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| Via AllRecipes |
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| Via HealthyandGourmet.Blogspot.com |
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| Via King Arthur Flour |
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Valentine's Day Dinner
Just wanted to pop in and say stay tuned for a special "On the Menu" next week. Scott and I are planning on making a fancy dinner for Valentine's Day. It's a little nervewracking because we want to do something really special, like lobster, but we've never made it before. I think it's because we don't want to buy expensive ingredients only to screw it up, so we'll see how it goes. We'll make the meal and I'll record and post all the details Tuesday. So far we're thinking grilled lobster tail, prosciutto wrapped grilled asparagus, and chocolate lava cake. Any recipe suggestions are welcome!
We don't normally celebrate V-Day because we have both of our birthdays in February (mine was on Saturday, and yes, it was fabulous)., so by the time we get to the 14th, we're kind of humbugs about it. Not this year. I'm actually excited for our special meal!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Room Layout Help!
So, we've decided to keep our house a little while longer and not put it back up on the market this Spring. It would be nice to move to a bigger place, but the fish just are not biting right now in the world of realty. BUT, that's okay, because I've always got lots of projects to do around the house. And I've made a giant list of things I still want to do (Paint the kitchen, reface the cabinets, tile the shower, etc.). Scotty, if you're reading this, I know this makes you want to jump off a building, but it will be fun!
The first thing I want to do is figure out our living room situation. We spend most of our time in this room, so I want it to be comfortable and usable.
Our house is a small, 1100 sq. foot bungalow built in the 1920s. It's a "shotgun" style which is long and skinny and you can stand at the front door and see all the way to the back of the house.
I love our chair and coffee table, but the sofa has got to go. 3 dogs have just been too much for the poor microfiber couch. I would like more seating in this room in general, but have no idea how to accomplish that in such a small space. Also, we've never really had a proper dining table - just hand me down furniture and folding chairs. It's okay, because we eat at the table about 2-3 times a year.
So, here are my biggest dilemmas:
1. How can I add more seating in a small space?
2. How can I more effectively separate the dining space from the living space?
3. What sort of dining set would you suggest?
4. How can I bring more light into this room? The light from the fan make our house look like a crack den, so we need more table, floor lamps, sconces, etc to bring in light. Should we paint the walls? I'd be okay with getting rid of the stripes, but they were a lot of work, so I'll king of miss them.
All thoughts and suggestions, including links to furniture and paint colors appreciated. I know there are interior designers out there just waiting to help me out!
The first thing I want to do is figure out our living room situation. We spend most of our time in this room, so I want it to be comfortable and usable.
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| Looking at the front door |
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| Looking towards the back of the house |
Our house is a small, 1100 sq. foot bungalow built in the 1920s. It's a "shotgun" style which is long and skinny and you can stand at the front door and see all the way to the back of the house.
I love our chair and coffee table, but the sofa has got to go. 3 dogs have just been too much for the poor microfiber couch. I would like more seating in this room in general, but have no idea how to accomplish that in such a small space. Also, we've never really had a proper dining table - just hand me down furniture and folding chairs. It's okay, because we eat at the table about 2-3 times a year.
So, here are my biggest dilemmas:
1. How can I add more seating in a small space?
2. How can I more effectively separate the dining space from the living space?
3. What sort of dining set would you suggest?
4. How can I bring more light into this room? The light from the fan make our house look like a crack den, so we need more table, floor lamps, sconces, etc to bring in light. Should we paint the walls? I'd be okay with getting rid of the stripes, but they were a lot of work, so I'll king of miss them.
All thoughts and suggestions, including links to furniture and paint colors appreciated. I know there are interior designers out there just waiting to help me out!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Keeping the Sanity
Yes, they're predicting a foot of snow for the Kansas City area tomorrow and blizzard-like conditions. I'm so over winter. I've decided whenever I'm fed up with the weather, I'm just going to throw up the Frank Martin picture, and he will tell you exactly how I feel:
Anyways, I've decided to share some things with you that are getting me through these long winter months, but I better hurry before the yetis come down from the hills to feast...
1. Shameless on Showtime. Scott and I got Showtime for the sole purpose of watching "Dexter" - which I will venture to say is the best show on television. But of course we found out Showtime has a lot of good shows - Weeds, Californication, and this newest revival of a British show - Shameless. It's hilarious, and makes me feel like a billionaire while reminding me things could always be worse.
2. Cafe Escapes Milk Chocolate K-Cups. My Keurig I got from my dad for Christmas has been amazing, and I've used it almost every day. I don't drink very much coffee, so I love these hot chocolate cups. And, while searching for this image, I found out Cafe Escapes makes Chai Latte K-Cups. I must find these immediately! Plus, is there anything better on a snowy day than sitting inside with hot chocolate (probably watching Showtime)?!
3. GapBody Fleece-lined Yoga Pants. I got these pants from my mom for Christmas (in gray). I've worn them every weekend day since. They are so comfortable. I get home Friday after work, the yoga pants come on and stay on until Monday Morning when it's time to go back to work.
4. Art projects. The applications for the Kansas City Plaza Art Fair open tomorrow, so I better get crackin! This is the first year I've considered participating, but it's quite the big deal here in the fall. Hopefully it will be a good chance for me to finally get some of my paintings out there, and being stuck inside motivates me to work on them.
What gets you through these cold days and long winter nights?
Anyways, I've decided to share some things with you that are getting me through these long winter months, but I better hurry before the yetis come down from the hills to feast...
1. Shameless on Showtime. Scott and I got Showtime for the sole purpose of watching "Dexter" - which I will venture to say is the best show on television. But of course we found out Showtime has a lot of good shows - Weeds, Californication, and this newest revival of a British show - Shameless. It's hilarious, and makes me feel like a billionaire while reminding me things could always be worse.
2. Cafe Escapes Milk Chocolate K-Cups. My Keurig I got from my dad for Christmas has been amazing, and I've used it almost every day. I don't drink very much coffee, so I love these hot chocolate cups. And, while searching for this image, I found out Cafe Escapes makes Chai Latte K-Cups. I must find these immediately! Plus, is there anything better on a snowy day than sitting inside with hot chocolate (probably watching Showtime)?!
3. GapBody Fleece-lined Yoga Pants. I got these pants from my mom for Christmas (in gray). I've worn them every weekend day since. They are so comfortable. I get home Friday after work, the yoga pants come on and stay on until Monday Morning when it's time to go back to work.
4. Art projects. The applications for the Kansas City Plaza Art Fair open tomorrow, so I better get crackin! This is the first year I've considered participating, but it's quite the big deal here in the fall. Hopefully it will be a good chance for me to finally get some of my paintings out there, and being stuck inside motivates me to work on them.
What gets you through these cold days and long winter nights?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
On The Menu: Sun-Dried Tomato Tilapia
This is one of those meals that takes absolutely no time. Ok, more like around 5 Minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook...but still. I never used to be a huge fish eater. I love seafood like shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster, etc, but I couldn't really ever get into actual fish. Until I found out why. White fish like tilapia has almost no flavor, so you really have to season it up before cooking. I still don't like Salmon though..too fishy.
What you will need:
• Tilapia filets (we buy the bags of tilapia in the freezer section that come with about 10 individually wrapped tilapia filets in them) - thawed if frozen. I find it's best to let them thaw naturally instead of defrost in the microwave, because they're so thin, they can start cooking in the microwave. And no one wants that.
• Olive Oil
• Italian Seasoning (or basil and oregano)
• Garlic Salt
• Black Pepper
• Chopped Sun Tried Tomatoes (I buy the jarred ones in oil)
• Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
• Extra Minced Garlic (we also buy this in a jar and use it on everything) (Optional)
• Pat of Butter for Each Filet
Suggested Sides:
• Steamfresh vegetables - For this one I used the SteamFresh New Potatoes in Garlic Butter Sauce
• Rice
• Green Beans
• Pasta
1. Preheat oven to 425 Degrees.
2. Start by pouring a few tablespoons of olive oil in a small baking dish. Place the thawed tilapia in the pan and coat in the olive oil on both sides.
3. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and italian seasonings. There is no measurements for this, just make sure both sides have plenty of seasoning, but not enough so that you can't see the fish.
4. (Optional) We like a litle extra spice, so I add a few red pepper flakes and about 1/4 tsp minced garlic to each tilapia filet on one side only.
5. Chop the sun dried tomatoes into bits and distribute evenly over fish. Most sun dried tomatoes in jars come in slices or halves. Just make sure to make all the pieces the same size. You can even use a little of the oil that comes in the jar of tomatoes over the fish as well.
6. Top each piece of fish with a little pat of butter and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes.
7. Serve with your side of choice. With those steam vegetebles that cook in bags in the microwave, you can heat them while your fish cooks. Enjoy!
IDEA: You can also buy sun dried tomato pesto, or make your own, to top these fish. Sounds yummy as well!
What you will need:
• Tilapia filets (we buy the bags of tilapia in the freezer section that come with about 10 individually wrapped tilapia filets in them) - thawed if frozen. I find it's best to let them thaw naturally instead of defrost in the microwave, because they're so thin, they can start cooking in the microwave. And no one wants that.
• Olive Oil
• Italian Seasoning (or basil and oregano)
• Garlic Salt
• Black Pepper
• Chopped Sun Tried Tomatoes (I buy the jarred ones in oil)
• Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
• Extra Minced Garlic (we also buy this in a jar and use it on everything) (Optional)
• Pat of Butter for Each Filet
Suggested Sides:
• Steamfresh vegetables - For this one I used the SteamFresh New Potatoes in Garlic Butter Sauce
• Rice
• Green Beans
• Pasta
1. Preheat oven to 425 Degrees.
2. Start by pouring a few tablespoons of olive oil in a small baking dish. Place the thawed tilapia in the pan and coat in the olive oil on both sides.
3. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and italian seasonings. There is no measurements for this, just make sure both sides have plenty of seasoning, but not enough so that you can't see the fish.
4. (Optional) We like a litle extra spice, so I add a few red pepper flakes and about 1/4 tsp minced garlic to each tilapia filet on one side only.
5. Chop the sun dried tomatoes into bits and distribute evenly over fish. Most sun dried tomatoes in jars come in slices or halves. Just make sure to make all the pieces the same size. You can even use a little of the oil that comes in the jar of tomatoes over the fish as well.
6. Top each piece of fish with a little pat of butter and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes.
7. Serve with your side of choice. With those steam vegetebles that cook in bags in the microwave, you can heat them while your fish cooks. Enjoy!
IDEA: You can also buy sun dried tomato pesto, or make your own, to top these fish. Sounds yummy as well!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Time is flying!
January is going by so quickly, and I am NOT complaining. Our weather people are predicting a 50-degree Friday (which to some of you may sound freezing, but it sounds amazing to me at this point). I think only basketball coach Frank Martin can sum up how I really feel about winter...
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Products
I realize I've been a bad blogger lately. It's been hard to find time to update! Hopefully next week I'll be back with new crafts and recipes. Until then, I've decided to start selling some Moravian stars in the Etsy Shop. If you want to take the time to make your own, you can find the original craft post HERE. I'll be doing some fun special watercolor ones as well soon. Have a lovely weekend!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
And Again...
The snow has just started again here in KC. They're predicting up to 10" for our area. Yuck. I hate winter. I realize this is so pessimistic, but it's hard for me to be motivated to do anything other than staying at home with a movie and a hot chocolate on days like this. We're in for a COLD night. Stay safe out there, everyone! If you need a good, hot recipe, I'd recommend my CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP.
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