Overcooked Easter

Hope you all had a great Easter or Passover.  We had wonderful weather, here in LA, for the holiday weekend.  I spent all day Saturday out and about shopping for food, prepping and getting as much done as possible so I could relax on Sunday, which of course, never happened.  We had our neighbors Gale and David and my friend Maureen over for dinner.  My other neighbor Andy and his girlfriend Kirsten popped over for a glass of wine or in Andy’s case “Miller Lite” after their family dinner.  While hosting Easter is something I have done many times, this was the first time we had a chef come to our house.  My neighbor David, is a chef and partner, at Park Avenue & Il Garage in Stanton, CA.  For all of you who ask, “Where is Stanton?” like I did, it’s located just East of Huntington Beach on Beach Boulevard.  It’s a destination restaurant that has won many accolades and was recently ranked in the Top 10 of OC Restaurants by Orange Coast Magazine.  In the last few years it’s been ranked number one and landing Chef David Slay on the cover. Ok, as if that isn’t pressure.

We have eaten at his restaurant several times, (which is amazing) and Blake and I have been guests at their house on numerous occasions for parties and impromptu dinners.  I wanted to extend an invitation to them for Easter since they graciously hosted us for Christmas and David is always working and never gets to relax.  I am a perfectionist when it comes to entertaining and love everything to look perfect and taste perfect.  While I love to cook, I’d prefer to do the hosting aspect and décor.  I still haven’t gotten the hang of the whole timing thing.  With my girlfriend Nick flying back from Australia (she normally helps me serve), I was on my own.

Well let’s just say it was a disaster.  I’m laughing about it now.    We cooked our ham in their oven (which Gale warned me gets hot) so I could reheat our sides while the ham was finishing up.  You would think we would have checked on the ham, nope!  This is what happens when the wine starts flowing.  Turns out the ham which, is PERFECT every year, was over cooked. The veggies were soggy because I reheated them and forgot to take the tin foil off and everything was a hot mess.  The only thing that was good was the wine, the company, and the table setting.  While they were more than gracious, I’m sure my soggy asparagus was likely  the topic of conversation the next day.  Everyone had plenty of wine to drink thank God!  Food (when painfully overcooked) always tastes better when your drinking wine.  Overall, we had a great time except me, the perfectionist, cringing every time I looked at the food.  Oh well,  I can only go up from here, right?  Now anything I cook will look good.  LOL!

Now on to the positive aspect of the evening, the table setting.  I was pretty happy with how the table turned out considering everything was purchased either on sale or at a thrift store.  See below for details of where everything was purchased.

TABLE ITEMS:  Table cloth from Williams Sonoma purchased last summer.   Plates are Spode Fine Bone China, England, Pattern Y8549-L Chinese Flowers Prunus purchased at a local thrift store.  Glasses are by the Imperial Glass Company in Shoji pattern purchased at a local thrift store along with the brass candle holders and napkin rings (which they threw in for free).  Wine glasses are by Riedel (Vitis Collection).  Chargers are from Cost Plus, vases from One Kings Lane, burlap runner from Pottery Barn (last year), candles from Home Goods, tulips from Whole Foods, and napkins from Target.

The table setting in all it’s glory before it got bombarded by the hot mess of over cooked food.

Up close as the sun was going down.

I couldn’t believe how well the dishes and table cloth matched.

On  a side note, my great friend Nick has an Aunt who we call “Auntie Syl”.  She lives in Salem, Oregon and loves to entertain, just like us.  We are always sharing recipes, ideas for table settings, and swapping pictures of how we decorated our tables for the holidays.  Take a look at her creative table setting that she did for Easter.  She used burlap as the table cloth, stuffed egg shells and urns with wheat grass,  hanging eggs on branches and put chocolate bunnies on the dinner plates.  I love it.

She also sent me this picture of her deviled eggs.  These are no ordinary deviled eggs. They are decorated with real violets, fresh dill, chives and parsley.  Look at the little baby chick in the right corner.  I call her the Martha Stewart of the North West.

Menu:

APPETIZERS

Cheese Platter with Various Cheeses, Crackers and Grapes

Hartford Court, Four Hearts Vineyards, Russian River Chardonnay 2009

SALAD COURSE

Beet, Rhubarb, and Orange Salad (Couldn’t get Rhubarb anywhere)

Gary Farrell, Russian River Chardonnay, 2008

MAIN COURSE

Roasted Asparagus

Tri-Colored Carrots Roasted with Olive Oil

Scallop Potatoes with Gruyere Cheese (Bon Appetit)

Honey Glazed Ham from our Local Market

Calera 35th Anniversary Vintage, Central Coast, Pinot Noir 2010

Regusci Stages Leap District Merlot 2008

Burgess Napa Valley Merlot 2007

Robert Foley Vineyards, The Griffin Red Wine, 2009

DESSERT

Fresh Mixed Berries with Home Made Whip Cream Topped with Fresh Mint

 

Also, to my parents who’s 45th Anniversary was Sunday.

Happy Anniversary!

&

Jan, my Aussie friend.  I’m so glad we re-connected! Happy Birthday!

 

p.s.  I’m too tired to edit!

PHOTO CREDITS:  All photos are taken by me (Peggy & Fritz) except the last two which are taken by Auntie Syl.

The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook ~ Only in Connecticut

While sitting around my parents table eating homemade polenta, my mom tipped me off to a new cheese shop that opened in Centerbook, CT.  Apparently, my Uncle Peter frequents it daily, and told her about it.  Cheese shop in Centerbrook? WHAT??????????????  Why didn’t I know about this before I got to the house? I just picked up at bottle of wine at the wine shop in Centerbrook.  As everyone knows, I love cheese, especially paired with wine.

Friday morning, I decided to head to Essex to take some pictures for all of you. I was heading through Centerbrook (completely in my own little world), and caught The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook sign out of the corner of my eye.  I came a screeching halt, did a u-ey (slang for u-turn in New England) and pulled into the parking lot.  It was like walking into Cheese Heaven, if there was one.  Lot’s of yummy cheeses, everything you can imagine.  I met Paul, the owner and his lovely wife.  We started chatting and I told him I was home visiting and my mom told me about the shop and I wanted to pop in.  I asked him how he selected Centerbrook (we just don’t have things like this where I am from) and he said he lived in the area and had done this for a living and wanted to open something for the locals.  He got his start years ago, working for a cheese company in Greenwich, CT. Over they years he helped over 30 cheese stores open their business including the The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills.  Boy, did Paul know his cheeses.

Paul, the owner below.

Look at all the yummy cheeses he carries!  He has one of the largest collections of cheeses in the state of Connecticut.  No matter what you fancy…he or his team will help you select something that suites your taste  He carries cheese from France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Denmark, England, Switzerland, Sweden, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Norway, and the United States.  He also carries prosciutto, smoke salmon, and various cured meats.  He’s so gracious that he will open any cheese for you to try.  I didn’t want him to open anything for me but he insisted started opened several that interested me, what customer service.  They also provide you with a Product List Sheet of the current cheeses and meats they carry.  They will check off the cheeses you purchase so you can keep track of what you have had.  He carries some of my favorites like the La Tur, from Italy, Epoisses from France, and the Mt. Tam from The Cowgirl Creamery. 

 

Fresh pastas, sauces, olive oils for dipping and cooking, and fine balsamic vinegars makes this a great destination spot. Paul covers all the bases.  He carries blocks of gourmet chocolate and all the fixings.  Now I just want him to add wine.  Hint Hint Paul :)

He covers all the bases.  I was going to my friend Nicole and Jeff’s on Friday evening.  I picked up a soft cheese which he recommended and Beemster Aged Gouda  that was to die for (so good I went back the next day for more), some dried apricots, a fresh baguette and some table crackers. I knew it went over well because Nicole’s husband, Jeff, ate it like it was his last supper.  Presto magic, now you see it now you don’t.  Love you Jeff!

Fresh baked bread made daily.  The perfect place to pick up a baguette, some cheese, and spreads for a picnic down at the docks in Essex.

Here’s Paul and his team (see below).  The guy on the far left made me a yummy latte but only if I smiled.  Of course, I smiled.  It makes me happy knowing they also make latte’s and cappuccino’s.  I know longer have to drive to Old Saybrook to get a good cup of Joe.  Sorry folks, I outgrew Duncan Donuts.

Make sure if your visiting the shoreline of Connecticut that you pop in and tell them that Peggy & Fritz sent you.  The staff is friendly and welcomes you like an old friend.  The perfect place to pick up goodies for a dinner party, hostess gift, or a special treat for yourself.  I was so impressed with Paul and his team, it will be my first stop (after the vino) when I come for a visit.

The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

33 Main Street

Centerbrook, CT 

Phone:  (860) 767-8500

MON – THURS, SAT 9 AM to 6 PM

FRI – 9 AM to 7 PM

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Unless otherwise marked with Peggy and Fritz all photos are courtesy of The Centerbrook Cheese Shop website.

Stocking your Powder Room for Guests

I love powder rooms for the simple reason, they are compact and you can be a little more creative with them.  However, today’s post is not about design but about the key things I believe every powder room should contain when you host a dinner party, or simply have company over.  This is where my friends will roll their eyes at me.   You would be surprised how many of these things are actually missing from peoples bathrooms.  Here are some of Peggy & Fritz’s tips on how to make your guests feel comfortable in your bathroom, powder room, bano, toilet, etc. 

My ideal powder room.

1.  Use paper napkins vs. a hand towel for your guests.  Most people prefer to use a paper napkin to dry their hands vs. using the same hand towel that some one else has used to dry their hands.  Believe it or not, I have had people still wipe their hands on a decorative hand towel when guest towels were provided,  that bugs by the way (pet peeve).  I use long napkins and keep them on a white ceramic dish purchased at Cost Plus, it’s meant for serving, but I love it for holding napkins (it looks clean and elegant). You can use all kinds of items for holding napkins (I don’t like those store bought ones except below) such as a silver tray from the flea market, porcelain dishes, pottery, etc.    I change the napkins based on holidays, time of year, etc.  You can find them at Home Goods, Target, Amazon has a great selection, and Horchow has some that you can have monogrammed, etc.

2. Always leave a garbage can out.  Even if you keep your waste basket under your sink, please take it out when you have guests.  Also, for those that do not have one in their bathroom, if for no other reason then my next sentence, kindly purchase a waste basket.  There is nothing worse than it being that “time of the month” and needing to throw away your “goods” and you look and there is no basket.  I’m like, are you kidding me?  I know, likely not what you thought I would say, but I’m just stating the facts.  I’ve actually been places where there was no waste basket.  I had to stuff “the goods”   in my pocket and march directly to the kitchen to find a trash can so I could throw out “the unmentionables”.  Now, what if I was wearing a cocktail dress? Can you imagine the horror?  Please don’t subject your guests to this!   I know a little more visual than you needed.  How else can I get the point across?  If you usually put it under the sink, it is helpful during a party to pull it out and place it by the toilet or if you don’t keep one in there at all,  if for no other reason than the one above, you need to purchase one.

3. Keep an extra roll of toilet paper in the bathroom.  I keep a small wicker basket right next to the toilet  (with a lid that flips up).  It’s visible to guests should they run out of toilet paper. They won’t feel funny opening it up because it’s a logical choice for them to look and the best part is, they don’t have to get up. They simply reach to the left or the right.  

4.  Always have room spray.  Let’s face it, sometimes you have to poop.  Nothing is worse then looking around and seeing no room spray.  You don’t want to be the one that poops and leaves the bathroom.   Your then cringing in fear that someone will step into the bathroom right after you and your thinking, “Please don’t go in there!” Then without words your subjected to “the oh….., she just pooped look”.   Save us the embarrassment please.  I have a tiny electric socket right near my toilet with a ledge where I keep a small can visible.  If you have a basket next to the toilet, you can store it where the toilet paper is or leave it down on the floor behind the basket, but still visible. Sorry after Dr. Oz was on Oprah, poop conversations make me laugh and I don’t even have kids.

5. Provide liquid soap in a pump.  Only use a bar of soap for yourself or as a decorative item.  When you have multiple guests, it’s best to provide a pump of soap as it’s more sanitary.  No one wants to be using the same bar of soap as everyone else. Reserve that for your family and switch it out for guests.

 

6.  Adding little touches.  I usually have a nice scented candle or tea light burning in a votive holder and a fresh flower or mixed greens in a bud vase.  Just these little things add a nice touch and make guests feel special.

 

Now as a guest in someone’s home, I think it’s important to exercise the following:  1. It is considered polite after you wash your hands to wipe down the faucet and counter.  Some people wash their hands and you would think a bird had just been in their flickering around in a birdbath.  There’s water everywhere. It’s sprinkled on the mirror, on the counter and there are water spots all over the faucet (another pet peeve, water spots make me crazy).  When I say crazy, I mean crazy.  I’m not known as the Windex Queen for a reason.  Just so you know, you are not in a hotel, your in someone’s home.  Kindly use your napkin and wipe off the common area and faucet.   2.  Since it’s likely I don’t have any men reading my blog but if I do, please put down the toilet seat.  For all the moms out there, please teach your son’s this!  No one wants their company walking into a guest bathroom to the visual of a toilet seat up.  While this happens rarely with my guests, there is always someone from time to time a guest that will do this.  Ok, I’m done.  I’d love to hear your tips of anything I haven’t included. 

Do you have any tips that I haven’t listed.  If so, I would love to hear them.

A Sprinkle of Holiday Decor

I’m not going to bore you with the details but I’m behind on blogging due to computer issues.  UGH!  Back in the saddle again and now trying to play catch up.  FEW!  Here we go with a little post on how we decorated our house.

We purchased and decorated our tree the first week of December.  I like to enjoy it the entire month. I relish in the ambiance it creates.  I enjoy  lighting the fire and candles, having a nice glass of wine or champagne, and gazing at our sparkly tree.   Our color scheme is simple; white, silver and anything that sparkles.   I kept our holiday decorating to a minimum by just accessorizing a few key areas.  I hung stockings on the fireplace, added some holiday decor to the dining table, and planted paper whites and amaryllis (I love the smell and enjoy the blooms).

I started in the dining area.  The runner on the table stays on all year round along with the ceramic urn.  I just added some touches of mercury glass and tea lights to dress up the table.  The branches were purchased from Michaels (got 50% off for $3.99 a stem), I wanted more, but this is all they had.  They look like real tree branches with fake snow and pine cones.  I had about six women in line ask me where I found them only to tell them I grabbed all that were left.  Since we live in LA finding tree branches is next to impossible.  I added these two trees from Home Goods which are made from pine cones with a silver color.  The little reindeer are from Pottery Barn and were purchased last year (see my post Winter Wonderland).  I fell in love with these little vases from Pottery Barn, made from mercury glass.  When I first saw them, I thought they were candle holders but they are actually bud vases (plus, they were only $8.00).  I had to have them.  Also, I bought eight or nine of the mercury glass tea lights from Target.  They were $.99 each.  Can you believe it?  I bought eight of them. They are great to use all year round.  Well take a peek inside our little beach house for a sprinkle of our holiday decor.

      

 

I had this bell wreath from my old apartment, it’s been sitting in a box for years. I pulled it out and added it to our China cabinet and it had two matching bells that were ornaments (too heavy for the tree) so I hung them on the drawer knobs (purchased at Pottery Barn).

On the chest that sits across from our dining table, I added a few touches of greenery and silver to compliment the table.  Each year, I use my grandmothers vintage casserole dish and fill it with paper whites.  I like the vintage look of the dish.  You can really use any vintage piece of silver or container for paper whites.  I reused the nuts left over from Thanksgiving.  They sit in a vintage silver candy dish given to me my mom’s best friend (she was cleaning her closets and throwing a bunch of silver away, I was like a little kid in school…pick me! pick me!), and a silver mercury glass candle holder I got from my favorite store,  Home Goods.  The mercury glass candlestick adds a hint of sparkle to tie in with the table. The photo below that one, is another tray I got from my mom’s friend.  Remember the one cleaning out her closets.  I used it at Thanksgiving for the champagne.  I added pine cones, a beaker with some left over greens from Thanksgiving and added a candle.

Here’s an overall look at the chest.

It’s so hard to capture our tree.  Whenever, I have taken it with a camera it just never comes out.  I found a setting called “night” and I tried that.  Waa Laa! Finally, something that shows how it looks when it’s  lit up at night. I use on average five to seven boxes of lights.  I used to be a wrap it around the tree girl, until I met my old roommate, Jen.  She taught me how to weave the lights in and out so it sparkles from within.  I liked it so much, I have kept it up over the years…however, I curse her every year for showing me how great it can look, because now I’m obsessed with it. It takes so much time to put it up and take it down.  Thanks Jen :)  The only thing I wished I purchased was starfish garland.

 

 

Here is a close up of some ornaments that I have collected over the years.  Rosie do you recognize the one in the center?  It always goes at the top of the tree.  I look for things that will sparkle when the lights hit them.  Most of my ornaments come from Home Goods and Marshalls.  They have tons of ornaments that look vintage at the fraction of the cost of major retailers.   Most of them come from Poland where the higher quality glass ornaments are produced. 

I love my clip on birds. The Santa below is from Home Goods and the starfish is from my mom.  Every year she sends me one ornament.  I love my big fat puffy lady below too….Compliments again of Home Goods.          

Oh Yes! To satisfy the man in the house we have a football, a rocket and somewhere on our tree a Minnesota Vikings helmet.  He makes sure they are front and center to screw up my color scheme.  It’s also his way of reminding me there is a guy living in the house. LOL!

      Our stockings.

        We have a tiny bathroom guest downstairs that I decorated.  To keep it simple, I just added some eucalyptus to the vase, some holiday guest towels, and greens in a tiny bud vase to add a splash of color. 

That’s it folks! I didn’t have a lot of time to edit so sorry if I’m rambling, but then again, what else is new?  Ha! Ha! I’m on a rice and beans budget this year, so everything was repurposed or purchased on sale or at a discounted store.  How about you?  Did you repurpose or go hog wild? What color scheme did you use this year?  Hope your enjoying all the festivities….look forward to your comments!