notebook...

I love using Tumblr to bookmark things around the web (I call my page Notebook, because it's basically my virtual notebook things I like). A few of my recent additions...

photos via Decor8; Oh Joy!

try this salad

It is delicious and perfect for summer.



1/2 c. toasted walnuts
1/4 c. each olive oil + orange juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 c. stone fruit (I used plums, nectarines, peaches)
Handfuls of mixed greens
Crumbled blue or goat cheese for garnish (I didn't use any this time)
Whisk together olive oil, OJ, and mustard, toss all ingredients together

backyard inspiration

If your outdoor dining area looked like this, everyone would beg to be invited to your backyard dinner parties. You'd all dine under the dim light of strung lanterns and evening sky, with mismatched plates full of seasonal delights - garden tomatoes or juicy peaches or homemade jam spread on warm bread - whatever was in the house. And when everyone's palette was satisfied, there they'd remain, napkin in lap, just savoring good company and cozy surroundings.


photo via the haystack needle

street art fair

The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is coming up soon and here are some of the fun posters from past years...

two months ...

I wanted to stop in quick today because it was exactly two months ago that I started this blog. I've only been blogging for that long, but I really enjoy it and love reading all of the wonderful blogs out there. So much inspiration! Thank you to anyone out there following along, especially my friends and family who occasionally read this...even though they have no idea what a blog is.

(photo from a client's party this morning)

summer is here ...

And it is hot. I just got home, and the air wasn't working in my car, and we don't have an air conditioner in our new house yet. I could really use an ice cream sandwich right about now. Maybe two. Or three, who's counting?


photo Charles Maraia for Country Living

homemade apricot jam

Here's a simple project that makes a thoughtful and delicious gift. We made some apricot jam for father's day and birthday gifts for family friends last week. I found the recipe in Country Living (and apricots are only in season for a short time, so you better act fast...).

Cook all ingredients on med-low until thick, 20 to 35 minutes stirring constantly.
1 lb. apricot halves
1/2 c. orange juice
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. sugar

anthony bourdain

It's still about a month away, but we're planning a trip to Orlando with some friends at the end of July. We're doing Disney/Universal and Q has never been, so I'm excited. We're already planning things, like possibly getting a Nikon s220 so it can fit in our pockets, me wanting a new bathing suit (as always), and both of us stocking up on reading material for the trip. Yesterday while at the book store I browsed through Anthony Bourdain's book, Kitchen Confidential, and I couldn't put it down. It will be perfect for our flight. I was also thinking about saving latest MS Weddings to read until the trip, but I know that won't happen.

photo via Anthony Bourdain's Photo Journal

Ps. check out his blog for more good stuff.

menus and garland

Here are some more details of what I had fun putting together for the dinner party Monday. I designed the menu cards (four pages long - did you see the list of food courses?), and made some simple felt garland to hang in celebration of some birthdays (decided to use super bright colors - considering one of them sports bright yellow smiley-face ties, I thought this was the perfect color combo : ).

dinner for 12...

Monday night was a dinner party for 12. The chef: my father in-law, Rich. The kitchen helper: mom in-law, Laura. Also: I decorated, took pictures, and helped Q and his sister serve. Here's a look at the (extensive! and so delicious) menu:

English Tea

Small Hors D’ Oeuvres

Cucumber Finger Sandwich Short Bread

Dinner in the Sunroom

Soup

Beef Consume w/

BBQ Pork, Carrot and Snow Peas

Served on Crouton

Appetizer

Lamb Croquet

Buttery Grits & Carrot Ginger Sauce

Salad

Scallop Pancake

Bibb and Garden Lettuce

Lemon Vinaigrette

Intermezzo

Surprise Pallet Pleaser

Fish Course

Panko Breaded Fillet

Sautéed Escarole w/ Sesame Oil

Rhubarb Strawberry Sauce

Meat Course

Roasted Rib Eye of Beef

Sauce Bordelaise

Mashed Potato w/ Celery Root

Seasonal Vegetable

Dessert

Fresh Berry Shortcake

Ice Cream

Select Cheese & Aperitif

our weekend at the cottage

Since you couldn't come along, I brought a bit of the cottage to you.

away we go

We are heading up north this weekend, staying on Lake Michigan at our friends' cottage, so I'll be gone until Tuesday. We're going with our newlywed friends, and the four of us are really hoping for good weather because every year we go it seems to rain!

Ps. I want to see this movie.

twenty six

Happy birthday today to my husband Q - here's a little peak at what showed up at his office this morning as a surprise: mini paper bags filled with mountain dew and Reeses cups (his all-time favorite) for the entire office. I also had a letterpressed pig card (a family joke) from Old School Stationers waiting on his desk.

Fishs Eddy

These cups and mugs would be fun for parties or just for everyday use - they'd make my glass of milk at dinner/cup of tea in morning a lot more exciting. I also like some of these other fun things, like the coasters and umbrella. Check out more at Fishs Eddy.

photos via Fishs Eddy

photo...

I recently found this photo and it reminds me of so many things: scenes I've imagined from books I've read, evenings in the summer when we played in the backyard, the feel of cool grass on bare feet, the freedoms of childhood, the glimmer of sun in my eyes as it peaks through the trees. Basically, this photo makes me happy.

photo by dottieangel

day in downtown

Sunday afternoon when it was hot and sunny we went to downtown Plymouth to relax in the park and walk around the shops. There are some great towns and villages in the Metro-Detroit area, with beautiful parks, shopping, and culture (especially in Ann Arbor). I should do more posts on what's local around here, especially this summer as there are a lot of events going on. Here are some photos of our day yesterday...

cardboard safari box

Thanks to the ladies at Emmy Lu blog, I recently received this heart shaped gift box from Cardboard Safari...

recent favorites

I'm so happy that it's Friday and we are actually staying home this weekend. I plan to spend most of my weekend outdoors, cooking out, going to the farmer's market and maybe checking out the fruit market in Ann Arbor Saturday morning. Here are some of my favorite recent finds this week...



If my office could even slightly resemble Whitney's bright + cozy one, I'd be happy. Check it out here.



100 Layer caked shared this awesome surprise wedding story this week - I'm sure most grooms would appreciate this (only a week of wedding planning!).



Wish I had this to camp in instead of our tiny tent (found here).

my sister's keeper

Have you read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult? Even if you don't read many books you must read this one! It's one of my favorites and the ending will shock you. I'm excited to see that they just made a film version and can't wait to see it.

photos via all movie photo

photos + twitter

Yesterday I took photos of some fun I've been having with calligraphy. I wanted to do more outside today, but the weather isn't really cooperating. Also, I joined and started updating on Twitter. Should be fun!