Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Wanted: Week 19


1. Alexis Bittar Earrings, Neiman Marcus $375  2. Odds and Ends Tray, Kate Spade $40  3. Beehive Tumbler, Zara Home $35.90  4. Marble Print Suit, Rachel Comey $276  5. Dream Weaver Necklace, Karen London $106  6. Brass Basket, H&M  7. Vintage Wing Arm Chair, RugsUSA $763  8.
La Laque No24 Rose Abstrait, Yves Saint Laurent $27  9. Garra Bottle Stopper, Bliss Home & Design $40  10. Clear Clutch
Monday, May 12, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Foodie Files

Real talk: I haven't cooked in a long time.  A long, long time.  It's terrible for many reasons, though more than anything else it's just something I really miss doing.  I'll get back on the ball once we're settled, but in the meantime I've got my Dad's AMAZING flan recipe to share.  One of the funny things about having a chicken coop in your backyard is an occasional surplus of eggs...my Dad employs this recipe when they start to stack up (and/or when I beg him to make it like I did today).  

Ingredients:
12 eggs total, 6 yolks, 6 whole
1 cup sugar
1 can evaporated milk
1 can condensed milk


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a heavy skillet over medium-low heat, cook and stir sugar until melted and light brown, about 10 minutes.  Mix eggs with an electric mixer...be careful not to over mix.  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend smooth.  


Carefully pour sugar into a 9 inch round baking dish or bundt pan, tilting the dish to coat the bottom and sides completely.  Pour custard into caramelized mold and place in a hot water bath. 


Fill with water about halfway up bundt pan.  Cover with foil then bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Remove from water bath and allow about an hour to come to room temperature.  


Re-cover with foil and refrigerate until cool, then flip and serve!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Seasons.

It's been awhile, huh?  I sure have missed posting regularly but in the interest of my mental, emotional and physical well being I decided to put a pin in all non-moving activities until I got a chance to catch my breath.  It's been a slightly chaotic, extremely transitional but altogether wonderful month.  The weeks seem to be going by fast but the days are so, so long.  By the time my head hits the pillow at night I just don't have one ounce of energy left...I'm sure you can relate.  

Nonetheless, I've been thinking about seasons lately (of the literal and figurative variety).  As usual, Nashville has basically skipped over spring and dived head first into summer which means it's hot as the dickens out already (and consequently, I'm happy as a clam).  I was sitting outside with Virginia for just a moment yesterday when I pondered the harsh winter that just came to a close.  However illogical it might be, there was a part of me that felt like it was going to be winter forever...yet there I was enjoying the warm sun on my face, with half-polished toes scrunched in the grass, welcoming the cool breeze instead of cursing it.  "This too shall pass" is a lesson I've had to learn over and over throughout my life and yesterday I grasped it afresh.  

Not unlike the difficult winter, our season of transition has been downright exhausting.  And it's not over just yet, though we'll get there.  There's a light at the end of the new-normal tunnel and it's looking bright in more ways than one.  We're gonna make it...and so are you.  If you're feeling discouraged, tired, or even just complacent- keep going.  Don't mistake the temporary for the rest of your life.  You're not stuck, you're moving forward.  Every day is one day closer to a new season.  But I digress :)

I don't know exactly what this next week, month or year is gonna hold for my life, for my marriage, for my family, for our business or even for the things that I can feasibly plan like this blog...but I'm committed to working hard on all of it because I want to see every last bit of it flourish.  One of the things I love about this blog is that it's a living thing- it changes and grows right along with my life.  I haven't plotted it out completely, but I imagine there's some change heading this way soon because...well...there has to be.  If you don't let things grow you condemn them to die.  Bear with me as I figure out what exactly growth means for this space.  I've (finally!) got a few posts lined up for the rest of this week and into next week so I hope you're not planning to go anywhere...we'll figure out the changes as we go, how's that sound?  

As always, I so appreciate the fact that so many of you come back here day after day and week after week.  Your patience and graciousness has kept me from loosing my mind and I whole heartedly thank you.  I can't wait to enter this new season together!