My Latest Crush

I have been drooling over this since I received my Elle Decor this month (it's on the cover) and I just had to share. 

Saturday Sun plus A Quiche

( Listen to this song while reading this blog:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5G242IBygM  )

Saturday has long been my favorite day.  The week is freshly finished and Monday is not tomorrow but some day after that- just far enough away for me to pretend the weekend might last all week.  I particularly love lazy Saturday mornings that melt slowly into afternoons.  This time of year the sun seems to be more crisp and I'm convinced it shines brighter on Saturday especially.   I've been craving this Salmon Quiche for weeks and finally decided to make it this morning, crust and all.  It was delightful and added to the splendor of the Saturday sun shining in my kitchen window.  Happy Saturday. 

Smoked Salmon Tart

Serves 6

Buttery Pastry Dough

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

4 oz smoked salmon sliced

1 cup (4 oz) grated Swiss cheese

4 large eggs

3/4 cup whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1.  Roll the pastry dough into a 12-inch circle about 1/2 inch thick on a sheet of waxed paper or countertop lightly dusted with flour.  Carefully lift the dough and press it into a 10-inch tart pan or 9-inch pie plate.  Trim the edges of the dough and crimp them with a fork or your fingertips.  Cover the pastry shell with plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.

2.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

3.  Take the pastry shell from the freezer and brush it with the egg white.  Bake for 5 minutes. Set it aside to cook slightly.  Meanwhile, increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees.

4.  Lay the salmon slices over the bottom of the pastry shell and sprinkle with cheese.

5.  Beat the eggs, milk, cream, and dill with a fork and season with pepper.  Gently pour this mixture over the salmon and cheese.  Bake for 15 minutes.

6.  Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.  A 10-inch tart will bake a little faster than a 9-inch pie.  Cool slightly before serving.

Recipe from Autumn Nights, Winter Mornings by Barbara Scott-Goodman

Dreaming of Cassis

It needs no words...

Photographs courtesy of Christina Arthur, my momma

Impromptu Fall Foliage Wreath

In my final days before the little bean arrived, I had a sudden urge to do some fall decorating.  I'm not really a fan of seasonal decorations because you have to eventually take them down and it just seems silly, but I have been anxiously awaiting fall for so long that I thought its arrival deserved a celebratory wreath and maybe a few odd pumpkins.  I wasn't about to go spend money on a brightly colored and mostly tacky faux fall wreath at my local hobby shop, so I decided to search the internet for something I could make at home.  I love me some Martha and I was delighted when I found how-to instructions for a Fall Foliage Wreath on MarthaStewart.com.  Unfortunately, my craft arsenal is pretty pathetic and I didn't have Kraft paper, metallic paper, satin ribbon or a wreath form.  Basically I had none of the required materials, so, instead, I made the wreath out of a hanger and some brown paper bags saved from the grocery store.  I bought some ribbon for a couple dollars at Wal-Mart and voila.  It's not nearly as pretty as Martha's, but it looks just fine from the street! 

I followed the exact instructions from MarthaStewart.com, but instead fashioned a wire hanger into a circle and cut the leaves from brown paper bags.

Born On A Sunday Morning

"Heaven blew every trumpet

 and played every horn

on the wonderful, marvelous

night you were born."

Born on a Sunday morning, like my favorite verse from my favorite song.  The moment she arrived was truly musical as, far and wide, church bells rang, gospel choirs sang, and my world changed.  Forever. 

Introducing... Lillian Grace.

"On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

'Life will never be the same.'"

-quotes from On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

The Nursery Unveiled

Although I don't think I'll ever be satisfied... with anything, I thought now was as good a time as any to reveal the nursery.  Perhaps it is the pregnancy hormones but I've been having this overwhelming feeling of dissatisfaction with my surroundings.  I lay awake at night contemplating whether or not I should get up and just start purging.  I dream about wild house cleaning sprees where I throw away the unused contents of every cupboard and drawer and I donate all of the things in this house that I just don't love anymore.  Unfortunately, I don't have the discipline or the energy to do any of those things at this point and so instead I will meditate on loving what is. 
In the meantime, I took some pictures of the baby's room this weekend and although I am unhappy with how they turned out (shocker), I will display them anyway, but only because I said I would. 

Probably the best "whole room" shot using the mirrored closet door and featuring Jasper, my assistant, looking super sassy on that pink zebra rug. 

The crib is a classic Jenny Lind style wooden number that we got at Babies'R'Us for less than $200.  I made the crib skirt and bumper out of Michael Miller green chevron fabric and Amy Butler's Love Sandalwood in tangerine, respectively, both of which are less than $10/yd.  The crib sheet is from PotteryBarn Baby and was on clearance.  The curtains are also Amy Butler fabric made by my lovely and talented Mama.  The two paintings above the crib are Matisse's Citrons sur Fond Rose and Raoul Dufy's Le Tour Eiffel, some colorful Fauvist favorites for her little eyes.  I'm trying to breed an artist- can you tell?

Close up of the vintage tie-backs I scored at Werther's Antique mall in Wallholler (Walhalla), SC.

Alas, the part of the room where all the magic will happen: dirty diapers and the dairy rack.  The side table, rocking chair, and green mirror are all hand-me-downs from different generous sources and we already had them "laying around."  The lamp was a thrift store find ($3) and I smacked a wicker IKEA lampshade on it.  Above the rocking chair is another framed Matisse, a platter that I collected somewhere along the way, and an original pastel drawing done by yours truly that will probably not stay there.  Having it framed has been on the to-do list for a couple of weeks now, thus adding to my angsty, unsatisfied impulses.  Rats.  As for the dresser, it was a Craigslist steal that we painted white, handles and all, and it doubles as a changing table.

Close up.

Closer up.

Bookshelf, fabric baskets and lamp all from IKEA.  The chair used to be at my grandparents kitchen table-  I painted and recovered it years ago.  Assemblage of found objects atop the bookcase mostly consists of thrift store and antique mall finds.  Original oil painting was a gift and I can't remember the artist's name.

There are about a million things I'd still like to do to make the room feel more complete, but I was reminded that if I waited until I thought it was perfect, then I would never reveal it. 

And so there it is- just like me- as ready as it will ever be for baby to arrive.

Autumn Soup to Warm the Soul

So I was going to blog about fall fashion today because I can't wait to wear non-maternity clothes again, but I have received so many fabulous foodie emails this morning that I decided to reconsider (including this one:  http://www.tastespotting.com/ ).  Since the weather has finally cooled down here in the dirty dirty (aka the south), a warm and filling stew seemed the perfect recipe for today.  It is a family favorite and so simple.  Enjoy!

Tortellini and White Bean Soup

1 tsp. olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning (or whatever you have on hand)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups coarsely chopped spinach
2/3 cup water
16-oz. can navy beans
14.5-oz. can vegetable broth (plus more for thinner soup)*
14.5-oz. can no-salt added whole tomatoes undrained and chopped
14-oz. can quartered artichoke hearts
9-oz. package cheese tortellini
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Saute onion, red pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent.  Add spinach, water, navy beans, vegetable broth, tomatoes, artichokes and bring to a boil.  Reduce and simmer for 5 minutes.  Next, add cheese tortellini and cook according to time printed on package.  Serve with shaved Parmesan, hearty french bread and a tasty Shiraz.

*I find that a 14.5-oz can of broth is not enough because the tortellini drinks it up quickly.  I like to get a larger carton so I can add it to the soup when I reheat it for leftovers.

Eight Months To Go...

So this week I received an email titled "8 Months to Go!" from TheKnot.com.  In all of my obsessing and preparing for baby, I had almost completely forgotten about another important upcoming event... our wedding.  Yikes!  And now that I feel as ready as I'll ever be for the little one to arrive, I have once again shifted my attention to wedding details.  Despite the fact that I've already had more than a year to plan, a wedding planner looks like a really good option at this point.  But thanks to my spring planning binge, we have chosen and booked a photographer, a florist and a bakery.  I feel really good about the vendors we've picked, especially our photographer Ashley Brokop.  I am so lucky to have stumbled upon her work and quickly snagged her for our date.  Check out some of her beautiful photographs...

All photos copyright Ashley Brokop. 

http://www.ashleybrokop.com/blog/

Mmm!  I am so excited to finally meet her and see what she does with our wedding.  Her vision is amazing and different for every couple- what a talent! 

We are having the reception at Buck Ridge Plantation in Orangeburg, SC.  I actually won the venue through a promotion on our local FOX station this winter.  I still can't believe it because I've never won anything, but I'm ecstatic- my mom and I visited in the spring and it was just beautiful.  As an added bonus, the chef at Buck Ridge is supposed to be fabulous, which is a huge relief.  Venue, check.  Caterer, check. 

Edisto Manor, the site of our reception, at Buck Ridge Plantation

The next order of business is the all important dress, which I already bought from White on Daniel Island.  I went to White for an Amsale Trunk Show and ended up loving one of store owner and designer Jodi Moylan's one of a kind dresses, which she designed and had made in Barcelona.  I do have a picture, but I am not going to reveal it until the big day.  Jodi was absolutely awesome and White is a fabulous store that I would recommend to anyone.

So, really we're not in bad shape, but I am having trouble organizing the details and narrowing down my vision.  I want something eclectic and vintage, but still elegant, of course.  The venue is kind of country with a definite Southern feeling, so I don't want any of my decorations to compete with that.   Lighting is hugely important and I would LOVE to have lanterns and candles everywhere because the plan is to have the reception outside under a giant tent.

Here is my inspiration board (click to enlarge) with some of my favorite compiled wedding photos from various sources, including TheKnot.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful and Veranda.  From the collage, you can clearly see the play between rustic and refined, eclectic and elegant.  I love the color range from warm white to powder pink to coral and orange with yellow accents.  I wanted to do different table runners on each of the round reception tables, which would consist of different floral fabrics in my color range either alternated or trimmed with burlap.  Ideally, I would have the tablecloths made from 3 to 5 of my favorite fabrics and all of the runners in burlap, but that could get kind of pricey, so, unfortunately, I have to compromise, which  is not my speciality. 

I'd like to have flower vessels of varying widths and heights on the tables dotted with votive candles, instead of one large arrangement.  I somehow want to incorporate the moss topiaries because I love them and think they help keep all of the pink and whimsy grounded.  I found the birch covered planters, julep cups, moss balls and chalk boards on Save-On-Crafts.com.   

I dream of a dessert table consisting of ivory, pink, and orange sweets.  We will have a three tier cake decorated simply without any fake fondant or wax.  I want to also have cupcakes from a local shop that makes the most mouth watering treats.  I might be very bold and ask my aunt to make some pies or other deserts that I will put on pedestals both short and tall.  The dessert table will be lined with numerous apothecary jars full of candies and chocolates.  I want it to look as if it just descended from sugar heaven, glowing with warm tones and white frosting.  Ahh! My mind is racing faster than my fingers can type.  I need to lay down.

Please leave any wedding ideas or suggestions... I need all the help I can get.

Design Icon: Krista Ewart

Perusing my inspiration book the other day, I noticed a familiar name and a common theme: Krista Ewart.  I can't believe I never took notice before, but I have collected many photos of her work over the years and even did a whole post about a home she did in California ( So Inspired! ) without ever realizing that I had been "so inspired" by her quite a few times before.  I just love her ultra feminine, anything goes style.  Enjoy.

Learn more about Krista Ewart and her work at http://www.kristaewart.com/ .

People Who Inspire Me: Elizabeth Crawford

I feel extremely fortunate to have encountered so many fascinating and talented people in my 24 short years.  It thrills me to meet others who appreciate the ordinary and extraordinary beauty all around us every day.  Lizzy is one of those exceptional people who has the rare talent of capturing that beauty in her always thoughtful and, at times, fabulously melancholy photographs.  I admire her gift immensely as I have little to no photographic prowess and I had great difficulty narrowing down only a few from all of my favorites ... so I didn't.  She was gracious enough to let me have my pick.  Thanks, Liz!

(Please note that some of the photographs would not fit as original size and I had to resize them thus losing some clarity.  Please click on the photos to open them in a new window as their original size.)

When did you take your first photograph? Describe, please. Did your parents hand you a camera at a young age or was photography something you discovered later or by accident? Tell me about this...

It wasn’t until a high school trip to France that I really started photographing. My twin brother, John, took great care focusing the shots he took of ancient castle and historic landmarks. My parents framed a few of them and put them up on the mantlepiece.  I had mostly taken photos of silly things like the dirt at Versailles or snap shots of the other students. When I showed them my photos from the trip my mother laughed and called them “people pictures.” I still don’t really know what she meant by that.

When I got back to the U.S. I bought a Nikon powershot camera that looked like it was made out of body armor. Within a year I took 5,000 photos with it. Turns out, it was not made of body armor. The corners were busted in, the whole surface of the body was covered in scratches. I really did a number on that camera carrying it around all the time.

What inspires you? Who inspires you? (People, places, motifs, anything)

Those first 5,000 photos I took in high school are lost because my laptop’s hard drive failed but I’m not totally heartbroken about this. I took photos of everything. Anything that caught my eye, really. I used to keep my powershot on the corner of my desk in class in case anyone did something interesting enough to photograph.
My best friend at the time told me that my camera was more like an extension of my right hand and anytime she saw me without it I was as unhappy as anyone who had just lost a limb.
I’ve studied fine art for the past four years and I’ve learned so much about the history of photography and contemporary themes in blue-chip art. The truth is, when I started photographing my daily life it was really a ferocious attempt to capture every moment so that I wouldn’t forget it.

Has being a photographer changed how you see people and things? For instance, are you always putting a frame around life and situations?

Oh, always. I’ll never forget showing my photos to my high school art teacher for the first time. She flipped through the two hundred thumbnails I gave her and after a few minutes she looked up at me and said, “I wish I could see the world the way you do.”
I am constantly hoping that someday a lens on a camera will produce the same peripheral affects of the human eye. That’s probably why I love my wide angle lens so much.

What is the most interesting/scary/weird dream you've ever had?

I go through phases of dreaming. Last summer I dreamt in action movies. One even had end credits.

Favorite meal ever: where, what, and with whom?

This is a two-hour long story but... I’ll try to condense it. Last spring I studied in France for five months (with Whitney!). My boyfriend David, and I planned a romantic weekend in Avignon for our reunion.  The rendez-vous didn’t go so smoothly. I showed up to the wrong train station with no cell phone and he didn’t speak a word of French. After a long, unfortunate struggle, we finally found each other. The next day was his birthday. After a few flutes of champagne, we wandered into this small square with a bistro hidden around
the corner. When we came back at eight to eat, the whole place was bustling with glamourous French people. We ate outside in front of an old gothic cathedral as the sun set. We savored each bite of beef stew with intense gratification. It’s impossible to describe how good this stew really was. The sad thing is, if you asked me where this place is I probably couldn’t find it again for the life of me. Maybe it was a mirage.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

This is a toss-up between Scottish countryside and the south of France. My family is Scottish and I like colder places where you don’t have to feel guilty about being bundled up inside all day. Then again, Provence is paradise on earth. I miss buying a baguette and knowing that it was made within the hour.
I live in Burlington, Vermont now. It’s called “The French Riviera of the East Coast.” If there were better bakeries, I’d stay here forever.

If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? Why?

If they weren’t going extinct, I’d say Polar Bear. I really just want a domesticated bear for a pet. Yeah. Imagine a polar bear sleeping at the foot of your bed at night.

Favorite adult beverage?

I recently had a Titanic themed party. We started in first-class with Vivaldi and the drink they served the night the boat went down which is an interesting version of punch romaine.  Here’s a link about it:
http://lostpastremembered.blogspot.com/2010/06/punch-romaine-on-titanic.html
By the end of the night we were in steerage, drinking growlers of Magic Hat beer to Irish folk music.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I recently reread “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Dave Eggers. It’s a story about a boy who loses his father on 9/11 then tries to finish the puzzle his father gave him before he died. I’ve never had a book make me laugh and cry before.

Who is your favorite artist? Why?

It changes everyday, nope every minute. For contemporary photographers I love Jeff Wall and Alec Soth. For Northern European Renaissance Painters I love Hans Baldung Grien. For Arte Povera I love Guisseppe Penone. For abstract expressionism I love Helen Frankenthaler. For frescoes I love Botticelli. Ansel Adams always reminds me of my father. I’ll always love the Wyeths. For poets I love Guillaume Apollinaire and W.H. Auden. I’m all over the place.  Usually, if I love an artist it’s because of the finished product and the ideology behind it.

What would the name of your biography be?

It would probably be some play on words about a southern belle in the Northeast because my mother is from southern Mississippi and my father is from Delaware.


For titles of the photographs shown and prints for purchase, you can contact Liz at crawfordcommaliz@gmail.com .