11.30.2010
11.29.2010
White Glitter
I've never been one for Pointsettias. I love all Christmas decorations, and the tackier the better if it means spirit + childlike joy. But in all honesty I've always found Pointsettas to be horrific. The tin wrap on the bottom, the plastic suffocating large red blooms smushed together. Ick.
This weekend I was won over.
Look at these beauties. To be matched only their name.
White Glitter.
Pointsettias.
11.26.2010
Christmas Lillies
11.25.2010
Happy Thanksgiving.
“right food, right place, right time. it is my belief...that this is the best recipe of all. a crab sandwich by the sea on a June afternoon; a slice of roast goose with applesauce and roast potatoes on Christmas day; hot sausages and a chunk of roast pumpkin on a frost-sparkling night in November. these are meals whose success relies not on the expertise of the cook but on the more basic premise that this is food of the moment – something eaten at a time when it is most appropriate, when the ingredients are at their peak of perfection, when the food, the cook and the time of year are at one with each other.”
- Nigel Slater, introduction to "The Kitchen Diaries : A year in the Kitchen with Nigel Slater"
I hope everyone has the right food at the right place today--it's certainly the right time. Lots of love to everyone.
11.24.2010
Pumpkin Walnut Bread.
Can you believe it ? That Thanksgiving is tomorrow ?? I most certainly cannot. The closest I've gotten to this seasons holiday spirit is making multiple loaves of this pumpkin walnut bread. Multiple loaves for multiple thank yous I've had piling up. And I'm still not through them all. Thinking now, it's sort of this holiday's spirit twofold. Pumpkins and Thanks : two of my favorite aspects of this month and next.
I hope for everyone traveling today it is safe and painless, and you make it to your loved ones arms in the blink of an eye. And I hope if it's not painless, you don't let it get to you knowing how worth it every step of that journey is (remind me of this when I'm on the turnpike at a standstill). If you haven't left, and you need a last minute hostess gift, or way of saying thanks, this bread couldn't be easier to bake. It has been a staple of my bread making for quite a few years now.
Pumpkin Walnut bread :
Ingredients -
2 cups (10 oz) unbleached Flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temp
1/3 cup water
1.5 cups sugar
1 cup (9oz) canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup neutral flavored vegetable oil (canola)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (4 oz) chopped toasted walnuts
1. preheat over to 350 degrees and position oven rack in the center. Lightly coat a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan w/melted butter or high heat canola oil spray and line it with a piece of parchment paper that extends 1 inch beyond the edge of both sides of the pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, and salt until thoroughly blended. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. Add the sugar and blend well. Add the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
2. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Add the walnuts and stir until they are evenly distributed. Use a spatula to scrape the batter into prepared loaf pan and level the top.
3. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the bread is firm to the touch. and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. To serve, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices by sawing gently with serrated knife.
11.23.2010
Moment.
I wish I had good reason behind this. But I just liked it. And I liked it enough that it stopped whatever life drama was running through my head at the time. Sometimes when I see these things I don't physically stop, but my mind stops and focuses in on it. I realized Sunday most things I share on here are moments like this of some form. Images that stop me, words that stop me, products that stop me. Moments carved out in my day because my eyes, ears, heart, responds.
This was an extremely long winded way (are you surprised ?) of saying, I might share some of these moments with less explanation. Just cause they stopped me, and maybe you'll like them too.
11.21.2010
And Again.
Often I have no lights on in my apartment during the day, and it is still so very extremely bright. Then late afternoon tip toes up and all of a sudden I realize my apartment is very grey. Usually it's time to click on lamps. This time, I looked up to an electrified wall. Succulent, center stage.
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Can't beat fall light. Enjoy these golden hues while they match the leaves on the trees and on the ground. Both will be gone very very soon.
11.19.2010
Holiday Stamps.
11.18.2010
Holiday Plaid
I had this picture all ready to go yesterday. And then I went outside... In no jacket and flip flops... ?!? I know ! Nuts. And don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Just sayin it doesn't make posting about holidays very easy. Here is another shot I took at Terrain about a year ago (on my first trip I believe. Are you concerned that I have a collection of photos on my phone from Terrain ? They might want a restraining order. Or maybe I should just be blogging about Terrain). I just LOVE this scene. A fire pit + a plethora of different wool plaid blankets ?? I sort of wanted to grab a hot mulled cider, tap those two on the shoulder and share stories while roasting marshmallows. And the side of this shed is to die for. Love the wood against the plaids. Extra plaid in your house will always = holiday.
11.16.2010
Im Dreaming
Sweet Paul chose these white pumpkins for a white halloween, but this can be a gorgeous Thanksgiving table too. Painted white veggies in white and glass pottery ? White linens ? Love. Just tell your crazy family to be careful with their red wine. And have your bleach ready.
PS. Someone shared Sweet Paul with me just a few months ago -- but did you notice we have similar tag lines ? I think we'd get along ;).
11.15.2010
Holiday Decorating Begins.
11.12.2010
Uh-Oh...
I have the travel bug again. Bad. (And I don't mean the bug the left me Gluten free after Ecuador). I can't stop looking through these Ecuador pictures, and wishing I was traipsing through a market somewhere. Or watching the sunset over the surf. Or snooping through the upstairs of a very remote mountain town, where the people have probably never left their village. Not even once. Or eating the best Ceviche ever. On a street of all Ceviche shops. Yes please.
11.10.2010
Winter
11.09.2010
Just When I Thought
11.08.2010
Marathon Sunday
When I came home from dinner I opened up a folder on my desktop titled "marathon" and read the little take away I wrote the night before the one marathon I've run, what now feels like many moons ago (and I have a theory, that because so many people do run a marathon at one point or another, after a certain number of years has passed with no repeat, you shouldn't really claim to have run one any more... then you're that girl, talking to people who are actively doing things saying, "well... When I ran the marathon...). The one major take away in what I wrote was how good it feels to overcome challenges. And it makes me realize I have no big challenges in my near future -- so the question is, what's my next challenge ? And what is yours ?
11.05.2010
It's Time.
11.04.2010
Evening Fall Sun
11.03.2010
Sprout.
Among this towering, waxy, toppling, vegetation, was a thin as paper, small as sand, newbie. I got so excited I ran for my camera.
I love watching these guys grow. Like my friend above who is quickly outgrowing the support I rigged for him. He might need a new one soon.
My black thumb is slowly rubbing off to a shade of green. Like I've said before. I'm trying to start foolproof in the succulent department. But until I can be planting veggies to eat, I love these guys so much I might stick with 'em.
11.02.2010
11.01.2010
I'm Talkin to You.
How great are these installations that this Chicago based group has seemed to place everywhere ? And look, you can even order free stickers, and spread the word yourself on a smaller scale.