I rarely cook any type of fish at home, unless I’m entertaining, because my kids don’t like any of it. But I spied this super simple recipe for teriyaki salmon recently and decided to make it anyway, haters be damned. It seriously took less than fifteen minutes to make and was delicious served over steamed rice. Swipe left for the recipe - I made it as written but subbed Japanese cooking wine for the sake because I googled for a substitute while standing in the Asian grocery store because I was too cheap to buy sake for one recipe that I may or may not love. The cooking wine was listed as an acceptable substitute and it seemed to do the trick! Oh! And I also removed the skin. If you like salmon, save this recipe when you want a simple and healthy way to make it.
“If you can’t control your woman, you’ve fou “If you can’t control your woman, you’ve found a good one.” I told someone last week that I feel pretty much like a plant … needs plenty of sunshine and fresh air, occasional watering and feeding, and a steady stream of kind words. It’s not really that complicated. 💛
Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Whimsy + Pottery Barn

September 16, 2009 · Narrative

Fortune

When it comes to decorating the house, I’m a total child of Pottery Barn.  So much so that I used to save all their catalogs … until they had the bright idea of publishing books showcasing their decorating style.  Classic, traditional but with a comfortable enough slant that you feel you can put your feet up and relax.  After all, between the kids, their friends, and pets, stuffiness and plastic covered loveseats are totally out for me.

But as much as I love Pottery Barn, I also like to bring a little bit of whimsy to decorating the house, with little things here and there that are unexpected.  Like our fortune area.  Fortune cookies have always been a fun part of getting Chinese food.  An old friend and I used to choose our cookies, and then switch before opening them.  For some reason, the men in our family never eat the cookies, but Nick does.  He and I always wait for the end of the meal and then tear into the cookies to read our fortunes.  A few months ago, we started talking about the different fortunes and that it was a shame that we had to throw away the good news.

“But maybe we don’t,” I said.

“What else would we do with them?” he asked.

We started brainstorming.  I thought it would be fun to tack them up somewhere, but with an upcoming move on the horizon, I didn’t want to embark on any big project that we might have to undo.  We started tossing the fortunes into our kitchen coin jar … until last week.

Nick's Fortune

We knew we were going to put them on a wall somewhere, but I wanted it to be subtle. Like a happy surprise that you caught a glimpse of when you turned the corner. We ended up choosing the trim on this little alcove by the dining room. It’s perfect. We pass by there many times a day and it’s just a fun little thing. Originally I had planned to use straight pins to attach them to the wall and even found pretty ones with shiny colored metallic little tops. But the pin is too long and too hard to get into the wood without it bending. So I started looking for push-pins, but something different from the usual primary color bulletin board kind. When I found a set at Target, I knew they were perfect. A shorter pin and small round pops of color.

I love that one of the recent fortunes that Nick received was about Popeye (not that he even knows who he is, unfortunately) and eating vegetables. How appropriate. And my last fortune? The last one in the picture … “To love and be loved is like feeling the sun from both sides.” Love it.

I took the first picture, and Nick, the second. I always find it interesting to see his perspective when taking a picture, and this time, it was completely different than mine.

Good fortune really can be just around the corner… if you plan it that way.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    September 16, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    What an awesome idea! I’ve thought that it’s a waste to toss them too. Using them like that is a great way to not let them go to waste. And the different perspectives? Perfect!

    Reply
  2. Southern Grace Gourmet says

    September 16, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    What a brilliant idea! I love ingenious and unique decorating ideas! I also love to use items that aren’t typical in decor, like you did here, great idea, the pins are really cute too. It reminds me I had a friend that got a fortune one day that said, “Help, I am being held captive in a chinese fortune cookie writing plant” We seriously didn’t know if it was a joke or not, but i am sure it was! It was typed!

    Reply
  3. claire says

    September 16, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Cute idea! I always love when people do Christmas cards that way…just an extra little detail that makes your days more fun!

    Reply
  4. mandy says

    September 16, 2009 at 11:57 pm

    I think this is a great, fun idea! I have fortunes stuck in the side of my mirror, taped to the side of my computer monitor, tucked in my wallet, and placed around in other areas. I’ve seen them framed and hung as a picture as well. Great idea to tack them to the wall with decorative pins!

    Reply
  5. Joanne says

    September 17, 2009 at 6:13 am

    This is a great idea, kind of like your own, personalized feng shui. I think it’s little touches like this that are going to make you happy in your new home, and actually turn it into a home for you guys.

    Reply
  6. jan says

    September 17, 2009 at 8:54 am

    now you’re giving me ideas, if I EVER find my couple of way cool fortunes that I tucked away somewhere.

    Reply
  7. Jess says

    September 17, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  8. Kris #40 says

    September 17, 2009 at 9:21 am

    So cute!

    Reply
  9. Josie says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:24 am

    I have a seriously hard time tossing out fortunes – I love this idea! It is better than taping them to my computer monitor which is what I did at work :)

    Reply
  10. Debbie says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Very cute idea. I love fortune cookies and love reading them. I did bake your Reeses Peanut Butter Cup cookies last night. They were wonderful! We all loved them and I’ve taken some to work because they are just too tempting to have that many around at home!

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    September 17, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Whew, I finally got caught up on all the yummy posts since the last time I checked your blog about a month ago. I can’t wait to try a lot of those delicious recipes, especially the PB Cup cookies!

    Reply
  12. pamela says

    September 19, 2009 at 8:30 am

    What a neat idea! I still have a fortune from that I just loved, and it’s gotta be over 15 years now. Good memories you’re making!

    Reply
  13. Ana says

    September 23, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Love your idea, it is awesome, really cool!
    Ana

    Reply

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I rarely cook any type of fish at home, unless I’m entertaining, because my kids don’t like any of it. But I spied this super simple recipe for teriyaki salmon recently and decided to make it anyway, haters be damned. It seriously took less than fifteen minutes to make and was delicious served over steamed rice. Swipe left for the recipe - I made it as written but subbed Japanese cooking wine for the sake because I googled for a substitute while standing in the Asian grocery store because I was too cheap to buy sake for one recipe that I may or may not love. The cooking wine was listed as an acceptable substitute and it seemed to do the trick! Oh! And I also removed the skin. If you like salmon, save this recipe when you want a simple and healthy way to make it.
“If you can’t control your woman, you’ve fou “If you can’t control your woman, you’ve found a good one.” I told someone last week that I feel pretty much like a plant … needs plenty of sunshine and fresh air, occasional watering and feeding, and a steady stream of kind words. It’s not really that complicated. 💛
Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?

Pinterest

I rarely cook any type of fish at home, unless I’m entertaining, because my kids don’t like any of it. But I spied this super simple recipe for teriyaki salmon recently and decided to make it anyway, haters be damned. It seriously took less than fifteen minutes to make and was delicious served over steamed rice. Swipe left for the recipe - I made it as written but subbed Japanese cooking wine for the sake because I googled for a substitute while standing in the Asian grocery store because I was too cheap to buy sake for one recipe that I may or may not love. The cooking wine was listed as an acceptable substitute and it seemed to do the trick! Oh! And I also removed the skin. If you like salmon, save this recipe when you want a simple and healthy way to make it.
“If you can’t control your woman, you’ve fou “If you can’t control your woman, you’ve found a good one.” I told someone last week that I feel pretty much like a plant … needs plenty of sunshine and fresh air, occasional watering and feeding, and a steady stream of kind words. It’s not really that complicated. 💛
Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!

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