Ice, ice, ice cubes, baby.

For six months now we have temporarily lived in a rental while we determined whether to build or remodel after selling our home.  The final answer was remodel and we are just days away from a home that makes my heart sing.

For these six months our poor little ol’ freezer has not had the opportunity to make ice cubes for us.  No water outlet = no ice cubes for us.

Six months ago I remedied the situation by purchasing these silicon molds at Williams-Sonoma for super-large ice cube trays.  I knew they would take care of the in-transition lull and provide an entertaining service for future bar needs.

Which made me think of you.

As you gear up and enter the busiest entertaining season of the year, I recommend you check these exclusive trays out the next time you are in Williams-Sonoma (merchandised in the bar section) or check them out online.  They do not take up much space in your freezer and are always a conversation piece.

Let’s face it, one of the best part of entertaining is adding special touches. It is the reason why we entertain.  To make our guests feel special and relaxed. 

What do you like to do to add that little extra-special something to make your own guests hearts sing?

Happy toasting!

Lyndi

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

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An attractive way to store your mushrooms and berries.

Good morning!

Remember when I shared with you the inside of my refrigerator?  Don’t judge me but I believe a fridge is just another location in a home to decorate, reduce clutter, and even admire.  Yes, a clean fridge and freezer can be an inspiration.

I like to make mine look pretty and inviting.  Do you?

Did you know that Anthropologie opened up a shop in Utica Square in Tulsa?  If you have never been, hurry (after reading this) and head on over to their website and browse for yourself.  The site will give you a feel for its flair.  This is an upscale treasure shop with constantly revolving treasures. I love to browse their kitchen gadgets and house ware items.  Most are uber expensive but sometime you come across something you just cannot live without.

On a recent trip I immediately pounced on this attractive porcelain farmer’s market basket.  Of course, I had to have the magical blue color for myself yet the other colors tried desperately to seduce me.  Okay, I purchased a small white one, too.  I confess.  

photo courtesy from anthropologie

I wonder, does this cute basket look like something you would want to see each time you opened your fridge?  

It is perfect for storing cherries, berries, and yes, mushrooms.  I use my large one for mushrooms and my small white one for fruit.  No longer do I have to worry about mushrooms getting slimy underneath the plastic packaging they are shipped in.  Mushrooms will easily last a week in the fridge stored like this.

Don't worry... you don't have to plan a trip to Tulsa.  They are available online.  You lucky duck.

What about you?  Do you repackage any of your fruits or vegetables once you bring them home from the grocery?  Do you ever place them in a unique container just because it looks nicer?  Or, because you know it is easier to snack on them if they are more accessible? 

If we just take a second to look around at the rethink the ordinary, something is just begging us to upgrade it from the crisper drawer.

What’s begging you?

Lyndi

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

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Decorate your Thanksgiving table, inexpensively and uniquely.

Happy autumn!  This is my favorite time of year.  Is it yours?

Thanksgiving dinner is right at one month away.  Are your plans in place?  This is going to be the first year we will not be hosting Thanksgiving in our home since, well, almost forever.  Perhaps.  My brother and sister in-laws are adding an addition to their home and are excited about hosting their first family Thanksgiving dinner.  Unfortunately the remodel is taking longer than expected so we may end up hosting after all (yea!).

Today let’s talk about decorating your Thanksgiving table.  Do you pull out your special dishes?  Do you buy the latest (and cutest) turkey-themed paper products so there is less clean up?  Or, is your dinner a hybrid of the two?

How many of you like to try something a little different every year for Thanksgiving? Perhaps you use Thanksgiving to try out a new dish (guilty) or you stick to traditions (who out there really likes cranberry sauce?).  I cherish decorating my table to make it as cozy and fall-like as possible. 

How about you?

Since we have plenty of time before the cooking, cleaning, and hosting madness begins, I have something to propose to you.  In the next two weeks, why not set aside one of your lunch hours and head out to your nearest indoor flea market or antique mall?  Pack your lunch and eat it on the way so you can be sure to have plenty of time to leisurely browse.  Then, spend your time checking out the booths with an eye for decorating your Thanksgiving table.

I did this on Monday.  It was my first day back from several weeks of vacation (I missed you!) and I really wanted to prolong my laid-back-vacation-style.  So, I decided to visit an antique mall in Tontitown.  Actually, my plan was to browse the stalls and look for interesting old cutlery, bowls, dishes, gadgets, and such that would look really cool in my food blog photographs.

Then I found it. 

The earthy autumn-colored tapas dish caught my eye.  It was only $1.

One dollar!

Not only is it beautiful, simple, seasonal, and will pop-up now in a billion photographs for this blog, it has a story. The backside mark tells me that the Sears and Roebuck Company made it in 1978.  In Japan. It’s like a piece of history.

How about you?  Have you found success in rescued, recycled, or resurrected food items or gadgets?  Do you have a secret stash from your auntie (the knife in the photo was my Aunt Peggy’s)?  Are you always on the lookout for that special “something” to add to your kitchen collection?  I am always on the lookout so feel free to send me an email if you need a second set of eyes.

Searching for unique and often inexpensive kitchen items is a fun and rewarding hobby. Step away from the everyday and mundane.  Life is too short for ordinary. 

Especially when it comes to food.

Lyndi

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

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