Urban Comfort

Framed Recipes

 
Photo from Alice and Me

All of my family recipes have been typed up, printed, stored on discs, external hard drives...all steps taken to ensure their safety. But I have a few old handwritten recipes that I can't imagine parting with. To date, they've been tucked away with other family heirlooms, but I'm starting to think they deserve a place in the light, so to speak.

 

I stumbled onto the charming blog Me and Alice recently and found this lovely display of handwritten recipes that had belonged to the author's mother (along with many other lovely vignettes from the Swedish countryside). Simple, beautiful. 

One note I feel I should add before you display any priceless letters or recipes - Light will fade them, so keep them out of places with direct sunlight or even strong lamplight. Even better, scan or color copy them at a high resolution (onto acid-free paper) and display the copies instead. 

Alphabetical Order

Photography by James Baigrie
 

I have loved typography for as long as I can remember which might be why I have so many fonts in my collection. Numbers, letters, they speak to me even if they seem to be saying nothing at all. So you can imagine how much fun I had working on the feature Alphabetical Order, in the September issue of Family Circle.  It should be on the newsstand sometime in the coming week. You can also log onto their website to see more.

 
 

Resources:

Plates for decoupage - Behrenberg Glass Co.
"Fragile" decal - Harmonie-Intérieure

Note about graphics used: I've written about my favorite sites to get free clip art (they are ANGELS - all of them!) and indeed, the alphabet tray was made from a piece of clip art found on The Graphics Fairy blog. However, I cannot seem to find the source for the playing card. I am also certain it was from a blog and it was placed in a "free" folder, reminding me that I could use it for my work. However, I would like to attribute the image to the correct blog as well as give readers access. If anyone should happen to recognize it, please let me know so that I can give the appropriate credit.  Thanks!

 

Seeing Red

Ask me what my favorite color is and I'll likely mention various shades of green, blue, or gray. But lately, there's been a lot of flirtation with color and I admit, I've fallen hard for red. Fallen so hard that I've been trying to figure out how to live with it. The nice thing about red is that it doesn't take much to make a statement and that's a concept I can embrace. It also works well with the palettes that I'm naturally drawn to, so it's a short path to commitment. What can I say? I'm utterly infatuated.

Courtship:

  
 

Cohabitation:

   

Image Credits from Top: 1) Design Love Fest  2) You Should Know  3) Sara Harvey 4) Decor8 5) Cakies 6) Roll & Tumble Press 7) Bakerella 8) Etsy 9) Design Sponge 10) Design Sponge 11) Oh Happy Day 12) Bliss 13) Mary Loves 14) Skona Hem 15) Apartment Therapy 16) Tumblr 17) The Bedlam of Beefy

 

Coming and Going

 

It's one of those days when I want to post everything and nothing at the same time. Scattered might be the best word for it. So instead of trying to gather my thoughts for one cohesive post, I thought I'd scoop up the bits and pieces and share some of the disparate things on my mind:

  

Roundup:

All of the stragglers have gone home by now and there's the inevitable letdown that occurs after 20,000 or so people leave the city at once.  To get an idea of just how many people attend Tales of the Cocktail (professionals and enthusiasts alike), you can judge by the number of garnishes and cocktail ingredients that were recorded from the event last year (I'm told attendance is up by at least a third this year):

13,884 mint leaves, 14,000 lemons, 11,250 limes, 192 pounds of sugar, 1,824 Driscoll’s Blackberries and Driscoll’s Blueberries, 74 Gallons Lime Juice, 82 Gallons Lemon Juice, 45 Gallons Grapefruit Juice, 21 Gallons Pineapple Juice, 25 Gallons Tomato Juice, 75 Gallons Simple Syrup, 950 Luxardo cherries, 450 cucumber wheels, 10 Gallons Rich Simple Syrup, 5 Gallons Honey Syrup, 3100 Driscoll’s Raspberries, 1400 Tropicana Orange twists , 1200 Lemon Twists, 1250 Lime Wheels, 940 Lemon Wheels, 400 Lemon Wedges, 430 Lime Wedges and 350 Stalks of Celery.

You can see why the city feels a little calmer now. 

This is also a good time to share two cocktail recipes my husband created for this years' Tales. They're both great summer drinks and I can't decide which I like more:

Off the Cuff
(created to accompany Octopus Carpaccio)

1 oz. Plymouth gin
3/4 oz. Dolin Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz. St. Germain
1/4 oz. lemon juice

Stir with ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Sneaky Jones
(named for a friend who easily made her way through two of them, only to discover that they snuck up on her at the end due to the higher alcohol content)

1 1/2 oz. Corazon Reposado Tequila
1 oz. Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. cilantro syrup (see below)
2 oz. club soda

Pour all ingredients, except the club soda, into an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled glass and top with 2 oz. club soda. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro and serve with a straw.

Cilantro Syrup

1 1/2 cups cilantro leaves
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Blanch the cilantro leaves: Plunge them into a small pot of rapidly boiling water for 10 seconds, then drain and plunge them into a small bowl of ice water. Drain again and gently squeeze the excess water from the leaves.

Puree the blanched cilantro in a blender with the sugar and water until you have a dark green liquid, approximately 30 seconds. Pour the syrup through a fine strainer, stirring with the back of a spoon to help push it through. Store the syrup in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about 2 days.

 




Message in a Bottle:

Speaking of the liquor industry, I also wanted to share Abita's SOS (Save Our Shore) brew, billed as a "Charitable Pilsner." In the U.S., it can be found in a store near you in the coming weeks, if not already.  75 cents from the sale of each bottle will go toward rescue and restoration of the environment, as well as aiding those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by this massive oil spill. It's an easy way to give and the bottle design is really cool!  If beer's not for you, they're also selling T-shirts, hats and the like on their website with 100% of those proceeds going toward the cause.

  

  

  

Best Idea My Son Had All Week:

My son is obsessed with recycling and is quick to remind me when I absentmindedly throw out something he deems important. I am gratified when this happens, since he appears to not listen to a word I say until he's decided I'm breaking the rules. Then I get an earful (and I know the lesson has been received).

At any rate, as he plucked an empty toilet paper roll from the garbage and reminded me that it made an excellent telescope, he suggested that we keep all the reusable garbage in a box so that he could "use something old in a new way" when he felt like it. This is actually an excellent idea and I'm taking him up on it. What better way to recycle and contribute to imaginative play than to keep a box of perfectly usable odds and ends around. No more scrounging during craft time.

One of the Best Meals I Had All Month:

 

My friend tried this recipe for Hot-and-Crunchy Chicken Cones from Food & Wine and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. It's an instant keeper and I can't wait to eat it again.  The only thing we changed about the recipe was the amount of cole slaw we used, judging the original ratio a little too soupy for our taste. But this is absolutely worth making again and again!

 

 

Crazy Craft I Have to Try:

I have done plenty of decoupage in my life, but I can honestly say that I have never considered decoupaging fabric to my shoes. This may be old hat to most of you, having been posted last year, but I must try this (I also found a spinoff from another crafter who was inspired by this post and decoupaged gift wrap to her shoes!). Awesome. Get the tutorial here.

 

 Book I've Added to My Wish List:

   

I admit, I'm totally judging this book by its cover, but really, who could resist?  Coming in September.

 

And there you have it - the world's longest blog post on a Monday. (Clearly I'm feeling some guilt over my lack of posting in the last week.) Incidentally, my blog posts over the next month will likely be different from the norm as I finish up my busiest time of the year, reload my computer from scratch, plan a birthday party, and get my son ready for preschool. (I know, most of you can do that with one arm tied behind your back, but I've discovered that I actually require sleep once in awhile.)

So in advance, please forgive fewer posts of original content. But I have a lengthy "Want To Do" list that I can't wait to delve into come September. I'll also be able to finally start sharing some of my past projects with you as they're published.

Happy Monday! (I know, easy for me to say - I'm still in my pajamas.)

Image Credits: Title photo via; Recycled photo via;  Recipe photo from Food and Wine, Quentin Bacon; Decoupage shoe photo from Make It and Love it.

For the Ladies

  
I am still without a computer. I would love to tell you that it's allowed me to more fully appreciate the simple things in life, that I've had some great epiphany about living without technology...but truthfully, I feel untethered. Yes, I can borrow my husband's laptop, as I am now (though after years of being a Mac user, I seem to have forgotten how to use a PC), but it's just not the same. And I realize that my laptop had become one giant journal - a compendium of all my hopes for the future, a place for inspiration, and an archive of past achievements and memories. I know, it sounds ridiculous. But I accept it - a life without technology just doesn't suit me. I can't wait to get back to normal.

In the meantime, I have been busy with deadlines, local field trips, and now Tales of the Cocktail which kicked off yesterday. I know I include a number of cocktail recipes in this blog and I'm sure there are many who simply skip my posts on those days. But today I offer you something simple. I'm not going to give you lots of recipes - I am merely going to suggest three liqueurs that I think most women, with or without cocktail know-how, will enjoy. They are not new to the market, but unless you've been following cocktail blogs, you may not know about them - and they're worth getting to know! And then, just because I can't help myself, I'm including a link to a clever little tutorial that will shed some light on making perfect cocktails. (You can get cocktail recipes from each of the product sites as well.)
  
The first, St-Germain, is a delightful artisanal French liqueur made from elderflowers. I find that it pleases both men and women, though its packaging is definitely feminine. You can mix it with gin (or vodka) and tonic, serve it with champagne, or mix it in more complex cocktails (yesterday I tried it at Tales with tequila and it definitely wasn't a girlie drink). It's highly drinkable and I challenge you to keep a bottle around for more than a few months. It's a staple in our home bar. 

My second suggestion is Domaine de Canton, also a French liqueur with exquisite packaging (no reason that a home bar can't look pretty). It's a ginger and cognac-based liqueur that can be enjoyed by itself, with champagne, or mixed into a cocktail. It's also wonderful to cook with and I enjoyed a coconut Domaine de Canton sorbet that has lingered in my mind for the last year.

The third bottle is downright homely in its packaging and you'll probably be tempted to hide it from view, though its flavor and aroma are absolutely divine! I can't say enough about Barenjager, a German honey liqueur. It's one of my favorites! You can sip it cold by itself, add it to a simple vodka and lemon juice base, or mix it into something more layered. Yes, it looks like a musty old bottle that you'd find in your grandmother's attic or basement (and not in the good way), but give it a try. It truly is lovely.

I'm off for my last day of Tales education and festivities (the full five days would kill me) and the Apple store. Keeping my fingers crossed for better than hoped for news.  See you soon!

Making a Little Art

 
My work life has been crazily, wonderfully busy lately - exactly the kind of busy a freelance creative type hopes for. From day to day, my home has begun to resemble a one woman factory as project after project gets completed and shipped out to the East and West. There are plenty of amazing tools, products, papers, and fabrics to work with - exactly the type of abundance that a creative type dreams of. I'm blessed. I'm grateful. Last year was tough. 

But recently my son told me he was going to his room to "make a little art." I was busy, distracted, and happy that he was willing to play by himself. He disappeared for a long while and when he emerged, he wore his masterpiece on his face. I thought he was so lovely and he had clearly had a wonderful time with nothing more than a jar of paint and a finger.

He stopped me in my tracks. It's been a long time since I've had only a few materials to play with and less urgent creative tasks. I wouldn't trade this time for the world, but it was a reminder that sometimes you just need to step back and "make a little art."  

BLT 2.0

 

I can't remember the last time I had a BLT, but suddenly everyone in my household was clamoring for one at the same time. We decided to elevate it a bit, try something new, and I think we definitely succeeded. This sandwich is so good I would serve it to guests and it's quick and easy to make, so you can indulge even on a weeknight. 

To go with our sandwich (and make use of our haul from the farmers' market), we also came up with a simple cocktail utilizing what was left of my peach lemonade. It's the perfect Mason jar cocktail and a nice accompaniment to the BLT or grilled meats.

 

BLT 2.0

Thick cut bacon (3-4 slices per sandwich)
Arugula
Heirloom tomatoes (we use Creole tomatoes, a local heirloom)
Mayonnaise
Tabasco or other hot sauce
Ciabatta bread

Look for a hearty bacon. We used a local, thick cut, hickory smoked bacon. You can find something comparable in better grocery stores or your local butcher. To make a seasoned mayonnaise, simply mix your mayonnaise (I'm partial to Hellman's) with Tabasco, to taste.

JD Peach

2 fresh peach wedges (+ 1 for garnish)
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
2 dashes Fee Brothers Peach Bitters
2 oz. peach lemonade
1 1/2 oz. Jack Daniels 

 Muddle 2 peach wedges with the Simple Syrup and bitters. Add ice, peach lemonade, and Jack Daniels. Stir to combine. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass (or make a double and strain into a Mason jar). Garnish with a peach wedge.  

Simple Syrup: Bring equal parts water and sugar just to a boil; stir to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat. Set aside to cool. Keeps refrigerated for up to a month or so. 

 

Homemade Peach Ice Cream

 

I've had my inexpensive Cuisinart ice cream maker for a long time and it's still an amazing little machine for the price. I keep two freezer bowls in the freezer year-round for those (almost) spontaneous moments when ice cream seems like the only answer - or when the offerings of the farmers' market are too good to pass up, like the peaches in this fresh peach ice cream.

Have a happy weekend!  Eat ice cream (or better yet, make ice cream).

Peach Ice Cream
(Makes 1 1/2 quarts)

 
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 large egg yolks
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

2 pounds fresh peaches, sliced (do not peel)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Prepare the custard base: Put the egg yolks in a medium stainless-steel mixing bowl and float that bowl in a larger bowl half full of hot tap water. Whisk the yolks until they are lukewarm, between 90 to 100℉ (it will take less than a minute), then lift the bowl out of the water and set aside.

2. Combine 1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar, milk, and cream in a 2-quart saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. The instant the cream comes to a rolling boil and begins rising in the pan, lift it off the heat. With the whisk in one hand and the saucepan in the other, pour the boiling cream into the egg yolks as you whisk constantly but gently. (Don't whisk rapidly or you will cool the custard before the yolks have a chance to set.) Continue to stir the custard with a whisk for 1 minute. At this point it should be fully cooked (an instant-read thermometer set in the custard should register 170 to 180℉. It will coat a teaspoon, but it will become much thicker as it cools. (If the custard did not get hot enough to thicken, you can place the bowl on top of a saucepan of boiling water and stir it with a rubber spatula until it reaches 170℉.) Whisk the sauce rapidly for 30 seconds to cool it, then pour it through a fine sieve. Add the vanilla extract. Set it aside to cool.

3. Prepare the peaches: Combine the peach slices, 1/2 cup sugar, and the lemon juice in a bowl, then transfer to a 2-quart heavy saucepan and boil, covered, over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. The simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes more.

4. Purée the hot mixture in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Force it through a sieve into the custard mixture, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon and discarding them. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. 

5. Stir together the custard base and the peach mixture and refrigerate until chilled. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions.

Made with Love

 

I like to give handmade baby gifts and when a close friend gave birth to a baby girl recently, she also gave me the inspiration for her gift. The baby was named for my friend's grandmother who had been a seamstress when she was alive. I remembered a little "made by" personalized tag that my friend had kept from her grandmother's things, a little red and white tag, the kind you sew into items you've made. That also inspired the color scheme. 

Now, I don't do a whole lot of sewing. I can do the basics, but I'm certainly not an accomplished seamstress, so I tried to stay within my comfort zone but challenge myself as well. I started with some familiar projects - baby shoes for the fall, taken directly from my book, B is for Baby, paper and button covered hangers (also from my book), and two onesies. Then finally, a patchwork quilted blanket. The blanket was the challenge and I tried some new techniques and made my own binding for the first time. It's not perfect, but I think it's still charming and I hope Grandma Sadie would be happy knowing that I gave it my best shot. It definitely inspired me to get better and I'm already thinking about making something for my own bed or a quilt for my son. Next time, hand quilting!  (I will probably go blind from the effort, but what a wonderful heirloom.)

To wrap it all up, I uncovered some red and white tape measure ribbon. The baby "card" will be a strip of paper wrapped around a vintage wooden spool. A few things made with love, to honor someone who was well-loved by those whose lives she touched, and to welcome the new life whose journey has just begun. 

   

I made these shoes from wool felt. It's durable and easy to shape and has a nice weight to it. I reinforced the holes with eyelets to allow for frequent ribbon changes. I wrapped some additional, complementary ribbons around embroidery thread cards and attached them with a ring.

   

 

 
I used vintage fabric inspired scrapbook paper from Making Memories to decoupage child size wooden hangers. 

   

I designed this decal using the font Quicksand (Dash), which reminded me of stitching with its dashed letters. I then flipped the image and printed it out on iron-on transfer paper. You can download this design (for personal use ONLY!) below. 

   
  

 
I fused fabric scraps to pieces of iron-on adhesive, then cut flower shapes (using craft punches to create templates). I peeled off the backing, layered the pieces, then ironed them on at one time. 

  

   

Inspiration for this quilted blanket came from the large floral and oversized polka dot prints. Both were cotton dishtowels I had purchased a few years back. The top is pieced together with the dishtowels and other cotton prints. The backing is a soft white linen. I quilted the squares, but also used the tying off technique in the middle of each square. I used a surgeon's knot for extra security. 

Download Made with Love Decal

Cyclone Summer

   

Sorry for the delay. It's been crazy around here, but I'll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, stay cool!

 

Gâteau Basque

 

Recently I had lunch at Lüke, one of our superb local restaurants, and the manager sent out his favorite dessert on the menu - Gâteau Basque. It didn't look particularly complex or fancy, but it was a revelatory experience. I have been dreaming of this cake ever since, and after some research, I find that I'm not alone. Any cake with a museum dedicated solely to its existence and artistry has to be some kind of cake!

I made it for the first time yesterday, following this recipe. (There are many ways to make Basque cake, but this recipe was closest to the cake I had for lunch. I just omitted the almonds and powdered sugar.) It may appear intimidating, but it's not really any more difficult than making a normal cake from scratch. And if you're like me (pastry bag challenged), don't worry too much about making a perfect spiral; you'll be smoothing it out anyway. 

This would be a great cake to make for a 4th of July gathering. You can make it a day or two in advance, and it's very rich, so a small slice is plenty. The cake I had for lunch had a bit of Creole cream cheese on it, which you won't generally find outside of Louisiana. However, I mixed sour cream with granulated sugar (to taste) and a little finely grated orange zest, and it was a nice alternative.

Have a happy 4th!

(P.S. If you're not in a baking mood this holiday, try my peach lemonade. You will not be sorry! (If I do say so myself.)