Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Farmhouse Chowder

I was really inspired after my

So I kept with the farm theme
and made this...
 
Farmhouse Chowder
 
 

Farmhouse Chowder
Adapted from Martha Stewart
 
1 whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
1 large onion
3 carrots
4 stems fresh flat-leaf parsley
10 whole pink peppercorns
2 tbsp chicken bouillon
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 small rutabaga, diced
4 ounces parsnip, diced
Coarse salt
Ground pepper
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tbsp fresh sage
1/2 cup heavy cream
Oyster Crackers for a garnish
  
 
1. To make the homemade chicken stock: Place chicken, breast side down, in a large pot. Add enough water to just cover chicken. Add 1/2 of the onion (whole), 1 carrot (halved), parsley, bouillon, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, partially covered. Reduce heat, and simmer gently for 1 hour. 
 
2. Remove chicken, and let cool. Strain broth through a fine sieve, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes to reduce and intensify flavor. 
 
3. Shred chicken into bite-size pieces, discarding bones and skin. 
 
4. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the other halve of the onion (chopped), the rest of the carrots (diced), rutabaga, and parsnips, and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, & sage.
 
5. Stir in flour, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in reserved chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until root vegetables are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. 
 
6. Stir in reserved chicken and the cream, and heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Serve warm with oyster crackers

Brook Farm General Store

I just love
these items from...

Brook Farm General Store

I can just picture myself
in the kitchen of my dreams
wearing this...


along with wearing these...


Reading this for cooking inspiration...


Cooking a fabulous meal using this...


And these...


And a kitchen isn't complete
without some lovely twine...


And awesome scissors...



Monday, January 30, 2012

Sarah Brown

Growing up,
my family always
traveled to the ocean
for holiday.

And my favorite part
of our ocean holidays
were the days spent
at the Tide Pools.

Exploring all the
nooks and crannies.

Hoping to not
encounter a crab!

So, it's only natural
that I am in love
with this jewelry by...

Sarah Brown Jewellery



Where's You Heart?

Valentine's Day
is quickly approaching.

And sometimes that means
another holiday spent
with loved ones at a distance.

These lovely prints
are made just for those people.

A lovely way
to show that your heart
is with your loved ones.



Saturday, January 28, 2012

Egg Nog Ice Cream

What do you do
with left-over
Egg Nog?

You make
Ice Cream!



Egg Nog Ice Cream

Ingredients:
2 cups Egg Nog
2 cups half & half
1/2 cup chocolate chips (chopped)

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a ice cream maker and use as directed.


Sledding Party

The snow finally
dumped on
Montana!

Which means...

Sledding Party!

Complete with
sleds,
bon fires,
a hot chocolate bar,
and chocolate chip
cookies!
























Friday, January 27, 2012

Infinity Scarf

As well as learning
how to sew...

I have also started
crocheting!
 
Now, I am still
just a beginner.
 So my work still has
loads of flaws in it.

But here is something
I made over the
Christmas Holiday...



And I think it will be
very needed for my
Sledding Party
today!


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Happy Birthday Kelly

Today is one of my
Best Friends Birthdays.


It's hard to believe
how fast time flies by.

I met her almost
28 years ago.

And we are still friends
to this day.
It was wonderful
to be able to see her
and have a girls weekend
at the Alt summit.

I now have memories
that I will never ever forget.

So...

Happy Birthday
to my  beautiful friend.

AMradio

I love love love
these vintage finds from...

AMradio

They look like they are
straight out of an
old post office or
apothecary. 



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

House of Brinson

At the Alt Summit Conference
I was able to take a
short photography class

My favorite
still-life
photographer!

Just look at these
beautiful photos
shot by them...




I stupidly
forgot to bring
my camera...
not cool.

But I did have
my iPhone!
So I made sure to
snap this photo of
deliciously lovely Kale.


Embroidery Calendar

 I am fascinated by
embroidery.

It is one of the projects
on my to do list.

And after seeing this kit

The project has
definitely jumped up
on my list.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies

I've had a leftover bag
of crumbled English Toffee
in my pantry since Christmas.

It has literally
been starring at me,
begging me to use it.

So last night I did...

And I made these!



Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp whole milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 cup crumbled English Toffee

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Beat butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar together until creamy. 
3. Then add the milk, vanilla and egg.
4. In a separate bowl, sift the flour and baking soda together. Add the salt. 
5. Add the dry mix to the mixer and combine. Then add the English toffee. Beat until incorporated.
6. Drop tablespoon size amounts on to a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes (do not over bake).
7. Cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes.
8. Then Enjoy!!

Alt Sponsors

What wonderful sponsors
Alt was able to get.

And what wonderful free gifts
they provided for us
to take home!

They really did
spoil us.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bernadette Pascua

You have probably
guessed it by now...

But I love
Fashion Illustrations.

And I love these sketches
by Bernadette Pascua.

There appearance
is so simplistic
yet they are
dripping with
elegance.






Images originally found
on Miss Moss.

Smilebooth

On Friday night of the
Alt Summit
many different
sponsors...

Girls with Glasses
RuLaLa
HP
Uppercase
blurb

just to name
a few...

Hosted "mini-parties"
for all the attendees.

So much food.
So much fashion.
So many photos.
So much fun!




 



Thanks You  
Smilebooth and Method
for hosting a
fabulous mini-party
at the Alt Summit
last week!