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January 10, 2014

Maple Walnut Baked Oatmeal

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Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month?
The first time I ate baked oatmeal was several years back while attending a
family reunion at Camp Hebron in Halifax, Pennsylvania.
At the breakfast buffet, I helped myself to a square of what I thought to be oatmeal cake.
As I began to eat it as I would a chunk of cornbread, I was promptly reprimanded
by my little sister, who is ever-wise in such matters (and then some.)
"No, no," she said, "You pour milk over it like this."
I humbly obeyed, and so began my love affair with baked oatmeal.

Since then, when visiting her in Harrisburg, we've gone to the local 
Bagel Lover's Cafe and enjoyed some there.
Baked oatmeal is an Amish dish, so it's well-known in central Pennsylvania, 
but alas, I have yet to find it on a menu in my Philadelphia area.
I knew I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands.
This maple walnut version adds 2 of my favorite things,
resulting in a go-to dish for a warm, cozy breakfast!



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Maple Walnut Baked Oatmeal

2 1/4 C old fashioned oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 1/2 C milk
4 T melted butter
1/2 C brown sugar, packed
1/4 C pure maple syrup
1/2 C roughly chopped walnuts
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, walnuts and brown sugar.
In another bowl, beat together the milk, eggs and maple syrup.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well.
Pour oatmeal into prepared pan and drizzle melted butter over top.
Stir gently and place in over for 45 to 55 minutes until golden brown.



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 I love using the OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup,  available here.


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I found this recipe online at eat, live, run.


January 8, 2014

Lisa Congdon’s Nordic-Inspired Art

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Lisa Congdon, of Oakland, California, is a successful artist, author and illustrator.
Not only that, but she has also licensed her art for fabric, bedding, kitchen linens, & wallpaper.

Lisa's Nordic-inspired collection is perfectly suited for these cold 
January days, with our wintry Pennsylvania temps in the single digits!

So, what, geographically speaking, is meant by "Nordic?"
The root word "nord" is French for "north", and so by "Nordic", 
we refer to the northern European countries of 
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland.
They're also known as Scandinavia.


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 I was drawn to Lisa's choices of bold colors.
Her brightly patterned collages within her drawings pack a lively punch!



Folk Haus



Sami Woman



Folk Forest



Polar Bear No. 2




Iceberg




Sami Girl



Hooded Reindeer



Nordic Fisherman



Visit Lisa Congdon Art & Illustration's





Images used with direct permission from Lisa Congdon.

January 6, 2014

My Hideaway Felt Brooches



Oh, my goodness.
I am just enamoured with these fun felt brooches from My Hideaway!
Mary's creative goal of bringing "more joy into the world through
color and texture, whimsy and playfulness"
is surely met through each of these delightful pieces of jewelry.


























Visit My Hideaway on Etsy!
Mary is offering my readers a 10% discount
through January 2014.
Use coupon code PAISLEY.
Appreciate that, Mary!





Images used with direct permission from Mary.

January 3, 2014

Mount Vernon, Virginia

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Being a fan of American history,
especially of the American Revolution,
and especially of George Washington,
I had always longed to visit George's Virginia home, Mount Vernon.
It was a real treat to tour the estate and to hear such interesting stories about his life there!

The original one and a half story farmhouse was built in 1735 by George's father. 
Over several decades, George enlarged it to a grand 21 room mansion.



Imagine sitting out on the piazza to enjoy this view of the Potomac River!

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An enormous pecan tree beside the house!
(Plus my hubby waiting patiently while I take my pics.)

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A long distance view of the front of the mansion.

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Closer, showing one of the covered colonnades,
with a glimpse of the river behind it.

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Although I enjoyed seeing the mansion's beautiful interior,
I was disappointed that photography wasn't permitted.

Here's one of the outbuildings - the kitchen house.
The marble cutting board and the mortar & pestle are originals.

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The stone masonry walls of Mount Vernon are actually wood.
A faux treatment called "rustication" was used.
Pine boards are bevelled and painted, and then sand is thrown on the wet paint.
Pretty nifty for that time period, wasn't it?

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George Washington was buried in the original family vault,
just a short walk from the main house.

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In his will, Washington gave instructions to have a new vault built.
George's and Martha's remains, plus those of other family members,
were moved to the new tomb.

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We had the fortunate timing to be present to watch a wreath-laying ceremony.

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"...it is my will and desire that 
all the slaves which I hold in my own right 
shall receive their freedom."
-The Last Will and Testament of George Washington, 1799

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Adjacent to the family tomb is a memorial
to the slaves at Mount Vernon.

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Plan a trip of your own to