FarmHouseUrban

cool things

I'm on the train from DC to NYC, finishing this post. It's the first time I've had internet access since Thurs! I've just spent a few days with my darling grandparents at their home in McLean, VA where there is no wifi, salt or oil of any kind. If you happen to have an ache or pain, however, they've got you covered. So lucky to have them still...

Whenever I find something that makes my life easier, cleaner, or is delicious, creative or a great product or is even just an ok product, but the packaging is awesome, I like to share it.  I've got a sweet little list of things I think are cool that has been stacking up as of late. I hope you enjoy them too!

1. Apps. I recently found two apps that I adore.  They are perfect for the foodie and/or traveller.  The first is 'Chef's Feed' which lists the favorite dishes of the best chef's in top US cities and the restaurants that serve them.  The cities include; Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, SF, Seattle and Washington DC.  To get Chef's Feed, click here.  It's free!

A page from the San Francisco chef list.

The second app is a city guide from Gweneth Paltrow's newsletter goop. What I especially like about it, is that it maps all of her favorite picks - restaurants, home decor stores, 24-hour pharmacies, yoga centers, etc so that you can see what's nearby where ever you happen to be.  The app just came out in Dec 2011 so, the only city guide offered currently is NYC, but it looks like she will be adding London and LA soon. To get the goop app, click here.

2. Harry & David. During the holidays, we received a gift box from Harry & David. Having ordered from them several times, I think this was the first time we were recipients. When the box arrived, I was fully expecting their signature Riviera Pears, which would have been excellent, but instead it was an entire box of sweet treats!!!  

 

The packaging had me at hello. The sturdy box protected each individually wrapped treasure from crumbling or breaking. My favorite was the lemon poppyseed cake.  

Harry & David is located in Medford, OR.  They deliver a high quality product, packaged to perfection and I can't recommend them highly enough.  

3. Plastic Emeco chair. I was looking for a hard-working chair for a breakfast nook/kitchen project I'm working on and wanted to show my client the iconic and perennially cool 1008 Navy chair which first made it's appearance in 1944. When I went to the website I discovered a new version that I think is just brilliant....

In 2006 Coca-Cola approached Emeco to collaborate on a project to create a new version of the 1008 Navy chair made entirely out of plastic recycled Coke bottles. To be exact -111 recycled bottles per chair.  In May of 2010 they became available to purchase.

The company's commitment to providing long lasting products still holds true. The new 111 Navy Chair is available in six colors: Red, Snow, Flint Gray, Grass Green, Persimmon and Charcoal.  Snow, Flint and Red can be used outdoors.

To find out where 111 Navy Chairs are sold click here.

FarmHouseUrban Kitchen Classic - Black Bean & Chicken Chili

During college, I waited tables at a great little restaurant - sort of a 'gourmet pub' -  that served the most delicious chili. Before I left, I got the recipe from the chef, but the quantities could have fed a fraternity.  Over the years, I've tweaked the recipe, often basing the adaptations on what I had on hand when a chili hankering hit.

In preparation for the 49ers game, I'm making a pot.

Black Bean and Chicken Chili

4 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced to bite sized pieces

1/4 c canola oil

1 1/2 med yellow onions - small dice

4 garlic cloves minced

2 cans of black beans, drained (I use the no salt)

1 1/2 cups canned tomato sauce 

2 T chili powder (there is no spiciness, so don't worry)

1 T cumin

1/2 t cayenne pepper

Salt & Pepper

Serves 4-6

1.  Heat the oil on med high in a dutch oven. Put in the chicken.  Saute until cooked through.  Add a little salt and pepper to season.

2. Take the chicken out of the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the oil in the pot.  Lower burner to medium heat. Add the onions. Saute a few minutes, then add the garlic.

3. Saute for 1 minute, then add the chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper.

4. Add chicken back to the pot, put in drained and rinsed beans and the tomato sauce.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Will vary depending on whether the beans and tomato sauce have salt.  If they don't, you will need to season heavily, but do it gradually as you can always add more salt, but not take it away.

6. Put lid on the dutch oven, turn the heat to low and simmer for about 30-45 mins. Stir frequently to prevent scorching.  Taste often. Add 1/4 c water if it looks dry.

Serve with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.

While the chili was cooking, my daughter Lily and I did some baking. 

Lily made her world famous chocolate chip cookies (Toll House recipe :).

And I made cornbread and a salad.

There's nothing like spending the day in the kitchen when it's raining outside and everyone is home buzzing around.  

It's a going to be busy week... Wrapping up final details on two big projects before I leave for the East Coast on thurs - Northern VA to visit my grandparents for a couple of days, then up to nyc for the NYIGF.  Anyone else going??? 

New Goodies!

woody on the way to Santa Cruz

Early last Saturday morning while my family dozed, I headed out the door, tea in hand, excited like only us crazy antique and flea market hunters can understand, and hit the road to a small beach town a few miles south of Santa Cruz.  I was on a mission to be an early bird - hoping to score some new goodies for the store. A container filled with old, rustic treasures from Europe had finally arrived -  the doors flinging open at precicely 9:00am.  

I love the solace of a long drive alone. It's the best time to think and listen to whatever you want on the radio. When the sun finally rose, the day was clear and warm. Had to spend a few moments chillin at the beach before heading home.

 Just got the app and have been a hipstamatic fool. 

I had fun that afternoon rearranging things in the store making room for the new pieces.  So in lurve with these heavenly pillows and bolsters!

Washed and faded to perfection, the blue striped pillows are made from vintage French mattress ticking. GORGEOUS!  I have a total of 4 from the same piece. The long pillow in the middle has a double stripe in light grey. I can see it working on a bed piled with pillows or all by itself on a sofa.  The bolster is made from grain sack material (I think?). Would love it on a boys bed, window seat or daybed. All the pillows are incredibly soft, despite the nubby texture.  


This dough bowl is smaller than what I've seen before at flea markets, so I was really excited to get it for the store.  The scale is ideal for a dining table, sideboard or kitchen island and could be filled with seasonal fruits, moss balls or you could even wash a baby in it! 

This photo doesn't do justice to how cool these zinc pails are. Wish I was able to get more. I'll get better photos up as soon as the weather clears and I can get natural light.  

There's been a lot going on around here this past week, most all of it positive. Starting with a call I received out of the blue from our local Marin newspaper (Marin Independent Journal) to do an interview for a write-up on the store and design services to appear in the weekend 'Home & Lifestyles' section! To read the article click here. Thanks Marin IJ for that sweet surprise! And thank you and welcome to new readers and visitors who braved the elements to stop into the shop this week! 

 

Fine Living: As Mill Valley's Maison Reve closes, Garnish and Farmhouse Urban open

click on title to read article

A bit of sad news... we had to say goodbye to our sweet dog Penny this week. It was sudden and unexpected and I'm still in shock and denial, thus the delay in getting this post finished days ago.  What is it about dogs and how attached we get to them? There is a reason dog is god spelled backwards.

So, hug your pets (and your kids and your spouse and your friends). Appreciate and savor their presence in your life. 

Lots more to show and tell in the next few days, so check back...

xo

S

Tangled Up In Blue

It seems fitting to be thinking blue in January... I've been away from the blog for awhile - had a moment or two of questioning the whole thing...  Got all weird and existential and thought too much about purpose, audience, voice and blah blah blah. But after some time passed, I stopped and realized I just plain missed it (and you), so 'the only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keepin on'.

I've been thinking of ways I'd like to incorporate blue into the design plan of our new house. I save images that I might not immediately know what about them I like, I just know that I do.  Here are some I've been smitten with lately.  No rhyme or reason, they're just purdy. 

 

Sweet little bright bedroom. The chair is the perfect scale and the color is so fresh.

This powder blue cabinet with cream walls and furniture creates a much softer feeling.  I just love natural linen with just about any color blue.

Great beachy bedroom. 

These pillows are by les indiennes. Mixed patterns, but same colors.

The former event planner in me looks at this photo and thinks how fantastic it would be for a party! This look could easily duplicated (in any color or in several!) with inexpensive, unpainted furniture from Ikea and a visit to Cost Plus.  

Beautiful color combo for a bedroom.

source

 I would personally not be able to go this bold in a living room, but the color would be amazing in a powder room.

Kay Douglass

This bedroom is designed by Windsor Smith using Peter Dunham's Samarkand fabric in a big way. This fabric comes in many color ways and is one of my all time favorites. 

Have a great week and GO 49'ers!!!!

xo

Serena

New York City Visit: no sleep till

BROOKLYN! In the past few years, I've noticed many shops, restaurants and businesses popping up in Brooklyn.  I had to see for myself what all the buzz is about, so my friend and I spent a day exploring. We got a recommendation from our cool waiter the night before, to visit 'his neighborhood' - Williamsburg, so that was our first stop.

We loved finding this little gold mine of a cheese shop - The Bedford Cheese Shop.

In addition to the abundant cheese and salami selection, they also sell hand crafted chocolate - the perfect sweet treat to round out your impromptu Brooklyn picnic. This display of chocolate wrapped in a colorful palette of beautiful papers caught my eye immediately. It turns out the small company - Mast Brothers - is located right around the corner and is open to the public for tours of the chocolate making process.  We hoped to fit it in, but didn't have time. Next visit.

We ate lunch at a great place around the corner called 'Egg'. It was a recommendation from the guy at the cheese shop. Despite the name, I don't think there were any breakfast items on the menu. I took photos of the amazing sandwiches we had, but the photos looked like doo doo, so you'll just have to trust me!

The latter part of the day we walked around Park Slope.  We loved the neighborhood/family feel and great variety of restaurants and shops, stopping for a refreshment at, of all places, a gourmet beer shop.  If you look closely at the photo above, you might see why.

The photo below as well as this article listing this ice cream sandwich as one of the 10 best in ny area, is posted on the door. 

 

If you're into beer, this place will make you very, very happy!

Instead of taking the subway back to the city, we decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

On our way we passed a mall of sorts.  The stores are all converted shipping containers.

We were so enamored with Brooklyn, we came back on our last day to visit the Brooklyn Flea.  

If I wasn't going straight to the airport, here's what I would have picked up.

All this chaise needs is a little fabric love! It is practically the same as the one I have in the shop. Mine was also a flea market find.

I'm still thinking about that flag...

 Happy Happy New Year!

 

 

 

New York City Visit: Food

I have just two posts left on the nyc trip I took last month and can't end the year without getting them both in...so while they're not holiday, I hope you enjoy them just the same!

Why does everything taste so good in New York? Almost everywhere we ate was outstanding, except one horrible Italian place that, come to think of it, may not have even been a real restaurant... 

The shortened list of highlights include:

Accademia diVino - 1081 3rd Avenue. I've eaten at the one on the Upper West side too, and it's equally good. We shared a couple of salad/veggie dishes and the truffle pizza.  The crust is crisp like a flatbread - delicious. Great place if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Buddakan - By the time we circled through this enormous space and were seated, I didn't care what the food tasted like. It is so spectacular, it was worth going just to see. Fortunately the food was delicious too. Our group was large, so we got to sit at (half of) this table.

Blue Ribbon - 97 Sullivan Street.  Small, quaint and open 4pm-4am.  The food and dining experience are always great, but this time in particular. I highly recommend the fried chicken-- and to share it!

Just a few blocks from where we stayed is the fantastic gourmet grocery Citarella -"The ultimate gourmet market". I was able to take three photos before they politely explained the 'no photos' policy. 

I'll be back in nyc in Jan.  Any recommendations?

 

 

It's cookie time!

The first cookie exchange party I attended was when my son (now 16) was in Kindergarten. This group of ladies took their cookies seriously! If delicious cookies presented Martha-style was not enough, the hostess decked out her castle-like house in over the top holiday decor creating a winter wonderland so beautiful it would make Ebeneezer Scrooge melt. Everyone brought a designated amount of cookies, allowing each guest to take home a equal amounts of everyone's contribution. The math involved must have been mind boggling! The best part of course, was coming home with a platter of the most divine holiday cookies. 

Moving from Seattle means I sadly no longer get to attend this event (actually no one does, the hostess moved to Florida...), but I got to thinking about it the other day and decided to ask a couple of my best baker girlfriends to contribute their favorite cookies to a virtual cookie party!

The first cookie on the table is from my friend Teri.  She is an extraordinary baker and I beg her constantly to grace the world with her talents and open a bakery!

Sugar Cookies topped with Frosting and Crushed Peppermint

If you are interested in the recipe, please email me and I will get it from Teri!

The table from a cookie party that Teri attended:

Next up is a cookie from my friend Vanessa who lives in Seattle and works for AllRecipes.com.  If you are not familiar with this website - you will LOVE it.  One of my favorite things about it is that readers can share their photos of the recipes they've tried.  

Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

I love anything with almond flavor, so I can't wait to try these! For the recipe and the page with the readers photos of their version of the above cookie, click here. 

I also wanted to share a program AllRecipes has organized called Cookies Across America:

'Join Allrecipes this December to “bake a difference.”Cookie lovers unite! Whether it’s baking and sharing cookies with the needy or donating cookie ingredients to a food bank, you can make a difference in your community this Christmas.

On December 10, 2011, join Allrecipes, Taste of Home magazine, and Nestlé®, as we spread a little Christmas cookie cheer across America. Here are a few ways to get involved.

Host a Cookie Exchange

If you love baking cookies and gathering with friends and family, this is the event for you. Take the pledge and join us, December 10, 2011, or set your own date during December, and have everyone bring a few dozen of their favorite holiday cookies. Make it a decorating party! Add icing and festive touches. 

Then wrap up your cookies for donation and give them to a local food pantry, emergency shelter, senior center, lunch program, or other community agency. Be sure to check first they accept food donations, and ask when they would like delivery.

 

Organize a Food Drive

Host a food drive that focuses on baking ingredients, then donate items to your local food bank. Open up the food drive to friends, family, and coworkers, along with school, church, and other groups.

Ingredients Most in Need:

 

Flour

 

Peanut Butter

Shortening

White Sugar

Brown Sugar

Powdered Sugar

Vanilla

Baking Soda

Baking Powder

 

Where to Donate?

 

Food pantries, family shelters, senior centers

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The Ronald McDonald House

 My contribution is a simple one, but sooo good.  

 

Classic Shortbread

FarmHouseUrban photos

Here's the recipe:

2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/4 t. coarse salt

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted, room temp butter

3/4 c. confectioner's sugar

1. Sift flour + salt into a bowl. Put butter into electric mixer w/ the paddle attachment/ Mix on med-high speed until fluffy (about 3-5 mins) scrapping the bowl occasionally. Gradually add sugar, beat until pale and fluffy (about 2 mins). Add flour mixture all at once; mix until just combined.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

3. Using plastic wrap, press dough into a buttered 10-inch fluted tart pan w/ a removeable bottom. With plastic wrap on dough, refrigerate 20 mins. Remove plastic wrap. Cut a round from center using a 2 1/4" cookie cutter; discard. Put cutter back in center. Cut dough into 8 wedges (I did 16) w/ a paring knife. Using a wooden skewer; prick all over at 1/4 inch intervals.

4. Bake until golden brown and firm in center; about 1 hour. Transfer to wire rack. Recut shortbread into wedges; let cool completely in pan. 

This recipe is from my all-time favorite cookie cookbook - 'Martha Stewart's Cookies'.

I love this book for two reasons:

1.  In the table of contents there is a photo of every single cookie in the book.

2. They are organized in chapters based on cookie texture; ie, crumbly and sandy (shortbread above), rich and dense, and crisp and crunchy, just to name a few.  

I hope you enjoy the cookies, and if you care to share in the recipe swap, email me a photo and recipe of your creation and I'll post it.

Thank you Teri and Vanessa! xo

Have a great Monday everyone!

 

 

word

 

Simple Greens

I just discovered the most beautiful fresh holiday wreaths I have ever seen and wanted to quickly share the source with you!

The wreaths are made by Wintersteen Farms - a family run business on a 36-acre Douglas and Noble tree farm in Oregon.  The wreaths are $34.95 and come with a 2' piece of cream satin ribbon for hanging.

I just love the fullness and simple mix of greenery and pinecones. 

I found these wreaths on the blog Dreamy Whites.  Another wonderful new find!  By the looks of her blog, I think the above photo is from her home. Isn't it beautiful?

To place your order for Wintersteen Farms Wreaths click here.

Another wreath variety that I really like is dried.  I especially like that they're meant to be used year after year.  This year, I ordered these beautiful dried magnolia branch, pomegranate and twig wreaths for the store.  We have sold out of all but one!  

Here's a photo I looked hi an lo for and couldn't find for my last post on holiday decorating.  I just love the simplicity.  What do you think?  

In the store, we have the sweetest little living pine trees.  They make great teacher and hostess gifts. All packaged and festive in burlap and velvet ribbon - they're ready to go! 

Still working on my list, how about you?

Getting into the holiday spirit

The spirit of the holidays hadn't hit me until this weekend.  My bad. I've been too preoccupied with other stuff to glance up and appreciate what makes this time of year so festive.  Effective immediately, I'm double dipping on holiday cheer!  

I plan to accomplish this by:

1. Not counting calories, carbs, fat grams or anything else associated with food guilt until January 3rd.

2. Taking out all of my cookie cookbooks and leaving them on the kitchen counter to inspire and hopefully use multiple times in the next two weeks (closely tied to #1).

3. Spending as many evenings as possible watching holiday specials with the kids. Our favorites are the old school Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Polar Express and The Grinch with Jim Carey.

4. Lighting a fire. Who cares that it's 60+ degrees outside?

5. Listening to the "All Holiday - All the Time" radio station in the car. Possibly cranking it when Feliz Navidad comes on - for sure if I'm in car line.

Am I forgetting anything?? What do you do to get into the spirit?

We celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah and today picked out our tree. At the grocery store I noticed a new item in the deli - homemade matzoh ball soup! Perfect easy dinner with roast chicken and salad while we decorate the tree, thinks me. I didn't even realize the irony until I started writing this... so great how blogging, or writing for that matter, sharpens ones awareness....

Since I've got the holiday's on my mind, especially holiday decorating  I dug around my holiday home decor file, and thought I'd share a few of my personal fave's. 

Ralph Lauren Ranch - could it be anywhere else?

 

Wreaths - no bow.

Country Living - Kevin Reiner

Southern Accents

sweet something design

Martha Stewart

Simple wrapping. I might add a rubber stamp with red ink.

Emma's design blog

Happy Monday!