Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Mid week musings........



Hello and happy Wednesday. How has your week been going? Mine has been good and productive. I have been on a serious productivity binge lately and it feels great. I know when it slows down, it normally comes to a grinding halt so taking full advantage while these productivity juices are flowing! Lets get right down to business.......


I love to share cooking tips, recipes and ideas with you. I want to include the pesto cheese dip that is always and I do mean always such a huge hit.  Several of you asked for it so here it goes. It is easy as pie and wonderful for a small group or to double up and serve to a larger crowd. Served with crostinis...I could make a meal out of this alone!

Pesto cheese dip

1 8 oz cream cheese
A pinch of sea salt and fresh pepper
Pinch of salt and pinch of pepper
2 cloves garlic very thinly minced
1/4 cup pesto ( I add a little more)
1/2 cup feta
thinly sliced 1/2 red onion
About 3 tbsp olive oil
1 small roma tomato sliced thin

Mix together everything except the tomato in a pyrex dish.(or you can make a mold out of it as I did with the mini springform pan or any other small baking dish).  Add tomato on top. Cover and heat in preheated oven at 350 for about 25 min. Then remove aluminum and turn up oven to about 450 and let broil/slightly bubble for maybe 8-10 min. Take out. Spoon onto warmed crostinis or serve directly. This is sooooo good!


 Also made a really good and tasty meal a few nights ago (and my picky husband will second this) he looooved this dinner. My white clam sauce is a staple,  but have been searching for a good caesar salad recipe and I discovered a fabulous one from my buddy, Kate over at Party Resources. My personal benchmark for caesar salad is from the Waterlot Inn in Bermuda, they make it tableside and it is out of this world. This salad comes mighty close to that one and is one of the best I have eaten.  Delicious! So I have included a few pics and the caesar salad recipe that is a must make!






 
Here is Kate's recipe...and its a hit!
Funny I made it the first time without anchovies, becuase of my kids but she said to try it again and we wouldn't even taste them, and she was right...you must include them!

Caesar Salad

Ingredients
Small tin of anchovies
3 large garlic cloves
3 generous tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
Worcestershire Sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups good mild olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional cheese to mix in to the salad
Croutons
Romaine hearts

For the dressing, place the garlic and anchovies (dump entire tin with the oil) in the food processor and blend until smooth. Then add mayo, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper and process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and process until thick. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.

Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well. Add a generous amount of grated Parmesan and croutons. Toss and enjoy.


Lets move away from food, I am getting hungry again! I am in love with this leopard ottoman, I want it. I need it. I must have it. Period. Maybe for the library? I am doing a whole post on leopard soon so stay tuned......
Though the red looks beautiful I would pipe mine in moss green to match the gorgeous velvet moss green sofa I have visions in my head of for that room.....
And this is the idea for the luscious green sofa I have in mind.....

Hey what is Tory doing on MY sofa....lol. This one is a beauty.........


Antlers....do you like them? I don't know but  I have developed a real crush on them. So I impulsively bought a pair on One Kings Lane. Thinking of putting them above my stone hood in my kitchen or mounted somewhere in my family room. What do you think? Here they are! (these are faux antlers FYI) I remember seeing them all over in France, above doorways, in kitchens, libraries and foyers....they really captivated me. I like how the black base compliments my island.

On the house front.....working on my bedroom, dining room and loggia simultaneously. Its a lot of fun and I am making really good progress. Here's a mood board I designed for my loggia, the furniture has been ordered, unfortunately the lanterns from Currey I found out are not suitable for outdoor use to back to the drawing board on the lanterns. So here are my ideas (the furniture has been ordered)......


 I chose neutral furniture because this way I can switch out fun colored and patterned pillows and accessories to get a different feel. For winter I can go darker and for summer/spring light and airy.


Here is my new tole blue lamp that looks perfect in my little office/nook off my master bedroom .Its like it was made for this wallpaper! I love it..



I am also getting closer to making final decisions on my bedroom. Pulling the trigger and ordering the ivory background carpet with blue accents. If down the road I want to bring in another color its less limiting than the blue though both were winners in my book. Fell madly in love with the chinoiserie upper left fabric, its a linen and I am just determined to use it....spoke to my fabricator about possibly using it for the bed crown, I think it could be really pretty and line it with a softly toned mini silk check or solid can you visualize? Also love a rich velvet, maybe for an otttoman or bench........


The stripe on right I am considering for drapes...its a beautiful silk from Beacon Hill

Anyone out there a serial cookbook collector like myself? I tend to go on binges, won't buy anything then I will go on Amazon who makes it mighty easy with one click and buy 3 or 4 at a time. Here is what is due here anyday, anyone have them and if so what are your thoughts?






Anybody out there a stationary fanatic like me? I would throw a party every month just to have an excuse to go out and pick and buy a beautiful invitation if it wasn't so much work to host one. I LOVE stationary and am shocked that I have not opened up a stationary business at this point in my life. One of the lines I love is Lobird, have spoken of them before.....just ordered some of these notecards. They offer a lot of customization, and their selections are fabulous and sophisticated. I ordered one for me (wonder if you can guess which) and a few for gifts.......click here to visit them.












Last order of biz...here are the latest and greatest items just added to my online store. Some are available in limited quantities. As usual if you have any questions just ask! Email me here.

New chargers! These are beautiful nickel and such an easy way to dress up even a simple dish. I snagged a large lot (85 pieces) and these are officially up under new additions, click here to visit.

 
And how pretty is this two tiered garland silver serving piece? Its a love for me! Also under new additions.......such a beautiful serving piece for desserts, petit fours, any kind of appetizer, etc.....

When I find unusual and beautiful things, I get very excited.  Here are a few new cake dishes that I am just getting in, in addition to the spectacular new addition featured first. Are these not the most beautiful cake dishes!! Heirloom quality, and soooo classically elegant.





And how about this sensational ginger jar!! LOOOOVE it.... standing at a whopping 30" tall this is what I call a serious statement piece!!
Gorgeous painted tole bracket....a real showstopper!

In love with this absolutely breathtaking wastepaper basket...only 3! This is exceptional for any tole lovers!

All of these pretties can be found under my new additions on my online store. Click here to visit.


 I love when i get your pictures and thank you all for sending them. I had put together a new album to upload of customer pictures and somehow the album totally disappeared, literally have no idea where it went. So.....if anyone cares to send in pictures of their bell jars, dough bowls, blue and whites, napkin rings, or any other Enchanted home item in use...sure would love to see them and add them to my online collection of customers homes! Click here to email me your pictures. And thanks in advance and apologies if you sent me them and they were lost:(

Well that wraps up things over here. Wishing you a wonderful day, will be back in a day or two on a wonderful post all about one of my favorite subjects.........until then!

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35 comments:

  1. The clam pasta looks amazing! i love shellfish, clams, muscle, lobster, crabs...am off to france to morrow and my favorite things is sitting in a brasserie with huge trays of "fruits de mer".

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  2. Tina- this is like a mini magazine (better)! Love your ideas for your bedroom, its so elegant and soft. Don't cook a lot so dont' buy books on cooking, much to my husbands dismay!
    Your new items are just gorgeous. I need one of those cake dishes! Thanks for including recipes, the clams and salad looks so good. And the pesto dip I bet is great, I love pesto so will definitely try it, maybe for our superbowl party in a few weeks.
    Hope you have a great day.

    PS The loggia looks too amazing for words. Can I ask who makes the furniture? Its great looking.

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  3. Tina I can't wait to try out your recipes this long weekend. The husband is nuts over Caeser salad and anything with clams. I don't collect cookbooks since I find I only use one or two recipes and then I have a mass of books laying around. Instead I've printed out recipes, tried them and if they are great slip them into sleaves to protect them and have notebooks full. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful things.

    XXX
    Debra~

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  4. GOOD MORNING TINA!

    It is always a good feeling to get a good "parking space" here to visit with you!

    I have to tell you that I TOO have developed a mad crush on antlers. It is that old European style of combining NATURE with elegance in a room to give a holistic feel of organic beauty. I am going to go pick up a small pair(there is an antique store near me that sells tons of them) and just use them over my mantle.

    Oh your wares are fab. You are working so hard, and for me, I am taking things slow for just a while until I can figure out my next "move" as far as my art. That paper wedding dress I made is now in the window of the shop and I am going to savor the fact that my work is public for a little while!

    Have a marvelous day and oh, that pasta dish you shared is splendid! I think I will make some tonight! Anita

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  5. That dip sounds so easy and sounds delicious. You always have the best wallpapers - love the one you showed with your lamp. You cookbook from my giveaway has been shipped! Hopefully, you will find a new fave or two in there. That stationery is adorable. Love the deers. xo

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  7. Hi Tina,
    So much goodness in one place! I am desperate need of a new appetizer recipe and this one looks like the winner! I love all the ingredients, so can only imagine how fabulous it will be all mixed together...and on a crostini!

    Love, simply love, caesar salad, so will have to give this one a go!

    Leopard, did you say leopard...bring it on. I am lusting after the Celine leopard hangbag and you'll be hard pressed to find a room in my house without a touch of it.

    Enjoy this day...sounds like you are on a creative roll!! :)
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  8. My daugther loves caesar salad, I must try your recipes, sounds delicious! I love your choices of fabric for your bedroom, it is going to be stunning! I also had a fetish for cookbooks. I had a nice collection of cookbooks and then hurricane Sandy came and washed them all away. Oh well, its easily replaced! I love all your new items in the store, especially that ginger jar. Have a great day!

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  9. I know a lot of people think that antlers are overdone recently, and to a certain extent, I see that argument. But I think they are SUCH a classic design touch that after the antler trend dies down, they will still look chic and fun. I vote yes! {I've got my eye on a few sets as well, so I can't wait to see where you put yours}.

    And we need to start a Cookbook Hoarders Anonymous support group! I'm the same way. One of my 101 in 1,001 is to cook at least one recipe from every cookbook I own. No small undertaking, especially when I keep buying more :)

    Thanks for sharing the pesto recipe! I can't wait to make it!

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  10. Tina,
    Thanks for the recipes, I will try the pesto dip and cesear salad.
    Love the green couch, and antlers. I do not know what room you are thinking of for these pieces but I love them and am amazed because I do not see any blue anywhere (lol)
    I love all your rooms, you have beautiful things.

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  11. Such a fabulous post Tina, loads of fun things to look at and read about! Reading this made me realize how much I miss the tableside Caeser tradition, it seems more and more restaurants have done away with the practice. I love the chinoiserie and the Beacon Hill stripe, all of those samples are just beautiful! And the cookbook syndrome? I can't even go there, it clearly is a personality disorder for me!

    Sending you a smile,
    tp

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  12. Hi Tina, you have covered a lot; however I love it!! Toe new covered cake plates, oh my I adore them.
    The Caesar Salad looks so delish I cannot wait to try the recipe.
    Your office looks perfect with the small tole lamp, yes it is made for the beautiful wallpaper!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2013 Artists Series

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  13. Lots of fun here this morning Tina! Love a little leopard myself;) ~that ottoman is a great piece!! I'm a big pesto fan and your salad looks delicious. The antlers.. I JUST bought one to put on my mantel. It's fun and adds a different element to the room. .. Off the work and will come back later for a second look:)

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  14. We recognize the green couch from a Mario Buatta Kip's Bay room (that's our orchid in the picture!) and love a touch of animal print anywhere! Trying to stir things up in the kitchen this year so we'll defintely be looking at those cookbooks. Thanks for sharing, Tina, and happy Wednesday!
    xxoo
    C + C

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  15. Hi Tina! Love the green silk sofa that Tory B is on... It is featured in the vogue living book and designed for her by Romualdez in homage to Givanchy and the 17th century painting above is breathtaking...Hugs z

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  16. Hi Tina,
    and thank you for sharing the Caesar salad dressing recipe. I love it done with anchovies and restaurants don't seem to include this ingredient any more...can't wait to make it.

    Cheers from Manhattan
    Emily @ Upstate Country House

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  17. Perfect timing - I was just thinking about what to serve to some friends coming for dinner and voila! I love pesto so much and am always on the look out for new ways to use it. Love, love, love your new lamp too. So pretty. x Sharon

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  18. Hi Tina! I love your ideas for the loggia - I had to laugh about desiging several rooms at once - I am doing the same! I have two of the canal house cookbooks - they are gorgeous! And I'm a big fan of leopard and zebra prints - in small doses. Love the idea of pairing it with a moss green sofa - yummy!!!

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  19. Your loggia is going to turn out FABulous!!

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  20. LOVE the green sofa!!! And I can't wait for the post on leopard!!!
    Stacy

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  21. Now I wanna make that salad and I also like the green sofa, but am thinking my cat and dog would like the fringe too much. I am heading over to check out your store
    Have a great day.

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  22. Thank you for the recipes, I'm going to try them.

    Tori's green sofa is beautiful but I would like one without the gold trim in french blue in a silk velvet....someday.

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  23. Thanks for sharing all the recipes! The pesto cheese dip sounds yummy and easy (which is important for me :) And I'm crushing on your bedroom palette. Lovely fabrics. Very serene! And what else? Oh, that gorgeous charger.....I am seeing a really beautiful, mellow lustre.
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  24. Thank you for the caesar recipe, Tina... I shall try that out this weekend... Looks delish... xv

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  25. Mmm.. you have my mouth watering and my stomach feeling hunger pains with these recipes. That Caesar salad looks AMAZING. I will give it a try. Your bedroom palette is really pretty. It'll be fun and I'm sure beautiful seeing all finished. The antlers... I love antlers as long as they're not still attached to the head, fur, eyes of the animal! LOL I inherited a huge one when I married my husband, complete with fur, big brown eyes, huge nostrils.. you get the picture. I have no problem with people hunting, I just don't like the way it looks hanging on the wall except maybe in a lodge type house or room. I keep thinking I might be able to convince hubster one day to have it remounted with antlers only, then I would proudly display it in the library/family room. :D

    Happy mid-week! Thanks so much for your visit to my post yesterday. My vines grew again overnight and some of the stems are getting a tinge of purple already.

    Keri

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  26. I want to come and live at your place! The food is always scrumptious looking, and beautifully presented, and house decor is the ultimate in chic and elegant, and then I can shop your goodies and take one of everything home. That wallpaper snippet we saw is so dreamy, I wish I had something pretty to look at like that when I'm on my computer, but sadly I'm currently stuck in the laundry!

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  27. Can't wait to try the pesto dip. I grow basil during the summer then making batches of pesto and freezing it for Christmas gifts. Love the stuff. Have never used it in a dip.........now I will. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Good evening tina!

    I love the stationary!!! And the pesto dip! And the loggia furniture! And so much more. It does seem to be an incredibly productive time there at the Enchanted Home. Everything looks beautiful.

    I am a huge fan of antlers, I know many are not but my husband brings them home from his travels in Europe, Africa and elsewhere. I cannot wait to see where you hang yours, I think they will look beautiful wherever you put them.

    Have a great week! Elizabeth

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  29. Hi Tina - Thank you, thank you, thank you for the Pesto Dip recipe!! I cannot wait to try it.

    Great choices for your bedroom - I have that Beacon Hill fabric on my dining room chairs - it is SO pretty!

    I also am a "serial cookbook collector"...I got two for Christmas by Cooks Illustrated and still haven't had a chance to look at them. I gave my daughter the Smitten Kitchen one and wish I had gotten a copy for myself too.

    I love the notecards - I am probably a "serial notecard buyer" also - my husband requested I use the ones I have before I buy more, but I may have to buy some of Lobirds - adorable!

    Have a lovely evening! xoxoxo

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  30. Thank you for sharing these delicious looking recipes! I'm hungry now -- thank you very much! I can't wait to see the loggia. LOVE the direction. And all of the new lovlies for your store!! Gorgeous!

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  31. Tina...your patio is going to look great and love the choices that you made for the bedroom..I love the new cake stands...so pretty

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  32. Aaah your food posts make me soooo hungry! And that stationary is amazing!! I hope you're having a wonderful week!
    xo
    Sharon

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  33. The Canal House cookbooks are fantastic - you will love them!

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  34. Tina ... absolutely love the carpet you have picked and chinoise fabric. The Beacon Hill silk stripe is always so elegant! I love your choices .... have a great Wednesday and yes I love cookbooks! I have so many and some great ones by Aussie chefs that you might like!
    cheers
    Frances

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  35. That to pasta looks amazing! I wish someone comes up with a cure for gluten. We miss out on so many tasty food.

    Go for the green sofa. I'm sure it'll look amazing.

    Have a great weekend Dear Tina.

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!