I'm in love with something plastic

I am addicted to these Dash and Albert Polypropylene rugs

This one became so stained up, I just soaked it in some

warm water with Charlie's Soap cleaner

and it looked like new

Awesome colors, or lack of, and great designs

They don't fade, stain or wrinkle

Look how this one perks up this dreary basement laundry room

and you just hose it off when it gets dirty!

This one is on our screened porch.  I've spilled wine on it

and it has rinsed right out.

Plus, they are soft on your feet and feel pretty much like cotton

Crazy

This is one of my favorites, not a Dash and Albert, 

but it is actually hooked like a wool rug

I bought it from a Garnet Hill catalogue last season

I am not convinced it is as easy to clean as the others,

but I'll let you know

That is my excitement for today

I hope you are looking forward to a long weekend

and a kick off of summer

Enjoy!

Kyra

The Monthlies

An unexpected group of women, meet once a month

taking turns cooking an inspired meal,

enjoyed with wine, deep laughter and good honest conversations

There were six of us originally,

 meaning each had a turn to cook and host two times a year.

Upon the decision of one of the group to move back home,

we decided that on her two turns we would go out to eat!

Our first excursion was last weekend, to Rockport, and dinner

at Shepherd's Pie

A cozy restaurant, with a great bar, good local food, well priced wine

 and a warm inviting atmosphere

We started at the bar while we waited for a table and ate

organic french fries and muscles roasted on cedar boughs with lime

We were then seated at a table by the open kitchen with 

a view of the harbor 

A recipe for a wonderful time

We all spent the night at the

 Towne Motel ( a Boyce's wannabe)

in Camden

 Being early risers, at 6am Renee and I walked the empty

streets of this usually bustling tourist town 

I think it is honestly the first time I actually "saw" Camden

It is such a lovely historic town on the coast of Maine

and quite picturesque in its quiet awakening of the day 

I had to throw this picture in here, it's thru the shop window of

Sugar Tool - need to go back there when it is open :0)

We then all headed to Chase's in Belfast of course for breakfast,
happy and socially satiated

Next time, I think we should check out The Lost Kitchen in Belfast
I keep hearing incredible things 

~

Thank you so much everyone for your kind comments about my blog

I really enjoy writing it and am so grateful that you are willing to share

all this with me

Have a wonderful day,

 I know I am excited about all the potential in mine

Kyra

Pop Up Dinner Party

About a month ago I bought these awesome wicker chairs at an auction for 

$50.00, I had the cushions from some yard sale years ago, splurged on the pillows

at TJ Maxx and just this week, ordered the lively Dash and Albert outdoor rug

from Dragonfly Dry Goods in Vermont (no shipping fees!)

Then on Monday, I saw this table in a Sundance Catalog for $2200, plus shipping

I showed it to Renee and asked if she thought she could make one - a little bit longer

and little bit narrower

I came home Friday afternoon and this is what I found going on in her shop ~

How awesome is that!  I mean, really.

She got all inspired when she found true 2x4's at the island's very own Barter Lumber Co.

Yes Bob, you are right, it was definitely time for a party!

I knew that Sunday was supposed to be gorgeous so 

I emailed a bunch of people, spur of the moment on Friday evening, and invited them

to a pop up dinner party on Sunday.

 I would supply the wine if everyone brought

a dish to share

 What fun! 

 The food was great, home made gnocchi in tomato sauce, fajitas, quinoa salad, deviled eggs,

and the list goes on....

I made a gluten free strawberry rhubarb crisp that came out

pretty darn good, you will find the recipe below

I thought people would leave when it started to get cold, but

they found quilts or just drank more wine to keep warm!

Everyone laughed and told stories

I am so grateful for friends and the good mingling of energies

One dear friend whispered in my ear last night that he was enjoying me not working

Cheers to that! 

I also love the remnants of good times, especially things left 

by a recent non smoker :-)

We all decided that pop up parties 

were the theme this summer

So do it! and have some fun!

Happy Monday

Kyra

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (GF)

pre heat oven to 350 degrees

Filling:

4-5 cups sliced rhubarb

4-5 cups strawberries

2 1/2 T arrowroot powder or 4 T non gmo cornstarch

1 tsp cinnamon

bit of freshly grated nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp grated orange peel

pinch of salt

1/2 cup coconut crystals

1/2 cup maple syrup

Stir to combine and spread into a buttered baking dish, approx. 9x13

Topping:

1 1/2 cups almond meal

1 cup rolled oats

4 T coconut oil - room temp

4 T butter - room temp

1/2 cup honey or 3/4 cup brown rice syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 T chia seeds soaked in 3 T water for about 15 minutes

pinch of salt

Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and

process to form a dough

Spread in clumps on top of filling and bake until bubbly all the way

thru and the crust is deep golden brown, approx. 45 minutes

Enjoy!

Peace

Take care of yourselves today

And enjoy your weekend

Kyra

Homemade Brats and my new Vent a Hood

See that line of smoke?

That is everything that I used to fill the house with

when I cooked, going straight up and out

so my neighbors can now see and smell my dinner

First time ever in my 47 years of life that I have had

a vented hood in my home kitchen

Needless to say I am very excited

Renee and I have talked about putting one in for years, but

we have a very small kitchen and I couldn't get past 

the idea of that big silver thing jutting out

But, hey! I'm married to a contractor!

We ended up buying the insert and Renee built the

box around it to look a little like the cabinetry,

which then in turn meant that I finally convinced her

to paint the upper cupboards - long story

Anyway, to celebrate I decided to make homemade bratwurst sausages

Bratwurst, when I lived in Cincinnati,  ruled.

They are the white sausages, with green flecks

I don't know what makes them white, but that is

why I make my own

Penzeys Spices sells a Bratwurst Blend spice mix

that is pretty authentic tasting

It makes it really simple to throw these together

Homemade Brats

1 pound of ground pork 

(you can grind it again with your own grinder for a smoother texture if you are so inclined)

1 T Penzeys Spices Bratwurst Sausage Seasoning

2 T minced onion

1 garlic clove, minced

2 T finely chopped fresh parsley

(Last night I had some chopped winter savory leftover from Saturday that I threw in too - nice addition)

Mix well, but not too much

I form them into patties, or you can put them into casing for links

Pan fry them, grill them, bake them, whatever you desire,

just enjoy them!

Have a great day

Kyra

Nervous Excitement

I awoke this morning at 3am to a torrential downpour and

immediately remembered that I had forgotten to

put my seedlings inside yesterday evening.

They are at Lily's

Donning raincoats and sweatpants, Renee (God love her) and I

headed up to save the poor drowning babies

I think they'll be okay, 

I am supposed to be

hardening them off aren't I?

  Oye

All this after spending 7 serious hours yesterday with Michele Gower

mulching the gardens at my home

I dumped and she spread.  Holy crap, I've never had

help doing this before and it usually takes me 4 lonely days

It was awesome to have someone to talk to 

and share the load - no pun intended -

I am so grateful

We missed one small garden behind the rock wall and after 

feeding the birds this morning I found myself out there in my

pajamas and a raincoat finishing up

As I rounded the corner to the front of the house, which is

on Route 15,  I ran into two phone guys fixing lines

Why the second looks dudes, haven't you

ever seen someone gardening in the rain in their pajamas?

I seriously crack myself up, but the hard work is done my friends,

the hard work is done.

Okay, so here is where the nervous excitement comes in

#1 ~ the people whom I did the big interior design project for

post titled "A Completed Project" arrive today from D.C.

and will see it for the first time ~ yikes!

And #2 ~ the Seamark Community Arts  Summer Workshop

list just came out, and I am on the schedule, teaching my first

quilting class!!  

Here is the description Holley wrote:

QUILTMAKING - FIRE & ICE

Kyra Alex at Lily’s    

Aug 7&8   9:00 – 1:00   $75 TEENS/ $100 ADULTS

A simple but satisfying way to work with fabrics and design that suits both the complete beginner and the most advanced quilter. Starting with monochromatic color, we slash into them randomly to add bursts of color and design.  No rules, lots of freedom and a wonderful way to use up scraps or odd pieces of things you love, like a linen table cloth or that favorite shirt. A functional size quilt top can happen quickly or you can spend more time on techniques.  Sharing the unexpected with each other is the best part. Open to all levels of experience. Materials list available when you register.

I'm off to my sewing room on this rainy day to do some lighter lifting

Enjoy yours!

Kyra

Spring Dinner Celebration

Colleen's Tulips

I started prepping for this event on Thursday morning

 and walked out the back door at 1am on Sunday

My heart and soul goes into things like this and it is so rewarding to 

 work with and serve people who

open up and give back the same energy

I always learn so much working with other chefs 

Roger was awesome, it was so fun collaborating with him

  I feel like we really created something special together

And the house was filled with wonderful guests -

it really felt magical

I just LOVED the whole thing, but I also really love that

I have time in between to recuperate

I asked Roger how he felt at the end of the night and he said

he enjoyed it, but is glad he doesn't do it every day

Well said

It all started with parsnip flan, which I have no picture of and was truly delicious

My recipe is simple, try it!

1 1/2 cups pureed parsnips, 3 eggs, 1 cup cream, 1/3 cup milk, salt to taste

  Whisk everything together, pour through a strainer into

buttered ramekins, filling 3/4 full

Place ramekins in a roasting pan and place in oven, 

pour enough hot water in to go half way up ramekins

Bake in a 325 degree oven until just set, 

Remove from water and let cool for 15 minutes before turning out of ramekin

We served them with sautéed mushrooms and fresh chervil

Here are some snippets from the event:

Rhubarb ready for sauce for the buttermilk ice cream

fresh caught  Halibut from Bobby Jones and Co.

Could not have done it Saturday without these two

Halibut with fiddle heads, carrot meringue and chive oil

Old Ackley Farm Chicken and my jerusalem artichokes

Roger looking Fine during service

Lydia with dishes, dishes, dishes

Carding Brook Farm Mesclun

The end of the night, I still have to go in and mop this morning!

Thank you everyone!

Happy Monday

Kyra