Spring in a Bowl

Spring here has a heart beat all of its own

The energy bubbles up from deep inside the ground

and takes over in ways you don't even understand

All of a sudden I can't sleep - there seems to be SO much to do!

And after a true winter, that first sunny day with a warmth

in the breeze can set you to dancing inside

Old Ackley Farm is rolling in eggs, I guess the hens are

feeling the same way I am!

I picked up dozens of these lovely organic beauties from 

the farm yesterday and set to making a soup we

had every Easter of my Greek childhood -

Avgolemono 

5 simple ingredients

and you have spring in a bowl!

GREEK LEMON SOUP

8 cups of the best chicken broth

1/2 cup orzo (pasta) or white rice

8 egg yolks

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 T fresh dill or 1 tsp dried

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring the chicken broth to a boil,

add the pasta, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes 

In a separate bowl whisk together the

yolks and lemon juice

Very gradually, add some of the hot stock to the yolk mixture,

being careful not to curdle the eggs.

Slowly whisk this tempered egg mixture

into the soup

(the Greek tradition is to make a sucking noise with your mouth

as you add the egg mixture back, to keep it from curdling -that was my father's job)

Add dill and cook over low heat for 10 minutes

Season with salt and pepper

The soup should be smooth and creamy with a fresh lemon bite

Enjoy your weekend,

Kyra

Black and Gray and White All Over

I'm always so excited about how paint and the

right colors just change everything for the better

Yesterday it was all about Annie Sloan

I used French Linen on the entry wall divider with clear wax 

Paris Gray on a this old mirror with a the dark wax

rubbed on top to give it that aged look

French linen again on this mirror frame, with dark wax over it.

I bought this mirror for $10 at a yard sale.

It's plastic and had a fake gilded finish

Now it looks like old wood!

I painted the coffee station cupboard in Old White

and finished it with the clear wax

Love it!

Here is preview of what is to come.

Renee has been painting the walls and windows for me

in Ben Moore Swiss Coffee

I can't even tell you how much angst I incurred

trying to pick the right white and I nailed it.

Totally infatuated with all the black 

sashing in House Beautiful lately

I've picked Midsummer Night for the doors

and windows.

And right now I'm headed in to put

a second coat of Winter Gates in the downstairs bathroom.

Wait till you see.......!

Enjoy your day and thank you so much for

allowing me to share all this with you.

Kyra

Spring Projects

It is still cold here, but the light is changing

and the snow is melting

 I found this lovely display yesterday

Amidst this mess, as we repaint the downstairs of Lily's

And lay a cork floor in the back kitchens.

I can't wait to show you how it is turning out!

Soon.

Speaking of cork, I just discovered cork cutting boards

and I'm sold.  They are soft to cut on and don't hold stains,

easy to clean, anti-microbial and a totally renewable resource

Honestly, I wish I'd known about them a long time ago.

And, I just had a Pionite counter-top installed for a design job

in Blue Hill.  My first really (Pionite) - and it doesn't look half bad.

Really warmed up this white kitchen for a very reasonable price.

That is it for now,

Enjoy your day!

Kyra

Champagne Taste

Well, it looks like it is going to be a few more weeks before I 

can plant my peas :)

That's okay, I'm in western Massachusetts right now

at a New England Secondary School Consortium

I'm wearing the collaborative community member hat and

enjoying spending time with nine others from Deer Isle-Stonington.

Especially the two students that are with us 

They taught me how to play Xbox last night - my first time!

Too fun

Knowing I would be trapped around industrial food for two days

I have brought a cooler full of goodness to sustain me.

My favorite go-to travel food is a bean salad with veggies

in a champagne vinaigrette.

The dried beans are from my garden - Aren't they beautiful?

Protein, veggies and a non-spoiling nature - perfect

Some guacamole, chips, granola, hard boiled eggs and raw brownies

I am all set!

BEAN SALAD WITH CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

1 cup of your favorite dried beans, cooked in salted water and drained

1 good sized cucumber, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup champagne vinegar (brown rice vinegar works too)

1/4 -1/3 cup good extra virgin olive oil

1 T Ume vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Place the beans, veggies and parsley in a bowl and combine

Put the vinegars, oil and seasoning in a jar

 Shake to emulsify

Pour over bean mixture, toss and let stand for 1 hour

Taste for salt and pepper and enjoy!

The conference is calling,

 enjoy your day

Kyra

Happy Spring!

"Be the better you once you meet her...."

I love it.

Enjoy your day!

Washi Dress Class

I absolutely love having sewing/quilting classes at Lily's House

The energy of everyone is always so great

and the space just feels cozy with everyone creating in it.

This past Saturday it was a dress making class

People brought the coolest fabrics

and the shared excitement of the thought of making

a summer dress was inspiring

Almost finished- but not quite- by the end of class,

students have been sending me photos of their finished product

And they are fabulous!

Nice job everyone, can't wait till next time.

The Washi dress pattern is from Made by Rae

Kyra

Enjoy Your Day

More snow coming on Saturday,

But I can smell the seasons changing

Time to "force" it with some forsythia branches.

Just wanted to say, 

that I hope you enjoy your day.

Kyra