Farm Fresh Spaghetti Squash

I love to cook, but I don't always like following recipes (okay, I hardly ever follow a recipe). Garlic, olive oil and herbs from my garden are my friends. The selection of fresh vegetables at the farmer's market can be limiting here in Maryland, but there are some things you can count on, like squash in the fall. Last Sunday I stopped by my local roadside farmstand and picked up some goodies, including this spaghetti squash.

Last night, I decided it was time to cook my first squash of the season. The squash cooking coincided with my sage plant going crazy, so I decided I wanted to do something with sauteed garlic and sage. I put about 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, and sauteed 3 large garlic cloves for a few minutes. I then added lots of minced sage (at least a dozen sage leaves) and cooked for a couple more minutes. Finally I mixed it in to the cooked and scooped spaghetti squash, along with a small pat of butter and some grated Pecorino and sprinkled some sea salt. For a final touch, I sprinkled more cut sage and a hearty sprinkling Pecorino on the squash - once it had been plated. It turned out to be so delicious, but so simple. My favorite kind of dish.

Favorite Etsy Shop: Lemon Ball

This past Saturday was my husband's birthday, and like most guys, he is so hard to buy things for. Lucky for me, Etsy seller Lemon Ball makes exquisite handmade baseballs. They have a rich, antique look and feel, which makes sense since they are based on a early 19th century design. These collectibles are made and stitched by hand by baseball enthusiast, Paul Cunningham. They not only look good on a shelf, but they are fun to play catch with. We love this baseball so much, we're thinking about buying more as holiday gifts.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I am excited to have a place to share my new design ideas, special discounts on my jewelry (just for you!), favorite etsy sellers, favorite blogs/sites, cooking and green living ideas, happenings in and around Baltimore and more. In honor of my blog launch, I am offering 10% off any purchases from my shop to anyone who leaves a comment.

One thing you may not know about me, I am a hardcore urban person who has recently moved to the country to a property 20 miles north of downtown Baltimore. I was fed up with having my tires slashed, and other assorted crime incidents. Although I miss the vibrancy of city life, I am very much enjoying the tranquility of the country. We are living in a 300 year old guest cottage on a 23 acre property. My creativity has been strong since we've moved here, so perhaps I made the right choice. I sort of look at my time here as a sabbatical from the city.