Designs by Gollum

Rattlebridge Farm's Berry Scones

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:50:41 PST

A dazzle of morning sun fills my kitchen this morning.The coffee pot is burbling, and the air smells sweetly of vanilla beans. I can't wait to make a batch of berry scones. ...

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Foodie Friday Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:29:51 PST

Welcome to the second Foodie Friday Cafe, where great food is always on the menu. Dr. Big (see above photo) will be breaking his diet to join us. He can't resist the scrumptious offerings y'all...

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Foodie Friday: Baileys Irish Cream Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:10:59 PST

Every St. Patrick's Day, I bake simple cupcakes, usually from a mix, but I make up for it by garnishing the beeswax out of them. This year, I wanted to surprise my family with Baileys Irish Cream...

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An Irish Blessing Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:10:33 PST

For each petal on the shamrockThis brings a wish your way--Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every...

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Sugar Rush: How to Make Flavored Sugar and More

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:18:15 PST

"Joy is a glassful of tea and a piece of sugar in the...

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Twigs and Cabbage: A St. Patrick's Day Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:16:29 PST

This rustic Irish tablescape was inspired by a pot of cabbage soup that was bubbling in the kitchen. I used grapevine wreaths as chargers and began layering the dishes. I collect green...

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Foodie Friday Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:06:16 PST

Welcome to the first Foodie Friday Cafe, where a spectacular sampling of last week's dishes await you. Grab a latte or a cup of tea, tuck a tartan blanket around you, and get ready...

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Decorating With Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:42:43 PST

I'm fond of decorating with vegetables. When my husband brought me an orchid bouquet, I immediately put the fragrant stems into a vase with brussels sprouts. He wasn't surprised. After 33...

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The Foodie Friday Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:34:05 PST

Welcome to Foodie Friday. If you've got a food blog, chances are you take photographs of your dishes. You probably spend your time chasing daylight--specifically the white light that falls...

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Here Comes the Sun: A Late Winter Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:12:44 PST

After a week of rain and gloom, here comes the sun. To celebrate, I made lunch and set the table. These activities are soothing, almost like playing, and they have a way of turning a mid-day...

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Valentine's Day Ideas for Exhausted Romantics

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:08:08 PST

Valentine's Day is synonymous with red roses, Godiva chocolate, and love letters. If you're like me, you'll want to spend the evening with your honey. But this sweet holiday comes...

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Country Morning Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:38:01 PST

A Country Morning Tablescape for Valentine's Day Eve. The tablescaping stars aligned this weekend: roses, roosters, and polka dots dishes. I was so enthused, I made two...

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Foodie Friday: Low Carb Cheesecake with Butter Pecan Crust

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:08:23 PST

Welcome to the February 10th Foodie Friday!My Valentine is on a diet, and he's craving desserts. I bought a low-carb cheesecake, but it was crustless. Graham crackers are loaded with carbs, but...

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Sweet Talk: Valentine's Day Dessert

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:44:22 PST

Red velvet cupcakes are a food group at Rattlebridge Farm. We eat them for breakfast, lunch, and tea. But these delightful confections are especially welcome on Valentine's Day. Sweet Tarts are...

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A Farmhouse Valentine Table

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:55:42 PST

Winter is like a mean-spirited visitor who hates your cooking yet eats every last crumb. Winter is a guest who has given too little and stayed too long. For the first time in weeks, I awoke to...

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Rainy Days and Sundays: How to Make a Comfort-Scape

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:05:50 PST

Winter weather is brittle. Sunny, spring-like temperatures are chased away by wet, gloomy cold-fronts. I keep track of the 7-day forecast because farm work is always waiting for us. It's miserable to...

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Essential Super Bowl Appetizers for Exhausted Cooks

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:54:57 PST

When hunger collides with Superbowl Sunday, it's time to hit the kitchen. I've compiled a collection of easy appetizers for exhausted cooks. Pesto Pinwheels are savory and satisfying... In...

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Foodie Friday: Shop This Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:19:39 PST

Photo Credit: Universal Studios (all photos used for educational purposes and inspiration) Welcome to the February 3rd Foodie Friday! The Shop This Room Series is a new feature at Designs by...

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Romancing the Plate

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:17 PST

Part I: Bird-Themed TablescapeMy mother says the secret to tablestyling is simple: one must romance the plate. It's about attraction, feeling the mood, and understanding the subtle nuances...

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Chive-Wrapped Egg Salad Sandwiches for Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:47:56 PST

Once upon a time, approximately thirty three years ago, my husband and I went on a first date. When he arrived, I offered him a glass of white wine and a tiny egg salad sandwich. From that day...

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Valentine's Day Cake for Exhausted Cooks

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:54:42 PST

If you are looking for a pretty but extremely easy dessert this Valentine's Day, this is your cake. When time is short and tempers are frayed, the exhausted cook needs a repertoire of fast,...

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A Painted Brick House: Choosing Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:10:17 PST

I have a love/hate relationship with paint colors. Just looking at a fan deck can set off a maelstrom. I become indecisive, rash, conservative, edgy, remorseful. And, I fall in love too easily with...

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Foodie Friday: Pairing Romantic Food and Films

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:50:42 PST

Are you cooking anything special for Valentine's Day?Let's play a game this Foodie Friday. Are you ready?If you were going to pair a romantic menu with a movie, what would you pick? Sleepless...

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Foodie Friday: Stopping by the Kitchen on a Snowy Evening, a Guest Post by Shirley Hailstock

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:41 PST

photo by Mark Stout Photography via Shutterstock. Welcome to the January 20th Foodie Friday. I'm so glad you'rehere, because I have a special treat, a guest post by author Shirley Hailstock. Shirley...

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Foodie Friday: Snowy January Afternoon With Big and Mister

noreply@blogger.com (Designs by Gollum) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:52:08 PST

The minute it began to snow, my husband got cabin fever. We drove down the curvy road to Publix. To my surprise, the parking lot wasn't jammed with snow-panicked people. I didn't...

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