Happy New Year to you all! Thank you for your support throughout this year. I'm not sure if I believe in making New Year's resolutions, but I do believe if you write something down, it does help it to manifest. So I will be making some reflections today and looking forward to what the new year brings, always hopeful.

5 good things:
1. I took the above photo with my new favorite toy.
2. My friend Lily + her sister opened an amazing new shop. read about their incredible process here.
3. snowflakes for Sandy Hook.
4. make these. you will not be sorry.
5. gorgeous bells.

remembering those who have lost a loved one this year and grateful for what I have. Looking forward to some time with family and a peaceful start to the New Year.

{similar scone recipe here. I did not add walnuts or lavender, but added candied ginger to the top.}

I don't have time for a formal gift guide this year, but I have some of my favorites over here.

enjoying this new book.

 taken with iphone.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I've been visiting with family and laying low. In case you are interested, I will be releasing another Simply Breakfast calendar this year. It should be available early next week.  just kidding. in over my head right now, so the calendar will not be happening this year.

Today I welcome the wonderful, Camille Storch. She lives with her husband and two kids in an off-the-grid, tiny cabin in rural western Oregon. She cooks up the most amazing things on her outdoor barbecue and also makes and sells beautiful cutting boards {perfect for holiday gifts}!

5 QUESTIONS: CAMILLE STORCH

Camille's blog.

Red Onion Woodworks shop.

{all photos by Camille Storch}

THE QUESTIONS

1.  What is your favorite thing to make for breakfast?

Both of my kids (ages 3 and 5) started preschool just over a month ago, and in an effort to streamline the getting-it-together-and-getting-out-of-the-house routine, I’ve been making simple oatmeal with raisins for breakfast nearly every school day.

When the weekend rolls around, I’m ready for something a little more exciting. If I’m cooking breakfast, I often turn to sweet, bread-y things: pancakes, French toast, popovers, etc. I think my favorite in that category would have to be homemade crepes (though mine are far from perfect). Because we have both a small flock of chickens and a dairy goat, our fridge is nearly always stocked with plenty of fresh eggs and whole milk, making for extra rich and delicious crepes.

We’ve more or less given up on expensive maple syrup even though we love it, so instead we slather everything in homemade fruit jam or honey from my husband’s beehives.

Though I would never specifically make a pie to serve at breakfast, leftover pie (with leftover whipped cream) has to be my all-time favorite thing to eat in the morning.

2. What is your favorite thing to order when you go out to breakfast?

We don’t go out for breakfast nearly often enough (mostly because we live out in the boonies), but when we do, it makes me so happy. I tend to order savory dishes, particularly egg-sandwich-type things or eggs and toast with some greens. Also, I love good homefries, all salty and crispy on the outside, something I can’t seem to reproduce at home.

3. What is your favorite morning ritual?

Every day from May through November, I start my mornings off by milking my Nubian dairy goat. I first sanitize my jars and milk bucket in our cabin kitchen. Then I bring my goat Minnie out of the barn onto her stanchion and give her a little grain while I brush her and thoroughly clean her udder with warm, soapy water and an iodine spray. Finally, I do the actual milking, rhythmic and meditative with the pling pling of the milk hitting the bucket and quite morning-in-the-forest noises as “musical” accompaniment to the ritual. I bring the milk into the house all frothy and warm and pour it into glass jars. Sometimes I make fresh cheese or yogurt with it right away. Other days, I save it in the fridge for another use.

4. Do you have any current food obsessions?

My husband grew a bunch of fava beans (broad beans) this year and let them dry before harvesting them during the summer. Though it’s easy to find recipes for fresh favas across the interwebs, there are very few recipes out there for dried favas, so we’ve just been experimenting with them in lots of different dishes. They’re kind of a pain because you have to slip each bean out of its tough outer skin, but once cooked, these big beans are tender and mild and go well with almost any seasoning.

About a month ago, I made my first batch of really good goat-milk feta, and I’m happy to report that I’ve successfully reproduced it several times since. That means we’ve been eating feta on pretty much everything. Life is good.

5. Have you read any interesting food-related books you would like to share?

I just got a copy of Rohan Anderson’s Whole Larder Love. I’m a big fan of his blog, showcasing his self-deprecating humor and quasi-self-sufficiency ethic. I haven’t read through the whole book yet, but from a design and photography standpoint, this book is beautiful, and the recipes look pretty intriguing (especially if you can get your hands on fresh wild rabbit or river trout).

Beet hash, recipe here. I only had one egg left, so I ended up with some leftover hash for sure.

I will be giving a talk tonight about my new book, Brooklyn Makers at Word bookstore in Brooklyn at 7pm. Come out if you can!

more apple cake!

Brooklyn Makers news

I am excited to announce...my new book, Brooklyn Makers is now available for purchase!

To celebrate, I have 2 events in Brooklyn next week: one at West Elm in Dumbo and one at independent bookstore, Word in Greenpoint.

Please come if you can---I would love to meet you all!

Thank you for all your support. I will be back with regular posts soon. xo

thoughts on voting

a little break from breakfast...

I had mixed feelings about voting today. I didn't think it really mattered if I voted or not. Then I started to see all the coverage of what people were doing just to be able to vote: standing in long lines, voting by flashlight, etc. As I sat in my warm apartment with power, I knew there was no excuse for me not to vote. I am so lucky to live in a country where we do have a voice and are able to vote freely. I wish our country were not so divided on so many important issues, but at least I know I am making my choices heard.  I even got a little teary at how nice the volunteers were and how everyone was so proud to be voting.

So, if you have not voted yet, there is still time. Get out there and do it!

a similar pumpkin bread recipe here. I used half spelt flour and olive oil instead of vegetable oil. and I added chocolate chips-so good!

a few things:
inspiring photo story.

Hudson Made (great gift ideas).

pumpkin creme brulee (looks amazing!)

love this first image!

need to make these.

please donate.

I hope everyone is doing ok after the crazy storm earlier this week. Just thought I would check in to say hi. I have been crazy busy lately but miss this space often.

It's been a while. I am just getting back into the swing of things and gearing up for a busy fall. I got back this weekend from a wonderful trip to Italy (too short!) and am still feeling a bit out of sorts.

I thought a little baking might help me to get ready to embrace fall. This apple cardamom cake was adapted from this one (although not as pretty).

a few things to share:
fun video.
very much enjoying this book.
pretty photos. 

I got a preview copy of my book! It will officially be out in November. I'm so excited for you to see it.

I knew I froze that rhubarb for a reason. Blackberry rhubarb crisp recipe from here {I also added 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar to the filling}. bowl with crisp from Melissa Weiss, coffee cup from Clam Lab.

Been traveling a lot this summer. I love experiencing other parts of this beautiful country. There are so many more places I want to explore.

It helps me feel grounded when I come home using beautiful things I have collected along the way {and seeing that my plants have thrived in my absence}.

This beautiful print is part of a poster book called Color Set 3.

Looking forward to:

this book. and this one.

receiving purchases from this beautiful shop.

oh, and one more thing, if you want to make an excellent cup of coffee, download this app. or if you just want to drink one, visit this shop.

Poached egg on seven grain toast with sauteed namako mushrooms, kale, and lemon cream at Five Leaves.

By the way, if you are on Instagram, you can follow me @jencausey. If you are not on Instagram, you can view my "on the go" photos here.

5 QUESTIONS: MICHELLE TCHEA

{Cookbook author, from Mebourne, Australia, currently in Switzerland} 

Michelle's book: Building a Perfect Meal

Facebook: book page or personal page.

THE QUESTIONS

1. What is your favorite thing to make for breakfast?

Something simple: Vegemite on toast with lashings of butter

Weekend breakfast: Waffles but I’m now a big fan of Tresse (A Swiss brioche) with bacon, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon

Everyday breakfast sides: Home-made Bircher muesli with lots of fresh fruit

When friends are over: Ham and Cheese Mochi French Toast found in my new book Building a Perfect Meal. The French lifestyle that I have currently adopted encourages me to fry an egg and pop it on-top. Croque Madam ala Michelle!

all photos ©Michelle Tchea.

2. What is your favorite thing to order when you go out to breakfast?

Thick slices of artisan toast – butter on the side; poached eggs, baked beans, bacon and sautéed spinach. Strong latte always included!

3. Do you have a favorite local spot?

It depends where I am. I travel a lot as a travel / food professional, so I have my favourites at a few cities. There is one breakfast place that I love. On the Chuckanut Drive from Seattle down to Portland, sits a little café open to the 10 locals that live in the town. Great company, excellent coffee, fresh bread and a really decent breakfast. Otherwise in Melbourne, I would have to say Demitri’s Feast in Richmond. 

4. What is your favorite morning ritual?

Open all my windows to let in fresh air, head straight to the kitchen and battle the daily question of ‘What should I make for dinner’.

Go to the local farmers market for fresh produce and a chat with locals in my horrible and non-existent French

Delve head first into a café for a light breakfast – buttery croissant with a double café crème. Head home for a real breakfast of poached eggs on thick cut toast.

5. Favorite breakfast drinks?

A strong black coffee is fantastic and mandatory. At the moment, I’m in love with Café con leche in Spain. Although I love sitting down to enjoy my coffee – there’s something very enjoyable about standing at the bar and eating a tortilla to chase my coffee. Otherwise, I love oat based smoothies – YUM!

A breakfast cocktail is always fun too!

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Michelle's recipe for Ham and Cheese Mochi French Toast

Serves 2

Eggs 2, large

Sugar 1 tsp

Milk 1 Tbsp

Ground nutmeg (optional)

to taste

Ground cinnamon (optional)

to taste

Mustard 2 Tbsp

Sourdough bread 4 thick slices

Leg ham 2 slices

Mozzarella cheese 2 slices

Mochi (Japanese rice cake)

8 slices

Butter 1–2 Tbsp

• Prepare egg mixture by beating eggs, sugar and milk in a bowl. Add a sprinkle each of nutmeg and cinnamon, if desired. Set aside.

• Spread mustard on a slice of bread and layer with ham and cheese. Top with a few mochi slices and another slice of bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and filling.

• Dip sandwich into the egg mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

• Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and lightly toast the sandwich on both sides.

similar to this recipe, except I added some peaches + used spelt flour.

This breakfast is inspired by some friends on a recent trip to Maine, perfect for a cooler summer morning:  cooked oatmeal, greek yogurt, berries, honey, and whatever else you want to add {I added chia seeds and a few slivered almonds}.

Other things:
Did you see Heidi's post about Sara's upcoming cookbook? The recipe for fresh mint chip frozen yogurt looks so good!

Jen's inspiring post on a Southern roadtrip.

Lily's post about marriage + organizing your life.

Thanks for sharing all the great breakfast ideas!

The Wilder Quarterly subscription winner is: Alice. 
I will be in touch shortly, Alice!

a few more things:
+ a new Makers post up today!

+ Jen's new shop is up with a little pop-up sneak peak. I love the scarf created from one of her beautiful gem photos. This clutch is great too--and what a great price!

+ also, Jen's new book, Gem & Stone, is available for pre-order.

GIVEAWAY!

I have an exciting giveaway today! A year subscription from one of my favorite new independent magazines, Wilder Quarterly. This includes 4 issues (one for each season) starting with the newly released summer issue.

Just leave a comment below with your favorite summer breakfast. Leave your email or a link to your blog as a way to get in touch with you.  A winner will be chosen at random on Monday.

The winner is Alice!

Thanks to my friend, Erin, for the Korean milk bread--so good! makes the best french toast.