Poached Eggs with Arugula and Portobellos

Dan was out of town on business yesterday so I took the day off to devote an entire day to catching up of projects I've been working on and running some errands.  I spent the day sewing Anna Maria Horner's Sidewalk Satchel- a pattern I've had for a few years now.  I started the bag shortly before Christmas but had to pack it away until everything settled down after the holidays.  

I'm looking forward to sharing the completed bag with you all.  It's being sewn up in two gorgeous prints from Amy Butler's Lark collection that I got for an absolute steal from Drygoods Design (amazing service and communication, by the way.  I can't wait to shop here again.)  Anyways, I spent nearly the entire day sewing away, interrupting myself only to give Heidi belly rubs and take her on walks, when I realized that I had made a huge error in the construction.  Rather that ripping all of my seams out and growing even more frustrated, I took the higher road and calmly put the bag away and will approach it again when my mind has cleared.  Ah, so frustrating!

By the time the materials were all packed up I was starving but didn't have the patience to make too much for dinner.  I opted for a delicious light meal of two poached eggs atop a bed of arugula and sliced portobello mushrooms.  

The meal was so tasty and was as easy to prepare as it sounds.  Simply poach two eggs in an almost simmering bath of water.  I add about two teaspoons of white vinegar for two eggs.  This addition will assist the egg whites in congealing and makes your life a whole lot easier.  While the eggs were poaching I dressed a bed of arugula and sliced portobello mushrooms with a drizzle of fruity extra virgin olive oil that we purchased in Sonoma a few years ago and an aged balsamic vinegar from a local store in West Chester.  I added a bit of sea salt and cracked pepper to taste and topped the dish with a shaved, nutty cheese (Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah, from Trader Joe's- delicious, by the way).

P.S.

For a great write up on poaching eggs, I suggest a visit to  Smitten Kitchen.  

A belated Happy New Year

fHappy New Year, dear readers- new and old!  I apologize for my disappearance after the holidays.  The day after Christmas I got really, really sick and did nothing but lay in bed for nearly four days.  Then Dan got sick.  And then it was New Years.  It's been a bit crazy ever since, but I'm catching up with my little shop and blog.  It's about time and I've got lots to share.

I wanted to thank all who participated in the Sew Mama Sew giveaway!  I had so much fun reading your comments and thank you for sharing your favorite holiday traditions with me.  I think I might be incorporating some of them into our holiday festivities in the future!  I love your comments so much, that I wanted to share them with you all.  Maybe you'll adopt one or two as your own tradition.

But first, I should officially announce the winner. Heather, comment number 40, was selected via the Random Number Generator.  Heather was notified immediately after the contest was finished, but I figured I should make it official here as well.  (Heather, your necklace in the mail and should be on your doorstep any day now.  Again, thank you for your patience!)

Favorite Holiday Traditions from Helen Ethel Studio readers:

My favorite tradition is our annual Christmas Breakfast! It is a nice time together and always filled with wonderful treats! - Jingle

I love attending the Festival of Lights in Lyon during the holiday season - Sarah

Every Christmas we all go to the midnight church service on Christmas Eve - it's so magical! - Gill

We make fudge - and give bags of it to everyone we know!! - Second Chance Tan

We have one that involves pouring over all the pictures we took during the year and picking the perfect one for our Christmas Card. The discussions are lively!!  - Spontaneous Threads

No idea what my favorite holiday tradition is, but some include our elf Noel that visits us in December and surprises the kids with a new hiding spot or other fun things each day. I also love baking and making goodies to give with gifts. And a personal favorite has been making a move to mostly handmade items for presents.  - Kelli @ Gohn Crazy


Lighting the advent candles every night, and making and decorating cookies! - Kristi

I love putting up the tree and the daily count down on the advent calendar! - Nancy

We love making gingerbread houses every year! - Deserae