Before and After #12: Office

I set up my office in the small alcove off the master bedroom (the original MLS listing described it as a "private retreat").

I unpacked a lot of stuff when we moved in two years ago, but I just now finally got everything completely sorted and organized.

 

This is the office side.  Of course I don't need much space for writing other than a place to plug in my computer, but I do use the desk to store old clips, copies of magazines and books I've been published in, research material, galleys and review copies, etc.

  

On this side I also store mementos like photos, the children's artwork, scrapbooks, and correspondence.  It's also where I do all my filing for less sentimental things like bills and account statements.  I have space for the kids' workbooks and work sheets.  And I have a ton of magazines.(Martha Stewart Living from 2008? I've got that.)

This is the craft side.  Last weekend I bought and assembled this enormous 5x5 Expedit (it weighs more than 200 pounds).  Then I filled it with supplies for sewing, knitting, embroidery, drawing, painting, kid's crafts, party planning, flower arranging, gift wrapping, and a lot more besides.  If you ever need pipe cleaners, sealing wax, crochet hooks, or floral foam, this is the place to be.

This beautiful antique trunk was a wedding present from Sam and Lilli - it's now completely full of off-season throw pillows.  And I love these curtains I made from saris (for $15).

 

 

 

Here's the paper and printing area.  Yes, the color printer on the right is huge, but Dev got a great deal on it from Craigslist and talked me into it.  I'm still a little unsure about having a printer in my office the size of a small refrigerator, but it does produce really nice, invitation-quality prints.  And underneath I have all of our paper, envelopes, and shipping supplies.

Here's my work table.  This Japanese paper screen (a garage sale find) separates the "retreat" from the rest of the bedroom.

The only thing missing is better lighting - it's still not really bright enough to sew in here - but Dev has promised to upgrade my lighting set-up later this year.  Even dimly lit, though, it looks so much better than it did before.

Favorite Recipes, 2011-2013

In 2011, my mom gave me a weekly meal planning notebook as a Christmas stocking stuffer.  I loved it so much that I asked her for another one in 2012.

I just filled up my first book and before I throw it out, I wanted to make a list of some of our favorite family recipes from that book. 

I'm posting them here in case anyone wants to check them out, but also because I often go to this blog myself when looking for an old recipe (I also keep all my favorite recipes in a binder, but often the laptop is more handy than the binder). 

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH*

1. Baked oatmeal.  I got this great recipe from my friend Lynley.

Ingredients:
 
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 apple, grated
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 
Preparation:
 
1.  Preheat oven to 325F.
2. In a large bowl, mix oats, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, brown sugar, grated apple, and cinnamon.  Pour over the dry mixture and stir to combine.
4. Pour mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking pan.  Bake until liquid is absorbed and top is light golden, about 45 minutes.  

2. Mini Vegetable Frittatas (made in a muffin pan)
3. Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
4. Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart
5. Crumb Cake
6. Strata (using various recipes, including this one and this one)
7. Classic Cinnamon Rolls
8. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

SOUP AND SALAD

1. Sweet Potato Cauliflower Soup
2. Cauliflower Kale Soup
3. Hearty Pea and Spinach Soup
4. Carrot Soup with Tahini and Crisped Chickpeas
5. Warm Goat Cheese Salad (a combination of this recipe and this one)
6. Kale Salad with Pecorino and Lemon
7. Pickled Beets and Arugula Salad
8. Caramelized Tofu with Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
9. Pork Ramen Soup
10. Italian White Bean and Mustard Greens Soup
11. Tuscan White Bean Soup with Pancetta and Rosemary
12. French Onion Soup
13. Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar

MAIN DISHES

1. Gnocchi, Sweet Corn, and Arugula in Cream Sauce
2. Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili
3. Slow-Cooker Asian Baby-Back Ribs with Udon Salad
4. Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Coulis
5. Tuna and White Bean Salad, usually as a sandwich
6. Slow-Cooker Coffee-Braised Brisket with Potatoes and Carrots
7. Chicken Pot Pie Empanadas
8. Beef Potato Hand Pies
9. Spicy Rainbow Chard with Bacon and Polenta
10. Shredded Pork Tacos
11. Spring Risotto with Peas and Zucchini
12. Sloppy Joe's
13. Fish Tacos (a combination of this recipe and this one)
14. Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
15. Crab cakes from Trader Joe's, with tomato salad and biscuits

SIDES

1. Cauliflower Puree with Chickpeas
2. Roman-Style Artichokes
3. Small Whole Green Lentils from Trader Joe's, following the recipe on the back of the bag. A lot of times we top these lentils with a poached egg for a complete dinner. Also great with the Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze.
4. Southern Greens Blend from Trader Joe's, following the recipe on the back of the bag
5. Cole Slaw (courtesy of Mina)

DESSERTS

1. Peach Blueberry Buckle
2. Smores Treats
3. Pink Lemonade Bars
4. Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel Centers
5. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
6. Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting
7. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
8. Pumpkin Cookies (I leave off the chocolate glaze)
9. Oatmeal Cookies
10. Roasted Chestnut Cookies

(I should also give a shout out to Mango Chicken, the absolute worst thing I've made in the past two years, and maybe the only dinner so bad that we immediately threw it away without eating it.)

Now to fill up book #2...

* I especially like breakfasts that are make-ahead and portable, things like baked oatmeal squares and mini frittatas, because on school days the kids eat breakfast in the car.