The Hairy Peach

Sidetracked

2012-03-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

Where has all the food gone?

Honestly, I have been cooking, but rather uninspired as of late.

Basic, teenager pleasing meals...nothing fancy and certainly nothing photo or blog worthy!!

Not in the mood for making a mess or cleaning up.

Sidetracked...though exactly to what I couldn't tell you.

It's all been about "easy" lately.

Luciles Kitchen

Do you ever do that?

Even though you love something, you kind of max out on it? Need a time out?

That's how I've been feeling.

The food magazines that usually get me excited to make something new,

just haven't been doing their job.

So, I want your input.

Give me an ingredient, a color, a scheme....

a challenge of sorts to get me motivated.

I'll pick the most intriguing suggestion, make a meal and blog about it!!

Let's see how creative you can be...

since mine seems to be taking the side road at the moment!

I'll leave suggestions open til Friday March 9th when I'll make my choice.

Thanks in advance for your creative genius!

Jump!

2012-02-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

Do you ever see a piece of art that moves you somehow?

Maybe triggers a memory or a wish?

I saw this print by the immensely pleasant Clare of

Tastes Orangey

on etsy a while back and it did just that.

I spent my summer's growing up in Canada,

going the lake, playing outside in the water and on the shores edge,

hiking through the forests with my grandparents.

When I saw this print, it immediately transported me back.

Memories are funny that way...a sound, a smell,

the slightest invocation and suddenly you are there again.

Jump

I've had it in my favorites list for quite some time,

as I couldn't figure out exactly where I would put it.

Well a recent rearranging of our master bedroom has opened up the perfect spot!

So I ordered it and now it's on it's way...I can't wait to get it!!

What's been tickling your fancy this week?

Linking up with

Sarah

over at

Yes Teacher!

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Weekend

2012-02-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy week!

The cold and flu have been circulating around the school I work at like wildfire!!

It finally caught up with me last week and I was down for the count.

Thankfully after a couple days rest it passed quickly,

but unfortunately it passed to my son.

He's better now and I hope we've seen the last of those germs around here!

Let's just say it's been one of those weeks!!

So this is my big plan for the weekend...

Relax Pillow

What about you...what are you up to this weekend?

Whatever it is...

Wishing you a wonderful and happy weekend!

Cup Of Love

2012-02-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

May your day be sunny and bright,
spent with the ones you hold dear.

Here's to a cup filled to the brim with love!!

Lucky Jackson

Happy Valentine's Day!

Noodle Bowl Love

2012-02-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been seeing recipes for

noodle bowls everywhere,

and I'm kinda hooked on making them.

We made this one last week and it was really good.

The green tea soba noodles were very different texturally but

the broth with the jasmine tea was outstanding!

Quite often I just make up my own version.

You can use any kind of noodle, even the little ramen packages work well,

though udon tends to be a favorite in our house.

A lively broth, tons of vegetables like;

bok choy, carrots, baby corn, straw mushrooms...

You can add tofu, chicken or beef...there really is no right or wrong way to do it.

Top with fresh chopped scallions and cilantro, chopped peanuts, even hard boiled eggs,

and add some Sriracha if you like a little heat.

It's a great warming meal on a cold night!

Now for the perfect serving vessel...

Isn't it beautiful?!?!

It even fits your chopsticks perfectly!

I came across

Artwares by Yevgenia

on etsy the other day and was completely taken by the beauty of her work.

Her painting is so intricate, so beautiful...

what a gorgeous way to serve up a delicious meal.

If it's possible...I think I'm in love with a noodle bowl!

Linking up with

Sarah

today for

Tickle Me Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

A CUT Above

2012-01-30T12:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those meals that you know you won't forget?

I recently did and I'm here to share it with you.

We were in Las Vegas for my husband's work and had the opportunity to eat at

CUT

by Wolfgang Puck.

CUT by Wolfgang Puck

From the moment you stepped in the door, you knew it was going to be good.

Friendly, professional staff that were very attentive, yet not pretentious in the least.

We were seated in a roomy booth near the center of the restaurant,

complete with throw cushions to get really comfortable.

Our server was prompt and very helpful.

We were handed the drink menu on an ipad...what a fun way of choosing your beverage!

I had the Aviation Violette, so delicious with Creme Yvette and Luxardo.

Chad had a drink called Pavlov's Dog, tangy & refreshing with grapefruit juice.

Choosing from their extensive menu was a challenge, everything sounded wonderful!

I started with the

Bone Marrow Dumplings in Oxtail Bouillion with Chive Blossoms.

I savored each and every bite.

The cannelle shaped dumplings were creamy polenta-esque

flavored morsels that literally melted in your mouth...I have never tasted anything quite like it.

Gently seated in an under salted broth, that was poured table side,
let their immense flavor shine through.

(I'm afraid my photos don't do it justice-the lighting was low in the restaurant and

I didn't want my flash going off disturbing other diners)

Chad had the equally beautiful and delicious
Bone Marrow Flan with Mushroom Marmalade, earthy yet refined at the same time.

CUT specializes in beef and lots of it!
I chose a 35 day aged Petite New York...the flavor was incredible.
Chad went for the Wagyu Filet, flown in from Australia.
There are no words to describe the flavor...I had to sneak a little bite.
So tender, it tasted like it was injected with olive oil, so buttery and rich.
Absolutely phenomenal!

Their steaks are grilled over hardwood and then finished under a 1200 degree broiler!
This creates a crust on the exterior of the steak and leaves the inside beautifully pink & juicy.
It is finished simply with french sea salt...and trust me, that's all it needs.
They served a shallot-red wine sauce on the side which was delectable, but hardly necessary.

We finished the meal with a dark chocolate whiskey cake,
complemented with a side of buttterscotch gelato.
No words necessary!

It was such a lovely evening,
and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience it.

My only complaint, and it certainly isn't with the food or the service,
was the lack of enforcing a dress code.
This is an upscale restaurant and to me you should be dressed appropriately to your surroundings.
There was a couple sitting a few booths down that were dressed so casual, you would have thought they were going to the burger joint on the corner.
I'm talking velour track pants and a graffiti design Ed Hardy shirt.
I mean...really?!?!
Maybe I'm old fashioned but that hardly seemed befitting to the restaurant's caliber.

It was a splurge of an evening, not soon to be forgotten.

What's your best meal that you've ever eaten?

Sweet Mother Nature

2012-01-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

I'm always looking for healthy, quick and easy snacks.
I take them to work, keep some in the car for those late soccer practices,
or to curb that mid afternoon craving at work.

Especially after the Holiday season and the extra eating I did,
I'm trying to make a conscious effort to grab something healthy.

A while back, I came across
Sweet Mother Nature
on etsy and all their delicious snacks.

Matt & Sheryl were nice enough to send me a sampler pack to try out some of their
dried fruits and wonderful fruit leathers.
They were awesome!
The fruit leathers were just sweet enough, no added anything, so the fruit was the star.
My absolute favorite though...
dehydrated watermelon!!
I couldn't stop eating it...Yum!

Matt & Sheryl live in Upstate NY and are interested in long term ‘self sufficiency’ in the form of making their own energy, and eventually having their own food sources.

The Amish and other natural farmers are prevalent in this area of NY

so they have a great resource for much of their fruit.

So nice to see people doing such positive things with our wonderful natural resources!

Sheryl does most of the creating and comes up with the greatest combos.

She also loves to pick the berries and fruits from local farmers.

Currently they sell at Farmer’s Markets, Craft Fairs, Church Bazaars and of course, on etsy.

Sweet Mother Nature

has been nice enough to extend a special code to my blog readers.

Use the code

"hairypeach"

to save 5% on any order placed before February 10th!

A special thank you to

Sweet Mother Nature

for giving me the opportunity to sample your awesome products

and to share them with my readers!!

Linking up with Sarah today over at

Yes Teacher

for

Tickle Me Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday!

The Urban Goat

2012-01-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

My husband has been wanting to try making homemade cheese for a while,

so when I read about these great DIY Cheese Kits, I knew I had to get him one.

UrbanCheesecraft

has a wonderful etsy shop

with all the necessities to make cheese at home.

Everything you need except the milk comes packaged in a cute little box!

Add some fresh goats milk...

Follow the easy directions, adding a little of this and that...

And not too long after...we had goat cheese!

It was tangy and unbelievably fresh tasting.

We spread it on a baguette,

drizzled a little olive oil over top, cracked some fresh pepper,

and we had a wonderful little appetizer with a glass of wine.

We were very pleased with our first attempt.

While we got a rather small yield,

(professional cheese makers we are not just yet)

the kit comes with enough supplies to make about 10 batches,

so we get to practice a few more times,

giving us plenty of time to perfect the techniques.

It was a fun project together in the kitchen,

and always rewarding to sit down & enjoy something that you've prepared yourself.

Claudia

UrbanCheesecraft

was very friendly and helpful,

and super prompt at answering my questions.

She also has kits for many other kinds of cheeses, so make sure and pop by her

etsy shop to check it out!

What's your favorite kind of cheese?

Linking up with Sarah today over at

Yes Teacher

for

Tickle Me Tuesday

Before The Crazy Week

2012-01-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

I'm late, I'm late,

I feel like the white rabbit...

but seriously

Happy New Year!!

This was a post planned for just after New Years and then my crazy week hit!

My husband ended up having an emergency appendectomy last week.

Thankfully he's ok...the most important part of it all,

but after a few days in the hospital and a few resting at home,

today life is just kind of getting back to normal.

First off a BIG thank you to those that sent emails and facebook messages...

I appreciated your thoughts and comments more than you know.

We did manage to spend a lovely New Years Eve at home, before all the craziness arrived and I wanted to share a couple yummy recipes from our evening.

Pepper Crusted Steak with Horseradish Cream on Garlic Crostini

These were divine!

Worth the extra effort of marinating the steak overnight and the homemade horseradish cream...

Let's just say I won't ever be buying store bought horseradish again.

It was incredible!!

So fresh and vibrant...they were devoured!!

And then this sweet little number...

Ginger Yogurt Mousse with Pistachio Meringue

Crunchy, airy lightness from the pistachio meringue,

and then the lightest, fluffiest, just a hint of sweetness mousse you can imagine,

made with my new Whip-It that my husband got me for Christmas.

Delectable and so much fun!!

It was a little disheartening to see when I logged in today that I'd dropped a few followers.

Posts not frequent enough lately?

Hit a nerve with someone?

I'll probably never know.

Oh well...

I love blogging,

but I have a life, a family and above all they are what my world is about.

I sincerely thank those out there that understand that,

and through this past year have become friends.

Recipes & Gadgets

2011-12-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

After many technical difficulties,

our computer has finally rejoined the living!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday.

Ours was filled with lots of laughter, visits with family and of course food!!

I wanted to share a couple of Holiday highlights with you.

I opted this year to go a little out of the box with our Christmas Eve meal

and stay away from the more traditional turkey or roast.

I chose duck!

Duck breast to be exact.

Complete with a fig sauce, a heavenly duck fat potato gratin and asparagus.

Inspired from here, but as always tweaked a little by me.

It was incredible!
People often think of duck as fatty and heavy,
but if you render the fat off and then crisp up the skin,
what you are left with is this amazing flavor.
The figs and brandy in the sauce balanced the richness beautifully.
My kids, who at first were "you're making what!?!?"...
went back for seconds!

I wanted a hearty potato dish to stand up the rich duck

and knew I had found it when I saw this recipe made with duck fat and demi-glace!!

Easy to make and so delicious!

The thyme added a subtle freshness to a very substantial dish.

I was very happy with the meal and love to see my kids exposed to new foods.

Now for the gadgets!!

My husband knowing how much I love to cook got me this...

The spiffy All-Clad Slow Cooker that

lets you go from stove top to slow cooker and even in to the oven!!

I love it!

I've already used a few times...

and what an upgrade from my 15 year old crockpot I was using!

And then this...

The Whip-It whip cream dispenser.

Oooohhh...I can't tell you how excited I am about this one!!

I see them used all the time on the cooking shows and now there's one in my kitchen!!

You can make flavored whipping creams, sauces, foams...endless possiblities!

I've picked out our New Years Eve dessert tomorrow based on using this gadget.

More to come on that soon...

So that's my recipe and gadget share!!

What yummy things have you eaten lately?

Any fun things under your tree?

I'd love to hear about them!

I'm glad to be back and wish each and every one of you a very

Happy New Year!!

Unplugged Christmas

2011-12-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

Technology is my friend...well, most of the time.

That was until last week when our Mac decided to show it's true colors...

The dreaded,

yes,

the one,

the only...

Grey Screen of Death!

Translation...not good!

No morning blog runs.

No catching up on what's happening around the globe.

No doubt I've missed some vital Kardashian or Bieber news that would have changed my life,

but I carry on nonetheless.

All kidding aside...

I'm still not up and running properly, thus my absence both here and at all your lovely blogs.

I hope all is well out there in blogland and that everyone is enjoying their

preparations this busy Holiday week.

Christmas Morning

So whether it's thoughts of sugar plums or potato latkes dancing in your head.

I wish you a very happy Holiday Season.

I hope that I'll be back up and running very soon.

I had all sorts of wonderful goodies and posts planned that currently lay on the back burner

until the technology gods shine favorably on me once more.

Until then I wish you the happiest of times with family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

Institute Of Domestic Technology

2011-12-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

So what do Western literature and artisanal cocktails have in common?

Well, when you are at the historic residence once belonging to author Zane Grey...

a whole lot.

Meet The Institute of Domestic Technology.

Newly established,

The Institute's "mission is to reignite the passion of how we make food,

the ingredients we source and the farms on which they originate."

It's a place to come explore the fading arts of handmade cheese and jam making,

home coffee roasting and the art of crafting liqueurs and cocktail bitters.

As we entered the cavernous kitchen, we were welcomed by the scent of fresh citrus

and spices lingering in the air.

Individual work stations were set up with glasses, bottles and spoons.

I felt like I was standing in a vintage apothecary lab!

Our instructor for the class was a mixologist with almost 15 years experience in the industry.

He had a Sherlock Holmes vibe, which suited the evening perfectly considering

the concoctions we were set to mix.

After a brief history on cocktails and bitters we each set out to concoct our perfect cocktail.

Jars of mysterious steeping flowers and herbs wound their way around the room.

You sniffed.

You tasted.

Did it speak to you?

The ones you felt were a fit went into your jar.

Combining until just the right mixture was reached.

Mine...

Lemongrass

Angelica

Chamomile

Cardamom

Then some fresh citrus peel and dried lemongrass for an extra nudge of flavor.

There were about twenty people in the class and not one person's was the same!

Each one unique and indicative of your tastes and personality.

Then we got to mix a signature cocktail using our new bitters formula.

I paired mine with gin and rosemary simple syrup.

Ice and stir, being careful not to bruise the base spirit.

The result...alluringly simple with subtle depth.

I was very pleased.

It was an evening of mixing and mingling in a setting

that made you feel a little like you'd stepped into another era.

Where hand crafted foods and drinks were the way of life.

A simpler time.

A time that would be most agreeable to visit again.

For more information on the classes offered at the

Institute visit them online.

Zane-y Weekend

2011-12-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

It's almost the weekend!

I've been looking forward to this one for a while.

Why?

Well, a little hint...

My weekend is set to include Zane Grey and artisinal cocktails.

Well sort of.

Me...smirking,

Make sure you stop back in next week and I'll fill you in!!

Happy Weekend!

November Thank You

2011-12-01T06:29:00.000-08:00

November is gone!
Can you believe it?
What a busy, but wonderful month it has been.

I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful November blog sponsors.

My newest sponsor the lovely Anne over at

Handmade By Anne Potter

Her shop is filled with global inspired jewelry and gorgeous scarves!

Look no further for your Holiday shopping!!

Rebecca and her fabulous shop

Meadowview Vintage

full of great vintage goodies!

Check out her wonderful selection of Holiday finds!!

One of my favorite shops for all natural handcrafted soaps and lip balms.

Their products smell divine!

Belle Terre

Thanks Julia & Wayne.

Heather over at her beautiful etsy shop

Simple Daisy

filled with the most amazing artisan jewelry!

Amy Rice is one of my favorite mixed media artists...

make sure you pop over and see her beautiful work.

She has some wonderful gifts!

Amy Rice Art

Laura over at her etsy shop

Cubits

has the absolute best selection of organic & heirloom seeds.

The perfect shop for vegetable and herb gardeners!

Looking for some fine art prints with Mid-Century flair...

then Pool Pony Design is the perfect shop to browse.

Colorful, fun & affordable!

If you haven't had the chance to visit them, please do...

they truly have some wonderful & unique shops.

A BIG November thank you to all of them!!

December will bring some new sponsors to browse.

So make sure you stop in and visit!

Interested in becoming a sponsor...email me,

I'd love to hear from you!

Turkey Day

2011-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

I'm back after a whirlwind week of cooking, baking and entertaining!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

I want to share just a few photos and food highlights from our dinner.

Here is my tablescape...

a little outdoors/garden looking because

we had planned to host in the backyard this year,

but our normally gorgeous California weather was rather uncooperative this year,

and we ended up inside!

Brown table cloth, topped with burlap purchased for $2 a yard on clearance

and then a Pottery Barn runner which I picked up on clearance for $15.

Individual place settings held in place with pages from a thrown out library book I found at work!

I cut out strips on a paper cutter and Voila!

Instead of an expensive arrangement, I purchased flowers from the market and

put them in a vase with cranberries in the water for a splash of color!

I think it all suited the tablescape very well...even if we were inside!

We started with appetizers early in the afternoon.

This one which I found through my friend Patty was a huge hit!

I had to keep my husband from eating it all the day before...

every time I turned around he was back in the fridge again!

Texas Cranberry Chutney

This is the first time I have made this. I came across the recipe in an old cookbook I had.

It is delicious!

It was gone...completely!!

Lucky for me...I canned a few jars so I have more!

Then it was time for dinner!!

Turkey of course!

I dry salt brined a couple of days ahead using this herb salt recipe.

Everyone said the turkey was the most moist they'd ever had...

I'd have to agree that it was moist, very flavorful and a definite make again!

Smoked gouda mashed potatoes, so rich and creamy...YUM!

I also made a vegetarian dish...

Sun-dried Tomato, Wild Mushroom & Bourbon Sauced Pasta

I followed this recipe substituting vegetable broth instead of the beef.

Rich, creamy and gobbled up by everyone including my kids!!

This will be a regular pasta dish in our house.

And of course it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without dessert!

Dutch Pear Pie

This is Chad's favorite pie in the whole world...he makes a special request for it every year.

It's so good and really easy to make.

I also made this Salted Caramel Pie

but somehow forgot to take a photo.

It was a bit of a labor of love, making the caramel in the oven, but oh so delicious.

Very sweet...

a regular size pie yields about 16-20 slices...you don't need much!!

It was a lot of work and the day after I'll admit to taking a tiny nap in the afternoon, but it's so worth it.

Having our home filled with family & friends, enjoying good food and each other's company.

We have so much to be thankful for!

So how was your Thanksgiving?

I'd love to hear how your day went and what wonderful food you ate!

Thanksgiving Preparation

2011-11-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

As Thanksgiving is upon us...

I will be busy in the kitchen this week,

prepping and getting ready for a feast with family & friends.

Putting Up - Amy Rice Art

I also get to enjoy some extra time with my own family,

as I welcome those additional couple of days off work.

I am really looking forward to that!!

Wishing you and your families all the best this Thanksgiving week.

Enjoy the preparation, and find joy in the company of those not seen as often.

May your homes be filled with family, friends and laughter.

And of course savor the food!!

I will be back next week with recipes and photos to share from our festivities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Happy Kitchen

2011-11-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

I guess you could say that the kitchen is my happy place.

I love to cook in it, hang out with my family & friends.

It seems to be the central hub of our house.

It sees a lot of traffic!!

It may not be my dream kitchen...

it is after all a house built in the 80's...need I say more?!?!

But it's a happy place none the less.

You might remember here me anxiously awaiting the arrival

of my mid century wallpaper.

Well it came and thanks to my hubby and a few hours on a Sunday morning...

it went up!

I love it!

I mean, really love it!!

It's certainly not a design for everyone, or for the faint of heart,

but it couldn't be more "me" if I tried.

It's bright and sunny in the daylight and warm and cozy in the evening.

And that picture...a vintage page from a cookbook found here and then framed.

And now the hunt is on for that perfect mirror to fill the empty wall space.

I'm seeing flea markets in my future!

So my happy place just became a whole lot happier,

and that 80's kitchen...

well it just went and disappeared!

The wallpaper has met with these descriptions so far...

funky

(according to my hubby)

wild

(according to the guy at the framing store when I brought in a sample)

a bit like Narnia

(according to my kids who say it feels like they should be able to part the vines and climb through)

happy

(me)

What word would you use?

Winners!

2011-11-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

I want to thank Rebecca of

Meadowview Vintage

for hosting her wonderful vintage giveaway right here on

The Hairy Peach!

Thank you to all who stopped by here to enter and

to those now following Rebecca's lovely new blog.

Random Generator has spoken,

Drum roll please...

Winner #1

You are the lucky winner of the gorgeous vintage relish tray!

Congratulations to...

PonderandStitch

Winner #2

You are the lucky winner of the beautiful vintage Vera scarf!

Congratulations to...

Elizabeth Gilmore

Please watch your inboxes as Rebecca and I will be in touch shortly!

Thank you again to all who entered and

Congratulations to the winners!!

Happy Wednesday!

For Me...Why Thank You!

2011-11-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

One of the nice things about blogging is receiving comments,

that way you know you aren't just talking to yourself!

So I was just tickled when the lovely Sarah of Yes Teacher gave me the

Kreativ Blogger Award!

I'm supposed to tell you seven things about myself and

then pass the award on to seven other bloggers.

Here we go...

1. I love the color orange...it's such a happy color!

2. My adult crush...Tommy Lee Jones...there's something about that man in jeans!

(and yes, my husband knows)

3. My favorite holiday is Christmas...there's nothing quite like kids faces on Christmas morning.

4. I was born and raised in Canada and I don't miss the cold winters at all!!

5. The strangest thing I've ever eaten is durian...an Asian fruit that smells like onions and dirty socks but tastes like vanilla custard!

6. My favorite city in the world is Florence, Italy

7. I'm a bare feet kinda gal...I don't like socks!

I love all the blogs that I read and I can't pick just seven...so if you want to participate,

leave me a random fact in the comments...I'd love to know an interesting fact or two about you!

Also you still have a couple of days to enter my giveaway

so make sure you check out the wonderful vintage goodies being given away.

Happy Monday!

Vintage Giveaway

2011-11-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to be doing this post!

You get the chance to meet one of my lovely sponsors...

Rebecca from Meadowview Vintage

And she has offered to do...not 1 but 2 lovely giveaways!!

Before you find out what wonderful goodies Rebecca is offering from her fab vintage shop,

let's find out a little about her and her wonderful etsy shop!

Tell us a little about yourself...

I have lived in or near the Sierra Nevada Mountain range all of my life.
Right now my husband and I live about 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe which is
perfect because I absolutely love the outdoors!

I have been an artist for many years and when I am not busy caring for my
shop I volunteer my time to two non-profit art organizations that provide
scholarships and art education to children.

I truly dig all things vintage! My parents loved to collect antiques so I
suppose that I come by my love of old things naturally. I have been re-using
and re-purposing vintage and antique items all of my life. Personally, I
like to collect pottery plus old etchings, prints and paintings and my
husband collects vintage radios. Our home is filled with an eclectic mix of treasures.

Why did you start your Etsy shop?

Due to the changes in the economy I was laid off from my job in 2009 and was having a hard time finding other work. It was then that I decided that
it was a good time to start clearing out items from my childhood home, my
grandparents estate (which has been stored away for 20 years!), and even
some of my own collections. When I discovered Etsy - everything just
clicked! I opened up my shop a year ago and have been loving selling vintage ever since.

How did you come up with your shop name?

The name Meadowview pays homage to my childhood home. The property sits on a
bluff overlooking a beautiful meadow.

What is your favorite item in your shop?

I love vintage fabric designs and have a real affinity for vintage scarves.
My absolute favorites are my vintage Vera Neumann scarves. She
was so iconic and her designs so diverse, I think that anyone who loves to wear vintage clothing
simply must have a vintage Vera in their collection!

Any other sites where you can be found?

facebook
twitter

Plus I have started a brand new lifestyle blog
that will be featuring vintage
housewares, home décor, fashion, and art.

Anything else you would like the readers to know?

Right now everything in my shop has been marked down 20%! I am making room
for new items. During the Holidays I will be listing rustic and primitive
goods that came from my family's Tahoe cabin along with clothing and jewelry
from the 50s, 60s, and 70s!

Thank you Rebecca for sharing your wonderful behind the scenes story!

Rebecca is offering 2 lovely giveaways from her shop...
First is this beautiful vintage relish tray valued at $30!
How gorgeous would this be on your Thanksgiving table!!

and secondly this stunning, Autumn colored vintage Vera Neumann scarf!

Beautiful!!

A $30 value.

How incredibly generous of her!

2 prizes means 2 winners!

{ Entry }

Visit Meadowview Vintage

and leave me a comment telling me your favorite item.

That's it!!

{ Extra Chances }

Like Meadowview Vintage on facebook { + 1 }
Follow Meadowview Vintage on twitter { +1 }
Become a follower of Rebecca's brand new blog { + 1 }
Give this giveaway a shout out on facebook/twitter { +1 }

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure you leave contact info.

Winner will be announced
Wednesday November 16th at 5 pm Pacific Time!

Good Luck!!

* Please note *
Due to the high shipping costs of sending the relish tray internationally,
the tray will only be available to US winners,
but the beautiful vintage scarf is open worldwide.

Bag Lady

2011-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday again!!

This week I'm just tickled by these wonderful eco-friendly bags!

This large market bag from Birchseed is awesome...

I own one and it's perfect for those quick trips to the market

or carrying all my stuff into preschool.

BIRCHseed

And how fun would it be to pull your lunch out of this retro looking lunch bag?!?!

Oh Little Rabbit

Or how about this under the sea makeup bag?

seaoats

What fun things have you found recently?

Linking up with Sarah over at

Yes Teacher

Happy Tuesday!

Chili

2011-11-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

When the weather gets cooler, my cooking changes.

I make more stews, soups and of course chili!

It's a favorite in our house.

My friend Denise emailed me and asked me to share my chili recipe.

So when I made it recently I took photos so that I could share it with you.

I don't ever use a recipe for my chili, but these are the basic steps that I follow...

I brown up onions, garlic and sometimes chopped celery too.

I add my spices now...it smells so good!

This is how I measure my spices...in my hand, then in to the pot.

I taste as the chili cooks adjusting the seasoning as I go along.

These are my favorite chili spices to use...

cumin (whole and ground)

coriander

chili powder

ancho chile powder

chipotle chile powder

I usually use ground turkey, but you can use ground beef or make it vegetarian if you prefer.

Then I add kidney beans (drained), both light and dark red.

I use fresh tomatoes whenever possible, but if not canned with the juices works great too.

You can also use tomato sauce, tomato soup or even V-8 juice!

I add tomato paste near the end of the cooking time to thicken it up.

Then I add a bottle of beer...something dark like a Guinness.

It rounds out the flavors nicely and adds an interesting warm note to the taste.

Then I let it simmer for about 3 hours.

I check it every 30 minutes or so, stirring, tasting and adjusting seasonings.

Then it's time to eat!!

We like ours topped with...

shredded cheddar cheese

corn chips

sour cream

and

cilantro

and of course served with fresh cornbread!!

There are so many variations on chili across the country....I'd love to hear about yours.

What's your favorite kind of chili?

Today I Am...

2011-11-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

Today I Am...

Heading out the door to an all day Autism training

Thinking of what to do with the fresh English Peas in my fridge for dinner tonight

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my mid-century wallpaper (above) for an accent kitchen wall

Enjoying the beautiful Fall temperatures we are having this week

Starting a new book that a friend lent me

What are you up to today?

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a day filled with sweet treats,

A scare or two...

and

lots of dress up fun!

I can't wait to see all the little trick or treaters tonight!

And of course...sneak a Reeses or two out of my kids bags!!

Happy Halloween!

October Thank You

2011-10-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

As October draws to a close,

I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful blog sponsors.

The lovely Rebecca and her fab shop

Meadowview Vintage

full of vintage goodies!

One of my favorite shops for all natural handcrafted soaps and lip balms.

Their soaps smell divine!

Belle Terre

Thanks Julia & Wayne.

Heather over at her beautiful etsy shop

Simple Daisy

filled with the most amazing artisan jewelry!

Amy Rice is one of my favorite mixed media artists...

make sure you pop over and see her beautiful work.

Amy Rice Art

Looking for beautiful handmade toys and children's accessories...

look no further than the whimsical world of

bubynoa

Laura over at her etsy shop

Cubits

has the absolute best selection of organic & heirloom seeds.

The perfect shop for vegetable and herb gardeners!

Looking for some fine art prints with Mid-Century flair...

then Pool Pony Design is the perfect shop to browse.

Colorful, fun & affordable!

And finally...

JAQS Studio

with an outstanding selection of

gorgeous eco-friendly napkins and other sewn delights!

If you haven't had the chance to visit them, please do...

they truly have some wonderful & unique shops.

A BIG October thank you to all of them!!

November will bring some new sponsors to browse,

and a wonderful giveaway from one of my current sponsors...

So make sure you stop in and visit!

Interested in becoming a sponsor...email me,

I'd love to hear from you!