Wednesday, June 2, 2010

s'mores cookies...

years ago when the disney movie "spirit of cimarron" came out baskin robbins featured a s'more flavored ice cream. cinnamon ice cream with swirls of chocolate and marshmallow?
yes please.
ever since i have looved s'mores.
during a craving moment last week i found this recipe and the were delish.
thank you martha.


Friday, April 16, 2010

etsy finds...

my kick this week is finishing my guest room...here are some etsy finds that i am digging.






Monday, April 12, 2010

terrain...by urban outfitters.

i just spent some much needed time, daydreaming about all the new things at Urban Outfitter and Anthropologie's outdoor store, Terrain, and how great they would look in our backyard.









Monday, March 8, 2010

the white attic...

i cannot explain to you how i love this store and how upsetting it is that they do not offer shipping. i have called twice, juuust to be sure they haven't changed their policy.




this stacked with all my white dishes and milkglass collection would be a dream come true.

i have been looking high and low for a secretary desk to store all the kids artwork, in the drawers and supplies, on the desk. let me know if you see one.
i would love to have one refinished like this store does in a really fun color.


Friday, March 5, 2010

medium tone wood floors...


i have a thing for dark-dark wood floors, herringbone parquet if we are being particular. i love the contrast with a good white molding and great beautiful natural light. but, everyone i know who has had them said they are the most beautiful things in the world freshly "swifered" but you can see every speck of dust and every streak from a broom...so since i have young children i am trying to wrap my head around a more practical finish.
these images from desire to inspire just might do the trick...maybe, if i try really hard i could let go of my dark wood dreams. if not aren't these gorgeous to look at anyways?








but for right now we just want to refinish our flooring until we can redo the kitchen.
anyone know any wood flooring specialists?

Monday, February 15, 2010

aunt cyndie's amazing spaghetti sauce...

i love italian food. i mean really really love it. during this pregnancy the thought of cooking meat, smelling meat or touching meat makes me sick so we have been having LOTS of pasta. this basic sauce is my favorite. i remember eating it at my aunt cyndie's as a child. a few years ago i asked her for the recipe and in typical aunt cyndie fashion she had the book, all marked with her notes, made a copy and off i went. it is so simple that you can easily get as fancy as you want with it. although i like to make a big ol' batch of it just as is and freeze and use as needed... a few times a week.
Spaghetti with Italian Meatballs

SAUCE
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove (minced)

1qt. (4 cups) water
28oz. can tomatoes, cut up
2 cans (6 0z. each) tomato paste
1 Tablespoon of sugar (makes all the difference with acidity of canned tomatoes)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large bay leaf

MEATBALLS
i have never used veal before last week. i always felt so odd about it but i have to say it was so yummy. instead of topping the sauce with meatballs which i knew my kids wouldn't eat i made the meatballs as instructed but ended up crumbling them in to make a meat sauce. they lapped it up.
3/4 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. ground veal
2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 small onion finely chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
1 Tablespoon oil
2 pkg. spaghetti

In dutch oven (which i do not have) cook onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered 1 hour.
In medium bowl, combine all Meatball ingredients except oil, mix well. Shape into 1 1/2" balls. In large skillet add oil. Roll meatballs in oil to coat all sides. Cook Meatballs over medium heat until brown on all sides. Drain excess fat; add Meatballs to sauce; simmer an additional 30 minutes or until Meatballs are done and sauce is thickened.

so this week i am trying manicotti, one of my favorites.

if you love italian like i do and live around here you have to try:
Padri's Restaurant on Agoura Road (this is where dyllie took me for Valentine's Day on Wed.)
their tomato sauce always reminds me of my trip to italy
the bruschetta they serve with the bread is divine, short ribs and chicken parmesan...wow.
Farfalla in Westlake Village
although it is cougar town at night the food is fantastic and you are guaranteed to have some pretty funny people watching.
know any other yummy italian places?? i would love to try them too.
truffle oil pasta, salads, pizza, never disappointed.