tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15091550536579923422012-02-16T22:29:08.462-05:00handmade food, cocktails and objectsJessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.comBlogger1201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-32479177865013306292011-10-31T22:40:00.002-04:002011-10-31T22:43:22.788-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-91355351586334800502010-08-10T12:06:00.000-04:002010-11-10T12:51:44.648-05:00

I finally remembered to buy sour cherries at the market this year (they have a pretty short season) and made some maraschino cherries. I started with the new york times recipe, but I have to admit that I like the sugary sweet store bought version, so I added some sugar to the recipe. I honestly can't remember how much... hopefully I wrote it down someplace. The sour cherries are important because

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-26545256094858115652010-07-14T20:58:00.002-04:002010-07-14T21:04:35.370-04:00

I adapted this recipe from one in Rustic Fruit Desserts, a book I highly recommend. It's a small book which generally is unappealing to me in a cookbook-- I don't have the greatest vision I don't need teeny tiny type slowing me down-- but it makes up for it's size with hunger inducing recipes and great pictures. The original recipe called for cherries (which I don't really care for cooked

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-81969818321527883832010-07-13T15:14:00.002-04:002010-07-13T15:43:14.743-04:00

Peaches are finally in season and I have a boatload from the co-op. I'm bordering on peach addiction I can't seem to get enough of them. They are also one of the few fruits that I like cooked (along with apples) I prefer most of them raw, especially in the summer. To start I made peach cobbler which is probably one of my top ten favorite desserts. Ok I actually made two of them. And I ate almost

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-24012575701088601852010-07-13T15:09:00.003-04:002010-07-13T15:14:05.668-04:00

this is the first year that I have grown both potatoes and radishes-- both in pots. They both did better than expected. I love the way they look when they first come out of the ground.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-15777940945518494112010-07-04T08:37:00.002-04:002010-07-04T08:40:26.547-04:00

berries from the garden

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-6859236208140392032010-05-30T12:52:00.001-04:002010-11-10T13:04:47.267-05:00

Went to St. Louis this weekend for my cousin's wedding-- I had never been before. I felt strangely compelled to dance around and sing Judy Garland songs. Of course I had to take pictures of the mud from the Mississippi caked on the steps, and hopefully my grandma won't mind that I posted a picture of her on the internet- I love it and she was very excited to see the "mighty mississippi." The

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-520769483985200392010-05-24T17:49:00.006-04:002011-08-02T11:04:19.332-04:00

Took a little day trip up to Havre de Grace this weekend because I had to return my students portfolios and I figured that if I had to drive way up there anyway I should at least do something fun on the way. Turns out it was a good idea-- Havre de Grace is way cuter than I realized. In fact I think I want to go back and check out some of the stuff we missed. There is a grist mill in the park that

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-24426350052257944562010-05-16T20:10:00.002-04:002010-05-26T13:14:53.995-04:00

It still makes me giggle a little that ramps have become so gourmet of late. When I was a kid they were straight up hillbilly food. Schools in western maryland actually forbid students from coming in during ramp season because they all stunk like garlic. Because of that I honestly didn't start eating them until I was an adult. (They don't make you smell unless you eat a whole lot of them...) This

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-3275625731158937242010-05-09T10:37:00.001-04:002010-10-06T10:45:22.705-04:00

What garden party is complete without croquet? Mine was a vintage table top version found on ebay. The cookies are italian ciambelle made with white wine, olive oil and lavender.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-56702014561074448082010-05-08T12:07:00.003-04:002010-10-06T11:03:45.136-04:00

Strawberry Basil Rose Trifles- Strawberry and rose is a classic combination and was kind of my starting point for this whole concept. I was originally thinking shortcake, but trifle seemed more elegant and appropriate. I made them individual to stick with the idea of finger foods and they looked beautiful in these vintage green ice cream dishes that my mother gave me years ago. I made the pound

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-18356690614933948082010-05-08T10:51:00.002-04:002010-10-06T11:09:54.631-04:00

Dayliliy and Mulberry Pavlovas- since I had already used some daylily tubers I wanted to throw some flowers in there too. (most recipes I found were for the flowers) I honestly used them more for color than flavor, I can't really say they added much flavor-wise, but they looked stunning. The mulberries were collected from a tree in my alley and are truly one of my favorite spring treats. They

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-24553925319898442962010-05-07T22:03:00.000-04:002010-07-13T10:51:41.073-04:00

Tea sandwiches- These seemed key for a proper garden party, so I started with a simple radish and butter tea sandwich, partially because radish is springy, partially because I intensely love these little sandwiches. It's on a rustic wheat bread that I made (crusts intact) simply covered with farmer's market butter, french breakfast radishes from my garden, scallions and a bit of sea salt. The

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-51609449661763511682010-05-06T21:14:00.004-04:002010-06-29T22:22:04.023-04:00

Ramp saffron vichyssoise- Ramps are a quintessential spring vegetable and they work quite well in this soup in place of traditional leeks. I also added some zucchini to because I like the flavor and I thought it might be greener that way. I stayed fairly traditional-- Julia Child's recipe is just leeks, potatoes and water, but I used chicken broth and some garlic to bring out the garlicky-ness of

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-78522344192450612862010-05-05T16:13:00.005-04:002010-10-06T10:55:46.742-04:00

Daylily and indian strawberry salad- daylillies are edible (asiatic lillies are not!!) and most recipes I found online call for the immature buds. I live next to a vacant property that is overrun with them and every year I have pull bunches of them out of my walkway. This year I saved all the tubers and roasted them just like potatoes. They look just like little fingerlings (3rd picture) and

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-8724983728974868062010-05-05T14:40:00.006-04:002010-10-06T10:59:19.163-04:00

I have been hard at work on this party- it all started when I came across an invitation for the Mattress Factory's annual fundraiser several years ago-- which they call the urban garden party. For some reason that really sparked my imagination, especially after I looked at the pictures of the actual event and they weren't at all what I was hoping for. (Looks more like block party than a garden

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-55282772160791286282010-05-01T21:02:00.000-04:002010-05-24T21:56:33.942-04:00

This is such an easy party meal- you can make the sandwiches in advance and just stick them in the broiler right before dinner. It is also pretty thrifty for a big crowd- you are essentially serving lunch meat for dinner. Don't be fooled by that though- they make an elegant presentation and are quite filling- one was plenty for me.Kentucky Hot Browns4 pieces of toast12 pieces of smoked turkey8

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-69957479990367743342010-05-01T20:20:00.002-04:002010-05-26T13:15:19.926-04:00

I guess I should really celebrate Preakness rather than Kentucky Derby, but the food, drinks and traditions that stem from the derby are just better honestly. Black-eyed Susans are just lame, and Preakness in general just make me think of drunken frat boys with trash cans full of beer. (They used to have some rule about coolers or something... I forget the specifics) Kentucky Derby on the other

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-35820668244777933862010-04-12T19:29:00.002-04:002010-05-24T20:07:39.381-04:00

I try to eat locally and seasonally, I really do... but the thing is I love avocados. I mean I LOVE them. (Yes, I would like to marry them.) And there is no avocado season in maryland. But I eat them anyway. There used to be a restaurant over by Hopkins called the Carlyle Club that my office would order lunch from all time. It was kind of our own version of the soup nazi-- only they were the

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-27516023292807208902010-04-11T18:25:00.003-04:002010-05-24T20:09:34.809-04:00

Yum. I am getting hungry just looking at this again. It all began when I stumbled upon the wafflizer blog-- I have always made weird waffles (carrot, pumpkin, chicken/waffles etc.) but I had never thought to wafflize other things before. Also I like saying wafflize. So I saw this recipe for waffle polenta and thought it was pretty brilliant. Once polenta (or grits) go in the fridge they get a

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-78289485015952006462010-04-11T18:09:00.001-04:002010-05-24T18:27:01.378-04:00

I went to the beer bourbon & bbq festival this weekend. It was just as awesome as it sounds. Oddly while I had lots of good bourbon the thing that most impressed me was a beer. Three Philosophers. I wasn't even really drinking any of the beer that night in order to save room for bourbon... and then all of a sudden at the very end of the night my friend insisted that I try a beer that he was

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-36611669381653616952010-04-08T17:37:00.002-04:002011-08-02T11:08:50.410-04:00

I have been meaning to finish this for years... literally. I finally did because the cheap pressboard that I had used "temporarily" began to disintegrate. I had been collecting old doors for some time-- which I dismantle to obtain this wood. I love the way it sort of looks like a boat. You also can't really tell from the angle of the picture, but the ledge it's on is a steep slope and the planter

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-2479773091852841552010-04-05T22:00:00.000-04:002010-05-24T22:08:10.384-04:00

There have been parsnips for a couple of weeks now from the co-op and I have gotten tired of roasting them. I decided instead to make gnocchi. I used both parsnip and ricotta as I didn't really have enough to do an all parsnip gnocchi. They were tasty although I would like to try them with just the parsnip next time. I didn't really use a recipe just took roasted parsnip puree, ricotta, flour and

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-77808221310260381352010-04-05T18:37:00.001-04:002010-04-11T18:50:03.775-04:00

I still dye easter eggs. Yes I am in my 30's. No I don't have kids. I just like it ok? I never get around to it until easter day and my mom and brother join in as well. Although I think they probably just do it because I make them. I have been wanting to do natural dyes for some time and the first picture is the result. I think they look awesome, but mom and bro were not excited about them. They

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-87266323920433493932010-04-04T10:46:00.005-04:002011-08-02T11:15:10.226-04:00

Here's hoping the easter bunny doesn't bring you any white chocolate. I made beet dyed eggs and braided egg bread-- not sure why, but I am a sucker for a loaf of bread with eggs in it.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-3248073279140550492010-04-02T18:00:00.014-04:002011-08-02T11:31:07.422-04:00

Do you ever have those perfect moments? You know that even as they are happening seem like some kind of perfect moment out of a movie? And don't mean romantic really-- just perfect and simple. Actually the more I think about it... the more I realize that nearly all of mine took place in Italy... maybe I am just biased. One of my fondest was when I last went to Praiano (2? 3? years ago?) We wound

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-89451286757603987362010-04-02T18:00:00.011-04:002010-04-11T18:05:32.786-04:00

I am obsessed with yogurt cheese. This shouldn't be that much of a surprise since I have generally been obsessed with yogurt for a long time... but anyway. I got yogurt from the coop this week and I honestly wasn't that excited about it, because I really obsessively love greek yogurt. So I decided I would make it into yogurt cheese. All you do to make yogurt cheese is put some yogurt into a

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-3119774629737859262010-03-26T19:25:00.000-04:002010-05-24T19:29:19.650-04:00

My vegetable lust always kicks in about this time of year. As much as I love stews and slow cooked winter things I start needing vegetables and crunchy salads. This is green apples, fennel, endive, and cabbage just lightly tossed in my usual vinaigrette. It did the trick. Crunchy, vegetable-y and spring green.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-83049456255264683142010-03-17T18:58:00.003-04:002010-05-24T19:23:57.772-04:00

I came across this recipe and immediately set it aside to make for st. patty's day. Then I actually read it, and was dismayed to find that it didn't have any actual fennel it it-- just fennel seed. So I concocted my own recipe with caramelized fennel, raisins and a dash of cinnamon. It was delicious. I can't however, seem to locate the paper I wrote it down on. That paper may not actual exist on

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-73980523900531939862010-03-14T20:32:00.003-04:002010-04-11T18:24:30.815-04:00

I joined the Mill Valley winter co-op and I had grand plans to document and post about everything that I made every week, but well that hasn't exactly happened. I have been tagging posts that came from the co-op as such but I have not been staying on top of it. That will happen when you have 4 jobs I guess. This was one of my favorites- it was inspired by the oranges and red onions that I got

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-86929771438034570232010-03-14T19:07:00.008-04:002011-08-02T11:39:34.367-04:00

It's been pouring for days which seems to be bumming everyone else out, but I am loving it. It just feels so cozy-- at least when you don't have to go anywhere. Besides I love excuses to wear my wellies if I did for some reason need to go somewhere. It's also shockingly warm and spring like considering that it wasn't long ago that we were buried under 4 feet of snow. I have been surveying the

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-54484522395447311362010-02-14T18:41:00.000-05:002010-03-14T19:05:19.267-04:00

I didn't get very much done in time for valentines day this year, and I was pretty well snowed in anyway so I guess it's ok. I usually give valentines to all my friends but I figured I wouldn't see most of them until it was too late... and I was worn out from shoveling. I was slightly bummed out though because I had been planning to surprise my (almost all girl) book arts class with a valentine

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-2030590510634777262010-02-10T19:05:00.006-05:002011-08-02T12:14:43.673-04:00

I am starting to go a little snow crazy. I just keep cooking and cooking. I have enough food for 300 people. We have been upgraded to official blizzard status, as opposed to everyone just saying it's a blizzard. There is an alert on the weather channel about not going outside because you might get lost in a snowdrift. (There are cars in the above picture-- look for their mirrors.) So I have made

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-34526913440627317042010-02-10T18:29:00.005-05:002011-08-02T12:23:50.492-04:00

I never used to think I liked maple syrup. Then I went to Vermont and made some. I had been using sugar in my artwork at the time so maple syrup seemed like a logical direction to go while in VT. I only ever had the fake stuff as a kid so I thought that fake maple flavor was what maple was supposed to taste like. Then when I tried real maple syrup as an adult it just tasted wrong. I realize in

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-68067743467996336762010-02-10T14:31:00.005-05:002011-08-02T12:32:28.999-04:00

My brother made the mistake of asking me for seasonal cocktail recipes that we could make in Berkeley Springs last December. I took this challenge very seriously and responded with an 8 page document of recipes and research. Needless to say, he now thinks I'm crazy, but we made some awesome cocktails. I set out to use these flavors: lemon, orange, orange-clove, apple, pomegranate, cranberry,

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-51495672348156730202010-02-10T12:58:00.003-05:002011-08-02T12:44:35.189-04:00

Second giant blizzard in less than a week- the mid-atlantic is just not prepared for this quantity of snow. Neither am I... shoveling is no fun. Therefore whilst shoveling what appeared to at least 5 feet of snow off my deck for fear that it would collapse, I decided that I needed to make it more entertaining for myself. I noticed that I was already making what looked like seats-- and I was still

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-43775587493930156812010-02-07T18:50:00.001-05:002010-04-11T19:03:27.933-04:00

I don't especially like football, but I love making football snacks. My friend and I usually plan some sort of conceptual menu based on which teams make it to the superbowl weeks in advance, but with all the snow this year we had to make due with what we had. The grocery store was getting pretty sparse. For some reason rice cripsy treats seem football-y to me. Maybe because I am a girl. No one

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-43659387989799448682010-02-07T12:09:00.005-05:002011-08-02T13:06:37.143-04:00

You'd think that Baltimore would have learned to deal with snow by now, we get it every year, but that is part of our charm I think. We panic each and every time. I love it. To be fair this particular snowpocalypse really was a whole lot of snow-- more than we usually get. I love how quiet the neighborhood gets when it snows and that everyone starts walking in the street and saying things like "

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-85061061780905109532010-02-07T11:42:00.005-05:002010-12-18T21:24:13.941-05:00

Last but not least, cocktails and drinks. I knew I wanted a hot drink and I didn't want to do the obvious hot chocolate. White chocolate would have been an obvious direction I guess, but I am of the opinion that white chocolate makes an awesome moisturizer and not much else. So I made affogatos, an italian coffee drink/dessert that is composed of ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over it.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-71995667351012704412010-02-06T21:29:00.005-05:002010-12-18T21:24:28.315-05:00

As soon as I started this project I knew I wanted to make île flottante-- they are actually a pretty homey french dessert, but I had always thought of them as elegant. The îles are meringue "islands" floating in a crème anglaise and garnished with some sort of caramel. You can make them by poaching the meringues in milk or by baking them in the oven. I tried both ways as poaching just sounded

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-25876553448020662632010-02-06T20:45:00.004-05:002010-12-18T21:24:48.684-05:00

So for the entrèes, I knew that I needed to make fondue it was an integral part of my original idea. It is fairly traditional with emmentaler, raclette, and gruyère, but is finished with cognac rather than kirsch. It was awesome. I had trouble restraining myself long enough to take photos. It is accompanied by homemade date pecan pumpernickel bread, an adaptation from this book, endive- such a

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-74490151659142981012010-02-06T20:43:00.003-05:002010-12-18T21:25:01.872-05:00

I had quite a bit of food, so I only made one hors d'oeuvre, little crab cakes with a spicy coconut chutney. I considered white asparagus too, but honestly I think they look prettier than they taste. The chutney was amazing- sweet, spicy and creamy. And it looked just like snow. They were lovely with the sugar on snow cocktails.Spicy Coconut Chutney3 chilies, chopped coarse3 tbs onion2/3 cup

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-21357018588494124752010-02-06T19:56:00.006-05:002010-12-18T21:25:20.542-05:00

I started planning this meal when I was on the train en route to an artist residency in Vermont. (VSC) It's taken me quite some time to finally pull it together, but I am so very happy with it. I am a conceptual artist and this is very much a conceptual menu. I was listening to Moonlight in Vermont, one of my all time favorite songs, and was struck by the "icy fingerwaves" bit. I always get

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-53478184795377563772010-01-20T14:47:00.004-05:002011-08-02T13:19:10.428-04:00

Pulled up the last carrots of the year from my garden right before the big snow-- which was hard as the ground was frozen solid. I can't seem to stop making roasted carrots this winter, they are so tasty. I took it a step further and folded some chopped carrots and onions into waffle batter with some spices after having a weird dream about carrot doughnuts. Yummy.Coriander Roasted Carrotsbunch of

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-90698151615552846002010-01-20T12:39:00.005-05:002011-08-02T13:14:37.756-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-58976574433044447572010-01-10T15:22:00.001-05:002011-08-02T13:10:48.512-04:00

I've been researching cocktails for a seasonal winter cocktail menu and I have become obsessed with Rock & Rye. I knew Rye was once a big Maryland export but I didn't know much else about it. (Pikesville is a Bmore suburb although it's now produced in Kentucky, it still says "Old Maryland Style" on the bottle) Rock & Rye in basically infused rye with rock candy (hence the rock) and various spices

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-82006922462503120572010-01-05T16:20:00.000-05:002010-02-07T16:30:21.302-05:00

My master lucky New Year's Eve foods list. This is complied from a whole lot of sources over a number of years. This is a good article for a starting point and I just noticed that Martha has a lucky food menu as well.circle or ring shaped food- many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring or circle is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-45857902949122179172010-01-03T12:47:00.004-05:002011-08-02T13:42:53.617-04:00

I love conceptual meals that involve a huge amount of research and this is one of my favorite yet. The pictures aren't so great because I started drinking champagne a leetle tooo early... sorry. Anyway I am ridiculously superstitious and thus have spent years collecting as many lucky foods to eat on nye as possible. It started with just collards and black eyed peas, but this is the third or

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-76816344144605552262010-01-01T20:32:00.001-05:002010-01-18T20:35:48.400-05:00

Bacon, eggs with lucky collard greens and black eyed peas, brioche, and greek yogurt with pomegranate and honey. And a mimosa... it is new years day after all...

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-30683113153740240592009-12-30T21:13:00.001-05:002010-01-18T21:19:46.030-05:00

Digging these new year's eve decorations from martha. And how pretty is that ball dropping?

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-76874276608482732422009-12-29T21:19:00.002-05:002010-05-24T22:25:53.440-04:00

I went to Berkeley Springs WV the week after xmas and happily it was still covered in snow! These pictures are from a hike we took in some little park. Afterwards we took the waters which was especially nice in the frigid weather. I am always itching to go away in december- I think winter vacations are underrated. I have been planning vermont and france trips for years... but wv it was. (yes... I

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-59772831780738392792009-12-25T20:54:00.003-05:002011-08-02T13:47:53.811-04:00

ps- look closely there is a camera in his hand. He was filming himself while he sang christmas lounge classics. It was freakin' awesome.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-11317750719239479552009-12-20T12:53:00.003-05:002011-08-02T14:02:42.234-04:00

It snowed for the first time in long time- a real snow like when I was a kid. Right before Christmas too- I hope it sticks around. Like everyone else in Maryland I panic and run to the grocery store at the mere mention of snow so I was prepared with plenty of things to bake. (I spent most of the day making desserts that will be part of a future post) It was finally cold enough to freeze my ice

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-49476844051347547252009-12-06T20:37:00.002-05:002010-01-25T11:05:41.787-05:00

Ciambelle (lemon wreath cookies) with little sugar snowflakes,a baby riding a baby pony, a pony wearing socks, (it seemed to be the year of the pony)bourbon date balls, more of my kugel ornaments & a pretty green rock,my ghetto xmas tree composed of pine branches and holy swiped from the vacant lot by the elementary school, rosemary from my garden and more kugel ornaments,cuccidati (fig cookies)

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-22802742898787497212009-12-01T20:59:00.000-05:002010-01-18T21:04:45.535-05:00

This wreath is obviously made of torn up plastic bags- but it started off as a way to use up the handles and bits let over from making plastic bag yarn. I made a crocheted wreath with the insides of the bags but it wasn't nearly as exciting. I love the texture of the torn plastic.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-81320446400145656832009-11-30T21:04:00.001-05:002010-01-18T22:02:55.074-05:00

They are a bit time consuming, but totally worth the effort. They were the first to go.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-62660076404490872742009-11-18T21:08:00.001-05:002010-05-24T22:26:36.226-04:00

Made these out of felt for my baby cousins (actually 1st cousins once removed but that is a mouthful) and the kitties liked them too.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-61751866056856074762009-11-01T16:14:00.003-05:002010-05-24T22:27:11.640-04:00

Chocolate Pecan Loaf & Rosemary Boule

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-26453553896745811812009-10-31T20:42:00.000-04:002009-11-09T20:45:23.047-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-64193335477224617922009-10-30T16:22:00.003-04:002010-05-24T22:31:15.507-04:00

Every year around this time I start wanting baked apples- and I have convinced myself that that are reasonably healthy although that's probably not true... I don't give quantities because it's the sort of thing that I make with whatever I have handy- and how ever much of it I have.applesbutterpecansold fashioned oatsground cinnamon, clove and nutmegbourbon (or apple cider)Peel the top 3/4's of

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-56911038739867674232009-10-25T16:49:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:30:44.655-04:00

Galette Complete Soubise is a buckwheat crepe traditionally with ham, cheese egg and onion from the Brittany region of France. Mine is bacon, onions and apples sauted together topped with gruyere and a fried egg. That pumpkins has somehow grown around the fence that is supporting it's vines- it's in an alley near my friend's house.Wreath is made from bittersweet branches and orange latern from my

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-15723779404781045462009-10-15T17:07:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:31:46.530-04:00

orange barnwood, various pumpkins, apples and candles. (I grew the little white pumpkins!)

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-39766281901617678872009-10-04T17:30:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:32:09.281-04:00

Pumpkin coriander waffles with pecan brussel sprouts. Best dinner ever. I made some chicken and waffle style too. Mmmm chicken and waffles....

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-44122863411227742612009-09-23T16:36:00.003-04:002010-01-20T20:44:03.916-05:00

I have been helping my grandma record the family history of late, and discovered that my great grandfather was a baker who specialized in decorative ceremonial challahs. Weirdo that I am this launched a huge research project for me into elaborate bread decorations. I have gotten the roses down- still working on the birds- another traditional holiday bread decoration. I have also been trying to

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-57520532673655654212009-09-07T21:44:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:39:04.576-04:00

Went to Berkeley Springs for Denene's birthday this weekend. Did you know that it's the Bath of North America? It wasn't a bad drive from Bmore and we had a great time stuffing our faces and taking the waters. I especially enjoyed all of the faux George Washington history posted everywhere. That hole in the ground labeled "George Washington's Tub" yeah... that is a reproduction of what may or may

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-42215946845880279112009-08-21T17:02:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:32:51.542-04:00

Figs have been quartered, stuffed with goat cheese, then sauteed with olive oil and honey. Salt, pepper and a bacon flag finish them off.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-27380129743312215902009-08-20T17:00:00.002-04:002010-06-28T21:14:24.650-04:00

on their way to becoming jam.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-73051654965562845642009-08-17T16:47:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:34:38.995-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-59260101913933829902009-08-03T17:29:00.002-04:002010-05-24T22:39:57.933-04:00

This flower just randomly appeared in one of my parsley pots!?

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-41429996009145350912009-07-28T17:24:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:36:31.739-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-41978992231145806772009-07-15T22:11:00.001-04:002010-01-18T22:14:11.144-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-27133755398877665952009-07-04T16:19:00.002-04:002010-05-24T22:41:13.831-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-82530855777655539552009-06-25T00:09:00.000-04:002010-01-25T00:13:49.249-05:00

Nothing in the world smells better to me than green tomato leaves-- and I have tried unsuccessfully for years to infuse that smell into vodka. I finally realized that by muddling them in the drink a little and garnishing with leaves the scent comes through much better. So I made a dirty gin martini (I don't really like vodka except as a base for infusions) added plenty of tomato leaves and

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-79240535158665140972009-06-21T20:46:00.000-04:002010-01-20T20:48:23.674-05:00

brown sugar lemonade with mint and strawberries from the garden

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-31928970543605060362009-06-18T17:28:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:43:46.229-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-18208881926084999732009-06-18T15:34:00.004-04:002010-03-06T10:42:01.489-05:00

Sorry it took so long to get to this, I was installing a show and trying to finish midterm grades. But I finally drew out the dimensions-- the table top is drawn to scale, the grass box is not. I am a sculptor and frequent furniture builder so I just kind of made this up as I went along using reclaimed and scrap wood that I had laying around. The wood that I had dictated teh dimensions more than

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-52454349641574325972009-06-18T15:33:00.004-04:002011-08-02T10:52:41.786-04:00

I had been planning to make a rustic looking coffee table for my deck for some time now- in my head it will be paired with this couch even though it is far out of my price range. Some day. So I had some flaky white painted wood (which has been sealed so they can't chip it off btw) and for some reason that I can no longer recall decided that I should make a channel for grass in the table. I think

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-64032089765729360522009-06-14T17:04:00.001-04:002010-01-18T18:25:20.797-05:00

Grilled corn with cilantro butter, chili powder, queso fresco.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-29735064258802853122009-06-09T16:30:00.002-04:002010-05-24T22:43:11.526-04:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-80803192582410270262009-05-30T22:19:00.002-04:002010-05-24T22:44:43.512-04:00

I have been obsessively collecting sempervivum (hens & chicks) since I was a teenager. I don't actually know how many I have anymore... hundreds. I am not even sure how many containers full I have at this point. My very first one was a hollow log that I made my little brother drag out of the woods for me when we were kids. I still have it and it's going strong 15+ years later. I have been

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-50875774389023349142009-05-18T22:16:00.000-04:002010-01-18T22:17:48.984-05:00

This little early girl tomato fell off while being transplanted.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-77331441536799929542009-04-12T16:57:00.003-04:002010-05-24T22:45:25.636-04:00

Yeah... I still dye easter eggs like a toddler. Then I take pictures of them! I keep meaning to experiment with natural dyes, but I never quite get around to it.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-79736697732477723262009-03-15T20:55:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:46:06.212-04:00

Stout Float with chocolate covered pretzel...

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-88873656706243309112009-02-18T20:23:00.000-05:002010-01-20T20:36:55.218-05:00

Went to Costa Rica for my 30th birthday. Met Cloris Leachman... no really I did. My friend almost beat her up. She was staying at our hotel!

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-64449034168528247312009-02-14T20:50:00.000-05:002009-11-09T20:52:25.033-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-73692834201023442882009-01-03T21:55:00.001-05:002009-11-09T20:37:52.637-05:00

Lady apples lined up on the counter... I love saying lady apples- it sounds so absurd.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-86105245774702623962008-12-31T21:01:00.000-05:002009-11-09T21:03:13.360-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-25397280672100017882008-12-25T21:04:00.000-05:002009-11-09T21:07:59.990-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-16576954814080851002008-12-25T20:04:00.002-05:002009-11-09T20:38:11.454-05:00

I know it's bad for the environment... but I still love it. Maybe they can switch to led?Here is my more modest contribution.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-12007901231534914712008-12-15T20:09:00.003-05:002010-01-20T14:57:06.876-05:00

Sparkly antique Christmas ornaments (have developed a slight addiction to hand blown glass kugel ornaments...) Snowflake sugar cookies that have been dusted with pearl dust... I think they look somehow like milkglass. Eggnog in an amazing vintage milkglass punch bowl (thank you ebay) the recipe is based loosely on this one but with a whole lot more bourbon...actually all the liquor was tripled (

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-32054022595789365242008-12-04T21:39:00.002-05:002009-11-09T20:38:59.314-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-81319032137876875702008-12-01T20:00:00.001-05:002009-11-09T20:39:16.721-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-11118709141565221802008-11-27T20:54:00.000-05:002009-11-09T20:55:24.563-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-19557383624429960482008-11-20T21:08:00.002-05:002009-02-03T21:15:30.589-05:00

I know it doesn't really look like there is snow in this picture, but I swear there is- and it's pretty.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-88016960105306782542008-11-09T17:34:00.000-05:002009-11-09T17:34:54.912-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-67367279803629722652008-11-05T16:46:00.000-05:002009-11-09T16:47:34.362-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-66932913454223084112008-11-04T10:40:00.007-05:002009-11-09T20:39:35.127-05:00

Some awesome election art...Print by Shepard FaireyDesign by Will Ecke at OfficeCody Hudson print

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-31538575386617798122008-10-31T21:20:00.002-04:002009-11-09T20:42:03.057-05:00

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-8322816898536779272008-10-05T22:07:00.001-04:002009-02-03T22:10:55.885-05:00

I am obsessed with this pumpkin. Seriously I think I may make a cast of it after the holiday. It's so pretty. I got at the farmer's market for four dollars even though I grow the same kind- none of my vines have enough room to mature properly. I should find a vacant lot somewhere and fill it up with heirloom squash. That would be awesome!

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1509155053657992342.post-58210569471000345102008-09-10T21:58:00.000-04:002009-02-03T21:59:44.677-05:00

My tomatoes went wild at the end of the summer.

Jessiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409591720767270688noreply@blogger.com0