How to Seed a Pomegranate

Chances are you've spotted big, beautiful pomegranates piled on top of each other at your local grocery store this month and you've probably considered buying one...at least for a moment.  But then you start thinking about how you'd seed this hunky piece of fruit and furthermore, how would you use it.  I get it...I've thought the same thing in the past.  But today I'm here to put all your pomegranate fears to rest and empower you with the best method of seeding a pomegranate.

Awhile back a reader sent me a link to a video from an archived Martha Stewart show where she showed viewers how to seed a pomegranate without wasting any of the seeds, without making a mess and without running water (thanks Monique!).  Apparently an Indian gentleman taught Martha this simple, effective method and it's absolutely brilliant. The visual tutorial I'm sharing today is based on this video.

1. Hold the pomegranate in one hand and score the fruit into fourths.  Slide the knife into the middle, putting pressure on the fruit, and break apart.  You'll have 4 quarters. 



2. In one hand, take one fourth of the pomegranate and flip it over.  The fruit should be facing down in the palm of your hand. 

3.  With your other hand grab a heavy, wooden spoon and whack the skin of the pomegranate with the back of the spoon (consider it your daily stress reliever).  Pomegranate seeds will start spilling through your fingers like manna from the sky.  You'll notice only seeds falling out...no membranes.  It's amazing! 

4.  Repeat steps for the remaining 3 wedges. 

p.s. my favorite way to eat pomegranate seeds is by the spoonful (hello antioxidants!) and mixed in with fresh pineapple.  What's yours?

all images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Rendevous in Beynac, France 2012

Just a heads up that we have opened our 2012 calendar at La Maisonnette in Beynac, France. So if you're looking for a quiet, peaceful respite in the French countryside, feel free to peek at available dates.  Summer is always a lovely time to be in southern France, but we also know that September through mid-October is typically beautiful as well.  In fact, I snapped this image during the first week in October, while wearing short sleeves! 

Vacationing in Beynac during the off-season gives you the chance to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area when all is quiet in the village (our rates are more than half the peak season too).  I love going to the markets during the off season when it's almost entirely locals...such a different experience!  I look forward to trying truffle hunting in January (after stopping in Paris for Les Soldes); Valentine's Day would also be romantic (putting the fireplace to use is a must!); Thanksgiving would be downright decadent...and Ben and I talk about getting over to enjoy a simple, serene Christmas at some point.

We have really enjoyed having blog readers stay at La Maisonnette...it's been a pleasure to interact with you and we've appreciated your kind words and good care.  We look forward to hosting more readers in the seasons to come!

Shannon Wight Photography GIVEAWAY

And the randomly chosen winner is...

 

Congratulations Lindsey!  Please contact me at stephmodo@gmail.com to secure your prize within the week.  Thanks so much!

Today I want to introduce you to new sponsor, Shannon Wight Photography.  Some of the sweetest, casual family photos I've spotted lately are "a la Shannon" and I'm happy to share a couple of them with you today in this introduction/giveaway!

We recently asked Shannon to take our family's picture, our first since Baby Gray joined us, and despite the chaos of assembling 6 people, she successfully managed to snap several great images.  On the morning of the shoot, my husband and I discussed how stressful family pictures can be, but how happy we are to have them later.  I really appreciated how Shannon remained calm, helpful and relaxed throughout the session--her approach helped put us all at ease.

For this week's holiday giveaway, Shannon would like to generously offer one lucky gal/guy/family a one-hour session, as well as a disc full of all the images for your printing and viewing pleasure.  Think holiday cards, new head shots, candid shots at your son's birthday party or just memory making.  As usual, giveaway guidelines are below.  Please make sure you check back to see if you've won the giveaway and if you think of it, leave your email address in your comment too.  Thanks!



Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Sunday, December 4th at midnight).
- Make 1 comment on this post to enter.
- Anonymous comments will not be considered, so please make sure we know who you are!
- The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced next week at the top of this post--so make sure you peek back and see if you're the lucky one!
- If you win, please respond within one week of the winner announcement to secure prize. Thank you!

note: while Shannon mainly photographs in British Columbia and the Seattle Metropolitan area, she is available to travel elsewhere. 

Modern Bedrooms for Children

I'm toying with the idea of sprucing up one of my children's bedrooms--it's been the same style for over 4 years now and I'm in the mood to change out a couple of things to make it a bit more age appropriate.  I peeked at Houzz to see if I could find anything inspiring...here is what I found!  Love the various shades of blue, the clean lines, the lack of clutter, the attention to detail and calming aura they each exude. Plus, they aren't all fancy schmancy, which makes the project seem doable. 

p.s. I just had to include one girly space as well...so beautiful!

bedroom 1  /  bedroom 2  /  bedroom 3

Winter Squash Soup with Apples + Creme Fraiche

When in France almost 2 months ago for the workshop with Aran, I fell in love with the adorable potimarron dotting the produce stands at the outdoor markets.  Referred to as red kuri squash in the US, these sweet little French pumpkins are a special treat and fantastic in soup.

I'm sharing my recipe for Winter Squash Soup with Apples + Creme Fraiche over at Cafe Zupas.  Enjoy!

Doolittle Magazine

I need a shot of pretty today...and you?  No Black Friday speak here :)

"Smitten" is the word that describes how I feel about the simple, creative, minimal styling in French magazine, Doolittle.  If I had to choose my favorite element, I think the hydrangeas taped to the wall with washi tape would take first place.  However, there are so many tiny details to appreciate, it is difficult to choose (that polkadot dress...swoon!).  In my dreams my girls closet, bedroom and playroom would look like the pages of Doolittle.  Le sigh...

images via Doolittle Magazine

Au Revoir Autumn + Thanking You

Although the winter solstice doesn't take place until just before Christmas, it's hard not to feel like winter begins the day after Thanksgiving.  The vibrant leaves are almost entirely fallen, holiday preparations go into play, and snow often settles in; and there's nothing autumnal in feel to any of those things in my book.  It seems that Spring and Autumn are shorter seasons than their more clingy counterparts, Summer and Winter; and that is precisely why enjoying Autumn right down to the very last day (that feels like Autumn) is so important. 

As we bid adieu to this season, I want to thank you for your support and encouragement.  Those of you who take the time to comment on posts truly make my day...so thank you!  I hope you have a lovely holiday today (bonus points for drama-free family get-togethers!) and enjoy the extended weekend.  xoxo to you all.

Thoughts on Thanksgiving Day Prep

For many of you, today will be filled with baking, cooking and a probably a few last minute runs to the store; and of course, this is all whilst "real life" takes place around us.  I am trying to calmly talk myself through what feels like a very hectic day and give myself repeated reminders to keep in mind what the holiday is truly about.  No one, after all, enjoys being around an agitated or stressed out host!  I read this gentle reminder a few years ago in the introduction of one of Ina Garten's cookbooks and I've never forgotten this sage piece of advice. 

My goal is to keep Thanksgiving simple in every sense.  I will likely not have anything but flowers on my table and place cards my daughter makes from construction paper.  The dishes we prepare will not be complex, just made from good ingredients.  My tablecloth will likely be a bit wrinkled and there is a strong possibility that paper towels will become napkins.  The goal is to enjoy keeping alive the Thanksgiving traditions we've thoughtfully put into place over the last few years.  So today I will make a conscious effort to stay focused on the point of this beautiful holiday.  Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself as I write? :)

Off to get dressed and run to the store...

A rundown of our Thanksgiving menu after the jump...

Modern Quilts

Serveral years ago I discovered the beautiful, modern quilts of Denyse Schmidt and since then have not only remained a loyal fan of all her lines, but to others that create a fresh contemporary look in their own quilt designs.  Since the chilly, dark, and rainy weather seems to have settled in up here in the PNW, I cannot help but to think of cozying up with one of these cheery favorites:

dots quilt  /  paris map quilt  /  blue and chartreuse quilt  

color study quilt   /  blue airplane quilt   /  paint chip quilt in orange

Pumpkin Recipes

'Tis the season for pumpkin recipes and I'm guessing most of you will be making pumpkin something this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  If you're still feeling undecided about what exactly to make, I have a few ideas I want to share with you...my favorite pumpkin recipes.  You can't go wrong with any of 'em!

Also, if you've never made your own pumpkin pureé, you must try my super easy method.  Pumpkin pureé is actually very simple to make and will likely make you rethink buying that can o' Libbys next time around :)  Plus, it's just one of those things you have to try at least once...I promise it'll be worth the ten minutes hands on time it'll take you.  Oh, and if you have any faaaabulous pumpkin recipes, please share them with us in the comments!

Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake /  Romina's Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crumble Squares /  Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle  /  Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Katie's Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls  /  Spiced Pumpkin Pie

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Thanksgiving Pie Favor Special

Alrighty friends, it's under one week until Thanksgiving so it's about time to start thinking about what you're going to make, and what you are going to give your guests {and possibly your child's teacher} as a favor.  Perhaps a piece of your homemade pumpkin pie, or that delicious tarte au citron would make the perfect lasting memory of your lovely Thanksgiving fête?  After all, we all know that pumpkin pie makes for a tasty breakfast so why not send 'em off with a slice.  In honor of this wonderful holiday centered on gratitude, I'd like to extend a little something to you--free priority mail shipping for any order that contains one or more of either size Deluxe Pie Kits (shipping will be refunded via PayPal). 

Also there are a couple recent additions to the shop since my last trip to France--chalkboard garden signs and more flavorful French gray sea salt (limited quantities on both).  You can view my etsy shop here and thanks again for all of your support.  It means a lot!

p.s. I snuck wedges of Jaime's tart cherry crumb cake into these boxes yesterday before delivering them to a few friends.  Her recipe is soooo yummy. 

Tiny Prints Holiday GIVEAWAY

Congratulations Tamsin!  Your number came up and as a result you are officially free of Snapfish...enjoy!  Please email me with your contact information :)

Starting to think about holiday cards like I am?  or maybe you're more of a Thanksgiving card kind of person? (we did that one year and loved it) Or perhaps you just had a baby and want to send out super cute announcements.  Regardless, I know any one of you would have a grand time spending $100 over at Tiny Prints, right?  Because that's exactly what one lucky person will get to do.



One of my favorite things over at Tiny Prints are their personalized address labels (we use these); they save me a lot of time when I'm prepping letters and packages for the post office.  Plus, they look so nice in the upper left corner :)  Also, I'm a fan of their self-inking stamps.  Totally need to invest in one of these.  If I were a bride writing a zillion thank you notes, I'd pick up one of these in a heartbeat!  And then of course there are the pretty photo cards (my favorite being from Rifle Paper), which make Christmas-card-sending that much easier {and prettier}. Oh, and you must know that you can receive 20% off holiday cards as well as free shipping for one more day over at Tiny Prints.  Wahoo!

Good luck at your chance to win $100 to Tiny Prints!  Giveaway guidelines below...




Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Monday, November 21st at midnight).
- Make 1 comment on this post to enter.
- Anonymous comments will not be considered, so please make sure we know who you are!
- The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced next week at the top of this post--so make sure you peek back and see if you're the lucky one!
- If you win, please respond within one week of the winner announcement to secure prize. Thank you!

25 Stylish Ways to Wear a Scarf

I know you're going to be as excited about this little video clip as I am (!!)...how to wear a scarf in 25 stylish ways. This video tutorial is a treasure trove for anyone who loves to don a scarf every now and again (she even features this little known way a lovely Dutch woman taught me in France).   Gone are the days of wondering, "how in the world did that woman make her scarf look like that?" So grab your scarf and get ready to look trés chic in under five minutes.  Enjoy!

via the daily what

Lauren Adams Abstract Landscapes

Perhaps in anticipation of the many gray months ahead, I find myself recently drawn to anything bursting with color. Today I am swooning over the brilliant, saturated hues in these beautiful, abstract landscape paintings by artist Lauren Adams. Love.

Menu of the Week

With Autumn in full swing, this week was about warm soups and other comfort foods incorporating seasonal ingredients like butternut squash and kale--yet another reason to enjoy this glorious season. Hopefully these will inspire you to cook some wonderful meals in your own kitchens!  Oh, and if there is something you've prepared recently that you just love to eat, do share with us all please :)

Lemon Herb Roast Chicken, fresh pineapple, red bibb lettuce salad - my house smells amazing whenever I make this.  It's such a cozy, comfort meal when it's chilly outside.  One of my entertaining stand-bys for sure.  Also, use the leftover carcass to make chicken stock...it sure comes in handy when soup is on heavy rotation!  I typically do what Jamie Oliver does, but I add celery and carrots as well.

Butternut Squash Risotto - I am making this risotto again this week because I loved it so much! It's officially my new favorite vegetarian risotto.  A few surprise ingredients make the flavor incredible.  I buy the arborio rice in the bulk section of my local grocery store; it's less expensive this way and allows me to buy only what I need.

Crunchy Turkey Tacos, steamed broccoli, fresh fruit- made a far less spicy version of these tacos by lessening the chili powder--my kids won't eat anything spicy.  Also, I added in black beans and a little leftover rice to make the mixture more substantial without adding more meat.  My kids also thought the crunch taco shells from Trader Joes quite the treat. 

{Leftover} Fried Rice - a great meal to make when you have a little of this and a little of that.  I threw in whatever vegetables I had on hand, as well as a little meat leftover from the roast chicken.  Also, I doubled the egg because I like a lot of egg in my fried rice.

Rigatoni with Sausage and Basil, baguette, greens with Dijon vinaigrette - because everyone in our family loves this pasta and sometimes you need to throw in a guaranteed favorite during a week when you're trying out a couple new recipes.  Note that it's important to use high-quality sausage here, preferably an Italian sausage with hints of fennel.

A version of this White Bean and Vegetable Soup with Sour Milk Biscuits - I was thrilled when my son asked when I was going to make bean soup again.  While I didn't have everything on hand to make this recipe exactly, I did make a version of it with what I had in my fridge and pantry. 

Still hungry?  Take a peek at my previous menus of the week for more meal planning ideas.

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Family Style: Inspiring Swedish Interior

I recently discovered a beautiful Swedish blog written by a mother with impeccable taste. I have absolutely no idea what she is saying on her blog, but her images speak a thousand words to me.  I feel like I'm picking up all sorts of little design ideas, darling party tips and at the very least, very much appreciating her white-on-white style.  Note that while the images on her blog are a bit fuzzy, it's still a worthwhile peek.  In fact, it's more than worthwhile, it's mesmerizing!

Find Julias' blog here.

update: Google Chrome is apparently the answer to translating the blog.  I've got to get out of the Dark Ages...(I'm still on Firefox!)



images via Julias Vita Drömmar

A Day Off

Right now, as I type this post, the sun is starting to rise, seagulls are hovering over the soccer field below us and leaves move like acrobats in the bursts of wind that come and go.  My kids are enjoying the fact they don't have to hurry off to school and are instead playing pretend school in the basement (love the irony there!).  We are planning on writing letters/cards, an outing to the MOHAI (we purchased a pass on Groupon last year- and a few rounds of the "clean up game".  I also participate in a dinner swap with a friend and tonight is my night to cook for their family.  I'll be making Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken over baby potatoes...a chilly Autumn day calls for comfort food, wouldn't you agree? 

What are you up to today?

Best Pumpkin Desserts in Seattle

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, one of which is the availability of pumpkin desserts.  Pumpkin pies...pumpkin tarts...pumpkin ice cream...pumpkin bread...pumpkin muffins...pumpkin cupcakes...pumpkin gelato...pumpkin anything!  With so many delicious creameries and bakeries here in Seattle, I decided it would be fun to head out and try as many of the city's pumpkin treats as I could in about a week's period.  It was tough I tell ya, but someone had to do it :)  My pants became a little tight there for a bit, and I had waaay too much sugar in the mornings, but it was a fun adventure and now I get to share my findings with you.  I hope you locals enjoy the best of the city and please chime in if I'm missing something...I'm always up for a treat run and I love discovering new places.

D'Ambrosio Gelato:  Pumpkin gelato that is to-die-for.  Tied for #1 with Molly Moon's Pumpkin Clove ice cream. While you're there try the Caramel Fig and Pistachio--neither is to be missed!  Some of the best gelato I've had outside Italy can be found here and it's on favorite Seattle street, Ballard Ave.

Bluebird Creamery:  If you live in Phinney Ridge and don't want to make a schlep to the other creameries, this is a good one to patronize.  They are super nice and just opened. 

Molly Moons:  Intense, pumpkin clove ice cream that is truly memorable.  I can't even imagine it in sundae form...next time?

Husky Deli:  Yummiest pumpkin ice cream in West Seattle.  Huge portions. 

Cafe Besalu:  Delicious, made-from-scratch tart that is smooth and delicate. 

Upper Crust Bakery:  The pumpkin wheat bread is perfect for a tasty pb&j sandwich.  Not overly pumpkin-y but adds the right amount of flavor and sweetness to a standard loaf of wheat bread.  My kids loved it.

I missed out on the pumpkin cheesecake over at Bakery Nouveau (my favorite bakery in Seattle), but there's no doubt in my mind it's incredible and worth every calorie--pretty much everything there is! Also, Ballard's Great Harvest Bread is also serving up pumpkin swirl bread, but it wasn't quite out of the oven yet when I stopped by...I'm guessing it's pretty good though!

Carrie Stroud Photography GIVEAWAY

It's that time of year...the one where we realize we don't have a cute family photo to place inside our holiday cards :)  So today we're going to help you out of that little predicament with a generous giveaway by Carrie Stroud, a Seattle-area-based photographer who loves to photograph babies, kiddos, couples and parties (and at a reasonable price to boot!).  One lucky reader will receive a photo session with Carrie and a CD of digital images from the 1-2 hour session (a $300 value).  This is your chance to create some magic and document an important life event or just your family hanging out at a favorite spot around town...you pick! 

So check out the guidelines outlined below and comment away.  Good luck!

Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Monday, November 14th at midnight).
- Make 1 comment on this post to enter.
- Anonymous comments will not be considered, so please make sure we know who you are!
- The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced next week at the top of this post--so make sure you peek back and see if you're the lucky one!
- If you win, please respond within one week of the winner announcement to secure prize. Thank you!

Real Life Home - "Aunt Patty"

Today I'm thrilled to share with you several images from a home here in Seattle lived in and decorated by Patty Groesbeck, who is lovingly referred to as "Aunt Patty" by good friends and family.  She is a real estate agent by profession, but she clearly has a designer's eye.  Her light-filled, modest home is well-curated and mixes memorabilia, antiques and secondhand furniture in the most tasteful way.

For those of you just tuning in, this series showcases living spaces decorated by people who are not formally-trained interior designers; people who mix new finds with antiques and secondhand pieces from Craigslist (or the like). People who have figured out, on their own, what looks and feels good in their living space, be it a free-standing home, an apartment, or in one particular case, a tower :)



An overview of the living room...lots of detail shots come next.  I think the very first thing I noticed about her living space is how well she displays objects in such a tasteful way.  That pretty circular window is a real gem--it adds charm and visual interest to a room full of calming neutrals.

Here's an interesting tidbit: her niece mentioned that Patty used to own a lovely vintage furniture and clothing shop in a previous life, hence the gorgeous mid-century pieces here and there! 



This little display on her fireplace mantel is my favorite detail in this room.  So simple.



This colorful work of art, so proudly displayed, was painted by her son when he attended a montessori school in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle (which apparently has an amazing art teacher). 

More simple, meaningful displays of objects d'art...they are like little treasures just waiting to be discovered. 

I appreciate the low-slung art over the guest bedroom nightstand and the framed, exotic masks picked up during a trip abroad.  Also, the simple placement of framed art in the hallway adds warmth and interest to a part of a home that typically feels like dead space.  

The china cabinet was a gift from her parents and appropriately steadies several family pictures taken over the years.  Interestingly enough, the dining room table is actually constructed from an old church door.  And the painting behind the table was done by her daughter while in college (lots of artistic talent in this household!).  The pretty new light fixture hangs high as to not obstruct Patty's gorgeous view of Puget Sound.  If you're lucky enough to have a view, you must protect it!

A pretty bathroom with her personal collection of shells from the nearby beaches.  Again, Patty's style shows that souvenir-type personal items can be displayed in an artful way without appearing cluttered--I love seeing this in action!

...and the kitchen. Prepare yourself for serious kitchen envy :) 

Gorgeous off-white cabinets and stainless steel appliances accented with texture and details make this recently-renovated kitchen my favorite space in her home.  Oh and do you remember when we discussed displaying original art in the kitchen awhile back?  This is the first "real life" example I've seen since the magazine image I shared; and I have to say that I'm completely sold on the idea.  Framed, original art in the kitchen definitely adds warmth and personality to a room full of lots of cool tones.  

J'adore the marble backsplash (swoon!) and the little tray of essentials (I love that a tomato made the cut) and the cozy, sisal runner.  Have I mentioned I'm very much a fan of hardwood in the kitchen?  And that butcher block countertop is causing me to change my mind about the material as a counter top material.  It looks pretty amazing in real life. 



A stunning countertop vignette featuring the simplest of things--a couple of onions, a few pieces of fruit and silver spoons.  Don't you think it's pretty how she places ordinary objects/food in vases to dress them up a bit?



Lots of windows and light make this galley-style kitchen very bright and cheery.

Family photos sweetly displayed in a place they can be viewed daily alongside a delicate tea cup which serves as a catcher for the window cord dangling from the roman shade.  Isn't that a clever idea?  You could really have fun with this one.

A catch-all basket strategically placed next to the backdoor and another teacup/cord catcher.  The beautiful autumn leaves in the background should be given some attention as well :)  Isn't that a pretty tree?  I think it might've been a Japanese maple...they are the prettiest trees come Autumn. 

Feel free to peek at other "real life homes"--they are all very different from each other style-wise, but all fantastic:

Real Life Home No.11 - Rubyellen - (flea market finds with a French flair)
Real Life Home No.10 - Julie (elegant whites + reclaimed materials)
Real Life Home No. 9 - Petra (living in a tower w/kids)
Real Life Home No. 8 - Kayce (southern + sweet)
Real Life Home No. 7 - Sara (colorful + eclectic)
Real Life Home No. 6 - Amy (calming neutrals)
Real Life Home No. 5 - Lynne (whimsy + details)
Real Life Home No. 4 - Emily (whites + woods)
Real Life Home No. 3 - Kirsten (clean + textural)
Real Life Home No. 2 - Maria (white kitchen love)
Real Life Home No. 1 - Cherilee (mid-century modern)

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo