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Pickled Red Onions

Does anyone know the life cycle of a mattress? Because my mattress, the one I’ve had since I left home at eighteen, is fading fast. When Ryan and I were dating, we lived in Denver, where  nights were long and mornings were our only realms of restoration. Ryan and I met at a party and we hosted countless others in the months after our first October together. I recall nights where our friends sat around my bedroom, talking and drinking. I also recall one incident of “mattress jumping” by one of our large and gangly friends.

Let’s leave at this: my mattress received its fare share of attention.

Last night, as I tried to sleep, bed springs poked into my back. Just like the thoughts (the busyness) that refused to let my mind quiet, these bed springs refused to let my body settle into what has now become a much milder evening routine.  I thought of two things when I woke from a fitful night’s sleep:

1. I need to buy a new mattress. One of these.

2. I need to make another batch of pickled red onions. Strange, I know.

Because I consider what else has changed since those early days in Denver, I land on pickles. Growing up, I wouldn’t touch what I termed “those slimy, vinegary blobs.” Thank god, I met my husband, who slowly (but surely) led me into the wondrous world of good sandwiches. The kind of sandwiches that require jars and knives, bottles of mustard and thinly sliced vegetables, fresh cut cheeses and thin slices of meats. And pickles. All sorts of pickles.

Cucumbers are grand. But my true favorite? Pickled red onions. I eat them on sandwiches, on tacos, in salads, and when I’m particularly indulgent–straight out of the jar. This recipe comes straight from one of my most treasured food sources–David Lebovitz. They are sweet and spicy. And they turn the most vibrant shade of pink. I polished off the last few this afternoon, and I’ll be making another batch tomorrow.

Pickled Red Onions

3/4 cup (180ml) white vinegar
3 tablespoons (50gr) sugar
pinch of salt
1 bay leaf
5 allspice berries
5 whole cloves
a small, dried chile pepper
1 large red onion, peeled, and thinly sliced into rings

1. In a small, non-reactive saucepan, heat the vinegar, sugar, salt, seasonings and chile until boiling.

2. Add the onion slices and lower heat, then simmer gently for 30 seconds.

3. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

4. Transfer the onions and the liquid into a jar then refrigerate until ready to use. (So easy, right!?!)

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Apple Almond Granola

Time to go traipsing. Through forests covered in thick layers of moss. At least this is how I feel after the rainy weekend we’ve had in Austin. My longing for outdoor days is awakening. We’ve had such heat these past months, and with the promise of a cooler season, I’m rummaging my house for outdoor gear.

This is what I want to be doing. Wearing a white dress with a classic pair of wellies. There are ample creeks and rivers within miles of our home, and I know they’d welcome me. I’d bring myself, long legged and still pitifully pale. Run, walk, splash. This is how fall is meant to be done.

And to make a day even better, I’d find an apple orchard somewhere in Austin. I don’t think these exist here (much to my dismay) but in my dream world, they do. I’d pick a pound or two, and then cut them into paper thin slices, which would later rest on the racks of a dehydrator until they were ready to be chopped and added to this apple almond granola.

Because outdoor weather calls for outdoor fare, I can think of nothing better than a bag of granola to keep me satiated as I explore. This apple almond granola is full of the good stuff–flaxseeds, oats, sunflower seeds, honey, dried apples, and a heap of almond butter. Simple, satisfying, and sure to keep your body strong.

Not only is this apple almond granola perfect for outdoor hiking, but for school and work too. I keep a bag with me wherever I go, and you can often find me with a few granola crumbs on my shirt (embarrassing but true).

So while I order this season’s pair of Hunter wellies. You make this granola. I have a glass jar in my kitchen that I keep stocked year round, and I’m happy to be moving into more fall-inspired granola recipes. What I like most about this apple almond granola is how well it clumps together (a granola making win thanks to an ample helping of almond butter!). And then, of course, anything with apples makes me smile. And it will make you, your little ones, and your friends smile too.

Apple Almond Granola

1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup dried apples
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cup raw, organic honey
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup almond butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Mediterranean sea salt

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Farenheit. Set aside two large cookie sheets.

2. In a large bowl, mix together almond, walnuts, rolled oats, coconut flakes, and flax seeds. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt. Pour wet ingredients over oat mixture. Stir with a large wooden spoon or spatula. Divide between two cookie sheets, spreading into a thin layer.

3. Bake in oven for 30-50 minutes (this is a matter of granola preference…the longer you leave it in, the crisper it becomes). Once removed from oven, add in chopped dried apples. Allow to cool completely before storing in a glass container.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Must-Do Paris

Returning from Paris in June, I knew one thing: I had to go back to France, and soon. We had an ideal Paris experience, and since we need to wait at least a few months before visiting again, I thought I’d share a few of our favorite places with you.

Where to Sleep:

1. Where the locals do. If possible, avoid hotels and hostels. They’re expensive and generally underwhelming (unless you happen to have buckets of money). We were lucky enough to stay at the apartment of my Parisian hairdresser. She and her husband live in Austin for most of the year but keep a small studio in Central Paris for their quarterly visits home. We had our own kitchen, a small but adequate bathroom, and the privilege of a house key instead of a hotel card. There are tourists everywhere in Paris, so the more you can blend in, the better. If you want to get in contact with my hairdresser, send me an email at monet@cakestandbakes.com. I’ll be happy to send you her contact information.

Where to Wander:

1. Museums. The Musee d’Orsay was easily our favorite. I’d recommend you buy a museum pass, or plan to buy admission into the Museum at least twice. There are too many time-worthy exhibits to take in during one visit.

2. Paris: Made By Hand. This beautiful, pocket (or purse) sized book takes you through some of the most hidden and charming streets of Paris into the workshops and stores of artists and makers. From pottery to umbrellas, from jewelry to dresses, stylist, Pia Jane Bijirk has found true treasures. We went to a few “touristy places” but spent the majority of our trip finding these carefully curated designers. AMAZING. GET THE BOOK NOW.

3. Deyrolle. Let’s just say that Deyrolle was closed on Tuesday because Wes Anderson was doing a photo-shoot there. Enough said, right? But truly, this is one of the most amazing stores I’ve ever visited. Hundreds of stuffed animals, delicately preserved butterflies, and men and women wearing sharp vests. Who would have thought a taxidermist could inspire such awe?

Where to Eat:

1. Du Pains et Des Idees. Throw all plans out the window if they don’t begin and end with this bakery near the Canal St. Martin. I first heard about Du Pains et Des Idees from Bon Appetit.  And although we had to wait a few days to visit (this artisinal bakery is closed on the weekends), it was love at first bite. Christophe Vasseur knows how to make bread. He says on his site, “It all began many years ago, when, as a child, I began to see the craft of baking as both a way to create and to communicate. For me, it was (and is) a way to give shape and life to my emotions, using only raw materials and my hands.” Using time-honored traditions, he gives his community the quality and passion that has sadly disappeared from many bakeries in Paris. Eat everything you can here. My personal favorite: la chausson a la pomme fraiche. We bought four to take on the flight home.

2. Le Pantruche. We also had to wait for a weekday to dine at this gourmet bistro in Montmartre. And once again, we weren’t disappointed. Our four course meal was perfect. Focusing on local and fresh ingredients, La Pantruche creates dishes full of flavor and charm, without the stuffiness of many fine French dining experiences. While not cheap, this bistro is affordable when you consider the quality of its dishes. Chalkboard menus, charming wait-staff, and an intimate dining room made this our favorite dinner experience.

From Food Wine and Style

3. Hugo and Victor. Chocolate and tarts and glass domes. We bought a box of chocolates and a bright citrus tart that we enjoyed while people watching in the Luxembourg gardens.

4. Pink Flamingo. If you want a fun break from typical french food, take a seat in the Pink Flamingo’s fabulous VW van. While the food wasn’t my favorite, the atmosphere was a nice change. And wandering through Marais after enjoying a few slices of pizza is a great end to a long day.

5. Bread and Roses. When you walk into Bread and Roses, you’re greeted by friendly and beautiful faces behind a glass deli counter. Rounds of cheese, hunks of ham, and a variety of cold salads await your eyes. Ryan and I sat at a wood table, with a single pink rose blushing between us, and enjoyed a lunch I’ll remember as one of the very best. The Luxembourg gardens are just around the corner, so sit for an hour or so after a stroll in the park.

6. L’As du Fallafel. I first read about this middle-eastern joint in the NY Times. When Mark Bittman said, “the falafel is so good that this is the one culinary destination in town I never skip,” I knew we had to visit, at least once. In a city full of stuffy and expensive dining, L’As du Fallafel is the perfect antitode. Fresh pitas stuffed with fried balls of chickpea, creamy hummus, and pickled cabbage are simply OUT OF THIS WORLD. We went back three times. And I left wishing we’d visited a fourth.

7. Breizh Cafe. This restaurant makes it into most Paris tour books, but don’t be dismayed ( you pretentious folks), this place is still worth the visit. Traditional buckwheat crepes with carafes of cider are a must. Also a must? Reservations. Because like I said, this cafe gets around.

8. Claus. Okay. I almost cried when I took my first bite of scrambled eggs. The Parisians typically don’t make a big to-do about breakfast, so if you’re hankering for something more substantial than a croissant, visit Claus and eat the eggs. And the museli too. I never thought oats could taste this good. The waitstaff is friendly, sharp, and more than happy to make breakfast the most delicious meal of the day.

If you have anymore questions or ideas, send me an email or a tweet or a facebook message. And if you want to sponsor my next trip to Paris, we’re all in. Smile.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apples

Ahoy!

Ryan and I have been in Maine for the past week and it has been DELIGHTFUL. Susanne’s father-in-law has a beach house in Biddeford, and we’ve been eating lobster, making blueberry pies, and watching waves break against the elephant rocks in the backyard.

There is something magical about this part of the country. Teeming with life, Maine reminds me of how powerful nature can be. Humans don’t have the upper hand here. Houses are tucked behind ancient pines and roads are on the brink of being swallowed by the ever expanding forests.

And then of course, there is the ocean.

Today, I stood in the ocean with my feet surrounded by sea pebbles, rocks worn down by the constant ebb and flow of the tide. As the waves crashed and then pulled the sediment beneath me, I felt the rhythm of the world, and I repeated the word, “Rest.” Because there is something about embracing nature that stills the soul. At least this is what happened for me. On 4th of July, fireworks were cancelled due to a thunder storm. At first, we were disappointed, but then we witnessed the most incredible lightning storm over the ocean. I’ve never seen anything more spectacular.

And then of course, there is my family.

Susanne is 8 months pregnant (with 3 children under 10), and she remains just as vibrant as ever. Last night, we ventured into town for an ice-cream cone and watched a light house blink as we finished the last spoonfuls of our frozen treats. Halley and I wore our hair in twists last night and painted our lips a bright red to match the shells of the lobster that Ken pulled out of the boiling water for dinner. We ate, we laughed, and we held each other. This is family, and it was good.

Tomorrow, Ryan and I drive to Providence to visit friends we haven’t seen in years. I’m sure we’ll have more stories to tell and more pictures to share come Monday.

Oh yes. As I’ve been relaxing this week, I’ve also received several emails for weddings and events this fall, and I couldn’t be happier. Cake Stand is  partnering with Vintage Heart Coffee and Beetlebum Design for a Cake Party in Austin, Texas on July 19th. If you’re interested in coming, please send me an email at monet@cakestandbakes.com, and we’ll put you on the invite list.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

The Waldo Canyon Fire

As some of you know, Colorado Springs is on fire. I write this post with a heavy heart because as I see picture after picture of burning houses, I recognize the landmarks of my childhood, and I wonder when all of this destruction will stop.

We don’t know if my house will be spared. We do know that several houses on my block have caught on fire in the last 24 hours. The fire is still out-of-control.

Many people have said, “You can always rebuild houses. You can’t replace people.”

And this, to a certain extent, is true.

My family has lost three family members in the last year, and I think we all agree we’d lose a million houses to get them back with us.

But as I process these pictures, my chest tightens and tears flood my eyes. Because these aren’t just  burned and charred houses. They are homes.

And homes are where we build our lives. They are where we share the most intimate moments. They are where we bear our deepest insecurities. Homes are the places we watch our children grow. Homes are also places we watch our loved ones die.

In our homes, we express our unique perspective of the world. We pick colors and fabrics. We line our shelves with the books that have spoken truth into our lives. We store away the china handed down by our parents and grandparents. We keep notes from our high school sweethearts in boxes under beds.

I remember walking down the stairs of my parent’s home on my wedding day.

I remember crying with my mom in the living room after I had broken my heart one too many times.

I remember laughing hysterically with my entire family (all my sisters, alive and well) as we played games and celebrated the new year.

I remember holding Halley when she was just a few days old.

I remember the flowers that lined my father’s front yard. The blooms he was so proud of. He’d barely let us get out of the car before taking us to his favorites lining the sidewalk.

And I remember learning how to bake in my mother’s kitchen. I know the layout of that kitchen like the back of my hand, and I can hardly believe that it might be forever gone.

And so while I understand that human life is precious, I also think we must recognize how hard it can be to lose your sanctuary to such a violent storm. I’m grieving, my family is grieving, and I know Colorado Springs is grieving.

When I learned last year about my sister’s car accident, the first thing I wanted to do was to go home. And now my safe-place might be gone. This is a hard thing to understand. This is a hard thing to bear.

My entire family.