21.5.11

what what!

BE HAPPY, JOYFUL, MERRY, TICKLED, JOLLY, ECSTATIC, and DELIGHTED
SIMPLY, JUST SMILE

Looking for something to do this weekend? 
--Check out happy hour at Noble Rot 
--Go to the Portland Farmer's Market at PSU Park Blocks
--Take a hike through Forest Park
--Rent a good movie and get a pint of Ben and Jerry's Mud Pie

19.5.11

summer centerpiece

The summer is the best time for a fun, colorful, flowery centerpiece.  There are so many places to get wildflowers, tulips, dahlia's, daisies, and all your other favorites!  The best part is bringing them home and designing a centerpiece for a table in your home.  A small bouquet can add a boost of color to any room.





18.5.11

Lemon Pepper Chicken

On sunday I made the most juicy, moist chicken dish.  Not very often do I bake chicken because I always feel like it gets dried out.... however, this dish DID NOT!  It was exceptional.  I wrapped it in parchment paper to keep the moisture in and it did miracles.

2 chicken breasts, thawed
2-3 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 teaspoon lemon pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
Parchment paper

In a bowl mix sunflower oil, lemon pepper, and garlic.  Place chicken breasts in mixture and rub onto both sides of chicken breasts.  Lay out a piece of parchment paper, place chicken on top and wrap chicken in paper.  Place the chicken in a pyrex baking dish, with open side of parchment paper down.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Serve with a delicious side or two (click on links below for good side ideas).

17.5.11

hmmmm

I dream of the day I can decorate my home into something comfortable yet beautified, with a cozy seating arrangement, and embellished pillows.  However, that day may be years away.... however, I can still dream, right?
Here are just a few accessories I love and adore.  All found at (ANTROPOLOGIE)







16.5.11

1890:bed


A few weeks ago I was on a stroll with (James) and (my mom) in our neighborhood and we stopped at a garage sale just to look.  I immediately spotted an antique farm house bed frame.... and feel in love.  It is the exact bed I picture in my house one day.  I was so excited I couldn't take my eyes off of it.  The owner approach me because she could tell I was in love.  She explained that the bed was a 1890 antique bed she purchased years ago but no longer wanted it.... she went on to say that it was not marked for a price because she was waiting for the right offer.  She asked me what I would pay for it and I said I had no idea (because I knew it was worth a lot of cash and I would have felt stupid saying anything under $500), so she said well I will give you what you think it's worth.  I kept explaining that I had no idea what something this unique and rare would cost, so she said well how about $100.  I thought what??  I couldn't pass it up.  She said she had tried to sell it on craig's list but never did and she just needed to simple get rid of it.

          

So this weekend I spent time stripping it down to it's original wood and then applied a clear wood finish.  This bed frame is a beauty and I am so lucky to have found it for such a great deal.  It took many hours to strip it down to the original wood but so worth every second.  My mom and I were exhausted and in a lot of pain by the time we finished.  However, it is something I get to enjoy for many years.
FINAL PRODUCT

13.5.11

TGIF

F is for FRIDAY!!

It's the weekend.... hope you have wondrous plans in store.
ENJOY!!

11.5.11

Mediterranean Bell Pepper Salad

Made this on Mother's Day and it was a hit!
So fresh, So Good....  and it requires NO LETTUCE!

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
                                                     
1/4 cup cold water
                                                                
1 tablespoon kosher salt
                                                      

2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 red onion, chopped

3 bell peppers (any work great, but color is always fun)                                                                  
1 cucumber                                                     
1 carrot, chopped into thin strips
1/4-pound crumbled feta cheese                                                
1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh Basil, finely chopped


Swish together the red wine vinegar, water, kosher salt and sugar in a small bowl until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Add the red onion and set it aside.

Core and seed your bell peppers and chop them into 1/2-inch pieces. Chop the cucumber into similarly-sized chunks. Cut carrots into thin strips.  Put your peppers, cucumber, and feta in a large bowl.

By now, your onions will have lightly pickled, both sweetening and softening their blow. Drain them and add them to the other vegetables in the large bowl, but reserve the vinegar mixture. Pour a quarter cup of the vinegar mixture over the salad, then drizzle with olive oil.  Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, or to taste. Add chopped basil.  Toss evenly and serve at once, or let the flavors muddle together in the fridge for a few hours.

(adopted and adjusted from original recipe found on SmittenKitchen)

10.5.11

Herbs:(DIY Planter)


So you returned for the DIY.  It's super simple!

Sometimes planting can be stressful.  It's not always easy to figure out the best way to keep them growing and healthy.  So we tried something new this year.  Here's a clever, easy, and cute idea to make the deck more summery and festive!

You need:
Colanders (I found mine at Cost Plus for SUPER cheap)
Damp Paper Towels
Herbs of Choice
Soil

How to:
Moisten the paper towel and lay it in the colander so it is covering the holes.  Next, remove the herb from the plastic planter box and place in the center of the colander.  Add soil around the herb and fill in the excessive space.   Be sure to water slightly once you get the herb planted and then find a spot on the deck to watch your herb grow!  Don't forget to the stick the herb tag in so you don't forget which is which (it's the worst when they look a like and you can't figure out which is cilantro or oregano or parsley!)


It is hard to decide the perfect spot, how much sun the herb needs, and how often to water.  However, with this new idea, hopefully the numerous holes the colander has the water will moisten the herb but also not over-water it.  And as the sun starts to shine in Portland, the herbs will hopefully blossom!

9.5.11

Herbs anyone


Now that spring has arrived my mom and I finally decided to start the garden.  It might possibly be the best part about summer.  I love having fresh vegetables and herbs to cook with.  However, it's slightly still early for the vegetables to be planted because it's not warm enough.

We went to a local nursery though yesterday for a fun trip of perusing and once we arrived we couldn't resist buying something to start the garden.  So we are starting with herbs.  We got there and roamed through all the fresh vegetable, fruit, and herb plants and we both go to excited, therefore, our temptations gave in.  I felt like a kid again, asking "when do we get to start planting vegetables?" or  "is it still too early?"  So I think my mom wanted to end the questions and gave in.


Once we got home, I immediately planted them.  I was so excited to start the trend of our garden and am waiting anxiously for the arrival of hot days, sun, and a fresh garden!  
(Check back tomorrow for the DIY)

4.5.11

Sesame and Poppy Seed Dressing

1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons grated onion
1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar

In a blender, add all ingredients.... EXCEPT vinegar.  Combine until mixed and smooth.  Slowly add the vinegar to create a moderately thick substance.

Mix this into a spring lettuce salad with fresh produce such as apples, pears, strawberries, or mandarin oranges.  Top with feta and slivered almonds, pecans, or walnuts!

3.5.11

NEW NEW NEW

New items at the store.


I finally had the chance to do one of my favorite things.... make cards!
I am hoping to make more soon but we'll see.  With spring coming, that often times (hopefully) will mean the sun will be out!  And I will be out enjoy it.  

Go take a look at my store.  And HAPPY SPRING!