Chronicle Books Blog

Anchors, puffins, ships, and bicycles – such classic motifs lend just the right amount of nostalgic charm to any contemporary home in need of a little style and whimsy. Drawn from images contained in Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities, Chronicle’s Pictorial Webster’s wall card and stamps are wonderful resources for interior design, as well as to add style and flare to your modern-day correspondence, packages, and art and craft projects.

The wall cards include 26 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet, suitable for framing or propping up willy-nilly.

Mushrooms, sea horses, owls and pinecones are classic images of flora and fauna in the stamp set.

The Pictorial Webster’s line is sure to inspire and delight.

If you’d like to receive one of these beautiful Pictorial Webster’s posters, just send your address to webmaster@chroniclebooks.com with the subject line POSTER by March 5th. Sorry North American addresses only.

Patti Quill
Marketing & Publicity Manager

Spring is just around the corner. Each day on my morning walk with the dogs I hear and see more and more birds in Golden Gate Park. Last week the big white egret was back in the pond next to the de Young Museum, and a new pair of ducks has taken up residence as well—I see them every evening.

Birding is a hobby and a passion enjoyed by millions of enthusiasts. Here are some of our favorite bird titles.

Bird
By Andrew Zuckerman

Birds
By Jeffrey Fisher

Bird Songs

Bird Watching

The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America

Birdscapes

Sightings: Extraordinary Encounters with Ordinary Birds

Patti Quill
Marketing & Publicity Manager

Chatting with snowed-in friends and family on the East Coast, I’m reminded of times I would cozy up inside, hearing the faint sound of tires driving over slush, and would completely rearrange my room. Winter begged me to take a closer look at my space, since I spent much more time holed up at home than in warmer seasons.

In search of some good room-beautifying projects, I was excited to come across this charming jewelry chandelier from the crafty decorating book, Dorm Décor. While I’ve tried many ways to organize my jewelry – including nailing a bamboo placemat on the wall – this chandelier takes the cake as a great way to use your accessories as a pretty and convenient display.

Jewelry Chandelier
Excerpted from Dorm Décor by Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith
Photographs by Evan Sklar

For a place to put all that glitters, think outside the jewelry box (charming tunes, yes, but they can create a tangled mess) and visit your local hardware store. The honeycomb shape of this poultry wire alludes to something fanciful, yet utterly practical. To dress it up, a can of spray paint, ribbon, and colorful craft birds do the trick.

YOU’LL NEED:
Gardening gloves
22″ x 12″ poultry wire (for a 7″–diameter column); 32″ x 12″ (for a 9″-diameter column)
Wire cutters (go low-end; poultry wire is pretty thin)
1 can of spray paint in white
Newspaper or plastic bags
1 yard 1/2”-wide grosgrain ribbon in raspberry
Two Velcro squares
10 craft birds with wire hooks

Skill Level: 101

Cut the wire.
1. You may need to purchase the poultry wire in a package (not custom cut to size). Wearing gloves, make sure to cut along the seam line so stray wires are not exposed.

2. Join the 22″ ends of poultry wire together to form a cylinder. Interlace the wire ends through the loops on the other end to secure it closed.

Paint the wire.
3. In a ventilated area (preferably outside) and over newspaper or plastic, spray the cylinder with paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply two coats for even coverage.

Embellish the chandelier.
4. Cut the ribbon in half and cut each Velcro square in half.

5. Loop one ribbon through the wire at one point at the top. Use half a Velcro square on the end of the ribbon to close the loop. Determine the length you want the chandelier to hang and snip any extra ribbon.  Directly across the top, loop the other end of the ribbon and use the other half of the Velcro square to close up the ribbon (this way you can hang it on a closet pole or remove the ribbon to set the chandelier on a dresser). Repeat for the other ribbon and Velcro square across the top.

6. Attach the craft birds with hooks on the chandelier as desired.

7. Hang the chandelier from a window hook, above your dresser, or in your closet. Hang your jewelry on it, any way you like.

Find this and many more crafty decorating projects in Dorm Décor by Theresa Gonzalez and Nicole Smith.

Lisa Tauber
Editorial Assistant

Tell us what you think of this recipe–does it make you want to try it? Or have you tried it out and have some insight to offer? Enter to win a copy of the book by leaving a comment letting us know!

Onion, Fennel, and Orange Upside-Down Shortcake

Sherry, balsamic vinegar, and fennel give a crowning touch to the fresh, orange-scented shortcake. For a satisfying meal, enjoy a slice with roasted pork tenderloin.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Onion Filling
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry sherry
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, toasted and crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
1 small red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and roughly chopped

Shortcake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 medium orange
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup whole milk

To prepare the onion filling, put the olive oil, onions, sherry, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper in a large sauté pan or wide-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the onions from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove the lid and stir in the water. Roughly chop the roasted red peppers and add them to the onions. Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat. Cut a piece of aluminum foil to fit the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan. Place the foil on the bottom of the pan and generously oil or spray the top of the foil and the sides of the pan. Spread the warm onions evenly in the pan, reserving some for spooning over the finished cake.

To prepare the shortcake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Put the flour, baking powder, salt, orange zest, and cold butter in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and pulse for 10 seconds or until the butter is the size of peas. Add the milk and pulse only until the dough comes together. Dollop even spoonfuls of dough over the top of the onion layer in the cake pan. Carefully spread the dough over the onions, leaving no gaps and making sure the edges of the pan are covered with dough. Put the pan in the oven and bake just until the top of the cake feels firm in the center when lightly pressed, about 30 minutes (the top will not look brown). Transfer to a rack and let cool for 5 minutes.

Run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan. Place a large serving plate over the top of the pan and, holding the pan and plate tightly together, invert the cake onto the plate. Carefully remove the cake pan and foil. Spoon the reserved onions over the cake. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Purchase Savory Baking.

Click here for more great recipes.

Peter Perez
Senior Marketing Manager

Dr. Anish Sheth, co-author of What’s My Pee Telling Me? (and What’s Your Poo Telling You?), appeared on the Rachel Ray Show recently to talk about what the color of your pee signifies about your health. I learned that if your pee is regularly watery and lacking in color and you are drinking a normal amount of water you might be at risk for diabetes. Good to know! Take a look here.

Dr. Seth was on Rachel Ray again today talking about colon health.

Cheers,
Hannah

There’s also the Poo Log iPhone app, if, you know, you need to keep track.