Blackberry Call

Have been wild for blackberries lately. No, not the PDA variety... the luscious, finger staining, yummy, summery, pick a pint kind. Such a great summer treat! From local markets to super markets they are a plenty and at prices as low as $1 a container, no brainer!

Anyone have a great Blackberry recipe??? This one sounds berryliscious!

Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

8 cups of fresh blackberries
2 1/4 cups of sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Pastry, home made or store bought
1/4 cup of butter [optional]
1/8 cup of sugar [optional]

Procedure:
Stir together the first 4 ingredients: let the mixture stand 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Roll out half the pastry into a square 1/4 inch thick; cut into 1 ½ inch strips and place on lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake the strips for 10 minutes at 425 degrees until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack to cool. Break strips into pieces.

Spoon half of the blackberry mixture into lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish; top with pastry pieces. Spoon remaining blackberry mixture over pastry. Dot with butter or margarine (optional).

Roll remaining pastry into a square and cut into strips about 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick. Optional, paint very lightly with milk and sprinkle sugar [just enough so sugar sticks] and arrange in lattice design over filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream and /or blackberry syrup.

Recipe: Thehappyberry.com
Photo: virginmedia.com

Read the printed word.org

Think beyond the blog!! A great set of widgets for bloggers and/or web sites, a special icon for all you paper lovers out there.

ReadthePrintedWord.org is putting in the good word for keeping printed matter alive and well. You can download these vintage chic icons and post them as widgets to you own website or blog. There are ten different options to select from... such a great idea! (As long as that paper you are reading is recycled!) ;)

Their mission:

"We support the printed word in all its forms: newspapers, magazines, and of course books. We think reading on computers or phones or whatever is fine, but it cannot replace the experience of reading words printed on paper. We pledge to continue reading the printed word in the digital era and beyond."

Porch Party Pix

Cool ideas for hot summer entertaining...

There's no place like home, so relax and take it easy in the sheltering shade of your porch. Architecturally challenged? Think deck, patio, or even fire escape. Small party + Small patch = Big fun!

Note all of the crafty, re-purposed purposes for fabric, ribbon and decorative paper- great ideas for all those treasures hiding in your closet with no particular project in mind! ;)

Love the summery twist on Xmas lights- paper cupcake wraps

And of course, the perfect finishing touch!

All images via countryliving.com

BIG Ass Fans

Saw my nephew last weekend who is a premier green builder in Asheville, NC. In passing, he mentioned Big Ass Fans, and with a name like that, well- had to check 'em out.

These gi-normous fans are not only green- but cool looking and a great addition if you are planning a new large open space. Perfect for vaulted ceiling dwellings, lofts, warehouses and galleries. Not to mention most commercial spaces.

See/read about the fans here, and while your at it check out Jade Mountain Builders to see some of the most beautiful, sensibly priced green homes being built today built.

Green Design Guide - 10 Steps to Green Your Designs

Today's e-blast: Green Design Guide - 10 Steps to Green Your Designs

View the online version here and share it with friends...

Bastille Day Inspiration

Bonjour! Happy Bastille Day...

Here are a few eco inspired ideas from Parisianevents.com and Kim Petyt, an American wedding planner living in Paris. If wedding belles are in your future- and France is the locale- fly over for some oh la la loveliness!

Nous l'aimons!

All images via parisianevents.com / © Frédéric Lucano, Marie Claire Idées

Purr-fect packaging

Folks are loving the new packaging labels for our 12 pack solid collection.

We work pretty hard on eco-packing and strive to find better solutions to reduce waste. Recently resolved how to make our 12 pack packaging even more green by combining two labels in to one.

Front

Back

Original packaging two labels per pack

What? Didn't even know we had 12 packs? Check them out here- all solid color cards and envelopes are available in cello packed in 12s. So pick up a six pack of your fave color(s)!

It's Friday Cocktail TIme

In keeping with our fave Friday feature- "It's Cocktail Time!"

As the heat rises what better place to turn than to the deep South, and what better drink to serve on a positively sweltering summer eve? Juleps, of course. And what better source to turn to than the grand master of the south... this round is borrowed from Southern Living- cheers!

Ingredients:

3 fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup* (make one day prior- see below)

Crushed ice

1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon

1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer

1 fresh mint sprig

Powdered sugar (optional)

Recipe:

Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. 

Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. 

Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. 

Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. 

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. 

Yield: Makes 1 (8-ounce) julep

*Mint Simple Syrup:

1  cup  sugar
1  cup  water
10  to 12 fresh mint sprigs

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir often, 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; add mint, and let cool completely. 

Pour into a glass jar; cover and chill 24 hours. Remove and discard mint.

Yields 2 cups. Leftover Simple Syrup keeps refrigerated for about one week
 and perfectly sweetens iced tea.

Photos and recipes via Southern Living

So You Need a Typeface?

Working a project? Not feelin' the typeface luv? Try Julian Hansen's "So You Need A Typeface" flow chart for a bit of direction. This 22 year old (!) Danish designer may just get you back on track!

See the flow here, buy the poster here and buy the chalkboards here.

Happy 4th!

  

Bring on the fireworks! (Lots of local listings and schedules here). 
Have a great weekend... see you Tuesday!

Rubber stamp photo via: ecrater.com

Anthology Place

Sun getting to your skin? Try some of these great organic bath and body products... all organic, highest grade essential oils and pure ingredients make this a summer must have!