One of my favorite things is a day in the studio. Throw in friends and the day is ideal! It isn't always easy to get everyone together, with all of their busy schedules, so when we do, it is even more special.
I went out to the coop and gathered up some very fresh eggs to whip up little mini quiches (because any food looks more special when baked in individual pans), baked some rosemary garlic rolls (because rosemary makes anything seem fancier), and set the table with my favorite old dishes (because, DURH! Birdies!!!).
For the quiche, I tried something a little different and used puff pastry instead of pie crust. I liked it, and it was even better for leftovers, sometimes quiche pie crust can be soggy on the second day.
I thought I'd try to make a flourless chocolate cake too. It really fell apart pretty bad when I took it out of the pan (the trick is to have the right kind of pan, instead of just a cake pan, I think). So, I drizzled it with lots of dark chocolate syrup, dusted it with powdered sugar, and sprinkled a few chopped choc. chips over it. That did some camouflage work. Plus, no matter how crookedy a cake is, placing it under a glass dome works miracles.
Beth taught me years ago when we shared an antique booth, that anything looks better under glass. She could set the oddest bit of junk under a cloche in the middle of a pretty display, and it would be the first thing to sell every time.
We still had some Valentine decor up. Around here, holidays linger.
Since I had company coming, it was a good reason to spiff up around the cottage. And to take some photos, because I don't think the place has been cleaned up much since I put away all the previous holiday decor.
The trapeze like swags of cobwebs even got wiped away. Those are the one downfall I've come across from the tin ceiling. The uneven surface tends to attract cobwebs. And I end up not noticing them until there are enough for a full fledge circus performance overhead.
But I discovered the perfect way to get rid of them! A quick brush with the cinnamon broom that I got at Trader Joe's over the holidays snags each little web easily.
My tables are always a mismatch of pieces. I've given up on silverware. Who knows where the forks disappear to???? sigh
I've discovered that I can replace cutlery for 10 cents a piece at Goodwill, so I just don't worry about it anymore. Most of my house is a hodge podge, why should my table settings be any different?
Mostly, I was just happy to have a break from my house looking like this. I love a reason to clean up, because if I don't have one, this is how it stays.
But messy or clean, there is no place like home! And I love having company come to join me here.
It’s beautiful, Karla. Your table is so pretty. I’ve never done the quiche in ramekins before — I’d be curious for your recipe sometime if you’d be willing to share it. I really love the puff pasty look — and I’ll bet it is delicious! And flourless chocolate cake — spring for the springform! But you did a grand job of foofing it up! Looks like you were in for the best time ever — hope to see more!
Karla..I picked up a really nice springform pan a tjmaxc the other day for seven bucks!!! It’s worth it…just saying. Even tho it looked pretty darn good anyway…lol
Good morning Karla…..beautiful as always! You have such a gift for celebrating the moments of our lives and making them special without all the hoopla…..just good friends and good food….becoming so rare in our world. Most of all, I just want to tell you what a pure pleasure it is to ready your blog so effortlessly without all the commercial ads and popups!! More and more, it is just becoming such a hassle to read some of my favorites, that I just give up. Its like you have to dig for every morsel of the “buried treasure”. Your treasures are there for the taking and it is so great!! Just wanted you to know I we notice and appreciate it. Have a great day! Linda F.
Thanks for the kind words, Linda, but honestly, if I could figure out how to do it, Id add ads to my blog!! I think there are some non-invasive ones that Id be happy with, but man, I just feel like some tech things are too hard to do.
I thought that was what might be needed, Regina. Ive never used a springform pan, but if Im going to make these cakes a habit I think Ill need one. With the little grandfairy who cant eat gluten, flourless cakes are going to be popular around here.
Jeannie, I dont use a recipe when I bake. Basically, I lined the ramekins with puff pastry, then beat eggs with seasonings, added some ricotta and sauteed veggies, and filled the pans. Pretty easy.
Everything was beautiful Karla and the food was incredible:) It was a perfect day! xo Carol
Carol, I dont know why we dont get together more often! I really enjoy you guys.
I love your studio no matter how it looks! What a fun day! This is the other Jeannie 🙂
Loved the pictures of your home and table settings. Being matchy, matchy is dull. Your table is so pretty. I too go to Goodwill for silverware. Lots of times I’ve found “real” silver mixed in. Thanks for sharing.
Im going to keep my eye on the cutlery bin at Goodwill! I bought a lot of pieces, but not all were nice, mostly functional. I needed at lot, so wasnt picky. Some will need replacing as I find prettier ones. Hope I get lucky and find silver ones too, Yvonne.