Simple & delicious oatmeal cookie recipe

I don’t normally post about food because those of you that know me know that I don’t cook much.  That is N’s part of the relationship.  I decorate, clean and organize.  And of course, eat and enjoy food.  Even though I don’t cook, I occasionally DO bake.

This recipe doesn’t come out like traditional oatmeal cookies.  Instead, they’re almost like a fruit bread.  (Think banana nut…without the bananas or nuts.)  Hard to imagine that, right?  Hahah.

Anyways, I think this recipe is really good as-is, but also could be quite good as a base to begin “improving” upon it.  Here you go:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups rolled oats

Directions:

1. In bowl beat butter till creamy. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Mix in applesauce and egg. Add flour, a little at a time. Stir in oats.
2. Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Enjoy!

Making the world (I mean the neighborhood) a better place

So as I mentioned several days ago, I’ve started taking longs walks with the dogs in the neighborhood.  I do it for exercise (both me and them), but also because I want to feel like I’m exploring the ‘hood a little too.  There’s nothing like getting out of the house and being part of the world around you.  It didn’t take long for my walks to take on a dual-purpose however.  (Let it never be said of me that I don’t find ways of taking multi-tasking to a new level.)

Anyways, anyone who has visited Philadelphia is aware of our teensy-widdle problem with litter.  They don’t call it Filthadelphia for nothing, after all.  Thankfully our new mayor has made it a top priority to tackle the issue.  Now Philly has solar powered trash cans, dedicated cleanup days, and at the VERY least publicly acknowledged the issue.  Ever since I’ve moved here, it’s been a trait of Philly’s that I’ve found particularly irritating.  And because of that I realized I should do something about it…no matter how small.  Therefore now when I am going on my long nightly walk, I take along a couple plastic grocery bags and gather litter along the way.  Then once they’re full, I’ll toss them in the public garbage can.  Even though I realize I’m not making a huge dent in the problem, it feels great to know that I’m at least doing something.  (And hey, I’m finding a new purpose for those pesky plastic bags.  Even though I take a cloth bag with me to the store, somehow I always manage to come back with at least one.)  I want my block to stay clean…and also the blocks around me.  It just feels better when you take pride in where you live by trying to keep it beautiful.  Who knows?  Maybe someone else will be inspired to pick up trash as well.

Lately I’ve been thinking alot about the state of our world…and wishing it were a better/safer/cleaner/nicer place to live.  I realize one individual can’t change the world, but each of us has to start somewhere.  So…start by saying hi to your neighbors.  Read to your kids.   Choose to support locally-owned shops.  And maybe if you see some litter on the ground, stop and pick it up.

Photo credit: It’s Only the Trash via flickr by Ian W.

There’s something magical about the inside of a greenhouse…

Walking through the neighborhood on a Fall evening

This is the third night this week that I’ve taken the dogs out for a walk in the neighborhood.  Each time I spent about an hour wandering and enjoying the autumn weather.  It’s quickly becoming a routine, that both I and the dogs enjoy quite a bit.  One of my particular favorite things about it is that it’s startling to realize that I can hear crickets.  In spite of having a few flaws, I truly love this city.

Two things I really liked today at Terrain at Styers

This could be some type of Asian-temple doghouse?  Perhaps an overly ornate place to store a cat litter box?  I’m not sure really, but I wish I had enough money & space in the backyard for it.  It’s one of those wonky things that would be sure to start a conversation.  I’m sure the dogs would be terrified of it though.  Meanwhile, if you’re interested it’s on sale.

This is a wall of clamps in a work room.  I just thought it was compelling to see all these orange clamps on the wall.  I don’t know why….maybe I’m nuts.

(Also, sorry about the sorry poor quality photos.  I was using my blackberry at the time.)

A Clean Break: Exhibition of Modern Prefab Architecture & Innovations

Some of my friends over at Minima have curated and organized an event for Design Philadelphia 2008 called “A Clean Break.”  It’s biggest highlight is an ACTUAL prefab Weehouse by Alchemy Architects from St. Paul, MN…which is extremely cool!!  The Weehouse is an interesting design that I’ve actually wondered about in the past, and so I’ll be excited to check it out in person.  (It’s especially interesting because it comes in several different variations and can be customized.)  Here’s a picture of the Weehouse getting installed into the Philadelphia exhibition space on Spruce St.

The show also features high design, low waste “innovations” by artists such as Michael Iannone, Daniel Michalik, In Liquid, Bolle Design, Pie Studio, and SMIT.  (Shown below is one of my favorite items by MIchael Iannone, his cork sideboard.)

The event kicks off on Thursday Oct 16th from 7-10pm, but is open daily from 11-7pm, Oct 17th – 30th.   The exhibition is located at 313 South Broad Street at Spruce, Philadelphia. Go check it out!!

A week in Jersey City makes a girl long for home sweet home

I’ve been staying at Nick’s apt in Jersey City this past week while I had to work in NYC, and let me tell you that I’ve never been so excited to see Philadelphia tomorrow morning.  I’ll also be excited to wash clothes.  It’s funny the things that make you appreciate (and long for) home.

Checks Cashed, originally uploaded by Paul Lowry.

For the love of a Southern Craftsman

Last week, I got the chance to go back home to Georgia for almost a week to visit my family and friends.  It’s always nice to see them of course, but the time I spend there never seems like enough and inevitably I feel guilty for being an only child that lives so far away.  When these thoughts come upon me, I begin to think thoughts like, “If I moved back home, what kind of house would I live in?”  And for a few moments, I allow myself to revel in the idea of finally getting to own/live-in my favorite style of house…the American Craftsman.

These four are just a few of my hometown favorites.  The first one is my particular preference (even though it’s in a sad state at the moment b/c it’s been a rental for the last several years) because I LOVE the huge front porch.  A friend growing up used to live in a very similar house, and it was phenomenal on the inside.  The details…the layout…the enormous space.  My dream is to one day own a craftsman just like it.  Hopefully it will be on a really quiet street where I can enjoy sitting outside on my porch in the afternoons.

The rest of these are fabulous too.  I’d gladly take any one of them.  I don’t know what it is about a house with a porch, but I realized not that long ago that every house I’ve ever owned has had a porch.  (This is my third.)  I don’t know what it is about them…  Maybe it’s my Southern roots showing it’s colors.

But for now…I live in Philadelphia.  I’ll just keep these images in my inspiration file in case one day…things change.

OMG…I’m stuck in a WHITE box and can’t get out!

Hey guys…sorry I haven’t been able to post anything lately.  I’ve literally NOT been at home for the last 2.5 weeks.  Two weddings and now a photo shoot in NYC (hence the white box).  But I promise to try and download some pics from my trip to GA and post something soon.