Silver Pencils

To the Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:26:00 +0000

I predict a productive weekend ahead. One full of projects, and reading, and baking- of course baking. Maybe I need to predict me working out as well... we shall see about that. But for now- I see a good and happy weekend ahead. I wish you the same as well. See you back here next week!

Source: therusticarchives.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

Clouds in Kauai

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Buenos Dias! Let's talk about clouds today! I love clouds. Sometimes they're thick and puffy. Other times they're thin and straight. And sometimes they look like giant alligators. Pure awesomeness.

As of late- we haven't really had a bunch of clouds here in Jackson. We've had crazy snowstorms where the sky is so gray you can't see anything. And we've had days where it's bright and sunny with not a cloud in sight... but those days tend to be negative 15- and I just stay inside.

So when I was looking for which photo to submit for my "word of the week" over at 3 Letter Words I came across all of these photos of clouds I had taken in Kauai. And I was instantly taken back to tropical sunsets, gorgeous clouds, and much, much warmer weather.

Pulling up to our spot on the desolate beach...

AFRICA! No... still Kauai. But this tree reminds me of Lion King

Hello moon...

Alright I'm ready. Who's taking me back?

Japanese Style One- Pot Supper

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Ingredients:

1-2 bundles of Somen noodles (found in the Asian aisle of the grocery store)
5 cups reduced- sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup mirin or cream sherry
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp. sugar
3-5 thin slices of peeled ginger (I was out of ginger and it still tasted great)
12oz stir fry beef
1 small red bell pepper, seeded, stemmed, and cut into thin slices
4oz sugar snap or snow peas
4 oz. button mushrooms, sliced
8 oz. firm tofu, drained and cut into 1 in. cubes
3 green onions (green and white parts), cut into 1 inch lengths
Sriracha for added heat (my husband puts Sriracha on everything from typical Asian dishes to tuna sandwiches... I put in on nothing... because I'm a wimp)

Boil water and soak somen noodles until soft (about 5 minutes). Drain and cut into smaller pieces (I normally just cut in half).

In a 5- to- 6-qt. pot or a 12-in. frying pan (with sides at least 2 in. high), bring broth, sherry, soy sauce, sugar, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.

Arrange noodles, beef, bell pepper, peas, mushrooms, tofu, and green onions in separate piles in the pot. Cover and simmer, without stirring, until beef is cooked to your preference (I cooked mine for about 9 minutes).

Set pot on the table so people can serve themselves, with Sriracha on the side.

Recipe adapted from Marlene Kawahata in Sunset Magazine

Listening to...

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

I've had 2 albums on repeat a lot lately. Andrew Belle and The Civil Wars. Both albums are so fantastic that I can just put them on and go- never having to worry about skipping to the next song. Aren't those the best?

Andrew Belle:

The Civil Wars:

Homemade Meatballs

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:47:00 +0000

These meatballs are cheap, quick, and easy- my kind of meal. They also taste soooooo good! I ate the leftovers for lunch the following day... cold... they were that good. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 whole egg
1.5 teaspoons dried basil
1.5 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs, divided

In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat, cheese, egg...

Basil, parsley, garlic powder...

Salt, red pepper flakes...

And 1/4 cup of bread crumbs. Using your hands, mix all ingredients until well incorporated. Use immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Place the remaining 1/2 cup of bread crumbs into a small bowl. Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1.5-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. (I just eyed it and placed on a piece of wax paper... the lesser amount of dishes to do the better).

Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds, roll in the breadcrumbs, and place the meatballs in individual, miniature muffin tin cups.

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Enjoy!

Adapted from Alton Brown

To the Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:47:00 +0000

It's snowing like CRAZY here in Jackson! I love it. Every time I look out the window or I walk out the door, all I see is falling snow. I think it's going to be one fantastically, relaxing weekend... I can't wait.

Source: enmammasdag.com via Helena on Pinterest

Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Last time I was in California, I had the opportunity to go through some of my grandparent's old photos. There were a ton- and I fell in love with each and every one of them. What amazing photos! I spent hours sprawled on the floor going through box after box of scattered photos and memories. I left most of them behind for my brother and dad, but I took some of my favorites back with me.

I only wish I had found and asked about these photos while they were still with us. If your grandparent's/ parents are still with you- do it. What do you have to lose? I would have loved to hear the stories behind each moment captured. The two below of my Papa and Grandma Chicken are both framed and hanging in our house now.

My papa standing in front of the tents he was living in while on location. My grandma's passport photo.

I've sent these photos to my Aunt Mieko (my grandma's sister) because I'm curious if this is a family photo of my grandmother's brother and sisters. The woman on the very right looks like my great aunt and the woman sitting front and center is my grandma.

I love the mix of cultures here. The boy in his cowboy hat- and my dad in his kimono.

My grandparents were amazing with animals. Here my Grandma Chicken is giving a treat to her dachshund who is "sitting pretty". She taught Maverick to do the same.

I have no idea who the other people are in this photo. But I love this picture of them at a party while stationed in Germany.

With my dad while stationed in Hawaii.

Me and my hero back in '88.

And a more recent holiday. I miss them...

Youth

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Youth is not a period of time. It is a state of mind, a result of the will, a quality of the imagination, a victory of courage over timidity, of the taste for adventure over the love of comfort.

A man doesn't grow old because he has lived a certain number of years. A man grows old because he deserts his ideal. The years may wrinkle his skin, but deserting his ideal wrinkles his soul.

Preoccupations, fears, doubts, and despair are the enemies which slowly bow us toward earth and turn us into dust before death.

You will remain young as long as you are open to what is beautiful, good, and great; receptive to the messages of other men and women, of nature and of God.

If one day you should become bitter, pessimistic, and gnawed by despair, may God have mercy on your old man's soul.

-General Douglas MacArthur

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Baked Mac & Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Mac & Cheese is delicious- but it can also be incredibly bad for you. So today, I have a healthy baked version for you to try. I served it the other night with some pork loin and it was fantastic- I love the breaded top. I also made sure to not tell anyone it was healthy until after they'd tried it- my husband liked it so much he finished off the leftovers as well. Always a good sign. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

4.5 cups (12oz) uncooked penne pasta
1 (12oz) carton 2% low- fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup (2oz) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat- leaf parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; place in a large bowl.

Place cottage cheese in food processor; process until smooth. Combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Add the cheese mixture to pasta, and stir well. Spoon mixture into an 11x7- inch glass or ceramic baking dish (or whatever you have) coated with cooking spray.

Combine remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, panko, and parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Preheat broiler (do not remove dish from oven). Broil pasta 1 minute or until top browns.

Enjoy!

Recipe from Cooking Light

Real Wedding: Jennifer & Nathan

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Let's start off the week with another gorgeous real wedding!

Jennifer and Nathan were married at the Meredith Manor in Pottstown, PA. She wore the Small Pacific Hair Flower.
Loving the details... and I still want one of those hangers... peronalized for me of course
And look at those gorgeous blue eyes...Awwwhhh!

Congratulations Jennifer & Nathan! And thanks so much for sharing your wonderful day with us!

Jennifer wore the Small Pacific Hair Flower

Photography by Sarah McKay Photography

To the Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

It's cold here in Jackson. Yesterday was negative 15! So cold! Hopefully it warms up just a tad so I can get some snowboarding in with my dad while he's still visiting. It'd also be nice to not be wearing a minimum of 2 layers of pants for once... bulk is not the look I'm going for. Stay warm this weekend and see you back here next week!

Source: featherstonemoonandivorybone.tumblr.com via Emma on Pinterest

Bummed

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

These past two days have been hard. We found out that we didn't get the beautiful, rustic, house that we loved and put an offer on. I know you're not supposed to get attached- but I kind of did (like really, really attached). I realize that there are way worse things out there- but I'm just kind of bummed out. I know there's another beautiful house awaiting us in the future, and we'll just have to wait until that comes along.

Source: flickr.com via Cindy on Pinterest

My Dog Maverick

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Not too long ago- we made an amazing discovery... Maverick likes singing along to the harmonica... even when not properly played... Please excuse my lack of harmonica skills and unmade bed (I think you can skip to about 15 seconds in to get right to the good stuff).

Amazing Chicken Satay with Fiery Noodles

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. The satay sauce is phenomenal (especially once charred on the chicken) and the noodles in their special dressing are heavenly. Together- they're the perfect match. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Satay
½ Small bunch of fresh cilantro
1 fresh red chile
½ clove of garlic
3 heaping tablespoons good-quality crunchy peanut butter
Soy sauce
A 1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot
2 Limes

Chicken
4 x 6-ounce skinless chicken breasts
Honey, for drizzling

Noodles
8 ounces dried medium Chinese egg noodles (Chow mein noodles)
½ medium-sized red onion
1 fresh red chile
A small bunch of fresh cilantro
1-2 Tablespoons of soy sauce
1 lime
1 teaspoon Asian Sesame oil
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon honey

To Start
Get all your ingredients and equipment ready. Turn the broiler on to full blast. Lay four wooden skewers in a dish of cold water to soak (If they float, use a plate to weigh them down). Put the standard blade attachment into the food processor.

Satay
Put the cilantro (Stalks and all) into the food processor with the chile (stalk removed), peeled garlic, and 3 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter.

Add a lug of soy sauce. Peel and roughly chop the ginger and add. Finely grate in the zest of both limes, then squeeze in the juice from one of them.

Add a couple splashes of water and whiz to a spoonable paste. Season to taste.

Spoon half into a nice bowl and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil; put the rest aside

Noodle Dressing:

Peel the red onion half and put it in the processor with the chile (stalk removed) and the stalks from the bunch of cilantro. Pulse until finely chopped, then put into a large serving bowl with 1 or 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and a few lugs of extra virgin olive oil. Squeeze in the juice of 1 lime, and stir in 1 teaspoon each of sesame oil and fish sauce. Mix well, then taste and correct the seasoning.

Chicken

Line the chicken breasts up on a plastic board, alternating ends, and close together. Gently and carefully push the skewers through the breasts. Slice between the skewers to give you 4 kabobs. Thread any stray pieces on the ends of the skewers. To make the chicken crispier you can score it lightly on both sides. Scoop the rest of the satay mix from the processor onto the chicken skewers, and toss with your hands to coat, rubbing the flavor into the meat. Clear away the board and wash the knife and your hands.

Drizzle the chicken with oil olive and season with salt. Put on top shelf of the oven, under the broiler, for about 8 to 10 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked through.

Meanwhile, add the noodles to boiling hot water and cook for about 3- 6 minutes.

Drain the noodles in a colander, refresh quickly under cold water, drain again, then add to dressing.

Then add the chicken, bring out the extra satay sauce, and Enjoy!

Recipe by Jamie Oliver

To the Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:22:00 +0000

This is a very stressful and yet exciting weekend at the Silver Pencils house. So I'm going to instead imagine that I'm here... looking out at this. Keep us in your prayers- and hopefully I'll have some good news to share with you all next week. Hope your weekend is relaxing and wonderful!

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Calyn on Pinterest

Homemade Sticky Buns

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

I know alot of us have seen and drooled over this Sticky Bun recipe on Pinterest. It's eye catching. It's delicious. And it's basically dessert for breakfast... which is kind of the best kind. So on the day after Christmas, I decided to try this bad boy out... and oh I am so glad I did.

Butter your bundt pan- that's an order. Next combine melted butter with maple syrup in one bowl and the cinnamon with the brown sugar in another. Pour half of each bowl (start with the butter mixture) into the pan.

Line the biscuits along the pan, overlapping one over the other to form a ring.

Top with remaining syrup and sugar mixture. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Flip over. And then enjoy every sticky, last bite.

Recipe from All Things Delicious

Cabin Love

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

New Products in Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Kate Black & White Polka Dotted Hair Flower or Brooch Pin

Mojave Feather & Twig Boutonniere

Sesame Beef Stir- Fry

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:52:00 +0000

I know at the beginning of the year, so many of us "resolve" to work out, eat healthier, etc... So today- I have a healthy dinner option for you. And in less than 2 weeks, I've already made it twice- so that ought to tell you at least how much I like it. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons lower- sodium soy sauce
1.5 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 pound presliced stir- fry meat (such as flank or boneless sirloin steak)
8 green onions, cut into 1- inch pieces (white and light green parts only)
4 cups bagged baby spinach leaves
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.

Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add half of the beef to pan, and cook for 3 minutes or until browned. Remove beef from pan. Repeat procedure with remaining beef. Add onions, cook for 1 minute. Add soy sauce mixture, cook for 1 minute. Return beef to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in spinach, and cook 30 seconds. Top with sesame seeds. I then serve mine along side some Japanese sticky rice.

*Serves 4 (Serving size 3/4 cup)

Calories: 230; Fat: 11g (sat 3g, mono 4.2g, poly 2.3g)

Protein: 26.5g; Carb: 6.1g, Fiber: 1.4g, Chol: 37mg

Iron: 3.3mg, Sodium: 356mg, Calc 94mg

Recipe from Cooking Light Magazine

Real Wedding: Jenn & Mike

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Let's start off the new year with this gorgeous Real Wedding off the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

Jenn and Mike were married 2 months ago on November 4th. And less than 2 weeks after their wedding, I received a wonderful email from Jenn with photos from their wedding! Is this girl on top of things or what?! I need her time management and organization skills.

Jenn wore the A Little Grace hair flower. Doesn't she look absolutely gorgeous?

And Mike looking all dashing on the pier... these two could seriously be models

Love this shot of Mike helping Jenn with her heels... what a good husband

Thanks so much for sharing your special day with us Jenn. I wish you both all the best!!

All images by the talented Sweet Fire Photography

Jenn is wearing the A Little Grace design

To the Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Happy Weekend!! I can't believe Sunday will be January 1st! Wow- this year has gone by so quickly. And today's my wonderful mom's birthday as well. Happy Birthday Mom! Happy New Year everyone!! See you back here next year!

Source: flickr.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Snow, Snow, Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

These next few days it's going to be snowing nonstop here in Jackson- so I thought I'd give you a glimpse of what it looks like around here right now. The hubs took my camera out the other day and took these shots...

A wolf off in in the distance (this is super zoomed in- he wasn't that close)... so jealous I wasn't with him though

And the elk, back enjoying their refuge near town

As the sun started to set, he headed over to Mormon Row (an old line of homesteads)...

Ahhhh... sunsets and snow

Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:39:00 +0000

A story is told about Fiorello LaGuardia, who, when he was mayor of New York City during the worst days of the Great Depression and all of World War II, was called by adoring New Yorkers 'The Little Flower' because he was only five foot four and always wore a carnation in his lapel. He was a colorful character who used to ride the New York City fire trucks, raid speakeasies with the police department, take entire orphanages to baseball games, and whenever the New York newspapers were on strike, he would go on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids.

One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving. But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It's a bad neighborhood, your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson."

LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions- ten dollars or ten days in jail." But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous sombrero saying: "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."

So the following day the New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered old lady who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren, fifty cents of that amount being contributed by the red- faced grocery store owner, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policeman, each of whom had just payed fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.

What an extraordinary moment of grace for anyone present in that courtroom.

True story via Brennan Manning in The Ragamuffin Gospel

Image via A Well Traveled Woman

New Products in Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Sparrow

Jezebel

Super Cheesy and Delicious Parmesan Dip

noreply@blogger.com (Brandi) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:28:00 +0000

This weekend I made Michael Chiarello's Salsa di Parmigiano and it was delicious! Everything you could want in a dip- super cheesy- and very garlicy... it was wonderful. Plus it's easy and quick to make... my favorite. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. Parmesan
1/2 lb. Asiago
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 cup and a half of extra virgin olive oil (I recommend maybe just using a tad bit less)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Remove any rinds from the cheese and chop the cheeses into rough 1 inch chunks. (I did this with the Asiago but the Parmesan I purchased shredded... because it was cheaper). Place the cheese in a food processor...

Add the oregano and red pepper flakes

Then add the garlic and pepper. Pulse until reduced to a fine pea size gravel.

Stir in the green onion and olive oil (Since I was out of green onion (may be the 1st time my fridge has ever not had green onion!- I skipped this ingredient and just added in the olive oil). Pulse again.

Cover and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours. And eat up! We served ours with bread points, but you can also use crackers (what we tested the recipe with). This mixture is also great over pasta, chicken, etc...

Recipe from here