Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday Reading
Friday, April 29, 2011
Diet History
Flowers, Kids, 3-D, Shots and gifts
Hi all,
Been a busy day here. We packed a lot into one day -
First I want to share my Easter Flowers…I had purchased a Pink Tulip plant for my Aunt for Easter.
It was 7 inches tall when I bought it on Tuesday and by Friday it was 14 inches and all buds had blossomed out – so I just didn’t want to give her a plant that was almost finished. Amazing what 3 days did to this plant. (we ended up giving her some wonderful ‘truffle’ candy – and she loved it)
Our son and daughter in-law brought a Daffodil plant on Easter
Took this on Tuesday after Easter
So today I planted them in the gardens. I should have separated the bulbs but I didn’t want to aggravate my back and hips by bending and kneeling for too long….so they will get a good start in the ground this Summer and then late Fall I can split them up.
Emily and Joe were here for their last day of Easter break and I felt bad because most of the morning was taken up with big people stuff.
They had to go over to the hospital with me and wait while I had another SI joint injection – yes, it’s back good and strong again!
But before I had the shot the Neurologist spoke with Doug and I about me to getting the RF treatment (Radio Frequency – Nerve Ablation). They will zap (burn) the nerve endings in the hopes that the pain stays away longer than with the shots. So hopefully in 2-3 weeks I’ll have that procedure.
Took them to lunch right after the shot, came home and the kids watched a 3-D movie – (yes…he broke down and yesterday he bought the 3-D glasses, 3-D Blue-Ray player).
I’m not real impressed with 3-D but it’s part of the TV even if we never use it.
The movie was about the Ocean – not too pretty looking without glasses
- but you can see double exposure – this is something built in the sand.
I’m very slow with my Rug Hooking project. I ran out of background green and was going to buy some more but I checked in my big tote of colors and found a very large bunch almost the same green so I’m mixing them and you can’t even tell the difference…but I like the variegated look.
And I like the design as well…it’s going on my black Windsor chair and I think I might purchase another one for my other chair.
I had the most wonderful surprise in the mail today…a package from Jen Taylor
( http://taylorsfarmhouseattic.blogspot.com/ )
How she found the time with all that has been happening with her family/extended family is beyond me. She’s such a dear friend and so talented.
Just look at these beautiful Pillow Tucks with HER OWN DESIGNS and filled with the most aromatic ‘Lavender’. THANK YOU JEN!
I also took my flower pots over to the garden center and picked out plants – they will do the work and keep them until the 3rd week of May so they get a good start in the greenhouse. Last year I did my own and they just didn’t have the ‘look’ that they do.
I’ll leave you with this picture of my two kitties sunning themselves in the doorway today – such a life! If it wasn’t for the sun you would NEVER see them this close…EVER!!!
Hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.
Karen
vintage trays
So yeah, I have thing for mirrored trays, especially the vintage ones. I found this one for $1.99 at the Salvation Army. It was a little rusty and the mirror was dusty. I took it home and removed the glass. I cleaned it up and then spray painted the brass part. I did a hot pink for my daughter because she wanted to keep her bracelets on it since I have one too in my room. Here with the spray paint that I already had in my garage. But maybe a pretty yellow would be nice? It's always a fun display in your bathroom to have a little home for your scents. or your jewelry. Actually, I have my jewelry board, but having a tray in the entry way is sometimes a nice "catch all" before it actually makes it's way back to the board.
So, because of that very fond memory, if I see a vintage tray and it's a good price, I can't pass it up. I have a few now and I don't only use them only for perfume or jewelry display. I have used them as serving pieces as well. They are beautiful if you have a few on the dining room table with mini cupcakes or muffins. The reflection of the mirror adds so much glamour as well. Let me know if you find any trays that you love!
Steampunk Libations
I haven't tried this one yet, but Kraken Rum has an incredible label, website, store of related products (including for the home), and videos.
Have you seen any another Steampunk libations on the shelves of your local purveyors?
Recipe Swap - Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp
Asian was the theme for this week's recipe swap on my cooking board. I was thrilled to get this recipe for Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp from Lisa. We both love Thai food but I rarely make it at home.
We really enjoyed the flavors of this dish, which I served over basmati rice, but we agreed that it needed vegetables to round out the meal. Our favorite Thai restaurant serves their red curry with onion, peppers, asparagus (in season), green beans, and a few others I'm forgetting. I think the addition of those would really make this perfect. You can also serve the curry with any protein - chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu or just a ton of vegetables.
One note: I doubled the sauce recipe for two reasons - one because I didn't want to waste half a can of coconut milk and because we love eating rice with the extra sauce.
Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp
Modified from Skinny Taste
1 tablespoon oil
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 scallions, whites and greens separated, chopped
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
2 big cloves garlic, minced
1 can coconut milk
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil on high heat. Pat shrimp dry, season with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook until they just turn pink, then remove to a plate. Reduce heat to medium-high, add more oil if the pan looks dry, then add scallion whites, red curry paste and garlic. Sauté one minute. Add coconut milk, and fish sauce and mix well. Simmer about 2-3 minutes, then return shrimp to the pan and coat with the sauce. Remove from heat, mix in scallion greens and cilantro. Serve over basmati rice.
Feature Friday
Thursday, April 28, 2011
While On The Topic
PS. In other breaking news: Guitar came back. It was placed in the classroom during recess on the last day of last term. A teacher found it and took it up to the School Marshall, where it sat until my son accidentally discovered it while visiting the Marshall yesterday. "Here's my late note Sir and by the way, isn't that my long lost guitar?" There had been a bit of publicity about it's disappearance so I think 'the guilts' might have brought it back. Thank goodness. We were running out of 'borrowing options' and big one had even decided that he was going to change from 'classical guitar' lessons to 'rock guitar' lessons, and use his electric guitar for school lessons, seeing he no longer had an acoustic (a very versatile, cool dude guitar teacher we have)... it would have meant no more guitar ensemble though... so yay, it's back! Grateful.
When one door closes…
I first started this blog because we were planning on building a home, and I wanted to document the process. But those plans fell by the wayside, and we assumed we’d be in our current home for several more years. We were *so sure* we’d be staying that we used up all of the collected items (intended for the new house) on this house instead. Like our front door. And our laundry sink. And the bathroom sink and legs. And the fireplace mantel. Plus more…
Oh yes, remember this? It wasn’t so long ago was it? It’s evidence that we were not planning on moving when we built in this little desk nook! It’s now turned into this:
We had to cover it up for resale. Not everyone has the need for a pint sized built-in desk after all. This old door came out of a friend’s barn. People will either love or hate it. Which might not be good for resale either though. Hmm.
So the scoop is that we found a fixer upper in a great location, and we’re going for it!
It’s a farmhouse built in 1930. One would think it would be oozing with charm inside but not so. Throughout the years, it’s gone through much “renovation” which we fully intend to undo. Surely there are treasures to be found underneath all the layers. Let’s hope!
There is a sheep and horse farm next door so we can pretend it’s ours but without the labor. ;) Perfect.
We thought we’d be transitioning back to suburbia for our next house, but it wasn’t meant to be. Country living has gotten into our bones at this point, and we’re embracing its benefits.
In a few days I’ll be participating in the Parade of Homes tour that’s being hosted by A Bowl Full of Lemons. It will be a nice way to exit one door while entering another. I hope you’ll come along!
DRAWING A BLANK
Ever get that way?
I have begun a bit of shopping for the Fall show, and this Saturday I am heading to Lakeland for a market called THE FANCY FLEA so I'll be back with pics of the show and my haul.
Pardon the interruption please...
Craft Clean Up
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Reinventions at Thomasville
Wanderlust
a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.
Oh my!....Nichole's delicious photos of Paris just stop my heart. You can buy them HERE. Look at the blue set!... deep breaths.... (feeds my blue addiction, as well as my Paris addiction)... I just love the yellow set too and the pink one. Be still heart.
I love how Nichole describes how she comes across her 'finds':
"We Stroll
The French have a word for what we do: Flâner. It means to stroll with no destination in mind, simply for the pleasure of it. Our work is a record of the serendipitous discoveries we find by getting lost".
Megen's throw Pillows for sale
Ok, details: The pillows have the envelope back. All of her pillows are double stitched. She does an amazing job. She will also send pillow covers for people who live out of the area, but won't include the insert. Just email her if you want any pillows or have any questions. She is prompt in getting back to you and usually has the pillows finished within a couple days. Her email is megenminter@gmail.com. You can also check out her blog here. Also, looking at fabric can be completely overwhelming. May I suggest fabric.com. In my opinion, the best fabrics on that website are any of the premiere fabrics, Robert Allen, Dwell, Waverly, Nicey Jane, and Amy Butler. Send Meg an email. She'd love to hear from you!!