What's on my desk...

Kits, of course, with Tinsel and Treasures coming up...  The one below is joining the rest being boxed up for the show, and more are in process today. Yesterday we tackled not one but both printers expiring at the office, but managed to get up and running by installing the all in one fax to Alain's computer. Miraculously, the printer at the store sorted itself out and stopped printing everything in blue...

I also started working with some leather I've had for a short while, taking a break from other chores on Sunday to fool around a little bit. I like working with a different, more organic texture for a change, and was pleased with this first effort, even though I spent a lot of time cutting the leather by hand...

Hello, old friend...

I got a hankering the other day for something a little devilish, my common sense prevailed and I ended up making this delicious vegetarian substitution, the "DLT." Harking back to our macro days, I went to the pantry and pulled out some seaweed (yes, you heard me right), and toasted it in our panini pan, which turns out to be perfect for this task.

Now, this is not any ordinary seaweed. This is a scrumptious variety called dulse, and it is applewood smoked, much as bacon would be. Dulse grows off our eastern coastline, and was eaten by the Indians, and indeed, by the settlers when they arrived as well. So you can rest assured it is practically as all American as a hot dog.

After toasting in the panini pan, prepare as you would any lettuce and tomato sandwich. We used La Brea Bakery's beautiful bread, and a tomato from Bridgette's garden that was to die for. If you want this vegan, use grapeseed oil Vegennaise... bon appetit!

My Mouli...

My sister is in the shedding mode, and gifted me with this old Mouli grater, something I have wanted for a long time. I've seen modern versions used in some restaurants, but this weathered one with it's little red handle is all the more dear to me. The hasp lifts up and you pop in a piece of grating cheese into the little compartment.

It took a turn with this chilled pasta salad last week, effortlessly churning out a cascade of fine peccorino romano at the finish. The French company, Moulinex, still makes these little graters, but if you have a yen for an old one like this, check out the online sites, and you'll most likely find one.

Getting ready...

I had a heck of a time getting started on my kits this year for Tinsel and Treasures, finding it somehow hard to switch gears and put on my packaging cap this time. I guess I was dreading having to resize all my artwork and graphics to fit the new box that replaced my old trusty one. I did manage to step up to the plate, though, and started working with some of our Antiquities castings to create the bracelet shown above. There's also vintage swarovski drops and the coolest rhinestone circlet connectors. One strand on each side of the bracelet feeds through the center of those connectors.

Next, I moved on to these earrings, which were inspired by some buttons I bought from a friend. I splurged on all sorts of vintage shell buttons, and these long, triangular shaped ones immediately got the wheels turning for earrings using our little Infant of Prague drops. They're paired with vintage mother of pearl beads, aged double rhinestone rondelles, and little faceted mother of pearl beads.

These vintage gold plated crosses that came from back east were the inspiration for these earrings, making me want to pair them with something rich. I chose some old ornate Miriam Haskell bead caps, and then sandwiched those around some of the biggest Haskell baroques I had in my stash, and I love the look. A simple wire wrap and two connections, and you are done.

I still have many more on my desk right now, including two versions of an earring based on my reliquary necklaces. Stay tuned!

Culinary Catch Up....

 

Mister made up for lost time by cooking up some wonderful meals last week. He'd been locked in on a large project and working on his web site, and decided to take a little break from the digital, and switch on the culinary vibe with a dish from his home country, Belgium. Lapin au sauce moutarde, or as we like to call it, rabbit in white wine mustard sauce. In one word, heaven.

 

There is cream involved, grainy mustard, wine, and little rabbit legs, seared and braised to perfection. Mushrooms bob in the silky sauce, waiting for their moment in the spotlight. I got caught sneaking one out early and was scolded...

Perfectly cooked frites to accompany this dish, cooked in the massive cast iron dutch oven I dragged around the flea market last year. It is now seasoned to perfection and does duty on big jobs like this. We hailed a neighbor walking by our open window and they came in for a plate with us! Totally what I love about our neighborhood....

 This was a really decent bottle of wine. Track it down if you can and take it for a spin.

 

Prior to the lapin,we discovered small lobster tails on sale, and paired them with some shrimp for a rare treat, lobster risotto...

 Secret ingredient alert: If you've never tried the Better Than Bouillon products, here's a heads up. You won't likely find the lobster base in your local store, but order it online. It's heaven in a jar. They make lots of great products, but this is a must have for seafood risottos and such. It has all the wonderful aspects and nuances of a good seafood stock, plus spices. Check out the result:

YUM! Lovely translucent grains of risotto, with chunks of rosy shrimp and lobster tucked in there, and fresh herbs from our kitchen garden snipped in there. Life was very, very good last week....

Catching up...

 

Let's see, what have I been up to? Well, a lot of homebody-ing, enjoying the mild weather we've been having (knock on wood it continues), and enjoying the season's bounty. Alain came home with a stack of fresh corn that we ate up steamed, with butter, salt and lime juice all over it. One of the best things on earth, in my book...

A little decorating, moving some willow up onto the mantle and adding my new objet, a rusted urn my sister in law gave me from her garden bench. The lemon catcher seems to like the new additions...

Trying to enjoy the little corners and spaces of my home more, like our little breakfast room. These were spaces that were de rigeur in the homes of the twenties, a little room off the kitchen, usually with a window facing east to catch the morning sun.

A new addiction for breakfast. This usually has carrot and daikon in it, but we only had cucumbers that morning, but still delicious. I could eat this every day...just rice vinegar and a splash of Thai sweet chili sauce. Seriously good.

The dogs have been weathering the heat all right, opting to flop on pillows and the coolness of the leather sofa in the den. Here's Noodge, completely unconscious in an afternoon nap...

And Tini (slightly more ladylike) right next to her...

I'll try and post what chef Jamar has been up to in the kitchen soon...