peonies posing pretty

Oh, the ruffly peony! I seem to be very into blossoms this week especially of the 'p' variety. I picked up a bunch of peonies at the farmers market and have been mesmerized by their loveliness ever since.

poppies are popping

poppy-close-up

The poppies are up all over town. Ruffly and red (or in this case a lovely salmon) with velvety, frilly centers like ladies who wear too much blush and black feather boas. They capture your attention as you drive or walk by, well, at least they do mine. I find them a bit mysterious as if each has a story to tell.

poppy

apple bacon scones at Bakery Bar

A beautiful sunny morning here in Portland. We headed to the Bakery Bar so I could share with my husband my new found treasure...the apple bacon scone. Light, flakey, savory and sweet!

Bakery Bar located at 2935 NE Glisan Street

Country house style and a dream

Flipping through the June issue of Elle Decor I came across these photos which all happen to come from houses in upstate NY. That of course made me a little homesick (just a tiny bit!). I've always dreamed of having a little country house with rustic style and lots of land. I'll tuck these ideas away and for now just daydream.

Dreamy wash room.

I imagine bringing in fresh cut flowers from my garden and preparing them for beautiful  arrangements. I would be wearing a flowy white dress and would leave my wide brimmed straw sun hat by the door.

library/get creative room.

What can we read or make today?

I asked my husband if he would please build this for me one day. A cozy niche in a field of wildflowers overlooking the castkills. Seems perfect.

sunday drive

Sunny and 80's in Portland today. Perfect day for a sunday drive.

Shed Life

Once upon a time, not so many years ago, in an old apple orchard

overlooking a pond, a young couple was given an 8x10 shed to call their own.

This wasn't going to be an ordinary shed. They put up insulation.

Then came the drywall.

They wired it for electric and added a fan for circulation.

They painted the walls soothing colors and added a big window for extra light.

The floor was washed with a coordinating blue. A platform was built to support a twin mattress which would act like a couch on rainy days and at night the two would squeeze in for a restful slumber under the first roof they could call their own. A few select pieces were added like a mini fridge, music, and a shining silver star.

They planted a little garden,

added an outdoor shower

and an outdoor 'kitchen'.

Their garden grew as the sunny days passed.

As the sun set and the twilight came upon them, they would sit in their chairs overlooking the pond listening to the crickets and frogs chatter. Deer would wander in the field across the water and the cool night air would settle in. Later they would build a fire, sit and watch the flames crackle and try to count the fireflies. This was the good life. 

Stacie's Orzo Salad

My cousin, Stacie, made this orzo salad for  my baby shower.  It was a huge hit resulting in everyone asking for the recipe. Here you go!

1/2 medium red onion diced

1 cucumber seeded and diced

1 cup fresh baby spinach sliced into julienne like strips

1/2 handful of fresh parsley minced

2 sprigs of fresh oregano minced

2 cans of mandarin oranges drained and rinsed

8 oz feta crumbled

zest of 1 orange  (save the orange for the juice in the dressing)

zest of 1 lemon (also can add the juice if you love citrus!)

1 lb of orzo pasta cooked and cooled

salt and pepper to taste

Toss all ingredients together.

For the dressing:

1/4 cup fresh orange juice (use the orange that you zested)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of red wine vinegar

2 tsp of sugar (brown sugar or honey will work too)

salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together until combined. Taste to check for adequate sugar, salt, and pepper. Toss with salad. Enjoy!