it's definitely on the spendy side, but since the restaurant will only be open until July 2010, it could probably be categorized as once-in-a-lifetime. Just like the trip to Paris you're trying to plan :) Time to throw a few things up on Ebay perhaps...

Read more about it and see more pictures here.

image from Departures

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Spaghetti Squash with Jalapeño Cream

Are you always trying to figure out what to make with the copious amounts of spaghetti squash coming out of your garden, your neighbor's garden, and the grocery store? Well, this is it folks. The dish is not only comforting, but it definitely has a slight gourmet feel to it as well--it's a good combination. In addition, it's not difficult to make and doesn't take a lot of time; especially when you bake and shred the squash ahead of time like I try to do. One last note...with so few ingredients you'll want to make sure the cheese is excellent. We enjoy the Pepper Jack cheese by Tillamook.

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One Day in Holland

So the question is, what to do? My in-laws decided the best place to visit for a crash course in Dutch history & culture would be the Open Air Museum in Arhem. They were spot on...it was a fantastic place to spend a half day and my kids enjoyed themselves so much.

Windmills. Check.
Train ride. Check.
Pretty Dutch Buildings. Check.
Bicycles. Check.
Tulips. Check.
Picnic. Check.

I can't wait to go back and see more of this beautiful country. What do you like to do in Holland? What is on your "must-see" list?

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Pumpkin Toadstools

I saw this cover and knew this was a project for me for a few reasons...1. our porch needed some attention in the pumpkin category...2. friends gifted us a bunch of squash...and 3. I love toadstools. So one morning while the girls were away at school or playgroup, my son and I donned aprons and set to work. We had such a good time and he loved the one-on-one time so much that half way through the project he told me spontaneously that he loved me. It was so sweet! What a good reminder to spend more time like this with my children individually.

Here is Martha's version:

...and our version:

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Sarlat Market + French Market Sacks

Not fifteen minutes from Beynac stands the pretty Medieval town of Sarlat...it's a good-sized town with a an equally good-sized food market. While there we found out this market is one of the most famous food markets in France and a few hundred years old. I relished attending the market whenever I could get away and I'm glad I did because now I miss it a lot.

When I took a cooking class Daniéle last year, she taught me that when you go to a French market, you should only buy produce/products from the producteur him/herself. Look for the dirty pants or stained knees...the homemade labels...the smaller selection. These are the signs that the person selling you the item actually produced the item. In a nutshell, the best finds come from the producteurs themselves. I tried to adhere to her advice and stayed away from those pre-printed labels :)

Another fun aspect of French marketing is the packaging. Many producteurs, namely those selling berries, place your fruits and vegetables in these cute little bags upon purchase. Since I am a total sucker for thoughtful packaging and anything kraft brown, I feel hard and fast for these little guys. By the end of the Summer my French improved enough that I was able to ask a woman selling berries where she purchased her bags (it was huge for me to get past just "bonjour"!). She mentioned the name of the town, but not the location so it took awhile to figure out just where to find them...but it magically happened one day and voila...here they are in my shop. Fill them with apples, little gourds or even muffins; tie them with string (included) and deliver to friends and neighbors. It's a fun way to present something very simple.

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Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Little treats I made recently...I determined that it's not possible to consume too many of these amazing chocolate chip cookies. This is simply the best recipe I've ever used! To mix is up a bit this last time I added toasted chopped hazelnuts* to the batter and while it added a nuance of flavor I loved, it did change the consistency of the cookie; perhaps next time I'll add a little more flour if I decide to add nuts again. Make sure you use a good-quality chocolate chip like Guittard or Ghirardelli for the optimum experience. These cookies are seriously goooooood.

* To toast the hazelnuts, spread 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts evenly in a small cake pan or the like; place in a preheated 350° oven for 6 minutes exactly.

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Communal Restaurant GIVEAWAY Winner

I'm pleased to announce that "KatiK" who commented, "We love Pizzeria 712! Communal must be fabulous by association" is the winner of the $40 gift certificate to Communal.

KatiK, please email me when you spot this good news!

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Welcome Little Alouette

I'm thrilled to introduce you to the delightful Little Alouette today. It is one-of-a-kind and I'm certain you will enjoy discovering these adorable, handcrafted wooden toys & teethers. My sister once joked that she wouldn't mind toys lying about if they were pretty and wooden. It's funny, she's absolutely right! Toys like these are simple works of art.

Little Alouette keeps baby safe and happy with non-toxic wooden teethers and toddler toys. You don't have to worry about anything yucky getting into baby's body and the soft, maple wood will be easy on baby's gums. However, I think the most outstanding attribute of Little Alouette is that "each product is made by hand and usually all the wood is surrounded by cups of tea, laughing children, and disco music so each product will come to you infused with love and bliss!" I'd say it doesn't get much better than that!

You can find Little Alouette online here and on Etsy here.

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New York City: Union Square Farmer's Market

It's so good to know that even if you live smack dab in the middle of Manhattan, you still have access to straight-from-the-farm goodness at local farmer's markets, like the one at Union Square. What an outstanding event it is! There were so many amazing offerings, some of which I've never seen before at markets in San Francisco or in France. It was a fun place to stop by when we visited NY recently for a wedding (a few pictures forthcoming).

While you're in the area, make sure you stop by the fabulous and famous ABC Carpet & Home as well as Fishs Eddy. There are also some great vendors between the farmer's market and these shops. I found a lovely cashmere blend scarf for $5 along the way and I realize, given the price, that the % of cashmere in the scarf is fairly low, but it's so pretty and soft that I don't really care! If you're feeling budget-conscious, try one of the many gyro stands in the area and treat yourself to an inexpensive lunch. We thought they were some of the best we've had in the US. Add a $1 fresh-squeezed lemonade and you'll be set!

top collage - me; bottom collage - the Husband :)

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Heart-Shaped Balloons

If I lived Down Under, I would love to have my children's portraits taken by this gal. Barb Uil is incredibly talented and her images exude happiness, innocence, and everything else wonderful about being a child. That cute little heart-shaped balloon adds a childlike element to this particular image and I think they would be perfect for many different occasions. I really, really love them. Think of all the fun ways to dress them up with different colors of ribbon. Striped grosgrain anyone?

You can find the balloons here and more Jinky Art here.

image via Jinky Art

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Belgian Chocolate

You can't visit Belgium without digging into chocolate. It's famous for a reason and not-to-be-missed. We enjoyed sampling a few from each of the local chocolateries and determining which ones we liked best. The storefronts were also exquisite and even more spectacular, at times, than the chocolates! I was very impressed with the amount of effort put into excellent presentation.

While all the chocolates were absolutely delicious, I couldn't help but feel like the best chocolates in the world are right here in the U.S of A. at Woodhouse Chocolates. This is the stuff that dreams are made of...if you love chocolate that is (who doesn't?). If you're lucky enough to live in the Bay Area, head up to St. Helena at your earliest convenience. Even if you're not a wine drinker, it's still fun to visit Napa Valley for the scenery, great food, and small-town experience. By the way, Quatres Epices, Mint, and Passion Fruit are my favorites at Woodhouse.





















images 1-5 - moi; image 6 - twigs and honey

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Apple Picking + Apple Pecan Crisp

Last week some friends invited us to go apple picking with them and we quickly jumped on board...apple picking is one of my favorite Autumn activities with kids. Despite the next-to-a-major-road location, the cider was still killer and a good time was had by all. It doesn't hurt that my kids absolutely love apples! If any of you know of a fantastic location in Utah, please share :) And for those of you who live in the Boston area, you must head out to Marino Lookout Farm in Wellesley...I've never had a better apple-picking experience (btw, did they change their name?)

After the apple picking was over it seemed only fit to make an apple crisp. I combined elements from some of my favorite recipes and created my own. Since the results were super yummy I thought I'd share the recipe with you:

Apple Pecan Crisp

Filling:

7-8 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (I used half Granny, half Braeburn; one large apple = 1 cup)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (use a Microplane zester; the best price on whole nutmeg is @ World Mkt)
Zest of 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Topping:

3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
pinch of sea salt
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 stick cold, diced butter

Preheat your oven to 350°.

In a bowl, toss the apples with the sugar, flour and cinnamon until apples are coated. Next, add the nutmeg and zest of lime and toss again. Finally, add the pecans and toss one last time. Pour the filling into a 9x13 pan or the equivalent.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk the flour, sugar, brown sugar, sea salt and oatmeal. Then scatter the pieces of diced butter in the flour mixture. Place the paddle attachment on this mixer. Mix the butter with the flour mixture on low speed until the butter is pea-sized and the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly on top of the apple filling. Bake in a 350° oven for 50-60 minutes. Serve with a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream.

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