Summer Recipe Index & New Blog Header | Peonies, Strawberries & Robin's Egg Blue

 This week has been a little quiet on the blog, as Emma's been on her Summer break.  But after three days of working during naps I finally have updated the blog template to feel a little more summery.  As you can see above, the new header features some fun pink peonies, the robin's egg blue enamelware, linen tea towels and other goodies from my store.  Only another week or so left of peony season, so I will be glad to relish in it everyday on the blog : )

I've also been adding some new pages and features to make the blog more user friendly.  As I've done in seasons past, I created a Summer page with an image gallery (and links) to all of my favorite Summer posts and products. 

Here is a snapshot of the Summer Galleries page.  As you can see, there are links to each recipe category - Summer Desserts, Summer Salads, Summer Appetizers, etc.   Anytime you need some inspiration, just start browsing!


You can also find links to these galleries and recipe indexes on the right side of the page - all of the thumbnails on the bottom right.

Here is a snapshot of what each gallery looks like - this is the Summer Appetizers page.  As you can see, it has an image/link gallery of all of my summer appetizer recipes from years past.  I loved going through and finding the recipes again - many favorites that even I forgot about.

 

Another thing that is back by popular demand is the search bar... actually, I'm not sure what happened to it the first time, but now it's back.  Now you can find anything on the site you're looking for.  It is located on the right hand side under the header.

Another big improvement is my new Email Newsletter system.  I've upgraded it to a prettier format, with personalized messaging.  Click on My Email Newsletter to add your email address to my receive regular emails with whats new on the blog.

I'm also working on indexing all of my recipes from the last 6 years.  Gulp.  It might take me a couple more weeks, but it will be another great improvement. 

All of these changes have been made from your suggestions.  Thanks so much for continuing to encourage me to improve my site and services.  Happy Summer to you - naptime is officially over and Emma and I are off to the pool : )

The Jenna Sue Design Co. Studio Reveal!

Another space has been marked off the to-do list...

This was one of the first rooms we started on after buying the house because it needed to be fully functional before we moved in a few months ago.

I ignored it for a while to focus on the kitchen, but now that that's out of the way it was time to add the finishing touches.

Let's take it way back to the beginning with the first photo we ever took in the house...

The room greets you right when you walk through the front door, and it was used as a library/sitting area (I assume?) with built in bookshelves...

The built ins were nice but they took up about 15" of space that I desperately needed if I was going to convert this into my work area...

It also had a closet which was the perfect place for my shipping supplies.

Here's a view looking back at the front door.

We ripped out the built ins, carpeting and gutted the closet...

Added some much needed lighting and window trim...

Built a half wall over the open stair railing and began planking...

And more planking...

Added trim, paint and lighting...

Set up the desks and equipment...

Maximized the storage space inside the closet...

Added shelves & artwork...

Finished off the desk with fabric for hidden storage, and built a large crate for bulky shipping supplies...

And finally, built this storage crate wall for smaller organization.

And now she's ready for her big debut! Welcome to the Jenna Sue Design Co. studio...

You'll have to make it past our kitty guard first.

I was inspired by these and made my own a couple days ago to replace the junky cardboard boxes that were there:

I love the softness the fabric brings to the space—it really helps to balance out all the hard lines and surfaces of the electronics.

But my absolute most favorite part about this space is what's outside the window...

It's such a nice space to spend the day in (and sometimes nights).

And that's my studio!

So, what do you think? It was definitely a challenge to go from my last studio—a larger area where I could spread out—to a room about half the size. I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it work, but it just forced me to get creative with the layout and storage solutions. So far it's working out just fine!

If you missed any of the progress, here's a project roundup:

Adding window trim
Planking, adding trim & lighting, painting
Setting up the workspace & adding ledges
New art & DIY floating shelves
DIY wood crate & hidden desk storage
Rustic crate storage wall
File organization

And there you have it, our second "finished" space. By Monday I hope to cross a third off our list—the foyer. You thought it was done already, didn't you? Turns out I have two more projects planned for this weekend, one is something I've never attempted before and I'm nervous/excited about it—you'll have to check in next week to see what it is!

Sweet Summer Berry Bread | Dessert... or Breakfast?

Summer is officially here.  Emma's home with me all week for a little summer break and while we have a couple of projects to work on (never ending closets to organize, and prints to frame for her room...), we plan to spend most of the time in the berry patch, at the pool and petting zoo. 

With the new easy breeze feeling of summer, my baking is evolving from pans of brownies to lighter, brighter flavors... for the most part.  I'm not quite sure where the idea for this came from, but I had a vision for a pound cake packed with berries that I could get away with enjoying for breakfast.  I wanted it to be full of berries of every color - almost half berries, half cake. 

I added just a touch of lemon zest for extra freshness, but you could easily add extra vanilla instead.   Because I was packaging these for gifts, I did not garnish them, but I think next time I will sprinkle them with powdered sugar or a lemon glaze.

It is perfect with coffee in the morning, or whipped cream at night.  I recommend storing it in the refrigerator (or freezer for an extended period) because of the extreme moisture from the extra berry content. 

They make great gifts or summer party favors, too.  See the packaging details at the bottom of the recipe. 

Sweet Summer 
Berry Bread

1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon lemon zest 

1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste

3 cups of berries

....

optional garnishes : 

-powdered sugar

-lemon glaze

Preheat oven to 350.

In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Cream together butter and sugar for 3 minutes.  Add eggs.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt.  In another separate bowl, combine milk and extract.  Add half of the wet ingredients to the butter sugar mixture, mix for 5 seconds, then add half of the dry and mix for 5 seconds.  Repeat with second half, ending with dry ingredients.  

Toss berries in tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter. 

Fold in berries carefully. 

Pour batter into lined loaf pans.  This recipe will make about 6 of my medium-sized wooden baking basket loafs.

Bake for 25-30 minutes (longer depending on size of pans) until a cake tester comes out clean.

Serve plain, sprinkled with powdered sugar or a drizzled with a lemon glaze.

I packaged my berry breads for some summer gifts for friends and teachers.  Would also make a great hostess gift, of course.




Materials :

Wooden Baking Baskets (medium)

Large Cello Bags

Everyday Folded Cards - Papaya Pashmina

Cotton Ribbon - Thin

Tablet+LePens - Privet Berry Blue (the pens)