Awesome Coffee Mug

Yup, it is a replica of a camera lens. My mother-in-law is awesome. Here's the inside of it:




I honestly have no idea aboutvwhere to find one. Maybe Amazon or some local shops? Hilarious though- it's fun to bring to work.

Inspired: Roman Shades

Inthe bathroom on the main floor. Now to find nice, clean, crisp vintage linen!


- Posted from my iPhone

Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins

 I was having issues this weekend finding a recipe that I could use. I wanted a cream cheese batter - not cream cheese in the middle or plopped on top. And when this girl wants a cream cheese batter, this girl will do pretty much anything to find a recipe that's easily adapted to CREAM CHEESE.

Adapted from this Best Blueberry Muffins Recipe

Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins

• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, at room temp 
• 1 package of cream cheese 
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries or 2 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk

1. Heat oven to 375°.
2. Grease 18 regular-size muffin cups (or 12 large size muffins).
3. In bowl or stand mixer, mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and cream cheese and beat until pale and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.
5. Beat in vanilla, baking powder and salt.
6. Add in half of flour then half of milk into batter; repeat.
7. Fold in blueberries.
8. Spoon into muffin cups.
9. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.

And I'd like to link up to Lisa's Sweets For a Saturday #10

I've Gone Mobile

Um, yea i've found an app to post from my iphone. Woo hoo!


- Posted from my iPhone

Fettuccine With Peas, Shallot & Herbs

It's thisclose to summer and fresh herbs and veggies from the garden. I'm tempted to plant peas, but knowing what happened last year with tomatoes, I think I should probably buy a bigger fence for my veggies!

This recipe has mint - feel free to leave out or sub with basil. I just love how green it is!

Cook the peas with the pasta the last few minutes of the cooking time. This recipe is from my Real Simple recipe app on my iPhone - it's so nice to have while standing in Byerly's. I don't think I can go grocery shopping without recipes in front of my anymore, isn't that awful?

Saute the shallots, I cut them up nicely since I didn't really know if I wanted big hunks of shallot in my teeth.

And cheese. I love cheese.

Mix all together and enjoy. YUM.

Fettuccine With Peas, Shallot, and Herbs

* 12 ounces fettuccine (3/4 box)
* 1 10-ounce package frozen peas
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 6 shallots, sliced
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 1/2 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan (2 ounces)
* 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
* 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, drain, and return the pasta and peas to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the shallots, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Toss the pasta and peas with the shallots, ¼ cup of the cheese, and the reserved cooking water.
5. Fold in the parsley and mint. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup of cheese and serve.

A Rack Of Ribs (Live Blogging)

 These are cooking in my kitchen. RIGHT NOW. And it smells so good!

But on the flip side - I have no idea if this is wine or not. I bought it because it was cheaper than $13 at Costco. It tastes awful. But I still put it in the pot to deglaze the pan anyway.

Behind it - my special BBQ sauce. Sort of - tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, honey, hot sauce, pepper and soy sauce. Just mix it together and throw it in the pot.

Beware I've Been Baking & Cooking

Soon to be blogged:

Blueberry cream cheese muffins
Pasta with peas, shallots & herbs
Steak

And I'm probably going to make something with a jalepeno, black beans and cilantro tomorrow. We shall see.

Rusty Is Lazy

I come home from work and he looks like this.

Or else he's completely spread out by the front window. Or on the couch.

He's such a funny dog (not to mention that he can totally be an asshole), but he has this funny habit where he'll lay on the couch, hear something outside but instead of going to the window to look and see what it is - he just barks from the couch. And no, he doesn't even lift his head up to look.

Lazy, lazy dog. Lazy.

Please Take Your Bets

This week I started a germination tray for spinach and basil. This afternoon I'm starting one for lettuce.

I think I'm going to need more than one large garden container for veggies this year. What are the odds that you think I can find at least 5 for less than $15 each?

I guess it's off to Ikea this weekend to see what some of my options are! Any other ideas for where I can find large garden pots that aren't too expensive?

I'm not opposed to making my own but I don't have a saw. I do have an orbital sander though. HA.

Backyard Inspiration

Oh my goodness gracious. I have fallen in love with this idea for our backyard. This comes from Sunset and I totally want to do this!

Oh, and if you want to see what else inspires me, click here to follow my Pinboard on Pinterest...