Gravlax With Mustard Dill Sauce

This weekend found me with a terrible cold. I spent a lot of time lying idle on the couch (my ‘sicky couch’, as we’ve so appropriately deemed it) watching the Olympics. It was the perfect time for curling up with tomato soup and…… gravlax. Well, I hadn’t really planned on serving up tomato soup with gravlax, but salmon was on sale at our local grocery store and we’ve been dying to try this recipe. So, tomato soup with a side of gravlax it was.

I have to say that I was hesitant to try this recipe, as I have an irrational (or maybe rational) fear of food poisoning. But thankfully I conquered this fear, as the gravlax was absolutely delicious, especially if you’re salmon lovers like we are. It’s also quite easy to make. Served up on toasted honey grain bread, with some butter, mustard sauce and fresh dill, it goes perfectly with a side of tomato soup:).



GRAVLAX:
2 pounds salmon fillet, without skin (frozen overnight)
2 Tbs salt
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 bunch fresh dill

Thaw salmon, pat dry. Combine the salt, sugar and pepper and pack firmly onto both sides of the salmon fillet. Sprinkle half the chopped dill onto a sheet of plastic wrap then place the salmon on top of it. Put the remaining dill atop the salmon.
Cover with clear plastic sheet, press by putting another flat bottom container on top with a heavy weight (5-10 pounds) and refrigerate at least 48 hours before eating. Drain excess water twice daily and turn over to evenly marinade.
Slice thin and enjoy with mustard sauce

MUSTARD SAUCE:
1.5 Tbs mild dijon mustard
1.5 Tbs vinegar
1.5 Tbs sugar
0.5 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add finely chopped fresh dill before serving.

L-O-V-E (pink~wedding~a wise skin horse)

No matter how hard I try to avoid it, the month of February fills my brain with thoughts of two of my favorite topics: pink and love. In honor of St. Valentine, I thought I’d share a few photos from our wedding (we’ll be married two years this coming June), as it was an occasion that was also filled with both pink and love.

May this Valentine’s Day find you all feeling loved (in the real sense), whether it be from a significant other, a secret admirer, a loyal four-legged monster;), a friend who has seen you through your best and worst times or a family member who has loved you inside & out during those best and worst times. Happy Valentine’s day, dear friends.


EXCERPT FROM THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
~ By Margery Williams ~

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

xoxo,

Blair

The history of a bike basket, abridged

Matt and I have started a New England island summer-getaway tradition. After we married in 2008 we escaped to Nantucket for a week of relaxation. In 2009, we spent time on Martha’s Vineyard and this year we’re going to Block Island for the first time (dog-friendly island, so Miss Luna will be joining us). Each year we take our bikes with us on the ferry and spend the week exploring the chosen island (there’s always a photo or two of Matt’s departing back, as he’s usually biking along in front of me while I stop to take photos of every turtle and snail that I can find:)).

I’ve wanted an official, grown-up bike basket for as long as I remember. I made this my mission while on Martha’s Vineyard last summer. It took us a full day to find the right one, but I knew as soon as I saw it that we were meant to be together for a very long time. It’s proven quite handy, holding towels, wallets, cell phones; I’ll even throw the occasional flower in there if I'm feeling crazy;).

I couldn’t stand the thought of my lovely basket sitting in the basement this winter, so I’ve decided to put it to use in the house as a book basket. I must say that I quite like it and come summer I may have to find a new bike basket all over again.

xoxo,

Blair

48 Hours of Oslo

Our visit to Oslo was such a pleasure, though it wasn’t long enough. The city is so rich with history; it was hard to take it all in during such a short period of time. While Matt was conferencing in the northern mountains of Norway, I wandered the streets of Oslo, visiting museums (National Gallery and the Munch Museum), Vigeland Sculpture Park, residential areas, Karl Johans Gate (which was full of twinkle lights….. my favorite ;)). It’s absolutely a brilliant city and I hope to make it back there. When I got home, I realized that I hadn’t taken nearly as many photos as I’d hoped, but here are some impressions from the trip. Enjoy!

Boats, resting for the winter, Aker Brygge




Mom & baby seals, Aker Brygge


A lovely silver display at a floral shop


Rose gardens, covered in winter, Vigeland Statue Park




More from Vigeland....








This little guy was checking out the river below (he was quite the ham, posing for photos)



How I love corner floral shops! This one did not disappoint:)


Colorful homes....



Including a pink one **heart**


Twinkle Lights at Karl Johans Gate








Royal Palace

Nature Table: Providenciales Island, Turks and Caicos

It was not hard to find lovely treasures during our trip to Turks & Caicos. Every time the tide washed away, I found a new treat peeking out at me from the sand! Here’s a little sample of what I gathered…..



To see how the Nature Table Project got started, click here.

SiMpLe ThInGs

Dear sweet friends,

As I was away, I was unable to partake in the Simple Things postings of late January. I thought it was such a lovely idea, so moving and inspiring, that I created my list, albeit a bit late. So, I welcome February with my list of simple things and hope that this month brings peace, love and health to those around the world, including you.



My SiMpLe ThInGs



My husband’s voice
Daily phone calls with my mom
Being my father's daughter
Friendships that have lasted and grown throughout the years
Having an older brother
Having a younger brother
**
Sand between my toes
Being a woman
Being healthy
Rosy cheeks and freckled faces
Good conversation
My dog’s rare and random bark
**
Old-fashioned street lamps and cobble-stoned roads
Being snowed in
The first sign of spring
Christmas Eve
Opening stockings
**
Gruyere Cheese
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
A pretty glass of pink wine
The sound of my husband playing the piano
A book that I can’t stop reading
**
Naptime with hubby and Luna
My lovely new couches- just the perfect shade of pale blue
Classics and Jazz- a French radio station that we stream in our home- plays the perfect blend of music, no matter my mood
Hand-written letters
Leaving little notes for hubby
**
The blonde curls and big brown eyes of my lovely nephew
My nephews & nieces (and how they all call me auntie Blair:))
The long driveway leading to my sweet home
My husband’s singing voice
My husband’s dancing face
**
When Luna greets me as soon as I walk through the door, like I’m the most important thing on the planet
Filet Mignon and Lobster
Autumn in New England
Birds eating from my bird feeder
Composting
**
Fresh Flowers
Shades of Blues, Pinks, Whites
Flicking through Home Design and Garden magazines on a Saturday morning
Our Saturday morning routine of eating egg sandwiches, drinking big mugs of coffee and listening to NPR
A pair of shoes that is both cute AND comfy:)
**
Outdoor speakers
Outdoor showers
Canoe rides
Singing out loud to myself
Laughter
**
Watching my parents dance together
*
Dancing with hubby
*

Goodbye For Now!

Matt and I are leaving tonight for Oslo and Turks & Caicos. We’ll be spending Tuesday through Friday in Norway (Matt work, me fun:)) and then we’ll be on the island of Providenciales from Saturday through Wednesday of next week (fun for both). I will post pictures of both beautiful locations upon my return.

I couldn't find any goodbye photos, so I'm leaving you with a photo I took this past fall of a sweet couple in St. James's Park. They looked so at peace and at ease with each other that I felt inspired to snap a picture :).

I hope you all have a lovely week!!

xoxo,

Blair