According to The Countess...: August 2011

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Easy Broccoli Soup

I don't love vegetables, especially broccoli, but for some reason I love my mom's broccoli soup. I made a batch over the weekend while we were cooped up waiting for the hurricane, and it was consumed quickly. It is so easy, and it thickens with potato rather than cream, so it's much healthier than other versions...

image

1 bunch broccoli

1 potato

2 cans chicken broth

1 t corriander

s&p

shredded cheddar cheese

Rough-chop broccoli, peel and dice potato. Cook in large saucepan with chicken broth. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Add corriander and s&p to taste. Puree in a blender (I used my immersion blender). Serve with a garnish of cheddar cheese.

I also made cheese toasts to serve with it. Soooo good!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Tween Dreams

If I were a tween in 2011, I'd want my roomto look just like the image above...

However, back in the early 90's when I actually was a tween, I would have wanted something more like this. My room actually was floral and frilly at that age-- but in blues.

I'm wondering if the reason my tastes have changed has more to do with my age or the trends of the era? Maybe a bit of both.

Images via

Friday, August 26, 2011

A Good Hurricane

1 oz vodka
1 oz gin
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz 151 proof rum
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz triple sec
grapefruit juice
pineapple juice
grenadine syrup

Pour gin, rums, amaretto, and triple sec into a hurricane glass with ice. Add equal amounts of grapefruit juice and pineapple juice until almost full. Top with grenadine to taste.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Fun on a Stick

Whenever we host a cocktail party, I serve at least one bite on a stick. Caprese bites (above) are one of my go-to's-- a cherry tomato, bit of fresh mozzarella, a basil leaf, a drizzle of balsamic, and presto!

Melon-prosciutto bites are another fan-favorite...

as are antipasto sticks...

bacon-wrapped jalapeno chicken bites are on my radar...

Grilling beef and vegetables on rosemary for extra flavor? Genious!

Pasta salad skewers...

Rainbow fruit for kids of all ages!

Store-bought cake, strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate = dessert in minutes!

images via

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Wedding Wednesday: Watch Hill Wonder

This Rhode Island wedding stuck out in my mind when I first saw it last summer on Style Me Pretty, and after spending a few days here in Watch Hill this week, I appreciate it even more...

I love this twist on preppy decor... it's like British Colonial meets New England...

There is nothing like dancing to a great big band...

The bride is none other than uber-preppy designer Elizabeth McKay, whose line I've featured on the blog before. She incorporated some of her bright fabrics into the lounge area...

The ceremony was at an old historic chapel in town, and the reception was at the beautiful seaside Misquamicut Club (where I've been relaxing all week, I can see why she chose it). Elizabeth and I share a family surname, and I wonder if we may actually be related!? We share a lot of the same style. This wedding has so many elements that my own upcoming wedding will have, although mine will have Southern rather than Northeastern flair.