Obsessions // Sakroots



All images by SakRoots

I find that i am obsessed with this "true love" print from SakRoots.  I have a pair of their rainboots, and they are quality items.   I am in the market for a new bag, and a new pair of boots... I just may call on them to fit the bill for both! 

Whimsical Scarves


Beautiful, whimsical, exotic.
  Gorgeous scarves from German company Fraas.

Fraas Woodland Guardian Collection




Fraas Decadent Traveller Collection




Fraas Decadent Traveller Collection
All images by Fraas



Miniature Animal Beauties

I have fallen head-over-heels, completely, utterly,

in  love  

with these gorgeous little clay figurines by Danielle Pedersen. 

You must stop by her etsy shop, and see for yourself how ridiculously cute hand-molded clay can be.

So very life-like in their expressions, true to the essence of each animal. Yet informal; comical without being stylized.

Unbelievably adorable.  

All images from HandyMaiden.

Basket stuffers

Brer Rabbit molasses

Annie's bunny-shaped snacks

Celestial Seasonings' Gen Mai Cha

Brar Rabbit lid

better than salted caramel

I've discovered an epiphany.
 The combination of
salted blister peanuts and white chocolate.
 Seriously. Try it now.
It's like salted caramel, only better. Plus, everyone's done that.
Pop equal amounts of the peanuts and white chocolate chips, and watch your knees buckle.
  It's that simple.

I've not come across any recipes with this combination, yet. But until I do, I'm dreaming up my own.
 I'm thinking white chocolate ice cream with salty peanuts on top, or maybe white chocolate brownies with chunky, salty, peanutty frosting.
  Got any ideas for this combo yourself? I'd love to hear 'em. 

Starting the day out right

There are so many (awesome) blogs about sweet stuff....cookies, pies, cakes, etc.  I love a good deal of 'em!  But,  I see far too few posts about savory foods.  And I aim to remedy that.

  For my first savory installment,  I'm going to tell you about one of the most awesome sandwiches you can make.  It's really such an easy thing; it hardly justifies a recipe.

 But here it goes:

Grilled Fire-roasted Chile Sandwich

 First,  roast a green chile pepper (I used a pasilla).  This is really easy to do if you've got a gas rangetop; not so much if you don't.  I guess you'd have to build a fire...that makes this a good end-of-winter activity.    So, roast the chile,  I mean really roast it.  You want it all black and blistered on the outside, like so. 

Once that's done, remove from flame and let cool.  The blackened skin flakes right off; you can do this with the back of a knife blade or your hands, if your chile is mild enough (mine was not, as I found out the hard way later!)  Sometimes parts of the charred skin likes to stay on the pepper.. that's perfectly fine; adds good smoky flavor.   Next, put some peanut oil in a frying pan, about two tablespoons. Take two slices of sourdough bread, and dip one side of each in the oil to coat.  Slap a small bit of mayonaise on each of the non-oiled sides (I used Vegenaise). Put one slice oil side down in the pan and turn the heat to medium.  Slice the pepper in half,  layer those slabs on the slice of bread in the pan, top with remaining slice of  bread, mayo side down.  Some paper-thin slices of onion are excellent on the sandwich, as well as some freshly cracked black pepper.  This is totally open to variation;  tomatoes are nice, and some of my tasters liked hummus or pepperjack cheese for a grilled chile and cheese sandwich. 

Grill, flipping once on each side, until golden and smelling freakin' addictive.  Cut in half and devour.  This makes an amazing, hearty, (animal-free) breakfast.

  

Chinatown