FALL IN LOVE AGAIN (with your home)

I think I already said in this blog that fall is my favorite season… But here I have to say it again. Every fall I “fall in love again”. I fall in love with the warm colors of the trees, I fall in love with the chill in the air and the cozy sweaters… the hearty food, all kinds of pumpkins decorating peoples' house. For me, the mood of fall has a feeling that mother earth is coming to visit my home. So I have to do something special to wait for her… clean and prepare the house, maybe refresh it. How do we refresh the house? Get inspired. Get a lot of inspiration. Do you know Pinterest? It’s a great website to get inspired. Here you can check "my inspiration boards", so maybe you can start there. But there are millions of inspirations out there. Once you are done with getting all the inspirations my first advice is: put away all the accessories from the room that you want change; and then start accessorizing the room again (maybe with some fall elements). Second: re-arrange the furniture if it is possible. Third, perhaps, buy a new piece of furniture. Last, donate everything that you got tired or that you never like it.

Is that Mother-Earth?!?

OK... Let’s start the work! Shake the dust!

BUT.... First, let's make some yummy soup… while the soup is cooking on the stove go back to Pinterest and search for inspirations. Then, get your stomach happy and your body full of energy.

Pumpkin Chowder - Via Country Living Magazine

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil 2 leeks, trimmed of tough green tops and chopped 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 medium bell peppers, chopped 2 1/4pound(s) pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2- by 1-inch-think pieces 1 1/2teaspoon(s) chopped fresh majoram 1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground black pepper 1 1/4cup(s) frozen corn 6 cup(s) vegetable broth.

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks and cook until very soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in green peppers, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until peppers soften, about 8 more minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until pumpkin is tender, about 30 minutes.

Inspired by the colors of the season...

Some of my choices... I think a new chair would add that final touch to the room...

If you want get more information on these pieces visit my board at Pinterest "Seating I Love".

Ohhhh! I found the "ONE"!

...And please look at the color of this hair! Hum.... this might give me some

ideas for my "color day hair" (which is today)!

If you decide to do your "Fall in Love Again" project, please send me pictures of "Before and After". 

I would love to see them!



SEASON'S GREETINGS

{Photo & Graphic by Renata Gross}

THE PLEASURES OF AUTUMN... A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

Autumn might be my favorite season… I mean, I love all seasons.  Each one has something different to offer… I remember when I moved to US/New York my first years here I used to be so excited waiting for the fall season to come. I mean, REALLY excited about it.  You have to think that I am girl from a tropical country where the colors of autumn is a little less defined compared to here.  In the tropical countries the fall colors are not so bright as much as here...  and also there isn't the red tons.  


Fall has a quality that is earthier then the other seasons, with a deep and soft vibrancy that makes me feel good. The warm tons of color, the spicies fragances, the textured materials of wood, baskets and wool, the so and so cold in the air… Oh... Ah... the crispy days with blue skies and gold yellow leaves...  Ah, it's a season that makes me feel like escaping to the countryside; and enjoying all the "goodie & goodie" pleasures of life.

LET'S START HERE!

If you don't have one of these "cutie beauties", rent one and head to the country!

 Next day: maybe you are lucky enough to get this kind of glorious morning...

(Photo: via The Paper Mulberry from 1st-Option)

How about a mellow walk?

Hum... feeling a little tired after your long walk?  So, now... how about grabbing a good book,

 and enjoying a relaxing time in the couch?

(Photo: via one of my old Elle Decor - Designer: Michael S. Smith)

LUNCH TIME!

Maybe some warm and delicious soup from the book "The Soup Bible".

NAP TIME!

(Photo: via one of my old Elle Decor - Designer: Michael S. Smith)

In the afternoon: going to the local art gallery would maybe be a good choice...

Don't forget to bring "organic apples & pears" to home!

(Photo: Still Life by Cezzane)

Before supper I think would be fun to go shopping online...  Jayson Home  is one of my suggestions; if you are looking for something charming for your home or garden!

Hum... but while your are shopping for your favorite item, how about that yummy cupcake

with coffee or tea?

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

by Barefoot Contessa

{Makes 10 cupcakes}

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Maple Frosting (recipe follows)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped Heath bars, for serving (2 1.4-ounce bars)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared tins (I use a level 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

4. Spread the cupcakes with the Maple Frosting and sprinkle with the chopped toffee bits.

Maple Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon Boyajian Natural Maple Flavor

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

AND FOR DINNER  _  A RICH STEW!

(One of my favorite kind of food: Stews)

Oxtail Stew in Red Wine - Rabo de Toro

from the book: The Culinary Institute of America One Dish Meals

{Makes 6 servings}

Oxtail stews have incredible body and flavor. We recommend that you make this a day or two before you plan to eat it—the flavor deepens as it rests. Boiled, mashed, or pan-fried potatoes are good accompaniments to this dish, along with a glass of the wine you used to make the stew.

 

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3/4 lb oxtail pieces

Salt as needed

Freshly ground black pepper as needed

2 cups chopped yellow onion

1-1/2 cups chopped leek, white and light green portions

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup diced plum tomato

1 tbsp sherry vinegar or as needed

1 tbsp honey

2 cups dry red wine, such as a good-quality Rioja

3 cups beef broth or as needed

4 parsley sprigs

4 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish

1. Heat the oil in a casserole or Dutch oven over high heat until it shimmers. Season the oxtail pieces generously with salt and pepper; add in a single layer to the hot oil. (Work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pieces.) Sauté the oxtail, turning as necessary, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate, letting the oil drain back into the casserole. Cover the oxtail loosely and set aside.

 

2. Return the casserole to high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the onion, leek, and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the diced tomato and cook until it deepens in color and smells sweet, about 2 minutes.

 

3. Add 1 tbsp sherry vinegar and the honey and stir until the honey is dissolved. Return the oxtail pieces and any juices they may have released to the casserole and fold the oxtail into the vegetables gently with a wooden spoon.

4. Add the red wine and enough of the broth to cover the oxtail. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Tie the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together into a bouquet garni and add to the stew. Cover the casserole and simmer very gently over low heat until the meat on the oxtail is nearly falling from the bone, 2 to 3 hours.

 

5. Transfer the oxtail pieces to a heated serving bowl and keep warm. Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Return the casserole to the heat. Skim the fat and oil from the surface and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer rapidly until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with additional sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the oxtail pieces, garnish with parsley, and serve at once.

Happy "tummy"...?!  Get a glass of wine; or some hot chocolate and the blanket...

A little romantic movie... I think would be an excellent option after dinner!

And if you have a fireplace to go with the movie it would be more then perfect!

(I know... the image shows a living room during day time.  Please, just use your imagination to make the room at night time.) I just love this living room _ another beautiful creation of

designer Michael S. Smith.

Ok... next day is time to go back to the city.  I feel so bad to leave the country, don't you?!... 

I love all about it!  How about you? Do you have any suggestions that apply to our intenerary?

Ok...  Let's not fell bad about it, next time let's create an "Autumn Day in the City". 

I promise to you that I would come up with one.

By the way,  before you head to the country don't forget to check the:

NYSTATE FOLIAGE REPORT

MONDAY OFF = MEMORIAL DAY

It might be a little too late to post this one… because I generally don’t plan what I am writing… Most of the time I wake up, and whatever is passing through my mind would became the subject of the day! For some reason I woke up today and I thought: “Oh, how great today is a holiday!” Mike is home, I did not go to my internship… and it feels like Saturday, or Sunday! Ok. Today is Memorial Day. Some people are having barbecues in their backyards, enjoying their day off; and it’s the beginning of summer (here in USA)! A combination of all that got me inspired to search about things Memorial Day things… I mean, things related to the party atmosphere. How lovely is it to have a casual party in your backyard with friends and family! And that’s about it: simple table set ups for your Memorial Day get together! Well, like a said before… It might be a little late for that, if I want to share ideas with you girls and boys! But, I am thinking of that last minute idea that you are looking for… maybe you are not preparing a party right now; just mellowing out like me and searching for inspirations… so there it goes_ some cute, eye candy for your off day!

Via The Party Dress

Via Country Living - Photo credit: Keith Scott Morton

Via Marth Stewart

Via A Trendy Wedding

Via Pizzazzeria

WHAT TO WEAR... Via At Auds

Via Southerliving - Photo credit: Jennifer Davick

Via The Cake

WHAT TO WEAR... Via Polyvore

Via The Style Sisters

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

A TRIBUTE TO JAPAN - Design & Culture

I feel really sorry for what had happened and still happening in Japan… According to recent news the water have finally been retreated and people are coming back to their homes. I just can image how devastated they would fell coming home and seen all destroyed and lost. I mean, they are already desvasted from the moment that the earthquake and tsunami had hit the land.  I don’t think I could take all that!
But in this post I don’t want talk about the sadness that is going on in Japan… That’s something for the news. I want remind myself and you about all the beautiful, fun, creative, trendy, inspiriting things from Japan and produced in Japan. Hopefully this post can inspire you... and you might fell like contributing somehow to help this country and their people during this giant crises that they dealing with. PEACE for JAPAN!



In progress still... I've so busy this last week and this weekend that I couldn't post my regular post... I am trying today... But it seem that I am not going able to finish it today... I too tired! I have to go to bed... Sorry... zzzzzzzzzz... I sleeping on my laptop!

Nite, nite....

SHOP FOR JAPAN