Newlyweds and Nesting: Elizabeth Anne Designs Living: A Food, Lifestyle, and Craft Blog

Thinking Spring!

Maggie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:24:01 +0000

Spring has sprung… in my head, at least! We had legitimate warm-ish sun last week, so it must really be here soon, right? I hope so, because I’m itching to get my spring on. It started with these gorgeous yellow ranunculus, which just scream spring to me:

Then sun turned to springlike showers, so I succumbed to the siren song of this trench.

Perfect for early spring, wouldn’t you say? So with allergy meds in hand and a true “spring” in my step (tired of the puns yet?), here’s what I’m ready for:

Cherry Blossoms! What better way to celebrate my new city than take part in its premier annual festival?

The National Mall! I’m a huge museum and monument nerd, and strolling The Mall sounds so much nicer when gloves aren’t required.

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Asparagus! Asparagus at the height of the season is a complete joy to eat.

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Baseball! I’m a big baseball fan, and while I’m a diehard Red Sox fan, I don’t have a National League team to cheer for. Enter The Nationals!

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Grilling! My parents gave me a very generous early birthday present when they visited: a new grill! In no time, I expect to be out there Bobby-style.

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And finally….

Planting! I’ll be picking up seedlings soon and can’t wait to dig into the dirt. Thanks so much for your wonderful urban patio gardening tips last week, by the way!

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Tell me… what has YOU excited for spring?

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Posted in: outdoor life

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More Kitchen Storage Please

Tara — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:00:35 +0000

For every space we decide to make our home a compromise was made. And if countless hours of HGTV have taught me anything it is that we are not alone in the eventual need to compromise on one of those needs as it is found to be slightly less of a priority given the options at hand. For an outdoor space, garage parking, and dogs allowed, I will sacrifice square footage and apparently even the amount of kitchen cabinets.

As a couple that enjoys cooking and does it often, we have accumulated a relatively large amount of kitchen tools and gadgets. So with a fraction of the cabinets that we need and not a pantry in sight, I have been in search of inspiration on how to maximize the storage space. If you can be open to exposing your pantry in full view, there are some very pretty shelves that are perfect when renovating to build new cabinets is not an option.

{Source: Pottery Barn}

{Source: Cottage Living via Remodelista}

{Source: Flickr}

And if you have the counter space but open wall above, simply adding shelves is always a good option in my book!

{Source: Domino magazine}

{Source: Modern in MN}

I have always had a bit of hesitation with open shelving in the kitchen as I like everything tucked away out of sight. But the never ending quest for more storage has this Type A gal embracing the full disclosure style of kitchen shelving. Any tips on how to keep that open shelving from looking like clutter!?

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Posted in: around the house

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Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce

ABC Dragoo — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:35 +0000

This is one of those “go to” recipes from my mom’s recipe book. It’s totally delicious and a complete snap to make. Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce is also the perfect dish for entertaining. Make it the day before, pop in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove top as your company arrives. Guess what? It actually tastes better the second day!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings remove and crumbled
1/2 tsp. dried red pepper flakes
1/2 c. diced onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz.) Italian plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/2 tsp. salt
12 oz. bow tie pasta (With the 1.5 cups of whipping cream, it is hardly heart healthy)
3 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Notes: If I am just making this dish for me and Mr. D, I will often prepare it with pre-cooked sweet italian chicken sausage (sliced thin) and whole wheat bow-tie pasta. It tastes fabulous – and is *slightly* healthier than using white flour pasta and regular sausage.

Directions:
Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and pepper flakes. Cook until sausage is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add onion and garlic to skillet and cook until onion is tender and sausage is light brown. Add tomatoes, cream and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until tender. Serve sauce over pasta, garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese.

E N J O Y !

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Posted in: cooking and food, dinner, recipes

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The Due Month

Jenna — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:29:17 +0000

Recently I’ve been overwhelmed by baby shower offers, which is an incredibly pleasant thing to be overwhelmed by if you ask me. However, as someone who didn’t really intend on having a shower (maybe an open house type after baby?) I haven’t given any thought at all to a registry. When a close friend brought up the idea once again I said yes and the planning began. I would have preferred to use alternate registry options, such as my personal favorite Wishpot, but the host (who is also a mother to an 8 month old) advised creating one at a physical location as well. I chose Babies”R”Us for its close proximity to my apartment, making returns easier just in case any well-intentioned guests decided to veer off the registry and pick up items we know we won’t use, and set about creating an online wish list of things I’d be able to open with a genuine smile.

My favorite item found on my Wishpot registry. I’m sure my organic farmer father would love to see his first grand-baby wearing this! From seller Twig and Closer on Etsy.

Aside from the daily “registry update” emails I seem to be unable to escape from, creating this second registry wasn’t so bad. Except at the very beginning, when they forced me to put down my due date to continue the sign-up process! Though I’ve been a bit more liberal about tossing it out toward the end, for the most part my exact due date has been held close. I’ve heard the stories from other women, detailing how miserable those last few weeks are, which is often compounded by the endless inquiries dropped in casual conversation by well-intentioned yet clueless strangers making jokes along the lines of “You still haven’t had that baby yet?” Trust me, with cankles, tiny feet in her ribs, trips to the bathroom on the hour every hour, heartburn, and the inability to lift herself off the floor, she would like to be able to provide you with an answer other than “Nope, not yet” accompanied by a rather forced smile.

This is why, on the Babies”R”Us registry… I lied. I pushed the date back by several days, hoping it might eliminate some of those questions for me. When people ask when I’m due, instead of responding with a due date, I give a due month, April. According to the American College of Midwives, only 5% of babies are born on their actual due date. Baby is considered full term at 37 weeks and can bask in my uterus for about 42, and so I think it’s silly to pinpoint a specific date on the calendar. As my belly gets bigger, and I start to look more miserable, I’m going to hold firm to my belief in the due date. There is no magic number, baby will come when s/he is ready and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Will you join me in my anti due-date campaign?

Let’s rephrase the question from “When are you due?” to “What month are you due?”. That way, the woman can decide what route she wants to take. If voicing the actual due date is important to them they can, but if they’re like me they’ll be free to answer however they please.

Oh, and if I respond to your question (no matter how you phrase it) with “April”, please don’t lean in and say “I mean, what day?” I feel bad when I feel cornered into telling lies, even little white ones that save my sanity.

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Posted in: pregnancy

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Nesting Report: Progress + Dream Decorating

ABC Dragoo — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:52:18 +0000

As you may recall from my post about beach inspired interior decor, we were asked to be in Florida for an interview the week before last. Mr. D has been talking to this company off and on for the last year about this job position – it was supposed to be the meeting that determined whether or not we were going to stay put in New York City, or relocate to Southern Florida. Par for the course, the interview was never scheduled. We’re still waiting with baited breath.

We’ve been living without a cocktail table in front of our sofa since early December. Finally, we broke down and requested time at our storage facility in the Bronx. This past Friday morning, we liberated our glass table from storage. Hooray!! The addition of one simple piece has kicked me into nesting mode! I am totally dying to fill this spot on the wall over our Ballard Designs Terrific Table.

I’d like to put the Eagan Mirror from Pottery Barn in the empty spot on the wall to the right in the photo above.

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It reminds me a bit of our black mirrored wall DIY project from the Greene Street apartment. Good thing is that it is not permanent and could easily find a spot in the next place we move. The Eagan Mirror would reflect the light (and hopefully the view) out our South facing windows. Please don’t mind the empty space on the floor in front of the sofa … I am working on a solution for that too!

The sofa used to sit in the front room of our old apartment, and the cocktail table in the back family room. I never noticed how nicely the curve of the table looked with the arm of the sofa… until they got placed next to one another. I am quite delighted with this happy accident!

The pattern in the tufting of the sofa (soft + light) mimics the grid on our vintage wine rack (dark + hard) – I think that they play nicely off one another.

Now, for that empty patch on our “living area” floor: I have fallen in love with Kyle Bunting cowhide rugs. They have a carpet available for quick ship called Rewind. It would pull all of these elements together perfectly. The barley color would look amazing with the wood floor and the slate grey would relate to our bed headboard. Decisions, decisions…

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Speaking of our headboard… we are night stand free at the moment. I have my eye on the Beam two-drawer end tables by Environment Furniture.

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Since our headboard is very modern in design, I think that they are the perfect fit for our eclectic apartment design. The reclaimed wood plays off the traditional lines of our sofa, wine rack and two dining chairs. The modern lines go with the bed, cocktail table and our super sleek sideboard that doubles as a media console.

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This old oversized mirror (8ft x 5.5ft) hangs opposite the sofa. It’s a great old mirror that I have had since my days in Chicago. It’s lived in the bedroom, and hung over fireplace mantles and now it’s hanging over the media console. I am dying to paint the niche where this hangs in an accent color, but alas this is a rental apartment and we have no idea how long we’re going to be staying around.

That is the update from our little studio in the Financial District. So far, so good – all this decorating makes me want to start taking interior design clients again… it’s just too much fun for me to dream decorate!

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Posted in: around the house, beautiful things, decor

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Urban Patio Gardening

Maggie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:42 +0000

We’re lucky enough to have a large patio in our new apartment. While I love grilling and lounging in the sun with a good book as much as the next person, I must confess the biggest reason our patio excites me: GARDENING! The patio of our last apartment was always too windy for anything to prosper, but I’m hopeful that the interesting angles of our new patio will provide protection from the wind and offer both sun and shade.

I’ve so missed having my own herbs right outside to use while cooking (seriously, I grit my teeth every time I have to buy basil at the store, which is weekly). And I love the thought of trying to grow greens and vegetables in containers, too – maybe as practice for the “real” garden we might have someday. Here are some images from my urban patio garden inspiration folder that have me eager to dig in (winkwink) and get started:

Even the tiniest spaces can accommodate container gardens, depending on your conditions. I mean, if this apartment can do it…

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Herbs galore! Going vertical is so smart.

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There’s a lot going on here, but not a lot of food. However, the concept of stacking plants to line a wall is perfect for any small outdoor space.

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Container gardening isn’t just for herbs. These would be great on a patio.

source and how-to

Mix in some herbs and vegetables with these decorative plants – my kind of gorgeous!

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Please excuse me while I go graze on greens for dinner.

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Lounging in the greenery.

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I saved the best for last. Does it get any cooler than a vertical herb garden for an urban space? I think not!

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I’d love to hear your stories and tips about patio gardening. What are your do’s and don’ts? Here’s a helpful guide for those of you also considering taking the patio garden plunge: Tips on starting a patio garden from Epicurious.

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Posted in: outdoor life

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Homemade Rosemary Salt

Briana — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:25 +0000

Are you ready for the easiest impressive gourmet DIY you’ve ever seen? (Ok, maybe not EVER, but it’s pretty easy). Two words for you: Rosemary Salt. You’ve already probably figured that out from the post title. So away we go!

You will need:

-1 cup of sea salt, your choice (they say there’s a difference in qualities of sea salt but darned if I can tell the difference, so I just use whatever’s on sale)
-1/4 cup packed fresh rosemary
-Jar in which you can put your salt (can’t say this enough: save your old glass jars!!)

Step 1: Measure.

Step 2 Put in food processor.

Process until it looks something like this (no more big chunks of rosemary in there)

Step 3: Put in a bottle and let it sit around in a dark, cool spot for about 1 month.

Rosemary salt is great for so many things. I keep it by the stove and throw it in when I’m cooking meat dishes, pasta…whatever!

Let me know if you try it, and if so, how you like to use it!

-B

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Posted in: cooking and food, frugal

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Orange Blueberry Muffins

Amy I — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:51 +0000

I have a newfound appreciation for oranges. Citrus fruit is at its peak here in the wintertime, but in the past I’ve always shunned oranges in favor of my beloved lemons.

Recently I’ve been buying a lot more fruit, and as I’ve been looking around grocery stores for the best-looking produce, I’ve given oranges another try. I’m happily realizing that there’s such a huge variety of types (shapes, sizes, and colors) to play with. I’m sure my little orange friends will keep me entertained until spring rolls around.

I made these muffins with one of my new favorites, cara cara oranges. They’re delicate, thin-skinned, and resemble pink grapefruit on the inside. I also used the blueberries we picked last summer, which is always a special treat. These muffins are incredibly light; the texture was among the best of any muffin I’ve made. Also, like many of Dorie Greenspan’s recipes, they’re really versatile, so feel free to play with your fruit.

Orange Blueberry Muffins
Adapted from Dorie Greenspan
Makes 12 muffins
Printable Recipe

Grated zest and juice of one orange
About 3/4 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons honey
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking power
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (not thawed)
Turbinado sugar, for topping (optional)

1. Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 400F. Grease a regular 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick baking spray or line with paper liners. Place the muffin pan on a baking sheet.

2. Pour the orange juice into a large glass measuring cup or a bowl and pour in enough buttermilk to make 1 cup. Whisk in the eggs, honey, and melted butter.

3. In a large bowl, rub the sugar and orange zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and the fragrance of orange is strong. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and, with the whisk or rubber spatula, gently but quickly stir to blend. Don’t worry about being thorough. The batter will be lumpy and bubbly. Stir in the blueberries, and divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. If you want to top the muffins with turbinado sugar, sprinkle on after the muffins have baked for 10 minutes. When fully baked, the muffins will be golden and springy to the touch and a tester inserted into the center will come out clean. Allow to cool on a rack for 5 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan.

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Posted in: breakfast, cooking and food, recipes

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Time-management from the home office

Maggie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:00:37 +0000

For the time being, I’m working out of a home office that also doubles as a guest bedroom. It makes the most sense to do so given the logistics of my current job, and to be honest… I’d rather work in sweats with NPR droning on all day long anyway. I’ll post about home office decor soon (hint: some of it might look familiar), but for now, I’d love some advice from my fellow telecommuters about time management. Particularly when our apartment is still full of unpacked boxes and a never-ending To Do list, I’m finding it really difficult to ignore the chores and focus on what I get paid to do for eight hours a day.

I have made one smart decision for my working self: driving my husband to work each day. It sounds silly, but waking up earlier than I might like to in order to get him to his office by 7:00 a.m. is the sort of routine that helps frame my work day, even if I’m the only one who knows it. By the time I get back to our apartment, I’m awake and ready for coffee – and much less likely to climb back into that cozy bed.

But oh, the distractions! Here’s what I have trouble with:

Unpacking and organizing. While our apartment is livable right now, there’s still so much that needs to be done. Working in the midst of boxes, it’s impossible to ignore them or feel like I can put them off until later. They’re right there. Just one box! And then I’ve unpacked ten of them. (And don’t even get me started on “just one quick Ikea assembly…”)

Daytime errands. It’s so much easier to run errands in the middle of the day than after normal work hours, when the rest of the world is running errands. More times than I can count, I’ve told myself how much more effective I’ll be doing that thing that needs doing in the mid-morning, and then I’ve justified it with the ease of city parking during the daytime. But as we know, one errand can so easily lead to an afternoon of them.

Service scheduling. “I work from home, so come at any time.” I’ve said it to cable guys, maintenance folks, building management, etc. And it’s true, I do work from home and I can receive them at any time… but if I’m on the clock should I really be assisting the building manager as he climbs behind our washer/dryer to fix the wiring?

Evening realities. Telling myself that I’ll make up for lost daytime hours by working at night has become a complete joke. When T gets home for the day, I want to be with him, not shut away in the home office. So if making up for lost time then isn’t a reality… when is it?

So tell me… what tips help you shut away the world while working from home (or at least quiet it a little)? Is it silly for me to expect so much of myself when our life is still in cardboard-boxed chaos? Should I get my apartment in order, then work my days away… or set my work rules now and early, when the best habits will stick?

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Posted in: around the house, life

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ABCD’s Banana Bread Recipe

ABC Dragoo — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:00:54 +0000

After nearly a month of waiting on my Sur la Table cassis french oven to arrive (what a nightmare!) it finally landed in the Financial District around the 12th of February. Our dear friend had entered into a Valentines Day Chili cook-off, and wouldn’t you know… he put out an email alert that he was in need of a large Dutch oven. Mr. D offered up our Le Creuset, and I have not seen it again since! Boo!

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I thought I’d share my favorite recipe for banana bread this week, perhaps one of you will try the recipe and I can live vicariously through you? {winkwink} Without further ado, here is the ‘My-oh-my I am dying to blow off some steam and bake a Banana Bread’ recipe:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (then lower to 250 for second half hour)
Bake time: 60 minutes 30 minutes at 350, 30 minutes at 250

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 super ripe bananas (the browner, the better!)
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts – totally optional
pinch of salt

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar. Mix in eggs. Add in bananas. Continue to cream together ingredients until everything is incorporated. Slowly add flour, soda, powder, salt. Add optional walnuts last.

Bake in a greased and lightly floured loaf pan.

Enjoy warm with a hot cup of coffee and a smear of butter ~ delish!

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Posted in: breakfast, cooking and food, dessert, recipes

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