FM.

Sitting here, drinking some tea this morning (yes, trying to crack my unhealthy addiction to coffee, despite my recent transition to half-decaf--realizing it's more about the warm cup in my hand than anything), wondering just where the days of August went. September in two days, really? Avidly hoping that cool, crisp breezes arrive  (and therefore boots, scarves, and my favorite jackets) with the calendar. But pretty sure my patience will be tested a bit more--like--until December. Hmm...Charleston, I love. But the weather?...

Anyway, I do entirely adore the weekly parade of the downtown Farmers Market, despite the steamy humidity that's trapped in tents of clustered produce shoppers. But hey--local, organic, and delicious--such a treat from the under-ripened, imported finds at the grocery.

Below, my most recent loot:

For pizza, but of course!

Yes, maybe a bit obsessed with our very recent pizza stone purchase.

:)

Because

my life is a whirlwind this week and there's really no spare time to post something riveting.
inspiration, nonetheless...

feeling a bit like this today:

mostly because i am a procrastinator, though i prefer to say i work best under pressure.

thought i'd graduate from that title when i suma-cumlauded college. 

not so much.

anyhow, blog readers, i am a busy bee this week, so please forgive any m&s shortcomings.

lots of excited happenings around here...though not without lots of work!

working to get magazine to press (yay yayayayay! did i say yay?).

website design work.

dinner party for Seattle-bound friends.

whirlwind trip to Kentucky.

though, on a very happy note, i became an Auntie to my fourth little niece last night. Serenity Maple, undoubtedly beautiful, as two gorgeous people are the bebe's parents. so, congrats to Christopher and Gabrielle--so happy that she's here.

if i could i would

live every minute of everyday entirely in this room alone.
yep, i'd sit right there...with my laptop and coffee...typing away...dreaming away...gazing out that window, knowing i had an ample supply of chopped, rustic wood in case a dreary, cold rain started falling (my favorite weather...weird, i know).
love? i think so.

 {paul costello via madebygirl}

have such a lovely weekend.
i'll be spending mine catching up with good friends and a good husband, wishing for the weather to cool (impossible hope) and preparing for a dinner party early in the week (yay!) and a whirlwind of a trip to Kentucky.

h.i.m.

maybe it's because i just had a warm little breakfast with a really dear friend.
or maybe it's because a steamy cup of dark, rich coffee (in a crisp, white mug) brings me
utmost comfort.
or, really, because the creative powers behind yes, please! and bash, please! rock my
world and inspire me beyond end...

in any regard, all of the above made me really quite happy this morning.

h.i.m.

{linus lohoff}

inspired photography, discovered via the ever-inspired creature comforts.

have a lovely day...mine certainly will be :)

recent obsessions:

this sweater.

{fashion toast}

this bag.

{la garconne}

this sequence.

{jonas peterson}

these essays.

this shoe.

{jcrew}

this decor.

{design is mine}

now, if only these obsessions were accompanied by crisp air and colorful leaves. red wine and walks in the park. wool sweaters and herringbone scarves. worn leather boots and garlic-infused pot roast. white bowls of chili and white mugs with coffee. 

entirely ready for fall (and the cozy lifestyle it beckons)...if you can't already tell.

h.i.m.

happy, this morning, due in part to:

also, reeling with happiness thanks to the lovely and talented author of oh, hello friend, for sponsoring this exciting giveaway:

fingers crossed!

en la cocina: roasted, chicken-stuffed peppers

serves 4

prep time: 30 minutes

cook time: 25 minutes

you will need:

4 medium-sized red peppers that are able to stand upright (preferably short and wide)

1 ear of corn, cooked

1 lb ground chicken

1 large shallot, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

1 large, vine-ripened tomato, diced

2 Tbsp Braggs Liquid Amino Acid
2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp minced garlic

1/4 C feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 C parmesan cheese, shredded
4 slices of bread, crumbled.

to prepare:

boil corn. remove from water and set aside to cool. remove kernels from cob.

standing your peppers upright, remove the tops by slicing 1/2 inch from the stem. scrape out the seeds with a spoon. if pepper won't stand straight, trim the bottom to even it out, being careful not to make a hole. (very large peppers should be halved lengthwise through the stem and laid on their sides to bake).

steam peppers over boiling water for 10 minutes. pat dry and stand upright in a lipped baking dish in which the peppers will fit snuggly.

preheat oven to 375.
heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
saute shallot til translucent.
add ground chicken and saute til meat is tan in color, about 10 minutes.
add tomato, garlic, jalapeno, Braggs and corn to skillet.
saute over medium heat for 5 more minutes.
transfer contents of skillet to a medium-sized bowl.
fold in cheese.
spoon mixture into each upright pepper and place in the oven.
bake for 15 minutes.

combine bread crumbs with a drizzle of olive oil. it's important to lightly coat the bread, not soak it through.
remove peppers from oven and sprinkle crumbs over each.
return to oven for 10 minutes.
brown the tops under broiler for 3 minutes if necessary.

and voila! roasted, chicken-stuffed peppers.
mmm...so very tasty.
hope you enjoy as much as we did.

jam.

interested in making jam?

mmm...me too.

check out what the LA Times has to say.