This Indecision is Killing Me

by Marianne on 05/11/2013

in Create, Home

KitchenCounterCoveredinPaintChips

So, I’ve been in the new house for a little over a month now, and this is what I’m looking at still every day.  A giant pile of paint-chips, and miscellaneous picture-hanging hardware strewn about the counter.

Thank goodness for paint samples.  I’ve gone through several rounds.  I started out looking at blues and beige-y tans, but I was starting to worry that I would somehow manage to find every color that I hate, and never work my way down to the right ones.  My walls were starting to look patch-work.  Along the way, I realized I don’t really love beigey-tan colors.  One peek into my closet confirmed that.

That’s when I had my ah-a moment.  Gray!  That’s the other color I was looking for.  For some reason, I dig gray.  Which maybe seems weird for a person who professes to loves color.  I think gray is cool,  and it works with lots of colors. My closet tells me I migrate towards gray, black, white, blue/turquoise, orange/corals, and purple.  The closet don’t lie.

Having finally settled on some colors, I’ve started painting.  Nothing is finished yet, but here’s a peek at my inspiration boards (I love these things!)

Living Room:

LivingRoomInspiration

Dining Room:

DiningRoomInspiration

Office:

OfficeInspiration

That’s all you get for now!  More to come!

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Home

by Marianne on 04/20/2013

in Home

FeetInPool1

After 16 years of renting, 8 moves and countless hours watching HGTV, pouring over home magazines and day-dreaming… I finally have a home I can call my own.  I’m happy beyond words.  And yes… I’m proud of me!  This feels like the best thing I’ve done in a long time.

The girl that didn’t quite make it out of high school without getting pregnant… the girl who has been a single mom for 19 out of the last 26 years… the girl who took out loans to get one kid through trade school and another into college… the girl who still feels like she has to work harder than anyone else because she has something to prove…  that girl just bought herself an awesome house!

The bonus with this house, is that it has a pool. Maggie has found a new “thinking spot”.  She really wants in there, I think.  Soon, Maggs…

MaggiesThinkingSpot

One of the things I’m super-excited about is the citrus trees in the yard… Meyer Lemon and Grapefruit in the back-yard, and Satsuma Tangerines in the front.  There’s even a Banana tree!  Although the season is just over, they did leave some fruit on the trees for me.  I picked a nice pile of big, juicy Meyer Lemons, and about 10 big grapefruit. Now I need to get busy coming up with some recipes!

Lemons

I’ve really been enjoying the lovely yard. With the weather warming up, every day there is something new to see.

RedFlower  PinkLily

Flower1  GerberDaisy

RedFlowers  WhiteFlowers

rose1  Rose2

BirdInNest  BirdsNest

Turtle  FutureGrapefruit

The house has so many nice little touches throughout.  The previous owners did so many nice upgrades that I probably never would have done.  The only thing I’ve got on my to-do list is to repaint a couple of rooms.  I’m holding off on unpacking some things and hanging pictures until then, and currently agonizing over paint colors… but I definitely have some favorites in mind…

PaintChips

I’m really looking forward to summers around the pool, and getting in that kitchen and giving the awesome gas stove a workout!

Stay Tuned! Much more to come!

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Creamy Potato and Cabbage Soup

by Marianne on 03/26/2013

in Eat, Home

PotatoCabbageSoup

Need a new favorite soup?  Looking for a way to each lunch all week for about $5? Need something yummy and warm to cuddle up with after work?

Look no further!

I made this a few weeks ago, and am sitting here wishing I had some right now.  But I can’t make it, because I’ve just packed up all my dishes.  (More on that very soon!)

This easy recipe makes a boat-load of soup so delicious that you’ll go back for 3rds every time.  Somehow it almost tastes cheesy.  I think it’s the combo of bacon and cabbage, maybe?  Or the dreamy velvety-ness?  Or maybe it’s magic.  All I know is this one is staying at the top of my soup list.

PotatoCabbageSoup3

Everything just goes in the pot.., carrot, potato, celery, cabbage, bacon…  Chop it, drop it in the pan, add some water, broth and seasonings (I like fennel seed), and then just step aside.

PotatoCabbageSoup4

Now it’s ready for blending…

Work in batches – this will take about 4 batches.  Scoop some of the veggies with some of the liquid into your blender, filling just over half full.  Hold a towel over the top to keep your hand away from the steam and any escapee liquid.

PotatoCabbageSoup7

For just a bit of extra creaminess, stir in 3/4 Cup of Half and Half.  It’s ready to go!

Perfection!
PotatoCabbageSoup2

 

Print
Creamy Potato and Cabbage Soup
Author: 
Recipe type: Soup
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 10-12
 

Ingredients
  • 1 Head Cabbage (Green)
  • 3 Russet Potatoes, peeled
  • 2 Carrots (large, peeled)
  • 3 Celery stalks
  • 2 Bacon Slices (thick cut)
  • 6 cups Water
  • 2 cups Vegetable Stock
  • 1 tablespoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
  • 4 Garlic Cloves
  • ¾ cups Half & Half

Instructions
  1. Chop vegetables and bacon into roughly 1 inch pieces, and place in large soup pot. Rough Chop the garlic and add to pot.
  2. Cover with the water and vegetable broth, and add the seasonings. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 45 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and ladle vegetables and broth into a blender, working in batches. Blend until smooth and transfer to a large bowl or another large pot.
  4. Stir in the ¾ Cup Half & Half.
  5. Serve warm, and top as desired. Great with sour cream, bacon, cheese, green onions.

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Spinach and Salmon Salad Nicoise

by Marianne on 03/12/2013

in Eat, Home

SalmonNicoise3c

This is one of my favorite salads, hands down.  I could eat this every day.  I can’t decide if it’s the perfectly runny egg that does it for me, or if it’s the tiny potatoes with just a hint of toasty crust, or maybe it’s the beautiful salmon drizzled with the lemony-herby-dressing… or maybe it’s the magical combination of the whole thing that is even better than the sum of it’s individually amazing parts. 

SalmonNicoise2

oh my…

I know… this is not a classic Salade Nicoise, but there seems to be a whole lot of opinions on just what that is anyway.  Potato or no potato? Canned tuna or fresh? Lettuce? Green beans? Boiled Egg?  Such controversy! Seems what we assume is traditional is the Americanized version, and about as authentic as Sweet & Sour Chicken, Spaghetti & Meatballs, or (yes, please!) Cheese Enchiladas and Beef Fajitas.  Delicious? Yes.  Authentic?  Who really cares?  As long as it’s delicious, I’m a fan.

I won’t even bore you with a lecture on how healthy this is… Salmon, Spinach, Olive Oil, Red & Blue Potatoes, Tomatoes, Lemon, Egg, Marjoram… you’ve got Google…look it up yourself.  Or trust me… it’s almost perfect food.

On a completely un-related note, I’m up to my ears in dogs this week.  I’m keeping Rusty while Mike is out of town, and also Jessica’s new puppy, Blue.  So, four dogs under foot.  It’s like doggie day-care here half the time.  They get along… then they don’t get along…then they sleep.  This is something I’ve noticed over time:  dogs seem to be oddly pacified when the people are up and doing “people stuff”, like cooking. They often get antsy (unless it is nap time) when the people lay around on the couch.

Rusty&Blue3  3dogs 

PissedMolly  MollyRusty2

This dish is not really a dog favorite because it doesn’t require a lot of standing in the kitchen.  Toss the salmon, potatoes and asparagus in some Olive Oil on a baking sheet and put it all in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, and then relax for bit…(if the dogs will let you sit down!)

SpinachSalmonSalad5

(Place the potatoes cut-side down to get that yummy browned crust!)

Oh – and don’t forget to start the water boiling for the egg!

For the dressing, I made a vinaigrette with some Meyer lemons I had (lots of juice) and marjoram, tarragon, and seeded brown mustard. 

LemonJuice    Tarragon&Marjoram

The egg just takes about 5-6 minutes to get right…  Here’s a great article on cooking a decent boiled egg, for your reading pleasure:  http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/10/the-food-lab-science-of-how-to-cook-perfect-boiled-eggs.html

Next just assemble with the stuff you like…Spinach,  Kalamata olives, Artichokes, Capers… Go ahead and break tradition.  Yummy!

SalmonNicoise2

SalmonNicoise

 I’d be perfectly happy to eat this again tomorrow.

Print
Spinach and Salmon Salad Nicoise
Author: 
Recipe type: Salad
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 2
 

Ingredients
  • 1 Salmon filet (Wild-Caught)
  • 1 Tomato
  • 1 or 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Baby Spinach
  • 5-6 baby Potatoes (Blue, red white)
  • 1 bunch Asparagus
  • 4 Atrichoke Hearts (in oil)
  • 1 TBLS Capers
  • 1-2 TBLS Kalamata Olives
  • 2 TBLS Lemon Juice
  • 2 TBLS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 TBLS fresh Marjoram
  • 1 TBLS fresh Tarragon
  • 1 tsp Brown/Seeded Mustard
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • salt/pepper

Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. On baking sheet, place salmon filet on foil. (Spray foil and sheet with baking spray.)
  3. Season the salmon with salt/pepper and lemon juice.
  4. Trim ends off of Asparagus and cut Potatos in half. Toss with Olive Oil and salt/pepper on the
  5. same baking sheet with the salmon.
  6. Cook for about 10 minutes, until salmon is flaky and cooked through.
  7. Meanwhile, bring about a quart of water to a boil in small saucepan. Gently add eggs and
  8. cook for 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with cold water.
  9. For the dressing: Whisk together 2 TBLS lemon juice, 2 TBLS Exra Virgin Olive Oil, ½ tsp salt,
  10. TBLS fresh Marjoram, 1 TBLS frsh Tarragon, 2 Cloves Garlic (minced).
  11. Assemble the salad: Spinach, top with Salmon, Potatoes, Asparagus, Olives, Tomatoes,Artichokes, Capers and drizzle with the dressing.

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Kitchen Towel Pillows

by Marianne on 02/21/2013

in Create, Home

KitchenTowelPillows

The cool thing about having a Valentines birthday is how all the stores start celebrating my birthday as soon as they can clear out the Christmas stuff, so there is this big month-long lead up to my special day.

I like to walk down the aisles of pink and red goodies and do my best Shirley Temple impersonation:

Shirley Temple in Stand Up and Cheer, 1934.

“Oh, Thank You! Thank You! Ever so much!”

 

 

 

 

 

The weird thing is that everyone else is getting presents, too. My Granny Gran used to sew heart-shaped pillows just for me to make sure I had something special.  I’m sad to say that I don’t have even one of those pillows anymore.  I guess they got tossed out at some point.  I probably thought I had out-grown them, but now I wish I had kept them (although they’d probably be a little gross by now).

So, this year, I dusted off my nearly 30-year old sewing machine, and made myself a heart-shaped pillow.  I have a thing for cute kitchen towels and I had several laying around that I intended to do something with, so I made a couple of pillows.   The heart pillow took a little while, but the 2 square ones were super easy… I basically just sewed 2 straight lines for each.

Heart Pillows:

HeartPillowC1

Draw out the heart, and fold in half to cut out the shape. Be sure to include 1/2 inch seam allowance.

HeartPillowC2

Position onto the towel, and cut out 2 heart shapes.

Sew the trim onto one side, right side of fabric to right side of fabric… seam allowances matching up.

HeartPillowC3

Sew both pieces together, right side to right side.  Leave a small opening for stuffing.  Flip right side out, stuff, and hand-finish the opening.

Bird Pillow:

The square pillows were much easier.  For the bird pillow, I liked the pom-pom the trim on the bottom of the towel, and that became part of the envelope opening.

BirdPillowC1

All I did was wrap the towel around my pillow form, and pin it where I needed to trim the sides (remembering the seam allowance).

BirdPillowC2

Turn the fabric inside out, trim, and sew the 2 sides.

The pom-pom edge is the opening where the pillow gets inserted.  I sewed a snap in the middle to keep it closed.

Chevron Pillow:

The Chevron pillow also uses the finished edges as an envelope-style opening.

ChevronPillow  ChevronPillow2

Wrap the pillow and pin where the sides should be trimmed.

Trim and sew along the sides, leaving the middle opening.  Flip right-side out and insert pillow form.  (I didn’t need to do a snap on this pillow.)

Cute!

pillows

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Green Tea Almond Gelato

February 19, 2013

My brother-in-law once convinced himself that eating an entire key lime pie was good for him – because it’s fruit!  I guess it is slightly better than eating an entire Mississippi Mud Pie. There are some desserts that literally strike fear in my heart (and jeans).  I stopped enjoying many desserts around the time my [...]

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Cod with Bok Choy and Asian Broth

February 2, 2013

OMG this is so good!!  This is now my favorite way to enjoy fish. I was inspired by a dish I had at La Griglia here in Houston.  The restaurant version used a nice piece of Yellowfin Tuna, which was really good.  But I’m using Cod because it’s easier to find, and I think a [...]

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Gruyere Toasts

January 14, 2013

Ok, Gruyere Toast doesn’t really do this justice, but I thought “Gruyere & Ham on Pumpernickel with Pomegranate Balsamic Reduction” was equally lame. But that’s what they are. This was supposed to make an appearance at Christmas, passed around while we laughed jovially, tasting our favorite wines, pinky fingers in air… but I ran out [...]

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Guacamole with Pomegranate

January 13, 2013

This is one of my new faves… and was a big hit at Christmas. Christmas at my place was a first this year. Lots of fun, and not too much drama, although parking was a nightmare.  Fifteen or so people, 3 dogs, and 7 or 8 cars to park.  My front door opens up to [...]

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Where did it go?

January 1, 2013

The year 2012, I mean.  Did I do anything worthwhile? Or did I waste it?  I’m a little afraid of that answer. 2012 was a tough year at work.  Constant stress, insane workloads, deadlines on top of deadlines, and no matter how hard or how fast I work, someone is always pissed off because I’m [...]

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