Leona Lane

BAKED DELICATA SQUASH WITH LEMON-TAHINI SAUCE

Photo Courtesy of Bon Appetit

I have made this recipe twice in the last two weeks and can't wait to make it again. That's mildly nuts, especially for me, I'm not usually the cook in this house. But seriously, you've got to try this, even you squash-haters out there, and the I-can't-cook people too.I originally found it in an issue of Bon Appetit years ago and have adapted it a bit since then. I had to share it with you all because it's just too delicious not to! So go make some before all the delicatas are gone for the season!

INGREDIENTS

2-3 Delicata Squash
1-2 Scallion (or a bunch of green onions)
1.5 tsp Cumin
5 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

1 Tbsp Tahini
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp Water
1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. If you happen to have a grapefruit spoon around that's works really well. If not a regular spoon will do. Don't bother trying to peel the squash, by the time they are done cooking, the skin is totally softened up and totally edible - trust me on this one.

Take the squash halves and cut into 1/2 inch thick pieces (sort of like a crescent moon shape). Place in a bowl, drizzle some olive oil over the top. Sprinkle 1 tsp of cumin over. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir until evenly coated. 

Place on rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (or parchment paper). Place in the oven and set timer for 15 minutes. While that is cooking, clean and prepare the scallions. Cut in half and then into 2 inch long pieces. Place in a bowl, drizzle with remaining olive oil and 1/2 tsp cumin. Stir until evenly coated.

After the squash has cooked for 15 minutes, remove from onion. Turn the squash and add the scallions to baking sheet. Return to the oven to cook for another 15 minutes.

Add 1 tablespoon tahini, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of water. Whisk together. Add 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika and mix in.

When squash is done cooking remove from the oven. Drizzle with sauce. Let cool and then eat!

P.S. You can also find the original recipe here. 

HOME IS WHERE YOUR CAT LIVES

When I found out that October 29th was National Cat Day, I knew I had to do something for it here on Leona Lane. Why? because I'm trying to cement my status as the crazy cat lady, duh. After much internal debate, I decided to make a print to share with you all! (because who doesn't love a free printable?) It's my own favorite sentiment about what makes a home - Home Is Where Your Cat Lives. 

I just love the black and white quotes that are all over Pinterest these days. And since we have a Mac now and access to Helvetica, well, I decided that had to be the way this whole print making thing was going to go down. And I love the way it turned out! I printed one out as a 5x7 and popped it into a vintage frame to add to my collection of quirky art in the living room.

Everything that lives on my living room wall is pretty informal so the cat print fits right into that vibe. An antique frame that is empty, housing frames from a totally seperate era? not serious. A framed photobooth picture, mounted on notebook paper with 'Doge Quotes' written with whiteboard markers? not serious. Vinyl stickers on a vintage print? also not serious. A super cool block print brought back from an island in Micronesia hung with a hanger found curbside? not serious... but definitely super rad! 

I'm not the wildest decorator out there (for sure!) but I think that doing what feels like you helps makes a house your home, not just a home. So I hang what I like on my walls, hang plants from the beam on the ceiling, retrofit my lamp with a thriftstore lampshade and try to bring as many nature and outdoor vibes in that I can because that's what speaks to me. There is zero point in taking home decor to seriously in my opinion.

Follow the trends, or don't! Put cheap art on the walls. Mishmash your confused sense of style all together. Find what you love, don't worry about everyone else, and odds are you will probably feel like your house becomes your home. That's what worked for me.

I worried when we sold our house, not knowing exactly where we were going, that we'd end up in a horrid dingy box of an apartment somewhere, that didn't feel like our place the way our house did. But then I realized a. it was stupid to worry about that, and b. you can make any place feel like home if you want to and try to. Some places you're gonna have to try harder than others.

But if you are there, a few of your favorite things are there and your cat? Well then, you are pretty much set. Cause in my book, at the end of the day - home is where your cat lives. 

If you want your own print, I made three sizes available - 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. Click on the size you want, click again to expand to the full size. Right click and save to your computer. Then print out as you normally would.

Happy printing! ...and Happy National Cat Day to all you fellow cat lovers out there!! 

PS. More cat inspired posts here and here!

FALL WISHLIST

I've been saving up the pennies in my 'fun budget' for a little while now... I can't even remember the last time I went to the thrift store! Seriously, what is happening to me!?

I've been trying to pare down what I own, last month we went through our stuff in storage and at home again and sent more stuff to the goodwill. Donated some furniture to friends and family, etc. And in the midst of getting rid of all that stuff, well, I guess it's making me not want more stuff. Especially stuff that I'm not 250% in love with. 

The name of the game is intentional purchasing you guys. It's something I'm aspiring to anyways. So this wishlist list has been put together pretty carefully, most of it have been on my backburner-someday-wishlist for literally months or even years. And when I realized I'd socked away enough change and that it was also my birthday month I'd decided to get myself a few birthday presents this year. Yay!

1. Backpack // I've been waffling between the Herschel Little America Backpack and the Poler Rucksack all month... I want a backpack with a laptop sleeve, that can also carry my camera and alternatively be used as a day pack. In the clear out session I found so many bags that only had one purpose, so those all went and I'm on the hunt for one that is roomy enough for a days worth of stuff but also has that retro vibe. I'm leaning toward the Herschel pack and I'm hoping to pick one up by the end of the month!

2. Sewing Machine // I happily received a vintage sewing machine as a hand-me-down from my mom and grandma years ago. But sad to say, it bit the dust almost two years ago and despite a trip or two to the repairman, I couldn't get it going again. I need to do more research before I invest in a new one... so I guess technically this should be on the end of the list. But it's time to replace it - I have a couple projects I'd love to get done this winter. Any recommendations for a good basic machine to look into?

3. Nikon 35mm // A wide angle lens, yet another one that has been on the wishlist for awhile! Joe helped me figure out which lens to get. I ended up going with the f2 because the price is more reasonable and it's also more compact than the f1.8. So far I'm pretty stoked about it and looking forward to having some time to play around with it a bit more - hopefully you'll see some room tours soon!

4. Tiger Says Meow // This poster is just rad. End of story. I've pinned it a ridiculous amount of times. And I finally ordered one when Society6 had free shipping last week! I can't wait for it to show up!!

5. New Measuring Cups // There's always an exception... and this would be it. I was in Anthropologie with my birthday coupon and these basically jumped out at me and begged to be taken home. And since I kinda ruined some of my current ones, I figure it was a justified impulse buy...kinda <insert winky face>

6. Leather Boots // So I've literally been looking for leather boots for at least four years. I guess you can say I'm indecisive... Haha. Anyways, I finally stumbled on these Savin Hill Mid Lace Boot by Timberland online and decided to take the plunge and order them on Amazon and I love them! So far they fit pretty well and once the leather breaks in they will hopefully fit even better.

Extras // Not pictured but also on the list are a gym membership and a library card (at least that one is free!) 

What about you guys? Anyone else have a backburner-someday-wishlist? What's on it?

LITTLE THINGS | SNAIL MAIL

There is nothing quite like getting snail mail. Especially when it comes from halfway around the world! It does boggle my mind a bit to think that all correspondence used to be that way...

Last night when I got home from work, in the midst of all the junk mail was a letter and a belated birthday card from my pen-pal Lizzie! She even put everything in adorable airmail envelopes! I just love getting her letters and packages! 

Other little things I'm loving these days... Writing lists in my notebook, new magazines and organizing old ones, morning coffee (of course), our gas fireplace and the perfect black pen that my brother picked up for me in Japan! And those quiet mornings on my days off with Etta James singing 'Stormy Weather' in the background - just perfect for moody fall mornings. 

What little things are you enjoying on these chilly fall days?

RECIPE | SPICED WINE

Saturday we had a pretty chill day at home, coffee and putting around in the morning, cleaning in the afternoon. We wanted to spice it up and get out in the evening. And since it wasn't raining!!... we decided to channel our Sylvia Beach Hotel experience. So I made up some spiced wine, grabbed some mugs and a blanket and headed down to the beach to watch the sunset. 

It's a super easy recipe!

INGREDIENTS

1 Bottle of Red Wine
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Mulling Spices

DIRECTIONS

Pour wine into small pot. Turn heat onto low. Mix in brown sugar. Add mulling spices. Cover pot and let wine simmer for 20 minutes. Let cool slightly. Serve warm.

Hint : Tying it up in a small piece of cheesecloth or placing it in a tea infuser means you won't have to strain it when you're done.