A Farm Fresh Experience

Last weekend, I did two things to celebrate and support the farming/ seasonal food movement here in Houston. I visited Feast, a rustic traditional European restaurant, serving seasonal food. Feast focuses on meats, and only serves meat that is humanely raised and slaughtered at local farms.


Listed on the back of the menu was where each of the meats came from

And at the bottom, a smart quote:





A very unique menu

 Not only did Feast take pride in serving the highest quality, the menu was quite impressive as well. For appetizers, we ordered a squash soup garnished with green apple and mint and a terrine of pork, rabbit and duck.



If you're wondering what a terrine is, I did too. It's basically some chopped up meats smashed into a loaf pan, cut into slices and served cold

Enjoying a champagne cocktail with elderberry liquor

 For dinner, Malibu Ken went rogue and ordered the leg of rabbit, which was roasted in a bale of hay! I had the Cock-a-leekie, which was chicken braised in cream, served with leeks and plums.


Hay, brought right to the table, as proof

Leg of rabbit and smile of Malibu Ken :)



The next day we joined Jaime and Charlie at the farmers market off Richmond. We picked up a few things to enjoy for dinner that night.



Farmers Market was outside with lots of tents

 

A bunch of tri-colored carrots to roast with beets




These beets look dirty but they are a beautiful red when peeled and sliced

  

Heirloom tomatoes to have sliced with goat cheese on toasts



The stand where we bought some delicious goat cheese



Ken holding our purchases in a reusable bag. How earthy crunchy!



Jaime and Charlie waiting in front of the food truck waiting for Charlie's breakfast burrito

Here are some of the other items we considered.



Pretty eggs.  I didn't even know they came in these colors!



Snake like cucumbers

Has anyone visisted any other farmers markets around Houston or any seasonal type restaurants? I'd love to hear of your experiences.

Crunchy kisses, Lauren

Hey There Cupcake!!

There's a new girl in town, and her name is... CUPCAKE!

I'm obsessed with this sign. I once considered making one myself to frame in my house. But I settled for the classic Keep Calm, Carry On (more on that project soon)


Cupcake shops are everywhere... sort of like leggings and Martha Stewart .... seriously people, this chick has her hands in EVERYTHING. And really, when I can dress my dog in this?



Glam and punk at the same time. I can't even stand it.

Why even try to fight it?

You too can buy a fluffy "lamby toy" for your dog... I totally did... oh and it makes snoring sounds too

But back to cupcakes being all the rage... I think it's amazeballs. First of all, they are small, so eating one isn't going to bust the calorie bank. Next, they are delicious. And most importantly, they are cute. 
Houston has finally caught on the craze, and several shops have opened up around town. It is my self assigned task to try as many as possible and notify you, my followers (there are now 8 of you) of the results of my findings on this cupcake investigation.
First we have Crave, located in the Rice Village.


Don't you want to go in? I did.



This is the inside of the store. I had a mini panic attack trying to pick just one... so I picked 2.

 

I want to smash this in my face and lick the icing off each one.

 I chose dark chocolate (the chocolate one with sprinkles in the back left corner) and chocolate coconut (the one right in front of that one in the second to last row). Malibu Ken with his California ways chose carrot. It was a darn good cupcake, and I think if I had it over to do again, only choosing one, I'd pick the dark chocolate. However, while visiting the website, I see they have chocolate peanut butter, and I will be trying that in the future, as that combination makes me very happy. And if you're wondering about the carrot cupcake, it did not appear to have cream cheese icing. Judge how you will... I'm just sayin'. And one last important piece of information, one cupcake was $3.25.

I did visit the almighty kingdom of Sprinkles. These people are unbelievable. It's said they are the very first cupcake only bakery ever in the entire universe. They started out in LA and got popular with the celebrities. They have driven that cupcake train all the way to the bank, opening up 10 locations across the country. Coming soon to a city near you are more Sprinkles locations, from Paris to Nashville. Last weekend was my first time in a Sprinkles.



The inside of the bakery.



A close up of the cupcakes. There were many choices and the bakery uses the dots to distinguish the flavors.



I had mocha and Malibu Ken had Cinnamon Sugar



Lola had the doggie cupcake. I'm telling you these people are cupcake geniuses!

 While the icing was the best part of the cupcake. Let me just make this clear, it was fabulous. However, I personally thought the cake part was a little crummy. Malibu Ken thought his cupcake was rad. Each cupcake was $3.50, 25 cents more than Crave. The dog cupcake was $2.50. I know, I know, I spent $2.50 on a tiny cupcake for a dog... well.... she's my dog and she's cute! Look at this face and tell me you wouldn't do the same.



I deserve kisses and cupcakes!

I still have much more cupcake investigations to do. On the list is:

Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique
Celebrity Cupcakes
Treat!  Cupcakes
Crumbs Bake Shop

Comment and let me know what you thought of Sprinkles and Crave, if there are any other varieties I should try and if there are other cupcake bakeries I need to investigate!

Sugar Kisses, Lauren

Sewing Throwdown 2011 - Just So You Know, I Brought It

I brought my friend Martha Stewart, and she's a gangster.

Yeah, I made this. I know, you're jealous.

Just in case you didn't realize how awesome it is...

As some of my followers may recall (all 7 of you), I decided to take up sewing as a new hobby this year. I wrote this post when I first got my Singer Talent (endorsed by her Majesty Martha Stewart).

I started by making a regular pocket pillow cover by cutting 3 pieces of fabric. For a 20x20" pillow insert, I cut one piece of 21x21" linen and 2 21x15" pieces of linen.
First I made some pretty (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) seams on one 21" side of the 2 smaller pieces of linen. You just fold the edge over 2 times so it's pretty on the edge, then pin it closed and sew a straight seam along the edge. Yeah, I write that like its so easy... when in fact, it really involved me consulting my Singer user's manual and talking to myself. Oh did I mention I took a 2 hour sewing machine class at Joann Fabrics, where I purchased my machine? During the class, I pretty much just learned how to sew a few different seams and thread my needle and bobbin.
So next, I sewed the 21" raw edge of the 2 smaller pieces of fabric to the big piece. So then I had 3 pieces of fabric sewed together. Next, I folded the 2 smaller pieces up and sewed up the sides.
Lastly, I stuffed the 20x20" pillow insert into the pocket.

For the decoration on the outside of the pillows, I made 3 fabric flowers. I learned how to make them here. But I will show how I made them.

To make one flower, you need to cut 6 4" fabric circles and 6 3" fabric circles. I used bowls and lids as guides and just traced around them with a pencil. Then I cut out the circles with fabric scissors.


I folded the fabric up before tracing out the smaller circles. Then I just cut them all at once.

 

2 sets of circles and 2 different fabrics

For the base of the flower, you will make 6 fabric "cones" out of each fabric circle. First fold the circle in half.

Then fold that circle over like this:

Then fold it over again like this:

Here's another shot.

You're also going to hot glue the tip of each cone where the fabric folds over.
Next put a big dollop of hot glue in the center of a 2" round of felt.

Then put all the cones around in a circle to make the base of the flower.

Now make the top layer of the flower in the same way.

And for the center, use a button.

Ta Daaaaaaa!!!!

And just so you know, I made this pillow for under $20. Compare to:

This one from CB2:

I guess if you have $34.95 laying around, you could spend it on a pillow...NOT 

This one is also $34.95...



This one is a little bit better at $29.95, but mine is still $10 cheaper... PLUS it's way more unique and cuter.

  In summary, I win!

Basically I'm a Genius

I've been buying these for years...

I love them, but they're like $4 a bag

So I decided to kick this bag to the curb and create my very own!
You start with making the tasty dressing. You will need these things;



Rice Wine Vinegar, Ginger, Sesame Seeds, Garlic, Brown Mustard, Soy Sauce, and Vegetable Oil

Start with about 1 teaspoon of brown mustard and 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce with 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar and whisk together.
Add in 1/4 teaspoon of ginger, 1/4 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and 1 clove chopped garlic and whisk together
Add in 1 teaspoon honey, whisk and taste
Then at the very end, I added in just a sprinkle of brown sugar for taste

Yeah it's pretty much heaven.

It's like the store bought dressing, but like way better... way healthier, and way cheaper

Next you need to get the chicken ready. I just cut up one chicken breast and sprinkled it with some seasonings.

Coriander, White Pepper, Black Pepper and Salt

Then cook in saute pan

While that's going, get the rest of the salad together. You don't need a bunch of unique items... just some lettuce (whatever you have, I had red leaf), some red cabbage (I had left over from some coleslaw I made the week before) and some cilantro (as a result of my guacamole obsession, I always have some on hand).



Chop up small


Then add some regular cabbage and some carrots.

I cheated. Don't tell anyone

 Next we add crunch. 



Wanton Strips and Almond Slivers. I also added some tomatoes in there cause I had 'em

 Now mix it all together!



Salad Sparkles!!



A Reclaimed Saturday

My friend Jaime had been wanting to check out a reclaimed salvage warehouse in Houston for a long time. So this Saturday, because the shuttle didn't launch (boo - no shuttle launch, yay - we had the day off), we finally made it. While neither of us were too successful, it was neat to see all the possibilities one could dig up at a place like that. There were lots of old paned windows and neat rustic barn doors among pieces of reclaimed wood and pretty, old glass doorknobs. I came away with 4 brushed nickel cabinet pulls to replace my dingy painted white ones in my upstairs bathroom. I paid $4 for the set, so not too shabby.

Next we headed off to August Antiques and Ben's Antiques in the Heights.


How adorable!

 We wandered around the place just looking and looking. There was stuff stacked from floor to ceiling and certainly many good finds.

This is Jaime's find... I kinda wanted to steal it from her, especially after I found out it was only $45, but I didn't.... I'm just a good friend like that.



I was diggin' this lamp... Maybe a little strange for some, but I thought it was pretty neat-o



Now THESE were some cool lamps... I could see those each on a nightstand



I loved this old fashioned phone. How glam?
Emerson 501 please



How spectacular would these look on either side of a garage?



An old fashioned radio... pretty chic



I thought momentarily about buying this for my laundry room. But it was $22....

Lastly, we stumbled upon a restaurant/market called Revival Market. It was a great place to pick up some lunch. I decided upon the BLT with thick slices of bacon, arugula, tomato, and herbed mayo with a ginger lime slaw on the side. YUM


I'm definitely going go make this slaw at home! I always thought I was a fan of the mayo version but when I had this one with a simple vinaigrette, I was in love!



Devil's food cupcake with salted caramel icing. I had to take one to go!

I was glad to get into the city for some local fun. Maybe after I finish the 700 projects I'm currently working on, I'll get back to the reclaimed store to get some materials to start a new one. For now, back to cleaning and taking care of dogs!