Spring Fever

Spring is here!
For me that means several things: flowers, fruit, big rainstorms, green grass carpeting the yard, spending times outside, barbecuing, taking more walks and beautiful beautiful color everywhere!  Buds begin to bloom into vibrant flowers, fruits and vegetables.  I can only hope that by this time next year, I will be picking fresh herbs, cooking out, planting new flowers, and harvesting homegrown fruits & veggies to incorporate into fresh, new recipes!  Oh what fun it will be.  But for now I am garden-less and flowerless so enjoy my virtual inspiration!

Sumi Sumo Fumi Salad!

Actually, it's just "Fumi Salad" but I think the above title is much more fun.  This salad is probably the CHEAPEST salad you could ever make, being that cabbage is about 85 cents a pound and roman noodles are about twenty cents a package, not much else is really needed. The only really expensive ingredient is almonds but I got mine on sale, so if you wait until that sale comes around, you really will have a cost efficient, not to mention mondo, salad on your hands, or in your mouth rather.  I love the vibrancy of this salad, because let's face it, if it doesn't look good, no one will eat it!  So here she is!

Ingredients:

• 1 head regular cabbage
• 1 small head red cabbage
• 2 packages Roman Noodles *oriental flavor*
• one 11 oz. canister of smoked whole/slivered almonds (if you use plain slivered nuts you will have to toast them yourself, if you buy them pre-smoked you won't)
• 1/2 one ounce container toasted sesame seeds (these you'll have to toast for sure)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 C vegetable oil
• 6 T rice vinegar (only rice vinegar, don't interchange)
• 4 T granulated white sugar
• dash of pepper, fresh ground if possible
• 1 packet seasoning from Roman Noodle package

Directions:

1. Toast and/or roughly chop almonds if necessary. In separate pan, toast sesame seeds (different cook times)
2. Finely chop all cabbage - more of a slaw texture, not typical salad size, toss all together.
3. Crush noodles inside bag, remove seasoning packet.
4. Mix all dressing ingredients using a container that is "shake friendly."
5. If serving salad immediately: dress, add nuts, sesame seeds, and crushed noodles. 
6. Toss again, plate and enjoy!
7. If eating over several days, keep cabbage, nuts, noodles, and sesame seeds separate and combine right before consuming.

Total cost of this salad: less than ten dollars.  

Serving size: 12-15 people.  

That's 0.83 - 0.67 cents per serving! 

Talk about pinching pennies!  

Pillows of Chicken + Couscous

If you have read any of my past recipe posts, you probably know that most of my recipes are not exactly what you'd call "waistline friendly."  Why you ask?  Because I like to post recipes for special occasions or recipes that are simply special themselves and this dish is no different.  It is delicious, fattening, and richly flavored.  So, sorry... but not really.

Ingredients:

• 4 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 T butter or olive oil
• 1 quart heavy whipping cream (you won't use all of it)
• 8-12 oz. fine parmesan cheese (as in, finely grated)
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• lemon juice
• salt & pepper
• flour
• two boxes of preferred Couscous

Prepare:

1. Heat non-stick skillet on high with butter/olive oil coating the pan.
2. Trim chicken and halve, sprinkle with lemon juice and dredge in flour.
3. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown, do not cook all the way through.
4. Snuggly place chicken in baking dish (glass preferred) and preheat oven to 450.
5. Pour cream over chicken enough to cover almost completely; adjust chicken as necessary.
6. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese and parsley on top.
7. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes (mine actually took 25 minutes)
8. While chicken is baking prepare couscous as noted on the box.  (I use Near East Couscous Mix with Toasted Pine Nuts) Be sure to follow the directions carefully as couscous can be temperamental and turn to mush if otherwise prepared. 

Here she looks going into the oven:

 And here she looks plated!

It is absolutely wonderful!  It might not looks exactly the picture above, in fact I doubt it will because that picture took forever, but it will taste the same I assure you.  You really can't mess it up, really!  Although it is a messy plate in reality, it's taste is nothing short of rich, elegant, and full bodied flavors!

P.S.
If you're wondering what the orange looking pieces are in the top photo you can also ad carrots, mushrooms, or other creamy vegetables to add more pops of interest.

Unique Boutique!

So after a long day of car washing, grocery shopping, and errand running I was scouring craigslist for any kind of any thing to catch my eye.  Upon skimming through the furniture section I discovered two handsomely vintage boutiques!  Talk about score!  I can't wait to take a day to drive out to Tampa and visit these two adorable shops!  Three gold mines in one week, who knew Tampa/Brandon had so many diamonds in the rough?  I guess I had never really looked, but now that I am discovering neat places to find unique pieces for my future home, I am getting more excited!  Aren't you? How's that for excessive exclamation point usage? Here's the first one, it's called Summer House Marketplace (3620 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, Fl 33629) and is owned and operated by "The Summer House Girls," how cute is that?  

The second location is called Arjuna Boutique (408 N. Howard Ave. Suite B, Tampa, FL 33606).  In the owner's words, "I am a newly established eco-boutique business in south Tampa & am excited to offer many fabulous finds from vintage & tasteful goods for your home to fair trade & handmade jewelry, as well as organic skin care,(my personal favorite & I only offer true, pure organic skin care!) amazing eco-friendly candles & holistic remedies. Basically anything that is healthy & harmless for you, your home & the environment. Not to mention fair trade goods that help support individuals all around the world." For more info and updates visit their blogspot!

SUMMER HOUSE

ARJUNA BOUTIQUE

Who wants to tag along with me? Could be fun....!

Creative Hope in this City!

Three words my friend, three words: Lucky Day Emporium.  This video pretty much sums up how I feel about the place, and might have been what I did once I left the place, maybe...



This is by far, the best 'thing' I have EVER found in the city of Brandon.  Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a few other things Brandon has to offer.... the mall, Madard park, Winthrop Center, Lighthouse Secondhand Store, my awesome church, SR 60 and it's drivers, I mean.... wait, no.  But seriously, this boutique has seriously given me creative hope for this suburbanized city.  Hope I tell you!  Here's a little taste of what the shop looks like, courtesy of their blogspot.

 Not only is the shop adorable, but the owners are friendly, the prices are fair, and the merchandise is so cutely displayed I almost cried with utter enjoyment! Call me crazy but I'm weird like that.  I'd even venture to say that it resembles a mini anthropologie (which is in my opinion a huge compliment and I hope they view it that way), except that it's minutes from my house with unique finds at half the price -  and like I said earlier, I'M IN LOVE!  Now, I know you might have already peed your pants, but get a load of this (no pun intended), they are going to hold monthly craft nights, the first of which is taking place this Tuesday!  I haven't decided if I am attending or not (shocking I know) because the evening is all about cake toppers and I'm not sure I have a need, but I know that I will be shopping/perusing at Lucky Day Emporium at least every other week!  Here's some info on their upcoming craft night. There's only two spots left so be sure to call soon if you wish to attend!

Fresh Paint & Other Things

So yesterday I was driving home from the post office and saw a tempting "garage sale this way" teaser.  I drove past thinking, "It's twelve o'clock, they probably don't have anything good left," but like the typical curious woman that I am, I turned around.  As I drove through the most beautiful neighborhood, I soon discovered that they had a few very nice pieces left.  The next thought that flew into my head was, "If these nice pieces are still here after hours and hours, she's either asking too much, or maybe she'll take less just to get rid of them."  Lucky for me it was the latter!  I scored this baby (a bombay original, circa 1999) for twenty-five buckaroos.  Not only is she solid wood, but her clean lines and spindle legs are just the ticket, not to mention her petite waistline will be the perfect addition for a future entryway, fingers crossed.  So here she is in all her glory!

Although I do enjoy beautiful antique furniture, that is meticulously maintained, her current look is a little too mature for my taste,  (I know what you're thinking, she's a beaut!) although she is is great condition. I'll be making her up to look something more like these beauties below with a little less distressing.....please excuse the poor image quality, these were taken with my phone in Homegoods, but you get the idea.  I particularly enjoy the hue of the second image.

I also plan to patching up two of the four holes and replacing her existing pull hardware with two knobs that are a little more delicious i.e. sparkly.  Maybe crystal? Antique? I guess it will depend on the paint color I go with, but I always look at a piece's hardware so here's some 'bling' for ya, courtesy of anthropologie:

What do you think?  Is your stomach in a knot at the thought of me painting this baby or are you on board for "project Jackson Polick?" I'd love to know your thoughts..... Project Tutorial and "after" pictures to come soon!

Hiatus

Hello!
I have been taking a blogging break in the midst of packing up my dear family (my mother & father-in-law) as they have recently moved to Montana.  This post is very raw, and serves purely as a personal journal entry.  I need to remember milestones in my life, and this is definitely one of them.  


To date, they safely arrived after an arduous five-day trek of driving cross-country with little to no "bumps" along the way, aside from one flat tire & a three hour waiting period for said tire to be fixed. They have since unpacked most of what they took with them and have lots of help making their 600 sq. foot cabin their new home.  We miss them terribly.  So far, it really just feels like they are on vacation, as it has only been a week since they've moved.  But the empty, furniture-less and echoing house tells me otherwise.  


The first day was tough.  I had to say goodbye in the early morning only to go about my "normal" day as if nothing strange had occurred.  I got up extra early to read my bible, while awaiting the unhappy goodbye.  I remember sitting at the kitchen counter - reading, searching for encouragement from the Word.  Silently, I hoped they would never come down, that this was all just a big, strange, funny joke.  'We aren't moving away, we just bought a smaller house! We thought we'd play a joke!'  Too bad my mind's tricks can't sometimes come true.... As I read, I treasured the last moments of family still sleeping upstairs and prayed, "Lord, please hold back the tears.  Help me to be strong so they can leave happy, joyful, and ready for their new, exciting adventure." As I heard the charming creeks of the well worn staircase, I knew it was time.


We stood in the empty dining room, staring at the floor making small talk like awkward teenagers staring at their feet... trying to delay the ever present moment that was to come.  Seconds ticked away and I knew I had to leave for work.  The prayer didn't work - I was a mess and so were they.  But it was okay.  We cried and cried.  I joked to break the heavy emotion that filled the room, "You know I'm going to get pregnant tomorrow right?  I can make that happen you know."  It lightened the mood but only for a moment.  We hugged again and I said goodbye.  Although they had a long journey ahead of them, my day's routine had not changed which seemed so strange to me.   In the midst of so much change, I still had to do what was expected of me.  I couldn't stay home and say goodbye for two more hours before they left, I had to go.  As I exited the house, I kept my chin up and my smile on.  I honked the signature "two beep" goodbye as I drove away with my sunglasses on, hiding the streaming tears.  


I cried a lot that day.  I cried in the car, at work when my boss asked me if my allergies were bothering me, at bible study that night, and finally in my husband's arms as the day came to a close.  It was a hard day, but all the tears were good.  They were tears of healing, tears of joy, tears of transition.  I am SO proud of them, and so proud to call them family.   They are such an example of Godliness, their trust in the Lord far outweighs their earthly comforts.  Not many people their age (no offense) would just pick up and move, leave family and church friends behind, only to follow the upward call of Jesus Christ - but they have and they will continue to do so until they meet Jesus.  I have no doubt in my mind.  They are people of genuine faith that consider their faithfulness to God more important than their own desires or comfort.  I love them dearly, and am so blessed that they raised up their son, my husband, to be just like them.  He is an amazing man of faithfulness, servitude, and passion for the Lord.  I hope that we too, will be as faithful as they are and continue to be.  I will close with this passage from the book of Philippians.  Paul is writing from a jail cell to a church that he started in Philippi, to check on the people and the encourage them.  Coincidently (or God-incidently) I have been reading through this book for the past six months along with the other ladies in my church family, and it has been so comforting to me during this time in my life.  Here are a few verses from each chapter that I have found particularly encouraging:


Philippians 1:3-8
³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 


Philippians 2:12-18
¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. ¹⁷ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.


Philippians 3:7-14
⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 


Philippians 4:10-13
¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


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All this to say, please pray for my dear family as they too are transitioning.  Thank you to those who have comforted us during this time, those who have helped in the labor of packing and lifting, and to those who continue to lift us up in prayer.  Love you Patti & Jim and thinking of you daily! Can't wait to visit.....after the snow melts down to 3 feet instead of 15 of course :) 


For more information on the ministry that they are now serving alongside of, visit this website: http://www.pottersfield.org/


*side note, Mom, I did not get pregnant the day after they left, you can stop holding your breath now - you must be blue.*