You will need:

-1 cup of sea salt, your choice (they say there’s a difference in qualities of sea salt but darned if I can tell the difference, so I just use whatever’s on sale) -1/4 cup packed fresh rosemary -Jar in which you ...]]> Are you ready for the easiest impressive gourmet DIY you’ve ever seen? (Ok, maybe not EVER, but it’s pretty easy).  Two words for you: Rosemary Salt. You’ve already probably figured that out from the post title. So away we go!

You will need:

-1 cup of sea salt, your choice (they say there’s a difference in qualities of sea salt but darned if I can tell the difference, so I just use whatever’s on sale)
-1/4 cup packed fresh rosemary
-Jar in which you can put your salt (can’t say this enough: save your old glass jars!!)

Step 1: Measure.

Step 2 Put in food processor.

Process until it looks something like this (no more big chunks of rosemary in there)

Step 3: Put in a bottle and let it sit around in a dark, cool spot for about 1 month.

Rosemary salt is great for so many things. I keep it by the stove and throw it in when I’m cooking meat dishes, pasta…whatever!

Let me know if you try it, and if so, how you like to use it!

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2010 | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: cooking and food, frugal

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Well, this is all I’ve got:

We’re moving to Colorado!  We are so incredibly lucky to have some wonderful parents, who are offering up one of their rental properties for us to move into.  It’s a great location in downtown Denver, and the house is just so….us.  Of course, it needs a great ...]]> I sat at my computer for about 20 minutes this morning trying to figure out the best way to start this post and explain my (2 month!) absence from EADL.

Well, this is all I’ve got:

We’re moving to Colorado!  We are so incredibly lucky to have some wonderful parents, who are offering up one of their rental properties for us to move into.  It’s a great location in downtown Denver, and the house is just so….us.  Of course, it needs a great deal of work (it was built in 1941 and hasn’t seen much remodeling since then…it still has yellow countertops and wood paneling, kids), but we can’t wait to move in and get our hands dirty in 3 months and 3 weeks!

It’s been a crazy hectic couple months of planning, scheduling, arranging job interviews, starting up my own blog (which will hopefully debut next week), and figuring out where we’ll be living.  So, my dear EAD readers, I apologize. I promise to not be delinquent any longer.  In fact, you will likely be getting a whole truckload of posts about remodeling planning, landscaping,and eco-friendly renovations. So get excited.

In the meantime, any suggestions to boost the curb appeal on this baby? We pondered painting and a new door… possibly getting rid of shrubs…any fantastic tips?

XOXO

B

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Posted in: life

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Materials needed: -Kraft paper cards and envelopes (Michaels or other craft ...]]> Not going to lie, this next craft is a labor of love.  It’s a bit time consuming, but it’s a great thing to keep your hands busy on a cold night in front of the fireplace!  These hand-embroidered cards make a great gift for friends (I made them for our holiday swap…hope you enjoy them, Cyd!) , not to mention that they are far cheaper than purchasing them in the store…

Materials needed:
-Kraft paper cards and envelopes (Michaels or other craft store), about $8 total for 20
-Embroidery thread (about $0.49 per color, which will be more than enough to make 10-20 cards)
-Crafting needles (found in sewing aisle)–try to find one that is long-ish and thin, with a big enough head to thread embroidery through
-Whatever you’d like to stamp the envelopes with. I used clear embossing powder to emboss them with a subtle evergreen stamp.

These also make beautiful  Christmas gifts as a stationary set for your paper-loving friends!  Just tie them with some raffia and place in a box to keep them from getting bent.

Directions:

-Use a cookie cutter or hand-draw a pattern onto the cards, lightly, with a pencil

-Thread embroidery thread onto craft needle

-Embroider over pattern with a simple whip stitch (simply going in and out with the needle!)

That’s it! It’s so super easy, and makes a thoughtful card that is GUARANTEED to be unlike any other your friends will get this holiday!

Evergreen stamps decorate the front of the kraft envelopes…

The back of the envelopes are embossed with a Noel stamp to continue the festive feel throughout!

Here’s a closeup of some of the patterns I used.  The snowflake was freehanded and took more time than, say, the candycane or Christmas tree.

I hope you enjoy these cards! They can be personalized with any pattern: snowman, a monogram, or anything you can come up with!

Happy crafting!

Much love,

-B

{all photos by me. Please link to EAD if posting!}

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Posted in: christmas, crafts, holidays, paper

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{photo by me}

Fill mason jars with some soy candles and you’re done! What’s your go-to centerpiece?

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It! Posted in: eco living, entertaining Join us here too! EAD Weddings, Message Boards, Bulletin Board, The EAD Library

However, like many, I have some creepy Martha Stewart desire to decorate our house in everything tinsel, and I squeal with glee anytime I see something covered in Santa Clauses.  Hey, I’m not proud of it, but there you go.

So during my daily Anthropologie browse ...]]> Welcome to the first installment of Craftmas (or Craftukkah or Craftzaa, whichever you celebrate)!  I don’t know about you gals, but we are super tight on money this year and that is ESPECIALLY true around the holidays.

However, like many, I have some creepy Martha Stewart desire to decorate our house in everything tinsel, and I squeal with glee anytime I see something covered in Santa Clauses.  Hey, I’m not proud of it, but there you go.

So during my daily Anthropologie browse a couple weeks ago (ah, but to dream), I stumbled upon a beautiful tree ornament. I won’t show it here (again, scared of copywright ramifications…thanks, lawyers, for screwing with my craftiness), but you can probably find it on their site.  Anyway, this little item happened to cost a pretty $398.  Um, yeah.  Here’s my interpretation of the same tree topper, with exciting step-by-step instructions!

This project cost me about $20…only 5% of the store-bought cost!

Here’s what you’ll need:

-small grapevine wreath (I think this one is 6 or 7 inches in diameter)
-bundles of sticks and other decorative items of your choice
-glue gun and glue sticks

Step one: cut your bunches of sticks into separate twigs of varying length, but no longer than 5 inches.

Step two: use the glue gun to attach the twigs all the way around the grapevine wreath.

Step three: continue with other twigs and curios.  I liked this swag with pinecones and thistles in gold tones, it added some whimsy.

Step 4: Continue glueing on twigs and branches until grapevine wreath is densely decorated.

I found these great little decorating pieces to add.

I also added some gold holly leaves around the bottom to make it look a bit thicker.  You can go pretty crazy with this craft and use either gold or silver branches.

I mean…it’s not an exact replica, but come on! An hour and 5% of the cost of the original? Not bad friends!  You could  fill it with evergreen branches as a centerpiece or use as a tree topper.  Or wear as a crown on Christmas Eve after too much eggnog?

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: christmas, crafts

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I’ve been busy creating a whole slew of DIY crafts (oh, 6 or 7!) for decorating your house on the cheap for the upcoming holiday.  I like to call it…Craftmas.  Though I suppose you could always call it Craftukkah or Craftzaa.  Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Get ready for installation #1 of Craftmas in the next day or so.  Little hint: it’s a replica of a pricey little item ...]]> I’ve been MIA from the blog recently…but with good reason, I promise!

I’ve been busy creating a whole slew of DIY crafts (oh, 6 or 7!) for decorating your house on the cheap for the upcoming holiday.  I like to call it…Craftmas.  Though I suppose you could always call it Craftukkah or Craftzaa.  Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Get ready for installation #1 of Craftmas in the next day or so.  Little hint: it’s a replica of a pricey little item sold at a store that rhymes with “shmanthropologie.”

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: crafts

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One of my favorite autumn fruits is the apple. I know, I know, they’re around the entire year…but they’re the best in the fall.  Ripe, crisp, sweet, and a bit tart.  I remember one of my favorite childhood books saying that you could taste the starlit nights of summer, the bright sunshine of spring, and the crisp, cool days of autumn in a good apple.  Love.

Cooking with apples ...]]> Excuse the cheesy post title.  They’re the hardest thing to come up with!

One of my favorite autumn fruits is the apple. I know, I know, they’re around the entire year…but they’re the best in the fall.  Ripe, crisp, sweet, and a bit tart.  I remember one of my favorite childhood books saying that you could taste the starlit nights of summer, the bright sunshine of spring, and the crisp, cool days of autumn in a good apple.  Love.

Cooking with apples in the fall is the greatest: that apple smell filling the house is just so homey.  This is one of my favorite apple recipes for fall: not only is it delicious, it turns out beautifully and makes a stunning presentation with the jewel tones of the rhubarb and cranberries, which also happen to give it the perfect amount of tart/sweet combination.

{Photo by Pete McGregor}
(Please excuse my lack of personal photos lately… my camera is still MIA!)

Apple Cranberry Rhubarb Crisp
Topping

• 1/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned oatmeal (uncooked)
• 3 tablespoons flour (whole wheat is best!)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dash of nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons softened butter

Fruit filling

• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour (unbleached white is best here but whole wheat is fine)
• 2 cups sliced apples (gala or granny smith)
• 2 cups diced rhubarb
• 1 cup cranberries

Preheat oven to 375.  Combine topping ingredients in a medium bowl until crumbly (don’t be shy, use your fingers!).  Set aside.  Next, combine sugar and flour for fruit in a large bowl.  Add fruit and toss to coat.  Spoon fruit into a greased 8-cup baking dish and sprinkle with an even coat of topping.

Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes, or until apple is tender when pierced with fork.

We always serve this warm with vanilla ice cream at our house, but the leftovers are great at room temperature (if we have any!).  Bon appetit!

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: dessert, recipes

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As someone who grew up in a home with lots of garden space and a little “plot” of my own, it’s heartbreaking for me to not have a bit of dirt.  Thus, it’s become our ...]]> As you may or may not know, my husband and I are currently living in a tiny 2-bedroom apartment (shared with our two cats, Mike and Butters).  We have no outdoor space, save for our tiny patio and lil’ windowboxes, which don’t provide us with much gardening opportunity.

As someone who grew up in a home with lots of garden space and a little “plot” of my own, it’s heartbreaking for me to not have a bit of dirt.  Thus, it’s become our goal in the next year to have a truly viable spot of land on which we can grow things.  Along these lines, I was reading the WSJ yesterday (no, this is not a habit of mine, though it probably should be) and stumbled upon an article on composting.

{Photo via greenbudget}

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you all the benefits of composting, both for your garden and for the environment. :) Unfortunately, composting is not a current habit of mine and dr. dave’s (there are certain limitations of countertop composting in an apartment).  This article, however, takes composting to the next level…it brought up the “new generation” of composting, which includes neat new products designed to make composting easier, such as the ecomposter.

The cool thng about the ecomposter is that it allows you to put the composting materials into that ball and roll it around to mix up the materials inside: a notoriously difficult job.  Typically it must be done with a pitchfork, which is difficult for obvious reasons.  This product makes it a lot easier on the arms (not to mention the eyes!) to compost…which I’m all for.  It also is made from recycled materials, which is great!  HOWEVER.

The article mentioned several other new “technologies” of composting. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love technology, and if they make composting “hip,” then that’s great too..  And if they’re using recycled materials, I think it’s awesome.  But at what point does this become another excuse to promote consumerism, produce excess waste, and end up counteracting the positive effects of composting itself? Thoughts?

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: eco living

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This recipe can be adjusted for any season. The key step is truly the sauteeing of the vegetables, which brings out their flavor and makes the soup’s flavors have more depth.

Seasonal Soup

4 garlic cloves, chopped (or more, depending on taste) 2 shallots, diced 5 or so celery stalks, ...]]> Hope this post finds everyone relaxed, content, and carefree on this beautiful fall day!  It’s been getting a bit cooler around here (FINALLY!) and we decided to make some delicious soup today using seasonal ingredients.

This recipe can be adjusted for any season. The key step is truly the sauteeing of the vegetables, which brings out their flavor and makes the soup’s flavors have more depth.

Seasonal Soup

4 garlic cloves, chopped (or more, depending on taste)
2 shallots, diced
5 or so celery stalks, sliced
1 leek (slice lengthwise and rinse with cold water–use only the white to light green section. Then dice!)
9 medium carrots, sliced
1 tbsp. fresh thyme
1 can white beans
1 can black beans
bag of frozen corn
Two 32-oz cans of chicken broth
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
4 tbsp olive oil
Chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish

1) Sautee 1 tsp. salt, celery, leeks, shallots, and garlic in olive oil for about 15 minutes until transluscent and aromatic.

2) Add chicken broth and 4 cups of water (this makes a HUGE pot of soup!).

3) Bring to boil; add carrots, thyme, beans. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.

4) Add frozen corn last, so it remains a bit crunchy.

5) Simmer until carrots are done: not crunchy, but not soggy either!

Serve topped with chopped cilantro or parsley.

And there you go…a delicious, heartwarming, yummy soup for those cool autumn days. It’s also super easy to reheat, so this meal could last 2 people a few days!

Add whatever veggies you like or are in season: we’ve added zucchini, acorn squash, cabbage…whatever suits your fancy!

What’s your go-to meal during the cooler months?

Much love,

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs Living, 2009 | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us | StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: cooking and food, frugal, healthy, soup

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