Indian Food with Friends

The other day Katie, Lara, and I spent a fun day in Austin. We ended the day with delicious Indian food. Yum yum!

Flower Girl Head Wreaths

I made these at Sprout the other day. I'm glad I know how to make them cause I've always wanted to wear one.

Simple and Good

Vodka and Grapefruit Perrier with a dash of lime...so refreshing!

Leather Bracelets

Making these for Renegade Austin.

New Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 (8 inch) rosemary sprigs
.5 cup Vodka
chilled club soda or seltzer

Garnish:

8 (3 inch) rosemary sprigs

Make:

Bring lemon juice, sugar and rosemary to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Discard rosemary sprigs. Fill 8 (8 oz.) glasses halfway with ice. Divide syrup (2T.) among glasses and add Vodka (1T.). Top off with club soda.

Weekend

I was busy making things this weekend.

Flowers!

Flower Trend

Right after I listed this bag I read this article. :)

Cooking Experiments

I've been cooking some extravagant things lately like lasagna, chicken pot pie, and salmon pasta which often means spending a lot of money at the grocery store. So, not wanting to make another trip to the store for at least another week I end up concocting little experiments with leftover ingredients. Here is a whole wheat pasta, peas, and feta cheese dish tossed in olive oil I made the other night.

New Pillows!

3 handmade styles here.

Workspace

I finally got around to adhering the cork tiles to my drafting table. I love having a large surface to work, although it gets a bit cluttered with all my finds. Oh well.

Makeshift Hanging Rod

...made with a stick and some climbing rope.

Some More Birthday Presents

Valentine shirt from Christian and Angie. Recipe cards from Katie and David T.

Something New

Take a look here.

Sadie

I've always wanted a donkey that I could ride. My dad recently bought one and I named it Sadie. Last evening Tim and I started breaking her. It was fun, although I was bucked off twice. It's going to be hard getting back on.

A Couple Birthday Presents

Butterflies from Lara and Tim. Rhino from Katie and David.

More Loot

Went to an estate sale this morning a this is what I found. Look for it on Flying Arrow Salvage.

Pink Champagne

I love this pink lipstick. When I wear it I feel like I'm from the 60s.

Who picked this book?

Oh yeah, me! I'm reading Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton with some friends and it is making my head hurt, in a good way, I guess. Last night to get in the mood I made some tea and butter bread.

New Loot

Lara and I hit the thrift stores yesterday and we came away with a ton of great stuff. I love the earthy colors with a pop of coral!

Wall of Bags

Take your pick. All bags can be found here.

New Goods

Just added some new things to the etsy shop including this cool anchor dish. You can use it for rings, or on a desk for paperclips, or even an ash tray.

New on Etsy!

A few more things added to Etsy today including this set of 3 white glass vases perfect for flowers and feathers.

Guest Post

I did a guest post over at my sister's blog. Nothing like a little free advertisement. Thanks Lara!

Etsy!

Just added some fun things to the shop.

Cool or Tacky?

I put these studs on some denim cutoffs the other night. Not sure what I think. Any comments?

Pale Inspiration

The other day, upon arriving home from work, I was welcomed with this view (top picture). I was excitedly overwhelmed with the possibility of a stormy night. I stopped the car and took a picture, which lead to a series of pictures I took that night all inspired by faded, earthy tones that have inspired me lately.

Etsy Shop is Live!...Finally!

Hop on over to my Etsy Shop. I have tons more to add, so check back often.

Santa Fe Trip

This Christmas Lara, Tim, and I spent a long weekend in Santa Fe. We skied, shopped for vintage, and ate!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

For Thanksgiving I made this Pumpkin Cheesecake rather than the traditional pumpkin pie. Below is the recipe...

Crust:
1.25 cups graham cracker crumbs
.25 cups of sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
4 packages (8 ounces each) bar cream cheese, very soft
1.25 cups of sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
.5 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. Assemble a 9 in. nonstick springform pan, with the raised side of the bottom part facing up.

2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter until moistened; press firmly into bottom of pan. Bake until golden around edges, 10-12 minutes.

3. Make the filling: With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar on low speed until smooth; mix in flour (do not overmix). Add pumpkin puree, pie spice, vanilla, and salt; mix just until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until each is incorporated before adding the next.

4. Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour filling into springform pan, and gently smooth top. Transfer to oven, reduce oven heat to 300 degrees. Bake 45 minutes. Turn off oven; let cheesecake stay in oven 2 hours more (without opening).

5. Remove from oven; cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refridgerate until firm, at least 4 hours. Unmold before serving.

Serves 12