Thursday, January 30, 2014

rustic rooster {menu}

 

* blueberry hand pies *
 
Prep Time: 30 min.
Cook Time: 40 min.
Total Time: 1 hr., 10 min.
Yield: 8 hand pies
    
ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup oat flour (can sub wheat pastry flour or another cup white)
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil, chilled
  • 6 - 9 Tbsp ice cold water
  • Filling
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 egg mixed with 2 tsp water, for brushing (optional)
  • Optional Glaze
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp lemon juice or milk
directions
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor pulse together flours, 2 tsp sugar, salt and nutmeg until combined. Add in coconut oil and pulse mixture until crumbly, add in 6 Tbsp ice water then more as needed until mixture starts to come together.
  • Dust a work surface generously with flour and roll pie crust out into a 18 by 12-inch rectangle, then cut into 8 even rectangles.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/3 granulated sugar, pinch salt, cornstarch and cinnamon. In a separate mixing bowl, toss blueberries with lemon juice, then pour sugar mixture over blueberries and toss to evenly coat. Divide blueberry mixture evenly among 8 rectangles, piling blueberry mixture on one side of each rectangle and leaving at least a 1/2-inch rim around berries, then brush edges of crust around blueberries lightly with water and carefully lift opposite side of each pie crust and fold over blueberries. Seal edges together well using your fingertips, then if desired use a fork to make decorative lines around edges. Transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. In a mixing bowl whisk together egg and 2 tsp water until well blended, then brush lightly over pies. Poke the top of each pie twice with a fork. Bake in preheated oven about 40 minutes, or until golden. Allow to cool slightly then if using glaze, in a mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice and drizzle glaze over pies.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

i wish...



It was a beach day {today}! I know our weather here in San Diego has pretty much been summer weather, but I wish I could just jump in the ocean and relax on the beach. Soon this will happen... Hopefully soon! 

xoxo 
Alexandra  


Monday, January 27, 2014

red hot monday



Valentines is fast approaching us... Are you ready? OK I've gotten as far as look at the color of red.  Just looking {wink}! I know you all are so impressed with me. lol Hmmm what are you all going to do for your kids classroom treats, teachers gifts... Etc.? I think I would like to stay a few steps ahead of this Valentine's Day thing because of our house move. I want to create as much "normal" as I can during the transition for my kids that I can... I know it will be hard, but if I stay into the game and make it all fun and easy everything will be just fine {cross your fingers}. My goal today is to go on Etsy and pinterest and get all my ideas and then plan! Cross your fingers I get pass just looking at  the color red stage. Happy Monday everyone!  

xoxo
Alexandra


Friday, January 24, 2014

dreaming...



Big time! I'm closing my eyes and wishing I'm moving into this house right now wearing this outfit! 1-2-3... NOT! One day... I love to day dream! I feel that the more I wish and want the more it will happen {wink}! I was watching that new Bravo TV Show, Toned Up... and one of the cast members said, "Fail to plan... Plan to fail." Oh My Gosh... That so hit home to me. I can plan for this kind of home one day. If I don't I won't get it!

xoxo
Alexandra



Wednesday, January 22, 2014

rustic rooster {menu}




{Glazed Blueberry Doughnut Muffins}
Prep Time: 20 min.  
Cook Time: 15 min.  
Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

  • Glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg for 30 seconds, set aside. In a large mixing bowl using and electric hand mixer set on medium speed, cream together butter and sugar until well blended, about 30 seconds. Stir in eggs one at a time mixing until combined after each addition and adding in vanilla with second egg. In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream and lemon juice. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to butter mixture and fold mixture just until combined, then fold in 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture mixing just until blended then repeat process ending with flour mixture. Gently fold in blueberries. Divide mixture among 12 paper lined muffin cups filling each cup full with a slightly heaping 1/3 cup per muffin cup. Bake in preheated oven 15 - 18 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (or with a moist crumb or two). Cool muffins on wire cooling rack until just warm, about 10 - 15 minutes.
In a small mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar, milk and lemon juice until well blended. Dip tops of muffins in glaze and allow excess to run off, then return to cooling rack. Allow to rest at room temperature until glaze has set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.


xoxo
Alexandra

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

feeling a little...

  

 

Fancy today! Even though I'm knee deep in boxes at my house...  It's so fun to move {ya right}. Enjoy these pretty pictures... Go get your nails done, buy fancy heals, wear leather skinny pants and paint your front door a high gloss black... All for me, me, me! I need to live through you all right now! I did get my nails done on Friday... So I'm kind of in the running for being fancy! Have a fabulous day... My oh so fancy readers!

xoxo
Alexandra   

Saturday, January 18, 2014

planter love



So, I'm starting to look for planter ideas for the rustic rooster's storefront. Our planters have seen better days... One was kicked by a night time bar goer and the other one is falling apart because of water damage. Plus, the trees are tilting to the right because they're following the sun. It's actually pretty funny to see. Take a peek... You'll get a good laugh!  

I love this entire look in the picture above. Hmmm I wonder what mom will think when I show her. Cross your fingers she approves! Trying to check things off my list... 2014 is going to be a great year {smile}!

xoxo
Alexandra  

Saturday, January 11, 2014

too cool


How cool is this... I want to have a S'mores party, just so I can fill little bins with graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey bars. Every time we do S'mores... I 'm never prepared and forget to get something out... And then a sticky mess happens. Ahhhh to be prepared... Plus, I would look so cool! I think I would get cool mother of the year award {wink}!!!

xoxo
Alexandra

Friday, January 10, 2014

{boy} mixture



If my stars were perfectly aliened... A little boy should be made of gingham fabric, white sneakers, beige paint and vintage maps! With tons of loved mixed in his heart... Now that's the perfect little boy! 

xoxo
Alexandra



Thursday, January 9, 2014

fancy fresh...




OH to be so fancy... I wish {wink}! I love the simplicity of these pictures, but they have a touch of fancy fresh! I think it's the gold touches. I definitely could sit and drink my peach cocktail wearing this simple outfit in my green momma chair! I would look at my children... Raise one eyebrow and say back off! Do you feel the same way as me... ?!?!?!
 
xoxo
Alexandra

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

feeling so calm...





Don't you just look at these 4 pictures and feel so calm and happy?!?!?! I sure do {smile}! I love the vibe of the cool grey mixed in with a warm and happy yellow. Not too bold,  but definitely makes a fabulous statement. I keep jumping back and forth... I wonder in my next kitchen If I will paint the cabinets grey or keep them white. Hmmmm I still love a classic crisp white. Oh the life of a designer... 

xoxo
Alexandra

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

good morning sunshine

Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins


for muffins:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Meyer lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
for glaze:
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice
Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, combine butter, eggs and sugar, beating until creamy.  Add lemon juice and combine.  Add flour, baking powder, salt and poppy seeds and stir just until combined.  Do not over mix.
Scoop or spoon into lined or greased muffin tins.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean.
Meanwhile combine powdered sugar and lemon juice for glaze and brush over baked muffins as soon as the come out of the oven.
Serve warm or at room temperature.  Store cooled muffins in an airtight container.

xoxo
Alexandra

Monday, January 6, 2014

fresh 2014


It's all do, do, do in 2014! I'm so excited... One of our back office's {most expensive storage rooms in all of Encinitas} is getting a face lift. New paint and new flooring... I think I'm going to sell all 3 chandeliers and get 3 new lights. Not 100% sure on that quite yet... Baby steps! {If you are interested please contact me... They all work fabulous!!!!}


I'm painting the room white and adding a light blond flooring. This room has a tendency to get super dark randomly during the day. So I'm lightening it up and making it open and fresh... I'll show you all the new floor that's going in on Saturday. No joke I can barely contain myself. Do you think it's odd I'm doing all this right during my home move? Guess, I just want to get all the craziness out of the way all at once! hahaha

I'm really looking forward to a fresh new start... Positive thoughts and outlook only in 2014!

xoxo
Alexandra


Saturday, January 4, 2014

pretty in pink!




I feel so girlie when I look at these photos... We're moving so I'm starting to gather ideas for Miss Taylor's room. I'm thrilled with all of the fun possibilities we can do in her room. I think we're going to go white, gold and pink... maybe mix in some turquoise.  As of right now I'm cleansing our current home... So when I start packing boxes It hopefully will be a little lighter and easier for all of us. Then my next task is to go to storage and pull out my stash of boxes that I've saved and purchased just for Taylor. Oh I can't wait! She is definitely one lucky little girl... I'll keep you posted on what I end up doing for her! 

xoxo
Alexandra


Friday, January 3, 2014

great combo...




Hot pink and kelly green... Not a bad combination at all! It's festive and classic all wrapped up in one. Something new for 2014! As I was wondering on pinterest this morning, I stumbled upon Kayce Hughes  photo of  her  3/4 sleeve top. I loved everything about it. The gingham print, white pants, dog and especially the hot pink bangles... And then Jackie and John popped up! It was a sign... These colors are going to be great friends this year!  

As I leave you for today... I want you to remember one thing...  


xoxo
Alexandra

Thursday, January 2, 2014

rustic rooster {menu}



CARROT LEMONADE 
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chucks
2 cups water
3 cups pineapple juice and/or unsweetened white grape juice
3/4 cup lemon juice
cold water
ice
lemon wedges

1. in a medium saucepan combine carrots and water. bring to boiling; reduce heat and cover. simmer for 30 minutes or until very tender. cool slightly; transfer mixture to a blender – make sure the mixture isn’t too hot or it will overflow from the blender) add 1 cup of the pineapple juice. cover and blend until smooth.
2. transfer to a pitcher. stir in remaining pineapple juice and lemon juice. cover and chill – if the mixture thickens you can add some additional water.
3. serve over ice with lemon wedges.

xoxo
Alexandra