what happened to tidbits?

Hello there! Since I discovered Pinterest, I have pretty much stopped blogging on here, because I can save all the pretty things I find on there! I have also started another blog: the rainy kitchen

sweet living room

I think this little space is pretty much perfectly put together. I love the painted wooden trunk for a coffee table and the shades of purple mixed in with the black and white. The chandelier gives the room a touch of sparkle without being over the top. Cozy and unique.

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rosie on the green carpet

Last spring Rosie and I did a fun little "Green Carpet" thing together. It's sponsored by Shoe Fly, our fabulous local shoe store and is a fundraiser for Juneau's Humane Society, you have to dress your pup to match your shoes. I made this silly little costume for Rosie and wore my favorite red shoes (Fluevogs, how can you go wrong?). We won a $150 gift certificate to Shoe Fly! This year we weren't going to do it, just because I wasn't feeling like I had the time, but then Shoe Fly sent out these pictures and I discovered that Rosie is on the front page of their web site...and I started brain storming a little outfit for her to go with my current favorite Shoe Fly shoes. So...if I can get it together, we'll be doing it again this year. We'll see, lots to do. Stay tuned... xo

a tipi in amsterdam

This tipi was found in a concept shop in Amsterdam, I love it! If I did not live such a damp climate, I'd totally make this for my yard. A perfect reading spot for my sun sensitive man and a fabulous place to retreat after soaking up too much of it. Ahhh. Alas I think we'd have to cover it with plastic tarps here in Juneau in order for it to last any length of time. Maybe we'll have a dry summer...

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a lovely home in formentera

As I have mentioned, we have been super busy with chicks, pups, chickens old house, and life in general...thus my dwindling blog posts. However, I just had to share this beautiful home in Formentera, Spain with you. Formentera is the smallest and farthest south island of the Pine Islands, in the Mediterranean. I fantasize about visiting there one day, but until I do, pictures will have to stand in. I think this place is just so amazing! I love the wood and the stone and the simplicity of it all. Gorgeous! Enjoy.

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lunch in the garden

It was beautiful today in Juneau and we were doing more house projects. We did take a quick break for an easy lunch of smoked salmon collars, olives, and fresh bread toasted with soft cheese and prosciutto in the yard. This was all accompanied by S. Pellegrino with fresh lemon. Delicious and simple. Perfect for a busy day with a divine break for lunch.

photo via tidbits

babies!

Today we got our baby chickens. We ordered ten with a friend and each took home five. We have three Barred Rocks and two Rhode Island Reds. They are so tiny and only three days old. They were shipped here from Missouri and their two day travel started on day one of their lives. Amazing! We are keeping them inside in a large plastic container until they have feathers and can stay warm outside (they'll be inside for 2-3 months). We have to keep them very warm (90-100 degrees right now) and make sure their little box is always clean and that they have fresh water and food. They are so cute and super tiny!

Here is a photo of Rosie checking them out, she thinks they're pretty cute too! More soon!

photo via tidbits

spring blooms

One of my favorite things about this time of year in Alaska is collecting the twigs about to burst into bloom with leaves and berries. Two of the types I like best are pussy willows and blueberries.

Pussy willows, are so fabulous because you can collect them in the spring and keep them all year! In order to preserve them, I never put them in water. I bring them home and put them in dry vases. I love them in these silver vases that were my grandmother's, but they are great in a mason jar too!

Blueberries have the most lovely bell shaped pink blossoms. This year, with all the amazing weather we've had the last few weeks, the blueberries are already in bloom! I usually like to collect them and let them bloom in the house, before they get any leaves, but I didn't get there this year. They were all in bloom by the time I went collecting. They are gorgeous in the antique glass vase my mom recently sent me. These do need lots of water so they last as long as possible.

So, if you haven't done it yet, it's time to go twig collecting. There are so many lovely ones out there right now! They make for fabulous decor inside and out. Happy gathering :)

Photos via tidbits

spring halibut

Last night we ate our first fresh halibut of the season. So good. We bought if from our favorite fish shop in Juneau. It's very expensive this time of year, but here is a tip... Often times fish mongers will give a discount on the fillet tips and other cuts that just aren't as pretty. So, yesterday I got some not so pretty pieces of fresh halibut and cooked it up for dinner on the porch. It was a beautiful spring day in Juneau and having fresh fish for dinner is one of the things that makes me feel so fortunate in this life.

My favorite way to cook fresh halibut is with some combination of lemon, white wine, garlic and butter. In the summer I use fresh dill, but this time of year I use capers. Either way, it's delicious. Try it out. You can use this recipe with really any fresh fish.

The key to delicious halibut is not to overcook it. I learned how to do this from my dad, who is the best fish cook I know. People who say they don't like halibut have usually had it overcooked. Which is too bad, because it should be a fluffy, light and creamy fish. The key to not overcooking halibut is watching it carefully and taking it off the heat when it's opaque, even a tinge pink. It should not be a solid white.

Ok, I will stop babbling, here is the recipe, good for one lb. of halibut:

In a fry pan, saute 2-3 cloves garlic in 3tbs butter
While garlic is cooking, drizzle a bit of olive oil over the halibut and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Ad a few splashes of white wine to the butter and garlic saute.
Place the fish in (heat should be a bit under medium)
Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the top of the fish and place some slices of lemon on the fish.
Sprinkle with capers.
Cover pan and occasionally spoon mixture over the fish. Cook until perfectly opaque. When in doubt, turn it off and leave covered for a few moments.
Enjoy with a glass of your favorite white wine and good company as fresh goodies like this should always be shared.
Happy Spring!

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spring

Happy Spring Equinox, my dears. We celebrated by having our first dinner of the season on the front porch. I am thankful for nights like this. xo

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happy weekend

Even though it's snowing, I know spring is coming - or at least I keep trying to remind myself that it is. Here is to finding a peaceful path this weekend, wherever you are and whatever the weather is doing, spring is coming... xo

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kitchen conversions

Love these kitchen charts! Pretty and useful. You can get them from the store site on the food blog, Chasing Delicious. I think I might order one for my newly painted kitchen. There are other charts for sale, I just like these two best. Enjoy!

happy weekend

I am planning to walk the dogs, read my book, clean the house and catch up on some sleep this weekend. Have a lovely and restful one, my dears. xo

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ah...paris

Love this Paris apartment. The whites combined with the earthy tones give it such a relaxing feel. Beautiful. I'd like to live here...

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a relaxing read

Happy Wednesday. I'd love to be reading a book right in this spot today. So beautiful and perfect.

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spacious entryway

I can't imagine (nor would I want) a house big enough to have an entry way this size, but I do love the look of this space. Lots of baskets for storage and a bench to get yourself ready on, make a lot of sense to me. The black and white color theme with the earthiness of the wood, is crisp and classic.

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lovely dining rooms

I love both of these dining rooms. Simple and uncluttered. The cement floors are clean and chic. Our dining room table is painted black, and I have been thinking about painting it white to brighten up the space. I do love this black table though. Hmmm...hard to decide.

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happy friday

I love this bright and cheery dining room space. Look at those windows! The rustic table is hearty and perfect. I hope you have a lovely weekend, my dears and have some time to gather 'round your own table with loved ones. xo

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photo love

Perfect.

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beautiful bedrooms

I hope you had a relaxing weekend, my dears. I had a fabulous weekend being spoiled by my husband and my girlfriends for my birthday. I am such a lucky gal!

At any rate, as I have mentioned before, I am slowly getting our bedroom to where I'd like it to be. There is still much to be done though, and I do like to keep getting ideas. Here are some that I found particularly serene. Enjoy.

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