Comments : 13

Good Sunday morning to you. Hope you are having a marvelous weekend. Ours has been quite relaxing and we are trying to soak up every last bit of summer that we possibly can. Hurricane Henri is heading this way  so our Sunday outdoor plans have been thwarted, good day to stay in and work on long neglected projects! And I plan on doing just that. Must say, I do love a lazy Sunday (just hope our internet doesn’t go out)!  Most importantly,  if you are in the path, stay safe and stay home!

With all the sadness and grievances going on in our world right now, I am trying to be more mindful and realizing what a privilege even  simple mundane things are. One look at what’s going on in Afghanistan and it makes even a trip to my local grocery market seem like a downright luxury.

It is not lost on me one bit and the tragedy unfolding there consumes me. Then there is Haiti, who was still rebuilding from the last hurricane…such sadness all the way around. All we can do is help however we are able to and to continue to pray for all those affected. On we go to this Sunday’s post…..

__________________________________________________

 

1 A GORGEOUS LEMON PARTY I love lemons and am surprised I have never done a lemon themed table. Such a pretty and elegant way to set a table. Just love all the details for this birthday bash right down to the scrumptious looking lemon cake. Flowers by Boxed Flowers in Los Angeles. Love the colors against a crisp white tablecloth and the glimmer of twinkly lights. Pretty!

 

2 A FASCINATING VIDEO ON AFGHANISTAN My son sent me this and I must say it was  fascinating. It certainly gives on a different perspective on Afghanistan as we know it especially lately. I love documentaries so this was right up my alley and it softened my view with this feature on the most primitive tribal Afghan people who are far removed from the war ravaged country they live in.  I am beyond impressed with the bravery of  Kate Humble, she is really something! Thought you may enjoy this.

 

3 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST Proof of how much beauty there is out there in the world, you just have to look for it……

4 ONE AND ONLY VILLA D’ESTE We were there about 4 years ago and it was noting short of magical. I have said this about very few places but Lake Como is one of those rare gems, and Villa D’Este is like the Hope Diamond:)

Such a beautiful place at every turn. One of the few trips that I didn’t want to leave! God willing next year  our world will be a calmer place and we will be able to go back (hoping for May)! Click here to plan your trip!

5 A NEW FAVORITE PIECE Got in this beautiful new white porcelain pierced footed dish and am a bit obsessed with it. We had these about 3 years ago and sold out of the handful we had right away. Was happy to find something very similar again. Filled it with flowers then tried it with berries and wow, it is a showstopper! Have a limited number of these available, and will be part of our tabletop sale next week. Love it, just a classically beautiful piece.

6 A RECIPE WORTH REPEATING!  Haven’t shared this in a long time but this linguine with clams is  so incredibly good and having made it recently, thought it was worth sharing again. If you love clams, then you will love this! Such flavor and always a big hit.

Key is using vongele (baby clams) and fresh chopped clams. Most seafood stores will carry them or you can order them…worth getting as they are much tastier. Its pretty straightforward, here is what you need

  • 2-3 lbs of vongele (baby white clams, i.e. littleneck or Manila clams)
  • 1 lb of fresh chopped clams (most seafood shops will carry them or you can order them)
  • Generous bunch of fresh parsley (chopped fine)
  • One carton fresh small ripe tomatoes like Campari tomatoes
  • White wine (something dry like a chardonnay)
  • 6-10 garlic cloves (not minced garlic, whole cloves)
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (I tend to go heavy on the red pepper flakes for extra kick)
  • Optional- Fresh lemon juice (a splash)
  • Pasta (I like using thin linguine or a spaghetti)
  • Optional- Fresh Parmigiano

Saute the garlic cloves in olive oil. Once sauteed, add the washed clams, salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley. Add wine and tomatoes. Cover and cook for about 8 minutes. I will then add more olive oil. Meanwhile boil pasta, until al dente (very important), take it off when there is a bit of a “bite” to the pasta. It will continue to cook for a few minutes once strained and then again when mixed in with the clams, have no fear:)  Reserve some of the drained pasta water in a separate dish and poor about 1/2 cup into the clam sauce.

Add fresh lemon juice (optional). I have done it both ways but go sparingly, I would do just the juice from half a lemon. Season to taste, be generous with the sea salt and red pepper flakes, this will give it the kick Cook on simmer. You can turn off after it has cooked total for about 45 min-1 hour. You can heat up when ready to serve.

Once pasta is done, al dente add it to the pot with the clams. Gently mix and add more fresh parsley. Serve into large pasta bowls and I will often add a little more parsley and if you like it, fresh grated parmigiano. Bon appétit…..this is so good!

 

7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY How engaged are you with social media?  I love instagram and occasionally go on Pinterest and that’s about how advanced I am in the social media world. Do you have any idea how many hours you spend on social media? I have a tracker on my phone and am mindful of the limits I place on it. It keeps me aware and on track to not get carried away! One only has so much time even though admittedly, it’s very easy to go down that rabbit hole. How about you? Check all that apply, should be fun to see how you vote on this.


________________________________________________

Hope you enjoyed the post…anything particularly resonate? Is it wrong to be craving linguine and clams at 9am? Yes, it’s really that good:) Hope everyone has a wonderful day, stay safe if you are in the storm’s path. Until next time…..

Three announcements-

Its not too late to throw your name in the hat for a giveaway on my previous post all about what’s new in the shop, click here to view.

 

We have room for only a handful more pictures for our Summer Love contest. Send your best shot (1-2 pictures to [email protected] (click here to read about the contest)

Our entire melamine collection is 30% off today (ends tonight) PLUS spend $100 or more and receive a free serving platter, use code summer

Click here to see the collection

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I’m not a fan of social media anymore. It used to be fun and a nice escape. Now it’s turned into a toxic, self absorbed cesspool of really mean, belligerent, unpredictable, unsympathetic and completely intolerable people. Nevermond it’s a haven of misinformation on any number of important issues. I stay clear and I’ve deactivate my accounts. Thank you for the linguini with white clams recipe 😋🌺💗

I always look forward to your wonderful blog. Everything beautiful and love the recipes. I’ve looked back into all your posts for the one you sent on some gorgeous wallpapers. I can’t find it. Can you help?!! Thanks in advance.

Oh, your selections are just…a vacation…how beautiful
Now, I need a rowboat filled w/flowers off our gazebo…franki

Thanks so much for a breath of positivity amid this disaster in so many areas. When I feel things are out of control and two family are in harms way I turn to your site!, Coco the chihuahua is awaiting her pergola!,

How do the flowers stay alive in the pierced footed bowl, as it looks to shallow to fill with water? Thank you.

That white bowl and your flowers are breathtaking! thank you for the clams recipe, it is my husband‘s favorite dish but I’ve never made it because I’m not much of a cook but I may give your recipe a try as anything I have tried if yours has surpassed my expectations.

I enjoy social media but far too busy to devote too much time to it it’s a very sad situation however with the current generation I have three kids under 12 and greatly limit how much time they can spend.

Too many self-absorbed people out there not my thing. Love your blog!

Thank you for that documentary post with Kate Humble. What a strong woman with such a gentle spirit. She is so amazing.

Just finishing watching the BBC documentary. Fascinating, tear jerking, humbling…
Thank you for sharing.

All of the postings of blue and white porcelain are lovely. What I am looking forward to is the white porcelain footed dish you will be selling next week. I am imagining all the lovely flowers I can display in it on my dining room table.

Thank you for sharing the documentary post with Kate Humble. It is hard to watch how others in the world must work to make a living.
We are so blessed!

Join the World of the Enchanted Home!

Subscribe

Instagram

Designed and Developed by BNV Digital Marketing