31 March 2010

we've changed a bit.


XOXO.

Inspired.

And in love.
With the works of Lena Wolff, that is.




 I'm not entirely sure how, nor entirely sure why...but am so very happy that I stumbled upon her work.
I found this little interview over at the Shiny Squirrel, if it happens to peak your interest.
It surely peaked mine.

I love the stories that are so deeply evident within her work. Clearly inspired by American Folk Art,  she seamlessly blends her love for eccentricity with her remarkable eye for color.  I am fascinated, inspired...transfixed by her work.  Moved to a state of awe and disbelief. Wondering why her paintings have yet to adorn the shelves of Anthropologie. I think I shall write them a letter...

And to think, it's paper.

 So yes, I'll take one... or three...for every room of the house, please.








{Whole Living}

My. favorite. recipe. of. all. time.
It's true. So very, very true.
Partly because it's so easy.
Mostly because it's so delicious.
Certainly because it's good for you.

Find it for yourself, here.

And, a few extra tidbits:

It's spicy. Deliciously spicy. Not for those with a mild palette. :)
I use whole-wheat tortillas for the health factor.
I also layer in avocado and black beans...because I love them...and because they are good for you.
The recipe calls for a whole can of chipotle peppers.
You most certainly do not need to use a whole can.
I used four to five, and saved the rest in a jar. They keep forever in the fridge, and have become my secret ingredient in a number of dishes.
So save them, if you wish.

I've told you once. I'll tell you again.
My favorite recipe...of all time...at least thus far in my kitchen adventures.

30 March 2010

i wish.

{chocolate therapie}

That coffee came in colors.
Today, I would drink pink.



To randomly stumble upon this.


{congoeel}

For these chairs to magically appear in my laundromat.


{troutfactory}

For the promise of an open window.










{ the perfect Saturday a.m. complement}

1 large egg
10 large egg whites
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp garlic (more or less to taste)
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/4 C red pepper, diced
1/4 C mushroom, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
a handful or two of grated parmesan or mozzarella ( I used both).
(*ricotta would also be a delectable addition.)
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

preheat oven to 375.
whisk together egg, whites, salt and pepper. set aside.
heat oil in a large, heavy skillet, preferably 10-inches.
add onion. cook til translucent.
add garlic & remaining veggies.
cook til they begin to soften.
add egg mixture.
add cheese.
stir once or twice to distribute evenly.
place skillet in the oven.
bake for 10 minutes, til eggs are set.
pour your coffee. or your tea.
and dig in.

makes for a lovely morning.
could make for a lovely evening.
heck, I would eat this any time of the day.
it's pretty delicious.

26 March 2010

week's end.

Weekend to-do:

wear boots.


play in a dress.


be with my C.


{photos above chocolate therapie, via pink wallpaper}

dream of this.


Enjoy yours.
Don't busy it up with endless tasks.
Be simple.
Be fun.
Be in love.
With your time.








{joy of cooking}

dough:

1 package active dry yeast
1 1/3 C warm water
3 1/2 C flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar

combine first 2 ingredients in large mixing bowl.
let stand 5 minutes til yeast is dissolved.
add remaining ingredients.
mix by hand or on low speed for 1 minute.
knead 10 minutes by hand or with dough hook on low to medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic.
transfer dough to lightly oiled bowl and turn over once to coat with oil.
cover with plastic and let rise for 1-1.5 hours.
preheat oven to 475.
punch dough down and divide in half.
roll each piece into a ball and let rest, loosely covered with plastic, for 10 minutes.
flatten each ball of dough on lightly floured surface.
work into a 12-inch round and place on baking sheet.
brush top of dough with olive oil.
use fingers to push dents into surface of dough to prevent bubbling.
let rest 10 minutes.

now...

prepare toppings :)
I chopped mushroom, tomato and yellow pepper.

spread sauce on dough.
layer shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
add toppings.
bake for 10-15 minutes, til cheese is melted and crust slightly browns.
cool.
eat.
be full. and happy.

25 March 2010











{Joy of Cooking}

chicken breasts
1 C apricot preserves
1/2 C red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp minced, fresh chili peppers of your choice (I used jalapenos)

bring above ingredients to a boil.
cook for 5-7 minutes, til slightly thickened.
glaze chicken.
saute in heavy skillet.
eat.
eat.
eat some more.

A savory chicken that is incredibly easy to make. Perfectly perfect if you're under a time constraint. I served mine with black beans and rice. And, yes, I cheated, they are from a package. But, I am reasonable and therefore perfectly aware that I cannot compete with vigo's black beans and rice. They are that good.

So please, don't be shy.
Would love your thoughts...and whether you test it out.


fictitious home.

Or, an illusive yet ideal place of residence that anyone should be so lucky to call home.
Also, the newest addition to maple & shade.
Below (and every Thursday, for that matter) you will find a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and outdoor room that I not only adore, but feel go together to create a particular vibe, scheme, feeling...etc.

Hence, the "fictitious home."
Hope you enjoy.
Comments welcome.

So, pioneering the fictitious home is an eclectic abode. Certainly a favorite style of mine. She's feminine and gracious, yet deceptively bold. She's cozy and muted, making a subtle palette with delectable neutrals,then makes a statement with her pop of lilac that transpires throughout. Simply said: I love her.

Living Room.
{domino}

Dining Room.
{domino}

Kitchen.
{Grendel the cat}

Bedroom.
Bathroom.
Outdoors.
{domino}

So there you have it. The first of its kind. The first fictitious home. She's beautiful, don't you think? She maintains a neutral tranquility til you reach the bedroom, where she embraces the intimacy of the boudoir and bath with an eclectic femininity.

I like her.
Hope you do too.

Thoughts? Notions? Ideas?

24 March 2010

Stud-ed.

Feeling rather masculine today.
So...that's an odd feeling.

Nonetheless,
certainly coveting all-things "stud."


{Domino}

Hoping someday, maybe just one day, I can fill my home with such rugged carriage.
How the hubs would love that.










As once depicted here...
...was greeted by jumping and cheering, by the hubs, when told what's for dinner.
Yes, it's worthy of that response.

Goes quite nicely with a salad.
Which goes quite nicely with red and yellow pepper, blackberries and avocado.

So, enjoy your day...and your dinner, for that matter.
As for me, well, I'm headed to the beach, after lunching on leftover parmigiana, of course.



23 March 2010

My yesterday.

Took a walk.
{*Mandana}
In the rain.

Past the corner grocery.

{cbrown117}
To the water.

Took a nap.

{Daniela Duncan}
Thought of the beach.

{Hillary the mammal}

Felt like a kid, again.

Loving these days. This move. This city.









1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp garlic
1/4 C water
chicken
red, yellow peppers
onion
tortillas
avocado

puree first 5 ingredients.
pour over chicken.
marinate 2 hours.
cook sliced chicken in skillet.
add sliced onions & peppers.
saute til soft.
build your fajitas.
garnish with avocado.
eat.
go back for seconds.

22 March 2010

Sigh.


Oh. My. Gosh.

I've been gone for 2 months.
It's crazy how this time thing works...and how fast it goes by.

BUT...there is good news. Or so I hope you will take it as that.

I am back :)
Yes, the hubs and I are settled into our new city. And our new life.
And therefore...my blog...again.

So, I guess that means I will see you tomorrow.
Here's to a happy today.