Sunday, November 21, 2010

Veggie Table










This is what I envisioned when I'd helped to organize our CSA member appreciation day for the farm.  It didn't quite turn out as lovely as this today {you could call it really rustic} but it was a beautiful blustery day and the food was super delicious.


I've not felt much like posting lately but I've been reading up still {I'm a nursing fool and need mental stimulation while I sit}.  I guess I'm filling my noggin' with lots of lovely ideas and such.  I think what's changed is that I'm sleeping a lot less.  My 6 month old daughter has decided to start waking up several times a night {instead of her usual one time} so I'm way tired.  Someday soon I hope I can muster up the energy to post the few pictures I took today at the farm event.  It was a gorgeous day and my husband babysat all morning so I got to have a bit of a break from the kids too.  Usually I do all my work for the farm with them in tow.  Thanks sweetie.


Here was today's menu {I painted this last night on my kid's easel last night}:


I devoured every bite on my plate.  I got to meet a fellow local food nerd mom and I hope we'll be getting together not only to help grow the farm's CSA program but to have our children play in the dirt together too.


Good day overall, I'm beat. :)


I hope this post doesn't sound discombobulated.  I tend to post when I'm tired.  I it's like drunk dialing.  Why do I do it?  Why am I doing it right now.  I don't know.  Maybe it's the desire to share all the exciting things in my little old life.  Hopefully I won't be embarassed in the morning.   


{slightly shouting slurred voice}
I love you guys...  


xoxo jen

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Gettin' my holiday on

I feel like I'm at the starting line of a marathon of fun called "the holidays." I'm hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas again this year and while I'm glad that I get to be in my own home, it's darn hard to get it all together.  Last year I was pregnant and this year I have a 3.5 year old and a 6 month old and it's not any easier.

I will say that I have ordered my Christmas/Holiday cards, so that's a big one for me.  I wish I had one of these Primele stamps for the return address.  Beautiful!!



However, I need to menu plan for Thanksgiving.  This is a hard one for me right now.  I'm trying to live a more minimal and primal food lifestyle right now.  My challenge is in trying to please everyone.  I want to prepare food that everyone craves for Thanksgiving, but I want to avoid the bloat {I need to with my mommy tummy that I'm trying to reduce}.  Doesn't this cauliflower mushroom stuffing look gorgeous?


But I know my sis in law and family isn't into veggies and will my dad be sad that my mom's sausage stuffing isn't on the plate.  See my problem?  Not sure what to do.

I'm trying to be all healthy and then Ree posts all these drool-worthy recipes.  I think I will steal this cranberry pomegranate sauce recipe for this year.


I am getting way ahead of myself 'cause I've planned a Mom's night out for some friends this Thursday.  We're going bowling at the posh new place downtown and I don't go out.  Like hardly ever.  I don't know what to wear to a posh bowling alley.  I guess one of my go to uniforms of flats + jeans + 3/4 length striped top + scarf will do just fine.  Twill be super fun.

Then Sunday I'm trying to help organize a party where I work.  We're working on a fun menu and one of the items will be crispy turnip chips served in a parchment cone.  How cute is that?  I'm envisioning something like this:



And then after Thanksgiving is my husband's graduation from law school.  How amazing is he? I can't believe it's all over already.  I'm so proud of him.  We'll have to plan something fun for that too.

It'll all work out.  I just need to remind myself of that.  It's all fun stuff.  I'm just a worry wart.  Are any of you like me too?  I am generally an in-the-moment kind of girl but it's only 'cause I've planned it all out ahead of time - if only in my head.

What fun ideas do you have for Thanksgiving?

Sunday, November 7, 2010

"10 ways to feel fabulous on a budget"

I follow Table Tonic and she stumbled upon this "10 ways to feel fabulous on a budget."


With me staying at home and my husband just finishing law school, I might be using these tricks for a good long while.  Though I think I'll skip the part about the bangs, I'm trying to grow mine out again.

1. Snap up designer diffusion lines the second they go on sale – H&M, Target and Forever21 make the best designer and celebrity collaborations, and - here's a heads up - often sneakily put them out on racks a day before the advertised launch date.
2. Wear a hat. Not a beanie, but a proper hat. Trilbys, Fedoras and Bowlers add instant chic, elegance and intrigue to a plain outfit.
3. Throw a tea-party. Pick up an old tea stand at the flea market, bake a cake, cut the crusts off sandwiches, make your friends dress up (think Charlotte-style from SATC) and enjoy an afternoon of inexpensive, old-fashioned glamour.
4. Put aside two hours to watch an Audrey Hepburn movie, alone, with a large glass of red wine.
5. Cut bangs into your hair, paint your nails chocolate brown and slick on red lipstick. An instant new, ladylike you.
6. Buy last-minute, standing tickets to the opera. They're very cheap, and it still sounds the same!
7. Sit in a posh hotel lobby to people-watch and just soak up the atmosphere. I'm obsessed with Claridges in London, The Sunset Tower in LA, and The Waldorf Astoria in New York… but every city's got a good few!
8. Always wear expensive perfume. Whiz through the department store, spritz, and leave with as many samples as they'll hand out.
9. Dress up to the max with a friend and spend the afternoon trying on clothes at designer boutiques. (Discreetly) take a Polaroid camera. Many stores even serve free champagne while you're in the changing room too.
10. De-clutter your bedroom, iron your sheets, sprinkle lavender water on them, and put fresh flowers in a vase. A lot closer to a 5* hotel than it was before. 

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Recipe Flag

Make some scones this weekend...

I just adore this idea.  It's pretty and useful.  Grandma's Scone Recipe on Pony Rider.

Afternoon snack


I took a couple of minutes the other day to devour the PB Holiday catalog {great advent calendar in there}, a mason jar of milk and a double chocolate chip cookie.  MMmmmm. I promise I'll post the recipe soon.  I just have to type it up.  One thing at a time, I haven't even showered yet today.  I think that's next on my list.  Don't worry, I don't smell like Pepe Le Pew...yet.

Block Printing aka Linocut

I remember doing block printing in elementary school and now I'm dying to get back into it.

I've been searching the 'net and found some really great work.



Friday, November 5, 2010

More gift ideas

The interweb is just so freaking fun.  I'm still perusing Gifted.

Here's some more great gift ideas.

Fabric Wall Pennants from Petit Collage

and these blocks from House Industries:



Gifted Mag + easy peasy last minute gift idea for the holidays

I'm totally loving another e-mag: Gifted, I'm sure you've heard of it, everywhere.

I found this fun last minute gift idea from one of the links posted.

I'm making a note of it now, so that when I'm in the thick of it later, I'll remember where to find it. :)

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Marrakesh Tiles

Decor8 blog showed these gorgeous tiles {plus other great photos} from a trip to Marrakesh.  I love it!
Morocco

Morocco
Marrakesh Adventure


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Bumble Belly

I saw on Elements of Style that Bumble Belly Designs makes these great sailing {and golf} pillows.  My brother the weekend sailor would love these.  Christmas perhaps?
il_570xN.148319505


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Put flowers on your shopping list


I can't tell you how happy my new weekly habit makes me.  I've been putting "flowers" on my weekly shopping list and I've been making sure to get a beautiful bunch at Trader Joe's each and every time.  It just perks my mood.  I've avoided flowers since my cats have a habit of eating them but for some reason lately they've laid off a bit.  Thanks Calorie and Joule, I've needed these.  

My roses have been in major bloom so they've taken the stage this week but these were the vibrant yellow and orange tulips from last week.  They're so worth the extra few bucks.
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