Mint Ice Cubes

I couldn't help but share these mint infused ice cubes - especially in the 100+ degree heat we've got going on here as of late. The mint came from our backyard garden, was simply stemmed and placed into individual ice cube trays for the effect above.

While these particular cubes were made to go into the delicious mojitos for Tim's H&H Happy Hour series, I'm thinking they'd be such a clever compliment to so many other summer drinks (both spirited and virgin) like lemonade, iced tea, sangria, ginger ale, even an unexpected surprise in a tall glass of fresh water. Cheers to cooling off and staying creative while at it!

Porch Makeover in Progress

As previously mentioned, our plans for the long weekend primarily surround a grandiose DIY porch makeover undertaking: removing all exterior wooden slats, removing all 1960's (?) striped screen panels, scraping & wire brushing remaining wood trim & panels, painting remaining wood elements (interior & exterior), hanging new aluminum screen panels, and finally affixing new white vinyl slats for the finish.

Here's what we were working with to begin with: a screened-in side porch original to the 1956 house with what we think is original screen which has a striped pattern made at the time to add privacy (the idea being that it could be seen out of but difficult to be seen inside of) and original painted wood slats. All of the above was showing some age, wear and tear:

We (meaning Tim) began by removing all of the wooden slats from the exterior, then ripping off the screen panels one metal staple at a time. While Tim did much of the "heavy lifting" I started in on scraping, wire brushing, and wiping down the remaining wood elements that would need to be painted later.

As the screen continued to come down, we were both astounded at how much brighter the porch instantaneously became. By midday, we had all the slats & screen removed and had prepped all of the remaining wood in preparation for painting.

Detail of before and after chipping wood vs. smoothed down below. We heard time and time again when talking about this project how important it was to scrape and smooth down ALL chipping paint on surfaces we planned to paint - otherwise any new paint would simply chip off in the same way the old paint already was.

Basil, our supervising weimaraner puppy, wasn't quite sure what to think, but he kept the situation under control at all times with his curious nature trying to be right in the middle of everything. The funny part was - we were worried he might try to jump from the porch into the front yard now that the screen was removed (we don't allow him to run free in the front) but he actually stayed within the guidelines of the porch at all times. He enjoyed sticking his head outside where the old boundaries were with the screen but never once tried to leave the porch.

Tim hauled away all the debris to our local recycling bins since the old screen was aluminum - it was crazy seeing it all in once place once it had been ripped out:

At this point, we had met the goal we set for the day (removal and prep) but still had some momentum and energy left in us so we went ahead and cracked open the cans of paint to get a first heavy coat on the remaining wood elements. We used an exterior semi-gloss finish paint which claims to be a severe weather protectant and have a lifetime warranty - we shall see.

After taping off the porch, painting was the most fun I had during the work today. It was relaxing and one of those things that gives an instant feeling of gratification with the before and after effect.

So you can see we got further than we thought for the day - it feels great. Tomorrow we plan to touch up the paint in the morning, measure to make sure we know how much screen and how many slats to purchase and then head down to my mom's place on the river to spend some good old family time together. Monday morning we plan to get back to business by hanging the new screen and nailing in new white vinyl slats.

By the looks of it, our "supervisor" was pretty tuckered after a full day of work:

In case anybody is wondering - yes that is white paint on the side of his nose. He couldn't help himself. Any big plans for your weekend?

Cooling off in the E.A.T. Kitchen

Over the past week I've been lucky enough to cool off in this 90 degree Virginia heat with samples of some of the best Bloody Marys I've ever tasted right here in the "E.A.T. Kitchen."

Tim's been working on perfecting his summer cocktail repertoire in preparation for a new happy hour series he'll be guest posting for on our local neighborhood news blog, Hills and Heights.

That preparation included infusing vodka in our freezer for two weeks in a mason jar with basil, garlic and habaneros - lemme tell you how much this kicked up the drink and was unbelievably easy to do.

Another pro tip I picked up (don't laugh at me if this is bar-tending 101) was how to "salt rim" a glass for a drink. Basically, you just sprinkle the salt or other coating you want to rim the glass with on a plate, rub a wedge of lemon or lime around the rim of the glass, then simply place the glass face down on the salt and twist a few times. The citrus juice keeps things sticky. Tim used Old Bay seasoning on the rim of the glasses for these Bloody Marys - love!

For the full drink recipe, check out the post over on Hills and Heights. What summer cocktail of choice are you looking forward to this season?

Taking on Basic Composting

Tim and I have been talking about composting our kitchen waste* for a few years now and it was finally time to stop only talking about it by taking matters into our own hands. We knew we wanted to do it ourselves and start out really basic so it becomes something we can lean into as we learn more instead of a huge project we get overwhelmed with - I always think when you start simple, there's always room for growth and improvement.

After researching basic tutorials, we decided to go with a ventilated bin process that we can add to and mix manually over time. The project basically consisted of drilling holes throughout the sides and base of a metal lidded trash bin with a power drill. The holes are there so air can reach the compost. Once drilled, we added layers of dry leaves from the yard, kitchen scraps, and more leaves. We lidded up the bin and placed it on wood planks - again, for ventilation. We plan to continue in this fashion, mixing the compost every week or so, until we start to get that dark rich substance we are hoping to cover the garden with in late spring/summer.

I'm more than thrilled we've finally found a sustainable solution for leftover kitchen waste* other than the garbage. I'm also nerding out a little on the idea that we'll have much less garbage not to mention the sustainable foods we buy and use today will transform into nutrients that will feed and nourish the food we grow months from now - and so the cycle will continue.

*By kitchen waste/scraps I mean: fruit, vegetables, plants, egg shells, and coffee grinds. I understand it's not good to compost meat, bones, dairy, or any processed types of foods. That being said, it's our first time taking on DIY composting, so any tips for success are more than welcome!

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P.S.
As an aside, Basil was intent on supervising the project from start to finish. Can you believe how much he's grown since we first brought him home and even over the holidays? He just turned 6 months old and is still all puppy - just bigger. I promise a more robust Basil update soon.

How To: A Dog Bed for Basil

I will admit something here - Tim and I made a dog bed for Basil before we even knew we were getting him. We knew we wanted a dog and had been on the lookout for some time without much luck - this didn't stop us from preparing though.

One weekend this past summer, yes - summer, we decided to make the bed with some of the fabrics we'd picked up along the way including a burlap coffee sack from Blanchard's Coffee (like the one I used to make this laptop sleeve) and heavy duty canvas from an army tent we came across at a local flea market.

It's a simple square design bed consisting of the following basic steps:

1. Cutting and sewing upper and base fabrics in matching square shapes. 2. Sew lining onto each fabric backing. 3. Face outer fabrics against one another and sew securely around edges leaving a small opening on one side. 4. Flip fabric inside out from opening - you should now have your basic unstuffed dog bed - like a giant pillow. 5. Fill bed with desired stuffing. We chose a mixture of cotton and cedar chips to keep the bed both comfortable and fresh smelling. 6. Fold in edges of opening and pin together. 7. Sew opening closed.

The finished bed sat empty in our basement corner for months and we always talked about whether or not our future dog would like it. Now we ask ourselves if he will ever leave it.

We love the fact we were able to make something together from recycled fabrics that turned out to be so much more meaningful than picking up one of the generic mass produced versions from the pet store. We think Basil agrees.

How To: Recycled Laptop Sleeve Project

My coworker and friend, Jay, asked me to make him a laptop sleeve for his new MacBook Pro. Having never made one before, I told him "Of course, I'm sure I can figure it out..."

So, that's what I did. Using vintage upholstery fabric from my collection and portions of a large coffee sack Tim brought me from Blanchard's Coffee, I fashioned my first laptop sleeve.

I went about it by ironing fusible interfacing in between the two layers of fabric to keep the sleeve smooth and durable. After a simple edging and right side out rectangle sewing through the trusty Singer machine, I attached a strap recycled from the fabric scraps and hand sewed on a couple of vintage metal snaps.

While I don't think laptop sleeves will be a regular thing for me, it was inspiring to try something new and rewarding to make a tangible reality out of a vision in my head.

Simple Hungarian Cherry Soup Recipe

Cherry Soup...what?

Yes, this is reaction I first had years ago when Tim told me he was going to make me a classic Hungarian soup. We share Hungarian roots and enjoy exploring the culinary heritage in our daily lives when possible. The tastes may sound unappealing when thinking of a traditional soup, but I hope you'll take me at my word when I say this is a recipe you'll be happy you took a chance on.

Cherry and other fruit soups are found on nearly every menu in Hungarian eateries and can be served hot or cold as an appetizer or main dish depending on your likes. Personally, I like to eat a serving hot when fresh from the pot, then try a colder version the next day at lunch when the soup has thickened.

So from one family to another, here's our recipe for cherry soup:

Ingredients:

• 3 24oz jars sour cherry compote, juice reserved to make 1 quart. If juice does not fill 1 quart, add cold water to make the quart.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 egg yolks, beaten lightly
• 1 cup dairy sour cream
  

Process:

• Bring quart of reserved juice to a boil.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour and cold water, mixture should be smooth.
• Once juice boils add cherries, salt, and sugar. Cook 1-2 minutes.
• While stirring, add flour mixture to soup. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes.
• Add 1/3 cup of soup liquid to bowl with beaten egg yolks. Add slowly and stir vigorously as not to cook the eggs. You want a smooth blended mixture.
• Pour blended egg mixture back into main soup pot slowly and stirring as you pour.
• Cook over low heat 3-5 minutes stirring constantly.
• Remove soup from heat.
• Again add 1/3 cup of soup liquid to bowl of sour cream to create a smooth blended mixture.
• Pour blended cream mixture back into main soup pot.
• Once combined, soup is ready to be served.

Tips: Pitted sour cherry compote can be difficult to find, but it's important to use these variety of cherries. I've had luck finding them at Fairway in Brooklyn and Wholefoods in other locations. If you want go super traditional, you can order the jars directly from Bende, a Hungarian imports website (we've done this and ordering works great). Also important to keep in mind: learn from my mistakes and wear an apron while making this soup from the time you open the jar lids through the finish unless you fancy the idea of red stained clothing!

Simple Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

Maybe it's my southern roots combined with an affection for creamy frosting, but a red velvet anything has the ability to make me weak in the knees. This past weekend I whipped up a batch for a full house* and got to use the KitchenAid stand mixer I've been lusting over the past few years for the first time. This recipe is super simple and a quick way to bring a little Valentine's Day treat to the table.

*I only allow myself to make a full batch when other people are around to save myself from the horror of being alone in a house with multiple cupcakes. This is not a joke, I'm sure many of you share my fear.

For these cupcakes, I tweaked a version of an older recipe I had on hand, used wheat flour, and all organic ingredients where possible. If trying this recipe, you can swap out ingredients as you like.

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup organic Amish rolled butter, room temperature
• 2 organic eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/3 cups wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons 100% cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup organic buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic Amish rolled butter, room temperature
• 8 oz organic Philly cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Making the Cakes:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated.
  
• In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk together buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and red food coloring.
• Add a portion of the dry ingredients and mix, then a portion of the wet. Continue alternating until combined fully.
  
• Grease cupcake papers and scoop in batter 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Place cupcakes on a cooling rack, makes about 2 dozen.
  

Making the Frosting:

• Cream the butter and cream cheese together until fully combined.
  
• Add vanilla and mix.
• Add powdered sugar gradually until reaching desired sweetness/taste.
  
• Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

How To: DIY Chalkboard Wall

With chalkboard paints becoming increasingly more available, it couldn't be easier to transform a small space, or large for that matter, into the inspiration board of your dreams. Tim and I have the perfect cranny of a wall space leading into the kitchen which we revamped into a full size chalkboard. It's been a life-saving hub for our grocery lists, reminders, dates to remember, random musings, and love notes.

This was a great weekend project that took about 3 hours total with a 24 hour drying period. Follow the steps below to bring new life and functionality to a space in your own dwelling.

Materials:

• Chalkboard paint: local hardware or craft store
  
• Paint brush
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Painter's tape
• Newsprint or paint tarp
• Chalk
• Optional: damp rag, spackle, sandpaper
  

step 1: Clean wall with damp rag. Wipe or let dry completely. Fill in any holes or cracks with spackle and smooth rough spots along wall with sandpaper.

step 2: Apply painter's tape along edges of wall where you plan to paint in order to create border and protect neighboring walls.

step 3: Apply 2-3 generous coats chalkboard paint along edges of wall with paint brush. Allow each coat to completely dry before applying next coat (or follow drying instructions on paint canister).

step 4: Apply 2-3 generous coats chalkboard paint to body of wall with paint roller. Allow each coat to completely dry before applying next (or follow drying instructions on paint canister).

step 5: Wait 24 hours before writing on wall with chalk.

step 6: Enjoy your new-found organizational solution and design sense.

How To: Fancy Favors with Recycled Studio Bits

It's no secret I take great care in the presentation of packages I deliver from Contrary orders. What most folks don't realize is just how simple it can be to take fancy packaging to another level with studio supplies you may have overlooked. It's not only one way to help make the most of materials, but a solid means of owning your brand and wowing your customer every time.

I make most of my shipping supplies by hand using recycled menus from a french restaurant. It's so simple to find fancy paper all over the place that would have otherwise gone straight to the landfill, not to mention many places are happy to have the extras taken off their hands. Lately, I've been sewing up these decorative little paper garlands with the menu scraps I have on hand to use as favors included in select shipments.

Love them too? Here's how to make a set of your own:

Materials:

• Scissors
• Craft shape punch (optional)
• Paper or fabric scraps
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Typewriter or Pen (optional)
• Cellophane bag or wax paper (optional)
  

Step 1: Cut or punch desired shapes for your garland out of your scrap paper or fabric. Quantity of shapes is up to you in order to create desired garland length. Use additional scrap paper to create a label insert for the garland's final package. Below, I used a typewriter with the text: a little garland made just for you...

Step 2: Once desired shapes are cut, sew them one by one using a sewing machine. Make sure you have a little extra thread at the start for final garland to hang freely. Continue to hold down the pedal after shape has passed through the needle to create space between each shape. Once all shapes have been sewn, make sure again you allow extra thread at finish for slack on the garland.

Step 3: Finish your garland favor by bundling it flat in a cellophane bag or folded wax paper. Include your
label and voila!

I hope you'll enjoy getting creative with the free resources around your studio in order to add a little punch to your packages.

For those of you that love these little paper banners but don't want to make one, I'll send a free version to the mailboxes of the first three commenters on this post. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you for shipping info.