FarmHouseUrban

cool things

Serena Armstrong — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:36:54 -0800

I'm on the train from DC to NYC, finishing this post. It's the first time I've had internet access since Thurs! I've just spent a few days with my darling grandparents at their home in McLean, VA where there is no wifi, salt or oil of any kind. If you happen to have an ache or pain, however, they've got you covered. So lucky to have them still... Whenever I find something that makes my life easier, cleaner, or is delicious, creative or a great product or is even just an ok product, but the packaging is awesome, I like...

FarmHouseUrban Kitchen Classic - Black Bean & Chicken Chili

Serena Armstrong — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:20:09 -0800

During college, I waited tables at a great little restaurant - sort of a 'gourmet pub' - that served the most delicious chili. Before I left, I got the recipe from the chef, but the quantities could have fed a fraternity. Over the years, I've tweaked the recipe, often basing the adaptations on what I had on hand when a chili hankering hit. In preparation for the 49ers game, I'm making a pot. Black Bean and Chicken Chili 4 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced to bite sized pieces 1/4 c canola oil 1 1/2 med yellow onions - small...

New Goodies!

Serena Armstrong — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:24:55 -0800

woody on the way to Santa Cruz Early last Saturday morning while my family dozed, I headed out the door, tea in hand, excited like only us crazy antique and flea market hunters can understand, and hit the road to a small beach town a few miles south of Santa Cruz. I was on a mission to be an early bird - hoping to score some new goodies for the store. A container filled with old, rustic treasures from Europe had finally arrived - the doors flinging open at precicely 9:00am. I love the solace of a long drive alone....

Tangled Up In Blue

Serena Armstrong — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:08:52 -0800

It seems fitting to be thinking blue in January... I've been away from the blog for awhile - had a moment or two of questioning the whole thing... Got all weird and existential and thought too much about purpose, audience, voice and blah blah blah. But after some time passed, I stopped and realized I just plain missed it (and you), so 'the only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keepin on'. I've been thinking of ways I'd like to incorporate blue into the design plan of our new house. I save images that I might...

New York City Visit: no sleep till

Serena Armstrong — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:05:22 -0800

BROOKLYN! In the past few years, I've noticed many shops, restaurants and businesses popping up in Brooklyn. I had to see for myself what all the buzz is about, so my friend and I spent a day exploring. We got a recommendation from our cool waiter the night before, to visit 'his neighborhood' - Williamsburg, so that was our first stop. We loved finding this little gold mine of a cheese shop - The Bedford Cheese Shop. In addition to the abundant cheese and salami selection, they also sell hand crafted chocolate - the perfect sweet treat to round out...

New York City Visit: Food

Serena Armstrong — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:22:21 -0800

I have just two posts left on the nyc trip I took last month and can't end the year without getting them both in...so while they're not holiday, I hope you enjoy them just the same! Why does everything taste so good in New York? Almost everywhere we ate was outstanding, except one horrible Italian place that, come to think of it, may not have even been a real restaurant... The shortened list of highlights include: Accademia diVino - 1081 3rd Avenue. I've eaten at the one on the Upper West side too, and it's equally good. We shared a...

It's cookie time!

Serena Armstrong — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:41:37 -0800

The first cookie exchange party I attended was when my son (now 16) was in Kindergarten. This group of ladies took their cookies seriously! If delicious cookies presented Martha-style was not enough, the hostess decked out her castle-like house in over the top holiday decor creating a winter wonderland so beautiful it would make Ebeneezer Scrooge melt. Everyone brought a designated amount of cookies, allowing each guest to take home a equal amounts of everyone's contribution. The math involved must have been mind boggling! The best part of course, was coming home with a platter of the most divine holiday...

word

Serena Armstrong — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 09:09:13 -0800

Simple Greens

Serena Armstrong — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:24:56 -0800

I just discovered the most beautiful fresh holiday wreaths I have ever seen and wanted to quickly share the source with you! The wreaths are made by Wintersteen Farms - a family run business on a 36-acre Douglas and Noble tree farm in Oregon. The wreaths are $34.95 and come with a 2' piece of cream satin ribbon for hanging. I just love the fullness and simple mix of greenery and pinecones. I found these wreaths on the blog Dreamy Whites. Another wonderful new find! By the looks of her blog, I think the above photo is from her home....

Getting into the holiday spirit

Serena Armstrong — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:05:34 -0800

The spirit of the holidays hadn't hit me until this weekend. My bad. I've been too preoccupied with other stuff to glance up and appreciate what makes this time of year so festive. Effective immediately, I'm double dipping on holiday cheer! I plan to accomplish this by: 1. Not counting calories, carbs, fat grams or anything else associated with food guilt until January 3rd. 2. Taking out all of my cookie cookbooks and leaving them on the kitchen counter to inspire and hopefully use multiple times in the next two weeks (closely tied to #1). 3. Spending as many evenings...