Blog Archive

Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Un Deux Trois...already!

 Hello again!
This is me
Me, the blog 
[Mr. Blog for the uninitiated]
Thanking you
For sharing the most incredible three years 
Of my journey through the world of design and interiors

Wish me
For I turn 3 today

And be with me
For many more years of this fun ride


Signing off: Mr. Blog
[also known by the fancy schmancy name - An Indian Summer]

[some pics from my home]


Happy Birthday!

 With love: Bhavna
The person who actually updates you, Mr. Blog
[And for the record, your name is not fancy schmancy. It's quite nice. Go ask any one!]


My old folks home.

Long story short: my boyfriend Phillip and I are living in a 55 and older retirement community because we inherited a mortgage free house that we can't sell. Technically we are breaking HOA rules by living in the house (even though Phillip owns it) because we are 20 years too young, but so far we've stayed under the radar and received no complaints.

So here's the thing: I am really enjoying living among the old folks! It's quiet, there are no kids, there are no loud parties, there aren't even loud cars with thumping music that pass by! And then the neighborhood is beautiful! The HOA keeps the yards pristine and there is wildlife galore: myriad birds and wild desert cottontail bunnies. The bunnies are a delight. In our row of homes everyone has a shared backyard and the animals just wander through and frolic as they please. I can watch out my sliding glass door as momma and poppa quail pass by with their eight babies following, then Mr. Hummingbird flits by in search of something sweet, all while half a dozen bunnies, with their white tails flashing me, hop around with their noses to the ground sniffing out something good. It's relaxing.

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of my bliss.

This one is a general shot of the backyard. You can see three bunnies chillin' in the grass:



And here are three little ones outside our bedroom window:



And check out this lounger! Again out the bedroom window:



All these shots are unfortunately just taken with my iPhone and through the glass window because the minute I try to step outside to get close enough to take a better picture all I see are white tails hopping away. But you get the idea of the cuteness I enjoy on a daily basis.

As long as it can continue in this manner, I will enjoy living in my old folks home!

SK's Orange Chicken

Good Morning!

I have been asked to post my Orange Chicken recipe. Yum. We use this recipe constantly because it's easy and fast and seems to be a fancy dinner.
SK's Orange Chicken

I buy my chicken breast without skins or bones. You can buy it by the bag at Costco, as if you didn't know that. These breasts are considered half a breast. One is plenty per person.
Thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Don't try to "fast" thaw chicken. In my opinion it changes texture when it has been thawed to quickly, by water or microwave. They seem to be drier.

I place plastic wrap on my counter top. Place a half chicken breast with the sinew down. In other words place the smooth side up. Place another piece of plastic wrap over the chicken and using a meat tenderizer, use the smooth side to pound the chicken into a thin layer. Continue to the next piece. I place my pounded pieces of chicken in the refrigerator until I'm done pounding all the pieces.

With a piece of plastic wrap on the counter, I begin to make the chicken rolls. With the sinew side up, I place a thin piece of ham on the chicken,(sandwich ham works great) then add a slice of Swiss cheese. Sprinkle in a few bits of freshly chopped parsley for color. Fold the ends of the chicken in and then roll the sides over one another. Pin together with a toothpick or skewer. Your trying to seal the rolled chicken. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn't
For six breasts, I use a square glass baking dish.

350 Degree Oven
SAUCE FOR SIX BREASTS: 1 large can of frozen concentrated orange juice,
1 Stick non-salted butter
½ C Cream (Optional)
A small pinch of red pepper flakes (Optional)
In a small sauce pan melt the frozen orange juice and butter together. Stir in the cream and pepper flakes. heat through, do not boil.
Using ½ of the sauce, pour over your stuffed and rolled chicken breasts. Save the remainder ½ of your sauce for later. Place a small piece of Swiss cheese on each individual rolled breast. Cover with tin foil for first 40 minutes. Uncover for the remainder of time till done. Bake for just under 1 hour.

Presentation: The tops of the chicken rolls should be golden brown and bubbly. I use a pretty platter to place all my rolled chicken breasts on. Drizzle on a portion of your saved orange sauce. Then serve the remainder of the sauce in a gravy boat. Small new red potatoes, cooked in salted water with parsley and lemon make a great side dish. Put fresh parsley and your little red potatoes around the chicken and serve hot.

Smile, take care and invent something new today!


Visit SK's site for her newest recipe: Interior Design Books

http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

SK's Home Sweet Home


Sk Sartell's Bath Fairy

Most of you know how I think. I would like to believe I have a right to choose what and who, surround me on a daily basis.

I like my clients and MOST like me in return. Hmmm... I'll have to check on the validity of that statement. Maybe some of you will respond?

Anyway, I love gathering stuff which makes me smile. Laughing cheers the saddest of hearts.

If I'm having hot chocolate, I serve myself from an old and beautiful china cup. The chip on the edge is a nostalgic memory or question as to what the past held for this sweet china cup.

As I enter a room or our home, I want to smell something wonderful.

I make a date with myself. A time to pamper myself. You have to make and take time for yourself.

Make it a point today to do something special. Even if it's only to stand in front of a mirror and smile at yourself.

The little things we choose to surround ourselves with make a difference in the joy of life. It keeps us young.

Make a choice with little things that make you smile. It lightens your world for a moment. We need these moments in times of stress and concern. Think of it as filling your cup for the times when things are a bit parched.

SK
Check out SK's interior design books and tutorials at:
http://www.YourHomeDesignTutorial.com
http://www.sksartell.com

You can follow SK on her Ehow posts and Twitter


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