Fake fur that is…! Lulu and Newton looking rather glamorous all nestled in in their luxurious fur throws! And who can blame them! We should take more clues how to live life from our cats, right?
Cozy Cats of the Week: Furs who like Fur!
March 11, 2010 by Leslie PatsonCozy Container Gardening
March 1, 2010 by Leslie Patson
When you don’t have much land for a garden you have to get creative. That’s where container gardening comes in.
Usually thought of as lots of traditional pots but I am loving the idea of “found” objects!
“Found” meaning objects you might have laying around the home or yard that are unique and could have a second life. If it can hold soil and have irrigation, it can become a planter that is both different and beautiful!
In this case I used some old baskets for my Mesclum and lettuce. Undoubtedly, I will have to thin these out and transfer to somewhere (?) but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I was wishing I had an old watering can or galvanized tub. What else would be beautiful? Any ideas?
I almost threw out an old wicker chair but thought “wait a minute, why not try this?”. I haven’t planted it yet so you’ll have to hold on to your horses for that one but if it does work, won’t that be kinda cool?
I was watching my favorite show Jamie At Home (Jamie Oliver of course) and saw he started seedlings in a bunch of cool emptied tomato “tins”. Be sure to punch some holes in the bottom of your vessel and you’re all set.
I guess the bottom line is to plant seeds! Or at least to start thinking and planning about planting seeds! Spring can’t come too soon!
Jerry Seinfeld gives some Cozy Parenting Advice
February 27, 2010 by Leslie Patson
This post kind of speaks for itself and particularly refreshing coming from someone so famous…
Maybe the 4th”P” is to pass this on to someone you think could use it!i
Seedlings in Eggshells
February 25, 2010 by Leslie Patson
Elizabeth and I were in Whole Foods last week waiting in line to check out and we just happened to skim though some magazine (wish I could remember which one!!!) when this seedling in an eggshell picture caught my eye. Their picture was in a beautiful blue shell and perfectly clean (as compared to mine aka the real thing!) but I thought what a cool idea!
Then when I actually did it I thought, what a great idea because now all I do is pop the entire shell into the ground and I don’t have to chance breaking the tiny roots of my beautiful little pea plants!
And how beautiful are these??? I also have zucchini started and after this coming Sunday’s scrambled eggs so who knows!
I found a new space on the property and created a vegetable planting bed using a railroad tie that I found and some leftover bricks in the garage. The soil is being supplemented by what I have dug out from under the orange tree. It is dark and rich – probably from years of natural composting!
Pictures and updates on this new bed. I’m sorry all you Snowbirds but it is Spring in Los Angeles! More gardening in unusual containers to come….
Cozy Cats of the Week!
February 18, 2010 by Leslie Patson
These kitties belong to friend’s Bev and Roy. Believe it or not, they are all male and did not grow up together. In fact, Napoleon, on the far left, has been w/ them for about 6 months…a victim of foreclosure and on his way to the shelter when Bev saved him!
Now they are like 3 peas in a pod and that is one cozy pod they got happening! (what a gorgeous window bank!)
We love stories like this, if anyone has a cozy kitty rescue story, please send it in! Thanks Bev and Roy, your kitties look down right scrumptious!
Book Clubs are Cozy: The Alchemist
February 12, 2010 by Leslie Patson
The Bad Girls (and Boys) Book Club got off to a good start this 2010 with a Feb. 10th meeting at Sara’s house to discuss the inspiring fable The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. The ambitious club has decided to speed reading up a little and is scheduling their next meeting for March which considering they are the Bad Girls and Boys should be a feat! (but we’ll keep our fingers crossed!). All were in attendance except new-Reality Star Brandy who is traipsing around the globe competing in The Amazing Race. Brandy we miss you but we’re all routing for you guys! AMAZING RACE PREMIERS THIS SUNDAY NIGHT! And don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook.
So while Brandy’s Personal Legend now includes things like bungee jumping and wire walking the rest of gathered round the wine bottle to discuss the book and our own Personal Legends, what the Soul of the World meant to us and whether or not we believed in Omens.
This was all discussed over an amazing dinner (we have one VERY GOURMET book club!) beautifully prepared by Sara. Appetizers galore, delicious meatloaf, cornbread-pudding (!) and a gorgeous salad with really really good tomatoes. Super fresh ice cream and pastel macaroons – decadent! Sara thank you so much for this amazing spread!
Lots of nuts, figs and chili lime jicama!
Meredith (the book was her selection), wine and salad!
Macaroons served with pieces of dark, sweet chocolate!!!!
I think the group had mixed reviews about the book but certainly whether it was expressed or not, it certainly stirred many ideas. And speaking of many ideas, that brings us to the hilarious part of our evening, the casting!
The Alchemist Movie – directed by Peter Jackson, produced by Lawrence Fishburne
Casting by the Bad Girls and Boys Book Club CSA
Santiago – Michael Cera or if Michael can’t grow enough facial hair Gael Garcia Bernal
Gypsy Lady – Cher w/stand-in Victor Mature
Old King Melchizedek – Sean Connery
Merchant’s Daughter – Pam Anderson w/ flat chested versions – Paris Hilton and/or Kirstin Dundst
1st Thief – Christian Bale
Crystal Shop Owner – Ben Kingsley
Bar Owner – Bea Arthur
Englishman – Ralph Fiennes
Old Man – Carol O’Connoer
Camel Driver – Tom Selleck
Alchemist – Omar Shariff
Tribal Chief – Tony Soprano aka
Wind Tribal Leader – George Hamilton
Tribal goons – Lorenzo Lamas and Sasha Baren Cohen
The Wind – Don Rickles
The Sun – Susie Orman
God – Mick Jagger
Monk – Dom DeLouise
Candy Maker – Alexander McQueen
Tribesman – Charleston Heston
Village Whore – Mariah Carey
Village extras – Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
Camels – Meryl Streep and Shirley McClaim
Sheep Wrangler – Sherri Lewis
All sheep are being played by LambChop except the black sheep being played by Eddie Murphy and Tiger Woods
Animal Cameos:
Flicka
Lassie
Gentle Ben
Ben the Rat
Bambi
Samba
Nemo
Old Yeller
Black Beauty
Joan Rivers
the Grinch
All the Snakes on the Plane
Until we strike again, we are……
and finally, our mascot…
The TED Conference: ideas beyond cozy
February 11, 2010 by Leslie PatsonI am practically BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENT while writing this post (it’s unfortunately true!) will let the cat out of the bag immediately.
The winner of the 2010 TED conference is JAMIE OLIVER!!!
What the hell is the TED Conference you ask? Why don’t you just ask some of it’s former speakers: Bono, Bill Clinton, JJ Abrahms, Al Gore, Isabelle Allende, Bill Gates and the Google guys to name a few. So how does Jamie fit into this equation?
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.. It is a non-profit organization “devoted to what it calls spreading good ideas”.
From the years 2005-2009 3 winners were chosen and awarded $100,000 towards their wish to change the world (each winner is given only 18 minutes – this is the time period for any talk at TED regardless of how famous a speaker is! – to unveil their wish. This year the winner was limited to only one person and that would be a Mr. Jamie Oliver!
JAMIE’S WISH:
“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.”
TED PHILOSOPHY:
“We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.”
Read more about TED here and check out something else that happened there just reminding us, not that we needed it, of how cool Google is and how amazing that this woman is getting her Ph.D in Nuclear Physics! And women, take special note of the last line………
Trench Coats: Classic and Cozy!
February 6, 2010 by Leslie PatsonJeremy from Berlin
Especially if they happen to be from Burberry! These beauties are dang expensive, no question about it, and perhaps now is not the time to invest, but as the rain beats down on my Southern California window I am finding these pictures very inspiring!
Eva in Paris
I’m about to venture out and yes, I will be throwing on my trench coat – but it’s actually vintage, ok – that’s a fancy way of saying it’s from a Thrift Shop – it is super cool and I’ve had it for years! A Burberry in my future? I certainly hope so, I’m a true fan!
Check out more great trench photos on Burberry’s website click on Art of the Trench!
Joanna in Berlin
Max and Joe in London
Jo in London
Alex in Venice
The possibilities are endless…..!
Cozy Cat of the Week: Chloe!
February 4, 2010 by Leslie Patson
Yes, I’d love to play peek-a-boo but I’m just too doozy!!!!
And no, I do not have big feet for a little girl!!!!!! (do I????)
Cozy Food Weekend Recipes
February 1, 2010 by Leslie Patson
It’s that time of year where a lot of the country is buckled under lots of snow and in other parts it’s changing by the minute. Even out here in Southern California the nights are chilly and that’s as good excuse as any to cook up something cozy!
Having some vegetarian buddies over for a casual Friday night dinner is what inspired this first menu. What could be cozier than Mushroom risotto paired with a sauteed spinach and garlic? What a fantastic combo – one really plays off the other and what an amazing way to eat super healthy spinach!
Curious to see if it would really turn out, I cooked my risotto in my new crock pot (of course, right???)! I put it in for 2 1/2 hours and it turned out great. Maybe 5% overcooked but for the effort, or lack of, no one seemed to notice. I used button and shitake mushrooms, a little white wine, some garlic, stock and voila! To serve, a sprinkling of parsley and lots of fresh parmesean. This is the recipe I modified my dish from. I also served a simple green salad afterwards.
I learned a new Italian word which I love while preparing this dinner. “Affogato” – which literally means drowned and in this case ice cream drowned with espresso! This is a super simple dessert that is beautiful, so easy to prepare, unique and delicious! Just like the picture from the magazine, I did mine in simple drinking glasses, layering the ice cream, amaretto cookies, then poured on the espresso (not too much!) finished with some whipped cream, chocolate shavings and you’re set! Unusual and great!
This one is called “Tiramisu Affogatto”
On Sunday we tried to organized going to see Avatar but the 2 hours and 40 minutes required just did not fit into everyone’s schedule so instead Elizabeth suggested we come over for dinner. I protested knowing that she had entertained the night before but she insisted by saying she had made a ton of leftover Lasagne that was just begging to be eaten – I mean who can refuse that? (first of all, we know that it is better the next day anyhow)! And getting together last minute and throwing something cozy, casual and delicious together is what friendship is all about!
I forgot to mention that she started with another winning leftover – Asparagus soup – just enough for 5 elegant portions which is just what this party needed!
I had offered to bring something for dessert and as our only stop was at Trader Joe’s we ended up with what turned out to be a most delicious Chocolate Mousse cake. Elizabeth, always artistic, put it on a platter and sprinkled (leftover) berries around it and it looked absolutely beautiful. Sometimes simple (and convenient) can work out more than fine!
What’s the moral of the story? Entertaining can be as simple or fancy as you want it to be. All it takes is some good friends, some sort of delicious food, a bottle of wine or two is preferable and you’ve got it! I suggest getting on the phone and calling up that friend pronto……..Bon Appetit!
