Wish List Wednesdays: My Treem (Dream Tree)

From Behance

When I first saw the My Treem, a tree-shaped combination lamp/side table, I was entranced!  I love the functionality as well as the naturalistic beauty of this piece.  I have always wanted a home in the mountains, and this table would fit into such a home perfectly.  In fact, I could see designing an entire room around the look of the My Treem!  Since it is made by Fajno Design, which is in Belarus, it is rather unlikely that I would be able to actually purchase it, but if this Dream Table ever becomes available here in the United States, it is at the top of my wish list!

Foodie Fridays: Turkey Meat Loaf

From The Fitness Couple

Meat loaf is one of my husband's favorite comfort foods.  I have been making a variation on a basic meat loaf recipe from an old Pillsbury cookbook for decades that both of us enjoy.  Since I am allergic to beef, I substitute ground turkey breast.  Instead of bread or cracker crumbs, I use quick-cooking oatmeal as the filler.  Replace the catsup with tomato sauce if you prefer less sugar.  I also increase the amount of onion called for in the original recipe, using a large instead of a small one. Ground turkey breast does not have as much fat as beef to keep the meat loaf moist, so the extra onion helps prevent it from becoming dry.  Besides, my husband loves onions, and the more the better as far as he is concerned!  In this recipe the meat loaf is baked in a loaf pan rather than shaped on a baking sheet, and that is the way I always make it.  I like to serve the loaf with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli, which makes a great meal for a cold winter day.  In fact, I think Turkey Meat Loaf may just be Sunday dinner for this week!

Turkey Meat Loaf

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey breast
1/3 C. quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 large onion, diced
1/3 C. catsup
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix just until combined (do not overwork the mixture).  Pack lightly into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.  Let the loaf rest in the pan for about five minutes before serving.  Serves 6.

Note:  I like to combine 1/2 C. catsup with 1/2 T. Worcestershire sauce and spread this on top of the loaf, either before putting it in the oven or about 5-10 minutes before it comes out of the oven (don't ask me why these are my alternatives, because I don't really know!).  You can also bake this as individual loaves by dividing the meat mixture evenly into a greased 12-cup muffin tin and baking for 25-30 minutes.

Feel free to stir in any additional ingredients you like.  Some suggestions in the Pillsbury cookbook are 1 C. cubed cheese, 2 T. pickle relish or 1/4 cup chopped pickle (sweet or dill), 1/2 C. canned or cooked mushrooms, and/or 1/4 C. diced bell pepper.  Also, for some inexplicable reason 1/2 C. drained crushed pineapple is also listed (to which I say no thanks!).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Shimmery Metallic Branches Dining Room

From Nordstrom

The metallic look is a popular design trend right now.  Gold seems to be especially hot:

From Interior Design 5

A mix of metallic finishes is also encouraged:

From Walmart

My preference, though, has always been for silver:

From Decorate Interior Home

In keeping with my favorite rustic contemporary style, I have created a dining room style board combining the shimmer of silver with the natural look of branches.  To add a little color pizzazz, I chose a deep fuchsia for the background which would make a great wall color.

Clockwise from top left: Orli Silver Coral Branch Chandelier from Clayton Gray Home; Branch Bowl from Z Gallerie; Icicles by Neve Campbell from Z Gallerie; Tree Trunk Dining Table by David Barrett from 1stdibs; Silver Twig Potted Tree from Z Gallerie; Manzanita Branch Candelabra from West Elm; Global Views Branch Cabinet from Zinc Door; Silver Branch Mirror from Shop Ten 25; Frost Chair from Blue Sun Tree; Center background; Hokku Designs Sprig Grey Rug from Wayfair.

This look would add a casually sophisticated elegance to any home.  In fact, I think I would feel obligated to dress up for meals served in this lovely room -- now if only it came with a gourmet chef and someone to serve the food!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: TV Tub

I have never been someone who enjoys a long soak in the bathtub, but that could easily change if I had access to the TV Tub by Karim Rashid.  Available from the Korean company Saturn Bath, this innovative idea combines a luxurious soaking tub with a sleekly integrated television set.  It may be a bit complicated to purchase one of these TV Tubs, but the extra effort would be so worth it!  And I'll bet I could claim the distinction of "World's Most Unique Bathroom" if I added a Moody Aquarium Sink to the space as well.  Of course, if I really wanted to clinch the title, I would have one of these installed:

The Swarovski crystal-encrusted Isis toilet by Jemal Wright (from BornRich)

Unfortunately, the $75,000 price tag for this unusual toilet makes it pretty much unattainable for all but the excessively wealthy among us, but at least in my imagination I can add this shimmering fixture to my luxury bathroom any time!
             

Foodie Fridays: Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage and Mushrooms

From cleveland.com

When it comes to recipes, I have never been a big fan of the ones from Sandra Lee, the Food Network cook and author of many cookbooks.  I find her "semi-homemade" concept of 70% processed and only 30% fresh ingredients rather alarming, as I believe that processed foods are one of the main causes for many of our nation's current health issues.  However, I recently watched an episode of her show "Sandra's Money Saving Meals" which focused on egg dishes, and found myself actually liking the recipes she presented!  One that I want to try is the Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage and Mushrooms.  Baked as individual servings in a muffin tin, these tasty-looking treats would be perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and the recipe makes enough to serve 12 average or 6 hearty appetites.  I am going to be making this egg dish soon!

Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage and Mushrooms

4 eggs
2 C. milk
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 of a day-old baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 T. oil

1 package (8 oz.) sliced white mushrooms

8 oz. bulk sweet Italian sausage

Whisk together the first five ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the cubed bread and let sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator so that the bread can absorb the liquid.  Heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the mushrooms until softened.  Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until the meat is browned and cooked through.  Add the sausage mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine.  Ladle the batter into a greased 12-cup muffin tin, dividing it evenly among the individual cups.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes until set.  Remove the puddings from the muffin tin to a serving platter and serve.  Makes 12 individual puddings.

Update: I finally got to make these and I think they need a bit more flavor, so next time I will use hot Italian sausage instead of the sweet variety.  (They are actually tastier reheated and served the next day.)  I used Italian bread instead of a baguette because that is what I had, and I did not need the oil for cooking the mushrooms, as I cooked the sausage first and got enough fat from the meat to use for the mushrooms.

If I make these again and feel they still need more flavor, I may try the Apple Mustard Sauce recommended for the leftovers in a second recipe called the "Round 2 Recipe", although I'm not sure I want to fry these in even more egg batter as suggested!  (For the sauce, simply stir together 1/4 C. applesauce, 2 T. sour cream, and 3 T. brown mustard.)
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Haiku Poetry

From Wallpaper Million

I have never been much of a poetry lover, but there are a couple of simple types that I do enjoy.  Limericks have always been a favorite, and another is haiku.  Haiku is a centuries-old form of Japanese poetry, always quite short and often about nature or the changing seasons.  I thought I would attempt my own creation for the start of winter, in the classic format of five syllables/seven syllables/five syllables:

A cold wind blowing.
Tree branches are bare of leaves.
Winter has arrived.

And here is another for our sweet dog Diamond:

Beloved house pet.
With us for too short a time.
Diamond, we miss you.

Even if you are not a big fan of poetry, haiku is relatively simple to learn.  Why not give it a try?  And if you just cannot master the technique, take a look at some lovely examples here which are sure to brighten your day!
             

Wish List Wednesday: Pies on Parade Tour in Rockland, Maine

January is a gloomy month.  Winter has finally set upon us here in Georgia, but instead of snow we have been having rain.  Lately most days have been damp, dark, and dreary, with frequent cold, blustery winds.  I'm sure that is the reason I have been thinking a lot about travel recently, and I have been learning about some very interesting events around the nation that I would love to attend.  The ninth annual Pies on Parade Tour in Rockland, Maine, is one of them.  Sponsored by the Historic Inns of Rockland as well as other local businesses, the tour takes place on January 27th this year.  More than 45 different pies, both sweet and savory, will be available for sampling at various venues in the town.  The four inns which comprise the Historic Inns of Rockland will be offering a special two-night package deal for the event, which includes two free complimentary pies as well as an exclusive visit to Audubon's Project Puffin Center, in addition to accommodations and tickets for the Pies on Parade Tour.  You may recall that I am a big fan of the Atlantic Puffin, so this weekend getaway is my idea of perfection!  In addition, the organizers have decided that the event will be going green this year.  Biodegradeable plates will be used, and your own personal metal fork will be provided, to be washed and reused in upcoming years.  Cooking with locally grown ingredients whenever possible will also be encouraged.  Best of all, the event is a charity fundraiser for the local food pantry, so all proceeds are going to a worthy cause.

However, should you be unable to attend the gala event this year, the historic Old Granite Inn has graciously supplied its recipe for Lobster Quiche (pictured above), which you can make for yourself and then dream of being in Maine while eating your creation.  Why, this could even get you in the mood to plan a trip to Rockland in mid-summer for the Maine Lobster Festival!

Berry Manor Inn Pie Moms (from Maine PR Maven)