My FAVORITE finger food and a new cocktail

My absolute favorite hors d'œuvre comes from a cookbook my dear friend Joy Wujek penned. Joy is very creative and wonderfully talented! She is the owner and tea extrodinaire behind Petali Teas & Mootz Run, Ltd., a fabulous tea shop 4 miles west of Granville on the north side of 37/161.

Picadillo Wellington

1 pkg frozen puff pastry dough sheets
1 lb ground beef
2 oz walnuts, finely chopped
1 T balsamic vinaigrette
1/3 c dried cherries, chopped
6 oz tomato sauce
1/2 c red onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet with pan release. Open package of pastry and let dough rest outside of the box until beef is cooked. Brown beef and onion in pan and drain off fat. Stir in cherries, balsamic vinaigrette, and walnuts. Add tomato sauce just to pull the meat together, similar to a sloppy joe consistency. Season with salt and pepper, let cool. Using a glass or biscuit cutter cut 2" circles from the dough. Place one teaspoon of beef mixture in center of circle, stretch and fld dough over to make a mushroom shape. Place on cookie sheet seam side down. Bake until golden, about 15 - 20 minutes. Serve hot.

For the cocktail, the Besame (translates to 'Kiss Me', perfect for the New Year)
Ingredients:
2 lime wedges
5-6 raspberries
1 1/2 oz Agavero (made from 100% blue agave)
passion fruit juice
dash of Chambord
Preparation:
Muddle limes and raspberries in a highball glass. Add Agavero. Top off with passion fruit juice. Add a splash of Chambord. Pour this mix into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain back into the highball glass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HAPPY NEW YEAR & BE SAFE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally...an auction!!!!

About mid-November through the end of the year most auctioneers are on "holiday". I guess it's too hard to compete with the retail flurry that is going on. I think during normal seasons I am at auction at least 3-4 times per month. So I have been itching to go to one! But finally, today, I found a good. After 4 hours my truck was packed to the top AND I have to go back for three pieces that would not fit (one requires a pick truck)! Yeah! I scored some fabulous vintage baskets (one European market basket on wheels), ironstone, vintage luggage, an industrial style basket with a stiff canvas lid (would be a very cool side table), a long, old green, primitive table, 3 vintage, metal picnic baskets, vintage beadwork flowers, plus some wonderful small items like a vintage strawberry pin cushion, and lots more! Wish I had a staff of 6 to help me unload, clean, price, and display!

Now, for the 3rd installment of New Year's Eve hors d'œuvre ideas...Cranberry Salsa. I know I know, sounds strange but trust me, you're going to fix this every year during the holidays. It's full of amazing, bright flavors that burst in your mouth. During Christmas cut tree shapes out of spinach tortillas using cookie cutters. Bake or fry in hot oil for tree shaped chips to serve with the salsa. For New Year's? A champagne bottle shape?

1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut in eighths
1/2 large red pepper, cut in large chunks
1/2 medium red onion, cut in large chunks
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup apple juice
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeno pepper
1 tsp grated lime zest

Put cranberries, apple, red pepper and onion in food processor; pulse till chopped. Transfer to a large glass bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients till blended. Cover and refrigerate, or spoon into crocks or jars and refrigerate.

It's so cheesy!

Found some great treasures on today's "hunting and gathering" trip. A fantastic cottage style mirror with original paint, an old ladder with faded, peeling paint, an old fruit box converted into great storage or stylish "in/out-box", a Victorian art nouveau lidded dresser box, a trio of wire forms including baby shoes, a saucy bust, and a miniature dress form and a fabulous(!) architectural fragment from a porch, I already have an idea for incorporating this gem into a garden display...and there is more!
Now for another New Year's Eve tidbit. I have been making this savory cheesecake ever since I first read/saw it in an issue of Country Living some 7 or 8 years ago. The photo alone (by Beatriz Da Costa) is intoxicating for me. It is elegant and rustic and so undeniably inviting.

4 oz Triscuits, crumbled
2/3 cup chopped tart dried cherries
1/3 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
2 T brown sugar
2 t chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 t paprika
1/4 t cayenne pepper
3 T unsalted butter, melted
8 oz cream cheese
5 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
2 t Dijon mustard
1/2 t salt
2 large eggs

Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Lightly butter the paper and set aside. Place the crackers, dried cherries, pecans, brown sugar, thyme, paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Stir in the melted butter and press the mixture into the bottom of the lined pan. Blind bake the crust until set -- about 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and set aside.
Make the cheesecake batter: Place the cheeses, sour cream, mustard, salt, and remaining cayenne in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer set on low speed until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, until mixture is smooth. Pour the batter into the prebaked crust and bake until set and golden brown -- 40 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove from pan and serve at room temperature. Cake may be stored, tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated, for up to 3 days. When serving garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and dried cherries.

A little black dress for cheese...

Christmas goods are flying out the door (there are still lots of great finds at 50% off!) and we are working hard to fill in with new finds. Monday and Tuesday I will be trekking around the state to gather up some "new vintage" finds. I am also anxiously awaiting some orders from some new vendors I have recently discovered. In the interim I will be sharing some delicious and decadent hors d'oeuvres that are perfect for your New Year's Eve gathering. Stop back in each day this week for another addition to add to your menu.

First up is this stunning piece of art from Sweet Paul's blog where the photos are drool-worthy.
Photo by Colin Cooke
Presentation is everything is it not? Setting this hunk of gorgeousness on any color other than matte black would be an insult to the brie! It's own little black dress if you will.

Allow a whole brie or camembert to come to room temperature (about 4 hours). Place the cheese on a serving piece and heavily drizzle with artisan honey, garnish with fried sage leaves or fresh thyme, carmelized walnuts, fresh or dried figs. Serve with crackers or toasted flat bread. Excellent with a Chilean red wine. Try Casillero del Diablo's Carmenere 2007. I have found the affordably priced (10.99) Carmenere at Kroger and Giant Eagle. But I must give credit where credit is due, my NON-wine drinking husband picks out my wines, every time,no exception. No he is not a sommelier and has had no formal training or even personal experience in the area. But let me tell you, the man has a knack for finding excellent wines. Lucky me!
Enjoy!

Inspiration...

Just some great stills of inspiring things...

Merry Christmas one and all...

On Christmas Eve, the story says, an enchantment falls upon the earth. It is a time when the Spirit of a newborn Child whose name is Love, possesses the world. The way to Christmas lies through an ancient gate, patterned after a sheepfold and guarded by angels with stardust in their hair. It is a little gate, child-high, child-wide, and there is a password: Peace on earth to men of good will. May you, this Christmas, become as a little child again and enter into His kingdom. -Angelo Patri

Merry Christmas my friends,
Lisa

Don't miss our in-store event!

Storewide savings of

20 - 75% off!!

Friday, Dec 26th

thru January 16th

Your prayers please...

In the last week my community has tragically lost three of it's young members. A two and a half month old baby girl, a 12 year old young man, and a 38-year-old husband, brother, son, friend and father of three. All were beautiful people and will leave huge holes in their three seperate families and their circle of friends. I ask that you please include these families in your prayers. Don't let a moment get by where you can lift someone with a word, a smile or deed. Love everyone, sincerely mean it, and tell them so.

IN STORE EVENT...50% OFF CHRISTMAS & AND SPECIAL PRICES ON SELECT FURNITURE BEGINNING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26TH

Don't miss this storewide savings event! 50% off all remaining Christmas items and special pricing on selected furniture pieces! Beautiful faux garland for $12, huge, matching wreaths for $28, glittered vintage image postcard ornaments for 1.25, darling faux saplings in burlap starting at $6, green satin Noel pillows for $7. Don't be late...
(((Christmas and feather trees not included in sale)))

Baubles, gems and jewels...for ME! But rest assured...you can get yours too!!

Well, we made the once a month trip to the post office box today. You would think I would get over there more since it is right next door to the shop. I have most everything sent to my house so I am just not in the habit of checking the PO Box very often. Well, there in the pile of envelopes was a package (dated Dec 6th!!) with a return address from Lauri at Chippy's!! After opening this darling little box I find that this kind, sweet southern gal sent me one of her junk necklaces!! It is so darling and I just had to share it with you. I took photos of it on our bag lady dress form. Thank you Lauri!! What is that darling creation next to it you ask? Another gift for me, this one from Janet. She is off work from the daily grind I put her through at the shop until after the holiday and so she surprised me with a wonderful early Christmas present today. She recycled a vintage belt into a cuff bracelet with lace and some bling embellishments! How creative. Thank you Janet!! (I am hoping she will make some of these to sell..oh the possibilities are endless!)I plan on wearing both of these to a Christmas/Graduation party for my cousin this Saturday night. Can't wait.
What a blessing to be surrounded by talented artisans. They never cease to amaze me.


The darling box and note card from Lauri

You too can wear or give an artisan created piece. Below are a few one-of-a-kind/available only at Urban Farmhouse necklaces. These marvelous creations are adorned with loads of vintage charms and embellishments, and they can be yours. Just click on the link of the one that makes you scream MINE MINE MINE! Don't delay...I truly have just one of each.


Souvenir necklace and Birth record bracelet


A Night of Sinners necklace


"Falling" necklace FALLING NECKLACE IS SOLD


"The Investigation" necklace