November 19, 2012

local loves

do you know about The 3/50 Project? it's a movement that encourages spending at locally-owned businesses, which is something i try to do as much as possible, anyway. with everyone making their holiday wish lists, i thought i'd share a few of my faves with you. you can order online through some of these shops, some are happy to take an order by phone if you see something on their site, and some will direct you to local businesses in your area in their "where to buy" section. others, you'll need to pop in to enjoy. i hope you enjoy and are inspired!


Deana Rose Handmade Jewelry
nature-inspired jewelry, for everyday and special occasions



Bazar Chicago
women's clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories



Virtu
the perfect place to find something for someone who has everything.



Bellybum Boutique
mom-owned and run shop offering pre- and post-natal parenting resources, support, and education



hazel
stationery, jewelry, flowers, and gifts in one location; mens/womens clothing and other accessories down the block.



sprout home chicago
garden center and gift/home store



ruff haus pets
everything you need for your four-legged family members



praha  *no store website
furniture, antiques, home store 
 


holiday wreaths

this is one of the new holiday wreaths up in the shop! i foraged the pink peppercorn berries in california this fall and dried the eucalyptus pods after the 2011 holidays. this is easily my favorite holiday-specific wreath of the moment! $34 in the shop.

Holidays are Here Grapevine Wreath

November 13, 2012

45 in 54

the twigs, twine, and thyme etsy shop has been open for 54 weeks now. while i had been making wreaths,  branches, photographs, and terraria all along, somehow it took me until late october 2011 to turn this hobby  up to number eleven, as they say.  i've had 45 sales on etsy in the last 54 weeks, and, in honor of the wonderful, mutually beneficial exchange that we share as maker and buyer,  i will be sending a special bonus gift/item to the buyer who breaks the 50 bubble! so, get shopping, and hope that it's you!

don't forget - if you have your eye on something that's been sold (see below), send me a note, because i just might be able to re-create it for you!

with cheers and thanks,
heather

sold orders, page 1

November 9, 2012

in the kitchen: oven roasted tomatoes

it's been brought to my attention by one of my readers who knows what i've been up to in the kitchen that i haven't shared any recipes in a long time. so, today i bring you one of my new obsessions: oven roasted tomatoes!!

roasted tomatoes are a cinch to make and are great in pastas, on pizzas and polenta, as a base for salsa, in baked eggs - you've got the idea, pretty much anywhere you might include a tomato.

fresh tomatoes, prepped for oven roasting

recipe:

tomatoes (1-lb is a nice, round, easy-to-achieve number), sliced horizontally (ie, at their equators)
olive oil
sprigs of fresh herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary - whatever's on hand)
garlic, peeled and sliced if you want to
salt/pepper


preheat the oven to 325º F. pour the olive oil (enough to generously coat the pan) into a shallow baking dish or a hotel pan and add the salt and pepper. lay the tomatoes cut side down in the dish/pan, and slide them around a bit to get all the good stuff on them. brush the tops with olive oil, if you want, and add the garlic and herbs. bake approximately two hours or until the tomatoes are completely softened, wilted, and start to wrinkle. the tomato skins will slide right off after baking, but you can leave them on, too. they should keep for about five days in the refrigerator (if they last that long!) or frozen.


the finished product: oven roasted tomatoes


November 7, 2012

buy now/ship later

have your eye on something in the shop, but wish you had the option to delay shipping? well, you can! just include a note in the "message to seller" to ship on [date], and i will gladly do so. if you're sending a gift, i can include a gift note and ship directly to the recipient. 

Cascading Prairie Grapevine Wreath $30


November 5, 2012

let the herd be heard!

if you haven't already registered your vote in the 2012 election, please make sure your voice is heard on november 6, 2012!

8x10-inch prints are $28 in the shop!