A Few Of Our Favorite Things | Nov 2020

A Few Of Our Favorite Things | Nov 2020

2020 has been far from easy. So we took some advice from Julie Andrews. To better enkindle feelings of festivities as the holidays draw near, we drew up a list of a few of our favorite things (and places and foods and entertainment). Here’s our top five:
 

1. Mendocino Grove

Johanna recently ventured to Mendocino Grove for a weekend trip and fell madly in love with this beautiful glamping respite. It’s everything you want out of camping (the outdoors, the tents, the opportunity to unplug and relax) but its many simple yet choice amenities elevate the experience to something more. The bathhouse is stocked with organic bath products, the beds are layered in down comforters and heated mattresses, and the offered activities range from canoeing to Saturday yoga. It’s like a modern Dirty Dancing Catskills escape, but in California, in tents, with roasted marshmallows. Do you get why you could never not love it?
 

2. Uzumati Ceramics

A woman-run business that makes gorgeous small-batch collections inspired by the iconic desert and mountain sights of California. Uzumati is also part of the 1% For the Planet initiative––a global movement of brands that donate 1% of their sales back to the environment. The idea is that since we source from the planet, it’s only natural to give back. Uzumati pieces will be coming to the shop soon and we honestly can't wait!
 

3. Midland Shop

A home goods store in Southern California that we've loved and admired from afar for a long time. Also women-run, this shop uplifts artisan makers locally and beyond. Sounds like our kind of place! Check out their marketplace in Silver Lake if you're in town and find some of our pieces among their beautiful selection.
 

4. Queen’s Gambit

We know we're not alone when we say we love The Queen's Gambit on Netflix. We checked it out and yes, it’s worth the hype. It has captured our hearts wholly and completely! Why is a show centered around chess so riveting? Well for starters, the acting is incredible, the detail is impeccable and the storyline is simply addicting. So try it if you haven’t, but we’re probably wasting our time telling you to because literally everyone seems to be watching it right now
 

5. Amanda’s Apple Crisp

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it's also apple pie season. This “Favorite Things” list may not include crisp apple strudel, but we do have a simple and delicious apple crisp recipe, courtesy of our dear friend Amanda. Listen. This pie is seriously delicious. Guaranteed happiness and coziness.

This cozy apple crumble is a classic cold-weather dessert, and the scent of apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen on a chilly evening is better than just about anything. We love that it's both easy to make and a major crowd-pleaser.  Second helpings are likely, and if you eat the leftovers for breakfast, we're not judging!  

For the crumble: 
8 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for buttering the pan
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
 
For the filling:
6-8 apples peeled, cored, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla
 
Directions:
  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. Butter a large pie dish or a 9x9-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts, and salt. Add the melted butter, and mix with a fork until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened with butter. There should be lumps so don't overmix! Refrigerate mixture while working on the filling.
  3. In a large bowl, add peeled and chopped apple pieces. Add lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar and mix well. Add the apples to the buttered pie dish in an even layer. Sprinkle refrigerated crumble mixture on top of the apples.
  4. Bake the apple crumble until the apples are tender. The crumble topping should be a warm golden brown, about 50 minutes. Once done, let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Vanilla ice cream on top is highly recommended!
 

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