Tabletop Art

I recently received a very interesting email from Anthropologie.  It was very cool, in fact … as it showed “Tabletop Art.”

Anthro has added a fun tool on their website where you can create your own designs using homeware and tabletop products from Anthropolie.  You pick plates, cups, silverware, vases, etc.  Then you rotate the items, shrink or enlarge, move to the background or foreground.

It’s very easy to use and so fun!  Check out my creation below…

It’s not as beautiful as the ones from Anthro, but it was my first try.   Give it a try here.

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Linguine and Clams

Over the weekend, I made steamed clams and linguine for the first time.  I was a bit worried, as I was making it for 10 people (Natalie’s birthday celebration with family).  Thankfully, my sister-in-law (who grew up in Maryland) coached me on the prep and helped in the kitchen.

I wasn’t sure where to buy fresh clams, but after talking with several friends, Costco sounded like the best bet.  The seafood guy at Costco was great!  Costco sells pre-packaged fresh Manila clams (4-5 lbs) per bag for $3.99 a pound.  I bought 2 bags and the seafood guy packaged them up so they could breathe and he told me how to store them until cooking.

My sister-in-law suggested that I clean the clams in the kitchen sink.  You fill up your sink with cold water and scrub them with a brush.

Would you believe the 10 of us ate almost 9 pounds of clams?!?  They were delicious!!!  So, I decided to share …

I started with Mario Batali’s recipe for Linguine with Clams, but made quite a few alterations.  Here’s the altered recipe.

Linguine with Clams

Serves 4 to 6

1 lb. Linguine

3 Tbs. Coarse Sea Salt

6 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 Tbs. Butter

5 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced

3 lbs. Manila or Littleneck Clams, scrubbed clean

1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

1 cup dry White Wine

1/4 cup flat-leaf Parsley, coarsely chopped

1/2 to 1 cup whole cherry tomatoes

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  In a large pot over high heat, combine 8 quarts of water and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Add linguine and cook to al dente (according to package directions).  Drain pasta.

2.  Meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium heat, heat olive oil and butter.  Add garlic and saute about 30 – 60 seconds (don’t let garlic turn brown).  Add clams and red pepper flakes.  Saute for one minute.  Add wine and parley, continuing to stir.  When the liquid starts to bubble, cover pan with lid.  After 2-3 minutes, add whole cherry tomatoes and cover the pan.  Watch closely — waiting for clams to open up.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

3.  Transfer linguine to individual pasta bowls.  Using a ladle, spoon clams and tomatoes over linguine, being sure to cover linguine with broth.   If desired, serve with garnishes of extra chopped parsley and red pepper flakes.

This dish is great served with warm bread or garlic bread.

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Easter Tablescape

I love spring and Easter!  And spring tablescapes are among my favorites!  There are so many choices for flowers and colors in spring.

This year, I will use a white quilted bedspread for my tablecloth.  I believe I found it at HomeGoods or Marshal’s a few years back.  I’ll add my white ceramic dishes and blue linen napkins (from Pottery Barn, a couple of years ago).

For Easter Brunch, I’ll probably use champagne flutes.  About 10 years ago, I started collecting pretty champagne flutes – in pairs.  I like having an eclectic collection.  And, at parties, it makes it easier to remember which is your glass!

While I love big, dramatic centerpieces — they are not very conducive to conversation around the dinner table.  Here I used the blue glasses I purchased at Anthropologie last year as vases for pink ranunculus, white freesia and white tulips (from Trader Joe’s).

I added a couple of white ceramic bunnies.  And some pink mercury votive holders (Anthro, this year).   Add a few blue robin eggs on a glass pedestal … and you have a simple Easter tablescape.

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A Box of Chocolates

I like chocolate, but I’m not one of those people that LOVE chocolate.  When at a restaurant, I will almost always pick a dessert that is not chocolate.  And I wouldn’t ever consider stopping by See’s Candy or Godiva for a sample.  (I know.  I’m in the minority.  But I do have other vices — many.)

With that being said, I do LOVE La Chatelaine Chocolates from Bozeman, Montana!  How would I ever have discovered chocolate in Bozeman, you ask?

Well a dear friend of mine moved from So Cal to Bozeman almost ten years ago.  She introduced us to La Chatelaine Chocolaterie.  We’ve been in the store when visiting Bozeman and she brings boxes of chocolate when she comes back to California for visits.

La Chatelaine is run by a Frenchman and his wife – both having culinary and artistic talents.  They make such unique flavored chocolates (ancho chili powder, french lavendar, huckleberry – to name a few).  They use such high quality chocolate with hints of flavor that are not overpowering (or too sweet).   And each chocolate is an artistic creation in and of itself.

Each box comes with an illustrated legend — explaining each chocolate.  My favorites are the Frenchy Salt Carmels.  They melt in your mouth!

Aren’t they beautiful?  If you’re ever in Bozeman, Montana … make sure to stop in La Chatelaine chocolaterie.

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Inspiration for Spring Tablescapes

StyleMePretty

As I sit here typing, I have piles of spring and Easter decorations around me.  I also happen to be bundled up, as we’re having a dark, windy, rainy day.  I’m trying to think “spring”, but I really just want to go curl up and read a good book.

But back to spring.  We’re hosting my stepdaughter’s family birthday dinner next weekend, having a party in early April and hosting Easter dinner.  I need some inspiration for spring tablescapes!

These vintage tablescapes from Maria at DreamyWhites are so simple and beautiful.

And, I love this cheery table from StyleMePretty.

When looking for entertaining and floral centerpiece ideas, I often look to the wedding blogs … as they have so many creative ideas … for all seasons, color schemes and holidays.

Love the use of eggs as flower containers in these centerpieces!  And how adorable to use teacups as containers for spring flowers.  Both images above from Martha Stewart.

These last two are from Southern Living. I love the use of the old pitcher and tall candlestick holders with the country flowers.

You see real eggs used again as containers for flowers and candy with the silver candlesticks, egg cups and bowls.  Beautiful!

I’ve got plenty of ideas and inspiration to get started …

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Isn’t this a GREAT thought for the day?

(Compliments of The Hands On Housewife.)

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!

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Weekend Getaway to Santa Barbara

Jeff and I were able to get away for a few days in February and go up the coast to Santa Barbara.  We had a long weekend without kids … so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

We spent a day doing tastings — wine, olive oil and balsamic vinegars — in the wine country around Santa Barbara.  

Los Olivos – a charming, victorian town (all of 2 blocks) was the perfect setting to spend an afternoon.  There are numerous wineries, shops and cafes nestled in the two blocks.

Back in Santa Barbara, we stayed at The Canary Hotel.  It’s a lovely hotel one block off the main downtown section of State Street.  The rooms were adorable and the rooftop pool area was spectacular — especially at night!

We ate dinner in town at Opal Restaurant and enjoyed a great breakfast at Coast Restaurant at the Canary.

On our way home, we spent some time driving through Montecito. It’s a lovely old area with some spectacular homes on beautiful grounds.  This is definitely an area I’d like to explore more!

Most of the homes are behind gates, so you only catch glimpses as you drive by.  Here are some pictures to give you an idea just how grand some of these properties are ….

 

 

 

 

Aren’t they spectacular?  I’m looking forward to our next trip.  I’ll definitely remember to bring my camera (I used my phone on this trip).  Maybe I’ll do a post on “The gates of Montecito.”

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Ready for St. Patrick’s Day?

With St. Patrick’s Day just a few days away, are you making plans to celebrate?

At our house, we will probably start the day off with some green pancakes … or maybe green french toast.

None of us really like green bell pepper, or these Shamrock Toasties would be a fun way to start the morning.

I bought a package of St. Patrick’s Day buttons at Target ($1 bins) a month ago — so everyone can pick a button to wear for the day.

I also found bags of chocolate gold coins at CostPlus.  I may stick a bag in the kids’ lunches – so they can share them with their friends.

It might be kind of fun to make these Shamrock Pretzels with the kids after school.   They are easy to make using canned, refrigerated breadstick dough and colored sugar.  Bake according to the package directions.

They probably would like these chocolate covered pretzels even better!  -Lovefromtheoven.com

I’m not sure what I’ll make for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day.  Last year I made corned beef and cabbage.  None of us were too fond of it.   I’ll need to think of something in the next few days.

I’m sure that Natalie would love to make these cupcakes for dessert!   (You can find the recipe for these Green Velvet Cupcakes at LovefromtheOven.com.

Source for first picture:  Kara’s Party Ideas (Karaspartyideas.blogspot.com)

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Ready for Spring?

My husband and I were able to get away for a few days last week and go up the coast.  We had just had a big rain the night before we left and the local mountains were dusted in snow.  It was sunny, clear and beautiful … although very cold.

But, low and behold, as we’re driving through the wine country near Santa Barbara (with our winter coats on), we saw so many signs of spring.

There were beautiful fruit and nut trees in bloom.  And gorgeous pyracantha (which I thought was more of a fall shrub).

It made me ready for spring … even though we are still a few weeks away.

As I walked into Trader Joe’s today, they had a big barrel of cut branches with pink and red buds.  I bought a bundle and brought them home.  I read up on Better Homes & Gardens to learn how to properly cut the branches to force the blooms.

Well, they don’t look like much today … but I can’t wait to see them in a week or two.  I’ll be sure to post some pictures!

In the meantime, here’s a beautiful picture of spring branches from Southern Living for inspiration.  Think spring!

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