sidewalk chalk, superman and an apple

I could certainly use a superman around here....is life crazy busy or what?! I feel like I hardly have time to write a to-do list there is so much going on. How is life for you-are you whirling out of control or is life taking a nice stride?

the fireplace

From the moment the air has the slightest chill in it we drive to our favorite firewood pickup place and load our van with the hugest stack of wood to be burned. I told Nate last night that if we ever did not have it in our budget to get the firewood I would literally ask for it as my birthday present....that is how strongly I feel about fires during the cooler months.


Something about fires makes life sweeter, more intimate, more family-like....fires are magical like that to me.

I love that my little family loves fires as much as I do. 

Are you a fire person? What is the best way to enjoy them in your opinion?

Roasted Tomato Soup

Soup is one of the best things.
Tomatoes are one of the best things.
Bread is one of the best things.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons is one of the best things. Trust me. I told my neighbor we would have plenty of leftovers from the huge pot I was making and offered to bring some over for her. I sheepishly called her later confessing our little family (read me and my hubby) had devoured the entire thing and there was none left to be brought over. The soup is that good-try it and see.

This recipe is taken from the book, Sunday Soup by Betty Rosbottom. I highly suggest getting your hands on this book-this week alone I have already made three of the soups from it and I have plans to make another one tomorrow...yeah that good.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons
3 lbs plum tomatoes
2 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/8 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more if needed
3/4 teaspoon crush dried rosemary (I used much more than that and used fresh-I recommend you do the same!!)
3 large cloves of garlic, minced ( I used 5..I like garlic)
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for oiling the baking sheet
3 1/2 cups chicken stock, divided

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and pour a bit of olive oil on a baking sheet
2. Halve your tomatoes and remove the membranes, seeds and stems. (I used a melon baller for this part and it worked amazingly well) As you prepare the tomatoes, place them cut-side down on a plate to drain.

Helpers are always encouraged!

3. In a large bowl mix together the pepper, salt, rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Add the tomatoes, toss and let marinate for 15 minutes.

4. Arrange the tomatoes, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle any remaining marinade over the tomatoes.

5. Roast until the tomatoes are softened and are browned on the bottoms and edges, around 50-60 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven.

6. Place half of the tomatoes in a food processor (I use a blender). Pour in 1 cup of chicken stock and pulse until pureed, about 1 minute.

7. Coarsely chop the remaining half of the tomatoes. Combine all the tomatoes (pureed and chopped) in a large pot with the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken stock. Bring soup up to a simmer over medium heat. Taste soup and season with salt as needed.

8. Top with Garlic Croutons and enjoy!!


Garlic Croutons  **just a heads up, these are so insanely good you just might want to make them every single time you make soup at all, I ate them like popcorn while I was preparing them, they are divine!**

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups (or more) diced French baguette
2 garlic cloves, minced

1. In a medium skillet set over medium-high heat, heat the oil and butter until hot. Add the bread cubes and cook, stirring, until light golden, for about 3 minutes. Add garlic, stir and cook for another 2 minutes until the bread is golden and crisp. Remove from heat and cover loosely with foil until you use them. (I doubled the batch and did it in two stages-you will thank me for suggesting a double-batch...they are so so so good!!)

Enjoy and let me know if you try it...I know I will be making this again really, really soon...like next Monday:)

if I could

Once in my life I was selected for a study that involved me getting to go on an Anthropologie shopping spree. Seriously one of the best days of my life (and not just because of the shopping:)). I decided to pretend I had that option today....what would I pick I wondered?  It probably was the easiest wad of "cash" I have ever burned through...but then again I was shopping at Anthro not Salvation Army-reality check! Here is what I burnt the wad on-in my pretend world that is....

AG Stevie Ankle (I have these in red and adore them!!) $158.00

Tiered Pointelle Sweater Dress $148.00-Classy with a little twist of perfect!

Opaque Ombre Tights $18.00-because tights are always a good idea

AG Stevie Ankle Color $158.00-Yeah this color would be nice too!

Graphic Begonia Shirt Dress $198.00-How lovely right?!

Now I know those prices are crazy-but those items are amazing...and to be honest the AG pants are worth it...truly they are!

What are you hankering for on your "shopping spree?"

cowl season

It is getting to that time of year.....where I curl up with my crochet hook and make cowls by the hour. I love this time of year and I like it especially because I really do not let myself make cowls year round.....I like the idea of kinda saving up my ambition for it until the fall and winter. It somehow makes it more special that way.

Every year when I start crocheting again I always debate what color cowl I should make for myself this season. I truly adore the countless color options I have in yarn that I use to make my cowls for my etsy shop, so choosing just one can be hard. I love the different styles too-I like the luxury of the x-large when it is all cozy up wrapped around me but since I am one who airs always on the hot side the large usually works better for me on the day to day and I pull the xl out for the bitter cold days. Anyhow-I currently am picking my color and it is always a fun time. Feel free to check out my etsy shop if you need a big cozy wrap.....I love making custom orders, so the fun of selecting the color of your choice is not reserved for me alone.

Hello cowl season-I do love you!!

If you were to pick a color which one would you go for....(you can always look through my sold orders too to see all the options)

at last

I tasted fall yesterday. It was heavenly. I sat in my big leather chair looking out our large windows and smiled as I saw bits of rain mixed with a chilly wind blowing all everything about. I love days like that so much. So many of my favorite memories of life include this kind of weather; weather where your hair gets curly and wild from the spitting rain and wind and your need for a second layer makes you just feel cozy and cute. Oh how I love fall. 

To celebrate the arrival of this glorious weather I thought I would share a few items I wish I owned....oh pinterest you have the ability to make me feel like I have been shopping without spending a cent...I love that! From my pinterest closet...and feel free to borrow any of them to wear anytime my dears!

from thriftcandyon flicker

convolutedstateofmind.tumblr.com

 

xdior.tumblr.com

chictopia.com

I cannot wait....what things are you just salivating to wear this fall?

michigan 2012