Vintage Monday: Cat and mouse letter holder

This sweet little cat and mouse letter holder is perfect for your favorite mail!

Favorite Friday Recipe: Chicken Satay and Thai Noodles

Chicken satay is a really popular dish in Singapore and I can't believe it's taken me so long to make my own!  We used this handy mix to marinate the meat, then threaded it onto skewers to be put over the hot grill for just a few minutes.  It is so delicious and really close to what you'd get in Singapore.

The Thai noodles were cobbled together using soba noodles, red peppers, and edamame and garnished with spring onions and cashews.  I didn't love the base (sesame oil, rice wine vinegar) so will be seeking out another recipe and will share a success soon I hope!

Have a great weekend!

New modern patio furniture

Our new patio furniture!!  We're enjoying sitting outside as much as we can until the summer heat begins!

Lots of room for my potted succulents!

California Love

Flowers at the farmers market

Most delicious macarons at Miette

Heath ceramics (I acquired another bud vase!)

Beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom

Vintage Vera!!!  (more to come next vintage Monday!)
How was your weekend?

Taking a little break this weekend...

Roses and Link

Favorite Friday Recipe: Breakfast Apple Granola Crisp

This delicious recipe originates from Smitten Kitchen and I just made a few tweaks.  We had it as a healthier option for dessert--full of fruit with a nice crunch from the granola.  B had it plain while I smothered mine in White Mountain yogurt--the tartness of the yogurt balanced out the apples and granola perfectly.

 Breakfast (or dessert!) Apple Granola Crisp


Ingredients:

• 3 apples, cut into approx. 1/2 inch chunks (I used fuji) 
• 1 tbs lemon juice (optional) 
•  1 tbs demerara sugar or brown sugar 
• 1 tbs cornstarch
•  3/4 tsp cinnamon
• dash of salt
• 3 tbs butter (will try coconut oil next time!) 
•  2 tbs light honey 
• 1/4 cup flour (white or whole wheat works) 
•  1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
•  1/4 cup sliced almonds or other chopped nuts 
•  1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
•  1/4 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Place apples in the bottom of 8x8 pan and sprinkle lemon juice, sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and mix together
• In a pan, melt the butter. Stir in honey and then the remainder of the ingredients (flour, oats, almonds, shredded coconut, and cinnamon)
• Pour the oat mixture over apples and spread evenly
• For an extra crunch, I sprinkled more demerara  sugar (from our Barbados trip!) on top
• Cook uncovered on the middle rack until it gets golden brown on top (about 20-25 minutes)
• Cover with foil and continue to cook for another 15-20 minutes
• Serve as is or with your favorite yogurt, ice cream or whipped cream
• Cover and store in refrigerator (if there's any left!)

Wishlist Wednesday: throw pillows

I'm a sucker for a good throw pillow and these by sweetharvey are adorable!

Vintage Monday: vintage necklaces

My favorite vintage necklaces I've collected in the past few years

Around the garden: early April edition

Our first rose has bloomed!  La Reine Victoria

The vegetable garden is going well--first signs of cherry tomatoes

And our newest member for the salsa garden: a lime tree!

How's your garden doing this week?

Vintage Monday: Barday drawing of Trinity Church on Broadway, NYC

We found this drawing at an estate sale and was immediately taken by the colors. After a little internet searching, it seems that Barday frequently traveled and sold his paintings and drawings to tourists.  It looks like Trinity Church on Broadway was featured in this drawing--it's so neat to see how the existing buildings have changed around this iconic building. (also bonus question: what movie featured the church at Broadway and Wall?)