a few favorite things

stoneware bowls, linen napkins,  teak cake servers and rustic glass bottles...a few of our favorite things at the new general store event this saturday on long island...please visit us here or online at www.thenewgeneralstore.com

spicy pumpkin soup

making gallons of this soup  for our new general store event on sunday...i found the recipe on ronda
carman's all the best blog last year and it has become a staple in my house this fall season..so easy, so delicious, so comforting on these cool days.
 

spicy pumpkin soup

ingredients:

3 1/2 cups vegetable stock

1 cup whipping cream

30 oz. canned pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

garnish:

grated parmesan

chopped fresh cilantro

toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts

herb pan-fried croutons

bring vegetable stock and whipping cream to boil in heavy medium pot.

whisk in canned pumpkin, cumin, chili powder, coriander and nutmeg.

reduce heat to medium, simmer until soup thickens slightly + flavors blend for 15minutes.

season to taste with salt and pepper.

ladle soup into bowls. garnish. serve.

thanksgiving in the country

stocking up on firewood and kindling for thanksgiving weekend, tucking in these creamy pumpkins everywhere!

getting ready for Thanksgiving

the thanksgiving holiday is starting early as i have houseguests coming this weekend, and i'm setting the table with my favorite things from the new general store...stacks of linen placemats and napkins, the stemless  glasses and slate place card holders...the wood pizza boards are perfect for serving cheeses and i'll have a pitcher of local cider...my favorite serving pieces from barbara eigen will be pressed into service too...i love all the natural linens and woods and artisanal glass and pottery for an autumnal look !   www.thenewgeneralstore.com

A Visit to London

                        Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

                         Bailey's Home + Garden, Herefordshire

I've just come back from a week in London and have had so many requests for my favorite places, I've decided to post it !

My  London  List:

Breakfast/Brunch at THE WOLSLEY

PORTOBELLO ROAD antiquing on Saturday

NOTTING HILL  area wandering

DOVER STREET MARKET - ROSE CAFE for light lunch tea

BOND STREET shops/ galleries

EGG - inspirational shop on Kinnerton Street

MARGARET HOWELL- classic English clothes with an edge

COS (new favorite black clothes shop!)

TATE MODERN- Gerhard Richter show + great art bookshop

DESIGN MUSEUM - Butlers Wharf
SIR JOHN SOANE MUSEUM- a step into the past, amazing house of 18th c architect + his obsessions

BEN PENTREITH - unique English home accessories
PERSEPHONE - classic women's books in beautiful bindings

DAYLESFORD shop - today's style organic food, cafe + home goods  (Notting Hill or Pimlico)

THE ORANGE - chic new gastropub on Pimlico Road

PIMLICO ROAD- home/antiques shops

LIBERTY'S - the original London department store

WHITE COMPANY  - all white bed/bath/at home wear/childrens' clothes

FEW + FAR -  artisanal home accessories/jewelry/fashion

VICTORIA + ALBERT MUSEUM - rich with decorative arts exhibits, new food galleries/restaurants

V+ A READING ROOMS - great  new bookshop cafe

STAR OF INDIA - the best Indian food...try the coconut nan + string beans with cashews

CABBAGES + ROSES - quintessential English country house fabrics/ fashion/ soft home accessories

COLUMBIA ROAD - flower market, antique shops, HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY for cupcakes + ANGELA FLANDERS for custom fragrances

LABOR + WAIT - traditional household goods.

AESOP'S - bath and beauty products boutique

STORY- romantic and rustic setting with the best pizzas

ALBION - cool grocery and restaurant

If you have access to a car for an afternoon:

PETERSHAM NURSERIES for the best garden accessories and lunch in their garden setting

Train accessible:

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERIES - the first art museum, designed by Sir John Soane 

GREENWICH - Maritime Museum and a stroll through this 18th century setting

KEW GARDENS- the most magical greenhouse

Favorite Day trips:

BAILEY'S HOME AND GARDEN in Herefordshire

BATH for a Georgian architecture experience and a visit to Jane Austen's world

OXFORD - train to the Ashmolean + Pitt Rivers Museums and a pub to settle into

in the kitchen

it finally feels like fall and i'm so glad its the weekend...time for a fire, potting up bulbs, a pot of tea and some jane austen...