I’m at that point in moving where I reeeeeeally need to clean out my fridge because the more I use up, the less I have to move. Needless to say we’ve had some pretty “creative” dinners this week.  I also keep forgetting that I packed up 70% of the kitchen. I totally wanted to make something with whipped cream yesterday but when I went to pull the beaters out of my kitchen cabinet, it was empty. Sad trombone. The good news is that I still can produce tasty recipes out of this bare essentials kitchen of mine. I just can’t make anything that has spices in it since my spice cabinet is in a box somewhere…

I found some puff pastry hiding out in the freezer so I pretended like I was entertaining 10 people at my unkempt house and made these Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares. These puff pastry bites taste a little bit like blackberry pie mixed with a lemony cheese danish BUT! There’s an arugula leaf nestled under each blackberry. Not only does it add a nice green/peppery bite it provides a nice visual interest to the plate of squares. It’s practically salad (not really).

I am not at liberty to say how many I ate yesterday.

And we’re off!

We need to make the lemony goat cheese!

Lemon zest, goat cheese, honey & milk. Stir well to combine!

In a small bowl, mix blackberries with balsamic vinegar. Let it sit for a bit.

Thaw your puff pastry x 2. I used Trader Joe’s…which comes in two square sheets. Rectangles are cool too!

Cut about 12 or so squares out of each sheet. Score the squares with a square.

Place a dollop of the goat cheese on top of each square.

Plop a blackberry on each square. Now bake!

That’s right.

Pure gold. Now add a little bit of arugula under each blackberry and now we’re talking!!

If you wanna take it to another level, drizzle a little bit of aged balsamic on top!

I bet your guests will go crazy for these. Or you could be like me and not have guests over…just eat them like their going out of style. I suggest a Moscow Mules with these. Just do it.

Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

makes about 24-30

• 6 oz goat cheese, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (I used Trader Joe’s)
• 1/2 pint blackberries
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• small handful arugula

Preheat oven 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment & set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese, lemon zest and honey together. In another small bowl stir the blackberries with the balsamic vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes.  On a lightly floured surface, cut the puff pastry into 2 inch squares. Place squares onto the parchment lined sheet  about 2 inches apart and score a square into the pastry making sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom.

Place a dollop of lemon goat cheese on top of each square and top with a blackberry. Bake squares for 15-20 minutes until golden. Let squares cool and place a leaf of arugula under each blackberry. Serve warm or at room temperature.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to accept a few things about myself. For starters, I will ALWAYS choose the wrong lane to be in at the grocery store. You should stay away from me when I’m waiting in line because the lane is guaranteed to be cursed. I currently have at least 30 gray hairs on my head and it will only get worse. That’s what happens when your dad went fully gray at 27. I remember being younger and thinking that I’d never have to color my hair if I didn’t want to. Duhhh.

I’ve also accepted the fact that when I drink bourbon, I start craving things like Cheez-Its and Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits. And when I’m drinking bourbon, my guard is down and I absolutely inhale said cheesy things. But it’s cool. No!  I’ve accepted this.

What I haven’t accepted is the fact that I can’t eat just one Coconut Lime Bar…

That’s gonna take awhile.

And we’re off!

Ingredient gathering. This drink is strong and GOOD. Essential elements to a boozey drink, I say!

Mint & sugar in a jar. Add a little bit of water & lemon juice. MUDDLE.

If you don’t have a muddler because you packed it and you don’t know what box it’s in…use the back of a wooden spoon.

This a note to self. I couldn’t find my muddler…This spoon totes worked.

Hardest part is coming up! Pouring 2 oz. of bourbon.

It’s hard…because I tend to spill things. I’ve accepted that though.

Fill your jar with crushed ice. Add the bourbon, give it a little stir…

Stick a lemon wedge on the side…

Give it a squeeze and drop it in. Lemon Mint BOURBON. I’m down.

You are invited to eat as many Cheez-Its as you want.

Accept my invitation!

Lemon & Mint Julep

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

makes 1

recipe adapted slightly from Everyday Food

• 5-6 sprigs mint
• 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• crushed ice
• 2 ounces Bourbon
• lemon wedge & mint, for garnish

Combine mint, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon water, and lemon juice in a glass. Mash gently with the back of a wooden spoon until mint is bruised. Fill glass with crushed ice, add Bourbon, and stir until combined. Serve with a lemon wedge & a sprig of mint.

My brother Ryan is in town from NYC.

We went out to breakfast.

Today I REALLY wanted the banana wheat germ pancakes at Stack’s but I chickened out (AGAIN!) and got the veggie breakfast skillet. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

Stuck in traffic.

I love clouds. The end.

Cooper woke up over 45 minutes early every morning this week.

It was kind of annoying. But at least I got to see this…

And this…

I caught the waiter in the wineglass.

There was a lot of playing outside this week.

I made lemon & mint juleps. Recipe soon!

Cooper’s favorite lunch.

What I stare at at work. I can feel my blood pressure rise as I type this.

Drawing on packing paper.

We are living with boxes everywhere.

Good thing about moving? You find stuff you’ve been looking for. My glasses! It’s only been like 8 months.

Still looking for my lens cap…

Cat breakfast.

I love how I can see trees in bowls sometimes. Not always ideal when you’re taking pretty food shots.

Dessert.

Proof that you shouldn’t grocery shop when you’re hungry. We could have done with just two.

1. Helen Jane has really good solutions for a painful internet. She’s a genius.
2.  I love LOVE love outfit #1. My mom would have worn that when she was younger.
3. This blog makes me want to travel soooo bad.
4. Hot Fudge Pudding Cake…for when Mondays are hard.
5. Speaking of travel. Bri’s trip to Mexico looked so fun and that video!! WOW.
6. Mini envelopes from catalogs! What a cute DIY!!
7. OMG! It’s the dude from UP! 
8. Can you imagine having a fridge this color? It would be super fun.
9. Lessons About Motherhood & Business.  Great read! I just ordered Mom, Inc. too.
10. Oh, Honey Balsamic Strawberry Galette…let’s make out!
11. Kids plates DIY. I know a few grownups (ahem, cough…points finger at self) who would have fun w/ this.
12. Wear it NOW!! I’m totally guilty of thinking of my clothes this way…Good motivation to dress better!
13. I have watched this video at least 10 times. It’s the most epic music video in a car EVER.
14. Man + Babies= MANBABIES. Equally creepy & hilarious.

On this week’s episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast, we talk about packing, siren songs, moms & our favorite Trader Joe’s items. Episode #48 is called Brushing My Teeth with Cookies!

I’m in the middle of moving…I give you some tips & tricks on packing over at High Straightenence this week. Check it out!

Did you check out Joy’s new website redesign??! It sure is pretty!

Some of you may already know that we’re moving! When I started showing you parts of my house, I never imagined that we would be packing everything up. If things work as planned, Casey & I will be buying the house I grew up in from my parents in Marin County. We’re excited because there are so many great features to the house; I know it well. The light there is beautiful and I know Cooper will have a wonderful childhood there because I did.

So having said that, I’m going to show you the rest of our current house. I tried to take as many pictures of the rooms as possible before we took things down. I am sad because it took us almost 6 years to feel 100% at home here. We truly poured our hearts into this house and in the end it was all worth it. It was our first house! I’m really proud at how things turned out and I am excited for many new design challenges to come!

Here it is. The guest room. It’s a very calming space. It’s probably the most uncluttered room we have.

Maybe that’s why I love watching TV in there…

We chose C2 Paint- C260 Kauai in Flat Acrylic Enamel for the wall color. I always wanted a dark blue room and after trying many paint samples, we settled on this gem. We really wanted to have an all white duvet cover but we had to acrap that idea with two black cats. This IKEA duvet has really stood the test of time and it barely shows cat hair. I love that in a duvet cover.

That lamp? Totally not Jonathan Adler. It was from Kmart! The tray under the lamp is from IKEA & I made that painting on the side at the Joy Retreat. That dresser and bed frame is IKEA too. Whoa. That’s a lot of IKEA in one room.

This is a side shot of the room.

My mother in law made us the valance & curtains. We always wanted to put trim on them but we never got around to doing it.

I had hoped to add a splash of magenta or lime green in here somehow… Maybe I’ll do that in the next place.

The three paintings on the wall were a birthday present from Casey before we got married. I was really into Blythe dolls in my early 20s. The colors of the painting might have inspired the wall color…They do match really well in there.

When Cooper was little he would point at the paintings and say “Mama!” He loves this room.

He always begs us to sleep in the “pokka dot bed.”

He loves playing on the bed and hiding under the covers.

I should note that the cats occupy this room most of the time….The bed is totally a cat magnet.

We have so many good memories here.

Some really really good ones.

It’s really been a great guest room.

We’ve had so many wonderful guests here!

I’m a mom, so I can say this with authority: Moms Love Brunch!

Let me tell you why!

Mother’s Day Brunch means:

• We don’t have to cook and we’d BETTER NOT have to clean up.
• For the love of God! Someone finally let us sleep in. That’s all we ever want, am I right? Well.. that and a day alone with a good book and a box of chocolates.
  
• YOU get to decide if we want savory OR sweet for brunch. That’s usually the hardest decision EVER. But whatever you feed us must be something WE like. It’s our day after all! 

If you’re a mother and you want brunch time awesomeness this Sunday, please direct this post to your family. If you want to make brunch for your mother, ask her her thoughts on eating in bed and then take it from there. Breakfast in bed is kind of a tricky thing…especially when there’s maple syrup involved. I remember it being a bit awkward when I brought my mom french toast in bed one Mother’s day…

Maybe you just wanna take Mom on a spa day and then share three plates of fries afteward?  You hear that, Cooper??!

Let’s start with SAVORY:

PAN ROASTED ASPARAGUS W/ FRIED EGGS

Asparagus is in season. Moms will be impressed by the breadcrumbs and LOOK! You fried an egg.

BACON & EGG BREAKFAST PIZZA W/ ARUGULA

Breakfast pizza done right. Women love salad. Look! This is like a salad masking egg, bacon & pizza trickery.

BELL PEPPER IN-A HOLE

For when you’re saving calories cuz yer making mom a spectacular dessert for Mother’s Day, try this healthy recipe!

SAUSAGE CHEDDAR BISCUITS

I mean…come on. A few of these biscuits with some eggs…and maybe a little maple syrup in a little bowl. YES.

BAGELS & SMOKED SALMON CREAM CHEESE

If you’re feeding the whole family in addition to praising your mom, this will do the trick!

LET’S GET SWEET!

FARM STAND BUTTERMILK DOUGHNUTS

Tell your mom it’s OK to eat 5. IT’S HER DAY!!! Calories don’t matter, she BIRTHED you!

BUCKWHEAT BELGIUM WAFFLES

Waffles are easy. She’ll like waking up to a batch of these scenting the house.

ORANGE POPPY SCONES

Light buttery scones perfumed with orange zest. Give your mom a book, some tea & some scones.

Now clean the kitchen without being asked to.

MOM’S SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE

Make one of your mom’s classic recipes! She’ll love having a break from doing it herself.

WARM PEAR-RASPBERRY BRUSCHETTA

Your mom will think you’re aces for coming up with such a clever treat. Tell her it’s just good genes.

STICKY LEMON ROLLS

Make these the night before and sneak out of your bed and put them in the oven in the AM.

Go get the newspaper, set the table, and blow your mom’s mind. Favorite child? That’s you! Duh.

MELON & MINT SALAD

You gotta throw a fruit salad in there. A balanced diet is ALWAYS appreciated. Mom’s want to know they’ve taught you well.

CHOCOLATE DUTCH BABY

Because we all need dessert for breakfast. Especially after being in labor with you.

FRENCH 75

Go get your nails done did and drink some French 75s!

PSSST! Don’t wait til the last minute to get a card. A mom can smell that from A MILE AWAY.

If you want to make a fancy beverage, add this one to your repertoire. It would be great at parties, lovely at a Mexican themed baby shower (we had one!) and just plain refreshing if you’re sitting outside on a hot day. The cilantro isn’t too pungent, so I’m pretty sure you could fool a few cilantro haters into drinking some.  And who knows…you might convert a few people to Team Cilantro.

Try it and report back!

And we’re off!

Ingredients. Simple.

Juice the limes.

Make the simple syrup. Sugar & water. Heat until sugar is dissolved.

Add the cilantro to the syrup. Let it steep for a bit.

Strain the syrup into a jar.

And if you’re taking the show on the road you’ve got a jar of lime juice, simple syrup, bubbly water & cilantro/lime for garnish.

In a big pitcher, add in the lime and cilantro.

Pour in the bubbly water. Add the lime juice.

Add in the cilantro simple syrup. Take a taste and see if it needs more. Adjust accordingly.

Serve with a lime wedge and a little bit of cilantro.

Now that’s REFRESHING.

Cilantro Limeade

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

makes 4

recipe from Whole Living Magazine

• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• 1 cup cilantro sprigs, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup seltzer water
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (from 8 to 10 limes)
• Lime wedges, for garnish

Make cilantro syrup: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat, add cilantro sprigs, and let steep 5 minutes. Strain, discard sprigs, and let cool.

Stir together seltzer, lime juice, and 10 to 12 tablespoons syrup in a large pitcher. Serve over ice & garnish with cilantro and lime.

NEED CREATIVE SPACE. Always & forever.

Highlight of the week? Caramel Brioche Croutons!

Worst part of the week? Food poisoning!  I believe this shrimp burrito had something to do with it.

Cooper was sick a few days before so maybe it was a bug. In other words…IT SUCKED.

Since I was laid up in bed all Saturday, I missed the Supermoon. I did get to see it on Friday…Not the same.

This is Cooper’s PLLLLLLEASE face.

This is how he gets his aggression out on the chalkboard in the kitchen.

Cheers!

There was a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge this week.

I watched a random cat hang out in our backyard.

We got deli sandwiches for lunch one day.

We’re currently packing because we are moving!

Things are pretty chaotic around here.

Boots & a bicycle (not my bike).

Remy’s favorite spot in the house…the guest room! I’ll show you that soon.

Turkey Bacon BLT on Dave’s Killer bread.

Greek Salad and Amanda & Matthew holding hands in the background!

1.  This cake.  I want to get drunk off this cake.
2. I love Dana’s riff on my Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon & Arugula. YUM.
3.  These tacos totally intrigue me! Check out this quesadilla too!
4. The Bloggess interviewed on the Happiness Project. I like: “Pretend you’re good at it!”
5. Vermont looks so pretty & I’m so excited for Aran’s new book! Can’t wait to see the trailer.
6. 10 Great Crafty Sheet Ideas. I love #4 & 8.
7. Yosemite. I will see you one day. Promise. Also! I’ve never camped with a kid…
8. I luv anything that AB Chao writes. Great tips & OMG you should check out her bedroom!
9. Sometimes when I need a good laugh I look at the HUMOR section on Pinterest.
10. DIY decal tutorial.  I want those jars. Imagine what you could do…
11. Speaking of jars…Why jars are great for bringing food to cookouts!
12. A very thoughtful & honest post by one of my best blog buddies!
13. ACE Hotel in Palm Springs. I want to go to there.
14. The State of the Web Right Now. This cracked me up. Seriously.

This week on the Joy the Baker podcast we get Boozy! Take 5 bars, Gin, Bourbon, T-Flo update. Cinco de Quatro?! Hilarity as per usual!

On High Straightenence this week, I tell you what’s up! My life is absolute chaos right now..for a good reason.

Psssst!!!

 This picture is from my instagram. Are you on instagram? I’m @tracyshutterbean.  Oh! Btw…I’m totally and utterly addicted.  It’s soo good, it’s bad.

When I’m working in the kitchen and I’ve made something particularly good I do this thing….this thing that I wasn’t aware I did until Casey started working from home. When something blows me away, I do fist pumps and shout out “MMMM. IT’S SO GOOD. MMM. OH MY GOD MMM.” Then I proceed to walk through the house while eating…shouting how good it is.  I didn’t realize I do it until I saw the peculiar look on my husband’s face.

Yeah dude, your wife does this weird thing.

So… that happened with these Caramel Brioche Croutons. Fist pumps, moans, angels sang, and Oprah shouted in my head.

THE WORKS.

People! This is so good.  I want you to make something that will produce FIST PUMPS and weird noises.

Then and only then will my work done. It’s caramel. It’s bread. It’s crunchy sweet Caramel Brioche Crouton time.

And we’re off!

Ingredient gathering happens NOW.

Let’s make toast. Toast brioche. Cut off the crust. Cut toast into little cubes. Crouton magic.

Caramel time!

Melt the butter, sugar & water. Make a caramel. Takes roughly 5 mins.

Stop drop & roll. Well…put the croutons in and gently stir.

Place them on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.  This is at the tail end of the process.

Yeah. This is jealousy inducing. They get hard on the outside and remain soft and light on the inside.

Now we’re gonna do something with them. I mean…you could just EAT them on their own…Yeah.

Strawberry time!

Place cut strawberries in a bowl with a little bit of balsamic vinegar. Let it sit. Done.

Now we are ready to roll. Dessert style.

Line the bottom of each glass with some croutons. Look at that caramel!!

Add a scoop of ice cream & some of the strawberries on top.

Top with more caramel brioche croutons & a little bit of mint.

So simple. SO YUM.

Mind=blown.

Caramel Brioche Croutons

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

serves 4-5

recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine

•  6 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4-5 slices toasted brioche bread, cut into 3/4 cubes

with Strawberries & Ice Cream:

• 1 pint vanilla bean ice cream
• 8 medium strawberries thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• mint for garnish

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter, sugar and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.

Allow mixture to boil and caramelize until the syrup is an amber color. Remove from heat and add the cubes of bread one handful at a time, and stir gently to coat. Use a fork and gently pull the croutons out and place them on the parchment lined sheet, making sure none are touching. Let cool.

In a small bowl stir together the strawberries & balsamic vinegar. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to marinate. To serve, fill four serving dishes or cups with ice cream, garnish with caramel croutons & strawberries. Drizzle any excess balsamic vinegar on top.