Just in Time for Stess-Free Holidays

I'm planning on restocking the sulu-design shop throughout this week and next, starting with a few pairs of earrings today (click images for shop listings):




I ship orders from the shop as soon as they're placed, so if you're thinking of giving sulu-designs for holiday gifts, you can order well into December (depending on the holiday for which you're giving gifts) and they should arrive on time. But in case you're like me and Bethany, whose recent post reminded me that it's time to get rolling on holiday preparations if I want to really enjoy the holidays at all, I'm getting the shop all stocked up for you starting now. Lots more earrings and necklaces to follow and a little sale on a few pieces, too. Hope your week is off to a good start.

Lest You Think I Was Joking About Hibernation

I give you this: the view from the picnic table outside the Waffle Window, where Barry and I split a waffle topped with pumpkin pie filling, whipped cream, and caramel. My teeth hurt just thinking about it.

Button Haul and Hibernation Recipes

Yesterday, after we checked out the flea market (score on the button front) that was recommended to me by the lovely ladies of Bonnet, Barry and I headed to an Indian restaurant that we've been meaning to check out. It was the first really tasty and reasonably priced Indian food that we've had at a restaurant since we moved to Portland. Finally. Thinking about mentioning it here made me realize how little I've posted about food recently. I figured it was high time that I get to posting some links to recipes we've been enjoying because the eating has been good 'round these parts.


Last night for dinner, I made a fall favorite: stuffed squash. Depending on what's on-hand in our kitchen, the stuffing varies. Last night, it included apple, red onion, walnuts, currants, cinnamon, brown sugar, and bits of turkey bacon. I've been revisiting this braised lamb shank recipe, too, using inexpensive cuts of beef in place of lamb. Served over polenta, it's such a satisfying meal on a chilly autumn day.

But it's Barry who's really been rockin' the kitchen. First, there was his cornmeal and kale spoon bread. Then he made stuffed squash with a spicy flare. And a few weeks ago, I came home after a long day at work to find Barry preparing curry-dusted scallops served atop a green pea puree - a nice surprise he'd put together to celebrate the 13th anniversary of our first kiss. That guy. Finally, for my birthday dessert (I'm not a birthday cake kind of gal - but don't get me wrong, I'm totally down with flourless chocolate cake, cheesecake, and carrot cake) Barry made this amazing pear crisp with candied ginger. The boy is no joke.

It's time to start thinking about hibernation if you haven't already, folks. But don't worry - there's still plenty of time to fatten up for the winter. Do as the animals do, I say. Hopefully some of these recipes will help. Do you have any fall favorites to share?

Edited to add: How could I forget to mention Marissa's butternut squash soup recipe? We could live on that alone in the fall. It's on the table tonight. And since it's food related, check out this link from the New York Times via my father-in-law. I love the food scene in Portland, but the service at restaurants here frequently doesn't live up to my expectations. My biggest peeve? Breaking rule #17. I'm looking forward to the next 50.

Don't Worry Mom - This One's Not the One

We've been looking with diligence at apartments, hoping to find one that's right for us to buy. We've been drawn to some modern construction - clean lines, white walls, totally simple, very us. But not much has seemed just right. Maybe we need to open our search up to houses. Driving home from another viewing this morning, we passed this sad little house with a "For Sale" sign in the window:





It was totally decrepit - pipes torn out of the bathroom wall, broken windows all around, a yard overgrown with threatening, thorny vines. The little romantic in me thought something about it was really endearing and wanted to buy it immediately and give it new life. The big anal retentive monster in me brought the romantic to her senses, but let her take a few photos before pushing on. The search continues...

Race Day

Barry's cyclocross season is in full swing. These races are so Portland to me.

Cyclocross checklist:
Rain, mud
Boots
Wool socks
Water-proof outerwear
Good coffee courtesy of Chris King
Oatmeal from the nice folks at Bob's Red Mill
Great local beer
Belgian waffles, frites
Beautiful bicycle gear
Sweet bikes (hand-built, for the lucky ones)



Speaking of hand-built bikes, did you see the October/November issue of Readymade with the feature on Portland's bike builders? It was a great issue all around... made me want an A-frame house in the middle of the woods.

We're taking a break from cyclocross this weekend as this week's race is out of town. We're thinking about hitting a flea market (one of the things I miss most about NYC). What'll you be up to?

A Hint of Green

Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes, friends. I have to say, this was a bit of an odd birthday for me. Usually I'm all about making the celebrations last for the entire month of October, but this year, with all that I've had on my mind recently, I really almost forgot about my birthday until it fell in my lap. Almost. We are extending the celebrations a bit with a dinner out tonight at a new restaurant we've been anxious to try. I'm thinking that maybe I've matured a bit and don't need to be a big baby about my birthday anymore. Or maybe not.

I've got one last grouping of earrings to post that are all offered at $12 per pair, shipping included. You won't find them in my etsy shop. E-mail me at sulu-design@hotmail.com if you're interested in any of these designs from previous seasons and I'll e-mail you and invoice for them. A few of the mother of pearl, black, colorful, and shiny styles are still available at the sale price, too.

Thanks again, and have a wonderful week.

Now the Shiny Ones

(edit: bottom right pair sold)

The last group of $12 earrings this week are of the faceted variety. If these or any of the earrings I've posted this week appeal to you, e-mail me at sulu-design@hotmail.com. I'll send you a paypal invoice for $12 a pair and mail the earrings to you this weekend, free of shipping charges. Thanks, and have a great weekend, friends.