My friend Kate Sterlin is a maker, a doer, a beautifier by nature. Whether she is choosing wall colors or handmaking all of her holiday gifts, her presentation quality is second only to the content of what it is she produces. I have urged her to tell the world, I have sent word of her work around to my friends, and I lavish her with gratitude and praise for the inventive, delicious things she makes for our families all the time. She is unmoved. And so, I have taken it upon myself to launch a forum for her creations and observations, allowing myself and anyone else to follow the eye of a natural tastemaker. Over and over again, when people ask about something special in my midst I find myself answering: "My friend made that."

Friday, February 15, 2013

 valentines day
flourless chocolate torte 
  • torte
  • 4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus additional for sprinkling
raspberry sauce
two cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
combine in a med/sm sauce pan and simmer until bubbling then blend in cuisinart and cool.
preheat oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch round baking pan. Line bottom with a round of wax paper and butter paper.
chop chocolate into small pieces. In a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth. remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs and whisk well. Sift 1/2 cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. pour batter into pan and bake in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust. cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes and invert onto a serving plate.
dust cake with additional cocoa powder and serve with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce


taking pictures in the snow
forever
       



Friday, January 25, 2013



made these tiny totes out of paint drop cloths from the hardware store and stenciled them for  my friend's kid's birthday. he's three. and then I thought they were so cute I made a few more.




Friday, January 4, 2013

all wrapped up and ready for christmas 

home made marmalade

super easy and delicious 'no knead' bread 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

sausage rolls for christmas eve cocktail party

                

Saturday, December 22, 2012

 whiskey sours with fresh lemon juice and home made pie 

pastry
apple crostini

ready for the oven

Tuesday, December 11, 2012


a sign from a photo show.
made last minute to encourage foot traffic.
 i decided to keep it and hang it on the wall.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

thanksgiving menu
ricotta cannelloni made with sweet potato in place of pasta
stuffin muffins



Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Friday, October 19, 2012

my friends double birthday party
smoked trout,pickled shallots, soft cheese & herb crostini.
mini turkey meatballs w/ tzatziki. mini veggie croquettes w/ spicy roasted pepper sauce.
fire grilled chicken skewers w/ spicy mango yogurt sauce.
heirloom tomato plate w/ olive oil and fresh herbs.
local cheese plate with cured olives and marinated radishes.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

added a chair rail and chalk board paint in the dining room

made my daughter a graduation present. nameplate necklace using 14k gold filled wire.
she has a pretty unusual name
...and then Anna wanted one for her birthday.




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

graduation garden party
graduation garden party food
berry cakes. beet salad cups. mini quiches. endive & avocado with lemon aoli
smoked salmon, capers, creme fresh, pickled red onion. beet salad cups. berry cakes 
bouquet from the garden