Ok, show of hands….how many of you treat yourself to a little present while you’re out there Christmas shopping? C’mon, tell the truth — a few of you ‘fessed up last year! 
My little treat last year was the Williams Sonoma peppermint hand and dish soaps and this year I just couldn’t resist Ina Garten’s new cookbook. I LOVE, LUV, LUUUURRRRVE Ina. Her recipes are so straight forward and she uses normal ingredients. As much as I love Martha, I’m not a huge fan of her recipes — she uses too many weird (to me!) ingredients. (And while we’re talking about Martha and Ina, whatever happened to that twosome? Did they have a nasty split? I kept looking for the scoop on the Enquirer front page in the grocery store, but it never appeared.) Anyway, I’m embarrassed to say I have all of Ina’s books and when I saw that she had a new one out I just couldn’t wait for Christmas. (It’s awesome, btw.) Sorry loved ones who can’t think of anything to get me LOL!
On the sewing front, Hester’s back all healthy and happy. WooHoo! I picked her up yesterday and rushed home so I could make an emergency tile cover-up. I’ll be hosting my book group this week and I just couldn’t face another year of bare-naked ewe-gly tile. I have the most hideous tile on this side of the Mississippi River. No…make that the Pacific Ocean.
I hate it so much, to paraphrase a Brigette (who just put up a fabulous nut carmelized tart picture and recipe link!)-ism, “it makes me want to throw up a bit in my mouth”. Eeeewwww! Whoever put that tile in this house, was smoking sump’in. Forgive me if you’re a counter-top tile fan, but this tile has made me hate tile. I mean…you can’t roll out a pie crust or cookies on tile. And spill anything. It all runs into the grout. Sugar? Into the grout. I can’t wait until we can Get. Rid. Of. It!!!
Since the tile’s all green-y, Christmas-time, with all the red and green stuff, is the only time it even remotely doesn’t burn my irises. I had some Christmas fabric scraps, so I just hurried and stripped them together. I was feeling all Crazy Mom-ish. Speaking of which, how does that woman get so many fabulous quilts done — she’s amazing!
The emergency tile cover-up runner will look even better on book group night when Ina’s fabulous raspberry cheesecake is sitting on the end of the runner that’s empty! I’m off to bed — hope you’re all having a great weekend and getting lots done!
XOXO,
Anna
OOOOOOOH, I’ve got that nassssty tile counter top, too. Hate it! The tile even climbs up around the kitchen window! I finally bought a biiiig cutting board to keep on one counter. Company comes…out come the counter runners. eeesh! Who knows…maybe 2009 will be the year you and I lose our tile!
You’re the how-many-eth person to rave about Ina’s books. I think I’m putting this one on my Christmas list.
The tile cover-up is very pretty. Maybe you could make seasonal ones and keep those tiles covered up all year long (well, except for when you want to roll out cookie dough, of course).
I thought is was a rule that you buy yourself something when you are Christmas shopping..I’m just sayin I heard that somewhere :-)!!! Great cover-up for the tile. I have the same issue here.
I always buy myself something when I’m out Christmas shopping. Nothing big mind you otherwise I would have to pass it off as a Christmas present for me. We had a tile counter top in the house we rented while we were building our house and no I didn’t like it and made sure we didn’t have it put in our new house. I remember it bein hard to wipe the counters down.
I always buy myself something when I’m out Christmas shopping. Nothing big mind you otherwise I would have to pass it off as a Christmas present for me. We had a tile counter top in the house we rented while we were building our house and no I didn’t like it and made sure we didn’t have it put in our new house. I remember it being hard to wipe the counters down.
Love the festive cover up! The tile counters were obviously dreamed up by a man (LOL). I have never heard of Ina Carton – I will have to see if her books are available here. – I can never resist cookbooks.
You always make the best table runners. Okay, so I confess the other day while my mom and I were out on the beat, I bought myself a new wallet. Actually it is a long clutch and it is bright green with fake animal skin. It sounds hideous, but it is really cute. It goes great in my Amy Butler bag I carry around. AND is perfect for just grabbing the clutch and running in somewhere. It was 50% and a doorbuster, if that helps any. Enjoy your friends, I am rambling on.
I love Ina and held her book in my hands but didn’t buy it ……………yet. Your table runner is great and definitely crazy mom-ish! I am working in two pieces inspired by her now, it takes me much longer because I hand quilt.
You are too funny! I love your emergency cover up. I like you had tile in my kitchen and you are right you can’t roll dough or anything! About 2 years ago we finally replaced it with Silestone, a wonderful quartz product, now I can say I absolutely love it!! Very easy clean up, no GROUT to Clean!! Woo Hoo! Enjoy your cheesecake.
I love your table runner. It’s wonderful. I, too, held Ina’s book in my hands, but didn’t get it. I guess, with all of the rave reviews, that I should.
I really like the table runner. I like having a get together in the evening when I can light candles. That way, there’s no sunlight streaming in to show all the dust. Maybe the same principle will work with your countertop…you know, “the cover of darkness” and all that.
I got this cookbook for my sister for Christmas, and I think I may need to keep it!
I love the runner (and much better than green tile).
Ohhh perfect tile cover !!!!!! Clarice
You know, for very few bucks, you could have a nice piece of oiled butcher block made to fit over a fair-sized chunk of counter top, maybe even have a ‘lip’ on one edge so you could roll out dough without it slipping around on you. I’ve also seen them done in marble, but they are super heavy and require a cork backing not to goof up the tile. But on the bright side, your counter tops are clean and shiney… I have cat-butt and toast crumbs on mine. Miss you! C
Anna, I bought Martha and Ina’s new books when they came out. I think I will use Ina’s a lot more than Martha’s. Like you said she uses strange ingredients and the foods are not stuff we normally would eat.
Glad you got your machine back. Have fun at your book group. xoxo Jewels
Your runner is gorgeous Anna (I think I may use those lovely fabrics you gave me to make a similar one now!) but you have made me really, really, REALLY want to see the horrible tile!!!!!
Lucy x
oh anna….
i can’t wait to get that book!
i love your runner. you’re going to be crazy-mom when you grow up.
i’m not throwing up a little in my mouth AT ALL.
i’m running to costco to buy that book for myself.
i’m going with cami on the countertop remedy…. (but not the cat-butt)
welcome home hester!!!!
I heart I.G. too! Never miss her on Food Network.
LOVE the table runner! Very cute.
PS – I’m going to the Martha Show on Thursday! Fun, fun, fun!
I love Ina too. Her book is in the mail because I ordered an autograph copy for me for Christmas. I have all of her books too. I also bought Giada’s new one so I have lots of new recipes to try. I love your table runner and can I pretty please have a piece of that cheesecake? I made Nigella’s Christmas cake yesterday! So yummy.
Love it! I wish I had a lot of counter space just so I can make one!
Jen :)
Your tile camouflage is a beaut! Very festive. I like that suggestion though about the oiled board! I did succumb to temptation last week [wasn’t thinking of it as a present for myself, but that’ll work if anybody around here cocks an eyebrow!] I’ve always thought Sunbonnet Sue was a dumpy little creature and never had a desire to make anything she featured in. Until now! The book I bought is “Precious [see, even that makes me gag!]Sunbonnnet Quilts” by Betty Alderman. Aside from the unnecessary “precious” bit I think I’m in love!
Ina and emergency sewing…sounds almost perfect! Your table runner is like the one I’ve been planning to make (which just might have been inspired by crazymom, too!).
I love Ina but I have Martha’s new cookbook on my Christmas list–funny they both have gone back to basics–humm, a little competition going on? Your runner looks great doing its job.
you are so inspiring! I am in a funk quilt wise, and frankly cooking wise too. Good thing DH loves to cook. He is taking over as chef-extraordinaire for the cookie exchange we are hosting this coming weekend!
I dont’ even have tile and I hate it! Grout…UGH!
Love to watch Ina’s shows! The runner is fantastic!
Nice counter runner Anna! I know what you mean about tile countertops, especially when they are little tiles. Ick. I’ve lived in a place that was like that and I hated it too!
What an adorable runner!! Glad to hear Hester is back home where she belongs.
I developed a deep and abiding loathing for tile/grout when I used to clean house in college for a dr’s wife. She had an enormous kitchen with a tile floor that I cleaned on my hands and knees – ugh!
Gorgeous quilt runner. I love Ina’s books as well, and for the same reason…I hate weird ingredients! Her recipes are so straightforward. I also buy myself presents while Christmas shopping…always!
My hubs is a tile-man, but i did insist on laminate counter tops when we built our house. Tile is way too hard to clean and it gets dirty with too many spills.
Cute cover-up quilt!
That is just gorgeous!!
I absolutely love, love, love your new table runner. I had this anxious feeling when I saw it… I MUST make one for the holidays… must, must, must! Maybe I should clean the bathrooms first, and take the fall wreath off the front door, It wouldn’t hurt to get the mums off the porch either. It’s endless! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I think my sewing machine will have to be neglected a bit longer.
A present for myself? You bet!! Always! I’m only passing through this life once. I just bought every product they used on me during a facial at the Camelback Spa… and had a Bobbi Brown makeup-job at Saks and bought all the products they used.
I feel like a hooker with all that stuff on… but it’s such fun to play with.
Snowy hugs,
Joni
I love the runner! it’s very very fun. I’ll have to try out Ina’s recipes. I haven’t yet…can you believe it? I’ve heard so many good things about her.
Anna, replacing a countertop isn’t too tough. Either get a pre-formed one from Home Depot, or get one from Ikea (how far are you from West Chester, OH?). Rip the tile countertop off (you might want to talk to a kitchen guy or Google exactly how to do it), and stick the new one on. I’m hazy on the details, but I’ve watched a kitchen be built from the subfloor up, and counter tops are just stuff on top of cabinets. ;o) Then again, whenever I find myself thinking “How hard could it be?” I’m usually in for a HUGE smack-down. lol
Have fun!
Mine was the stocking disaster….sigh. At least I know better than to try again next year!
I’m so glad I’m not alone in my love of Ina. I was actually thinking about that book as something I might want to buy right now.You’ll have to post pictures of what you made in it!
I will have to check out some of her cookbooks. I never much cared for cooking, but with the remodel in my kitchen, I am beginning to enjoy being in there. Your tile cover is very nice – I have been wanting to make a quick eash runner for my dining table and this might just fit the bill. Mind if I copy you?
Oh man, I feel your pain on the grout and tile. I couldn’t WAIT to get that crap out of my kitchen when we moved in. It might have been new, but it didn’t make me hate it any less.
*Fingers crossed* you get to do this soon!
What a great cover!! The house we moved into had tile counter top in the kitchen, but we were lucky enough to have it replaced!! I can only imagine how hard it would be to keep clean. I have a hard enough time keeping the tile on the floor clean.
I flip through that cookbook almost everytime I go to Costco…I have so many cookbooks I’m trying to resist, you may have just sent me over the edge :) O.k the question on my mind is what are you reading in your book group? I just came home with a big stack of books…maybe that’s my Christmas treat!
Of course I buy me gifts while I’m out shopping for others. It’s the only way to fly. Love the new tile cover up. Very festive I might say to you!! I too had that ugly, but ugly tile in my kitchen for years. I am happy to say I dont miss it one bit.
And did you say you were going to throw up in your mouth???? ROFLOL!!!!
OH maybe it was the CARROT PUFF that make you wanna throw up. I’m just sayin.
I’m shopping over at Amazon – it’s too hard to get out without the kidlets – but you know I do have a quilting book in my cart. just. for. me!
I have boring laminate counters but at least I can roll stuff out – your runner/cover looks cute and festive :) Hope you had a great weekend!
I watch the Barefoot Contessa, she is so soothing to listen to, maybe I should put a book or two of hers on my wish list…
Those tiles must be such a nuisance, guess rolling out pastry on your new quilt runner will be a lot easier? ;^)
Raspberry cheesecake on that gorgeous runner, my mouth is watering! Sugar rubber into grout, not a good look my dear Anna! Take care
Kimx
I feel your pain on the tile countertops…lovely cover-up though!
Hi Friend,
Just stopping by to see what is happening in your world – looks like you’ve been busy. Love the counter covers, very, very nice.
Merry Christmas!
Cherri
I love Ina and have all the books except that one. And I am sure I’ll get it for Christmas. My kids will see it and know I don’t have it. And I totally forgot that Martha introduced us all to Ina! How did I forget that? I think we should google “fight barefoot contessa martha” those words and see what comes up!
It is so funny how something simple like your runner with strips of fabric – works up so incredibly cute. I love it. The colors and fabric and design are delightful. It will look great with that cheesecake. I’m on an Ina chocolate cake diet lately – eek.
I bought that Peppermint counter spray last year from Williams Sonoma. I love it! This year I went to the maker of it and bought some other scents on sale. My husband said we could probably make our own counter spray. I’m still waiting for him to help me make it. May never happen.
I always gift myself for every occasion. I’m spoiled that way!
I’ve never heard of Ina but I love your tile cover. I’ve been writing notes for students, myself. They’re not nearly so pretty as your stripy runner.
As you know I clean houses and forgive me all you tile lovers, I cannot stand the stuff! Will NEVER have it in my own house. EVER. ;o) There that feels better. LOL. LOVE the table runner. So very cute! And what a great idea! And sometimes I do sneak a few things in the basket for me. Sometimes there are such great deals, you just can’t pass them up, you know! ooxx`jodi
Love Ina as well – she has some great recipes and some far out ones (not channeling John Denver here) if you choose to go that direction. Of course didn’t know she had a new book out – I have about 4 of hers already, so off to Amazon I go – lordy I’m weak. Glad Hester is back in tip top form – just in time for whipping up all of those holiday gifts, LOL. Your new runner is adorable and looks very nice on your tile counter. Thinking I wouldn’t like having tile either – those grout areas would be great little food catchers. Hope your book evening is a fun one.
Hugs – Karen
Anna,
I really like your tile cover-up. It’s so festive!
Yes, I do buy myself a little something usually over the Christmas shopping season. I always get myself a new Christmas CD or two and just picked up some new Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Creme (my perfume) from Bath & Body.
Your Ina book sounds like one I’d enjoy and I’m with you….no Martha Recipes. I’ve made a few Ina recipes and I think I may ask Santa for her new book. “Basics” is what I’m all about.
Jody
Hi there,
I also love Ina because of all of the aforementioned reasons, plus doesn’t she have the greatest home and a fun bunch of friends! Let us know if you find out about the Ina/Martha thing.
And, yes, that countertop tile hider is gorgeous!
As far as seasonal products, I found some Mrs Meyers cleaning products (including dish soap) in a gingerbread scent. I thought that might encourage me to clean!
The table looks delicious. So warm and inviting. I think it is a combination of dishes and that wonderful long candle thing. I love that. But it also feels warm from what you bring to the table and the post about the table.
Yes, I have the knot and it is growing. I might feel pregnant soon! Heaven forbid!
I can’t believe you made that tile-cover so fast and I can’t even sew satin binding on a piece of fleece! (post to come on that later this weekend so you can laugh your arse off at my terrible job). Anywho, I treated myself to clothes, but only b/c all my other shopping was done. I put the Back to Basics cookbook on my wish list, though, so we’ll see if I get it. :) Oh and I know I said that I had all my presents purchased, but since many are being handmade, there aren’t that many done. Talk about stomach knots…I am right there, too!
Your posts are so fun to read and I *love* your tile cover-up — beautiful!
Hester’s alive and well – woo hoo!!! I love the runner you made. It’s very festive! And covers up the tile you “love” so much. You have given me an idea…….
I like Ina, too – her recipes are rather simple and straight-forward. I’m not one to go searching for exotic stuff to put in my food. Takes too much time! Let’s eat!!!
p.s. I buy myself a present every year, too. Ho ho ho!!!!!
your runner has inspired me (i dont have ugly tile, just ugly counter top)
yours turned out fab