scenes from this weekend...

New traditions.

David and I love food. We enjoy cooking, but dinner is usually quick food. Breakfast, fried rice, spaghetti...We used to make "real meals" at least a couple times a week, but we've let that go. We're as happy eating easy stuff as we are with the more involved.

I have also always enjoyed baking. I didn't do it often because there are only so many cookies, cupcakes, etc. that two people can eat. That is, I didn't bake often until I started making scones.

Breakfast has to be my favorite meal. We have scrambled eggs, bacon and biscuits for dinner about once a week. A couple months ago I bought the Williams-Sonoma frozen croissants as a surprise for David when he came home from a conference. These have since become our Sunday morning staple. I don't know what we'll do when we finish them. I'll be crushed. Then I made scones and David fell in love. It's become our new Saturday tradition.

I get up, prep the coffee, preheat the oven when David's rousing. David gets up a couple hours after I do and, now, makes the bed. Then the coffee goes on and the scones/croissants go in the oven. It is such a nice routine. We wake up together every morning and sit together while he has breakfast and I have coffee. But our weekend mornings are lovely. And special.

This Saturday: Bacon & Cheddar Scones. {after 2 rounds of sweet scones we introduce the savory}

They were heaven. Soft. Layered. Crisp exterior. They had a pretzeliness about them so I dipped mine in cream cheese. 

I must admit my failure, albeit minor. They were supposed have chives. I typically pull the dough together while David is still at work and we didn't have chives...well it turned out that our cheese was also bad so the dough would have to wait until after a trip to the grocery store anyway. However, by that point I had "bacon & cheddar" in my head so I missed the chives, which would have been a lovely addition. Maybe next time.

Bacon Cheddar Scones

3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup butter, cubed and chilled
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 Tbsp chives, thinly sliced
10 slices of bacon, cooked to crisp and crumbled
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg + splash water

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper

In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, baking powder,  salt and pepper. Pulse to combine. Add butter. Pulse until mixture forms a coarse meal, with butter no larger than pea-sized. Add cheddar, chives and bacon. Pulse to combine. Add buttermilk. Pulse until just starts to come together.

Turn the the dough out onto a floured surface, form into a loose ball. Gently pat down to 1/4 inch thick disk. Fold the dough in thirds and gently pat down again to 1/4" thickness. Fold in thirds again and pat down to 1/2" thickness. Cut into wedges.

Place on cookie sheet.

In a small bowl, combine egg and water. Whisk until combined. Brush egg mixture over scones. Sprinkle the tops with a bit of sea salt.

Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Allow to cool 5 minutes on a baking rack. Serve warm.

Adapted from: lemon drop

Saturday proceeded as usually. Scrabble, snack food, minimal productivity {though we did get all of the million grocery bags, magazines and boxes to their respective recycling places - now we don't look like crazy hoarders}. We finished the day with David's favorite snack/meal: spinach dip...which is right up my street since I don't really do dinner on the weekends, opting instead to eat continuously all day {mom calls it grazing}.


We had grand plans for Sunday. Transferring our sprouted herbs, getting some new digs for our trip to the city. David played L.A. Noire. I watched. He loved it. I was actually {very} interested in his game. It's so fun. You're a detective and you have to search for clues and interrogate people to solve crimes. I love any game that requires thinking.

We did dinner Sunday. American Chop Suey. David's never had it. I haven't it had since I was a kid. It was so easy to throw together. And it was delish! 

American Chop Suey {no picture, sorry}

modified from Grandma Landry

feeds 1 million

1/2 box Elbow Macaroni

1 lb ground beef {we used 91/9, it seemed really fatty but we haven't made ground beef in a really long time - next time I'd probably go leaner}

Sweet onion, diced - as desired {I used a bit over 1/2 an onion)

Green pepper, diced - as desired (I used 1)

1 clove garlic - more if desired

2 cans condensed tomato soup

Salt & pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, cook elbow macaroni 3-4 minutes to al dente, it should be a bit underdone as it will continue cooking with the rest when combined later. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the beef over medium-high heat until pink has just disappeared - again don't overcook, it will continue cooking later. If using onions and green peppers, use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to the reserved macaroni, leave the fat in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and peppers to the skillet. Cook until colors begin to change. Grate the garlic into the mixture. Cook until the onions and peppers have softened. Add the macaroni and beef back to the skillet. Stir in the tomato soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat through. 

Serve hot with soft bread {the way grandma would}.

All-in-all a nice weekend, thought not as productive as we would have liked. No worries, I got the herbs moved today {again, no picture - the result wasn't worthy}.

Next weekend: New York!

dressing up

Did you miss me? MIA for a week. Mom says it was just because I love her so much I wanted to give her a bit more face time. I do love my momma! I haven't been totally absent. I've essentially been microblogging: Pinterest! If you haven't heard about it or used it, it's about time you did. I'm addicted.

If there was one thing I knew for sure about my bridesmaids it was that I wanted them in blue.

1. jenny yoo 2. armani collezioni 3. bhldn 4. diane von furstenberg 5. aqua

Specifically, navy blue. Well, or royal blue. Even more specifically, a beautiful shade of blue on one of the lovely silk taffeta ensembles from J. Crew.

j. crew 1. blakely 2. bow monde 3. nanine 4. mika

Unfortunately, when I began this dreaming of bridesmaids, J. Crew wasn't offering any kind of desirable blue in the fabric. I didn't waver. I was sure that when it came time to order J. Crew would have come to their senses. They now have a couple of blues...we're not quite to ordering yet.

This collection was perfect. Short. Fun. Elegant. Re-wearable.

Mom raised a red flag. Sometimes people's knees are not quite so quite. I brushed that one off as one of her oddities. {though she has a point - knees aren't always one's loveliest attribute.

Then, an excited bridesmaid sent me this little gem.

j. crew: arabelle long

It's so romantic. Ethereal. Diaphanous. {and, yes, it comes in blue, i just wanted to capture the detail in the bodice}. Maybe short silk taffeta isn't the way to go {though these haven't been ruled out. we first must do some in person scouting}.

I had previously entertained other options {see the top row of photos}. There is certainly more romance in a flowier fabric...

Continuing my search, I also found myself pulled toward styles that were either only available in a non-color (champagne, blush,etc.) or simply looked better in said non-color.

bcbg 1. 2. 

Our entire mood is romantic. These lovelies fit the bill. And their fashionable {read: re-wearable. that is, of course, re-wearable at a more formal occasion}

The search continues.

In my perusal of what seems like every bridesmaid gown designer on the market {hyperbole, yes. not by much. i scoured.} I found some new must-sees.

May I introduce Priscilla of Boston (and her offspring Vineyard & Melissa Sweet):

1. vineyard 2. priscilla of boston 3. priscilla of boston 4. vineyard

So much to choose from. Short. Long. Fabrics of all types. Colors and colors {and non-colors for good measure}.

1. priscilla of boston 2. priscilla of boston 3. vineyard 4. priscilla of boston 5. vineyard

Some lean more toward elegant than ethereal. On this point, I could go either way. This is where the shopping comes in.

melissa sweet

There is also this little number that I had to throw in for fun. Great dress, not quite the fabric I have in mind. Not in our setting.

Finally the belle of the ball: Amsale.

I love her bridal gowns, though I don't see myself in one. But her bridesmaids dresses...I'm completely sold. {though they are a bit pricey. really what bridesmaids dresses aren't?}

amsale 1. 2.

There's the sleek chic in jersey. Definitely re-wearable.

amsale 1. 2. 3. 4.

Then there are the billowy lot with rosette details. {trying to steer clear of odd "wedding-y" details that make them less marketable for multi-use.

amsale 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Then there are these more simple styles. Absolutely stunning. I feel pretty just looking at them. Romantic. Feminine. They come in blue. I have a new love. I can't wait to go shopping.

amsale

I couldn't leave out this beauty. After all, this was one of the dresses on my be-my-bridesmaid cards {and was independently inspired, I had not yet found this particular dress in real-life}

So my goals for my ladies:

*Choose something they're head-over-heals in love with. This is why I love love love bridesmaids in different styles, same color, same fabric {though same fabric may be flexible depending on how it all looks}. You get to look your best and therefore feel your best and therefore look amazing in pictures {photography = priority 1}.

*Choose something they can wear again. Seriously. Not just the "oh you'll wear it all the time" kind of thing. But the "omg I just found a picture of my bridesmaid in her dress and she hasn't even worn it to the wedding yet" {no joke, found that problem in a wedicate article. and ladies, that does not mean i want you to actually wear the dress before the wedding}

That means: no silk dup, no matte satin, avoid satin if at all possible, no weird "wedding-y" details/appliques.

*Don't break the bank. As I've mentioned, I have expensive taste. Bridesmaids dresses are, by nature, expensive. But, when it comes down to it, the first two criteria must be met to justify the expense. I, however, don't want to be the bride that puts her loved ones in the poor house for a dress. {my general rule for buying is to spend more on an absolute love than spend less for a wear it once and never look at it again. but, in this case, it's not my money.}

Please note: if you have not had your fill of bridesmaid dress love you can find more on my Pinterest board designed specifically for the topic: my lovely ladies

currently coveting

I love a simple and elegant wedding cake. Clean. Maybe metallic. Maybe some flowers - edible only {as a rule i don't like non-edibles on a cake}. That being said I am also obsessed with darling cake toppers. Namely the custom folks from the smallest object.

the smallest object

They are made to look like you. I love love love these. Love.

scenes from this weekend...

{don't they look delish? P.S. those mums are 2 weeks old)

We love our lazy weekends. That's why we try to go to the grocery store on Friday night. Friday afternoon I through together some scone dough. David had requested more scones as soon as he finished eating them for the Royal Wedding. Two weeks later...wish granted. These were lighter than the first {better technique with experience and all}. David said they were glorified chocolate chip cookies. Maybe. But biscuit-y. Delicious.

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Scones
Makes 8 scones
Adapted from: evil shenanigans

2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbsp butter, cubed and chilled
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (less if using minis)
1/2 cup cold buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg + 1 Tbsp water

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pulse to combine.

Add the butter. Pulse until coarse meal forms and the butter is in small pieces, no larger than peas. Add the chocolate chips. Pulse to mix.

In a liquid measuring cup, combine the cold buttermilk and vanilla. Add to the food processor. Pulse until liquid is just absorbed. The mixture will be very crumbly (not very dough like).

Turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the corners and sides of the plastic wrap to press dough into itself to form a ball. Seal with wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. 

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll out into a disk. Fold the dough in thirds (like a letter). Flatten slightly. Fold in thirds again (bringing the short ends toward the middle). Roll into a disk, approximate 1/2" thickness.

Cut the disk into 8 wedges.

Places the wedges on the prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush mix over the scones. Top each scone with as much sugar as you like. {i added a bit of cinnamon to the tops of some too}

Bake 15 – 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. 

Enjoy!

So that was our great start to Saturday. The rest of the day? Nothing. Well a little Scrabble. TV. Lotsa junk food. No real meals {other than breakfast, of course}. We needed to go to the mall. We reassigned that task to Sunday...

Sunday was dismal {and the same forecast has been given to the rest of the week}. As soon as we were ready to walk up to the mall {just in time for it to open. get in. get out.} the sky opened up. So we checked the radar, saw a break coming soon and took to the Scrabble board to kill the time in between. Fast forward to us walking up to the mall in that chilly, nasty mist that sticks to you and laughs at your umbrella {which, in my case, was turned inside out by the wind anyway}.

The mission of this poorly timed excursion? Planters for our quickly-growing tomatoes. We are aware that the seed starter is really only supposed to start the seeds, we just kept putting off the transfer. That is, until the tomatoes demanded a new home...and the herbs are making demands too...but we're out of soil so they have to wait until next weekend.

The result:

Two pretty birdie planters for Crate & Barrel. Red tomatoes in one. Yellows in the other. They are sooo much happier. So are we. They can't help but make you smile.

friday favorites

In honor of Mother's Day, today's favorite is:

my momma. {pictured at about my age with my cousin Dina}

And she truly is my favorite. I am a momma's girl. I love when I know I've made her proud. Momma is an amazing lady. She's incredibly smart. She's entertaining {though not always intentionally, we love her spacey-ness}. She works damn hard for her family. She's warm. She's kind. She's critical when it's appropriate {and sometimes when it's not. but it's always for the best or at least with the best intentions}. She's supportive {again, when it's appropriate. but she's not afraid to let you know when she doesn't think you're on the right path}. She's my momma and I love her.

A lot of who I am is from mom. Or simply is mom. What I look like. How I walk. My photographic memory. My perfectionism. My critical nature. My work ethic. My love of music and dancing. My ability to fall asleep anywhere. My aptitude for Scrabble. For better or worse I am my mother's daughter. {I say better}

If you've met her, you have to love her. If I love you, you've already been accepted as a member of our family. I just spent the better part of a week with her and the time spent with her was some of the best. Relaxed and happy. I can't wait to do it again.

Of course, I wish she lived closer. And, despite our distance this Mother's Day, I will be thinking of her {as I often do}.

My favorite: my mom. {happy mother's day}

be mine. the reveal.

During our week in the Sunshine State, David and I took a few lovely ladies on "dates."

I presented each with a personal card and a pretty white box. If they said yes the contents of the box was theirs.

What'd they get? A couple things that are personal to me.

A different teacup. Thin. The way I like it. {it's not a mug}.

And in the teacup... 

A delicious Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcake with Reese's Peanut Butter Frosting. My favorite. Perfection.

{note: I made these cupcakes Monday. there were way too many. I only needed 4. we left the following Sunday. I didn't eat a single one. I, now, kick myself}

If you want to taste these fancies go for it:

Chocolate Cupcakes with Reese's Peanut Butter Frosting
for the Chocolate Buttermilk Cake:

adapted from cherry tea cakes

3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup dutch process cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cupcake pans.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until blended on a low speed then increase speed to high for a few minutes until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add eggs, 1 at a time. Mix until well combined

In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine.

In liquid measuring cup, mix buttermilk and vanilla.

Add in flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately. Beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add a splash more buttermilk if batter appears too stiff.

Divide batter evenly among lined cupcake tins, filling 2/3 of tin. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Bake 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

Cool slightly in pans then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Gillian's Reese's Peanut Butter Frosting
1/2 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter 
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
splash milk

In a medium bowl, cream together peanut butter and cream cheese. Add 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar. Mix to combine. Add vanilla. Add another 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar. Mix to combine. Add remaining sugar and milk as necessary, to reach desired consistency.

NOTE: Start with above recipe but adjust any element to taste - more PB, more vanilla, more sugar, etc.

Enjoy!!

scenes from Bradenton...

So I'm still working on using my camera. I always have it on hand, but I find that I end up not taking pictures {frequently due to the fact that most of my photo ops include food and typically by the point that I can get a picture I'm starving or otherwise don't have time}. 

I'm working on it.

This trip was originally intended as pure vacation...when planned last September. Turned out to be 50% wedding business {though we hoped to fit in more}, 25% driving {not including the trek down} and 25% vacation {all surrounded by food}.

So here goes: the basics of a weeklong trip to Florida as highlighted by few photos and lots of food.

We drove Bella {the marshmella aka my car} to Bradenton to start our trip. We'd just brought her up here in November, but she was getting more dinged up in the parking lot than she was getting used - by a considerable margin no less. 

Along the way, we dined at CPK in NJ, stayed at the Hyatt Place {our favorite "budget" hotel} outside of DC, drove past South of the Border {which was surprisingly busy and unsurprisingly scary-looking} on the NC/SC border, stopped for obligatory McDonald's {Cheeseburger Happy Meal no pickles} and pretzel & cheese Combos {travel junk food}. We also drove through speed trap city (Starke/Waldo, FL) and through Gainesville via Williston Rd {we wanted to do a more thorough drive-by for nostalgic purposes but time didn't allow. <sadface>}. [Driving time: Rhode Island to Chantilly, VA: 9 hours, Chantilly, VA to Bradenton, FL: 14 hours]

Plenty of missed photo opportunities fo sho.

Prior to our departure, I decided to make Rice Krispie Treat eggs for the fam for Easter {inspired by all the commercials of the mom and kids making them}. I filled them with the almond m&m's {intended to alternate almond and peanut, but the almonds were too good to sub out}.

The result + setup Easter morning:

{Note: the bunny dish was full and in no time before I got my camera everyone destroyed the bowl}

Missed Easter Ops:

*our Easter baskets. {yes, we're a little old to get full on Easter baskets, but it's fun! I special ordered Reese's Pieces Eggs from the EB and somehow all but a lone egg was devoured in the few days that David and I weren't in Bradenton. This consumption was later denied by both of the only two people that were home in this time.}

*Blakester's Easter Egg Hunt {I was cooking Easter dinner}

*my Easter must-have entree: Phyllo-wrapped Salmon with mustard cream sauce

*my Apple Chevre Tart {first time I've ever made a tart, complete with homemade Pâte Brisée. and it was really freaking good}

Mom reminded that I didn't get any pictures on Easter. I reminded her that I spent literally all day in the kitchen.

Monday through Thursday: missed photo ops galore.

Monday consisted of breakfast with momma, Braendi and David at Gulf Drive Café. Even though we didn't make it out there 'til after noon, I got my standard Spinach & Feta {plus tomatoes} omelet with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. The service was unusually atrocious, but the food was yummy as expected. Then we spent a few hours on the beach, after which I had little color to show for it with the exception of random sunburnt splotches. The evening was wedding work focused. Cards & cupcakes. All from scratch. Pictures to come.

Tuesday meant getting some business done so we drove over to West Palm for a couple photog meetings {both at Starbucks, which brings David and I up to 4 Starbucks meetings in 2 Florida trips and no coffee to show for it}, between which we squeezed in a light{ish} lunch at Cheesecake. Before heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to meet up with friends, we poked our heads into Anthropologie - a big beautiful Anthro at City Place in West Palm - and picked up a couple of goodies, though none for ourselves. [Driving Time: Bradenton to West Palm: 3 hours, West Palm to Ft. Lauderdale: 1 hour]

In Ft. Lauderdale we stayed again at a Hyatt Place. Tuesday night we met my friend-now-maid-of-honor at Cantina Laredo for dinner. {if I haven't mentioned it before, it's worth checking out it there's one nearby. if I have mentioned it, it's worth checking out if there's one nearby.} We ate way way too much then moved on to Yard House for some assorted beverages. By the end of the night I was convinced that I had far exceeded my stomach's prior capacity. 

Wednesday, we hurried to grab a bite to eat before heading back up to West Palm to meet with one more photographer. When we arrived she had coffee and homemade banana bread and cookies waiting for us {what a touch}. [Driving time: Back to West Palm: 1 hour]

Following our meeting we were back on the road to Cape Coral. [Driving time: West Palm to Cape Coral: 3 hours]

To keep with our theme of nonstop consumption we made a detour at one of my favorite Ft. Myers haunts: Chef Brooke's Natural Café for some juice. 

I went more fruit than veggie this time with Ogre's Delight (green apple, lemon, ginger & parsley) - it just tasted like ginger lemonade {David said it was too earthy}, and it soothed my unhappy belly. It may not be the prettiest thing ever but I miss getting my juices with my former boss.

Next on the agenda? Need you really ask? Food! Truth be told we had a little break where we actually just got to sit and relax with David's dad. But that filled the space between appointments with food. Dinner was from Chicago Pizza in Cape Coral {my personal order: double pineapple & green pepper}. 

The evening was perfectly uneventful. Just family time and relaxation. And I got a little kiddie time in with David's nephews, my little loves, 4 years and 6ish months {seriously the cutest kids ever}.

Thursday morning was more of the same, low key and kiddie-full. Thursday night brought us up to Tampa for dinner at Ceviche with another bridesmaid date and more way-too-much eating, topping our record Tuesday consumption by, oh, at least double. But it was too good to stop. Ceviche is tapas style and I love tapas. By the time we got home (tres late) I was stuffed and completely wiped out. [Driving time: 1.5 hours Cape Coral to Bradenton, 1 hour Bradenton to Tampa, 1 hour back]

Good morning sunshine, time for a royal wedding! Friday started too soon after Thursday ended but we were surprisingly up and at 'em. I made scones to celebrate the occasion. 

Apple cinnamon scones to be exact. Again, first time I'd ever made scones. First time I can ever remember eating scones. They went over decently. I made 8 of good size. I had one, Braendi had 2, Mom had 2, David had 3. David's new favorite breakfast food {he has already put in a request for more of the same for this Saturday morning - and the recipe was half ad-libbed!} We also planned on having tea, but we all needed coffee.

Don't for a minute think that was the only epicurean venture for the day...

Friday's Favorite {4.29.2011}:

Central Café. A must-stop every time I'm in Bradenton. Always the same meal too: Tomato Blue Soup & Chicken Salad Salad. Clearly I decimated the soup before I even thought about my shot. It was soooo delish. And, following the week of nonstop eating, I was totally filled to the brim by this starter. I proceeded to devour every last morsel of the salad...followed by a couple of nibbles from mom's {she ordered the same thing and I can't resist candied nuts}. What can I say it was so delightful!

Saturday morning was wedding business yet again. This time in St. Pete. Super-productive planner meeting. Also super long.

Two and a half hours later we bolted home grabbed the fam and booked it to Publix for the best subs you'll ever have {also a requirement for Florida beach outings}, then made it to the beach by 2p. The weather was unbelievable. Breezy. Warm. Perfection.

We spent hours reading and relaxing for our final day. Braendi found what she thought was a hermit crab...turned out to be a conch {which was really cool and then really gross when it started its attempt to return itself to the water}.

Our final must-stop was Tyler's Ice Cream. Again, nothing compares. David's go-to: a Chocolate Malt. 

Mine: a banana milkshake {this time prepared with fresh banana and praline ice cream. Heaven in styrofoam. **pumpkin milkshakes are a must-get in the fall}

Dinner {as if it was necessary at this point} would have been leftover subs though mine was lost in a terrible beach accident in which it was somehow placed in the one plastic bag that had a massive hole in it in the ice-filled cooler. The poor sammy-half was waterlogged beyond saving, a sad moment indeed. Mine was the only one lost...

Sunday we were on a plane bright and early back to RI, a lovely and accomplished trip under our belts {including 4 bridesmaids and 1 ring bearer richer). [Driving time: 1 hour. Flying time: 4.5 hours (including a short stop in Philly)]

Other notable highlights:

*teaching Scrabble to Braendi. multiple games played. mom is too good {and I think I play a pretty good game myself}

*candy consumption. it was Easter week after all.

*consideration of travel to Cape Canaveral to see the penultimate shuttle launch. good thing we decided against it as the launch was scrubbed.

[Total Driving time: 35.5 hours (not including any local stuff)]