After watching several recorded episodes of Masterpiece Theatre this past weekend (one of my favorite television series), I went online to look at their website to see what shows to expect for the spring.  During my search I noticed a result for the curiously titled, Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre.  The site features artwork by Wilhelm Staehle, consisting of vintage paintings and drawings set as backgrounds for silhouettes of people and animals with clever quotes and descriptions.  Several of the pieces literally made me crack up laughing, I loved the dark humor and his unexpected interpretations of common scenarios and sayings.  For more of his work, check out his portfolio site as well.

{images shown belong to Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre}

One of my favorite comfort foods is banana bread.  It’s simple, filling, and very easy to make.  Thanks to my dear friend, Renee, she enlightened me to the idea of freezing brown bananas if you don’t have time to bake a loaf, that way you’ll always have bananas that are over ripe and ready for baking, and you won’t let them go to waste (I simply take them out to thaw for 20 or so minutes).  My favorite recipe for banana bread comes from one of my favorite food blogs, Simply Recipes.  I only make slight changes, adding 1 heaping TBS of ground flax seed and add a sprinkling of rolled oats on top of the loaf before it goes in the oven.  I also try to use whole wheat or white whole wheat flour since it’s better for you.  And since the loaf is so hearty, I don’t notice the difference from all-purpose flour.

Banana Bread (from Simply Recipes)

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (*I cut the sugar down to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt (*I omit the salt)
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (*I use white whole wheat or regular whole wheat flour)

INSTRUCTIONS
1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).  With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
2.  Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.
3.  Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan.
4.  Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon baking a loaf using everything I had on hand, including my frozen bananas.  It was the perfect compliment to a hot cup of tea and an episode of Masterpiece Theater.

{to view more of my banana bread photos, please visit my Flickr}

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a trip my husband and I took in June of 2007 to a little island that’s located about mid-Coast of Maine, called Deer Isle.  I knew of the island from my sister; she had taken several workshops in college at Haystack (which is located on the island).  Some of her paintings created during her last year at college were based on photographs from her stays (my favorite, a diptych, is partially shown here).  Her paintings of the forests, along with her stories of how beautiful the island was, swayed us to want to visit.

We rented a small cottage just outside Stonington and stayed for a week.  We knew ahead of time that the island wasn’t known for tourism, but for a small lobstering and fishing community (wikipedia claims it’s census from 2000 showed just above 1,800 residents), as well as a small artist community.  It sounded like heaven to us.  We went with a car full of books, food, and hiking supplies.  The week we spent on Deer Isle was one of the most peaceful weeks that I’ve ever had.  I have wonderful memories of just hanging around and reading, going for walks by the shore, hikes through the mossy forests (the island is a temperate rain forest and the forest floors are covered in a blanket of moss and lichen), taking trips “downtown” to the one of a handful of restaurants or galleries, eating the absolute BEST seafood we’ve both ever had, taking aimless drives around the island, watching clam digging (which my husband participated in – with the purchase of a visitor’s permit), paddling out in the canoe that came with the cottage (we were located right on an ocean cove) and having a bald eagle fly over our heads, taking naps everyday, cooking amazing meals, and just being together.  If you love nature and real peace and quiet, then Deer Isle is for you.  I highly recommend it.

Some of my favorite places to visit were:
•  Nervous Nelly’s Jams & Jellies (wonderful, quirky place to visit with lots of yummy homemade jams)
•  The Fisherman’s Friend Restaurant (the best seafood on earth and very friendly staff – I think we went 3 or so times!)
•  Barred Island Trail (an amazing hiking trail with unbelievable moss and lichen)
•  Stonington Sea Products (I don’t like smoked fish, but my husband does and raved about it; they also have amazing fresh caught raw seafood for purchase)
•  Stonington Farmer’s Market (located at the Stonington Community Center from late May or early June till September)

The memories I have from Deer Isle have been largely on my mind lately.  I’m not sure when we’ll be able to visit again, but I would love to go and have some peace and quiet again.  Perhaps this is year, and this would be the time to plan on another summer visit…

(For more information about Deer Isle, check out the Deer Isle Chamber of Commerce)

A few weeks ago, I happened to notice the chocolate brown window awnings of a business while driving into into the city with my husband.  “What was THAT?!?!” I yelled.  He had no idea what I was talking about.  Quicker than I could explain myself, I pulled a U-turn and went back to drive by and find out what that little store was.  As we approached the area again, I slowed down so I could read the awning: Tatte.  It looked like a bakery; I pulled over immediately and jumped out of the car, leaving my husband to deal with my half crooked and illegal parking spot.

When I walked inside, I found a small, quaint, but very cozy little bakery and cafe.  The decor was simple and sweet: white washed walls, an old farmhouse table, vintage plates, and the quiet playing of 1920’s French music.  I felt like I was transported to France, perhaps Paris… but then again, perhaps a small village bakery like in the movie “Chocolat”.  But the best thing of all was the baked goods.  This was not your typical bakery.  Instead of the very typical chocolate chip cookies, cannolis or vanilla cake, they had an assortment of brioches, savory cookies and nut boxes.  The various items they carried were a joy to explore and read about; I saw many items I’ve never seen anywhere else.  They also had a short menu of soups and sandwiches with a lovely list of coffees and teas to top it all off.  I snuck out with tea and a shortbread cookie for me, and an espresso and pistachio meringues for my husband.  I had been eyeing the jam filled cookies, gigantic brownies, and chocolate rose pastries, but I was desperately trying to be good (why go into a bakery and try to be “good”?  I must be crazy).  I have been talking about Tatte and daydreaming of it ever since… and the next time I go back, I AM having one of their pastries!

If you’re in the Boston, MA area, please do yourself a favor and visit:

Tatte Pâtisserie and Café
1003 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
617.232.2200

{images shown belong to Tatte Pâtisserie and Café}

Today I spent a lovely day helping watch my nephews, and then got to take the oldest to the zoo in the afternoon. The weather was mild enough and the sun was out, and we had such a lovely time. Being around little ones makes you realize the things that are truly important, and to really enjoy the moments when they make connections or discover something new. Or the way they explain something to you in a funny way, making it obvious how wonderfully naive and untouched they are from the preconceived ideas and judgments of the world.

Seems fitting that I should come home and discover these amazing photos from Ta on Flickr. I love the way she constructs photographs; the lighting, color, and compositions are exquisite. I think the way she captures the ordinary, quiet moments are very touching.

{images shown belong to Ta}

Okay, after this post I’ll ease up on spring topics!  Lately when I think of spring, of new beginnings, it has made me think of what I’d like to accomplish this year.  Sort of in the same way you think about what goals you would like to have at the start of a new year, but for me the spring time feels a lot more like something is actually beginning.  New Years always disappointments for me, a sort of fizzle-to-smoke burnout at the end of holiday craziness.  And it never really feels like a new year has begun, just more of the same… winter.

So, I started thinking about what new skills I’d like to learn this year, or what classes I’d like to take to further my knowledge of a certain area.  I’ve decided that if I had a magic wand (and a bottomless bank account) I’d love to take:

1.  A bread making class.  I started making my own bread about 2 years ago and deeply enjoy it.  There is something very basic and satisfying in making bread.  I’ve made many good loaves, but with plenty of bad loaves.  I admit, my Kitchen Aid has helped me too many times with kneading (I know, hand kneading is best), but I want to further my knowledge of bread making and make hearty loaves completely by hand.  (*for amazing bread making books, check out at Peter Reinhart)

{image shown belongs to Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Inc.}

2.  A calligraphy class.  I love good calligraphy and wish I could master pen and ink, or at the very least know how to use them.  I tried to learn on my own last summer and  bought supplies and borrowed a book from the library.  I ended up with a sketchbook full of ink blobs and lines that ran out too soon.  It just seems like one of those things you really need to learn from someone in person and watch how their hand moves with the pen.

{images shown belong to May+Bell}

3.  A sewing class.  Thank god for Home Etc. class in middle school, it’s the only way I’d know how to sew a button or hem a pair of pants.  I never had anyone teach me how to sew and am secretly jealous of those who can make their own clothes or other crafts.  I sort of know how to use the Singer sewing machine my Mom has, but not really.  I’ve made a few things with it, but recently tried to hem jeans on it and could not figure out what I was doing wrong.  It made me realize I really need to learn from someone else and know the in’s and out’s of sewing, not just the very basics.  Plus, I have fabric and half-finished (or half-started, for that matter) projects in my closet with no knowledge of finishing them.

{image shown belongs to SouleMama}

If you could take three classes or learn three new skills this year, what would they be?

I wasn’t meaning to do second post in a row involving flowers, but I came across these photos over the weekend of dutch tulip fields via Oh Happy Day and could not resist sharing. I love how something as simple, delicate and organic as a flower, when grouped together can become so abstract, bold and geometric.

Note to self: You MUST see this in person at some point in your life!

{images shown borrowed from the Daily Mail}

Thank God, today is the first day of spring!  Not literally for me, it’s still only 40°F or so here (but with the wind it feels more like it’s in the 30’s) but still the sun is shining and after a brief walk around the yard I see more and more little bits of green poking out from behind the blanket of brown.  It’s got me thinking about my garden, how this is the time to plan for all the things I’d like to accomplish this year.  Is this the year to build two raised vegetable beds?  Perhaps, but that’s going to be quite an investment.  Should I buy another lilac shrub for the side of the house to fill in that empty spot?  Probably, the one I have now looks lost without a partner.  Does anyone want to take any of the extra strawberry plants that are overtaking my yard?  Yes, please.  A definite yes.

In the meantime, I will be dreaming of true springtime, when the green returns in full, and savoring these photos of the Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, England by Keiko Oikawa.  Petersham Nurseries was shown in January on the Martha Stewart Show (click here for video, and look for video no. 5) and I still remember watching it and having my heart break that I don’t live in the UK to go for a visit.  For more of Keiko Oikawa’s photography, click here.

{images shown belong to Keiko Oikawa via Petersham Nurseries}

I recently came across the food magazine, Clean Eating, while standing in check-out at the grocery store.  I actually hadn’t put any of the contents of my cart on the belt yet, so I grabbed the magazine and pulled out of line to grab all the contents for this recipe – it looked THAT good.

This stew is a very basic soup, has very few ingredients, and can be ready in just about 35 minutes (unless you’re photographing the whole process, then it takes twice as long!).  It’s also extremely nutritious for you, containing a 1/3 of your daily fiber needs as well as 21% of your daily iron requirements.  I’m actually new to eating collard greens and love them, they remind me of a cross between spinach and kale.  You can eat the soup as is, or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese for a finish, if you prefer.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew (from Clean Eating Magazine, March/April 2009)

• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 8 oz (about 8 cups) collard greens, chopped (*I also removed the stems)
• one 14.5 oz can of no-salt-added diced tomatoes (*I used whole peeled tomatoes, since it’s what I had on hand, and simply diced them myself)
• 12 oz (about 2 cups) red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dices (*I used organic idaho potatoes, since it’s what I had on hand)
• one 15.5 oz can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• pepper and salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Bring broth and 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat. Add collard greens, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

2.  Add tomatoes and potatoes, and return to a simmer. Cover and cook potatoes until tender, 10-15 minutes. Stir in peas and simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with pepper (and salt if you wish), to taste, and serve immediately.

{to view more of my black-eyed pea stew photos, please visit my Flickr}

One of my favorite items that I’ve ever bought from Etsy was from Geninne Zlatkis.  She is an incredibly talented artist with her focus on watercolor paintings.  I love her attention to detail, her color palette, and her subject matter.  I am particularly fond of birds and bought the print, “Lovebirds” as a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband (even though I think it was really for me!).  Besides being a beautifully and delicately painted piece of artwork, it’s also one of the nicest prints I have ever seen.  I am a bit weary of purchasing prints as I’ve ordered a few too many that were streaky, pixelated, or looked very cheap.  The type of paper she uses and the print itself is of very high quality; I at first thought it was an actual painted piece and not a print at all.  I am eager to purchase more of her work, especially ones in the Bird Series.

Geninne also has an amazingly talented husband who designed their house just outside Mexico City, and has photos of their home on Flickr.  The photos of her work and her home are very inspiring (I love her studio!).  It’s wonderful to be able to see the home of a creative person and to see how their art extends into their surroundings.

Please check out Geninne’s blog, Flickr and Etsy shop.

{images shown belong to Geninne}