Inspire to Design

Here are some other spaces in my house I would love to remake, and their inspirations follow.

current Master Bedroom

I like both of these, maybe a combo of them?

Now unto the bathroom--

current Master Bath

Inspiration Photo:

must frame mirror--or get new one!



Like the half wall...but in white subway tiles

I like the simplicity here of the niche and the plain band of tiles



NIce with the slightly darker gray grout, and just the back of the niche in the mosaic



This is one of the color choices I liked for the mosaic

Make it a Great Day!

Ann

Help Wanted

I just stumbled acorss this post from Little Green Notebook,

which caused me to click on over to Pure Style Home, one of my favorite whole-house makeovers ever.

I just wish I could translate their wisdom to work in my house.

Here's the home tour, and what I am looking for, in a nutshell...

Exterior

front garden

Front view

Back patio

Living Room

Living Room

Dining room

Dining room "progress"


And, these are my "Inspiration" Spaces...

 



Make it a Great Day!

Ann

Pillow Talk

I am drawn to the pillow department of ANY store. If they have pillows, inevitably I end up in that section.



Etsy Pillow Round Up at http://needspark.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/etsy-pillow-round-up/

I keep thinking: If I find the right pillows, it will fix all my design problems! This pillow will make the room more modern... this one has whimsy...this one is more formal......

The color of THIS pillow will bring together all the other elements in the room.....

idreamofdecor.blogspot

I see beautiful design photographs, and the first thing my eye goes to is The Pillows.


from Aubreyandlindsaysblog

On the sofa, on the bed, on the outdoor furniture. An instant makeover.

Only problem is: When I BUY that pillow and bring it home, it just never seems "right".....

Has your life been changed because of a PILLOW?

Do tell!

Make it a Great Day!
Ann

Shad Roe

image from Michaelsrestaurants.wordpress.com

Shad roe is delicious. Shad roe is weird. Shad roe season only appears in the spring. I ate it not really knowing exactly what it was. It was indescribable... salty in a sea-water way, mouthwatering, rich...

I remember first hearing about in Martha Stewart magazine years ago. I remember Martha saying how good it was, and how she would prepare it each season and savor it. Recipe in MSL.

I first had it until 5 years ago, when hubs and I took a trip to New Orleans, also a first.

We ate at Emeril's. The original Emeril's, not Lola's. I have since heard mixed reveiws about this restaurant, but let me tell you we thought it was amazing in every way. I recommmend it heartily.

It was easily one of the best 3 meals I have ever had. Ever.

Shad roe was the first course. It was sauteed in butter and garlic, and served with lemon wedges.

If you haven't tried it, are adventurous, and see it on a fave restaurant's specials, or in a market(actaully I have never seen it for sale outside of a restaurant) I say: TRY IT!

I can not say it any better, so I am going to link to this post from Saveur.

Make it a Great Day
Ann

Beans & Rice, Rice & Beans

Dave Ramsey is a hero to me, even though I am not debt free (yet) and I do not follow his advice all the way.

I have, however, stopped the trips to HomeGoods and Kohls, and I have thought about doing that envelope system. I really need to just do it.

I have taken his budget mantra to heart where the household expenses, such as food, come in.

I love when he answers: Beans & Rice, Rice & Beans to someone's query about how to save money on stuff. Ha!

We have a Rice & Beans night most every week. It's easy, it's cheap. It's adaptable, and now that my youngest has FINALLY decided he likes legumes (he took awhile) all 5 of us agree it's a YES.

I make black beans, and brown rice, normally. I have substituted tiny red beans or lentils on occassion. We eat them like a soup, with sour cream, salsa, and sometimes a sprinkle of cheese as a topping. Everyone has their own method. Tortillas accompany.

Here is my bean recipe, adapted from my dear, late, friend Mike O'Leary. Miss you, Mike.

(Ann's adaptation of) Mike's Black Bean Chili

1 16 oz package of dried beans (red or black)
1 8 oz can Ro-tel mexican-style tomatoes and green chilis
1 tablespoon Chicken bouillion powder (I use Knorr)
2 quarts water, boiled
1 tsp dried chili flakes
1 tsp dried oregano
1 dried bay leaf
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
salt, to taste


Put the boiled water in the crockpot (I use my electric kettle to boil it then pour it the crock in as its done). Add the rest of the ingredients. Put on HIGH until the mixture comes to a hard boil. Then turn down to MED and let simmer 4-6 hours until the beans are tender. Remove the Bay Leaf. Add salt now, to taste.

Serve over steamed rice in big bowls and add condiments as desired: chopped avocado, grated parmesan or shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped cilantro and onions, and a squeeze of lime are some ideas.

Serve with warmed corn or flour tortillas.