Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Croissant Bread Pudding...

epicurious.com

Ingredients:
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup pecans
Canola oil for greasing
2 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean
4 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 day-old croissants
2 tablespoons coarsely grated bittersweet chocolate (from about 1 ounce)
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to broil.

Put the cherries in a small bowl, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 20 minutes, then drain.

Spread the pecans out in a pie tin, place on the middle rack of the oven, and carefully watch for 1 to 2 minutes or until the nuts are golden. Cool, then chop.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease two ovenproof bowls (with 4-inch diameters) with canola oil.

Add the heavy cream to a medium saucepan. Slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds from the pod into the liquid, then add the pod. Simmer over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the vanilla bean pod.

Combine egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together. Slowly pour in the cream mixture while whisking.

Tear the croissants into 6 pieces each and place in a medium bowl, then cover with the remaining cream and egg mixture. Allow the croissants to absorb the liquid for about 10 minutes. Add the cherries.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared bowls and sprinkle the top of each bowl with the chocolate and toasted pecans. Place them in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until set, then serve.

B L A C K . . .





Without black, no color has any depth.
I love it as it lightens to gray with
its many variations along the way.
Images via decorology's flickr photostream

Artist's Studio...


Ludwig Interior Design

Wow — what an inspirational space!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Collage A Day...

The Race
The Flower
St. Catherine of Siena
Living
Country Letter
Northern Kentucky artist Randel Plowman
creates these wonderful collage pieces
and sells them via his blog —
These are just a few of my favorites
from his lengthy collection.
Thanks to Lucy for sharing information
about this talented man.

Monday, November 30, 2009

French perfection...

Photo: Gilles Trillard

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Measure with style...

The wonderful blog http://www.honeyandjam.com/
is featuring these quirky measuring
cups, currently available at Finderskeepers.
The taller version works great as a vase
for a simple arrangement of flowers or a fun
desk accessory.

Inspirational Photos for the New Year...

I have been pondering many ideas for the annual
revision of Finderskeepers. We always close the entire
month of January while we tackle the big makeover,
attend the January market in Atlanta, and shop
the Scott Antiques Show (also Atlanta). These images
feature a collection of inspirations and ideas I've been
toying with. Notice the casually draped sofa. This
treatment keeps popping up everywhere, and I love it.
Robert Gervais
I wish my plaster walls were more forgiving so
I could experiment with new ways to
hang artwork.
Never too much gray.
Sally Conran
Decorate outside the box. Wwaaaayy
outside the box.
Sibella Court, Interior Stylist
Masculine vs. Feminine — and both win.
Sibella Court, Interior Stylist

Great displays like this one really get my creative juices flowing.

Julie Reed

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Friday, November 27, 2009

Lexington Herald Leader features Finderskeepers...

The Lexington Herald Leader newspaper
featured some of our vintage trophies
in their annual gift giving guide.
This boy scout swimming trophy (sold)
from the 1930's got a lot of attention.
Here is my favorite from our current
collection. It features a great figure
holding a wreath and an inscribed
banner/ribbon on the base.
Here is the treasure(sold)! It is a giant
pinochle trophy from the 40's. I love
its patina against the faded and dried
lamb's ear.
These great hourglasses were also
featured in the gift guide.

A big Thank You to Stephanie Lyell
for taking the lovely photographs and
to Harriet Hendren for featuring
Finderskeepers in the Herald Leader guide.

My current little obsession...

... tumbleweed. Yes, I have some
on the way.