By the time construction wrapped up last fall at The Minne Stuga, I squeezed into the cabin to start taking pictures in between guest stays. However, the green leaves had given way to bare trees, and the grass, which barely had time to grow, had gone dormant. I couldn’t shoot the outdoor living spaces. And in between then and now, we had one of the snowiest seasons yet, with snow pilling as high as the base of the roof! So I waited and waited for the snow to melt and the trees to leaf out and the grass to green to get outside and show you the outdoor living spaces featuring our favorite Minnesota-made outdoor furniture, Loll.

The outdoor spaces for The Minne Stuga were created in partnership with Loll outdoor furniture, designed in Minnesota and made in the USA. Made from post-consumer plastic, like milk jugs, Loll outdoor furniture is created to endure all 4 seasons with beautiful ease.

When we took on this project—restoring a cabin in the woods by the water to share with whoever wanted to share it, we looked for a place that would lure you outside, because sometimes you need luring. (Well, at least I do.) On top of being secluded by trees, the cabin had a lake-facing deck, a front porch deck, and an upstairs deck. And, if that wasn’t already sufficient, we added a rocky landing for a bonfire area. Little reminders everywhere to get outside. 

When designing the inside of the cabin, we picked super durable furniture to withstand lots of love and use. When designing the outside, we knew we’d need even more durable outdoor furniture to withstand the weather extremes this far north, spanning from the negatives to the nineties. And, with a tiny turnover crew and quick summer turns, we also needed something that would maintain itself.

Loll outdoor furniture was a no-brainer after having it in our backyard for 5 years. Made from recycled milk jugs, this outdoor furniture is as ingenious as it is sustainable. It’s also incredibly durable, with no splintering and zero maintenance (besides hosing it down every so often). And best of all, it’s made just down the shore in Duluth, MN. Ok, maybe best, best of all, it’s beautiful. You can’t always achieve form and function at the same time, but they’ve done it.

Let me take you on a quick walkthrough of the spaces. Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Bonfire Landing

Lake Facing Deck

Just up the way is the lake-facing deck. We went a little overboard on the fire pits, adding a propane pit up here for quick fires with a cuppa coffee by morning or late-night star gazing by night. The sky out here is unreal and the heavens are close.

Just off the front entryway is the outdoor dining area. With the kitchen bump out, this deck ended up being a little tighter than expected so we went with the Loll Fresh Air Table and Bench for its slim profile. The benches tuck completely under the table when needed. Though narrow, it can fit quite a few people with plenty of room for plates and condiments.

Cocktail Deck

And just above the front porch, sits the cocktail deck, perfect for catching summer sunsets or hiding from the kids. We used the Loll Fire Chairs up here, which is a smaller profile compared to their Adirondack chairs but every bit as sturdy. In fact, their outdoor furniture is weighty. It’s not blowing anywhere. 

If you find yourself up here, I highly recommend Emily’s Northern Sidecar from her book Camp Cocktails. You can pick up a copy from Drury Lane Books next time you’re up. And maybe bring a deck of cards to play spit. It’s mindless and fun. 

Where ever you find yourself, may you find a place to get lost under the big tall trees that reach higher than any Instagram post. May your spirit spark around the bonfire, under the stars, over a hotdog dinner, with a camp cocktail. And may your bug spray be strong. Amen.

PS: The cabin was in a recent episode of Design vs. Build. You should check it out!

Outdoor Furniture Sources:

Dining Area Loll 78″ Fresh Air Table in black* | Loll 65″ Fresh Air Bench in black* 

Upstairs Deck Loll Fire Chair in black* 

Lake-Facing Deck Loll Adirondack Tall in black* | Loll Sunnyside Love Seat in Driftwood/Cast Silver*

Fire Pit Loll Adirondack Chair, Flat in black*  |  Loll Adirondack Bench in black*

Additional Exterior Sources: Brava Cedar Shake Roof Tiles in Weathered*  |  Kebony Siding in Character and Clear*  |  Marvin Windows and Doors*  |  Arborwood Shou Sugi Ban  |  Concrete Outdoor Side Table (similar)  | Modfire Fire Pit  |  Schoolhouse Allegheny Scones in Shell White (purchased secondhand)  |  Coleman Green Cooler (similar)  |  Outdoor Small Planter  |  Artificial Plant (similar)

The post Outdoor Furniture at the Cabin appeared first on The Faux Martha.

I decided one day, 7 months or so ago, that I was going to start making hummus instead of buying it. I didn’t say it out loud because I didn’t want to be held accountable to such a huge habit shift. Habit shifts are hard and often unsuccessful. In fact, I only allow myself 1 to 2 a year. It’s about all I can tolerate successfully. But here I am still making hummus, lemon hummus to be exact, and not-so-quietly now that I’ve said it out loud on the internet. This bright and creamy lemon hummus is made from broken rules and canned chickpeas with the skins on plus a secret ingredient. It’s a simple method really. One that has me making a new batch every third or so week.

In order to make successful habit shifts, I have to work through all the hang-ups and the problems. Too many and I’ll never do something again. I think that’s how user experience seems to work. After too many negative things in a row, we slowly stop doing that thing we promised ourselves we’d do, like making homemade hummus. So I found a way to leave the skins on and use canned chickpeas and make it mostly hands-free—all with trusty pantry staples. 

The big hang-up for hummus: the chickpeas. Everyone always says to start with dried chickpeas and simmer for hours until perfect. At some point in life, this will probably be doable, but I haven’t met that point. So for now, we’re using canned chickpeas. They also say you need to rub the skins off the chickpeas for the creamiest hummus. Have you ever counted how many chickpeas are needed to pull off a decent batch of hummus? The skins will stay on from here on out.

How to Make Lemon Hummus

We’ll simmer the canned chickpeas in the same water from the can. Go about your business during this time. They’re ready when the simmer gets loud and clicky, about 15 minutes. This will soften them from the inside out. Add all ingredients to the food processor or high-powered blender. Stick it in the bathroom, close the door (because it’s loud), and let it whirl for about 8 minutes. This is what I like to call hands-free hummus.

And the final hang-up—it had to taste just as good as the Ithaca Lemon Hummus that’s $5 and 10 oz., that’s small enough for Kev to take down in one sitting. I studied their ingredient list and thought for sure it was the cold-pressed lemon juice that gave their hummus that bright, not-too-bitter, lemony flavor. But upon second and third glance, I realized it was the vinegar. It’s the secret ingredient in this recipe too. That and the lemon zest. Vinegar has a way of making things taste brighter, more like themselves. It’s true of this vanilla cake too. 

Go ahead. Give it a try but don’t say it out loud. You might just be making this Lemon Hummus 7 months from now. Happy dipping!

Lemon Hummus

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• Total Time: 23 minutes

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Description

The method for this simple lemon hummus will have you making it week after week. Dump the whole can of chickpeas into a saucepan, liquid and all, and simmer for a second to soften. Skip removing the skins, because who has time for that? Then blitz and enjoy! Keeps for 3 weeks in the fridge.

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Ingredients

• 2 (15 oz.) cans of chickpeas, undrained
• zest of one lemon (about 1 tbsp.)
• 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1/4 c. tahini
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. white vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp. salt
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 4–6 tbsp. water, as needed

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Instructions

1. Pour the undrained chickpeas, liquid and all, into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer then cook for about 10-15 minutes to soften and cook off most, but not all, of the water. You’ll know they’re ready when the sound of the simmer gets louder.
2. Meanwhile, add all the remaining ingredients, except for the water, into the food processor or high-powered blender while the chickpeas cook.
3. Add the chickpeas to the food processor. Cover and puree for about 8 minutes, stopping every so often to scrape down the sides of the container. Add water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, to reach the desired consistency.
4. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

Notes

The flavor of the lemon hummus will be quite strong while warm in the food processor. After a chill in the fridge, the flavor will mellow to perfection.

• Prep Time: 8 min.
• Cook Time: 15 min.

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If you like this lemon hummus, you might also like: 

• Bitchin’ Sauce
• Cashew Queso
• Salsa Doña

The post Lemon Hummus appeared first on The Faux Martha.

I know, I know. I’m late. We’re at the end of cold season and citrus season and winter season. But after our 37th cold of the season, or what felt like it, I had an idea. What if I started making my own immunity shots. There had to be a way without buying a fancy juicer. So I pulled out the blender and the tiny blender basin, the same one I used to make Linnie’s baby food, and threw in ginger, citrus, and a little water to get things whirling. It was simple but good, so good we started calling it Ginger Juice and making it again and again.

I can’t claim that this ginger juice will actually cure the common cold. But when you can’t taste anything, you’ll be able to taste this. And when you can taste, it’ll make you feel alive, like spring is coming because, well, spring always comes after a long winter and a cold snap.    

How to make ginger juice:

• Toss a juicy peeled clementine, a coin of fresh ginger, and 2 tablespoons of cold water into a small blender basin, like so. 
• Blend on high for 20 seconds or until smooth. 
• Add a cube of ice and consume your homemade immunity shot with happiness. 

You can make a single dose or a double dose, a shot or a glass. You can make it with a little ginger or a lot. (I take a lot, Hal prefers a little, and Linnie will take whatever we give her.) You can make it with a crispy Sunday waffle or as an afternoon pick-me-up. Whichever way you take it, no juicer is needed. 

Cheers to almost being on the other side of cold season, and, if another one hits, here’s to a delicious remedy that’ll make you feel alive again. Amen.

A Shot of Ginger Juice

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A simple homemade shot of Ginger Juice made with a juicy clementine, a coin of fresh ginger, and water. Made with a blender. No juicer needed.

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Ingredients

• 1 clementine, peeled
• quarter-sized coin of fresh ginger, 1/4″ thick, peeled
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1 ice cube, for serving

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Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients into a small blender basin of a high-powered blender, like so. (Note: a small blender basin allows this single serving to hit the blades and blend until smooth. With a large blender basin, some of the ingredients will sit below the blade, unable to blend smoothly.)
2. Blend on high for 20 seconds until smooth. Pour into a short glass and serve with an ice cube.

Notes

If using a clementine, no straining will be necessary. Other citrus varieties will most likely need straining.

Add as little or as much ginger as you’d like.

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Sources: Low Spanish Stackable Wine Glasses | Small Vitamix Blender Basin + Blender | Plate (similar) 

If you like this Shot of Ginger Juice, you might also like:

• Sunshine Smoothie
• Kev’s Kale Protein Smoothie
• Mint Chip Green Smoothie
• Angel Food Smoothie

The post A Shot of Ginger Juice appeared first on The Faux Martha.

I hope you wore your snow boots and puffy vest. We’re going to crunch around the outside of the cabin, between the tall trees and beneath the Milky Way, where the sky blackens to a darkness I barely know from living in the city. Where the trees wrap around the cabin like a gentle fortress and the water is a generous playground every season. I’d love to walk you around Cabin Exterior of The Minne Stuga, where we met love at first sight.

Before

Let it be known, I loved the cabin as we found it. I loved the original warm grey siding and the storybook shingles. I loved the orange trim of the windows and the shire-like structure with mossy greens growing down the roof. But the 50-year-old, worn-out and weathered hat and coat of the cabin needed replacing to keep things warm and dry on the inside. 

Speaking of warmth, the cabin was in desperate need of insulation if we wanted to be able to stay there all four seasons under a blanket of snow without pipes freezing or bones chilling. 

Did I mention the decks were rotting? It was beautiful and broken and in need of lots of love.

After

There she is. Restored with 1,000 nods to the original design. You’ll notice the tiny bump-out off the lower right deck, clad in Shou sugi ban, giving the kitchen plenty of elbow room for plenty of cooks. And you’ll notice the matte black composite cedar shake roof and the new creamy siding waiting to grey out and the glassy scaled-up windows. But, before I dive into the design details… 

I’d like to give so much credit to this guy, who is taller and steadier than me, who can spin more plates and make better decisions in the face of stress. While I’m the one pressing publish on this idea, as if it were solely mine, if it weren’t for Kev, we wouldn’t be standing here. He is my gentle nudge and the strong paddler at the back of our canoe. He believes in me, sometimes more than I believe in myself, which is a great gift for a creative who often wanders and wonders. (He has a good design sense too.) Alright, alright. I’ll leave the sap to the trees and get back to the exterior. But here’s to Kev, my righthand man, the breather of yes into our ideas.   

Photo by Jonathan Head

And also, here’s to Anton of Taiga Design (plus the team). Ideas are only as good as those executing them. The team gingerly took this cabin apart and put it back together again with precision and beauty. We leaned heavily on their expertise, especially for the exterior cabin selections. “I want it to look like this and perform like that,” I’d say. They knew exactly what to recommend. 

Ok, let’s get out of the clouds and the trees and into the weeds of the details. 

Roofing

It’s hard to miss. Our roof is quite large. It covers more surface area than the siding and hangs down low enough to be visible from any vantage point. We really had to consider the aesthetic of the roof. And that we did. From the outset, we wanted something similar to the original cedar shake, something dark to contrast the siding, and something that would require little to no maintenance. Brava Roof Tiles kept coming up in all my searches. And, after getting samples from several companies, they were the clear winner. They also came highly recommended by our roof installers.

A little bit about Brava Roof Tiles. Made from recycled plastic, their composite shakes are eco-friendly. They are also extremely durable yet lightweight and can handle the extremes of Minnesota weather. But best of all, they are beautiful. Did I have to even mention that? They look so close to traditional cedar shake with their matte finish and split texture. Their colorways all have variations within them, also making them look natural. We went with their Weathered Cedar Shake. (Their Aged Shake was a close second.) 

You might also notice, the roof got a lot thicker. Beneath the beautiful layer of composite shake sits another layer of insulation panels, which line the entire hat of the structure, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. (Believe it or not, we can get quite warm up here come July.) 

Photo by Jonathan Head

Siding

I said it. I loved the original silver siding so much that we replaced it with something visually similar and far more durable. We replaced it with Kebony Character Cladding as recommended by Taiga Design. Developed in Norway, Kebony is a modified wood, meaning it’s been changed (modified) by a heat and chemical (bio-based) application to make it extremely durable—insect-, rot-, and warp-resistant. You can read more about their environmentally-friendly process here. It’s also beautiful in that it will silver out much like the hairs on my head. That warm caramel wood will slowly give way to grey without compromising on integrity, without splitting or splintering. Our batch of siding came from right next door, from the red pines of Wisconsin.  

Photo by Jonathan Head

You’ll notice we have two varieties of Kebony—character and clear. Their Character Cladding has knots, the kind you’d expect on a rustic cabin while their Clear Cladding is, well, clear of knots. Something you might expect on a modern application. 

The new decks were done in Kebony as well, which are zero maintenance with a 50-75 year life. Linnie and Hal will be grey by the time these decks need replacing. PS: You can really see the silver starting to come through in these desk boards.

PPS: The team at Kebony actually came way up (from Texas) and captured the cabin in all her fall glory (see below). They are also producing an episode featuring The Minne Stuga on their Design vs. Build series. Stay tuned!

Around the Cabin

Photo by Kristian Alveo for Kebony and Design vs. Build

Back into the trees we go, where I like to stay.

Sometimes, lately, I don’t know what I believe. But this place, where the sky meets the water without making a splash, makes me believe. Where, by winter, you can walk water, and thaw a frozen heart. A true miracle. 

For me, this is one of those thin spaces “where the distance between heaven and earth collapses.” (New York Times, 2012) It’s a place where the trees have a bigger reach than any Instagram post, where the loons linger and the wolves howl, where the Milky Way isn’t sold on a grocery store shelf but paints the blackest night sky. 

It’s a place to get lost and then found, to be bored and get inspired. A place to disconnect to reconnect. And to all those things I say, amen.

Photo by Kristian Alveo for Kebony and Design vs. Build

Sources:  Brava Cedar Shake Roof Tiles in Weathered*  |  Kebony Siding in Character and Clear*  |  Marvin Windows and Doors*  |  Arborwood Shou Sugi Ban  |  Loll Outdoor Adirondak Furniture*  |  Schoolhouse Allegheny Scones in Shell White (purchased secondhand)

*Denotes gifted or discounted items 

Construction by Taiga Design + Build 
Interior Design by Melissa Coleman
Photography by Melissa Coleman and Jonathan Head and Kristian Alveo where noted 

See the other cabin reveals:  Kitchen  |  Living Room  |  Dining Room  |  Downstairs Bathroom  |  Downstairs Bedroom  |  Upstairs A-Frame Bedroom  |  Upstairs Bathroom  |  Outdoor Furniture

To book The Minne Stuga, head this way>

If you like the cabin exterior post, you might also like:

• Introducing: The Minne Stuga
• Cabin Exterior Restoration Plans
• Cabin Update

The post Cabin Exterior Reveal appeared first on The Faux Martha.

As you wind through a sea, the parted green sea of tall evergreens, and pull up to the cabin, there’s a big homemade sign peaking out of this room letting you know you’ve arrived. “Way up north,” it says. Which is only really true if you’re coming from down south. But the navy flag hangs and the bed velvets and the lights shine, dim or brightly, you choose, and the wool wraps you into the cozy Downstairs Cabin Bedroom at The Minne Stuga. I’d love to show you around.

Before

Much like the upstairs A-frame bedroom, this room was virtually untouched during construction, minus the new Marvin windows and the layer of cozy carpet underfoot. Like the nooks built into the angle of the ‘A’ in the living room, maximizing awkward space, the original designers of this kit added drawers and closets into the angled, right side of this room in the same way. In short, we inherited great design. We didn’t have to do much. 

After

Ahhh, it’s now a slightly better version of its previous self. A little more buttoned up and tucked in, mostly thanks to Room & Board. I’m grateful they said yes to outfitting this space with their Business Interiors line. When you hear business and interiors next to each other, you might see visions of your dad’s office from take-your-daughter-to-work-day. (Remember those days and those chairs?) Their line is anything but. It’s extremely durable, durable enough for a cabin rental, a business interior, without compromising on design. In fact, a lot of their furniture and fabrics span both their residential and commercial line. You just wouldn’t know it unless you went looking for it. 

For the bedrooms, we wanted them to feel like a cross between a cabin and a hotel, with bright white clean linens paired with a warm cozy collected vibe. We wanted it to feel casual and special, sophisticated and plaid, refined and rugged. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. 

Like a vintage paint-by-number painting and a wooden shoe form and pretty pottery. It’s got old books and new books and quality American-made furnishings. It’s got built-ins and benches; blackout curtains and a tall lush headboard for deep sleep. It’s got crispy sheets and cozy walnut wood bedside tables.

It has a hanging homemade flag with a waxed canvas finish, the one my sister helped me make. The same one that sent my hairdryer into flames. (Tiny flames.) I’ll work on a simple, fire-free tutorial one of these days soon. In the meantime, you can just buy one from the professionals. 

Well, friends, the sun is setting. We’ve made it through the interior tour of the cabin, minus the basement, which I’ll get to that one of these days soon. Pack your snow boots next week. We’re headed outside to crunch around the exterior, under the big tall trees and even bigger Milky Way.  

Sources: Room & Board Ella Queen Bed in Vance Olive and tapered gold brushed legs*  | Tuft & Needle Queen Original Mattress* |  Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Duvet*  |  Tuft & Needle Queen Percale Sheets in Cloud*  |  Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillows*  |  Rejuvenation Navy Striped Pillow Covers (second hand)  |  Faribault Wollen Mills Blanket in Shadow Plaid*  |  Room & Board Camber Wall Sconce in black  |  Room & Board Hudson Nightstand in walnut and white oak base and maple with charcoal stain hardware  |  Green Alarm Clock  |  Flor Tweed Carpet in Pearl  |  Room & Board Reed Woven Leather Bench (discontinued)*  |  Way Up North Flag (DIY) with Quilt Hangers  |  Vintage Canister (thrifted)  |  Wooden Canoe Paddle (thrifted)  |  Roth + Allen Plaid Curtains in black plaid plus blackout curtains  |  Black Curtain Rod  |  Black Curtain Clip Rings  |  Winter Painting (thrifted)  |  Stuffed Animal Goose (thrifted)  |  Shoe Form (thrifted)  |  Small Black Pitcher 

*Denotes gifted or discounted items 

Construction by Taiga Design + Build 
Interior Design by Melissa Coleman
Photography by Melissa Coleman 

See the other cabin reveals:  Kitchen  |  Living Room  |  Dining Room  |  Downstairs Bathroom  |  Loft  |  Upstairs A-Frame Bedroom  |  Upstairs Bathroom  |  Exterior  |  Outdoor Furniture

To book The Minne Stuga, head this way>

The post Downstairs Cabin Bedroom Reveal appeared first on The Faux Martha.

At the top of the stairs, at the back of the cabin, only if the lake is the front, is the A-frame bedroom with a pointy pitched ceiling and panoramic views of the trees. The curtains pull to a close for blackout sleeping conditions, and the chair in the corner, with the light and the table, await a good book and a warm body. I’d love to invite you into the A-Frame Cabin Bedroom at The Minne Stuga. 

Before

When we first walked into this room, it felt like an A-frame within an A-frame. It felt like magic. Luckily the neon orange carpet, that floored the rest of the upstairs, stopped at the sacred threshold of this room. After seeing this space, I dreamt of a big glass triangle window covering the A, like so. Turns out that idea was super expensive, and, turns out that you have to have an operable window due to fire code. So instead, we opted to keep this room simple, replacing the window for a larger operable Marvin window, adding carpet, and reorienting everything towards the trees.

After

But in order to reorient towards the trees, we had to place the bed into the angle of the A, which felt a little awkward. Not only that. It would take a special bed to make everything work. So we searched high and found a low long bed that created somewhat of a false wall, anchoring the bed to the pitch of the room, to the vantage point of the trees. 

Like so.

Before I go any further and speaking of beds, I should mention that we partnered with Tuft & Needle for the very best sleep at the cabin. We love their mattresses, truly love them. Because after 7 years of owning one, they never seem to sag. They are on every bed in our home, minus Linnie’s crib. And as soon as she gets a big kid bed, we’ll buy a Tuft & Needle bed. Their original mattress is our favorite. We also went with their extra sturdy percale sheets, which I’ll tell you more about our sheeting situation in a second. And, for our allergic guests, like our very own Hal, went with their down alternative pillows and duvets. The pillows are supportive yet fluffy, not flat or rock solid. I love them.

To balance that low bed, I had a long lumbar pillow made from green and navy wool remnants. (Remember that wool I tracked for these cushions? I had extras since I grossly overmeasured. Never hire me to measure unless you want extra fabric for lumbar pillows.) It was just the thing this room needed. 

Kev found these gems of a luggage rack on Facebook Marketplace. Only they weren’t intended to be such. He sent these director’s chairs to me and I said. “YES!” Then I unscrewed the armrests and removed the slip-on backrest and turned them into such. If you’re ever in the market for cool luggage racks, don’t overlook the dusty director’s chair. 

Triple Sheeting

Now onto the sheets. Have you heard of triple sheeting? We hadn’t prior to owning a rental property. Stevie, who helped us get the cabin off the ground and rentable, recommended this method. It’s simple, low maintenance, and clean. 

Here’s how it works. (Or watch here.) You use 3 flat sheets to make the bed plus a duvet. That means you use a flat sheet in place of a fitted sheet and tuck it into the bed. Next, place another flat sheet pulled up to the top of the mattress over the bed. Lay the duvet about 6 inches down from the top. Then lay the final sheet over the duvet, matching it up with the sheet beneath. Fold the excess sheets over the duvet to create a pocket. Then fold once more, about 12 inches down, to create a pleat. Now, tuck everything into the bed. And voila! This means that everything gets washed between every stay (minus the duvet). Note: We still use a fitted sheet, so technically we’re in the business of double sheeting. Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe.

Maybe you don’t have a rental and you’re wondering why I’m even mentioning this method. I get it. We started using it at home too. Especially during the summer months, when we don’t want as many layers on our bed. It’s nice because everything gets washed, and you don’t have to pull off and put back on the duvet cover that takes forever, that makes you curse. Or is that just me? It’s also simple in that you just need a couple of sets of white sheets to pull this simple method off. If we still had a guest bedroom, I think it would work well in there too. 

Pack your book. Pour the tea. We have a spot in the corner with a light and a table just waiting for your warm body. Come up to getaway.

Sources: Blu Dot Hunker Bed in Skidway Ink Queen  |  Tuft & Needle Queen Original Mattress* |  Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Duvet*  |  Tuft & Needle Queen Percale Sheets in Cloud*  |  Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillows*  | Lumbar Pillow in Sage Flecked Irish Tweed (Custom)  |  Pendelton Washable Eco-Wise Wool Blanket in Grey Stewart Queen (out of stock)  |  Harris Tweed Pillow Cover  |  Mushroom Lamps spray painted in Rustoleum satin fossil  |  Green Alarm Clock  |  Flor Tweed Carpet in Pearl  |  Erik Leather Wing Chair in Burnt Sienna (thrifted)  |  Faribault Striped Grey Wool Wrap (out of stock)  |  Black Metal Side Table  |  Brightech Leaf Pharmacy Floor Lamp  |  Striped Director’s Chairs (thrifted)  |  Roth + Allen Plaid Curtains in Taupe plus blackout curtains  |  Black Curtain Rod  |  Black Curtain Clip Rings 

*Denotes gifted or discounted items 

Construction by Taiga Design + Build 
Interior Design by Melissa Coleman
Photography by Melissa Coleman 

See the other cabin reveals:  Living Room  |  Kitchen  |  Dining Room  |  Downstairs Bathroom | Downstairs Bedroom  |  Loft  |  Upstairs Bathroom  |  Exterior  |  Outdoor Furniture 

To book The Minne Stuga, head this way>

To sign up for our cabin email list, head this way >

The post A-Frame Cabin Bedroom Reveal appeared first on The Faux Martha.

I first made this recipe for Cauliflower Bolognese on Christmas Eve a couple years ago, before COVID was common when Linnie was still stowed safely inside my stretchy stomach. I chopped the mushrooms and riced the cauliflower and overcooked the cauliflower and maybe the tomato paste, too. Even still, I set the bolognese down on the dinner table, late but proud. It was a work of art. But it must have been a work of art too modern for these people as they turned up their nose. Maybe it was the mushrooms. It had to be the mushrooms.

Years later and here I am still fiddling with this recipe, mostly because it’s packed with hidden vegetables (not mushrooms) and borderline fancy (maybe only for the name). It comes together fast, and the people, especially the tiniest ones, slurp it up. I give you, Quick Cauliflower Bolognese made mostly from pantry staples, plenty of vegetables, and ready in 30 minutes.

Open the pantry and grab the tomato paste, pasta, garlic, onions, and red wine. Open the fridge, too, and grab the milk, parmesan, carrots, and lemon. You’ll probably need to get a small head of cauliflower plus some fresh basil and rosemary from the grocery store. The fresh herbs and the lemon zest bring this pantry-friendly Quick Cauliflower Bolognese recipe to life. Don’t skip them if you can help it.

Here’s what we’ll end up with—a saucy vegetarian bolognese made entirely from meaty vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, and sweet onions. Note: I almost exclusively cook with sweet onions for their touch of sweetness, so sweet they don’t make me cry while cutting. However, we’re going to skip chopping altogether for this recipe. Except for the rosemary and garlic. We’re gonna have to chop the rosemary and garlic.

So pull out your food processor and grate the onions and the carrots and the cauliflower. All the veggies are prepped and chopped in under 5 minutes, which is good because time is always of the essence at 4:50 when the toddler is shouting “Eat!” and the 8-year-old is on her second or third snack after barely eating at school all day. You can also grate these vegetables in advance if you have a chunk of time. And we persist.

From here, this Quick Cauliflower Bolognese is prepped throughout with very little stoppage time. So while one thing cooks, another thing is prepped. It’s one part workout and another part efficient. But the best part, at the end of this dinner workout, is dinner—a dinner loaded with vegetables that everyone eats. 

May the fiddles of this Quick Cauliflower Bolognese recipe and swirly pasta noodles be pleasing to you. Amen.

Quick Cauliflower Bolognese

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• Total Time: 30 min.
• Yield: 4-6 servings

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Description

This meaty vegetarian Quick Cauliflower Bolognese is ready in under 30 minutes and made mostly from pantry staples, minus the fresh herbs and lemon zest. Don’t skip them if you can help it! For this recipe, we’ll prep one thing while the other thing cooks to make it as efficient as possible and get dinner on the table stat.

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Ingredients

Pasta

• 1/2–1 lb. of your favorite pasta, such as pappardelle*

Sauce

• 1 c. grated carrot (about 1 large carrot)
• 1 c. grated sweet onion (about 2/3 large onion)
• 3–4 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp. coarse kosher salt, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 c. tomato paste
• 1 1/2 c. grated cauliflower (about 1/2 small head)
• 1/2 c. whole milk
• 1/3 c. red wine (like a cabernet)
• 1–2 c. pasta water
• 1/3 c. grated parmesan, plus more for serving
• 1/2 tsp. lemon zest

Garnish

• fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Make the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, salt the water liberally before adding in the pasta. Cook according to pasta instructions until al dente, making sure to reserve about 2 cups of pasta water before draining. We’ll finish cooking the pasta in the sauce.
2. Make the sauce. Start by grating the carrot and sweet onion in a food processor. This can be done at the same time and ahead of time. In a wide-bottom saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-low heat. Add the grated carrots and onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until translucent. If browning, turn down the heat. Stir in about 1/3 of the salt.
3. Meanwhile, prep the garlic and rosemary. After the sauté mixture has cooked for about 5 minutes, stir in the garlic, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute, adding additional oil as needed.
4. Then, stir in the tomato paste and spread in an even layer along the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat up to medium and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to lightly toast. The sugars in the tomato paste will start to caramelize and begin to stick to the bottom of the pan. Meanwhile, rice/grate the cauliflower.
5. Next, stir in the cauliflower, milk, red wine, and remaining salt. Bring to a simmer and cook while the pasta finishes cooking. Reserve about 2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Add 1 cup into the sauce to thin and simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta and parmesan and cook for another minute or two to heat through. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest for brightness. Taste and add additional salt as needed.
6. To serve, garnish with additional parmesan and basil.

Notes

*For a saucier pasta, use less pasta and vice versa.

Tip: To quickly clean the bits of parmesan clinging to the bottom of the pan, wash with cold water. This helps to solidify and harden the cheese for easy removal.

This recipe is adapted from Bon Appetit.

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If you like this Quick Cauliflower Bolognese, you might also like: 

• Lightened Up Pasta al Limone
• Creamy Dairy-Free Butternut Pasta
• Peppery White Wine Pasta
• How to Put a Dinner Salad on the Table Every Night

The post Quick Cauliflower Bolognese appeared first on The Faux Martha.

Did you catch the Downstairs Cabin Bathroom Reveal a couple days back? Take a peek in there first, and then let’s head to the upstairs cabin bathroom just off the loft, adjacent to the A-frame bedroom, where we added a happy pop of color on the floor, contributing to the 50 shades of green throughout. Where we also hung artwork purchased from an ad on Facebook. I’m just as embarrassed for myself as you are. Have I mentioned selecting artwork is not my strong suit?

Before

Prior to starting construction on The Minne Stuga, the upstairs bathroom was very similar to the downstairs bathroom, just smaller. They had the same wood vanities and white laminate countertops with the same quaint mirror/light fixture/medicine cabinet combo. The vanities, however, were extra low, which was perfect for me and the kids but not so much for Kev. And, when you have to pull everything out to fix something during construction, well then, you better give a mouse a cookie, because he’s she’s probably going to ask for some additional updates. 

I know what you’re thinking. The bathrooms, upstairs and downstairs, were cute as is. But, like my cute tiny toddler, they caused a lot of ruckus. And bathrooms don’t seem to grow out of their problems, only into them and down into the kitchen below, which is what was happening. Good news. Our pipes are solid now!

After

Ok, take a step back and to the left, and follow the green-bricked road. Voila! She’s updated but not overly so to preserve her original essence. We went with the same Mercury Mosaics Large Craftsman Square Tile as we did downstairs to nod to the original cabin design selections. Instead of using their Satin Black, we opted for a pop of color with Midnight Sky, which is this deep, muted, but still vibrant green. And yes, that is the aforementioned Facebook artwork hanging on the wall. You can’t have a cabin without a couple dogs, can you? Except ours are only allowed on the walls as Hal is allergic to all things fluffy and furry. (Sidenote: Has anyone done allergy shots with great results?)

Come in a little further. For the bathroom vanity, I wanted a blend of mid-century modern and northern cabin vibe. So we went with a tapered-leg black vanity, with shaker doors, and the most inexpensive wooden pulls you ever did find and called it mid-century northern. I like to mix high and low-priced items to elevate the low, but I didn’t intend for these pulls to be so low. I just couldn’t find wooden pulls, well, anywhere. So I bought a pack of these on Amazon for $13, and installed them on the vanity, rubbing a little walnut oil on them first. (While I was at it, I replaced the plastic pulls on Linnie’s Facebook Marketplace Ikea Kitchen too. You might be sensing a pattern. We buy everything on “The Marketplace” as we so lovingly call it. We even bought a 10-year-old car. That’s a story for another day.)

To mimic the original yellow square tile surrounding the shower, we used Mercury Mosaics Stacked Square Tile in Aged Moss, which is a muted, pale earthy green with ambered edges. The slight shifts in color and the way the water droplets hang after a shower are completely magical. (Sidenote: That color has since been discontinued but Stardust is a really close second.)  

Slowly but surely we’ve been collecting our favorite suds and soaps for you to use while at the cabin and bottling them into The Hygge Collection. So that if the warmth of the cedar on the walls or the feel of the hand-cut tile beneath your feet or the canopy of evergreens overhead can’t do it, hopefully, the suds of the shower can wash off any lingering overwhelm so that you can truly hygge in the stuga. Amen.

Sources: Mercury Mosaics Large Craftsman Squares Flooring in Midnight Sky*  |  Similar Vanity  |  Unfinished Wood Pulls rubbed in Walnut Oil  |   Richlite Countertops in Heritage Slate  |  Delta Faucet in Brilliance Stainless |  Kohler Undermount Sink  |  Schoolhouse Issac Sconce Short Arm in Black (purchased secondhand)  |  Graph Cotten Japanese Hand Towel in Bamboo Charcoal  |  Dog Prints (purchased from an ad on Facebook)**  |  Mercury Mosaics Stacked Square Tile Backsplash in Stardust  |  Quiet Town Home Orient Shower Curtain in Desert

*Denotes items discounted or gifted
**Denotes a midlife crisis coming soon

Construction by Taiga Design + Build 
Interior Design by Melissa Coleman (me)
Photography by Melissa Coleman 

See the other cabin reveals:  Living Room  |  Kitchen  |  Dining Room  |  Downstairs Bathroom  |  Downstairs Bedroom  |  Loft  |  A-Frame Bedroom  |  Exterior  |  Outdoor Furniture

To book The Minne Stuga, head this way>

The post Upstairs Cabin Bathroom Reveal appeared first on The Faux Martha.