warming up with wool

it feels like fall ...time to pull out all the wool knits  to warm up with... mushroom, bark and fog palette  in blankets and throws seem just right this season ...photos by marili forastieri

sunday supper from the farmstand

this first weekend of fall, the farmstands are still brimming with tomatoes and figs and its a perfect lazy sunday to cook...one of my favorite recipes is ratatouille from alice waters cookbook,  the art of simple food.   I'll make a tart with mozzarella and marinara, have a dry red wine and serve fresh  figs with a drizzle of cream for dessert

recipe for ratatouille:

• 1 medium or 2 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more to taste
• 2 medium onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 4 to 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 bunch of basil, tied in a bouquet with kitchen twine + 6 basil leaves, chopped
• pinch of dried chile flakes
• 2 sweet peppers, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 medium summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• Salt to taste

1. Toss the eggplant cubes with a teaspoon or so of salt. Set the cubes in a colander to drain for about 20 minutes.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Pat the eggplant dry, add to the pan, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden. Add a bit more oil if the eggplant absorbs all the oil and sticks to the bottom of the pan. Remove the eggplant when done and set aside.
3. In the same pot, pour in 2 more tablespoons olive oil. Add onions and cook for about 7 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic, basil bouquet, dried chile flakes, and a bit more salt.
4. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, then stir in peppers. Cook for a few more minutes, then stir in summer squash. Cook for a few more minutes, then stir in tomatoes.
5. Cook for 10 minutes longer, then stir in eggplant and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more, until all the vegetables are soft. Remove the bouquet of basil, pressing on it to extract all its flavors, and adjust the seasoning with salt.
6. Stir in the chopped basil leaves and more extra virgin olive oil, to taste. Serve warm or cold.

wood serving boards are on our minds...

We have a great collection of cutting boards that we use for everything...love that the Frolic blog mentioned using them as "breakfast boards" for breads, rolls, toast, jam and butter...This morning Remodelista gave a great tip about using one side for cutting and one side for serving...we use some for food prep, some  for chargers in tablesettings, some for serving individual pizzas and quesadillas,  cheeses with honey and biscuits, seasonal fruits, blueberry tarts, homemade cookies, and lots more...these are available at http://thenewgeneralstore.myshopify.com/collections/the-table/products/wood-serving-board

cotton blanket

as the last days of summer get cooler, this cream cotton knit blanket is perfect to warm up with...
from the new general store collection...photo by marili forastieri

summer supper in the studio

After an art show opening in Bellport last week, I hosted a dinner for family and friends of the artist ...perfect summer weather for drinks at the dock and then a buffet of summer salads from the local farmstand: heirloom tomato + mozzarella with basil, penne with mint pesto + walnuts, arugula with yellow figs+ chunks of pecorino, orzo with black olives + sun dried tomatoes, panzanella with yellow tomatoes + herb toasted croutons...grilled peaches for dessert, but the showstopper was a large white pizza on a cutting board cut into small squares for hors d'oeuvres! Rose' and sparkling Prosecco were chilled in large silver punch bowls...the tables were set with simple beige linen cloths and dinnerware, clear glass bottles and cylinders were filled with white wildflowers and candles... 

my paint palette

 I had such a nice time visiting with Jane Dagmi as she interviewed me for her Benjamin Moore blog on color...of course my favorite colors are  mostly in the white  to gray range.... I loved pulling out all my favorites  and sharing them with her!  you can read the interview with lots of shots of my house at http://www.colorchats.com/2012/07/intrinsically-tricia-foley

China Closet - One Kings Lane

Today is the last day of the One Kings Lane Sale ...has been fun reconnecting with old friends and seeing what the favorites are from my collections...so much has sold, and I'm thrilled they are going to good homes, but still lots of china and chairs left! My china closet was featured  a few years ago in the China & Glass book  and is filled with beautiful English creamware and crystal...photograph by Simon Upton