With a Kiss . . .

Happy weekend, everybody. Here's hoping your weekend will be filled with sweetness . . .

All images courtesy We Heart It.

Recipe Fridays!

Quiche with Morels and Scallions

I'm in a quiche sort of mood today; not interested in sweets for once. Until Jeff Smith urged me to try them, I had never liked the idea of a pie made of eggs, but now . . . well, lets just say, this Martha Stewart recipe sounds absolutely scrumptious;)

Ingredients
Makes one 10-inch quiche; serves 8 to 10

Pate Brisee
All-purpose flour, for surface
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3 scallions, thinly sliced
4 ounces small fresh morel mushrooms (about 12 to 15), halved
3/4 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs
1/2 cup (1 ounce) finely grated Gruyere cheese

Directions

1.Roll pate brisee to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Fit dough into a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom; trim dough flush with rim. Prick bottom all over with a fork. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
2.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line dough with parchment, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges turn gold, about 20 minutes. Remove parchment and weights, and bake until crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
3.Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat until foamy. Add scallions; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add morels, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, for 2 minutes. Stir in milk and cream, and bring to a simmer. Transfer to a medium bowl; let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.
4.Place crust on a rimmed baking sheet. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in mushroom mixture. Fold in Gruyere. Pour mixture into crust. Bake until puffed and gold, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly; serve warm or at room temperature.

Turquoise World . . .

All images courtesy: We Heart It

It's no secret that peacock blue, or turquoise, or teal, or whatever name you decide to give it, is my favorite hue. From the green side of the spectrum to the blue side, all shades are welcome at my table. This is just a little eye-candy then for you turquoise-philes out there;)

Excuse me; I have to go paint something blue . . . .

Wedding Style . . .

All photos courtesy Wedding Style Magazine

My sister recently picked up the latest issue of Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style Magazine, a book devoted to the grandest platinum weddings out there. Truly, the real weddings featured in the pages are probably in the 100K+ range, but that doesn't mean even a budget-conscious bride can't get ideas.

I love the idea of bright pavilions for outdoor weddings. A real DIY-er could get inexpensive collapsible frames and fabric in her colors, break out the sewing machine, and presto! An opulent personal tent for the bridal party.

Love, love, love. Monochromatic weddings in bright tones are so in right now, and the different sized and shaped lanterns are fabulous. They're pretty cheap too, especially from a place like Luna Bazaar.

My sister loves this idea, and a little while back I posted a DIY project to build centerpieces similar to these. Simplify them a little, and they're totally doable with sheet moss, manzanita branches, and silk flowers.


Again, lovely centerpieces, and the low benches are so zen and comfy-looking!

Everything on this table is DIY-possible, but it looks completely elegant. Martha has a similar project for paper flowers on branches here.

All right, this is a little much, but I can't get over the albino peacock! Slightly creepy, yes, but still fabulous! For a winter wedding, albino peacock feathers added to centerpieces and strategically around the decor can add a real touch of glamour. They can be more expensive and much harder to find; you can usually find natural ones that have been bleached more easily. I did find some from real white peacocks, however;)

That's my wedding burp for the day. Go forth and DIY your wedding;)

MIA Yesterday . . .

Source: Saylisk

Sorry about the dearth of posts yesterday; it was a bit of a crazy day. It's been an interesting week, actually. For a small recap:
-Sebastian is doing very well after his abscess incident. Only one more very expensive cab ride to go before he gets a clean bill of health.
-Faeries are not waterproof. Hello precious behavior: I can sit in a pile of wood chips and dirt in my white silk dress, but a few drops of rain sends me running--running--for the shack.
-My sister is now hooked on Avatar. Cue evil laughter (mwah, ha, ha, ha!) We started viewing Book 1 this week, and are about three disks in. Last night, the conversation went something like this:
"So, do you want to watch another episode, or stop here?"
Extremely tiny voice and large eyes, limpid as with some sort of manga character: "Another episode, please." My work here is done.
-I used to love "Thriller". Perhaps someday, after we have had time apart to think over what we've done, I will again. But, I'm not making any promises.
-It's just about time to start the next crazy, out-of-the-blue project that has no practical applications to my life. I'm thinking of becoming a master of Tai Chi, or finally starting that fabric-sculpt 30" Temeraire. Why not, right? My life was missing some pointless self-gratification.

We're heading into 7th weekend at Faire, and the end is in sight. As tired as I am, I am going to miss it more than I ever have, I think. Still, I'm starting to look forward to sleeping in. Like, ever. Yawn. . .

Favorite Site Tuesdays!

Garland Light

If you haven't yet discovered the work of Tord Boontje, it is well past time to do so. This Dutch artist creates die-cut pieces of fantastickal whimsy, and I have been coveting his work for some time. Though I've chosen a few of his pendant lights to showcase here, he also designs furniture, tableware, and does incredible art installations.

Future Flora Lights

Working with the fantastic Artecnica in Los Angeles, Boontje has created things like the Future Flora series, the Until Dawn paper curtains, and the tranSglass Mirrors. His designs are so delicate and lovely, and yet most of them are cut polyester and metal, and so they are stronger than they look.

Midsummer Light

This pendant light comes in many different colors and combinations, and like the garland light can be wrapped how you choose. I love interactive art;)

Icarus Light

This is one of my favorites; I swear I'll get one to hang someday . . .

Come Rain Come Shine Light

This pendant is actually metal, ribbon, and crochet, and was designed to benefit a women's co-op in Rio de Janeiro. I think it looks more fae than real, and I love the glow peeking through the black mesh.

As you can see, Tord Boontje's installations are pretty magical too. Check out his site; I guarantee you'll be enchanted by his work . . .

Monday morning covet . . .

Source: We Heart It

It's a rainy, gloomy sort of day here in Chicago, the kind of day I would love if I were at home, cuddled on the couch watching DVD's with my cat and listening to it storm. Alas, I am here at work, damp and wishing it would brighten up. It does get me to thinking, however, about how much I love a lovely umbrella;)

Source: Raindrops

This Guy de Jean Can Can Black Umbrella/parasol reminds me so much of a victorian carriage parasol, but this has the added bonus of being rainproof! Wish it wasn't sold out, but you can still get it in other colors . . .

Source: Bella Umbrellas

I love pagoda style umbrellas, and this shop lets you customize the handle color and material: too cute!

I guess rainy weather is good for something after all;)