Is it A Soup or Is it A Stew?

BLACK BEAN + BUTTERNUT SOUP // Serves 4-6

Original Blog Post/ Recipe HERE with more photos.

Some of the measurements are pretty vague, but in a stew-like soup, perfection is not necessary. Taste as you go, add more spice if necessary but beware that both chipotle and cayenne are SPICY, so start small. You can cook your beans from scratch or use canned for the sake of time.

1 Tbsp. coconut or extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 a small head of cabbage, chopped (heaping 2 cups)

3 cups cubed butternut squash (sweet potato would be good too)

3 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. cocoa powder

pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne pepper

2 cups cooked, black beans (about one can, rinsed and drained)

salt to taste

avocado, for garnish

cilantro, for garnish

// tortilla crispies //

3 corn tortillas

scant 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Laundry Day Upstairs

I have looked and looked at this photo and I cannot figure out how they got the clothes on the line. I don't see a pulley system; just stretched lines. It looks all but impossible to me. I have a couple of loads of wash I hope to be able to hang outside tomorrow. We have a cloudless sky today so I think I'll be okay.

A Kitchen to Drool Over

Shall we start with the ceiling and work our way down in this kitchen? Are you impressed yet? I love these hanging lights with the black shades...always a favorite. I think a serious cook would be very happy here preparing deliciousness for tonight's Oscar presentations. via

I'm pretty sure the only movie I've seen that is up for an Oscar is 'The Help' so I won't be compelled to stay awake until the end.  I'll start watching early because the best part to me is studying  the stars as they walk down the red carpet. Enjoy the last Sunday in February.

Look Out | Puppy Driving

Have a great weekend and take the dog along wherever you go. via

Love This Mud Room Floor

Beautiful ‘mud room’ back entrance by Amy Morris. Atlanta Homes Mag. This is the best floor I have EVER seen!!!!!!!! via

Cool Kitchen

Oh.My.Goodness -- what a great kitchen. Starting with the checkered floor and working my up the white cabinets to the great drawer pulls to the white subway tiles to the old-fashioned upper cabinets -- I love it all! via

Virtual Road Trip -- Wonderful Video

Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

Story: A lonely desk toy longs for escape from the dark confines of the office, so he takes a cross country road trip to the Pacific Coast in the only way he can – using a toy car and Google Maps Street View. Have a great weekend...use your imagination the way this desk toy did!!

I have an invitation to come back later this spring and see this perennial garden when it is in full bloom. It is supposed to be fabulous. I'll post an updated photo afterwards. The homeowner's office is a wall of windows with french doors looking out on this. I think it's a lovely design, don't you? That 'ghost' you see outside is a window reflection of my white iPhone...the black dot in the lower right corner is the camera lens. The gravel form looks like a big gingerbread woman cookie.