Golden Skies and Apple Pies: September 2011

And now it's time to decorate again.

I lost track of my inspirations and gave all my energies to my job and surviving in NY. With this move, I foresee more time and the inclination to decorate. We are moving into a larger apartment : Duplex style.
It has 2 extra rooms and everything is white. We have moved from the exurbs (lake communities and farms) back to the suburbs. Both the husband and I were raised in the suburbs and we really believed that we didn't want to end up here. But we NEVER realized how isolating living in the exurbs really is.

So, back to reality (and having people around)

My plan is to post the before, during, and after photos, as well as anything that inspires me along the way.

So this entry is a wish list. The beginning of a new life.

Chocolate and Hazelnuts always inspires me...

From the Family Kitchen: http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/24/homemade-nutella-oh-yes/

Homemade Nutella

Adapted from the Encyclopédie du Chocolat, by way of David Lebovitz.

1 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp. mild-flavored honey
pinch salt
1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips
1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the nuts in a 400ºF for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins begin to pop. Transfer to a tea towel, gather into a bundle and rub together to remove as much of their skins as possible. While warm, transfer to the bowl of a food processor and blend until they go from finely ground to pasty and thick, like natural peanut butter.

Meanwhile, warm the milk, powdered milk, honey and salt in a small saucepan just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. In a glass or stainless steel bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), melt the chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Add the melted chocolate to the ground nuts and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well blended and as smooth as you can get it. Makes about 2 cups.

Things that will inspire me at home: