Summer Salad. {Part Two}

Tags

avocado, avocado slices, california caprese, caprese, caprese salad, corn, corn kernels, entertaining, food, fresh, gardening, healthy cooking, heirloom tomatoes, recipe, salad, summer salad, summer salads, vegetarian

I have shared with you one of two summer salads that I find myself obsessed with this season. Today I give you the second of the two, it’s what I call, The California Caprese. A twist on the traditional caprese I add grilled corn kernels and delicious avocado slices to make the perfect salad – light, but substantial.

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

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A Bridal Shower. {Garden Party}

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Balloons with fringe, bridal shower, coral, diy, DIY Decorations, DIY ideas, gold, mint, party, party decor, round ballons, streamers, style, succulent favors, tissue paper poms, wedding

I had a blast the other weekend when I flew down to California for a fun-filled weekend in honor of my soon-to-be-sister-in-law. I was so happy to co-host the bridal shower and was in my element planning all the little details. I hand made all of the decor (yes I might be a crazy person) and made all the little favors too! I have a few favorite decor details from the day that I have shared full size below, you can see more images from the day by checking me out on Pintrest.

The succulent favors were the perfect touch and helped to really bring together the table settings. A DIY tutorial to come soon on those. (Yes, I did make all the little wax seal tags for those pots too!)

The tissue paper poms were a great touch of whimsy, and of course perfect for the garden party theme. A great addition to any party are those cool fringey streamers you see hanging in the background. Click here for instructions on how to make the streamers (they are super easy).

I wanted table runners that added to that feeling of whimsy that much of the other decor had. I used different widths and lengths of ribbon in the same color family to achieve the perfect look.

I shared my love for balloons last month when I was in the planning stage of the party. Geronimo style balloons were definitely inspiration and a detail I knew I would have to have. The balloons I made were a big hit and might have been my favorite decor detail. I found great instructions and a source for the actual balloons here.

A true labor of love, I hand cut and assembled all these tissue paper flags. I was thrilled that they turned out to be a fabulous as I had envisioned them to be. (Click here to find out how to make these for yourself.)

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

For the Love of Marionberries.

Tags

baking, berries, blackberries, cabernet of blackberries, canning, farm to table, farming, food, fruit tart, gardening, hybrid berries, jam, making jam, marionberry, olallie berries, oregon state university, summer berries

I went berry picking yesterday, for the berry I have been waiting all year for, the marionberry. What is a marionberry, you might ask? According to Wikipedia, “The berry was released in 1956 under the name Marion, after the county where it was tested extensively.” This Oregon State University hybrid is a cross between the ‘Chehalem’ and ‘Olallie’ berries. The complexity of its flavor has left the marionberry with a reputation as the “Cabernet of Blackberries”.

It was a long day of picking and jamming, it was hard work, but totally worth it. I even have enough berries left to bake a delicious tart, as well as the satisfaction of checking this of my summer of fun list.

Xo

Image via 97 Sullivan

Petite Fleur.

Tags

beauty, bud vase, decor, flowers, gardening, home, interior design, nature, plants, style, styling, vases, wild flowers

I threw together these cute little bud vases when I was styling a space for an event. They helped complete the look for the bookshelf and are perfect for filling voids on any surface. Currently my latest obsession, I love cutting random flowers from the garden and filling bud vases for every nook and cranny in the house.

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

June. {Snapshots}

Tags

accessories, Andina, blueberries, business cards, david austin, farming, fashion, flowers, food, gardening, gold skull necklace, letterpress, letterpress business cards, munstead wood, peony, photography, ray ban aviators, roses, snap shots, strawberries, style

{my new letterpress business cards}

{blueberries, almost ripe}

{my favorite cocktail @ Andina}

{peonies}

{fresh picked strawberry}

{blooming roses – David Austin’s Munstead Wood}

{grasses}

{my two new favorite accessories}

{Mahi Mahi @ Trader Vic’s}

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

Jammin’.

Tags

canning, cooking, food, homemade strawberry jam, jam, jam recipe, recipe, strawberry jam

After yesterday’s post I bet you were thinking – what is that crazy girl gonna do with thirteen pounds of strawberries? Well, the answer is lots of things, but mostly I had planned on making jam. I started canning my own food about four years ago and it has become a process that I look forward to every summer. It’s not really that hard, intimidating maybe but mostly just time-consuming. It’s well worth it in the end because there is nothing I love more than giving the gift of homemade jam.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:

• 6 cups crushed strawberries (about 6 lbs)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 Box Pectin
• 8 cups granulated sugar
• 12 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Instructions:

• PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside. 

• COMBINE strawberries and lemon juice in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that can not be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

• ADD entire measure of sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. 

• LADLE hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight. 

• PROCESS in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

Strawberry Fields Forever.

Tags

canning, farming, food, gardening, home, lifestyle, marionberries, picking berries, sauvie island, sauvie island pumpkin patch, strawberries, u pick strawberries

I was so excited to tackle my very first summer of fun item on the list yesterday. A friend and I went to Sauvie Island to pick fresh Hood strawberries. We had a blast, and although is was supposed to rain the weather held out for us! I will heading back to The Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch later in the season for u-pick peaches and marionberries.

{at The Pumpkin Patch}

{fields of Hood strawberries}

{let the picking begin}

{storm clouds}

{Cara pickin’}

{ladybug}

{that’s me in strawberry heaven}

{wheat fields}

{my thirteen pounds of strawberries}

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

April. {Snapshots}

Tags

april, beauty, chickens, flowers, life, photography, rhododendron, rose, spring, trillium flowers, wisteria

{blue skies and blooming trees}

{native trillium flowers in bloom}

{sweet baby chicks at work}

{rhododendron buds}

{wisteria coming alive}

{my new rose}

{sunshine on the horizon}

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan

Sauvie Island.

Tags

farming, gardening, hellebores, lamb, local, oregon, portland, sauvie island, spring

A couple of weeks ago a few friends and I went to Sauvie Island. It was a chilly wet morning on the island, but we still had a blast. We had the chance to feed some lambs on a friends farm and witnessed the first signs of spring.

The island is predominantly farmland and a wildlife refuge. It’s a popular place for picking pumpkins and berries, as well as hunting geese and kayaking.

I am in love with these winter blooming Hellebores.

According to Wikipedia, Sauvie Island is the largest island along the Columbia River. Almost 26,000 acres, it is one of the largest river islands in the United States. The land area is 84.82 km² (32.75 sq mi, or 20,959 acres), which is larger than Manhattan.

Xo

Images via 97 Sullivan