Tiny Miracles

Tiny Hands

Tiny Feet

It has taken me almost two months to write this post. Mainly because of these tiny hands. And these tiny feet. But what miraculous little hands and feet they are :)

I’m now officially a stay-at-home mom, and freelance graphic designer. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to claim that as my job title, but there it is. Time to order business cards ;)

“One” Last Excursion

I’ve been having this same conversation roughly once a day for about two weeks now, with various members of The Compound:

Family Member: “Want to go on an excursion?”

Kate:  “No… I have a lot to do around the house, I should really get some stuff done.”

Family Member:  “But…. You have to come! This might be your last excursion before you have the baby!”

So far, this tactic has lured me to: Target (more times than I would like to admit), Building 19, various curtain stores… and… New Hampshire.  Don’t judge me – I could never resist a good excursion! ;)

Yesterday’s trip was to an antique/retro/vintage store that my sisters and I have been dying to check out for almost two years now. We’ve followed the owner’s blog, but never seemed to get to the store itself. Until yesterday!

It’s called Salvage Chic Antiques  (check out the blog here), and it’s seriously adorable. I actually wanted to redecorate my entire house after going to her store. It’s located in Pembroke, MA (about 30 minutes south of Boston), and it’s a really nice drive through some cute towns to get there.

Unfortunately, any excursion involving myself and my two sisters (without adult supervision) is bound to turn ridiculous at some point.

Before finding Salvage Chic, we wound up at the wrong antique store (thinking it was Salvage Chic until it was too late). We should have known better, since all the photos on Salvage Chic’s website are of an adorable store, and this place was…. the opposite of adorable.

I’m pretty sure it should be featured in an episode of Hoarders (have you seen that show on TLC? If so, you can picture this place).

It was so cluttered, I couldn’t fit my big pregnant self between piles of junk, without tiptoeing, and/or turning sideways to avoid breaking random piles of dishes with my belly. Classy, right?

The worst part? We kept edging towards the door, and the owners kept trying to lure us further into the store to keep us there! At one point, I looked over and my little sister was in an intense staring contest with the creepiest cat rug ever. Once that happens, you know it’s time to cut and run!

Once we finally escaped, we looked across the street…. and there was Salvage Chic.

Right. Across. The street. How ridiculous.

At any rate, it was totally worth the trip. If you’re in Southeastern MA, I recommend checking this place out (Just avoid the antique store across the street – unless you’re in the market for a wicked creepy cat rug ;)

Sláinte!

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig (Happy St Patrick’s Day!)

I. Love. St Patrick’s Day. Any holiday celebrated entirely with good food and drink is alright in my book. And on the High Holy Holiday (as my Dad always says) there are four important things everyone needs; a wicked good boiled dinner, traditional old Irish music, Guinness, and soda bread. I’m not talking about the type sold in little plastic bags covered in Shamrocks in the grocery store, please! That stuff is glorified cardboard.

Since I can’t partake in the Guinness this year (for obvious reasons ;) I thought I’d share my recipe for soda bread. But first, a couple of my favorite old songs to get you in the St. Patty’s mood:



Ok, back to the bread. Every family has their own variation. Some is cakelike, and some is more of a dry, airy bread that has much more baking soda in it (hence the name). This version is sweet and cakey, and perfectly complements a salty boiled dinner, and a Guinness! This style is what my family has always made, and since it’s delicious, I’ll stick with it! :)

Start with the best buttermilk you can find. The regular Hood or Garelick Farms type will work just fine, but real buttermilk will definitely up the flavor here.

You should make this. Trust me. It’s wicked simple. Then try to resist eating the entire warm loaf. I dare you.

*Note : I tried to get a picture of the finished product, but my camera conveniently died. And… I’m pretty sure the loaf will be gone by the time the battery is charged ;)

Irish Soda Bread:

¾ cup sugar (I usually cut this down to ½ cup)
½ cup butter (softened)
1 egg
3 cups all purpose flour
¼ tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 ¼ cup buttermilk
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 tsp caraway seeds

Grease a loaf pan or round casserole pan, and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and sugar, then stir in the egg until combined.

Sift together dry ingredients, and then stir into the butter mixture. Stir in the buttermilk until blended. Last, stir in the raisins and caraway seeds.

Cut a cross in the top of the loaf. Bake 50 min-1hr at 350 degrees. Cool in pan 5 min, then remove and cool completely (If you can stand to wait that long)