Subtle September

The temperatures begin to cool, the spiders come in to roost, and the seasons transition almost instantly. Gray, sun, rain, and repeat. We switch out our flip flops and sunscreen for blankets and boots, and get ready to roost inside for a cozy period of hibernation. 

Transitions are a part of everyone's life. New adventures and opportunities come and go in the blink of an eye. Our own Holly Rose King is doing just that and moving to New Zealand in October. She has been with Paula Devon Raso Interior Design for almost 5 years,  assisting Paula in many areas of the design process. While working, she also acquired her interior design degree at Bellevue College and graduated December 2013. Design, especially interiors, has always been a passion of Holly's, even as a little girl. She will continue with an interior design career when she gets settled in Auckland. 

When adjusting to these chillier evenings, a great throw can really set the scene for comfort. Whether it is a heavy wool blanket, a soft faux fur throw, or a cozy cable knit, these cuddlers will help you cope with the cold  months. 

In any season or temperature, I default to tomatoes. All forms of this luscious fruit, raw, cooked, blended or juiced are tempting. This recipe is great when fall hits and I can freeze it into portions easy to heat and eat. I like to make the meat balls a little bigger than golf balls and put a few with sauce into a sandwich bag and freeze. Pull a serving out whenever and heat with pasta!

Meatballs and Tomatoes

A Marcella Hazan "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" recipe

For 4 Servings

A slice of good-quality white bread

1/3 cup milk

1 pound ground beef, preferrably chuck

1 Tablespoon onion chopped, very fine

1 Tablespoon chopped parsley

1 egg

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3 Tablespoons freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Whole nutmeg

Salt

Black pepper, ground fresh

Dine, dry, unflavored bread crumbs, spread on a plate

Vegetable oil

1 cup fresh, ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped, OR canned imported Italian plum tomatoes, chopped up, with their juice

1. Trim away the bread's crust, put the milk and bread in a small saucepan, and turn on the heat to low. When the bread has soaked up all the milk, mash it to a pulp with a fork. Remove from jeat and allow to cool completely.

2.In a bowl put the chopped meat, onion, parsley, the egg, the tablespoon of olive oil, the grated Parmesan, a tiny grating of nutmeg - about 1/8 teaspoon - the bread and milk mush, salt, and several grindings of black pepper. Gently knead the mixture with your hands without squeezing it. When all the ingredients are evenly combines, shape it gently and without squeezing into ball about 1 inch in diameter. Roll the balls lightly in the bread crumbs. 

3. Choose a sauté pan that can subsequently accommodate all the meatballs in a single layer. Pout in enough vegetable oil to come 1/4 inch up the sides. Turn on the heat to medium high and when the oil is hot, slip in the meatballs. Sliding them in with a spatula will avoid splashing hot oil out of the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning them carefully so they won't break up.

4.Remove from the heat, tip the pan slightly and with a spoon, remove as much of the fat as floats to the surface. Return the pan to the burner over medium heat, add the chopped tomatoes with their juice, a pinch of salt and turn the meatballs over once or twice to coat the well. Cover the pan and adjust the heat to cook at a quiet, but steady simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the oil floats free of the tomatoes. Taste and correct for salt and serve at once.

Dinner parties are moving indoors as well, and the holiday meal planning begins. Setting the perfect scene for guests is a task we look forward to. We are sure your  dining room is already an appealing platform for entertaining, and that will take the edge offof the process and allow you to add the finishing touches to make the table a welcoming space. Keep the décor simple and something that reflects your personal style. 

After renovations in all other areas of the house, one of our client’s asked us to refresh her dining room as well. The result, she says, encourages more frequent entertaining. The chairs are covered with a linen and have a pickled wood finish. The tablecloth was custom made using three different fabrics to enhance the space with a simple but notable elegance. Mercury finished candlesticks and accessories add sparkle. A dramatic chandelier hangs above. Finally, an Art Deco French  mirror (purchased from Renevatio Collection) reflects and bounces the soft lights around the room.