Cheddar-Dill Scones

In light of the recent three-day snow/ice storm and a long weekend, I decided to spend some time with one of my favorite chefs, Ina Garten. Baking was definitely on the weekend agenda, but sweets were certainly not. I'm still detoxing from all of the Christmas goodies. So I pulled out this book and flipped through until I found the recipe for cheddar-dill scones. They were the perfect companion to a bowl of soup and also worked well with my favorite egg recipe for Saturday brunch.

Happy Baking.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake

Until recently, I had never made a cheesecake. Something about needing a special pan always made me wary of the process, assuming it was time consuming or difficult. In order to rid myself of my cheesecake timidity, I made this Barefoot Contessa cheesecake last weekend, and it was not only simple, but delicious.

Mine didn't turn out to be quite as lovely as Ina's as it cracked a bit in the middle, {any tips on how to prevent that?} but it tasted divine. And although I did enjoy the chocolate-espresso combination, it was a very decadent dessert. I think next time I will try something fruitier, perhaps blueberry. 

What is your favorite kind of cheesecake?

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

French Apple Tart

Although apples are traditionally a fall fruit, I can't help but munch on them all year round. There's something so very charming about the sweet simplicity of an apple. Not to mention how well the taste pairs with everything from sharp cheddar to peanut butter to pork. So when I stumbled upon this Barefoot Contessa recipe in my cook book the other day, I decided that a French Apple Tart was the perfect companion to a summer weekend.

I used gala apples instead of granny smith to give a slightly sweeter taste, and chose a dark rum at the advice of a good friend. The oven-baked apples came out golden, and the apricot & rum glaze gave the tart a delicious warmth that paired just as well with vanilla bean ice cream as it did with sharp cheddar.


xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

unique

all of you know that i like a lot of color in our home,
from quilts to walls to furniture and accessories,
but i also need for our home to be comfortable, cozy, and inviting.
sometimes it is hard to find the line between stylishly decorated
and a bit too cluttered.
i am definitely not a minimalist when it comes to home decorating,
but sometimes a few unique pieces can say quite a bit.
that is my favorite way to decorate...
to find unique things that i love and incorporate them into our home.


it can be something as big as architecture and wallpaper/painting:
{unfortunately i can do neither of these things currently,
but i am really looking forward to being able to in the future.}


it can be an eclectic piece of furniture:
{my personal favorite is finding unique, mismatched reading chairs}
{i love how the twinkle lights mimic the glow of a fireplace}


it could be mixing eclectic rugs with other patterns or styles:
{i love the bear skin rug and dainty chandelier in the top photo,
and the mixing of patterns in the bottom photo.}


or it could be something as simple as unique vases or wall hangings:
{i love the maps on the wall in this cozy den
and would really like to add some to our office.}


i think that it is also important to note that
these kinds of rooms don't have to be accompanied by a high price tag.
as much as most of us would love to walk into anthropologie
and furnish our homes with their couches, chairs, and chandeliers,
it is really just not practical.
besides, i think vintage and antique items have more character.
{sorry anthro.}


i know i am a nester,
so most of you may not care about all these home-inspired posts,
but ina garten summarized my feelings perfectly
when she said this about her home,

"all day long i feel as though i'm batting back the baseballs that are being hurled at me: decisions to make, places to go, cranky people to deal with... and when i come home, i want my house to feel serene and beautiful, like the way you feel when you get into a bed piled high with down pillows: you're safe.

a good home should gather you up in its arms like a warm cashmere blanket, soothe your hurt feelings, and prepare you to go back out into that big bad world tomorrow all ready to fight the dragons."




images found here
copyright Hiking in Stilettos