put a cork in it, on it, with it..

Beautiful Mess

So everyone in our house has been saving corks for me, on top of what Steve and I are saving/drinking.... for about a year now.  Not the faux-corks found in yellow tail or barefoot, but the real stuff.

Why you ask....?

Why not!

I have been trying to think of "the" project to utilize my corks... especially to go with our vineyard wedding.  I wanted to either...

A. Make a cork board, like this one or this to hang pictures on or seating arrangements on.

B. Use them at wedding to hold place cards, like this.

But then I went on one of my favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess, and saw the tutorial for these adorable spool wine corks... cute!



Crafty Nest



I also love this bath mat how-to at Crafty Nest!

1920's Art Deco Dreams



1920's Brooch re-designed as a hair comb here.



Brace yourself readers, here's a wedding post.  Read on if that's your thing, or don't.  Your call.

Still there?  Great.

I already know what my dress is going to look like (but will remain a secret until after wedding, then I will bombard you, I promise), but jewelry has really been stumping me... until now.

I love art deco jewelry.  My engagement ring is an art deco style, as is my wedding band.  So might as well go with it, right?  Right. 

As much as I would love to wear diamonds, rubies, and emeralds... it's not happening.  I would rather pay more for vintage 1920-35 era costume jewelry, than go to a store that sells "inspired" art deco.

The materials, cut, and time spent on each piece back then, trumps the mass production of today.  I am lucky to neighbor NYC for such a need.  The search is on. 

  

seven savvy shopping tips

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, I HOPE YOU ARE EATING EVERYTHING!

Tomorrow kicks off the chrismahanukwanzikah shopping season, so here are seven of my personal money saving tips...you're welcome. happy shopping.

1. C'mon everyone get Appy:

ScanLife, scan the bar code, and the cheapest known retailers (online or not) will pop up.

SnapTell, snap a picture of a product in question and pull up reviews/ prices from stores.

Coupon Sherpa, gives you coupons (retail/grocery) right on your phone to get scanned at the store.

2. Check your list twice:

Most retailers will give a coupon after your first purchase (at the bottom of a receipt) so check your list twice and save big purchases for later.  According to Real Simple Magazine, you are more apt to completely blow your budget if you buy big ticket items first.  It may distort your perception on actually how much things are worth and how much you are spending.

3. High tail it to your e-tailers:

Ebates, shop online at many major retailers and get cash back on your purchases... you can even shop groupon through this site...GO NOW!

Amazon, my family is here, there, nowhere, and everywhere... so for those of you mailing a bunch of gifts this year, know that it's expensive.  Sign up for Amazon Prime for unlimited two day shipping anywhere in the US.  For what you spend on shipping all those gifts, the $79 a year is worth it.  Just make sure you select your purchase as a gift... rule of thumb, if it's not offered, I won't buy it.  It's tacky to see price tags on gifts, it's not the dollar amount, it's the principal, and the effort that bugs me, peel. it. off.

Groupon, LivingSocial, Tippr, great buys await.  Keep in mind some experiences (cooking classes, yoga classes, pole dancing lessons, rock climbing...etc) make wonderful gifts, especially for couples..hint. hint. Please... just please make sure you buy them as a GIFT so the person cannot see the price, remember known price=tacky.

4. Don't be anti-social:

Liking stores may save you when shopping for all those friends.  A lot of stores will give promotions only if you are friends on Facebook. 

Newsletters go on your store's site and sign up for theirs.  If they don't send you a coupon within a week, unsubscribe... in fact you can just unsubscribe if you don't want to be bothered at all... but only after the holidays, and only after you save money.

Always, always, have the coupons available, switch to a bigger purse, get a cute coupon organizer, make it happen, no excuses.

5. Print to save a mint:

I know you like apps, me too, but this is 30% we are talking about right!  Once you sign up for newsletters and you are facebook friends.  Sit yourself down with a mug of something hot, and compile your coupons... and yes, print them.  Don't have a printer? Go. somewhere. that. does.  Pay the 0.10 at staples...

Want more coupons, try CouponCabin.

6. Get personal:

Not flirt with cashier type of personal.  If a store wants to know your address... give it to them.  They are not out to get you, most likely they want to send you promos and coupons.   Lord & Taylor, Bed Bath & Beyond practice it.  BUT if they don't send you coupons within a month of signing up, unsubscribe and complain online, that will get you a coupon.

7. Get ready, be ready:

two desserts that your thanksgiving will be thankful for

This Thanksgiving we are going to my future-in laws.  I love hanging with them, there are tons of kids running around, and the house is jam packed with people and FOOD!  Goood times.

I cannot waiiiit until the day where we have a house, and can host holidays for everyone!

Until then... a very far then... I am happy coming with some home-baked-goodies to add to the already delicious and abundant feast!

I will be making this Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake hybrid.  Hey, if you're going to splurge, splurge, right?  Right!

My fiance loves this next recipe...Dump Cake, an old favorite from my childhood, my Nashvillian neighbor Mary, used to make this.  It's a great recipe, I've yet to have it last at a party.  Somewhere between a cobbler and a pie, it's wonderful for young kids to make because of the easy measurements and no mixing/kneading.   

WARNING: Neither of these recipes are low fat, low cal, or low in taste, let alone have the potential of being leftovers...consider yourself  warned. 

Dump Cake

• 1 pkg. deluxe yellow cake mix
• 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple in syrup, un-drained
• 1 (21 oz.) can cherry filling
• 1 c. chopped pecans
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in thin slices

1. Prepare oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13x2 inch pan.
2. Dump undrained pineapple into pan; spread evenly.
3. Dump in cherry pie filling and spread into even layer.
4. Dump dry cake mix onto cherry layer; spread evenly.
5. Sprinkle pecans over cake mix. Put slices of butter over the top.
6. Bake at 350°F for 48 to 53 minutes.
7. Serve warm topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

 

Makes 12 to 16 servings, I hope you enjoy them all!

 

This is another version of Dump Cake, and also where the above picture is from.

repurposed voss : vase

Voss water bottles are really neat looking, they are made of thick glass, have a fun grey top, and are large.  Do Mother earth a favor,save the bottles to reuse them. I simply took a flat knife (not serrated) and scraped off the lettering.  I then followed up with steel wool, instant vase.  Looks great with a single rose.  To be silly I left "recyclable" on it along with the bar code.

quiche

My fiance and I have a special food relationship.  We fell in love over food.  Breakfast first-date at IHOP, me cooking him dinner in the first week of us dating, him cooking me dinner (his famous shepard's pie, and his soooo good steak)

 I do believe that good food can sway a persons feelings.  Isn't is easier to love a good cook?  I have many recipes that he goes nuts for such as: pumpkin pie (I will post it closer to thanksgiving) banana bread, and newly added quiche.

  

Quiche

4 eggs

2 cups milk

Salt and pepper

4 ounces shredded cheddar

2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

1/2 lb asparagus (cut to 1/2 inch)

1/2 lb bacon

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Cook bacon until crispy, preferably in an iron skillet.  Remove the bacon saving the grease in the pan, and cooking the asparagus in it.
3. Whisk together eggs and milk. Add seasonings. Add crumbled bacon and asparagus and mix. 
4. Place shredded cheddar and mozzarella in the pie shell. Pour egg mixture over cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F baking for 25 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is set. Allow to set 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

enjoy!

Mr. Beer: The introduction

My trend of Friday posts... they usually include drinking. 

Why break the trend, right?

This weekend our little Edgewater apartment will be transformed into a microbrewery.  Awhile back (at a garage sale) I bought a brand new-in box- never used- Mr. Beer kit..  No garage sale?  No worries, you can get one here.  The site has great recipes that I cannot wait to try!  Home brew* ends up being cheaper than buying it, delicious, different, not to mention a great feeling of accomplishment. 

OOOhhh ...Hey here's a thought... your yield makes an awesome gift, think: custom brewed 6 pack with original labels made special for that particular person, in bottles like these. I would love to receive that as a gift!! 

Please check back for parts I (process) and II (bottles).  The fermentation will take 2 weeks, and then another week to sit in bottles before it can be consumed.

Ooooo... can't wait to design beer labels!  Almost as exciting as drinking the first sip.

*note: While in most states it is legal to brew beer/wine, there are some exceptions, please check your local laws... or don't,  your call really.  Either way happy brewing. 

Visit Mr. Beer to get yours!

Yes! YES! YES!!

Holiday Traditions

I know it's only November... but I have the holiday bug already!

I come from an "artistic" upbringing.  Raised in a few households, I have sponged several different family traditions and recipes... aren't they the same thing sometimes?

I am so excited to share them with you.  I will be blogging about both Christmas and Hanukkah because I celebrate both!  Raised Jewish, but also having Catholic family members, we always celebrated both.  I think that's the best, and that's how I intend to always keep it for when we are married, and when we have a family.

These are some things that are making me excited for the holidays.


Finding the perfect "tree" menorah.




Nixing the same old snowflake, snowman, or tree wrapping paper for
pretty fabric ribbons, that can be used year round.
These are from an antique shop in NH.





Tree decorated with antique cookie molds and cutters, in NH antique shop.

New Hampshire Finds

If marriage is about compromise and trying new things with your spouse, then Steve and I have that down.  This past weekend we hiked to the peak of Mt. Monadnok, here's a pic.  I do love a good hike, but this was strenuous, my calves are still aching.  That was on Saturday, but Sunday on the way back to NJ, was my turn. 

By my turn, I mean stopping at every little Antique, Junk, Thrift, Consignment store that we came across... So not Steve's thing.  This one ramshackle place really had him scratching his head I bet, as to why he wants to marry such a strange girl.  "Oooo, look at this, and this.  OH did you see that.  Wow, look that this.  Ohhh nooo it's broken, aww man I wanted that! Hmmm, I wonder if I can fix it (insert another 20 minutes of holding the object) " All of those comments were mine, Steve just smiles at me.

He's done in about 20 minutes.  In 20 minutes I'm still looking in the first 5 feet of the store, I can easily spend hours there.

This last place was a real dump, my favorite.  Steve couldn't believe I was turning into "the drive way".

 I'm talking wall to wall stuff, piled on stuff, with stuff on top of that stuff.  A place where you are thrilled, and sort of scared as to what you may find.  It's the end of the road for many of these items.  Old radios some torn apart for their tubes, or whole and almost beckoning (at least to me) for me to bring them home, as my fiance looks on helplessly, asking me if I will be a pack rat 30 years into our marriage ( I told him no, but I'm not so convinced).  Old china, silverware, sitting on the shelf, making me wonder what conversations and home recipes it witnessed.  Now it sits collecting dust on a shelf.  It reminds you that you may love things, but can't take them with you.

None the less, I did make a few purchases!

I am pleased with my finds.  Two of which I'll show now, the other can wait until I clean it up and hang it.

The Turner 254X Crystal Radio mic I plan to just display it for a little while in my music area, I'd eventually like to acquire a power supply for it.  There are some straight forward schematics online, but for now I will just display it.

The Brownie Camera I am still researching, I believe it to be from the 1920's -1930's.  The shutter works and I found someone who still sells 116 film for it it, just needs a little love, don't worry I will post the fixing up of it.

If you don't know Kodak's Brownie Camera takes some pretty cool pictures, like these.

I love projects.

Three Maples



Hot cider and fresh cookies.



I love going away!  Sometimes your stay can be hindered by, well, where you are staying.  On a trip to Virginia once, we arrived in out hotel room... to a bloody cloth in the bathroom.  No joke.  They didn't believe me when I told them until I called a second time.



Dining.



I can whole heartedly say that this was not the case on this trip.  Steve booked Three Maples, in Sharon, NH for our 2 night stay.  That place is my dream.  I walked around the house snapping away while drinking french pressed coffee, hot but not scalding.  Old instruments hung from the walls, a checker board strategically placed in between two cozy chairs, in front of a roaring fire place.  Molly, their 19 year old cat, followed me around happy to be pet.  The history of the house dates back to 1790 and was charming and warm, from the rustic wood floors to the exposed ceiling rafters.  You could tell a lot of love was put into this house.



We arrived after dark and were greeted by owners, Linda and David.  Linda had baked cookies for our arrival along with hot cider, that I can smell in my head.  As we settled in, she  asked where we would like to go for dinner, have us menus, and then made reservations to a great local spot, The Waterhouse Restaurant.  We arrived and got the best seat in the house, by the large windows overlooking a babbling brook. 

When we arrived back at the b&b, a cold bottle of bubbly awaited with two glasses and a sweet note.



N.E.F.F



In the two mornings we woke at Three Maples, we feasted on delicious Quiche (that Steve said rivaled my own recipe... I agreed) and French Toast Creme Brulee, that I could never try to top.  We ate to our hearts content.



The fire places were toasty, one in the living room, another in our bedroom, and another in our bathroom!  Linda was full of information, like where to go, how to get there, what shops to frequent, and where to eat.  Every place she recommended was lovely, from restaurants to antiques.





1790's Colonial, Three Maples.



To top off the trip, Steve Neff (my fiance) booked Three Maples.  Linda said "Oh your last name is Neff, that's funny, N.E.F.F. is in our back yard as in New England Forestry Foundation." 

That's been one of my dreams, to open a bed and breakfast when Steve and I are older, after staying at Three Maples, I have a great example of what a b&b should be.

*I am in no way endorsed by Three Maples, just a really happy (and can't wait to be a repeat) customer.



The "Neale Suite", our room.















This is what mornings look like at Three Maples.





Victorian knife holders, Linda showed me her collection. 

I am now obsessed.

NH!

Just a shot from Mt. Monadnok in NH from this weekend... ps I like my Neff hat because that will be my new last name in July, going from Koester to Neff is almost too good.



DIY Bird Cage Veil : Shopping for the right Netting

For most DIY weddings, you are spending your time, to save money.  Not like I have all the time in the world, but for wedding stuff, I will always find some.

I have a laundry list of DIY projects that I cannot wait to share.  The one that I am starting now (7 months prior to our wedding, so I can get it right) is the bird cage veil. 

We are getting married in July, and I have long hair, so yet another layer on a Summer day, isn't happening, that's how I decided on the birdcage veil.

I looked around, but wasn't impressed with the quality or the price.  So I have decided to make my own.  I happen to be very lucky...I work in Midtown Manhattan, one Avenue away from 7th Ave, known as Fashion Ave. ; home to all sorts of great fabric stores. 

Here are some snap shots during the netting hunt.  I saw so many types of fabrics that I want... need.  This fabric I liked because it's sturdy, bigger holes, and isn't floppy, so it will stay well.  It was 8/yd.

Sorry about the mobile pics, I remembered that I took my memory card out of my camera... as I arrived at the store. Figures.

mulled wine

Happy Friday!

To celebrate the weekend I thought a recipe for Mulled Wine would be appropriate. 

Mulled Wine is great for parties, I like to think of it at Winter Sangria.  Most people are iffy on it, "Hot wine?"  "Mold wine?"- some comments at our last function.  But once they take a swig, it's only minutes, and a cup later, before they are serving themselves another drink.

For a basic Mulled Wine use this recipe.

I wanted to experiment a little bit to make more of  a Mulled Wine/Winter Sangria hybrid.  Here's what I came up with.

 

Ingredients

• 2 bottles dry red wine
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 12 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tangerines, zested and then juiced
• 1/2 a red grapefruit cut into half circle slices
• 1 plum cubed
• 1 apple cubed

Directions

Combine ingredients in a large pot until. Do not allow mixture to boil, this will cook away your buzz!  For informal events I would keep in pot. If need be, pour into a heat resistant punch bowl.

*For the party I used a crock pot set to warm, and doubled the ingredients.

pita chips

I love pita chips, and they are so easy to make.  Wonderful crumbled into soups, or served on the side to dip into hummus, these are a party staple.

Ingredients

• 3 Soft whole wheat tortilla wraps
• e.v.o.o.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika or Cayenne
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Cumin
• Preheated oven to 375F

1. Cut tortilla into strips of your desired size.
2. Put in baking pan spread out, you may need two pans.
3. Drizzle olive oil evenly and shake pan to coat.
4. Season to liking.
5. Bake for 5-10 minutes checking often as to not burn them  Depending on the types of tortillas and type of pan, cook time may change. 
   
   * I know these are not real pita chips, but this recipe may be used with soft pitas too, I just like the tortillas to serve in soups.

italian wedding soup

This soup is from my Italian side of the family.  I make it garlic strong, with meaty escarole.  Best served with polenta, but maybe next time.  Hands down, it's one of my (and anyone who has it) favorites.

I use this recipe, but usually will substitute the ground pork/beef mixture for 16 oz ground turkey (I don't know why, but ground pork sceeves me out) for a low(er) fat option.

I love to crumble pita chips into this soup, coming soon! 

stuffed baked potato soup

My fiance, loves panera.  I do too, but he really loves it.  It's pretty much a weekend lunch staple, we were there this weekend, and last, and the one before last.  Do you see where I'm going with this?

My favorite thing on the menu is the Baked Potato Soup.  It's so creamy and rich, with a smokey touch due to the ham, bacon, or both they use.  Last weekend I decided to set out to find a clone recipe for this amazing soup.

Mission accomplished, this is the recipe I used, I love forums because people post their modifications.  Here's how I modified this favorite into my own.  I will also post it on the forum I found the original.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium white onion, minced
• 2 tsp janes krazy salt 
• 1 tsp white pepper 
• 1 tsp ground red pepper
• 1 (8oz)cream cheese, cut into chunks
• 1/2 pound bacon
• 1 tbs chives
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 Bay Leaves

1. Mix broth, potatoes, onion and seasonings, omit the chives and save for bacon.  Boil on medium until potatoes are tender.
2. While broth is cooking, fry 1/2 pound of bacon in an iron skillet with chives, until the bacon is crunchy.
3. Crumble bacon with food processor and add to soup.
4. With a potato smasher, smash potatoes to desired consistency, I like them creamy.
5. Turn the soup to low and add the cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese individually.  Only add the next after the first has completely melted into the soup.

cheesy herb biscuits

To complement all of our soups, especially the New England Clam Chowder, I made cheesy herb biscuits basing it on this and this recipe, making a wonderful mix of the two.  I do urge you to try them separately as well.

Here's my final version.

Ingredients

• 4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 2 tbs baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1tbs fresh sage
• 1tbs fresh rosemary
• 1tbs fresh chives

Butter mixture for brushing

• 4 tbs melted butter
• 1 tbs garlic powder
• dash of salt

1. Preheat oven to 475F.  Use an insulated (such as an airbake ) cookie sheet, if you don't have one use a double cookie sheet, these will burn if you are not careful.  Lightly oil the cookie sheet with e.v.o.o.
2. Add flour, baking powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, herbs and cheese in a bowl and blend.
3. Add milk and olive oil.
4. Stir together and use an ice cream scoop to form biscuits.
5. Bake in total for 10-12 minutes, mid way brush on butter mixture, keep an eye on them in the end.
6. Serve warm, after they cool they are delicious crumbled in your soup.

new england clam chowder



You're not cooking if you're not a little messy.



A couple of weeks ago my fiance and I went to a local pub called The Hungry Peddler.  It was homey with it's random instruments and old pictures hanging from everywhere, the Octoberfest beer was the ideal temperature, but oh the New England clam chowder.

Ever since that cup before my steak came out, I have been dreaming of it.  Most people dream about money, I dream about food... a lot, and what I want to make next.  No joke, I really daydream about food.





After finding this recipe I decided to alter it, of course, but only slightly*.

*Instead of using (2) 10 oz cans of chopped clams in juice (I couldn't find 10 oz cans) I used (4) 6.5 oz cans for a stronger taste.  I also used a potato smasher after the potatoes were soft to give the soup a creamy texture.