farmhouse style for spring 2023

Wishing you all the happiest of new years!!

 

Just before the end of the year, I received the newest issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine that includes a few of my latest contributions.

 

I must say, this is one of the most beautiful issues of Farmhouse Style to date, and it’s so fitting, as they celebrate their 5^th year!

 

“Oh my, Muffins” is the recipe article for this edition, and I have two contributions. 

The first is an all-time favorite of mine, Morning Glory Muffins. These muffins are filled with grated carrots, apples, pineapple, coconut, raisins and pecans and just a touch of orange zest, and they’re so good!  

 

Morning Glory muffins were my biggest craving when I was pregnant, and I would buy them at Sunflour Bakery here in Costa Mesa. 

They’re no longer around, so I learned how to make them on my own and I even added a little twist to the recipe with the addition of orange zest!

 

Savory muffins are very underrated and so delicious. There are so many options for savory muffins, but this Zucchini Picnic Muffin is my favorite.

 

Bacon, onion, zucchini, cheddar and herbs add the most lovely flavor profile to these delectable muffins, and they sure are so perfect for a picnic!

 

Starting on page 8, you can read all about bread boards and cutting boards and how they can add warmth to your kitchen and home with fun ways to display them.

 

I have a few favorite bread boards that are vintage, and I use them all the time for bread and other baked goods.

 

Isn’t this tablecloth cute too? It’s one from my gingham collection.

 

A few fun suggestions on how to “Elevate your Address” are shared on page 102, and they even included my DIY painted doormat that I submitted last year for a different article.

 

This issue is just filled with pretty farmhouse style home tours, and this kitchen is one of my favorites…

I love those green painted doors and all the rustic textures in this home. The fancy mirror and interesting variety of light fixtures make this so fun!

Here’s another inspiring interior, and can you believe this is the inside of a shed?! The silhouette collection and antique daybed really speak to me.

And this kitchen.... 

Love it!!

 

Here’s another peek at my favorite bread boards. The search will continue on in 2023 for another one or two boards that may cross my path.

 

This is just one of the many lovely things I love to collect.

 

What’s on your radar this year for collecting?

   

 

 

   

ciao! fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

a tablescape in a box!

 

A tablescape in a box! What could be better?! 

Delightfully charming and sophisticated, this holiday setting can be used all winter long. 

J’adorn J’cor makes it easy with completely curated tableware that arrives in a beautiful box and includes everything to make your table the star during this holiday season.

Dinner plates in textured blue can be paired over and over and the adorable salad plates will have you dreaming of snow angel fun. 

Table runner, napkins, plates, glassware, flatware and accessories are all selected to make tables setting so easy during the holidays, or any time of year.

 

Reminiscent of an old-fashioned snowy ❄ day, the plates show how fun snow angels are to make.

The statement wine glasses (sold separately) add to the refined but playful feeling and hob nob water glasses bring texture and versatility.

 

Extra flowers and evergreens are from Trader Joe's and look great with this “Snow Much Fun” package.

 

There’s even a cute sleigh breadbasket that can be added to this set! I made my special Cranberry Orange and Almond Muffins for this celebration brunch.

Italian flatware with either bright red or light blue can be added to this box as an “extra” to finish the look of your table! 

 

Here’s what’s included in the "Snow Much Fun" Collection:

 

·    4 snow angel salad porcelain plates

·    4 blue stoneware dinner plates

·    4 porcelain angel bud vases for a thin Candle or holiday sprig

·    4 berry & pine sprigs for angel vases

·    4 blue highball glasses

·    4 dinner cotton napkins in red with white stitching

·    1 cotton Scandinavian winter sweater pattern table runner

 

Check out J'adorn J'cor for more info.

ciao! fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

the yummiest lemon blueberry muffins

This recipe for Lemon Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping is one I created exclusively for Farmhouse Style Magazine, and it appeared in their Spring 2019 issue. Also included in this issue were some other yummy berry recipes like Strawberry Bacon Flatbread and Mixed Berry Galettes.

So now I can share this recipe with you here on the blog!

I must tell you, the texture of these muffins reminds me of the most delicious pound cake. You see, they’re baked with sour cream and buttermilk to extract the most decadent flavor from the blueberries and lemon zest!

The muffins are then topped with a crunchy streusel topping and baked. I combined four different recipes to create this one, because I envisioned a perfect combination of certain ingredients and of course I was going for an amazing crunch from the streusel topping!

Lemon Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping

 

Yield: 12 muffins

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp lemon zest

4 Tbsp butter, softened

4 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided

1 large egg, plus 2 large egg whites

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sour cream

3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 cups fresh blueberries

For the streusel topping:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then set aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add sugar and lemon zest. Using your fingertips, rub zest with sugar for about 1 minute to incorporate. Place bowl on stand mixer, add butter and 2 Tbsp vegetable oil and with a paddle attachment on stand mixer, whip until mixture is pale and fluffy. Add in remaining 2 Tbsp vegetable oil and blend in eggs one at a time. Remove bowl from stand mixer.

In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream and lemon juice.

Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and fold until nearly combined, then add 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture and fold until nearly combined.

Repeat process with flour and buttermilk mixtures once more.

 Fold in last 1/3 of the flour mixture until mostly combined, then fold in blueberries (batter should be combined at this point but don't over-mix, it will be thick and starting to fluff up).

Fill paper lined-muffin cups with about a 1/2 cup of batter in each. Use up all the batter.

Allow the muffins to rest uncooked at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking or topping with the streusel mixture.

While the muffins are resting, prepare the streusel topping.

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Add the flour, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Mix with a fork to combine.  

Crumble the topping, using your fingers, sprinkle evenly over the top of the unbaked muffins. Leave some pieces in larger clumps. Top with 1 or two extra blueberries, if desired.

Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees and continue to bake 12 - 15 minutes longer until a toothpick inserted into center comes out free of batter and the tops are golden brown.

Remove from muffin pan and cool on a wire rack. Store muffins in an airtight container.

I hope you’ll try this recipe soon.

It’s not as hard as it looks! 

ciao! fabiana

For more Ciao cooking ideas, check out my recipe page.