I’ve been busy giving Cotton & Brass a little facelift.  It’s not completely finished (I can’t help it… I’m constantly tweaking things) but we are loving the clean new look.  If you read us from an RSS feed, please stop by and let us know what you think!

Also, we have a new contact page!  Send us some love!

Photograph by Tamigutlich.

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Despite the mild winter I find myself craving warm hearty soups with a hint of spice. The Black Pepper Cheddar Crackers are a perfect compliment to this Vegetarian Corn Chowder. Just be careful not to eat all of them before the soup is done.

Vegetarian Corn Chowder

Adapted from Soup – A Way of Life by Barbara Kafka

Ingredients

1 lb mashing potatoes, pealed and cubed

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

1 1/2 cups corn

4 scallions, trimmed and chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 heavy cream

2 tsp kosher salt

Black pepper and hot sauce, to taste

Directions

• In a medium pot, bring the potatoes, onion, peppers, and 1 cup water to boil*. Cover, set the heat on low, and let simmer for about 15 minutes.

• Add in the corn, scallions, celery, milk, and cream. Set the heat on medium high and bring to a low boil. Lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, add the pepper and hot sauce gradually to taste and stir often. Serve.

*It may seam like 1 cup of water is not enough but don’t fret, it will be.

Black Pepper Cheddar Crackers

Adapted from: A Cozy Kitchen

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

4 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature and cut into 4 peices

3/4 Cup flour

1 1/2 cups kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

1 Tablespoon half and half

Directions

* Preheat oven to 350degrees and line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper

* In a food processor, combine cheese, butter, flour, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and freshly ground pepper in intervals of 5 second pulses. Combine until the mixture looks like course crumbles. Add the half and half and continue the 5 second pulse intervals until it forms a crumbly ball of dough.

* Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a rectangular shape. Cut off the rough edges and cut dough into squares. Poke a small hole in the middle of each cracker with something sharp like a skewer or thermometer.

* Place the cracker on the parchment lined baking sheets and sprinkle with the rest of the salt. Bake on the middle rack for about 15 minutes or until edges are slightly brown.

Today’s Color Play is a little late, but it’s a special one.  Christa and I were RA’s together at the Columbus College of Art & Design and one of our favorite residents ever was Emily Rickard.  She has become a brilliant artist and we’re so honored to know her.  Recently she was accepted as an artist Society 6.  To celebrate we’re featuring her beautiful piece History Lesson for today’s Color Play.

To see more of Emily’s work visit her portfolio or take a piece of her work home from her etsy shop or at Society 6.

Quilt – queen size – ocean … btaylorquilts $520.00	Trench Coat/ 1970′s Tren… SarahKates $60.00	Rainy Day Scallops – 50 astonishingsup… $2.00
Rainy Day 8×10 Photography P… LTphotographs $20.00	Rain Drops – Natural Knapped… TreasuresOfEar… $15.00	Hand dyed Silk Shawl Chiffon… DyeForYarn $14.50
Rainy days. Blue felt broche… moniquehorstma… $6.50	Sparkling Rain Shea angelicsoap $7.95	Rainy Day Collection silver … gypsybirdbox $9.00
Japanese navy waves exposed … crafteratlarge $20.00	Vintage JC Green Rubber Boot… msjeannieology $38.00	Coffee Cuff – Navy Herringbo… householdersur… $9.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Hoping your day is filled with love and cuddles.

Who says that flowers are just for ladies? Make the gentlemen in your life feel appreciated this Valentines with a handsome bouquet. Adding a few sturdy pieces, like branches and eucalyptus, can toughen up even the sweetest flowers.