Bacon Jam Shortbread

A trip to Seattle always stirs up memories of living, working, and eating there. Mmmmm. Eating there...

Sometimes, at about 11:25 on a Thursday, I'd get an email from Adam containing just a single, magical word. Skillet. Not a question, not a command, an affirmation. At the sight of that word my stomach would begin to growl in anticipation, scarcely able to wait the agonizing half hour until I could bolt out of the office, speed down the hill to Fremont, and join Adam and a crowd of similarly jonesing Seattleites in the line for Skillet Street Food. Skillet hasn't yet parked their gleaming airstream trailer on the streets of Berkeley, and we haven't yet found a local hamburger to rival their mouthwatering combination of grass-fed beef, arugula, cambozola, brioche, and bacon jam. Luckily, we can open up a jar of Bacon Jam anytime we're craving a taste of home.

Bacon Jam is potent stuff. The aroma alone is enough to tempt vegetarians back to the dark side. Packed with Niman Ranch bacon,  onions, and a sweet zing of balsamic vinegar, Bacon Jam is usually the loudest taste on your plate. I wondered how it would do in a more understated role as an ingredient.

My Bacon Jam Shortbread is an elaboration on my basic Savory Shortbread recipe. The essential ingredients are the same: 1/4 cup of grated parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 3/4 cups of flour, and 2 sticks of cubed unsalted butter. I rounded out the recipe with flavors that wouldn't take no nonsense from bossy Bacon Jam.

This shortbread is the condensed version of the ultimate sandwich. A teaspoon each of onion powder, caraway seed, and black pepper with a tablespoon or so of chopped fresh dill replicates the taste of rye bread. Every sandwich needs a slice of cheese, so I used 1/4 cup of finely diced swiss. If you're a mustard fan, why not add a teaspoon of mustard seed? And, of course, you'll need 2 tablespoons of Bacon Jam.

The amount of butter in this recipe is variable due to the oil in the jam, so watch your dough carefully as you're mixing. From there, proceed with my Savory Shortbread directions: roll, chill, chop, bake at 350º for about 15 minutes. Are you wondering why I have no cutely styled final product picture? They didn't last that long.

Dare to Dream: Rugs

Carpet may be the most common renter's woe. Carpet worn bare over years of use, carpet harboring the former tenant's pet's fleas, carpet wearing stains that you hope had nothing to do with the former tenant's pet. Adam and I have faced all of the above in our current apartment alone. Someday when we live in our own home with herringbone wood floors we're going to reminisce about the carpet angst of our youth. Like the reasonably attractive but obviously defective remnants in our Seattle apartment. Not only did the unbound edges continually unravel, the carpet coughed up enormous poofs of synthetic fluff, even after six months of weekly vacuuming (and even more so after it choked and killed my vacuum). We'll think wayyyy back to the very, very green wall-to-wall carpet of our last Spokane apartment and have a good chuckle. Oh, how green it was.

My current complaint is perhaps the most common of all. Our carpet, even now that it's passably clean, is just hideous. The bedroom is swathed in matted orangey-brown plush (gag), and the living room sports dingy loops of gray, mauve, and blue. A posh tiger rug can only help the situation so much.

So, here's a dare-to-dream that I think all of you renters out there can relate to. I dream of covering up this hot mess with a much prettier area rug (that I could roll up and take with me when I ditch this joint). Something with a practical, show-no-dirt pattern that compliments my neutral palette...

Clockwise from top left, Dash & Albert Diamond Indoor/Outdoor Rug in Charcoal/Taupe, Modern Damask Wool Tufted Rug in Silver from World Market, Hooked Quatrefoil Rug in Mocha/Charcoal from Shades of Light, Dash & Albert Diamond Indoor/Outdoor Rug in Khaki/White.

Of course, rolling in at about half a month's rent, all of these practical investments are sadly out of this girl's price range. Ah, dare to dream.

Dare to Dream: A Better Light

When I'm grumbling about my apartment, one of my favorite topics is lighting. Our space came with ceiling lights that our landlord must have found on deep discount in 1989. They've got shiny yellow-gold  trim and a glass bowls that are impossible to remove, but always filled with dead bugs (seriously, how do they get in there?). They're really not doing much for my complexion either.

I'd like to imagine that everything would take on a more glamorous aspect under the glow and sparkle of a chandelier. Our large television would become a miniature theatre, I'd start calling my living room my "salon," and late morning coffee in my robe and slippers would clearly be more aristocratic than unemployed, right?

These unusual chandeliers are among my favorites at Lucca Great Finds in Seattle. They're on my wish list (along with the extra foot of ceiling height I'd need to make them feasible in our apartment...).

Re-Acclimating

I'm back from my visit to Seattle and taking some time to get over a cold and get used to the heat! It's 80º here. Forget about 900 miles, I feel like I got transported back in time to, say, July. Quite unnatural.

Next week I'll resume daily posting, and I've got quite the lineup. Adam will rejoin us with his second Autumnal Soup recipe, I'll share some of my adventures in the greater Seattle area, and (best of all) I'll redefine what it means to go all out for Halloween. Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha! (<--- Evil laugh.)

Take a look at my Mom's spooky decor. I have a lot to live up to!

Word to the Wise: 101 Things to Put in Apothecary Jars

I'm kicking off my Seattle visit with a shout-out to local blogger Maggie Morgan of Maggie Rose, who just published her first ebook, 101 Things to Put in Apothecary Jars. I can't divulge the 101 decorating secrets within, but I can tell you that I'd never thought of idea #12 before, and that suggestion #40 would fit into my decor nicely!

When I get back to Berkeley, I'm going to be putting Maggie's tips to the test in my own collection of apothecary jars- because right now they're just filled with air!

I'm off to enjoy the Northwest! Wishing you all a beautiful weekend,

Elizabeth

Summer-Fall Shift

In only a week I'll be visiting my family in Seattle. My mother informs me (with a grumble) that I should pack my raincoat. I'm actually looking forward to true Autumn weather!

I've discovered pluots this week, and it occurs to me that they're the perfect symbol for the Bay Area September, a Summer-Fall hybrid. Super ripe, deeply sweet, exactly the color of dappled red leaves. 

Thank you for your wonderful comments on my dining room! I'll be taking advantage of the lovely filtered sunlight this weekend so I can give you more images of my home next week...

Until then,

xoxo Elizabeth

Girl Around Town: Art & Muse

This afternoon I went adventuring to Queen Anne to see a family friend's art displayed at Muse Coffee.

For a better look at Anita's work, check out her Etsy store. 

I'm dying to have a copy of her Architect's Alphabet...

I fell in love with Muse and its chic loft aesthetic. If only I had splurged on the converted factory loft apartment in Berkeley... then I too could have a wooden moose head, a pair of scribbly-note chandeliers, ornate hanging divider panels, and perhaps even a chair swinging from the rafters. Oh, for high ceilings and exposed brick!

Anyway, if you live on Queen Anne and your apartment sucks, I highly recommend that you indulge in the supremely rich espresso and equally flavorful decor at Muse!

Dare to Dream: Hibernation

I'd like to try to express how very much I lovelovelove this concept from Seattle Homes & Lifestyles.

...

Nope, no words. Let's just let the sumptuous colors and textures envelop us.

Dark without being somber or black, plush without being sloppy. Ahhhh.
Photos Courtesy of Hank Drew, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles

It's probably better I don't have a bedroom this dusky and luxe. I'd draw the curtains, disappear under that purply fur thing, and refuse to emerge until Spring (or at least until 10:00 in the morning).

Beautifully done, Seattle Homes- better still because the delicious components of this spread were plucked from the shelves of my favorite local stores. For all of you East-Coasters or East-Side-of-the-Staters, check out the Seattle Homes website and blog. Enjoy, and wonder why don't live here.

Please tell me there's a magazine like this in San Francisco!

Seattle Favorite: Pat Gallagher's Sculptural Lighting

When you're young, broke, and living in a standard-sized (read: miniscule) apartment, art can be the last thing on your mind. Original art works are pricey, and it's hard to justify buying sculpture if there's no place to put it without bumping into it. That's why I like to seek out pieces that unite form and function, like these light fixtures by Seattle artist Pat Gallagher. After all, you can always use another lamp- especially one with a delightfully steampunk aesthetic that makes you want to brood in the amber glow of its Edison bulb and invent a time machine...

Images Courtesy of Pat Gallagher

Each fixture is completely one-of-a-kind, an amalgamation of found industrial objects infused with new utility. They are forward-thinking ingenuity (the epitome of green design) under the guise of historical permanence. This is exactly the kind of art that Adam and I can agree on- I admire the grace of their curving forms, he'd pick one up and admire how dang heavy these things are! And did I mention that the lamps are extremely affordably priced? We're talking "snap one up for Christmas and still have change jingling in your pocket" prices...

For more information about Pat Gallagher's art, be sure to stop by his website. Better yet, check out his pieces for yourself- Mr. Gallagher will also be selling his sculpture and photography at the Pratt Holiday Art Sale, and you can see new work on display at Avanti Art & Design at the Greenwood-Phinney Art Walk tomorrow!

A Few Finds for Me... and You?

The other day I met my Parentals for a dinner at Zao and some post-noodle shopping at U Village.  I had to spend a small fortune on a blogging necessity (*hmph* Merry Christmas, readers), so I refrained from snapping up some lovely bits and pieces for ME at Miller-Pollard...

Neighborhoods of miniature Christmas houses are cropping up all over the place this year, but most of them are too pastel, too twee, or just too x-mased out for me. Not so with this sparkly white church. A simple, traditional structure with just enough crookedy "made it myself" charm.  Love it.

This green glass urn in the window has year-round potential, but it would be perfect for forcing bulbs in the Winter.  Alabaster pebbles and a graceful paperwhite? Black river rock and a lavender hyacinth?  So versatile. So thinking I should go back and snap it up.

Later we went to the organizer's promised land also known as Storables, where I discovered an unexpected treasure. No, not an illusion bookshelf or a neato cord control kit... it's a really classy desk.

Who would think to go to Storables for anything other than boring metro shelving?  Madly crushing on this desk though- sleek and modern and solidly built, with chrome trestle legs and a bamboo top.  The keyboard drawer is at the perfect height for comfortable typing, and the cross-bars are an excellent spot to put your feet up (you know, so you can try to relax while you're paying your bills).  The best part is that it looks wayyyyy more expensive than it is.  Would you have guessed $150?  That's what I call champagne on an Ikea budget!  

It would be completely wrong in my house, but I feel like somebody has to have it- anybody looking to revamp their home office?

Blog-Met-Blog

Hi Friends,

Hope you're all eating up Adam's Thanksgiving Solo-Show (it's lunchtime, I'm staring at those potatoes, my stomach is rumbling, and my left-over pizza is not looking as good).

While Adam was slaving away at the hot stove (my angel in the kitchen), I was off partay-partaying... meeting local bloggers at Blog-Meet-Blog!

I will admit, I got the nervous jitters walking in the door- but it certainly didn't last long. It was such an amazing treat to interact with so many creative minds, to share ideas without pressing "post," and to GET to know all of the people that I PRETEND to know online!

Also a great opportunity to talk about some changes for StB in 2010...

I was so busy gabbing that I forgot to do my bloggerly duty and take pictures (oops). If you'd like to see the beautiful people that made it to BoConcept for Blog-Meet-Blog, peruse the album here (I'm the girl in the chartreuse conversation piece), check out pictures by Anna Marie at Last Days of Light, or watch this video from visualnoisetype!

For a truly lovely write-up about the event, flit on over to The Jaunty Magpie (and you better just read her whole blog while you're there, it's enchanting!)

Thanks so much to all the sponsors, and to Kam of needle + thread and Rebecca of The Clothes Horse for hosting!

Here's a little love for some of the Seattle bloggers that I met...

Cassandra of Coco + Kelley (enviably fabulous and totally engaging, this girl)

Zaara of KittenChops (an artist whose merchandise illustrations I have been ogling forever)

Courtney of CopyStrands (a fellow word nerd & Zag fan!)

Carrie of Girl and Coconut (who's going to be an incredible Bay Area guide)

Maggie of Magchunk (so fun to meet her, finally!)

Laura Marchbanks (talented photographer and quite possibly the sweetest girl in the room)

Can't wait to see you all again- soon!

Blog-Meet-Blog

Happy Friday, all!

I'm so excited to kick off the weekend with a fantastic event tonight...

I can't wait to get something sparkly on, sip a cocktail, and meet the people behind my favorite Seattle blogs!

In Limbo

Moving has just gotten as real as can be: on Monday we watched all of our earthly possessions rumble away on a truck. I anticipate being tense and worried until I'm reunited with my things on the 21st.

Okay. Nothing. Move.

For now we're squatting in our empty apartment, subsisting on take-out food, two suitcases, a twin-sized bed, and a 10" television manufactured in 1988. I take it back: this is as surreal as can be!

This apartment and this beautiful neighborhood will always be a fond memory for me- our little urban Eden where we were so happy. Our prelapsarian flat:

Our ever-changing decor, and our beloved curiosities.

The newest addition to our dining room, an Ikea Granemo cabinet.

The glass sliding doors are an excellent preventative measure against our feline saboteur.

Foiled again, eh Matilda?

Our living room, featuring a petite sofa from Former Furniture.

Our bathroom, staged for relaxation.

The best seat in the house: our sunporch, overlooking a lovely park.

In Memoriam, Our Wallingford Apartment

Taking a Little Packing Break

Things are a bit topsy-turvy at our place now, lots of boxes, not much decor.

Matilda is packed for Berkeley.

I can't deck the place out for Fall as I usually would (no branches, leaf garlands, cabbages, pumpkins, gourds, or spooks, alas!), but we're doing our best to enjoy the season.

I'm making apple pies!

Don't rub it in about the store-bought crust. I got lazy.

Adam's making soup!

Nothing better than corn chowder when there's a chill in the air.

And the Huskies are making up for a couple bad years!!!!

See if you can count the high-fives happening in this picture.

So, StB is gonna get sporadic starting.............. now. Apartment searching in Berkeley, packing up the POD, moving in with the parentals... we'll keep you posted!

Wish List: Daniel Danger Prints

This weekend marks the beginning of the end. Packing for the big move will officially commence tomorrow. *Sigh* I have a little pang of separation anxiety each time I pack away one of my lovely things.

It may be a long time before I'm able to move to Berkeley, but I know one thing for certain: as soon as I have four walls again, I'm going to decorate them like crazy.

I love furnishing new apartments. I draw up schematics and plot out furniture arrangements. I get so excited I can hardly sleep at night. I open each box with glee, and welcome my lovely things into their new home. One of the last steps is always my favorite- hanging up artwork.

I'm always on the lookout for beautiful and affordable artwork. One of my favorite sources is Flatstock, a poster and print event held at Bumbershoot. It's an exhibition that always overwhelms me (in a good way). The majority of the pieces shown are band posters, which are an awesome way to give a nod to a favorite musician in your decor. I am still kicking myself for passing on a Decemberists Manchester poster that I saw last year (the ship, the skeletons, why, Liz, why??).

This year I totally fell for the work of Daniel Danger. His work is mysterious, ethereal, supernatural, haunting... basically fodder for an unhealthy obsession. I foresee a big purchase someday soon, but which one??

"Don't Touch Anything of All You Keep, Don't Touch Anything You Don't Plan to Leave"

"The Medic"

"There's Nothing Out There, I Do Not Hear What You Hear"

"I Was Born in a House of Wyeth"

And my favorite (violin love, yay!)...

"We Were Waiting at the Seams, Bursting but Through Quiet Means"

I'll let you know when I decide. In the meantime, check out more of Daniel's work (and his blog!) at Tiny Media Empire.