I'm back/Korean BBQ

Wow, I didn't realize it had been 3 weeks since I'd last posted.  I've been busy with end of school year things, a trip to NYC, and life in general.  


You won't see many photos of the family's trip to NYC because quite simply, I misplaced the SD card with my vacation photos.  It was an 8gb so the amount of photos lost (approx. 600) is nauseating. I try not to dwell on it.  I'm praying it shows up sometime soon where I least expect it.  I think I left it in the NYC apartment we stayed in but no show yet.  Life goes on.


Let me just say that after eating NY food for a week, coming home to Nashville to get a
Chick-fil-a sandwich (something I usually love) was a disappointment to the taste buds.  The food there is so great.  Even my husband and boys swear the hot dog vendor's dogs are extraordinary.  :)  I'm not a fan, but I can vouch for their pretzels. :)


My hubs served in the USAF for nearly a decade.  A few of those years were spent in Seoul, Korea.  He introduced us to Korean cuisine (particularly Korean BBQ) quite a few years ago.  We all love it and frequent an authentic Korean restaurant here in Nashvegas called The Seoul Garden.  


After our visit to the Empire State Bldg. last week we walked a few block to NYC's Korean Town.  What a wonderful area!  Lots of great restaurants and tea shops.

 We found this restaurant called Won Jo.  We were excited to try Korean BBQ in Korea Town.

  Korean BBQ is marinated pork, chicken, or beef (called bulgogi) that they bring and you cook it on grill that is built into your table.  They bring rice, lettuce leaves, and all sorts of wonderful side dishes called kimchi.  Kimchi is a delicious spicy, fermented, cabbage. Other types of kimchi might be radish, cucumber, potatoes, eggs, fish, etc.. (see all the little white dishes above are kimchi) You take your lettuce leaf and put on the meat, rice and whatever kimchi you want and roll it up. Yum.  It's one of my favorite things to eat.  The kimchi soup was my favorite thing tho'.   Fun times and great memories were made.  

Greek chicken pasta

Here's another Greek inspired recipe I found the other day while searching all recipes for a chicken pasta recipe.  One of my favorite things is marinated artichoke hearts, and when I saw this recipe included those-I knew I wanted to make it.  I used whole wheat pasta and canned tomatoes but other than that I followed the recipe exactly.  The tartness from the artichoke hearts, feta, and lemon is really wonderful.  A salad and some crusty bread  would be great with it as well. .http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Greek-Chicken-Pasta/Detail.aspx

Chair luv

My current blog photo is a piece called "Marin".  It's from a series of mixed media I did quite a few years ago.  I love the idea of taking an old chair with great bones and redoing it into something fabulous.  Upholstering is something I've long wanted to try but haven't had the time, room, or resources to make it happen. My mind overflows with different design ideas. My mixed media chairs were kind of an alternative way to express them.  My love for a good wingback chair is well documented.  "Wingey" (below), was my first dishtowel design, and the first one I ever sold on my site and Etsy back in '07.

While perusing Etsy I came across Happy Chair.  Shawna Robinson, a formal Nascar driver,  runs the company. I was excited to see her offering some things on Etsy.  Her pieces are amazing! Is this love seat below the cutest or what?  Not really fitting for my decor, but I could so see it in a single girl's apartment, bedroom, or the sitting area of a boutique.  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73479753/mary-jane-bench?ref=v1_other_1

Loving the combination of colors on this owl chair.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73480277/give-a-hoot-happy-chair?ref=pr_shop

The "marry me" chair reminds me of one of my favorite things - -Ruffled nickers! :) 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73478530/marry-me

You can view all her available pieces at shawnarobinson.com.  

Carnitas

                 Carnitas means "little meats" in spanish.  Pork carnitas is simmered pork used in different Mexican dishes.  They are usually made using heavily marbled, boston butt or a picnic cut of pork. This is the same cut of meat used in pulled pork for BBQ.    It's braised in liquid (the authentic method is using lard for liquid-eewww!) and seasonings for a good while and used in tacos, burritos, etc...  
This particular recipe has a very mellow tasting, juicy meat.  A perfect accompaniment to the stronger corn tortilla, cilantro, red onion, and salsa flavors.
It's terrific because you get the richness and tenderness like you used lard but YOU DEFINITELY DIDN"T.  We will use evaporated milk and coca cola instead.
CARNITAS:
Boston butt piece of pork
onion roughly chopped
a can evaporated milk
a can of coke
1/4 c. salt
2 cinnamon sticks
head of garlic, top cut off
water to cover


corn tortillas
red onion
cilantro
crumbled queso (i don't use cheese)
salsa
lime wedges


Cut your boston butt into large chunks and remove outer layer of fat.  Put your butt :) into a large pot.  Add your evaporated milk, coke, salt, cinnamon sticks, garlic, and water to cover the roast.  Cover and simmer 3-4 hours or until it's very tender.
Once it's tender you can remove to cool.  Put your meat on a cutting board and using two forks shred the meat.  
For tacos I use a large electric griddle.  On one side I put some of the carnitas meat so it can get brown and crispy.  On the other side I heat the corn tortillas.  To assemble: Heat a corn tortilla.  Lay down some meat, chopped red onion, cilantro, and salsa (recipe below).
You can add crumbled queso or other Mexican cheese if you like.  I like mine w/o cheese. 


 smokey salsa:

• 3 cups chopped tomatoes
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 3 fresh jalapenos, roughly chopped (less or more depending on how HOT you like it)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 T. fresh lime juice
• 2 T. chopped canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce 
• 1 1/2 t. ground cumin
• 1 t. sea salt

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse to the consistency you like.

grit bowls

Forget all the derogatory things you have heard about grits. If you've never tried them, how could you really know if you don't like 'em?  Maybe you won't like 'em, but know for sure.  I think you may be missing out on something pretty delicious. 

Have you ever eaten polenta at a nice restaurant?  If you have, you've eaten grits! You can add so many things to grits--savory or sweet.  My favorite way to eat them is in what I call a grit bowl. Grits seasoned up well on the bottom and whatever you like on top. And then, lastly, topped with an egg, any way you like it.  

I use quick grits.  Quick grits are really good. I make my grits in the microwave. Follow directions on the back of the box. 1/4 c. of grits and 3/4 c. water.  Microwave 2-3 minutes depending on the consistency you like.  I usually cook them about 2 1/2 minutes. You definitely need to season the grits well to your liking.

Once they come out of the microwave I stir in a some butter, salt, fresh ground pepper, and a few shreds of my favorite cheese, Cabot extra sharp. I find it in my Kroger's deli case. 

You can add whatever you like to your grits.  If you have sausage or bacon, that is great crumbled up in there, or some fried potatoes or other veggie. You could really get creative. Today I just topped the grits with a fried over-medium egg. Give grits a try.  You may be surprised at how delicious they are. :) 

spurgie's lift

Spurgie was groomed on Wed.  I took him to a new place and saved $15 from the normal groomer we use.  Don't know if I'll go back.  He has this look now to his face and the way the fur hits below his eyes that seemed so familiar to me.  I kept thinking 'who does this dog look like?'.  I finally figured it out.  I tried to capture his face in that look.  If you don't see it you're just going to have to trust me on this.  

May Day

As a child growing up in the midwest I truly loved to make and deliver May baskets.  I never really knew the history behind May Day but I loved delivering the vessels of goodies to friends' front porches, ringing the door bell and running.  If your friend chased you down and caught you, you might get a kiss.


I think my mom liked it almost as much as I did.  I imagine it must have something to do with my Swedish roots and my grandma making them with her. May Day is big in Sweden and other European countries.  I remember making them every year until I got too old and loss interest.  There were times it was last minute and mom didn't have anything to put in them.  My mom would quickly pop some popcorn or make some little cookies to stick in there.  I might decorate some dixie cups or make some homemade cups out of construction paper.  And there were always little handmade notes put inside (my favorite part).  Sometimes you'd get a basket and there would be no note.  It would drive me crazy if I didn't know who left it. 


I live in the south and I never hear of May baskets here.  What???  I mention May Baskets and people look at me with confusion.  That's just sad.  My boys have no interest in May baskets (rightfully so).  Every May 1st I talk about how much fun it was way back when to make 'em -bla-bla-bla- and they kinda just roll their eyes.  I guess it's kind of a girlie thing to do.  Maybe I'll get to make baskets with my granddaughter/s someday.  :)

gotta love loretta

Loretta Lynn is one of my all time favorite country voices.  She's serious as a heart attack as her little frame belts out those epic songs that were undoubtedly based on her own life experiences (with you know who-Dew!).  Her delivery is never disappointing- - "don't mess with me" toughness and a smirk on her face.

ache 0' head

Are you sensing a theme here?  What do you take for a headache?  I prefer Advil p.m to take before bed for pain relief with zonking benefits (yes, zonking is word).  I had to settle for regular Advil tonight since I need to be up early to drive my kids and those we carpool with 30+ miles one way to their homeschool tutorial. Hopefully we'll be headache free in the a.m.

Goodnight y'all. :) 

greek salad with chicken

I got the idea for a greek salad after reading a post from the pioneer woman earlier in the week.   I knew that if I made it for a meal, I'd have to add meat for the men in my family.  No amount of feta cheese was going to change that.  PW also suggested serving the salad and chicken in a tortilla; I'm definitely doing that next time I make it.
This salad turned out so good and something I will be making on a regular basis, especially with warm weather on the way.  I also sauteed chicken in olive oil with minced garlic and seasoned it well.  My two younger boys loved it (even my veggie protester said he loved the way the salad and chicken tasted together)!
Greek Salad and chicken
 Head of romaine
2 tomatoes, chopped (get the best firm, flavorful tomatoes you can find)
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
some red onion, chopped
Kalamata olives, halved
some parsley, chopped
1/2 c. feta cheese
chop the romaine and place in the bottom of the bowl.  Add each ingredient on top of the romaine side by side.   make dressing and saute chicken if desired.


dressing
1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. red wine vinegar
clove of minced garlic
2 t. sugar
handful of kalamata olives, minced
salt and pepper


whisk together and pour over salad.  mix it all together gently and serve right away. serve chicken on top or separately.

curried chicken salad

There's a place here in Nashville that serves a delicious curried chicken salad among other things. It's called the Calypso Cafe. 

http://www.calypsocafe.com/home.htm  A plate of their tropical chicken salad with spiced sweet potatoes and Cuban black beans on the side makes for a delicious lunch. I find that my preference in a chicken salad is on the sweeter side, whereas my hubs will only eat a salad that is savory.  That's the exact reason this chicken salad is perfect to serve to some girlfriends for lunch or downsize the recipe and make it just for yourself.  Who knows---your husband may be different than mine and love it.  

Curried Chicken Salad

3 c. cooked chicken (You can use cooked boneless, skinless breasts, a rotisserie chicken, or a can of white meat chicken.)

1/4-1/2 mayo

1/3 c. plain yogurt

5 t. curry powder

1 T. fresh lime juice

1 T. honey (more if you like it sweeter)

1/4 t.  ginger

1/4 t. fresh ground pepper

1/4 c. diced red onion (optional)

1 c. seedless grapes, halved (or raisins)

handful of almonds or cashews (optional)

mix together the mayo, yogurt, curry powder lime juice, honey, ginger, and pepper in a large bowl.   Add the chicken, onion, grapes, and nuts if desired and mix until combined.

A few of my favorite things on Etsy- - -

when i found etsy back in 2007, it was fairly new and not widely known.  i had already been offering my work on my website, so i was excited to find another outlet.  i quickly opened my shop and set about listing my pieces- - mostly hand painted linens from my 'saving grace' line, a few paintings, and my personalized 'love trees'.  i loved the concept of having my own shop and being able to sell only what i loved.  my artistic belief is--make only what you l<3ve... those who love what you do will find you.  conformity in the realm of creativity, is in my opinion, bondage ):  be brave!


well, as reality set in i realized that my time was way too short.  teaching my kids and trying to manage other responsibilities at home was already, at times,  a bit overwhelming for me.  i am not a type A and definitely not a multi tasker.  i had to really slow things down. i ended up closing both shops.  my husband and kids are my priority.  maybe one day when life slows down a bit i'll be able to focus more on my creative endeavors.  right now tho' i want to relish in this time with my kids because they will be grown and gone before i even realize.  


so, if you haven't discovered etsy yet, you are in for quite a treat!  if you love handmade items - art, clothing, jewelry, etc.. and want to spy what hundreds of thousands of artists have to offer - - - have at it.  you may become addicted.  


CLicK it:   http://www.etsy.com/index.php


i still have my shop, and although it presently sits empty, i hope to have time this summer to work on a few pieces to offer


i wanted to share a few things from some artists that i really dig.


**The abundance of talented photographers on Etsy is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!**
Here is a favorite of mine-

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56600093/harvested-fine-art-nature-photography?ref=sr_list_39&ga_search_query=photography&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade


We (mama & papa) eat our porridge in bowls like these:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71331395/mama-and-papa-bear-bowl-set?ref=sr_list_30&ga_search_query=pottery+bowls&ga_page=10&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

*although i own a droid, not an iphone, these covers are ridiculously cute.  great gift idea!*
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71298469/personalized-chevron-iphone-case

*This ring is lovely.  can you say mother's day?*

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64516312/silver-stackable-bloom-ring-design

*this gal makes the cutest cats.  they stand on their own, and i love the uniqueness in design*

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62905732/kitty-no192-grey-blue-and-orange-plaid

*i'm a sucker for a green leather handbag.  you can find many beautifully made leather bags on etsy, and i bet you won't see one just like it shopping at the mall.  so rich.*

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62280514/large-shoulder-bag-in-green

*oh if i was thin and could pull it off... *

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71000099/today-only-sale-dress-with-crochet?ref=sr_list_29&ga_search_query=sundress&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

And this is my favorite skirt ever.  Is that fabric fantastic or what? drool.  <3<3<3

http://www.etsy.com/listing/9402455/lovely-real-retro-vintage-fabric

I hope you enjoy Etsy and buy Handmade!!!

Finally the floors are done!!!  3 days of men working in the home all day can make you a bit weary.  But we are very thankful.

I thought I'd just give a quick picture of our bedroom.  Sunday my husband sweetly took my camera in to be cleaned for me. I won't have my camera back for 3 weeks!!  We've never been apart that long before.  :)  

So...as you can tell from the pics above I'm using an old little digital(very poor quality) to shoot some pics of the floors.  The cute little punk on the bed redeems this photo and makes it just perfecto.   Here's our room.   I wanted to show you the floors.  That is my favorite Anthropologie rug underneath the bed.  If you see spots on the picture, those are compliments of the icky camera.  I'm too tired to edit.  sorry.  Anyway, you kind of get the idea.  I will post more pics later.  I will def have enough time to get my rooms put back together before my camera comes home.  

Hardwood flooring Day 0nE...

At 7:45 this morning the hardwood floor guys commenced working on our floors.  School was not happening today with all the loud pounding and craziness going on here.  Finally, at 7:30 p.m they pulled out of the driveway.  My head was pounding and we were all starving.  We jumped in the car and headed to our neighborhood Mexican place for a burrito and a really large mug of Dos Equis XX with lime.  Yeth!
I am loving the floors so far.  My middle son's room in the back of the house is finished.  My youngest son's room is coming along nicely, and so is the hallway.  I'm thinking this may be a 3 day job.  So the guy says he'll be here between 7:30-8 in the a.m.  Closer to eight please.  y a w n.

Before...

I wanted to upload a few pictures of my living room floors before they begin replacing them tomorrow.  This is actually pergo.  It does resemble real wood until you get close.  Truthfully though, these floors have been a real nightmare to take care of.  If you walk on them barefoot or even in socks you will leave foot smudges all over.  When you clean them the streak badly.  I've tried many different tools and methods and I still get streaks. ugh.  

So, needless to say I'm super excited to finally be getting real hardwoods.  I'm going with a lighter floor that will not only show less footprints and dust, but will also make my room seem a little larger.  

That is my 8 year old leather set.  We still love it.  Yes, it's seen better days but until I find something I like better in my price range I'll be keeping it.  Also missing is my large rug. This room looks naked without a rug. A few weeks ago when my youngest was very ill with a flu type virus he...well, let's just say the damage spewed inflicted on the poor floor covering was significant.  There was no coming back from that.  I was grateful that the particular rug was older and not my favorite.  Still, having to trash any large rug feels like squandering $$$ in a major way.  But...it's just sTuFF.

I may put down my large Anthropologie rug when the floors are done.  It's a beautiful, 8x11, red dhurrie.  I've had it forever years but it's timeless.  Only problem is it moves around too much.

I'll post "after" pictures as soon as my floors are done.

Here's a couple different views.  Excuse the extra stuff laying around in the back. It's a bit of a mess. You can see my dark floors, dark furniture, dark blinds, etc... Thankfully, this room gets terrific light. Very traditional I know but I still love it. That chest/coffee table has got to go too.  You don't even want to know how much that thing weighs from all the junk in there. :) We want to eventually lose the huge armoire that houses our T.V. and mount it on the wall or above the fireplace. The armoire in the back is from Saudi Arabia.  It's a solid, hand carved beauty.  I bought it from an American oilman who lived over there for many years.  One project at a time--my husband has to constantly remind me of this.  

This summer as home school winds down and life becomes a little less crazy, I'm going to give my mantle a facelift via some paint and hang a painting or two I've been working on.  

After pics in a few days.  Yay!!!

Shake Yo Pork Chops

My favorite pork chop recipe comes from an older cookbook my mom got me years ago. I've put my own spin on the name.  The ingredients sound strange but it really is a unique and delicious combination.  Anyone I've ever served it to loves it and asks for the recipe.

Shake Yo Pork Chops
4-6 center cut pork chops
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. oregano
1/4 t. paprika
1/2 T. worcestershire sauce
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 c. water
Blend the seasonings together
Brown the chops on both sides.  Sprinkle the seasonings on both sides of the chops.  Blend the worcestershire with the cream of chicken soup and water.  After the chops are good and brown pour soup mixture over all making sure to get up all the browned bits from the bottom.  Cook covered over low heat for 40 minutes.  I like to serve it over rice.  

The lovely curtains

I've been contemplating for a while now whether or not to place curtains over my L.R. bamboo shades.  The dark shades are a look I love, and the look is pretty much timeless, so whether I do curtains or not it's all good.  Regardless of what's "hot" now you must do what you love.  I believe design magazines and shows are terrific but in the end you're the one who's got to live with it.  And if you're anything like me (with a husband who's  a finance guy) I'll be living with my choices for quite a while if you know what I mean :)  That's why pieces I choose must stand the test of time.  Thankfully my hubs has lightened up a lot over the years realizing it's only money.  I've grown up a lot understanding that it's all just STUFF that means very little.  My love for design and his love for pinching pennies have melded together and learned to live in peace, harmony and much love. 


In the next few weeks I'm going to be posting some pictures of my living room.  We'll be replacing flooring on our main floor in the next couple weeks.  Not having found furniture I like yet, my 8 yr. old leather  sofas continues to occupy our L.R receiving much-o love from the family.  Blinded by the total comfortability factor is what it is I guess. 


Back to the point of my post----curtains.  I hope you enjoy looking at some of my favorites.  


Anthropologie merchandise is a favorite of mine. We have a store here in Nashville and there is nothing I love more than perusing the store.  Their store displays are epically represented and I find myself drooling while staring and wondering 'who thought this up?'.  They're 'mazing

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=77303&catId=HOME-CURTAINS&pushId=HOME-CURTAINS&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=78&color=nav&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-CURTAINS-
VELVET&templateType=hybrid

Next up and probably my favorite (classic-boring I know, but once again I'm trained to look for staying power) are Restoration Hardware's linen striped curtains.  They sing SPRING!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?link=PavilionStripeBelgianLinen&categoryId=cat230051


IKEA is a great alternative especially if you're on a budget.  I love most all of their stuff but I can't say I've gotten any major pieces from them.  I love their price point tho' and being Swedish can't hurt either.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90112017


I used to be a big Pottery Barn fan from way back when, and I still find many things I love there.  I do really enjoy stepping out of a traditional comfort zone and exploring my contemporary /eclectic side.  This pair is a favorite of mine.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/magarite-embroidered-drape/?pkey=ccotton-linen-drapes

Comments are not only welcome but excitedly encouraged.  smiles.  hApPy fRidAy Y'all!!!

Black and Tan

 The Black and Tan is commonly served in pubs throughout Ireland, England, and the United States. It is a drink that is equal parts stout and pale ale. The drink gets its name from the colors of the uniforms worn by the British police who fought the Irish Republican Army in the early 1920s. Not surprisingly, that time and those colors do not elicit fond memories for the Irish, so the drink is often called a Half-and-Half in Irish pubs. I happen to like to say Black and Tan myself.  :) 

Regardless of its title, the drink is made by filling a glass halfway with pale ale (usually Bass Ale, or an Irish favorite, Harp lager gives a lighter touch). The ale poured into the glass slowly and against the side, to prevent a big head from forming. Once the beer has settled, the stout (usually Guinness) is slowly poured over the back of a spoon, which will help keep the darker beer from forming a head, and will also help to keep the beers in two distinct layers. 

I had this amber ale on hand which works really great. Guinness is  what I always use for black. 

 Grab a glass and fill it 1/2 to 2/3 full of the ale tilting the cup and pouring the ale down the side of your glass to cut down on foam. Let any foam go down before pouring your stout.

             

          Take the back side of a large soup spoon and             carefully and slowly pour the Guinness over. I couldn't shoot the photo as I poured.  See the distinct layers?  You can also use Blue Moon with Guinness for a Black and Blue :)   

          Happy St.Patrick's Day! 

Fiesta speckled malted milk eggs (evil in a candy shell)

As Easter approaches every year these speckled Fiesta malted milk eggs ultimately show up in my grocery store.  They stock me.  They have since I was a child. I try to avoid them but they seem relentless. Malted milk chocolate bullies. Before I'm even aware of it they somehow jump into my grocery buggy, make their way home with me and into my kitchen cupboard (if they make it to the cupboard). They aren't there long before they begin to call my name. It's only audible to me but it's definitely real.

Here they are...  plotting against my willpower.

I'm defeated again. Maybe next year I'll gain victory. or not. :)