fire pit essentials...

Every year I like to get a family gift that everyone can enjoy. With the cold weather, and my love for the outdoors, a fire pit was the choice one year. We have enjoyed it so much that I thought I'd share some of my fire pit essentials with you! Here's to a warm and wonderful holiday season!

 

tween/teen gift guide 2021...

Today's gift guide is for those oh-so-hard to please tweens and teens. They may not be that little anymore, but they still love opening their presents on Christmas morning! To help you out, here are a few teen-approved picks that are sure to impress even the toughest critic...

 

meet you at the garage...

location

In the alley "behind" our old storefront address: 

930 South Coast Highway 101

Encinitas, CA 92024 

kids gift guide 2021...

 

Today we are kicking off a series of gift guides, for those of you that may be in need of a few ideas. We are starting with the kids, because there is nothing better than seeing those excited, joy-filled faces on Christmas morning! I hope you find something in all of the guides that will bring joy to someone on your list...

monday {menu}

{recipe from... here}

Banana, Coconut and Honey-Cream Tarts

ingredients

 1 pound pie dough, rolled ⅛ inch thick

filling:

• ▢¼ cup sugar
• ▢¼ cup honey
• ▢2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ▢¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢2 ½ cups milk
• ▢2 egg yolks, beaten
• ▢1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ▢1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢1 cup heavy cream

topping:

• ▢4 baby bananas, halved lengthwise
• ▢2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar
• ▢toasted coconut flakes
• ▢honey for drizzling 

instructions

• Preheat oven to 400˚F.
• Line 8 mini tart pans with pie dough and score the bottom of each with a fork.
• Place tart pans onto a sheet pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until tart shells are golden brown.
• Remove from oven and cool for about 20 minutes before removing from molds and continuing to cool on cooling racks.
• Filling: Pour sugar, honey, cornstarch, salt, and milk into a saucepan and whisk together.
• Place saucepan over medium-low heat and cook mixture, stirring frequently, until mixture simmers. Whisk 1 cup of the scalding milk mixture into the egg yolks, then pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

happy sunday...

saturday morning treat (the new yorker)...

Christmas New Yorker covers remind us of our holiday rituals, both past and present. Barreling through crowds in search of the perfect gift, wrestling with your Christmas tree to get it through the door, enjoying the holiday window displays, visits with Santa... Thumbing through a copy, with a hot cup of coffee on a Saturday morning is such a treat! If you know someone who loves New Yorker covers as much as I do, why not pick a great cover and surprise them by having it put onto a mug, wall art, or phone case... Or better yet, get them a subscription (remember those)! Brilliant! Happy Saturday!

via Conde Nast Store

via Conde Nast Store

via Conde Nast Store

via Conde Nast Store

via Conde Nast Store

coastal christmas sale...

 

We thought it would be fun to open up the garage before Christmas to let you all shop & get gifts that are unique and creative for that special someone! Once again its fast & fun!
Please tell all... Sharing is caring {wink wink}!

location

In the alley "behind" our old storefront address: 

930 South Coast Highway 101

Encinitas, CA 92024 

If you have any questions please email me at

info@rusticrooster.com

wreaths on every window (how to hang exterior wreaths)...

When driving around during the holidays, the one thing  that I love to see on houses are wreaths on every window! It is such a great way to add a festive touch to the exterior of a home. But how do you get those wreaths on those windows? There are a number of ways that you can make sure that they will stay secure and make it through the holiday season. Make one of these work for you...

1. Suction cup hooks that are designed to hold wreaths (make sure to check the maximum weight that it will hold). 

2. Waterproof ribbon (at least 2.5 inches wide) that you loop through the wreath and secure with a knot behind a raised window sash. 

3. Magnetic wreath hangers on metal doors or single-pane windows.  

4. Command Strip hooks (be sure to check the maximum weight that it will hold).

via By Georgia Grace

via Everything Cape Cod

via Leslee Mitchell

via House Beautiful

 

trimming the tree 2021...

There are so many ways to decorate your tree for Christmas. Some people go with a theme. Others stick to a specific color palette. And some just put up whatever they fancy. When it comes to Christmas decorations, it isn't so much about "good taste", but about what makes you happy! Here are a few bits and baubles that I have come across that bring a smile to my face...

 

make it a blue (and white) christmas...

It's about to be December, and Christmas will be here before we know it! I am so excited to get all of the decorations up, and be able to sit back and enjoy... As you all know, I am a fan of blue and white. And although I love the traditional Christmas colors of red and green, I also love using blue, as it represents generosity of spirit. The perfect sentiment for the season. Here are some ideas on how you can make it a blue (and white) Christmas...

via Enchanted Home

via The Makerista

via Meg's Oldfarmhouse