Blueberries and I phones (not necessarily in that order)

Ever wonder when super clean is a bad thing?

I'll tell you.

It's when it's your I phone spinning around in the wash.

"Thunk.........Thunk.......Thunk....."

"Hey, what's that clunking around in the washing machine?" asks True Love 

in the "someone fix that" tone of voice.

"I don't know! " I say. "I'm doing sheets." 

10 minutes later.

"Why can't I find my phone anywhere? KIDS?! Who has my phone?" I ask, panic building.

"Thunk........Thunk......."

"That's weird. I've looked everywhere. Didn't I have it when I was in your room Calli? Sitting on your bed? Right before I changed your sheets?"

Retracing steps. 

uh-oh

Dramatic gasp as things begin adding up. I slowly approach the laundry room with the strongest desire NOT to find my phone now. 

"thunk....thunk.......thunk....THUNK.....THUNK"

You know the rest of the story. 

I am intentionally leaving out the most colorful part. 

So, it's been replaced. Yay! 

My life is almost back up to speed at the techy level.

However, I MISSED the Alameda Antique Fair.

No worries.

There is always next month.

I did happen to visit the

Walnut Creek Farmer's Market

which was great

because I missed

Saturday's replacing my phone

and needed some fresh bounty.

That's a lot of boring information 

you can care less about.

What I'm getting to is that I was able to pick up

some BLUEBERRIES so 

I can show my friend who's requested 

the recipe I mentioned back in the

"Most Valuable Players" posting.

Here it is!

Blueberry Brie Appetizer

Here's what you need:

Ok. I like this picture, but it's missing a few things.

Coconut Oil and the gorgeous Goat's Milk Feta 

(remember I didn't make it to the Danville Farmer's Market).

You need: French Baguette, Coconut Oil, Persian Lime Olive Oil, Brie, Goat Cheese, Lemon Basil,

and Sea Salt & Pepper.

PreHeat Oven to 400

Slice the Bread with a Serrated Knife

Lay Aluminum Foil over a Cookie Sheet.

Set the sliced bread on the sheet and

spread Coconut Oil over both sides.

Now put toast them on the top rack of the oven. Every oven is different, mine is unpredictable,

so I like to leave the door propped open a bit and watch them. They won't get brown, but they'll be gold and crispy.

While they are toasting rinse the Blueberries and Lemon Basil.

Take out the golden bread slices and sprinkle with Sea Salt. 

You have to do this because it ensures that the bread and the Coconut Oil 

are present when you take your first bites.

Set them on a platter.

Now, Cut-the-Cheese (baaaahahahahahaa!)

Sorry. I have a 14 year old son and we laugh at that kind of juvenile stuff!

Slice a small wedge of Brie and top it on the bread. Press half of it into the bread.

Now, I alternated brie with goat cheese because 1) it's easier on my lactose blah-blah-blah, and 2) it's easier on my TuesdayMorningThing.

Next, drizzle the Persian Lime Olive Oil right down the center lane of those babies

and sprinkle them good with the Sea Salt and Pepper.

I love this part!

BLUEBERRIES! 

No body expects them on an elegant appetizer.

Holy Giant Blueberries Batman! 

(They are not usually so plump, 

they almost look like olives in this picture. Scrumptious!)

You will need to press them into the cheese a bit. You don't want them bouncing off when you take your first bite. Not so elegant when they go rolling through the kitchen. 

Press em' in good!

Then, take your Lemon Basil Leaves and do the same thing, even the pressing. 

Almost done.

Drizzle again and lightly sprinkle.

You know what I'm talking about.

I will try to describe how good these babies are.

They are light, crunchy, creamy, sweet and savory all in one. 

Almost like a savory blueberry cheesecake.

I invented this recipe a few summers back
 when my brothers and our families shared a home in Tahoe for a week.

We all took turns making Happy Hour food and big meals.

When I served this everyone was dazzled 
wondering where I found this unusual recipe.

I made it up!
I was happy they liked it as much as I like it!
So maybe you will too.
It's insanely easy when you've got the right ingredients.

You could substitute the cheeses if you'd like. 
Play around with your favorites. 
I really wanted to try it with the Goat Milk Feta, but another time.

I bet Neufchatel cheese would work.

Cream cheese would make it too desserty. 

I can't decide which one I enjoyed more between the brie and the goat cheese.

You can even swap the Lemon Basil for regular Basil Leaf. 

I've done that before and it works fine.

However, I would NOT substitute the 

Persian Lime Olive Oil.

I really feel like this recipe showcases the beautiful flavor of the oil.
That's the dazzling part.
A new flavor!
Get some.

Alameda Antique Fair....

...here I come!

Off to find some treasures!

Good night's sleep? check.

Comfy shoes? check.

Straw sun hat? check.

Sunscreen? check.

Camera? check.

TrueLove to share the fun with (and carry any heavy

stuff)? check.

So excited! check.

Happy Birthday Jill!

Well, last night was a magical night of celebrating my SweetFriend Jill's 40th birthday!

Jill and I have been friends since we were 14, we've been roommates, we've been in each other's weddings, had our babies together and have shared countless amazing moments in our lives. 

Back in time a few months.
A week before my 40th birthday, much to the ignoring of TrueLove's commentary "She doesn't want a party," Jill stubbornly surprised me anyway. I thought we were going to a casual lunch and then getting massages, which I was very excited about! 
Thinking, "She really shouldn't be doing so much. 
I just want to slide this birthday right under the radar." 
However, she is sweetly stubborn, and celebrated ME the way she wanted. 
She made a slick and quick suggestion for a change of venue from our usual lunch. 

Then, as we approached the table, 
I saw a bunch of my friends 
"SURPRISE!" 
waiting for me.
Tears welling up. 
I saw sophisticated floral arrangements that Jill designed, gifts, and "oh jeez! I should've known she was up to something!" 

I felt so loved!

After dessert we hustled over to the massage appointment she made for us and on the way she gave me the 

BEST GIFT EVER!!!! 

I cried!

She gave me a photo album of our lives together with the inscription

"Forty Things I Love About Nicole"

OK. You might not know this about me yet, BUT I love to scrapbook. 
Please don't judge me. It's just it combines pictures, 
photography, 
pattern and color, 
and I just love the idea of using simple things 
to enhance photos, 
which really are, 
tangible memories! 
So I love it. 
Even if it's not cool.
 I admit it. 
I love it so much that usually the whole month of April 
my house is overtaken by paper and pictures, 
because I never let anyone help me put together my kid's programs' Year Book. 
I hog all the fun! 

So, I had just finished 

putting memories together for 20 other families

 and I open my gift,

memories

just for me!

I cried!

So touched!

I can truly appreciate 

the hours of combing through life's memories 

to find just the right ones, 

but the added joy of her compliments and thoughts

about me

was beyond words.

No gift could top it.

Sorry.

A True Treasure!

Sooo, I couldn't wait to get her back with love, memories and fun thoughts! 

So this is what I made for her. 

I wish I would have thought of this for all of my 

SuperCloseBestyFriendsTurningForty, 

but maybe I still can!

This is a repurposed Nancy Drew book.

I was lucky enough to take a class at Scrapbook Territory on Fourth Street in Berkeley.

The book has been painted and embellished into high Heaven, stuffed with memories, stories, and love.

I want to show it to you as inspiration.

I was delighted to take scrapbooking to a more refined level.

So here are a few more peeks.

Inside cover.

Front page.

I love that she laughs at my jokes!

That page on the right was fashioned from a paper lunch bag and acts like a pocket.

Beautiful paper clips attach photos. I did this a few times because I knew that she hadn't seen some of the pictures I had. She has the option of framing them since they are loosely attached.

Here I attached a series of pics. I love these!

I am a junky for beautiful paper! I used a plethora of patterns, colors and sizes to make each page stand out from the last. Here I have a small ticket size card that I made and embellished both sides. The story on the back was a very personal one, so I opted that she could remove it easily and tuck it into one of the pockets or envelopes found in this book. I staged it where she would find it easily.

There is a whole galaxy of trinkets available out there. Here's one that I love. I positioned it on the back inside cover so that she'd end on a fun note. (Get it? the paper under the broach is piano music!)

I can't show you every page. After all, this is for my SweetFriend. I just wanted to give you an idea of how full and stuffed with fun this baby is. One of the pages in an envelope is filled with little jewels, card and fun things that remind me of her.

There are so many things you can do with a handmade gift like this.

I hope you feel inspired.

I'm already dreaming up the next one, collecting things, and combing through boxes of photos.

When I get to that point, I'll try and show you some tricks, but if you ever find a class on how to make these little dreamy books of memories-TAKE THE CLASS!

You want to take a class because they hook you up with everything you need and demonstrate products that I never would have looked at prior to the class.

Dear Jill,

You are such a special person. 

There truly are not words for the beauty you bring to this life 

and to the people who share it with you.

This world is blessed to have you. 

I hope your birthday is filled with all the tenderness 

and joy 

that you shower on others during their special celebrations. 

I hope your heart captures for at least a moment, how dear you are to me. 

This book is a piece of my heart. 

And I hope you enjoy it forever!

Lots of Love,

Olie

I am passionate about packaging!
Especially, 
after putting a piece of my heart into that book,
the packaging needed to set a tone.
I will do a future posting on my obsession with ribbon 
and my long term relationship with the ribbon wall
at Richard's Craft Store.
I started by taking my gift to the ribbon wall so that I could
choose colors that complimented the home spun
vintage vibe of the cover.
Layering ribbons is one of my signature tricks 
for dressing up
a gift.
I felt like this gift was asking for three ribbons.
A wide 2" satin gold ribbon, a 1" church punch pink color,
and the top layer that gorgeous chocolaty brown 
vintage looking lace.
I then took it all over to my sweet friend Missy at
Twigss Floral Studio
and asked her if she had any ideas for the fabric.
Use your resources.
 A floral designer 
a person with the joy
and knowledge of how to make
all kinds of things look pretty
and are often delighted to share their expertise.
After fussing over a few boxes 
she uncovers about a 1/2 yard of burlap.
Perfect.
We wrapped a plain shipping box
with the burlap,
finessed it until we got the look we liked,
I layered up my ribbon and just knotted it at the top.
When you layer ribbon
sometimes it makes a bow look big and sloppy.
A simple knot worked!
Also, I had planned to hot glue my ribbons together, 
a painstaking risky plan,
but Missy suggested her turbo-sticky industrial strength
invisible glue dots. 
I just tacked a few pieces is select spots
and the lay of the ribbons 
turned out beautiful.
Once we tied it up
I felt like it needed some sparkle.
I thought a fresh flower might be nice 
but it would not have lasted 
until the party.
So I walked down to a little vintage boutique
on Prospect and found
a broach 
that finished it off
perfectly!

Of course, 

The broach becomes part of the gift too!

I decided to show you this

not just because

it's pretty,

but also because it shows how 

the package really sets the stage

for what is waiting inside.

And in this case,

it was a bit of a group effort!

Thrifty Finds

Last Saturday I posted that Calli and I were going to do some Back to School shopping.

Here's how we scored!

$20

Twenty bucks!

For all of this:

All items from Danville Thrift Station. 

I also picked up 2 banana cream colored pillow cases to make some dresses for little girls orphaned by the earthquake in Haiti.

All of these items, with tax, came to $20, not bad for Back to School bling!

The shoes are from Brass Plum and look brand, spanking new! 

Five bucks!

The ruffled, polka dot blouse is brand Twenty One and it was four bucks.

The sequined tank is American Rag Cie and was four bucks.

The dress, DARLING!

She wore it out of the store!

$5

Some ideas to style it up:

These are some accessories from her closet.

Punchy floral tights, Love earrings, and disco clutch.

So Cute!

I suggested she get a hot pink ribbon to wear as a high belt too. 

But her own ideas are clever enough.

The sheer polka dot blouse she plans to wear as a jacket over bright saturated colored tanks.

Don't forget nail color, sheer gloss, and a few more things from the closet.

I hope this encourages you to scour some of your local thrift stores before you hit the old stand by chain stores. You really can find super things. We are new to embracing the Reuse/Recycle way of life, but we're taking baby steps. Purchases like this inspire me to press in and engage in it even more.

I hope you are inspired too!

MVP's Recipe #1

I received a request for recipes using the goodies I brought home from last Saturday's Farmer's Market. I had posted pictures of what I called "Most Valuable Players". This is not the appetizer that I mentioned, but I promise it's coming. 

This is just a light lunch I put together, using these ingredients. 

First I sliced up the Tomato in thick slices 

and the Lemon Cucumber in thin slivers.

I didn't photograph every step. 

It's almost intuitive what you will do with these ingredients.

Layer.

I started water to poach a Farm Fresh Egg because I was STARVING and needed the protein blast to this light little wimpy, BUT SCRUMPTIOUS, lunch. 

Poached Egg optional.

I minced the clove of Garlic.

I set that juicy, sensual slice of tomato in the center of a salad plate.

Drizzled the Persian Lime Olive Oil

 in a little pool on top of the Tomato and let some drops land on sides of the plate for later dragging.

I set some Lemon Cucumbers on there and did a light oil drizzle again.

I planted those tiny bits of Garlic over it.

I also lightly drizzled my new FAVORITE vinegar, Coconut Vinegar!

(Oh, you know that is a future posting.)

Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar or Balsamic would make a fine alternate.

I sprinkled liberally with Sea Salt, Pepper, and that Goat Milk Feta.

This cheese is gorgeous.

Salty, soft and luscious.

Then I got busy topping it off with the Lemon Basil leaves. They are very small leaves compared to their cousin Basil Leaf which would be a fine substitute if you don't have the luxury of this item. 

So I left the tiny leaves whole.

I salted and peppered again.

I admired how fresh, bright and nutritious it looked.

I smiled thinking of how I was going to savor every little feminine bite.

But DA-ANG! 

I was STARVING 

and getting a little impatient. 

Snapping shots was stalling my indulgence.

So I remembered that Farm Fresh Poached Egg and set that on the plate too.

I salted and peppered again lightly. 
In a future posting I will explain why I use ONLY Celtic Sea Salt and why I do not give a second thought to the liberal use of it. Stay tuned. If you are using normal iodized table salt, then sprinkle lightly.

Yeeaahhh!

That's good and all but I was HUNGRY!!!

And starting to get grumpy because I took so long on the last picture that I didn't get the Poached Perfection I was anticipating.

So I just layered a bunch more goodness on the side.

Not pretty, but it didn't matter at this point. 

I had already eaten half the egg!