new ties and warm weather

vegie patties

My sister and I decided to experiment with making our own vegie burgers. We tried a really tasty recipe from Martha Stewart involving mushrooms and a few days later I was inspired to try something to take place of the powdered falafel mix I usually buy. I made these little patties using garbanzo beans, grated cooked potatoes, zucchini, onions, parsley and harissa. They came together quite nicely and were excellent with a little yogurt cucumber sauce.

2 color

The Heated took a big step this week and did a 2 color print. All sorts of awesome jokes are being kicked around.

school girls

On Friday, the little ones started part-time pre-school. First off, they love it! Having a older sister to watch go off to school everyday with her cool backback and her knee socks has been jealousy inducing for the twins, and at long last it's their turn. On my end it's pretty great too. For three mornings as week now, I get to stay home and work on making this humble abode and The Heated grow. We're hoping that more time to put towards marketing and production will generate more sales. It seems like simple math, right? This also means you might be hearing from me a little more often.

the color explosion that is my kitchen

The one and only time I ever made it to the Alemany Flee Market, I bought this little green table. We were on our way out when I spotted it.  Between three of us we could not quite come up with enough cash for the table, and the vendor did not want to let it go. Not even for $3 less than the asking price. It's a flee market for crying out loud! He finally did agree and as I carried it out I hoped it had been worth the annoyed feeling I felt. It has been the perfect little table to fit along the wall in the kitchen and I have not even come close to regret buying it. Setting up little vignettes after coming home from the market has been one of my great pleasures. I've posted at least half a dozen examples, and here's another. The poppies are a really wild feeling variety and I love looking at the pollen they are dropping. Not so crazy about cleaning it up, but for now I'm leaving the mess and enjoying it for what it is.

summertime food

In the middle of canning 20 jars of apple butter, I said to my sister that we should really order-in when we get together to can instead of planning meals like vegie burger and gazpacho from scratch. It was a laborious day, but the food was amazing so I can't say I regret it.
I used to think I didn't like gazpacho. One night on a whim my wife and I ordered a bowl to share at Ti Couz and it has become a favorite ever since. I think the key is putting the vegetables in last minute, and of course having tomatoes at the height of their season doesn't hurt.
Here's how I made it:
4 pounds peeled and seeded tomatoes, I used Early Girls
juice from 2 limes
1 t salt
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t cayenne, or to taste
2 small or 1 lg clove garlic

Pulverize in a blender, cuisinart or if you are lucky, a vita-mix. Chill it for an hour before serving.

Have in small bowls any (or all) of the following:
cilantro
corn off the cob
mango
avocado
cucumber
red onion
roasted peppers
radishes

sunny in the city

notice anything?

Hey all,
Things are sprucing up around these parts. While I've loved calling my business ciuccio, it has been rather hard for the non-Italian speaking folks to pronounce, and even harder to spell. I decided that if ever there was a time to change it, now was it. I'm really excited about all the interest that the ties are getting and I have plans for more products. This humble abode the blog has given me a great platform to discuss and create all sorts of things, so it seemed only fitting for the business to share the name. I think it'll give me more freedom to design and create, which is what it is all about!
Please take a look at the splashpage (Melissa of Darlingville rocked the design and I can't wait to work with her more to expand the site) and of course my Etsy shop is getting a new name and logo. Heck, I even have a new email address (thishumbleabode@gmail.com)
Thanks for being here that last 4 years, I appreciate all the support. Hope you're as pleased as I am.