St. Patrick's Lunch with the Sheep

When I think of Ireland, I think of green fields and beautiful women, like Maureen O'Hara in The Quiet Man.  I think of quaint accents, pastoral settings, and . . . sheep.

For the last couple of years I've begun collecting them, and now I seem to have acquired a small flock.

These are called Irish Galway Sheep from Colin's Creatures.  Colin goes all over the world studying sheep.  Besides the Galway, he reproduces other kinds as well, like the Cotswold, Dorper, Shetland, and many others.  They are made of porcelain, castable stone, and imported woven fur, chosen to best imitate the sheep.

Baby lamb is sticking close to mama.

There were only five of us this year, composed of those in our “pandemic pod.”  There's a light at the end of the tunnel, but we still need to keep safe a little bit longer.

Plaid napkins in the Irish National Tartan pattern, an Etsy find.

I gave these mini books with Irish blessings away as favors in a previous St. Pat's luncheon, but I had a new guest, my friend Fran, and she had never received one, so I set one out for her.

Irish Mules!  Who knew?  Simply substitute some Irish Whiskey for Vodka for an Irish twist.  I used Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey and Rachel's Handcrafted Ginger Beer, along with freshly-squeezed lime juice.  They were delicious!

Here's the basic recipe:

• 4 oz. ginger beer
• 1½ oz. Irish whiskey
• ½ oz. freshly-squeezed lime juice
• 1 T. sugar (optional) - I didn't use any because Rachel's Ginger Beer is already sweetened
• Ice, for serving
• Fresh mint, for garnish
• Lime rounds, for garnish

In a chilled copper mug measure out the ginger beer, vodka and lime juice.  Add ice and stir with a cocktail spoon.  Garnish with lime rounds and mint and serve immediately.

We served Shepperd's Pie, and, unfortunately, as it frequently happens, I got so busy that I forgot to take pictures of the food.  Friends sent me their pictures afterwards.

I'd never made Shepherd's Pie before, so I spent a few days researching it beforehand.  Alton Brown's recipe was wonderful.  Everyone loved it and I highly recommend it.

And for dessert . . . Apple Pie!  It just so happens that March 14th is Pie Day (π Day - 3.14).  Served with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.  The pie came from Jarosch bakery, my favorite crack dealer.

Walkers Shortbread Cookies in the shape of sheep.

A pot of gold at the end of a rainbow hung from the chandelier.

The Irish Whiskey Mules were so good that we hardly touched the wine.  They were so refreshing!

Friends Angela and Leo, and my own husband, also a Leo, wore funny hats, and they insisted that we needed to as well, so I photoshopped a bow on my head, and a beret on my friend, Fran.  You'd have to have been there.  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  May the road rise to meet you and all the rest!

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  Please stop by to see the amazing work of some very talented table stylists.  Enjoy!

Cuban Night

 Once in a while I get such a deep longing for my Cuban soul food . . .

. . . including Black Beans, White Rice, Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef cooked in Sofrito and Tomato Sauce), and Tostones (Fried Green Plantains), that, well, I'm powerless to resist.  I spent a whole day in the kitchen cooking up a storm.

Naturally, we had to have leftovers the day after.  This time, to mix it up, instead of tostones, I made Mariquitas — homemade banana chips.  It was all so delicious.  This will hold me for a while.

A Valentine's Supper with the Other Woman

 The "Other Woman" is no less than my favorite chef, Ina Garten.  

From the moment I woke up that morning, until the magical Blue Hour, it was Ina, Ina, Ina!

I placed a card table in front of our fireplace . . .

Then, a vase of beautiful red roses, a gift from my husband, on the table, 

Plus a few extra touches, like the flatware with the heart-shaped handles . . .

Some Ikat Heart napkins, and . . . 

Voilà!  The table was set for a romantic fireside dinner for two.

Cheese and crackers are an aphrodisiac, yes?  The little cheese heart was stabbed in the center.  Oh, it doesn't seem fair that its death should be our joy!

To balance things out, I also invited Raymond . . .

Oh, if you could only touch the label!  It feels like velvet.  By now, we have amply established that I'm a wine philistine and continue to choose my wine by the label.  Isn't it pretty?  And it was so delicious!

We wanted a light supper tonight, not a heavy meal that would put us to sleep, so Ina Garten's French Onion Soup, in my new Lion's Head soup bowls were just the ticket!  Some of you may remember my waxing lyrical mentioning them during our trip to Paris three years ago. After three years of thinking about them, I caved in and bought them!

Ina's recipe calls for Parmesan cheese "or the cheese of your choice."  I guess there's some debate among foodies about what constitutes the perfect cheese to use on this humble soup, shocking, I know.  I decided to use Gruyère de Compté because it sounded so French, has a nutty flavor, and melts beautifully.  It is French, not Swiss, and it was available at that famous American fromagerie, Chez Costco. 

The onions were cooked, ever so slowly, over several hours before adding the stock, Cognac, sherry and wine - after which I had to go take a shower and change my clothes, so I wouldn't be exuding allium pheromones, that wouldn't be too romantic.

Then, to end the simple supper, Ina Garten's Chocolate Mousse, so very, very rich!  So incredibly delicious!

I whipped the cream myself so I could control the sugar, I don't like overly sweet desserts.  Shave a little chocolate on top, slice a strawberry . . . and prepare for heaven on Earth!

Even in the midst of a pandemic, love, joy and deliciousness can still be found.  Happy Valentine's Day!

 Amy the Amaryllis has bloomed!

Beautiful!

The Master Bedroom - The Reveal

This has been an arduous, but satisfying project.  After 36+ years of marriage, I now have the bedroom of my dreams.  It is not completely finished yet, but enough has been completed that I'm excited to show you what has happened in this room!

Let's begin with the bed.  I had always wanted a 4-poster bed, however, when you are married, you have to check with your husband once in a while on decisions that might affect him, and I felt it would only be fair to get his input on this one.  His only request was that the footboard be low enough so that he could stretch out fully on the bed.  

Done!  That was his one and only ask.  He honestly was fine with all the other decisions I made in the room.  Isn't he wonderful?

I like the simplicity of a white bed.  It provides a visual break, and seems very peaceful to me.  The sides of the quilt are able to be tucked into the sides of the bed.  No more bed skirts!  Yay!  Bed skirts have always been the bane of my existence.  I don't like them, I prefer this clean look.

The curtains remind me of the linen guayaberas, the traditional Cuban shirts that my father used to wear.  These are unlined to let the light filter through.

I chose white nightstands, and in a different style to avoid a vintage matchy-matchy look.  The white also softens the room a bit and makes it a teensy bit more feminine.

It took me a long time to decide on the lamps.  Who would've thunk that there were so many things to think about?  From the height (27¼"), to color (emerald), to finish (antique brass).  Ugh!  It felt like such a commitment!

I had glass tops installed over the nightstands to protect them from scratches and moisture.  I'm afraid both, my husband and I are rough on our nightstands.  We've been known to spill water on them, and I've put several scratches on the old ones with my phone and rosary.  It's actually not that hard to scratch a surface that you use constantly.

Then we added clear hooks on the side to hold our cords.

For my birthday, my husband gave me this lovely candle with the three-dimensional gingko leaves that look like butterflies.  It's so pretty and smells wonderful!  I haven't burned it yet, but when I take off the lid, it perfumes the air in the room beautifully.

The challenge with the dresser was finding one that, even if it didn't match the bed, it resonated in style.  I prefer clean lines that can mix well with traditional, contemporary, and Spanish styles.

I didn't opt for the matching mirror that came with the dresser.  Instead, I chose this one with the silver guilt bamboo frame.  I think the guilt finish adds a bit of glamour to the bedroom.  

Now, what to do about these lamps.  I've had them for a long time, but I'm not loving them so much anymore.  Do we even need them in the room?  Should they be smaller?  Maybe all that's needed is a different shade to spruce them up.  It'll take a bit more thinking . . .

The prints bring a bit of the outdoors into the room, and will adapt well to any bedroom updates . . . 

Nowadays, I make a lot of decisions with an eye towards our future retirement home.

And they work particularly well here in winter, when everything else outside the window is covered in snow.

The silver bamboo frame was another gift for my birthday.  It relates back to the mirror.  I have to say, it's nice that nowadays decorating rules have relaxed when it comes to mixing finishes.  My mother would've been shocked to have seen a silver frame placed next to a brass lamp.  The photo was taken in Venice in October 2019.

So, there you have it.  We are still waiting for Lee's chest of drawers, which has been on back order forever because of the pandemic.  I also want to replace my ratty, but comfortable chair and ottoman.  I've had it since the kids were little, and it's a bit worse for wear.  But I'm happy with the progress!

Bed:  Hickory White, INNOVATION 4-Poster King Bed, Newport Finish

Botanical Prints:  Ballard Designs, Heines Leaf I, II, III & IV

Candle:  Michael Aram, Butterfly

Cardinal Pillow:  Frontgate

Curtains:  Pottery Barn, Belgian Flax Linen

Dresser:  Durham, Providence, Victorian Mahogany

Lamps:  Lamps Plus, Uttermost Elva Emerald Green Glaze Ceramic

Mirror:  Pottery Barn, Bamboo Silver Guilt Frame

Nightstands:  Bernhardt, East Hampton

Picture Frame:  Pottery Barn, Silver Bamboo

Quilt and Pillow Shams:  Pottery Barn, Belgian Flax Linen Floral, White

Three Kings Day Infamy

Three Kings Day, this year, and for the rest of my life, will be marred by what happened in our nation's capital.  The storming of the Capitol by a right-wing mob, with the intent of overturning the certification of our duly elected president will be recorded for posterity in the most ignominious ways.

Hopefully, like the Epiphany that revealed the light of God to the Magi, perhaps the character of the outgoing president has finally been revealed to those that follow him.  We hope and pray, anyway.

I'd like to believe that the Three Kings saved us, and, even though we are still sheltering in our homes, and avoiding large gatherings because of this awful pandemic, I needed to celebrate and give thanks, so I baked a cake and buried a “bean” in the batter, so that the finder could be declared “King for the Day.”

Let's all pray a little extra hard tonight.