You have pictures of the kids up on the wall. But is there a spot for Spot? Here is affordable art that celebrates our most faithful friends. Several of the artists offer custom portraits.
Wheaten, Ursula Dodge
Yellow Brick Road
Just Eleanor
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Art for All - Pet Portraits
My father loves his dog. He loves his kids and his grandkids, but he LOVES his dog. For his birthday I am getting him a custom portrait of 'Daisy.' I found dogartstudio on Etsy.
You have pictures of the kids up on the wall. But is there a spot for Spot? Here is affordable art that celebrates our most faithful friends. Several of the artists offer custom portraits.
Westie on a Mission, Georgia Fiennes
Wheaten, Ursula Dodge
Yellow Brick Road
Just Eleanor
You have pictures of the kids up on the wall. But is there a spot for Spot? Here is affordable art that celebrates our most faithful friends. Several of the artists offer custom portraits.
Wheaten, Ursula Dodge
Yellow Brick Road
Just Eleanor
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Entertaining Thoughts - The Kings' Cake
January brings Epiphany, the feast of the three kings. We are not French, nor did I grow up celebrating this holiday. But for me, it wraps up the Christmas season. And only then do we take down the tree!
There are many versions of the this traditional cake. (Permit me to digress into food nerdiness for a moment.) The 'Galette des Rois' originated in northern France and is an almond and puff pastry tart. In Southern France they made a brioche and candied fruit 'Gateau des Rois.' This is similar to the New Orleans version (see below.) I prefer to serve the traditional Galette des Rois as the almond filling is so creamy and delicious. And yes, because puff pastry is so much easier than a yeast dough! Here is a beautiful recipe that works for me every year.
Decorate the galette with a fork, press edges together all around-no pricking. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design being careful not to go all the way through the puff pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash being careful no to get any on the sides.
Bake the galette in the center of a preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes then 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
For the tradition of Epiphany, the one who discovers the bean is made the king or queen of the day and in our house is exempt from evening chores!
If you are from New Orleans you celebrate with a king cake decorated in traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple, and green. I find the yeast dough a bit more intimidating than the pre-made puff pastry!
There are many versions of the this traditional cake. (Permit me to digress into food nerdiness for a moment.) The 'Galette des Rois' originated in northern France and is an almond and puff pastry tart. In Southern France they made a brioche and candied fruit 'Gateau des Rois.' This is similar to the New Orleans version (see below.) I prefer to serve the traditional Galette des Rois as the almond filling is so creamy and delicious. And yes, because puff pastry is so much easier than a yeast dough! Here is a beautiful recipe that works for me every year.
Galette des Rois (adapted from food network)
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 packages (17.3-ounce) store bought puff pastry sheets, if frozen thaw in refrigerator
Frangipane (enough for two cakes)
- 1 cup soft butter
- 1 cup ground blanched almonds
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch salt
- Egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 large dried bean
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With an electric
beater, mix all the ingredients for the frangipane cream just until
blended. On a slightly floured cold surface, cut 2 circles the size of
dinner plates out of the puff pastry. Put one of them on a baking sheet
lined with parchment paper. Brush one inch around the edge of the
circle with egg wash. Spread half of the frangipane cream on the center. Place one dried bean halfway towards the edge and place the second circle on top matching the edges of the circles.
Press all around the edges to glue them together. Press softly in the
center to evenly spread the filling. If making 2 galettes use remaining
cream and follow the same method for preparation.
Decorate the galette with a fork, press edges together all around-no pricking. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design being careful not to go all the way through the puff pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash being careful no to get any on the sides.
Bake the galette in the center of a preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes then 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
For the tradition of Epiphany, the one who discovers the bean is made the king or queen of the day and in our house is exempt from evening chores!
If you are from New Orleans you celebrate with a king cake decorated in traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple, and green. I find the yeast dough a bit more intimidating than the pre-made puff pastry!
This year I was inspired by John Besh's book My New Orleans
I will be making his chicken and sausage gumbo to go with the cake. If it works, I'll post the recipe!!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Metal Countertops
We've all seen enough Carrera marble in kitchens to keep Michaelangelo supplied for eternity. (Admission: I still love it!) But it is time to look towards the new and the bold. And I'm talking metal. On the plus side it is non porous, heat proof, and hygienic. On the minus, it can dent, stain, and scratch. This is also known as 'patina.'
Let's start with Stainless Steel. You might think of this for an industrial or modern look.
Does it bring memories of your high school science lab? Think again.
This material is equally at home with the farmhouse look. It almost makes me want to arrange flowers! (Except that is not a design skill I own. Further posts to follow as I explore this lack in my design character.)
Let's combine farmhouse and industrial. Are you interested?
Moving on to Copper. With finishes that included hammered, distressed, flamed, patinated, and smooth, this metal brings warmth and shine to a kitchen. Again, we are looking at traditional and modern applications.
Zinc is the new darling of the design world. It is not as blue cold as stainless steel and it will develop a patina. This well published kitchen from a San Francisco showhouse knocked people's socks off with it's night/day, light/dark design. And what was anchoring it? Zinc.
The modern is beautiful, but the traditional is so unexpected. Enjoy these last two beauties. And check out Home Style Choices for an explanation of all the pros and cons of metal countertops.
Let's start with Stainless Steel. You might think of this for an industrial or modern look.
Does it bring memories of your high school science lab? Think again.
This material is equally at home with the farmhouse look. It almost makes me want to arrange flowers! (Except that is not a design skill I own. Further posts to follow as I explore this lack in my design character.)
Let's combine farmhouse and industrial. Are you interested?
Moving on to Copper. With finishes that included hammered, distressed, flamed, patinated, and smooth, this metal brings warmth and shine to a kitchen. Again, we are looking at traditional and modern applications.
Zinc is the new darling of the design world. It is not as blue cold as stainless steel and it will develop a patina. This well published kitchen from a San Francisco showhouse knocked people's socks off with it's night/day, light/dark design. And what was anchoring it? Zinc.
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