Celebrate

Elements of a party:

First the flowers  --such roses as dreams are made on.....

An amyrillis on the window sill.

Cold without

Champagne, of course....

And a cake fit for an artist*

on an elegant plate.

*Preston Tombley

Grumpus and The Slanket of Doom

If a depression can be like a blanket, what the fuck is like a slanket?

Poor Grumpus doesn't know just how evil a slanket really is.....

Hey kids/adults/beasts/inbetweeners hope you all had an average, or better than average, festive time? If you didn't guess by the title or the doodle, I got a slanket. It was meant to be a joke, because apparently I complain about being cold a lot (I don't!). I would like to say that I threw the hideous thing across the room in a rage, but soon I was wrapped up in its warm snuggliness and hiding chocolates in the ever so useful and convenient pocket. I could even have it covering my legs right now, like a Nana blanket...

Quick shoot me!

All in all, I had a nice christmas, it was quiet and I didn't see many people. Plus I horrified my dad by doing the annoying orange impression over skpe with my sister. It wasn't a proud look that he gave us, ha!

What is the most annoying sound? My impression started at 0:40 in the video.

Hey Apple!

It's called the Annoying Orange for a reason, how we laughed and laughed.

/crawls back into the cave (under the slanket) till that evil thing called NYE is over.

PS: Only resolution will be NO FUCKING RESOLUTIONS! Why start the year with a list of things to disappoint yourself, don't do it. Just try to do the things that make you happy and avoid the things/people that make you mad/sad.

PPS: I need your favourite love poems and quotes, give them to me! You may get something from me, if I am pleased with your offerings (not something that is treated by antibiotics). Anti love/valentines stuff is more than acceptable too!

PPPS: Happy New Year and all that bollocks, lots of doodles heading this way very soon!

Knock I Off: the Wegner Wishbone Chair

the real deal from Room & Board comes in at a whooping $990.00! OUCH!

1. Light Grey Design's version at $259.99
2. Baxton Studio's version at $176.86
3. Wholesale Interiors' version at $243.00
4. E.B.Peter's version at $213.00
5. Advanced Interior Designs' version at $249.00

Tomato Soup with Mozzarella Croutons

So, the main objective of this soup was to recreate all the fabulous tastes of a pizza, in soup form.  The crust, the cheese, the scrumptious tomato sauce, all in good-for-you soup form.  And you know what?   While I am not going to look you straight in the eye (electronically-speaking) and say this is the same as digging into a nice hot cheesy slice of pizza, it's actually pretty fabulous at being soup trying really hard to be pizza.

The soup base is a super-easy mixture of canned tomatoes (side note: please, please, please use the San Marzano variety if you possibly can) that you whiz up in your food processor.  You toss some red pepper flakes, some garlic and some onion into a skillet with some hot olive oil, saute for a few minutes and then add in your tomatoes and some chicken stock (side note: please, please, please use the Imagine or Pacific variety if you possibly can.  Simmer for about 30 minutes, then puree in your blender.  I love my immersion blender for this sort of thing - it's easy and fun, so long as you turn it off before you lift it out of the soup.  Otherwise you end up flinging tomato soup the entire length and breadth of your kitchen.  I won't tell you how I know this, but I do.

OK, on to the croutons, which are just thin slices of French bread that you have drizzled with olive oil and lightly toasted.  Top them with some slice mozzarella and stick them back into the oven until the cheese just starts to melt, about a minute or so.  Now float them on the top of your soup and sprinkle with whatever you like to sprinkle with.  Fresh ground pepper, grated parmesan, dried oregano, chopped fresh basil.  Good luck finding THAT at this time of the year unless you are one of my friends living on the other side of the equator.  I did just get an AeroGarden to grow winter herbs in, but I just got it about 2 weeks ago and the cute little baby herbs are only about an inch tall at the moment.



Anyway...pizza soup!  Yum and yum and yum again...

Tomato Soup with Mozzarella Croutons, adapted from Whole Living

• One 28 ounce can peeled plum tomatoes, pureed with their juice in food processor
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
• 16 french bread slices
• Olive oil
• 8 ounces slices fresh mozzarella
• Assorted toppings (oregano, parmesan, basil, etc.)

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in saucepan over medium heat.  Add red pepper, garlic and onion and cook, stirring, about 6 minutes or until onions are tender.  Add tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Puree in blender until smooth and season with salt and pepper.

1. Brush bread with olive oil and cook in 375 oven until golden, about 5 minutes.  Top with cheese and return to oven until cheese just starts to melt, another minute or two.  

3. Float croutons on soup (or serve on the side if you are very, very neat and tidy) and garnish with your choice of toppings.

Click here for printable recipe

Wegner Love

I have fallen in love with a chair. . . but not just any chair, a super sexy chair. . . a chair that makes me want to cheat on my beloved imaginary Eames Lounger. . .

I am in love with the Wishbone chair by Hans Wegner -
I know, I know, it's a bit more Scandinavian than I normally go for, but I can't help it. . . those curves just get me. . . and the best part, it comes in colors!

I'll take one of each please. . . well, maybe two of the super dark purple. . .

I feel a "Knock-It Off" coming on. . .

Going with the Flow

Last week was 6 straight days of pouring rain here in the mountains of southern California ...a grand total of 11" from Thursday through Wednesday. Although I like snow, I'm kind of glad that this storm was a warm one and we missed out on the white stuff (at least at this elevation)... otherwise it would have been a truly epic snow storm and would have made life pretty difficult around here for a while.
All that rain (and snow on the high peaks) is now flowing down the mountain and making for some really pretty and refreshing scenes along the rivers and creeks that were showing barely a trickle just a couple of weeks ago. It's really fun to explore up here with waterfall after waterfall....  the roar of the water acts like white noise, blocking out the rest of the world so you can really concentrate on your work... you just have to remember to think about where your feet are too, while standing on a rock in the middle of a rushing stream:) You can click for a larger view on this one.
I'm planning to be out in Joshua Tree before the end of this week... (actually I have several more nice ones from my last session out there in October that I haven't even shown yet).  The weather is ever-unpredictable around these parts in the winter, so you really do have to "go with the flow" and be willing to change your plans.

Snapshots from Tuesday

The view from my window of winter trees and snow -- always reminds me of Breughel and the Christmas cards my parents sent in the 1950's.

How bright and moderne the Empire State Building looks in the afternoon sun.

Samson and Lily are well outfitted for the season, but Hodges' own coat is enough.

The spire of Holy Apostles church on 9th Avenue and a distant view of the Hudson. Something seems to be on fire on the right.

Harry, a friend's cat, does not want Buster to get hold of his ginger root. No way!

I'm so sad that Tessa Edwards has died. Go here for more thoughts on this splendid friend.

sydney!

I am back! Let me just say that my day-trip to Sydney was fun, FUN, FUN :D

I hopped on a bus to Sydney with no idea where to go and with no map in hand. I was four hours early for my meet-up with the boys and so I decided to wander aimlessly to see what I could amuse myself with:

There was a funny little small house sandwiched between these apartments on Chalmer's Street.

I had to stop at a petrol station to use the ladies at Cleveland Street that had this amazing blue lighting. Pretty flash for a public loo! ...I can't believe I took a photo in a loo, sheesh!

I crossed the road and came to Moore Park where I saw Elf (or at least that's what I heard her owner calling her) heading for me. I patted Elf and while I was busy talking to her owner, she made a playful rush towards me and I was down on the grass -- covered with licks and kisses (yes, the camera too). 

I turned into South Dowling Street and found the Sydney Antique Store. Antique shopping is now officially my new passion! Rummaging through these stores give me the same kind of high I get when I browse through a second-hand bookstore!

After spending what felt like two hours at the antique store, I continued exploring the streets and was getting thirsty when I saw this neon sign for a cold beer. Oh, God, you can be so funny at times.

I had somehow made my way to Hyde Park.

Kids were chasing them while grown-ups stood around in amusement. Thank you random bubble blowing guy for making my day! :D

There was also this nice man feeding his naan to the pigeons; 

the Nudie Archibald Fountain;

and the beautiful view of St. Mary's Cathedral :)

I met up with the boys at the park and we had lunch at Star Bar on George Street.


which, by the way, has the coolest interior decoration!

After dinner at the bar, Jeremy tried his hand (more like finger) at pokies and lost with Jimmy's cash.

Jimmy (reluctantly) taking a photo with the hula-hoop man on stilts at the entrance of Chinatown. The man wrapped poor Jimmy up in endless strings of flowers. Jimmy's got a good grip on those peaches too! Poor Jimmy.

Ting was especially happy about his egg puffs from the Emperor's Garden Cakes & Bakery store. No idea what's up with Jimmy (it might be that he was still very well upset with the hula-hoop man).

The only reason I didn't make it to see Darling Harbour was because we were fooling around way too much on our way there. 

I made a mental note to take the tram next time as we walked towards Sydney Central Station for my bus ride home.

Terribly sorry if this post took centurions to load! I wanted to share my whole day with you :) Hope you had as much fun as I did in Sydney!

home, xo

 

PS: Thank you Dimiter for the follow! :)

Best Wishes for a Restful and Rewarding New Year!

Maybe your New Year's Eve guests look a bit like this after bringing in 2011 with a bang... 

Or maybe a little rest and relaxation is in order to start the year off right. 

Either way, The Thrift Shop Romantic would like to wish you a very happy, safe and contented holiday. 

I will be back in the new year with more thrifted goodies, more treasure hunting roadtrips, more funny recipe books and decorating, more craft projects of varying success levels, and-- don't worry-- not TOO TOO many photos of kittens. :)

My cat Alice, however, would like to take time out of her kitten coma to remind you all to please not drive and drive this weekend... If the coppers get you and you lose your license, you won't be able to get to the store and buy your pets kibble.

Thank you. :)

Best Wishes for a Restful and Rewarding New Year!

Maybe your New Year's Eve guests look a bit like this after bringing in 2011 with a bang... 

Or maybe a little rest and relaxation is in order to start the year off right. 

Either way, The Thrift Shop Romantic would like to wish you a very happy, safe and contented holiday. 

I will be back in the new year with more thrifted goodies, more treasure hunting roadtrips, more funny recipe books and decorating, more craft projects of varying success levels, and-- don't worry-- not TOO TOO many photos of kittens. :)

My cat Alice, however, would like to take time out of her kitten coma to remind you all to please not drive and drive this weekend... If the coppers get you and you lose your license, you won't be able to get to the store and buy your pets kibble.

Thank you. :)

tiny furniture.

tiny furniture by lena dunham.

tiny furniture.

tiny furniture by lena dunham.

Pasta Amatriciana

I have no idea what "Amatraciana" actually means in real life, but in my house it means "the pasta dish that the Southern husband loves above all others". Maybe because it is just a little bit tangy/spicy because it slow cooks with a lot of chopped onion and smashed garlic. Maybe because it includes a LOT of chopped Canadian bacon. Maybe because you simmer the whole thing in a deliriously amazing mixture of red wine and plum tomatoes with just a dash of sugar to take the edge off all the tangy stuff.

Well, whatever it is, I try and make it for him every once in a while just to show my undying love and devotion, and I always use the recipe from the Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook, because if you are going to make someone's favorite pasta dish you should go right to the heart of cookbook heaven.

This is not to say others in the house don't appreciate my efforts to make suppertime a significant experience as well, just for the record.

Meanwhile, back at the Pasta Amatriciana, this recipe is simple but perfect, and here's my best advice for this one: San Marzano canned plum tomatoes, and Jones Canadian Bacon. Trust me. That and a handful of really, really food fresh grated Parmesan cheese, and all is right with the world. The Silver Palate says "this is a splendid meal for the heartiest of appetites," and I really couldn't have said it better myself. Make it for suppertime for someone you love very soon.

Pasta Amatriciana, adapted from THE SILVER PALATE GOOD TIMES COOKBOOK

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 4 medium yellow onions, peeled and chopped
• 8 ounces Canadian bacon, chopped into one inch squares
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 cups drained canned plum tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3/4 cup red wine
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound cooked pasta (I used ziti, but your choice!)
• Grated Parmesan cheese

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add onions and saute for 10 minutes. Stir in bacon and garlic and saute for 5 minutes more.

2. Stir in tomatoes, sugar and wine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with cooked pasta of your choice, sprinkled generously with Parmesan.

Click here for printable recipe

Why?

In honor of Emmett's 4th birthday -

Emmett is very offended. . .

First Snow: Sunday into Monday

Looking out of the window in the early evening

  

the first light snow decorates the bushes.

23rd Street. 8:30pm

Hard to take photos with a dog tugging on your arm.

more of the same

23rd Street. 7:30 am

24th Street 8am

Hope you are warmer at your house.....

christmas wrap-up!

And so Christmas is over.

After feeding Tia on Christmas day, I had spent the afternoon having a good ol' typical Aussie barbeque with leftovers at the hall i.e. Indians, various sorts of Asians and the few odd Australians.

This meant Santa would have to come from India and have his sleigh drawn by cows, and we would have to leave lassi and parathas and chapatis instead of milk and cookies this year. But that's okay because at least he still looks like Santa.

I was also very happy for my friend Bhavya who got lucky and received more presents than he had bargained for:

To be honest, Christmas had come so soon it actually caught me by surprise. I'm a little upset at myself for not being able to get all the presents out to friends back home in Malaysia :( I will have to bring them back with me in February when I have my MAJOR HOLIDAY!

I did however manage to send a little something to Italy! :)

Oh, and I snagged myself a Christmas gift this year! Thank you, Samitha!

It's a USB port hub from Smiggle! It is so fun too -- it has a maze with a tiny silver ball in it that you can bring from one end to the other, and this shade of pink is just perfect (for me, at least!). Now I don't have to shuffle  my webcam, mouse, external disk, card reader and phone charger between my only two USB ports!! Ultimate joy! 

Did you get any lovely (if not entirely odd and dysfunctional) pressies this year? 

I am off for a day-trip to Sydney today with Ting, Kevin and Kevin's friend, Jimmy from Melbourne! 

I am so excited you wouldn't believe it!!

its a wrap!, xo

PS: Thanking dear Angela, HelloHero, Ajay Kontham and Nikk J for the follow! :)

PPS: Gosh! These birds outside are singing like a pair of cats mating! I am yet to find out which breed of bird it is!