What Are You Doing New Year's?

We're hosting a brunch to ring in the New Year!
Take a look at the (emailed) invite/menu, including some good luck foods: black-eyed peas (with collard greens), pork (bacon), grapes (fruit salad), and cakes (french toast and donuts!)
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
Event: New Year's Brunch
Menu:
Cinnamon-Nutmeg French Toast
Baked Eggs with Asparagus and Parmesan
Applewood Smoked Bacon
Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
Fruit Salad
Donuts
Coffee, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys
Decor:
Black, White, Silver, and Turquoise

Twelve Days of Gift Tags

Here are the tags that I created for this year's presents. This is a bit of an experiment- try printing them and let me know if the quality is too bad. If you send me your email address, I can send you a PDF file!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a well-wrapped gift!

Fun, Fabulous, Furnish 123

The fam recently opened a new concept furniture store in the heart of ATX!
Whether you are looking for a sleek sectional sofa, a cute dinette, or a whole new bedroom suite, Furnish 123 has something for you AND, with incredibly reasonable prices, and quick delivery, it's the perfect solution for your space!
They are located just north of 2222 on Burnet Road, right next to Elsi's Restaurant.
Go online to create your own living room... then go try out your new comfy sofa in-store! I'll be showcasing some of their hottest items on the blog over the next few weeks- you know, to give you an idea of how to spend that Christmas cash!
www.furnish123.com

Kocurek Christmas Supper Party- 1809WESTdesign

Beautiful home, a fabulous gathering of friends... it was a pure delight to decorate for this Christmas Supper Party.

Theme: Tradition with a Twist
Colors: Red, Green, Gold, Silver, and White
Flowers: Casablanca Lilies, Fresh Garland, Holly with Berries, White Roses, Gold-Flecked Eucalyptus
Details: Decorative Chair Wrappers, Trailing Centerpieces, Powder Room Arrangements

Hughes Living Room- 1809WESTdesign

Take a peek at my latest living room re-do!
The goal: Unite bold artwork and a streamlined sectional sofa to create a warm and cozy spot in this 1980's condo.
The space: High ceilings, combination living/dining room, big windows and white walls.
The scheme: For the cooler months a warm lodge-like feel--- that easily transitions to a breezy sea-side resort during our hot, hot summer. It's a living room with DRAMA!

Recipe For the Week

Parties, parties, parties!
Only one night for a normal dinner this week...
I'm planning on Real Simple Mag's Pappardelle with Beef and Mushroom Ragu. Merry Christmas!

2tbsp olive oil
1lb beef chuck, cut into 1inch pieces
kosher salt and black pepper
1 lg onion
2 carrots, chopped
4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 lb assorted mushrooms, sliced
12 oz pappardelle or fettucine
1/2 c grated parmesan, plus more for serving


Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan over medium hi heat. Season beef with salt and pepper and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate
Heat remaining tbsp oil in saucepan over med hi heat. Add onion, carrot, garlic, rosemary and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6-8 mins. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until slightly darkened, about 1 min more.
Return beef to pan and add broth and tomatoes. Simmer, covered, stirring occ. until beef is fork tender, 60-75 mins. 
Add mushrooms to pan and cook, covered stirring occ., until tender, about 10-12 mins more. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered until thickened.
Meanwhile, cook pasta accding to directions; drain and return to pot. Add beef ragu and parmesan and toss. Serve with additional parmesan, crusty bread, and salad.
Mmmm!!

Holiday Cookbook!

I simply remember my favorite things... and then I don't feel so bad!
A few recipes (both the tried and true- and the aspirational too!) for the Christmas Dinner or a NYE blast! Happy Eating!


Herb-Crusted Standing Rib Roast from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com
Truffled Wild Mushroom Lasagna from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com

Roast Chicken with Meyer-Lemon Shallot Sauce from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com

Pommes Anna (Potatoes Anna) from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com
Brussels Sprouts Gratin from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com

Salty Caramel Croquembouche from Fine Cooking

Easy Chocolate Chess Pie- Like my momma makes!

Apple, Fennel, and Cheddar Cheese Straws from Fine Cooking

Winter Salad from The Gourmet Cookbook and epicurious.com

Profiteroles with Coffee Ice Cream from Gourmet Magazine and epicurious.com


















Tomato-Basil Soup from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com
Herbed Goat Cheese from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com
Beef Rib Roast and Yorkshire Pudding from the Grill from Cooking Light Magazine
White Bean Dip with Rosemary Olive Oil from Sunset Magazine and myrecipes.com
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail from Cooking Light Magazine and myrecipes.com

Christmas Card

Wishing you a happy holiday season!
~From 1809WEST~

Christmas Decor 2010

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a well-decorated house.
Here are some pics and details from this year's Christmas decor- inspired by the Iloka Karasz's beautifully illustrated book "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
The book was published in 1949- and the pastel colors, abundance of life, and use of numbers provided a springboard for my winter wonderland.

Menu for the Week

Monday~ Pork Roast with Red Cabbage
Tuesday~ Southwest Chicken Soup
Wednesday~ Veal "Schnitzel" with Arugula Salad and Spaetzel
Thursday~ Arthouse Affinity Group!
Friday~ Preppin' for Party- Hmm... Little Deli Pizza?
Saturday~ SD&McConnico Associate Holiday Bash- catered by Tino's Greek Cafe- Decor Details to Follow!