Happy Holidays

Hope it's merry and bright.

Deck the Halls

Besides the christmas tree, I think the wreath is my favorite holiday decoration. We always get one all made of succulents from my parents.

It's the best, because after it's done hanging on our door, we can plant it in the garden and enjoy it all over again.

My how the time flies (& and a note about maple pumpkin pie)

One day I was making Thanksgiving dinner and the very next my emails were shouting at me about last minute holiday shopping. I made two perfect pies for our feast. Ian fell so all in love with them that I promised him I'd make a pie a week, and promised myself I would share the recipes here. So far, I haven't made good on my promises. But I intend to. Starting with this here pumpkin pie. It's made with 1/2 maple syrup and 1/2 brown sugar for a silky texture and complex taste. Here's the recipe.

You will need...
• 1 basic pie crust (I use a 1/2 butter, 1/2 shortening recipe)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c. light cream
• 1/2 c. pure maple syrup, preferably dark or grade B
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 tbl. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ea. ground cloves & nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 15 oz. can or 1 and 3/4 c. fresh pumpkin puree (I'll admit to using canned here as it is so much easier that cooking and processing the pumpkin and there are some good organic options in the can, man)
• Fresh Whipped cream, for garnish (optional, but who doesn't want whipped cream?)

Here's what to do...
Make the crust, if you haven't already and partially pre bake it according to your best recipe. Set it aside to cool completely before you add any filling. Heat oven to 350˚.

Beat eggs in medium bowl. Whisk in milk, syrup and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl then add to wet mixture and stir until it's completely combined. Lastly, add the pumpkin mush and whisk it all together. The mixture will be very soupy at this point, but since it's a custard, it does all the magical thickening while it bakes.

Place pie in the oven on a center rack and bake for 25 minutes. Rotate the pie 180˚ and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the filling is set. The edges of the filling will likely have puffed a little when the pie is done, and there will be a slight sheen, but not in the center. In fact, the center may wobble just a touch even though the custard is set. Careful not to overcook as it will cracked (see a Cracked Custard holiday pie here).

Cool for at least an hour before serving and that's it! Serve it warm (it should still have a little warmth even after an hour of cooling) or at room temperature or chill covered with tented aluminum. I think this pie gets better the day after it is made when all the flavors have had a chance to really meld together. And, while it's good all on it's own, a scoop of whipped cream is a perfect garnish. Hmmmhmmm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Coloring Party

Mr. C and I heard somewhere that, back in the olden days, Warhol used to throw coloring parties. He's make a pile of prints and have his friends over to color them in. We thought this sounded like an excellent idea. So we made a mountain of prints, gathered some supplies,

and let the partygoers do as they pleased.

The results are magnificent.

and we're back...

Back from my extended coffee break and ready to share photos and notes on all the travel, art, design and love of these many many moons.

Above is a shot of some store bought molasses cookies. I've since started making my own with this delicious recipe from Gourmet Magazine (be sure to read the reviews on this one as the suggested changes make it cookie perfection).

hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, among other things, are blooming in our garden right now. I love this time of year.

What's blooming in your yard?

Home is Where the Garden Is

I'm missing Istanbul like crazy. But my antique bungalow home and my little garden oasis make me happy. The blossoms and birds are lovely this time of year.

home body

Life has been so busy lately that some of the things I love have been sorely neglected. This weekend will be the first in a long time that there's some breathing room and I'm excited to get back to fix in' up our bungalow. My goals are set for making our new Little City Designs office (pictured above) more cozy and inspiring.

What does your weekend have in store?

old fashioned afternoon

Yesterday was (sort of) my day off with Mr. C.

After running hither and yon, gathering things for my classroom, we spent some time just hanging out. 

For as addicted as I am to Words With Friends, there's still nothing like a good old fashioned game of Scrabble. Mr. C won with a 4 point spread.

boy, are my arms tired

Well, I just flew in from Portland and boy...

I had the window seat this time. Oooh I just love the window seat. Everything looks so dreamy when you see it from high above.

I am missing my loved ones in the Pacific Northwest like crazy today. But the sun is shining and Ventura is absolutely glorious. And it's hard to beat spending the day in the garden, getting dirty with my honey.

What did you all do this weekend? I'd love to hear of your adventures.

fly away home

In just a few short hours I'll be boarding a jet plane, heading back to sunny southern California. I do so hate to leave my northern loves, but I'm happy to go home to my man.

Hope you all are having a high flying Saturday.

bloomin' roses

The roses are really starting to go wild in our garden right now. Oooh I just love it when the flowers bloom and the bees come buzzing.

Do you have a garden? I would love to hear what you're growing.

lemon grass

Maybe today will be the day I finally get to work in our garden. My friend Sooz gave me some lovely lemon grass and I want to find a special spot for it to live and thrive for years to come.

Sooz keeps me stocked with fresh plants so that I will make her plenty of delicious lemon bars.

no place like home

Here I am, home sweet home. My spring road trip is in the rearview and, for as much fun as we had, I'm glad to be back.

Can't wait to show you the photos I collected along the way.

missing you - day 7

Of everything I'm missing while out on the road, I pine for Mr. C the most. Without a doubt.

If you're reading this Mr. C, I'll be giving you big kisses when at last I see you tomorrow.

missing you - day 6

As much as I love the heated swimming pools and hot tubs, waking up in motel rooms every morning starts to wear on the soul. Especially since I'm used to greeting the day with my longtime companion, Uni the unicorn. Oh, how I miss Uni's smiling face and yellow velour hoofs.

Do you have something from your childhood that you still cuddle and adore?

missing you - day 5

Mr. C and I visit our local farmers' market just about every weekend. Buying flowers to cheer our house is one of my favorite parts.

While I've been loving all daffodils in bloom along the highways up here, oh how I missed our trip to market this past Sunday... the bulbs and berries... the hand holding.

missing you - day 4

Some of the things I am missing while away are the little silly things, like this guy. I miss this little camo clad dude. He protects our kitchen and watches over the dirty dishes.

missing you - day 3

There are wild flowers galore on the coastal highway routes of our roadtrip. But still, I miss our garden and all that grows there. I do so love getting dressed up in my gardener's garb and getting dirty... one of my favorite Sunday pastimes.

missing you - day 2

I miss the tiny treasures Mr. C and I have collected, especially all the photos. They decorate the nooks and crannies of our little bungalow.