Hampden's Holiday Windows

Our neighborhood is decked beyond belief for the holidays. I was frankly a little put off seeing some windows decorated the week after Halloween this year. Everywhere I turned people were rushing Christmas. The "wait your turn Fat Boy" cartoon was sweeping the Internet with a feisty turkey giving Santa the business. I totally got that on November 2. But now, after Advent has begun and I have had time to reflect on what I am truly thankful for, I am ready for Christmas. My first stop was Trohv on The Avenue in The Hampdens. 

Oh Trohv. With your brown paper packages tied up with pine cones! I want to make out with you. Your "over the river and through the woods" Woody car cruising on the front window just warms this Midwestern born heart. Thank you for the fake snow too. This rain and creepy fog in mid-December just bums me out. We could have had inches of snow had the air been a wee bit closer to 32 degrees. Damn December. Bring it on. 

I had to stop inside Trohv to see their always inspiring displays. They never disappoint. I'm still obsessed with the star burst pencils from this post.

Their chalkboard screamed customer service to me in a hip fun way.

If you need ginormous candy canes? 

Gingerbread mix and stocking stuffer's galore.

Killer wire lamps, adorable ornaments and simple baskets for wrapping?

Vintage ornaments? Yep, Trohv has got you covered.

 Sparkly pinecones

Felted mistletoe

The Flexible Flyer's in their displays just warmed every part of my soul.

If I were fully employed I would have gone to town on their wrapping station. Paper Porn.

A few blocks west, Paradiso's red and white display is such a nice contrast with their pea green facade.

I love the cardboard deer head.

Sue's snowmen and yarn snow balls at Lovely Yarns were my all time favorite. Notice the knit hats on the snow lady. So clever. So adorable. So jealous it isn't snowing yet.

The "Yes on 6" downspout yarn bomb outside is why my New Years Eve brides love this state so much. We did it Maryland. 

Double Dutch

I stopped in to Ma Petite Shoe for a little chocolate teaser.

Charm City Cook is now selling her caramel salted brownies at Ma Petite Shoe. We met Amy and Susannah and Amanda's wedding and realized we were stalking each other on Instagram. So hilarious but true.

Spro has an upside down tree in their front window with a gorgeous row of Poinsettias. 

You must try their Mexican hot chocolate. It has a heat from cayenne pepper that is amazing.

And finally, In Watermelon Sugar's windows never disappoint. Did you notice that these shops are all so unique and independent? We keep hearing great things about more restaurants and art pop up spaces joining The Avenue. 

We are truly so thankful to STILL be living in Baltimore. It was touch and go there for a minute but we are here to stay and thankful to be able to walk up and see the windows in our hood. It's not New York City, but I'm okay with that. 

Valentine's Day African Ground Nut Stew

This is how much I love my Charlie. I researched lots of African Ground Nut Soups and came up with a recipe that would be perfect for us on Valentine's Day. I was inspired by Carla Hall's win at the US Open Top Chef "match". I skipped her bay leaves, parsley, lime and bean things but think a little lime at the end would be awesome too.

African Ground Nut Soup

• 2 Tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 large fingers of Ginger, about two inches each, peeled and minced
• 8 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into one inch chunks
• 1 1/2 15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 quart vegetable stock
• 1 cup fresh peanut butter, no sugar (I got ours from Whole Foods)
• 1 Tablespoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and black pepper 
• fresh cilantro, garnish
• roasted peanuts, garnish

I truly think the ingredients made all the difference in this soup. Start with roasting raw peanuts. I got these in the bulk section of Whole Foods. This is about two cups. I used the whole nut as a garnish. The homemade peanut butter sans sugar at Whole Foods is also perfect for this dish.

The peanuts will burn in a second if you aren't careful. I took a silicone spatula and pressed down on the cooked nuts to remove the skins. Set aside to cool.

We love a ton of ginger here at Stone Hill. It simply is the star of this recipe. Use a teaspoon to peel ginger. It is easier than the peeler and you don't loose the nibs and knuckles of this delightful root.

I love a good mise en place and always try to get my non-crying items chopped before I dive into the onion and garlic chopping.

Saute the onion and garlic in the peanut oil. Add the ginger once the onion is translucent. Use your Valentine's Day spatula to stir. See the little hearts? I've had this baby so long and I can't remember if it was McCall or Kristen who gave it to me when I was a singleton. They probably both gave it to me. Kristen gave me the best heart shaped cupcake pan one year. And these California divas even gave me lingerie another year! God bless the best friends who love you enough to give you lingerie when you are alone and single. Thank you sweet girls. 

Add the chopped and peeled sweet potatoes and the vegetable stock. One box of the Kitchen Basics green box worked perfectly.

Use one full can of diced or crushed tomatoes. I used a half can extra and stored my remaining tomatoes in this awesome Ball Jar with fridge lid. These lids are so useful for leftovers. I have to give credit for the find to Darby over at Fly Through Our Window. We gave our family left over gravy in these babies at Thanksgiving.

Add a cup of peanut butter. This was thick as all get out. Mix it well.

Add your spices.

Simmer for 60 minutes on the stove covered. 

Empty your dishwasher during your hour and think of Darby who made this beautiful dish mat for the counter. It's for the wet stuff that never dries all the way. I seriously felt like I won the lottery buying this at o'dark thirty on New Year's Eve after a glass of wine and E. fast asleep on the sofa. I love how joyful it is and wish I had a fabric store in Baltimore with way cool patterns. Baltimore friends, can you help me find an awesome fabric store up in these parts? The one on Falls is no bueno.

Check the soup after suggested cooking time and make sure the sweet potatoes are tender. I contemplated pureeing the soup. I think either way it would be good but I think the texture was better unpureed. 

E. said it was the best meal I've ever made him. That was worth ever bit of chopping for this excellent, spicy, romantic, adventurous soup. Maybe next year I'll add a few beets to make it bright red. 

I hopped over to Hampden to find a treat for my sweet man earlier that evening. Ma Petite Shoe was packed on Valentine's Day with men, women and children all sporting pink and red. It was a scene to behold in this tiny little shop on The Avenue. I even ran into a Stone Hiller.

Charlie got my favorite Mouth Party Salted Caramels.

He also got the deepest, darkest chocolate bars with sea salt and coffee, cayenne pepper and almonds.

He devoured the Salazon bar with sea salt and crushed coffee nibs.

He even shared his caramels with me. Such a sweet man!

To all my vegan pals out there, cheers! Please tell me how you like the recipe and if you would do anything differently. E. Lover, I'm sorry you've been so slammed sideways to Saturday at work. One of these days we'll get to enjoy that firewood and snuggle soon. I love you more than Sea Salted Caramels.