Sorry Charlie Tuna Salad
Note: the recipe calls for fresh tuna boiled but we use canned tuna and it's delish.
- 1 lb Tuna
- 1 small Red Onion
- ¾ c. Chopped Celery
- ¼ c. Chopped Dill
- 2 c. Mayonnaise
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 Tbs. White Vinegar
Sorry Charlie
We love to eat fish as long as it's wild and in season but sometimes (especially during lent) we resort to the can, as in canned tuna. But not just any canned tuna, we only buy American Tuna (sold at Whole Foods), it's definitely on the pricey side but it's worth it. As stated on their website, the difference compared to the other brands is the taste and quality, the high levels of Omega III, low mercury levels, no fillers, no broth, or water added, "once cooked" in its own natural juices and much more. We love it!
It's good enough to just sprinkle with salt & pepper and eat plain but we always like to doctor things up so I'm sharing our favorite tuna salad recipe, courtesy of GOOP (one of my favorite sites).
Sorry Charlie Tuna Salad
Note: the recipe calls for fresh tuna boiled but we use canned tuna and it's delish.
Sorry Charlie Tuna Salad
Note: the recipe calls for fresh tuna boiled but we use canned tuna and it's delish.
My First Estate Sale
I just got back from my first Estate Sale. I found out about the sale after a recent visit to Mitchell Sotka. I pop in Mitch's store at least once a month or as often as I can because he always has one-of-a-kind pieces. I learned (the very hard way) that if you like something, buy it on the spot because the chances it's there next week is slim to none (I'm still upset about these vintage cocktail glasses I loved and went back a few weeks later to buy and they were gone). With that said, there is a mirror that I stalk and it's been there for almost a year. Every time I walk in the store I say...."just here to visit my mirror". Mitch actually lowered the price one time by a couple hundred dollars (I think we both thought it might be enough for Rick to give the ok) - wishful thinking. Fortunately (for me) it hasn't sold yet but I know it will and when it does, it will be the "one mirror that got away".
Turns out Mitchell Sotka was hosting this particular Estate Sale so I put my name in and signed up to attend. Ironically, it was at a house just a couple doors down from our very good friend, C Monster. I had NO idea what to expect and Rick wasn't the happiest about getting dragged along but turns out we both had a really great time and we each left with our own purchases.
Our ticket totaled $24.00. The three ladies ahead of us were in the $400 - $600 range. Here are some pics from Mitchell's site pre-sale. Although there was a lot of neat stuff, it just wasn't our style so our purchases were more self-fulfilling/buy-it-cause-it's-cheap type of thing.
My first grab was this $10 blueberry wreath. I have a thing for wreaths and typically can't find one I like for under $40 so although it's not amazing, I thought it might work in July (after I add some details of course) - or who knows, maybe I wont even use it all and it will end up in the garage sale this summer.
Like I said, we didn't leave with much but it was a really neat experience and we're both definitely up for doing another one.
Turns out Mitchell Sotka was hosting this particular Estate Sale so I put my name in and signed up to attend. Ironically, it was at a house just a couple doors down from our very good friend, C Monster. I had NO idea what to expect and Rick wasn't the happiest about getting dragged along but turns out we both had a really great time and we each left with our own purchases.
Our ticket totaled $24.00. The three ladies ahead of us were in the $400 - $600 range. Here are some pics from Mitchell's site pre-sale. Although there was a lot of neat stuff, it just wasn't our style so our purchases were more self-fulfilling/buy-it-cause-it's-cheap type of thing.
My first grab was this $10 blueberry wreath. I have a thing for wreaths and typically can't find one I like for under $40 so although it's not amazing, I thought it might work in July (after I add some details of course) - or who knows, maybe I wont even use it all and it will end up in the garage sale this summer.
Then we found the library (thank goodness, something to occupy Rick) - he spent the entire time here rummaging through hundreds of books. Rick loves books and for only $1.00 each, he couldnt resist a handful. I myself found a book, Book of Interior Decoration copyright date 1954. I thought it would be fun to compare the styles of today and the 50's. Again, for a $1.00
, why not?
, why not?We searched the kitchen, hoping to find an old cast iron pan that had 50 years of seasoning but no such luck. The upstairs was filled with art, mostly of different animals but nothing that suited our style. Somehow I landed on a box of six small birds nests. I guess the thought of Easter being a few weeks away got the best of me because for $8, I had to have it.
Like I said, we didn't leave with much but it was a really neat experience and we're both definitely up for doing another one.
We Fancy: Hudson Baby Bourbon
Occasionally I will beg ask my husband to do a post so this one's on him (pun-intended)!
Who says that you can't get good bourbon outside the state of Kentucky!! This post is not meant to be a snide against the Bluegrass State, but more of a recognition of a great whiskey made elsewhere. Hudson Baby Bourbon is the first bourbon distilled in the state of New York since prohibition. It's aged for only 4 years in Oak (hence the name "Baby"), and is extremely smooth with just enough oak. For my own taste, I say there's no other way to drink this stuff other than neat or with a couple ice cubes. Makes a great gift for any guy (as long as he's not mixing it with a bunch of other crap). I also know that Katie loves the look of this bottle on our bar. As a side note, the bottle cork comes sealed in wax, to open all you have to do is take any blade and cut below the ledge that protrudes halfway down the wax seal. Also, unfortunately we don't have distributors in Cleveland so you'll have to pick some up while in NY or Chicago. Rick
Who says that you can't get good bourbon outside the state of Kentucky!! This post is not meant to be a snide against the Bluegrass State, but more of a recognition of a great whiskey made elsewhere. Hudson Baby Bourbon is the first bourbon distilled in the state of New York since prohibition. It's aged for only 4 years in Oak (hence the name "Baby"), and is extremely smooth with just enough oak. For my own taste, I say there's no other way to drink this stuff other than neat or with a couple ice cubes. Makes a great gift for any guy (as long as he's not mixing it with a bunch of other crap). I also know that Katie loves the look of this bottle on our bar. As a side note, the bottle cork comes sealed in wax, to open all you have to do is take any blade and cut below the ledge that protrudes halfway down the wax seal. Also, unfortunately we don't have distributors in Cleveland so you'll have to pick some up while in NY or Chicago. Rick
The 5 Question Game
We play "5 questions" with our friends a lot. We play it randomly - during road trips to pass car-time, via BBM on Sunday nights when the anxiety sets in, dinner parties to keep the conversation going, sometimes even mid-day/mid-week I'll get a random 5 question text - name your favorite season.
Technically, we play 1 question or 2 question more often than 5. I love this game because I've learned things about my friends (and even my husband) that I never knew.
In the spirit of sharing because I've got my ipod playing for background noise while working today, here are some of my top picks by artist in true "5-question" style:
1) What is your favorite Elton John song? Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
2) What is your favorite Van Morrison song? Spanish Rose
3) What is your favorite Beatles song? There are too many to list! We recently saw LOVE in Vegas and it turned me on to Octopus's Garden but can't say that's my favorite. That question is too hard to answer.
4) What is your favorite Jimmy Buffet song? A Pirate Looks at Forty (2nd: Who's the Blonde Stranger)
5) What is your favorite Pogues song? Love you till the End (2nd: Fairytale of New York)
If you think one of your favorites is less than obvious - shoot me a note at growingmaplewood@gmail.com, I'm always up for tyring something new.
Technically, we play 1 question or 2 question more often than 5. I love this game because I've learned things about my friends (and even my husband) that I never knew.
In the spirit of sharing because I've got my ipod playing for background noise while working today, here are some of my top picks by artist in true "5-question" style:
1) What is your favorite Elton John song? Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
2) What is your favorite Van Morrison song? Spanish Rose
3) What is your favorite Beatles song? There are too many to list! We recently saw LOVE in Vegas and it turned me on to Octopus's Garden but can't say that's my favorite. That question is too hard to answer.
4) What is your favorite Jimmy Buffet song? A Pirate Looks at Forty (2nd: Who's the Blonde Stranger)
5) What is your favorite Pogues song? Love you till the End (2nd: Fairytale of New York)
If you think one of your favorites is less than obvious - shoot me a note at growingmaplewood@gmail.com, I'm always up for tyring something new.
Bar Cart - NY Inspiration
After a recent trip to New York City I came home inspired to improve our BAR set up. This was our current set up.
Pure depression. In my defense, this is a rather weak representation, our Bar wouldn't normally look this way but the Dining room has been a mess for a couple months (painting) so I've put zero effort into this room and the bar has suffered greatly. But you get the picture. We have the Modular Bar Buffet from Pottery Barn which is a great piece, can't complain. BUT. I just felt the need for something more sophisticated, in both the decorative and liquor realm.
A great thanks to our friends Nam & Brooke who not only hosted us to the perfect day in NYC but also inspired us to improve our brown palette (brown meaning whiskey). For anyone that knows us, you're probably thinking that Rick doesn't can't drink whiskey. This is true. Regardless, Nam & Brooke have an impressive mix of brown in their Upper West side apt and I left feeling like ours was childs-play.
But the inspiration didn't stop there. We ended a long day of juicing at the Little Branch
Doesn't look like much, does it? Don't be fooled. Somewhere between the metal straws (which they sell & I bought 6 of) and the fist size ice cubes, I fell in love with a different style of drink, best summed up by this quote on their menu:
Certain gentleman of other days, who made of drinking one of the pleasures of life - not one of it's evils; and who, whatever they drank, proved able to carry it, keep their heads and remain gentleman even in their cups. Their example is commended to their posterity.
I also grabbed a copy of the "Rules of this Bar", I couldn't help but share this one rule:
Do not bring anyone here unless you would leave that person alone in your home. You are responsible for the behaviour of your guests.
Hilarious considering I'm sure we all have that one friend we wouldn't leave alone in our house with alcohol.
The bar was sophisticated and had a true appreciation for ingredients, that, combined with our good company (Nam & Brooke) it was a perfect storm of inspiration!
So back to the post at hand - Bar Cart! I had remembered seeing a bar cart at Restoration Hardware awhile back but after checking their site, it was no longer available. I spent an evening googling bar carts and I found a lot I liked but they were all in the $1000 range. I had pretty much given up until....
We had to go out to RH for rug samples and while checking out, I asked the lady if they had plans to bring back their bar carts (other than the current wood one they offer). She said no but if I left my number, she would check to see if there were any left in the stock room. An hour later, we got a call that they had ONE left. So of course we zipped over there and when they pulled it out the price tag read Gable Bar Cart $599 - yikes! Let's just say, I loved it but not $600 in love. So I asked what they could do on the price and after a few agonizing minutes, she came back and said $199!!!! Sold! I just couldn't pass it up.
So here is a pic of our new Bar cart from online. I have a long list of to do's before I can share the real-life version. Stay tuned! Until then, cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
