Off The Counter: Roasted Pistachios and Honey Pizza

This week's Off The Counter features one of my husband's favorite flat pizzas:  roasted pistachios and honey.  Ricotta cheese, salty pistachios and local honey make this unusual pizza delightfully yummy.  Serve with a simple salad and a bottle of dry white.  Ingredients and instructions below.

Ingredients:

pizza dough (store bought or home made), ricotta cheese, pistachios, honey and crushed red pepper

Instructions:

Roast the pistachios, roll out the dough, spread the ricotta cheese, cover the cheese with pistachios, add a pinch or two of crushed red pepper and drizzle as much honey as you like  (the more the better, I say).  Enjoy!!

'Til Monday

Since we're all about appreciating the beauty of branches this week,  I would like to share with you two of my favorite trees:  the magnolia and the dogwood.   Here are some great new links:

1.  Mixing art and nature

2. Not just a pretty blog but a literary one.

3.  A little Dirt and Sunshine and a great parenting perspective.

4.  And wishing you all lots of luck.

Botanical Inspiration: Weeping Willow Branches

Since the last post was all about branches, I thought it appropriate to share my find with you:  fallen willow branches outside our Cambridge Public Library. In spite of my children's protests, I dragged them across the lawn to our van.  Presently, these long golden branches are elegantly draping over one of my favorite vases.  Coupled with of a strand of starry lights, my impromptu botanical arrangement doubles as very effective mood lighting.   Take a look:

So Pinteresting: Branches In Interior Spaces

Using branches to decorate your home is suitable at any time of year, but springtime is by far the best season for it.  Dogwood, cherry, quince and forsythia branches can be found at your local florist,  in flower markets or in your own backyard.  Their dramatic silhouettes and delicate sprouting buds make them a visual delight indoors.  Be sure to cut and pound the bottoms of the stems before placing them in your containers, so that the woody stems absorb water better.   If you opt for dry branches, such as manzanita or driftwood, simply put them in a favorite vase or hang them on a wall or from the ceiling.   Take a look at some of my favorite 'branching' images:

My favorite image is the last one.  I love how dramatic the red maple tree looks in the entryway.

Which is your favorite?

images:

1./2./3./4./5./6./7.

The Way We Live:

This week's  The Way We Live  features a home I've always admired.  This traditional house is decorated with an eclectic mix of new and old furniture pieces, colorful and very appealing art and detailed window treatments.   Each room displays its individuality while remaining cohesive with the rest of the home.  Featured below are the living room, dining room and foyer.  Take a look:

Thank you CT for sharing your very special home with my readers.