For the LOVE of Mushrooms

Did you know that Mushrooms have more potassium then a banana? I learned that when I started googling the food that I had recently begun consuming at a slightly obsessive rate. The mushroom is the food I have recently tackled and that I hated with passion until about 3 months ago. I think I hated them because of their sponge-like texture...now that I'm over that, (it only took 25years) I have been eating them daily...let me share with you my mushroom discoveries to date!   

The Arugula Salad

Supper simple and healthy, and oh so delicious! Put a handful of arugula in a bowl, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil, pinch of salt and peper and toss together with your hands.  Cut up your mushrooms (i've been doing baby portables) toss on top of your arugula bed. Cut up some fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese...plop on top of your mushrooms. DONE. 

The 'dressing' on the arugula will season the rest...enjoy the nutty flavor of the cheese with the sharp flavor of the arugula...yumm! and P.S. This is finger food.

Ok, next: 

I just discover this flat bread tart at good ol' Trader Joe's. I'm completely addicted. Thinnest crust, lots of cheese and mushrooms galore. It cooks up in 15 minuets and the aroma is amazing and the taste is intoxicating. Good Luck sharing. This is a meal/snak for ONE. 

Hunting for Morels                                                                                        Its kind of a like going on a magical adventure, looking for a secret hidden treasure. I was first told to start hunting for these little gems when the lilacs are the size of a mouse’s ear, when the dandelions are in full yellow bloom, when cottonwood trees begin to green, when apple trees blossom, when snakes come out of hibernation, when turtles cross the road. A little vage, right? Well we found our morels in early spring on a damp day under dead elms that had fallen but hadn't hit the ground. Once you find your first one, hold on to your hat! Because suddenly its like your eyes are trained and you will find tons! Their look is distinct- They are light and cone-shaped and honeycombed. Its very important to pinch them off with your finges down near the ground. (this way they will grow again in the same spot) and put them in a mesh bag so they can breath.  I'd tell you where exactly we found the morels, but then I'd have to kill you. 

We ate our fresh Morels in a risotto and just lightly sautéed in butter. Luxury. 

Bloom Where You're Planted.

I was looking for inspiration before I began my summer planters and I found a few clever ideas...so I thought i'd share them with you! Next i'll post the planters I come up with! Happy Planting! 

Nostalgia meets funky equals so original!

Born and raised in St. Paul, local artist Michelle creates one of a kind art from vintage ads and magazines. She calls her brand of wallets and jewelry made from this unconventional material 'Girl Creations'.

You will be blown away by the creativity! The wallets are made from the vintage paper that michelle hand folds individually into two different size wallets. The jewelry, with a similar theme, are made with had poured resen or an vintage wooden scrabbel tile.  These nostalgic products will take you back in time while still being so funky and current!  Browse and pick up your one of a kind, functional art at Design Vertigo during the month of May. Michelle will also be hosting an art show, open to the public at the store on June 3rd, 2011...so mark your calendars! Meet Michelle and learn about how she creates her one-of-a-kind art!

Its Teacher Appreciation Week!

Find the perfect card or small gift to tell your favorite teacher you appreciate them at Design Vertigo. 

For the first time in my life, I'm not in school so instead of saying thanks to a teacher I'm currently learning from, I'd like to appreciate a few of my favorite teachers this week.

• Miss Green, 3rd Grade at Christ Lutheran
• Mr. Kopp, Pottery at North High
• Maureen Mitton, Interior Design at UW Stout
• Nan, Art of Reading at Mount Mary

Thank you for being wonderful teachers and people that have inspired and contributed to my education, imagination, and love of learning.

Making the Pit into my Palace

Before

Painted

Major wall and ceiling prep work. Thanks dad!

Filling in all the old nail holes 

Trim Work

The key to the success of the paint job in this room was knowing the secrets to trimming. Now I had my little blue tape out like a good girl, staring at the endless amounts of molding in the space, thinking "I will be doing this forever".  When my dad walked by and said, "umm no." and handed me his "good" paint brush. What makes a good paint brush you ask, well apparently it is an angled brush that is slightly firm and has no wild hairs on it.  

Hold your paint brush kind of like you would a pencil, but loose. With a steady hand dab the paint on the wall near, but not exactly ware you are trimming. Use that paint as your palet. Taking your time, you slowly cut in to the paint  with the point of your brush and drag it, gently working it into the straight line next to your molding. 

After we finished and were leaving, I thanked my dad for his help and teaching me how to trim and he said, "well you would have still been putting up blue tape if I hadn't!" (So True!) 

Its amazing how much better this dusty old room looks with a fresh coat of paint from top to bottom!