Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Vintage Kitchen - Farmhouse

I was so inspired by the Farm to Table Etsy Finds this morning.  I love the locavore approach to food and the vintage farmhouse/country style is so me.   

 Clockwise from the top:

Midsummer Mini Collection by TheMeasure, $255

Vintage Donut and Biscuit Cutter from ethanolie, $10

Vintage Cruet Frame from cottagefarm, $28

Vintage Bakeware from oldschoolfarm, $16.50

I've been decorating our kitchen and master bedroom with finds from the Kane County flea market - last weekend I found this amazing window with screen, it might have been an insert in a screen door.  It's either going to be a pin board or a chalk board, but it's shabby peeling paint is perfection.  Last summer I found a dry goods storage bin that I need to sand and give a white paint wash - another day, another post.

Vintage Dessert Glasses from TheOldRedHen

I've also found beautiful pieces from TheOldRedHen on Etsy - her shop is in vacation mode while she moves, but I strongly recommend you check back when she opens.

I love thrifting and the flea market, but the vintage shops on Etsy make it so easy to search and find the perfect pieces.  I'm still looking for a wash basin and pitcher for our bedroom, shutters to make a headboard.  I'm not sure what I'll do with myself when it's all done.

You can see more Vintage Farm to Table in my treasury here:

Monday, June 6, 2011

Dress Yourself in Handmade - Summer Linen

I love wearing linen in the summer, even though wrinkles usually drive me crazy, there's something about light and airy linen dresses and tunics that is so relaxing even my OCD can chill.

Clockwise from the top:

Scoop Linen Tunic by pamelatang, $115

French Nautical Navy Striped Purse by ikabags, $44.67

Golden Bell Flower Charm Ring by kathiroussel, $68

Eco-Chic Ballet Flats by TheGeneration, $60

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Dress Yourself in Handmade - Farmer's Market Totes

Tis the season, farmer's markets are popping up all over the place.  Bring a handmade tote and you'll be set!

Clockwise from the top:

Stripe Day Bag by THIMBLEandACORN, $70

Screen Printed Mason Jar Grocery Bags by ohlittlerabbit, $15

DAILY Market Bag by neikodesigns, $45

Treehouse Tote by jennarosehandmade, $48

Friday, June 3, 2011

Locavore - Geneva Green Market



Kelly and I were so excited to go to the first Geneva Green Market of the summer.  This local farmers market has vendors within 200 miles of Geneva and runs June - October on Thursday from 7:00am - 1:00pm.  It even runs throughout the winter at Inglebrook Pantry - fresh cuts of meat, sausage, cheese, bread, farm fresh eggs, plants, veggies - it's a perfect way to eat local and support local farmers and businesses. 

It was the first market of the summer, so there weren't too many vendors, but we did pretty good: Fresh wholegrain bread, locally grown asparagus, amazing blue cheese and beautiful pink peonies.  Oh, there was also a brownie cupcake that was inhaled on the ride home by a certain 5 year old.



The trick to get your cut peonies to open is to use tepid/warm water.  You can even beat up the stems a bit with a hammer if they are woody - this helps them absorb more water.  Make sure to remove lots of their foliage as well, as pretty as it is, it will make them wilt faster. 


My husband is on this no-carb, low carb diet.  While I support him in this, I will not deny myself bready goodness, I just do it in secret.  Or at least not in front of his face. 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

From the Kitchen - Pasta with Anchovy, Capers and Tomatoes

I had the taste for anchovies the other day and remembered an episode of Lidia's Italy where she cooked them in a bit of olive oil to start an easy sauce.  Luckily I had taken notes during the show and was able to dig them out by some miracle to make some dinner magic.  Lidia Bastianich is one of my idols, I love her cooking style and her recipes are always stellar.

This sauce cooks up in the same amount of time as the pasta.  And if you think you don't like anchovies think again.  They are cooked down to nothing, you will never know they're in the sauce, except for the amazing flavor.


If you have capers, anchovies, garlic, tomatoes and pasta in your cabinet you are ready to go.  I also add a healthy pinch of red pepper flakes and some fresh torn basil at the end.  Canned diced tomatoes work best in the winter/fall, fresh tomatoes are best when in season.



The only prep work is cutting up 3-4 anchovies and 3 cloves of garlic.  Get the pasta going and start your sauce.


Pasta with Anchovies, Capers and Tomatoes  (adapted from Lidia Bastianich)

Angel Hair pasta
3-4 anchovies
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup capers
1 large tomato or several smaller romas (or canned diced tomatoes)
pinch of red pepper flakes
fresh basil
olive oil
salt to taste

Finely chop anchovies and garlic and dice the tomato.  Cook your pasta according to the box instructions.  Saute anchovies in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, over low-medium heat until they are cooked down into a paste.  Add garlic and saute - keep an eye on it - burned garlic ruins sauce.  Add chopped tomatoes, capers and pinch of red pepper flakes and let simmer on low while you deal with the pasta.

Before draining the pasta, reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water.  Drain pasta and add the noodles directly to the sauce pan.  Add as much reserved pasta water as needed to bring the sauce together.  I don't add much, maybe one small ladle.  Add torn basil leaves and a pinch of salt to taste.  Voila, dinner is served.

Printable recipe card: Pasta with Anchovies, Capers and Tomatoes

From the Kitchen - Summer Baking

Summer is approaching and all I can think of is baking.  It must be the fresh fruits, I'm dreaming of cobblers, pies, tarts, fresh crust.  It's just like me to want to take all this healthy food and make it fattening. 


Clockwise from the top:

Linen Cafe Apron by smallbatchproductions, $30

Ceramic Farm Dish from TheVintageParlor, $13

Kitchen Storage Bag by RosiesArmoire, $38

Coffee Mug Measuring Cups from Splinkville, $22

Lots of recipes to come!