Friday, March 30, 2012

{four.for.friday} time for spring & yardening.





Ahhh, spring time: my total favorite. Time to freshen up the yard, plant some tomatoes and clean the bbq. Maybe I am such a big spring fan because my birthday happens to be in spring? Regardless, it's nice to keep the doors open and listen to the birds chirp.

I am hoping our weekend is filled with yardening and cleaning out the cobwebs and dead plants. Maybe I shouldn't admit how neglected the yard gets, but boy does it.

cheers!


Monday, March 26, 2012

mammoth trip.


 I am back home after a long and wonderful weekend in Mammoth. I am lucky that my husband works at Nixon, and that spouses were invited to Nixon family snow weekend.

The trip filled my soul.

Was it seeing freshly falling snow? The amount of Blue Moon I consumed? Making snow angels? Being up in the mountains? Trying something new? All those St. Germain cocktails? The Wii dancing? The sense of community? Feeling 26? The wives of the design department meeting? Acting 26? All the tattoo sharing? The snowballs thrown? Stalking David Duchovny (yes, he was staying at the same hotel)? All the giggling?


Maybe just a combination of all of the above. But what a memorable trip. Nixon really does employ some of the most beautiful people, on the inside and out.


And yes, I missed my kids like mad. And am glad to be home. But a weekend in the snow sure feels like magic. (there was even a full on rainbow sighted on the rainy bus ride home)

Friday, March 16, 2012

{four.for.friday} green with envy.

It's Friday and we're celebrating green for St Patrick's Day! Having three kids with Irish names, kind of puts the pressure on for this holiday. We have plans for green pancakes and a big family Irish dinner. And maybe a little pot of gold treasure hunting.

This past week as been a fun one, including a very well deserved night out with some nice ladies. Hopefully a new monthly tradition.


 (top left & clockwise: colorblock tote, crocheted pillow, dipped cutting board, time teller watch)

happy weekending, have fun and be safe. I hope everyone finds what they're looking for and feels lucky.

Monday, March 12, 2012

high on pie: crack pie

My crack pies were a hit, or that was the word around m•o•m yesterday.

But after combining a very late Saturday night and a lost hour (due to daylight savings) I was a very grumpy baker Sunday morning. I was impressed that I actually made successful pies. Let's be honest, I really had to rally.


Crack Pie:
I found this crack pie recipe online, in a LA times article from 2010.

Cookie for crust
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup rolled oats
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.

Crust
Crumbled cookie for crust
1/4 cup  butter
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together). Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.

Filling
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon milk powder
1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 egg yolks
2 prepared crusts
Powdered sugar, garnish
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla.
3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.
4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells.
5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), about 10 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack.
6. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.


Sunday, March 11, 2012

pi = 3.14159265...

Today was Pie day at m•o•m. A great sunny day for all us math nerds and pastry enthusiasts to relax sip, chew and enjoy.

Yes, I realize the 'real' pie day is Wednesday, March 14, but hanging out on a Sunday is way more fun.

Another super successful, fun, sugar filled event.  I feel so lucky to be have met these ladies {Bethany & Tere} and this little community of nice people that come to these events.

{the shop's new sign, pie crumbs, D gets pinned, extra points for perfectly-brewed tasty coffee}

{shaker lemon pie, Come on in, banana creme, cute top in the shop}

{baked apple pie, ice bin equals car fun, blueberry galette, Lil's pinning}

There were dozens of pies! dozens! While, I did not try them all - I did try quite a few. And they were all quite tasty. Every time I turned around there was another piece of pastry perfection being placed on the table.

My favorite was the baked apple pie...the sugared crust was wonderful, I wish I knew the baker.
Tim's favorite was Bianca's sweet potato pie. Perfection!
Devlin's favorite was a 3 way tie,  Karin's banana creme bites & grandma's coconut crust blueberry pie and Vanessa's Ladybug pie.
Finn's favorite was his mama's crack pie. I will post the recipe tomorrow! (what a kid, right?!?!)
Malley's favorite was the peanut butter and chocolate pie made by Brooklyn.  yum!

I am already excited for next year. But it will be hard to top Pie day 2012...perfect weather, old and new friends and a very long hopscotch.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

you can pickle that & other home projects.

I will be the first to admit, that I am one of those who continue to tweek, redo, and diy all decor aspects of our home. I am always getting ideas, moving things, shopping...our home just evolves over time.

My husband thinks I am crazy.

Anyway,  I picked up a wood sunburst mirror at Homegoods. The price was great, but the it was finished with a solid very dark stain. After some Internet research, I sanded it and then applied an apple cider vinegar and steel wool mixture. The results are impressive. I think you all would be stunned by the transformation, had I taken a before picture (which I didn't).



Our beloved little dog, Banner, sleeps in a crate at night. I was over staring at it all the time, so I convinced Tim to knock out a shelf out of a kitchen cupboard and now Banner has a secret hid-a-way. And YES, the cupboard doors stay open when he is inside. And looking at this photo, I think I need to add a pretty mural in the back for him to look at.


Add lastly, I was able to hit a few estate sales early Friday morning with my mom. The sales were great fun and I came home with some treasures including this very Golden Girls chair. But what can I say, it was love at first sight. Hoping to paint and reupholster it this weekend.



happy soup weather.

Friday, March 2, 2012

{four.for.friday} it's back.

I guess I can't give up something I enjoy so much. Really four for Friday is a remedy for my big case of the wants. These little squares of beauty is almost like retail therapy. And yes, I usually do end up purchasing a lot of the four for Friday items. So it keeps me organized and focused.

And I know some of you were sad that it disappeared, so I am trying to please! Life is calming down again, at least this week. 


(clockwise from top right: lemlem scarf, Old navy feather dress, West Elm croqueted pillow and new Toms ballet flats)

I hope you all have a super fun weekend! Its supposed to be a beautiful one!