Orange Butter

This orange butter is ridiculously simple but adds an elegant and tasty touch. Perfect on muffins or toast, and just heavenly with these chocolate chip scones.

Orange Butter

1 orange (for 1 T. juice and 2 tsp. rind)
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 stick unsalted butter, softened

Zest a few strips of orange rind, set aside for garnish. Grate orange peel until you have 2 teaspoons. Juice orange for 1 tablespoon of juice. In a small bowl, mix grated orange peel, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla. Add softened butter, mix until thoroughly combined. Place orange butter in serving dish, garnish with reserved orange zest. Serve at room temperature.

Weekend Glimpse

This weekend was primarily spent slaving away on Cory's new home studio. There was some of this...

And a little bit of this...
James relaxing with his new cat toy, a catnip stuffed "stick," made specially for him by Finkelstein's Center. He carries it around in his mouth like a little dog.

Cory's new room is almost done, I still need to make new curtains and put the closet doors back up. I'll post the before and after soon!

Not pictured:
- a real snowstorm. I love it.
- snowed in (but am I really snowed in if I wasn't going to leave the house anyways?)
- Vanilla Coke
- lots of Ikea assemblage
- saw Tron (more fun than I expected)
- aching muscles
- milkshakes
- Psych season 4

Ikea Trip

We decided Cory's office needed a makeover... all of a sudden. So we rented a minivan and stuffed it to the rafters with flatpacked goodies. Gotta love Ikea!

Check back on Monday to see what we've been doing with it all. Until then, I'll be swimming in allen wrenches.

Cool Raspberry Soup

 This soup is an elegant starter or refreshing dessert. It's simple to make and can be done the day before. Make it once, you'll love it forever.

Cool Raspberry Soup

1 package (20 ounces) frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1-1/4 cups water
1 cup cran-raspberry juice
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 whole cloves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup (8 ounces) raspberry yogurt
1/3 cup sour cream
whipped cream for garnishing

In a blender, puree raspberries and water . Transfer to a large saucepan and add the cran-raspberry juice, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Bring just to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat; pour through a sieve to remove the cloves and most of the seeds, allow to cool (depending on your sieve, the straining may take a little while, I leave mine and let it drip through).  Once cooled, whisk in lemon juice, yogurt, and sour cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, pour into small bowls and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Yield: 6 servings.

*original recipe many years ago from Taste of Home, I've adapted slightly.

Note: If you have any leftovers, it makes the most amazing raspberry milkshakes when blended with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream. Seriously, I almost passed out it was so good.

Züpfe Traditions

Every Christmas, my mom makes Züpfe, a traditional braided Swiss bread. My grandmother made it, as did her mother before her. I love family traditions that are passed down from generation to generation, and this one is tasty to boot. Züpfe, or Zopf, as it is often referred to, is baked in the form of a plait and traditionally eaten on Sunday mornings. It's a thick bread, excellent for toasting and smearing with good butter and honey. I can't wait to teach my children how to make it, though I had better perfect my braiding technique first.

Stuffed Strawberries

I served these stuffed strawberries at the Christmas party, and they were so good! They'd be perfect for a bridal shower or dinner party. They don't transport particularly well (they like to move around), so plan to fill them on-site if you're taking them out.

Stuffed Strawberries

1 quart fresh strawberries
1 package softened cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. Cool Whip
1/2 c. confectioner's sugar
sanding sugar

Prepare the strawberries for filling by slicing 3/4 of the way through the berry, from tip to stem. You can leave the green leafy part on if you like, though it may make it more difficult to stand the berries up. If you decide to cut it off, do so before making the slice from tip to stem. Once all the berries have been prepared, place them on your serving dish. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with the vanilla. Beat in the Cool Whip and confectioner's sugar. Spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip or into a large ziplock bag with a corner snipped. Use one hand to gently open the strawberry, then insert the tip of the filling bag and squeeze until berry is filled. Garnish with chunky sanding sugar. Best if chilled for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Note: Experiment with the flavors and garnishes! Try orange extract, hazelnut, lemon juice... sprinkle with chopped nuts, grated chocolate, or lime zest!

Brunch Party

It seems the longer the break, the harder it is to get back to the regular routine. I guess my vacation is officially over now, and the days ahead are getting booked pretty full so it would seem my crazy schedule is back as well.

The weekend was quite packed and though I took many photos of some wonderful recipes that I'll be sharing soon, I don't have many photos to show today.

We had a lovely Sunday brunch with some dear friends, and I had fun setting the table and planning the menu.

I chose a colorful scheme of red and blue, inspired by my vintage dishware and my new napkins from Anthropologie.

Here's the menu:
- Cool Raspberry Soup
- Chocolate Chip Scones
- Blackberry & Lime Scones
- Peppercrusted Bacon
- Orange Butter
- Christmas Morning Eggs

I'll update the above with links as I post the recipes. I love this menu because I can do almost all the prep work the day before... all I had to do the morning of was cook the bacon, scones, and eggs.

I hope you had a lovely weekend and a very happy new year!

Not pictured:
- wonderful New Year's Eve with friends
- sleeping in
- LOST season 6 marathon
- unpacking
- lots dishes
- belated Christmas with Cory's family
- pizza

What I use

image via creature comforts via apartment therapy

I just read this post by Creature Comforts and then read the original post by Apartment Therapy about stuff we actually use vs. stuff we have. It's something I have been thinking about for a while now, sorting through all the things and stuff and forgotten objects. Digging in the recesses of the closet and in the boxes taped up since the move, and seeing what really there and what's worth keeping. For a while I felt like I if I did it, I'd have to go crazy getting rid of stuff and then I'd regret losing what I got rid of. But I've realized that I don't want minimalist decor and a completely clutter-free home. I can lose the pot with the broken handle, the stained dishtowels, and the skirts from college and never miss them. But the mismatched silver from my Grandma, the vintage tablecloths I love to use for everyday, and the stack of magazines I still flip through, these will stay. For me, a little clutter is okay if it's meaningful and happy. Somewhere in the purging, I think I'll find the balance between that which I use and love and that which is just taking up space.

Anybody else ready to purge? What's on your list to keep?

Lucite Cake Platter

My sweet husband gave me this gorgeous vintage lucite cake platter, and I love it. This will be a piece that I treasure for always. I'm already envisioning the many cakes that will sit on it proudly!

P.S. The one pictured above is actually still available, and offered by High Street Market. I'm just too lazy to take my own photo, and it is identical. I haven't found any other ones like this online, so somebody better snatch it up!

Holiday Party Decor

I love this holiday party that was featured on The Hostess with the Mostess! I think it would be perfect for New Years Eve.

 Those succulent trees are fabulous, not to mention the jaw-dropping chandelier. Check out the original post for more gorgeous photos!

Antipasto Skewers

These skewers are a snap to make, and look so pretty! Not to mention oh-so-tasty!

Antipasto Skewers

1 pint cherry tomatoes
12. oz. fresh mozzarella
12 oz. jar of artichoke hearts
1/2 lb. of salami, sliced very thin
1/2 c. olive oil
3 T. balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. rosemary

Wash tomatoes, cut in half. Cut mozzarella into bite-size cubes, no larger than 1 inch.  Fold salami into fourths. Drain artichokes, cut into bite-size pieces. Assemble skewers on long party toothpicks (I remove the plastic frills): tomato, mozzarella, salami, artichoke, tomato. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Whisk together until completely combined. Place one layer of skewers in a deep container, drizzle with the dressing. Repeat with remaining skewers and dressing. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve (best if they can marinate for several hours).Yield: approximately 30 skewers.

*inspired by PW's Rosemary Skewers

Christmas Glimpse

We had a fabulous Christmas, I hope you did too!

The amazing Totoro was made by Three Bad Seeds, of course. I'll post more photos of our favorite gifts in the next few days.

Christmas Card

Merry Christmas from our little family to yours!

The old photo with the semi-creepy cat children is our tradition, see the past few years here and here.

Marshmallows

These homemade marshmallows are such a treat for hot chocolate or just by themselves! Wrap them up in a pretty package for an extra-special gift.

Marshmallows

2 c. sugar
3/4 c. hot water
1 c. light corn syrup
1/2 c. water
2 T. unflavored gelatin 
2 tsp. vanilla
confectioners sugar

In a saucepan, combine sugar, hot water, and corn syrup. Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Remove lid, cook to 240 degrees F (use a candy thermometer), stirring occasionally. Soak gelatin in 1/2 c. water in a stand-alone mixer bowl, let sit for 1-2 minutes.Slowly pour cooked mixture over gelatin, beating constantly. Once the mixture begins to thicken, add in vanilla. Beat on high speed for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the mixture is sticking in the beaters. Pour into a buttered 8" square pan. Let cool uncovered for several hours or overnight. Turn out onto a cutting board that has been dusted with confectioners sugar. Cut into squares with a wet pizza cutter or kitchen shears. Dust all sides in confectioner's sugar, sprinkles, or dip in chocolate.

Tip: The cooked mixture will hang around 225 degrees for a while before moving up, the last few degrees will go quickly. Once the temperature gets to around 237, soak the gelatin in the water so that it is ready when the mixture reaches 240.

DIY Winter Miniatures

Here's a couple miniature winter scenes I created a couple years ago. I still enjoy them, so I thought I'd share the simple ideas with you.

Winter Scene Favor / Placecard

This DIY miniature winter scene is sure to delight! It serves as a placecard, and doubles as a favor when you tuck a sweet Christmas treat inside.

Materials: Miniature trees and deer, artificial snow (these three items came from local five and dime), favor box (party supply store), ribbon style paper tag (Martha Stewart, or cut out yourself).

Instructions: Attach trees to box top with hot glue. Attach snow to surrounding box top with spray fixative. Attach deer with hot glue. Fold tag in half, attach to sides of box top with white glue or hot glue. Place Christmas candy inside box. Let the guests enjoy!

This project was featured on design*sponge, and won me some cool prizes in a holdiay entertaining contest!

Winter Wonderland
This adorable winter scene serves as a delightful centerpiece or a pleasing accent to any holiday display.

Materials: cardboard cake round, miniature artificial trees, artificial snow, small woodland animal toy, printed phrase and birds (cut out of a magazine our print out online), hot glue.

Instructions: Attach trees to cardboard with hot glue, attach artificial snow to surround cardboard, nestle animal(s) into snow, attach with hot glue. Cut out printed birds and phrase, attach with hot glue.

Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese

Here's a little appetizer I threw together for the Christmas party. It's really simple, looks festive, and is soooo good.

Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese

1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

3/4 c. roasted red peppers (diced, drained and gently squeezed dry)

1 green onion, thinly sliced (green portion only)

In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with garlic salt. Chill for 20 minutes or until firm enough to handle. Meanwhile, prepare the peppers by dicing and making sure all the liquid has been removed. Squeeze gently with a paper towel, set aside. Thinly slice the green portion of a green onion. Once the cream cheese is chilled and firm, scoop it onto a piece of plastic wrap into a tube formation. Wrap the plastic wrap around it, then roll and mold into an 8 inch log. On another piece of plastic wrap, sprinkle the diced pepper and green onion in a rectangular shape, about 8" x 4". Gently unmold the cream cheese log onto the peppers and onion, and roll back and forth, coating all the sides. (If the cream cheese is too soft to handle, it can be chilled once more before rolling in the peppers and onion.) Wrap the plastic wrap around the coated log, and roll back and forth again to make sure the cream cheese log is uniformly shaped. Store refridgerated in an airtight conatiner until ready to serve. Serve with crackers.

Weekend Glimpse

What a full and wonderful weekend! The days were packed, but enjoyable. The following photos are only from Saturday....

Started the day off right, with birthday cake! This confection was for Knack's little B. Dark Chocolate Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream and Chocolate Chunk Mousse filling. Can I get a Mmmmmmmm?

Here it is boxed up for delivery, accompanied by the cake garland.

I also got to help Annie with wedding flowers, bright and early. I love the textures and colors for this winter wedding... soft whites and brushy greens and wildflower blues.

Packaged up more food gifts, about half shown here.

Filled shop orders. Is it wrong that gift wrapping them is my favorite part?

Ended the day by celebrating sweet Granny's 94th birthday. Love her so much!

Not pictured:
- office Christmas party
- wrapping the last of the presents
- listening The Sing Off music (kinda addicted)
- cooked a real Southern breakfast
- cleaned out the car
- long lines at the post office

Food Gifts + Giveaway Winner

First off, the winner of the Two Over Zero recipe card giveaway is commenter #3, Barbara! Congratulations, Barbara! I'll be emailing you shortly to get your mailing address. (The winner was chosen using random.org) You guys were totally making me drool with those scrumptious-sounding recipes you listed!

Here's how I'm using my Two Over Zero recipe cards...

I'm including them as a little extra with these boxes of treats I've packaged up. I didn't get it done in time for the photo, but I'll be using one of the cards to copy the recipe for one of the goodies. That way, the recipients get a box full of yummy sweets, and can recreate them too! I think they'll be a hit.

Giveaway: Recipe Cards

I've got a special surprise for you, a set of 10 4x6 recipe cards from Two Over Zero! I love these cards and use them all the time, the size and attractive simplicity makes them perfect for jotting down a recipe or passing one along to a friend.

To Enter:

Leave a comment mentioning your favorite Christmas recipe, 

please include the email address you can be contacted at.

This giveaway will close on Friday, December 17 at 5:00 pm EST.

I'll ship these out right away, so you should get them in time for Christmas. They'd make a great gift, or you can keep them all for your self (I won't tell!). Check back tomorrow to see how I'm sharing them!

 A big thanks to Two Over Zero for sponsoring this giveaway! They're having a great 30% off sale, so if you don't win you can still pick up some goodies for yourself and get a sweet deal!

Neutral Wreath Roundup

I'm loving the look of neutral wreaths this season. Here are my top picks, I'd be happy to hang any one of these on my door!

1. Photo Wreath (DIY from Country Living)
2. Felted Wreath (West Elm, but no longer for sale)
3. Door Sweater (Cranny, $34.50)
4. Twinkling Doily Wreath (DIY from Martha Stewart)
5. Wings of Butterfly Wreath (Royal Buffet)

Christmas Party + Weekend Glimpse

It was a marvelous weekend for our 3rd annual Christmas Soiree!

There were good friends...

And there was good food...

Unfortunately, I neglected to appoint a designated photographer, and the few snaps I took didn't turn out so well, so this are probably the only photos you'll see of the actual party. But it was a rockin' good time, you'll just have to trust me.

Here's the menu (I'll update this with links as I post the recipes):

Savory
- Jalapeno Popper Dip (huge hit!)
- Baby BLT's (my new favorite go-to party food, just bacon, roma tomatoes, baby romaine, and baguette with this marvelous sun-dried tomato mayo)
- Antipasto Skewers (so pretty and delicious)
- Mini Crab Cakes (I cheated and bought these frozen, it kept me sane. I did make a yummy dipping sauce for them.)
- Sweet Garlic Meatballs (always a crowd favorite, I get complaints if they don't make an appearance)
- Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Log (something that I threw together, I totally love it)

Sweet
- Sugar Cookie Doves (gotta have the cutout cookies!)
- Mini Vanilla Cupcakes with Holiday Spice Frosting (oh so yummy)
- Homeade Marshmallows (people go crazy for these!)
- English Toffee (I could eat this year-round)
- Sponge Candy (my favorite family traditional candy, it's very unique)
- Coffee Truffles (cheated, bought these tasty delights)
- Salted Vanilla Caramels (I cannot stop eating these!)
- Stuffed Strawberries (so good, I got them perfected for the recipe post)

Drinks
- Cran-Raspberry Punch (equal parts cran-raspberry juice and cranberry sierra mist, with floating sliced limes. So simple and delicious, the perfect balance to party foods.)
- Ice Water (with limes)


So there you have it... the food certainly disappeared so I think it was a hit. Check back over the next couple weeks for the recipes!

Tee Shirt Sale!

I had a very busy weekend and haven't had a chance to edit my photos yet, so look for my weekend post on Tuesday. In the meantime, I wanted to pass along the news about an awesome tee shirt sale!

My friends at Dapper Ink have recently launched their own clothing line, Parachute, with designs by the oh-so-cool Andrew Ramos. To celebrate the launch, they're offering a crazy awesome sale. If you're in Greenville, stop by their retail location (next to Community Tap on Wade Hampton Blvd.) or drop in the virtual store at MadeByParachute.com.

This is my favorite design so far, I'll be definitely be scooping one up.

Free Gift Tags

Check it out! Going Home to Roost is giving away free downloadable gift tags just for you. Bonnie has created 4 great designs, my favorite being the sweet stag pictured above. Get them here.

Salted Caramel

I'm on round two of these salted caramels. I think I let the first batch get too close to the hard ball stage, because they ended up like hard candy and not like chewy caramels. Here's hoping the second batch is perfect!

photo via the kitchn