Food and Home

For the Love of Pie — A Baking Confession

August 17, 2017 by Lisa 2 Comments

There’s nothing like warm pie straight from the oven. My husband I and I seek out spots to grab coffee and share a slice — we usually find these places in old, off-the-beaten-path diners that have been around for generations.

My favorite everyday pie is my Grandmother’s blackberry, made with her tender, flaky crust and berries she picked fresh that day, or pulled from her freezer during the winter months. Her pumpkin pies are something truly special. You’ll never taste a better pie, made with fresh pumpkin and her own special blend of spices. In fact, the first time I was presented with a canned pumpkin pie, I was horrified. I was away from home for Thanksgiving and called her to ask if she’d make me my own pie for when I came home. There are many things that qualify as pie, mixes from a can do not.

That’s where my love stops.

For the Love of Pie — A Confession

Here’s my confession, I stink when it comes to baking pies. I do. There are no two ways around it. If you want a beautiful cake, I’m your gal. Cookies? Grab a glass of milk and chow down. Pies, though. Pies are my achilles heel. If I’m baking a pie, the crust is store bought and it’s watery.

The good folks over at FoodChat recently reached out to me and asked if I’d host one of their very popular chats and discuss a topic I love. I love pie, so we’re going to chat about it the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

What?

That’s right. Between now and November 22, I’m going to learn everything I can about the art of pie. EVERYTHING. The only way I’ll ever learn to bake a truly glorious pie is to practice. I can’t bake all day, every day for a week, like on the Great British Bake-off, but I can practice weekly. I’ve also called in expert Danica Kombol. When Ed Levine from Serious Eats declares your pie perfect, you better believe I’m going to have her in my corner.

I’ll be sharing my mishaps, successes, and I’m sure there will be quite a few frustrated tears, but come Thanksgiving, I’ll be turning out beautifully made, tasty-treats, all in the name of pie.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for #FoodChat on November 22 at 11am EST. I’ll be chatting all things with pie with a host of experts.

Copyright: Image courtesy of ©brookelark.

Spring Cleaning: 10 Household Items You Can Clean in One Minute

March 21, 2017 by Lisa Leave a Comment

I’ve been spring cleaning for the past few days. My boys have moaned and groaned, but when I reminded they had spent more time complaining than cleaning, they got a move on. Here’s my list of 10 things to clean that generally take less than 10 minutes. It is quick cleaning anyone can do and feel the satisfaction of checking things off their list quickly.

1. Ceiling fan — Grab a microfiber cloth or Swiffer and run it over your ceiling fan blades. It will pick up all of the dust and you’ll be breathing easier. (I do this once a month and never get dusty, greasy build-up.)

2. Lint Trap — You would be surprised how many people forget to clean the lint trap. (My husband.) No matter who has used the dryer, I always check the lint trap before each load and clean it. It’s quick and easy, saves drying time, prolongs the life of your dryer, and lessens the risk of fire hazard.

3. TV Remote — I use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water on my TV remotes. If I’m feeling particularly OCD, I’ll grab the Q-Tips and scrub between each button.

4. Silverware organizer — I take this out and pop it into the dishwasher with a full load of dishes once a month.

5. Showerhead — We have low-flow shower heads which need cleaning more often as they hold water in the heads. Once a month I pop a plastic baggie filled with white vinegar on them overnight and secure it with a rubber band. My showerheads are clean and any mineral deposits (which can affect water pressure) are gone.

6. Makeup Brushes — I clean these once a week with a cleaner formulated for the job. Run some warm water in a clean bathroom sink with brush cleaner, swirl the bristles in the water to clean them, rinse and dry. Never dry them upside down as the water sits where the brush hairs and handles meet, which can loosen the glue and shorten the life-cycle of your makeup brushes.

7. Kitchen sponges — I don’t use kitchen sponges very often, but if I am using them they go into the dishwasher every night on the sanitize cycle. If you don’t have a dishwasher, pop your damp sponge in the microwave and nuke it for one minute. (Make sure your sponge is wet, or you risk setting fire to in your microwave.)

8. Pillows — Toss your pillows into the dryer to freshen them up. If you’re not allergy prone and have outdoor space, put them outside on an old sheet and let them air out.

9. Central Heat/AC Air Intake — Dust these once a week with a microfiber cloth. It takes seconds, removes dust build-up and, along with regularly changing your air filters, might help extend the life of your HVAC.

10. Refrigerator handles — Clean those handles with a clean rag and a 50/50 water vinegar mixture weekly. I have a teenager and his friends are always at my house. Their hands are always grubby, so I tend to tackle this chore once they have all gone home.

What are your quick and easy cleaning tips?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Online Flower Delivery That Wont’ Make You Cringe!

January 17, 2017 by Lisa Leave a Comment

Buying from an online flower retailer can be a scary experience. I recently needed to order flowers online for two very different occasions that were out of town (funeral, wedding) and none of the options had any satisfactory choices. They were either well out of my budget, or not very — let’s just say they’re not what I’ve come to expect after many years of being spoiled by the amazing local florists in my Rolodex.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to find places to order flowers online that will not only fit my budget, but will also be aesthetically pleasing no matter what my price point, or location of recipient. Not only does it make me happy to add these sites to my bookmarks, but I know that every person I send a surprise floral delivery is happy every time they look at their bouquet, and part of my goals this year is to work towards helping people channel their inner happy.

The Bouqs Co. is one of my favorite new sites to order flowers online. These farm to table flowers are cut on the day you order and shipped from one of their vetted farm partners in the US and overseas so they know their quality and freshness will be exactly what shoppers are searching for. Partner farms practice sustainable, eco-friendly farming, and only cut what they sell. I like that I can order from their site, via an app on my phone and there’s it’s just simple bouquets and no cheesy balloons or bears, nor any hidden delivery fees. They also have a pre-curated subscription service that offers a discount if you sign-up (*cough* ahem, honey *cough*) so that you have fresh flowers every month of the year.

A photo posted by The Bouqs Company (@thebouqsco) on Jan 15, 2017 at 10:17am PST

Farmgirl Flowersstarted out in the San Francisco Bay area and I remember being so jealous that my friends could order from them for delivery. The Farmgirl mission is to change the landscape of how flowers are purchased in the United States. 80% of flowers grown in the US are imported. They only buy flowers that are grown here in the US, supporting American farmers who pay living wages to the folks who works growing these beautiful flowers. In order to minimize waste, Farmgirl doesn’t offer multiple arrangements, instead creating arrangements out of what they have and sending them to happy customers. If you’re lucky enough to receive one of their famous Burlap Wrapped Bouquets™ or designer vase arrangements, you’ll be a fan for life.

A photo posted by farmgirlflowers (@farmgirlflowers) on Jan 16, 2017 at 6:09pm PST

Another soon to be favorite is BloomThat. They’re a little obsessed with sourcing the most stunning, responsibly grown blooms. BloomThat partners with world class farmers and growers across the globe to deliver the freshest, seasonal stems from the places they grow best. Folks who are lucky enough to live in the Bay Area, LA + NYC have same-day deliver, while the rest of us receive next-day delivery within the continental United States, which makes it so very easy to make someones day. I’m really loving the Sherbet stems + Original Salted Caramels from Shotwell Candy Co., from this sugary sweet Candy-Coated Cora combo!

BloomThat is obsessed with sourcing the most stunning, responsibly grown blooms. They're one of my favorite online flower services!

PhotoCredit BloomThat

A photo posted by BloomThat (@bloomthat) on Jan 14, 2017 at 9:58am PST

For my friends who live in the concrete jungle of New York City, I like to send flowers from Petal by Pedal. Delivery service is Monday – Friday and lucky recipients will receive locally grown flowersthat change seasonally. Flowers are delivered on foot, or custom bikes.

A photo posted by Petal by Pedal (@petalbypedal) on Jan 13, 2017 at 10:07am PST

Hygge: What is it and how do I do it?

November 7, 2016 by Lisa 2 Comments

I was Skyping with a friend who lives in London earlier this year and we discussed some of the magazines she had sent me. We were on the topic of Hygge — something she learned while dating a cute Danish boy — and it being mentioned more in press. It is something we both knew we want more of in our lives and are determined to have this winter.

What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah or hue-gah) is a Danish term that doesn’t have one translation — but is used to describe warm feelings of happiness, comfort, and coziness — image the feeling of the holiday season all winter long — minus the mind-numbing stress.

Winters in Denmark are long and cold. It’s like you’ve been dropped into the Lord of the Rings and are heading off to visit Mordor long and cold. The sun sets around 3 pm every day. 3 pm, y’all. I don’t do well with the shorter winter hours and tend to do a little stir-crazy after being cooped up for long periods of time indoors. I can’t imagine what I’d do if I lived in Denmark and experienced those days.

Yet, I find myself near the end of a long, arduous election year ready for my own immersive Hygge experience. Now. I’ve strung fairy (Christmas) lights throughout the house and have been putting out blankets, scented candles, and have been stocking up on different teas for warm soothing pots of liquid comfort anyone can enjoy.

Bring Hygge into your home

1. Spend time with loved ones.Friends and family bring out the best in us and when they leave you’re left with warm feelings that will fill your days during the frigid days and nights.

2. Eat tasty food. During the late autumn and winter months, we eat a lot of soups and stews and roast everything. Bitter cold demands a warmth only a hearty broth or a roasted pan of veg can deliver.

3. Candles. Use candles everywhere. I use soy and beeswax candles to bring to bring a soft, warm glow that are lost with our LED bulbs. If you have small children or pets, consider using warm incandescent bulbs or battery operated candles.

4. Warm drinks. Coffee is my every day go-to. When the days shorten and nights grow colder, I reach for hot tea. Green and black for afternoons, and homemade chai and hot chocolate for an extra treat. If you need something with a little more oomph, try a glass of mulled wine or a hot toddy.

5. Cozy textiles. Now’s the time to use those gorgeous throws and plush blankets. Drape the back of sofas and chairs with blankets to snuggle under. Family and friends will be all too happy to take full advantage of their cozy warmth.

6. Take care of you. Self-care is a trendy topic, but it’s also essential. Add a richer moisturizer to your skincare routine. Don’t feel guilty about curling up in bed with a book soon after sunset. Ignore the alarm clock. Write in your journal. Do whatever it is that you have to do to help that lift that weight off of your shoulders.

7. Update your home design. Add items to your home that you love and bring nature in. I like playing with textiles, my brightly colored Haitian paper vases and whatever fresh flowers my local market has on hand.

8. Spend time in front of the fireplace. Wear your most colorful woolen socks, prop your toes in front of the fireplace and say ahhhh. Bonus points if you have a book and a cup of your favorite warm beverage. If you you don’t have one, a firepit in the backyard will work wonders, but I’d suggest leaving your shoes on.

Some of favorite proprietors and products for Hygge:

TeaRex Tea — I’ve known the owner, Wayne, for many years and his products are top of the line. If you order from him, tell him to bring back the Palm Court blend: http://tearex.com/ (Not an affiliate link.)

Books on Hygge:
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Celebrating National Coffee Day 2016

September 29, 2016 by Lisa Leave a Comment

This blog post contains affiliate links.

Today is National Coffee Day. I’m not sure how I forgot the date of my favorite national holiday, but I did and I’m drowning my sorrows in a fresh cup. If you been reading for some time, you know that I have waxed poetically about the virtues of coffee over the years — from how to brew the best cup to imagining what people are thinking when they’re in a coffee shop.

So what does a coffee ~~addict~~ lover like myself do on National Coffee Day? Drink coffee. I’ve been tempted to stand at my coffee bar (I AM one of those people) and not move today. Instead, I’ll share what you’ll find if you were to come visit and want to make your own coffee. Get ready for the jitters!

Large national chains are getting in on the coffee action today, with Dunkin’ Donuts offering their medium-sized cup of coffee for .66 cents. Krispy Kreme is giving patrons a free cup of coffee AND a donut. (After all, coffee and donuts do go oh-so-very-well together.) My friends in the Northeast can stop in Wawa for a free coffee at any time today. For every cup of Mexico Chiapas coffee Starbucks sells today, the company will donate one rust-resistant (a fungus) coffee tree. As for me, I’ll be visiting my favorite local coffee shop(s) later today to show a little love on National Coffee Day and fuel myself up in-between errands.

My Coffee Tools

There are days I’m pretty sure I like my Moccamaster coffee maker more than my husband. He understands my reasons for this and I’m pretty sure there are days he likes our coffee maker more than he likes me as well. It was an investment, but it’s a workhorse that brews a fine cup and that’s why we own it.

You can’t make a great pot of coffee without a burr grinder. Fresh ground coffee truly makes my world go-round. I use a Bodum Burr Grinder that is a sturdy companion and allows me to select the grind for each method of coffee I might choose to brew with. In fact, I’m an unabashed Bodum fan, so you’ll see several more items of theirs that I own and use in my search for coffee nirvana.

I’m also a fan of the Bodum pour oversystem. I know, I know, it’s not a Chemex. That doesn’t matter, I love Bodum’s quality and that I don’t have to worry about the wood on the neck of the Chemex being damaged due to exposure to water. The heat resistant silicone grip around the neck saves my fingers from burns as well as slips.

Good design doesn’t have to be expensive, and neither is my 5 year old Bodum Brazil French Press. It gets used almost daily — when I need that one extra cup of coffee quickly.

I use an electric kettle to boil water for my pour over and French press and have used a Breville daily for the last 5 years.

If I’m in the mood for an espresso, I don’t use a fancy machine. I turn on my cooktop and make it the way an Italian grandmother would, with a Bialetti Moka espresso maker. This is how I make my evening coffee and it is a soothing ritual that helps me wind down after a long day.

What are some of my favorite coffees? You can’t go wrong with Illy coffee. I don’t drink it daily, but do keep it on hand for special occasions, or when it’s going to be a difficult week and I want a special treat.

What is your favorite coffee? Not that I need any encouragement, but if I’m going to over share my coffee love, I don’t want to feel left out.

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For the Love of Pie — A Baking Confession

For the Love of Pie — A Confession

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Spring Cleaning: 10 Household Items You Can Clean in One Minute

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Online Flower Delivery That Wont’ Make You Cringe!

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Hygge: What is it and how do I do it?

What is Hygge?

Bring Hygge into your home

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Celebrating National Coffee Day 2016

This blog post contains affiliate links.

My Coffee Tools

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Food and Home

For the Love of Pie — A Confession

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What is Hygge?

Bring Hygge into your home

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This blog post contains affiliate links.

My Coffee Tools

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