tasty things

I've been a little preoccupied in the past week with writing and studying. So first, check out allthingscottage, because it is up-to-date and chock-full of neat stories and home ideas. Share it with your friends and neighbors!

For those of you that love food, I highly recommend Kim Sunee's memoir, "Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love and the Search for Home." Although she's barely 40 years old, she has lived a rich, fascinating life. It's a delightful read, plus there are recipes at the end of most of the chapters. Neat.

After I took the GRE yesterday, I was so relieved to be able to put away all my notes and flashcards. So to celebrate, I baked one of my favorite desserts: Gran's Pumpkin Bars.

My sister and I used to spend our afternoons at our friends' grandmother's house when we were younger. Although she's not our grandmother, she likes being called Gran. And she loves to cook. She would make casseroles and pasta and buttery biscuits for us while we sat on her pastel-colored daybed and watched VH-1's Pop-Up Videos. Good times.

Anyway, I don't remember the first time I ate her Pumpkin Bars, but I remember asking for them on my birthday for consecutive years after the initial tasting. Last night was my first attempt, and they were perfect.

Gran's Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup cooking oil
16 oz can pumpkin




2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. Beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until fluffy- about 5 minutes. Mix in dry ingredients. Spread in ungreased 15x12 or 9x13 pan. Bake 25-30 minutes. Check center with toothpick before removing from oven. Let cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8oz cream cheese
1/2 butter softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat together until smooth. Spread generously on top.

i love lavie.

A friend of mine sent me Oren Lavie's album yesterday, and I can't stop listening to it. Each preceding track has such a different style, yet Lavie's velvety smooth voice binds this collection seamlessly. From the melodramatic piano piece, "The Man Who Isn't There," to the passionately orchestrated title track, "The Opposite Side of the Sea," Lavie demonstrates his talent of creating unique melody structures with breathy harmonies. Yes, this album is slightly old news for most of you. It was released in late 2007. But it's that good. I just wanted to remind you.

More recently, this lovely stop motion video of Lavie's catchy hit single, "Her Morning Elegance," was posted last month, and more recently featured as the video of the week on i-Tunes. It's beautiful, so enjoy.



Other things Oren Lavie and this video remind me of that I enjoy:
-The Kings of Convenience album "Riot on an Empty Street"
-The Science of Sleep written and directed by Michel Gondry
-Nick Drake's album Pink Moon
-My friend Zach Denton, because he looks just like Oren Lavie
-Julia Nunes' video of her original "Maybe I Will" (awesome ukulele stop motion)
-Eating a grapefruit, because that's what I'm doing right now.

be the bloom!

Valentine's Day is not like other holidays. President's Day, to me, always feels like just another day. Veteran's Day evokes a somberness when many people honor memorials. And Memorial Day, well, that's what I call vacation.

Depending on one's marital status, Valentine's Day (and the bombardment of pink and red commercial advertising) tends to reveal different characters in people; typically the elated lover or the surly single. For those of us that wish to steer clear of these stereotypes, let us rise up with fists- full of flowers! (btw- this awesome sculpture is in Oslo, Norway).

Every year, the jewelry businesses and romance blogs try to convince you that flowers are cliché. But I'm not having it. Nothing makes my day like fresh flowers (I love this arrangement by Red Rose & Lavender, a floral shop in Williamsburg, NYC). In addition to giving flowers this weekend, I'll also be planting them. What kind of flowers can you plant during the month of February? I asked the Helpful Gardener.

So whether you feel like a "bleeding heart" or a "sweet violet" this Valentine's Day, discovering the first blooms of spring in your garden are bound to make you fall in love with life.

wine for your valentine

In search of work and pleasure, I'll be on my way to Washington, D.C. on March 5, one-way ticket and enormous suitcase in hand. Spring in the capitol is beautiful, and there is an abundance of sites to see and things to do.








For example, the 10th Annual International Wine & Food Festival will be on Feb. 14-15 at the Ronald Reagan and the International Trade Center. Everyone loves to be wined and dined on Valentines Day. What a romantic weekend. (Be my Valentine, anyone?) Unfortunately, I'll miss this event, but there's more where that came from.

And also there's more where you come from. To find out about food festivals or art shows coming up in your area, visit the Happenings calendar at allthingscottage.

like a king in a castle... in Kentucky?

When I think of Kentucky, I think of fried chicken, the Derby and Maker's Mark. And although this southern state is the proud home of all three, there's a new attraction in town. No, it's not another bluegrass festival. It's the Castle Post. Even though this stone fortress is only about 40 years young, it has an interesting history. This article in the Courier Journal is pretty insightful, and don't forget the video tour.

If this Kentucky castle is your idea of vacationing like royalty, be sure to check out the price tag first.
Because for the same cost of 24-hour exclusive use of The Castle Post, you could stay here in an Italian villa for a week and here in this Scottish castle for a week and my favorite family vacation beach house in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a week and still have some change for your next trip (an estimated 11k).

However, if you live near Woodford County this estate would be worth a visit.

celebrate national snack food month!

What better way to jump-start National Snack Food Month than with the ultimate snacking event: SuperBowl Sunday! Maybe you went for the junk food this weekend because it was fast, easy or just everyone's favorite. But don't forget that there are plenty of healthy ways to make your own munchies, and you've got the whole month for taste testing. Here are my top five favorite snacks (in no particular order because it always depends on what day it is), plus a few different recipes to try out on your own. Happy snacking!

1. Hummus & Vegetables are delicious on a party platter or fresh from the container. Regular hummus is great with veggies, pita bread or chips, and it's easy to make and store.

2. Vermont Cheddar Cheese with Raisins and Apples. This snack doesn't require much explanation. The blend of sweet and salty tastes and crisp and smooth textures has always hit the spot for me.

3. Chips & Salsa have always been a standard for me. And if you're tired of buying the stuff in the jar, why not make your own? Some recipes are easier than others. But with a little time and effort, you may discover a new salsa to become a staple in your fridge. Here are some sweet and savory samples in red, green and yellow.

4. Granola can be devoured with yogurt, milk, ice cream or simply by the handful. The common blend of oats, nuts and honey is versatile and healthy. And making your own granola calls for some creativity! Check out some yummy recipes here and here.

5. Caprese Salad refers to the combination of fresh tomato, basil leaves and mozzarella. Whether you eat these ingredients stacked on top of each other or in between a toasted panini, you'll feel good about eating this snack and so will your guests.