Stella's Roar. Hedonism: A devotion to the pleasures of the senses.

I've not been feeling my best lately...this morning's ritual just exacerbated the "under the weatherness" of it all...

Hedge Row Studios...interesting outdoor umbrellas that you can design.

Click on image for more info...

I was looking for stone for a client's bathroom at Stone Source...then found images of a restaurant project designed by Currimbhoy & Co...which led to discovering Sana Stone...which led to the Junoon restaurant site...which happens to be in NYC...and I'll be visiting the city in November. The menu looks fabulous.

Maybe throw in a Porterhouse too...medium rare
Oh, and wine and a Maker's Mark Manhattan and a champagne cocktail.

Beautiful cheese plate courtesy of Danielleita.

More here...

Early post here...

Thanks to blogger drollgirl for the heads up...

One of my favorite blogs ~Privilege~has listed a set of style archetypes. I've always considered mine to be the Artsy Cousin...

In a recent post, a follower of Privilege, gave examples of a Minimalist version of the Artsy Cousin...I began to rethink what my style archetype may be...but, I've come up with my version of the Artsy Cousin...let's see what she thinks. Too over-the-top? Even with all the brou-ha-ha with Iris Apfel, she was an inspiration. As well as Talitha Getty.

New Bathroom project...click on images for more info

Friends of mine will be visiting The Lightning Field next month. Looks interesting. The only problem...they will be missing the next "Chef Tasting" I'm planning for June. Dammit!

More pictures and info here.


I can't wait to hear about spending the night in the cabin...

Several months ago, my Mother mailed some preserved lemons to me from Napa. I had no idea what to do with them. I found a recipe on the Williams-Sonoma site and voila...I needed a giant dutch oven to make the chicken dish...and now, thanks to Michael and Tom's birthday gift this past February, I have a giant sexy red dutch oven!

Dinner Party Time...3 recipes I've never made before

We invited four friends. Danielle gave me a gift, which I immediately ripped open. Love a halter apron...so many possibilities!

Click on image of apron for the link to the website...

The first thing I made for everyone to snack on was an Avocado Hummus. This is a terrible photo because everyone had taken a bite before I decided to take a picture. This recipe is wonderful and easy...I drizzled some olive oil on top and sprinkled a little chipotle.

If you click on the recipe, I bet it gets bigger...

Celery Salad with Walnuts, Dates and Pecorino

I found a great bunch of celery...lots of leafy tops. Thank the gods I tried the dark green leaves...ick! Very bitter. Luckily this celery had lots of the pale green leaves as well. I added endive to this salad, just for a little sumthin' sumthin' extra.

Main Course...

Braised Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Chickpeas

I did not use the finishing salt pictured. Preserved lemons are ridiculously salty...I had no idea. I diced them, seeded them (yes, the little fuckers had seeds), and then rinsed them with the chickpeas. My spice grinder has disappeared, so I used my molcajete...a kitchen staple in El Paso.


Dessert...

I found this Talenti Gelato at Albertsons...which is a shocker. It's fabulous. I put three flavors on the table and let everyone go to town...



The general consensus was that the Sea Salt Caramel won the prize. Why this font is so big, I have no idea.

All in all it was a great meal. The white meat was a little dry, but the dark meat was great. I received all 10's, but a 7 on the white meat. There must be a joke in that somewhere...7 on the white meat...hmmmm.