whatever

Flourish- Opening in March

This is the store front for my future shop- Flourish!   I've been dreaming real big dreams lately and decided to just take a leap and d0 it. {More on that later}

Flourish will be a pretty place to visit and create, a place to celebrate your next special occasion.....for the birthday girl, mom-to-be, bride-to be, etc. etc.

We plan to have DIY classes, craft classes, scrap-booking;you could even rent it to share your own talents....well, the possibilities are endless.

I'm gathering all kinds of beautiful things to make the space beautiful....starting with a couple of 17th century Monastery dining tables! 

I've been wanting for years to have a beautiful place to gather the gals and create!  Little girls will love it too!

Flourish will be open the week of March 11th 2013!   A baby shower and a fashion show are already booked!

Happy Day!

What would you like to create?  Let me know   flourishrental@gmail.com

Lots more on this later!

 

Stake Primary- memories.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

 

 

Boy Baby Shower- for Heidi

Heidi and Sam are expecting a baby boy in a month!  

We had planned a little simple surprise shower for Heidi- Keeping it simple, just a few friends and family.....at a local restaurant....and a couple little baby boy shower favors. 

• 3 x3 x3 clear acetate box filled with treats.
• baby blue frames from Michael's- used as place cards.
• and a small baby charm

As part of the table decorations I pinned some ribbon to the arms of a few cute baby onesies .....to hang on the back of each chair.

At the restaurant setting up.....the surprise.

 
Surprise Heidi!

Cute friends, cute baby Mommy.   

  {We had candle put on the chocolate pie....2 pink and 2 blue each representing each of Heidi and Sam's children....We then shared the pie.....Yum!}

 

After the luncheon we heading downtown Los Banos to Leah's shop...for some baby shower shopping.

Fun!

Then it was home to Share all the Baby Shower fun with Sam and kids.

Can't wait for another grand-baby to get here!

 

Fruity Chicken Skewers- Gourmet Nutrition

Ingredients (for Fruity Chicken Skewers)
Bamboo skewer sticks
Boneless skinless chicken breast (1-inch cubed, 170 g) 6 oz
Pineapple (1-inch cubed) 3 pieces
Apple (core removed, 1-inch cubed) 3 pieces
Red pepper (cut into large pieces) 3 pieces
Onion (cut into large pieces) 3 pieces
Butter (melted) 1 tbsp
Ginger ½ tsp
Salt ¼ tsp
Chili powder ¼ tsp

Serving Size
Serves 1 large or 2 small.

Preparation Time
10 min. Preparation Time
15 min. Cooking Time

Introduction
Fruits usually pair well with chicken and in this recipe we’ve given you a great way to sweeten up your chicken breasts. This combination of chicken, fruits and sweet veggies goes especially well with flavorful dishes like our Stuffed Zucchini (anytime) and our Fruity Cashew Quinoa (post-workout).

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Carefully slide ingredients onto the skewer using lots of chicken. (For example, chicken-pineapple chicken- apple-chicken-red pepper-chicken-onion-chicken). Continue making skewers until the chicken is used up. Combine melted butter, ginger, salt and chili powder in a small bowl. Place the skewers on a baking tray or in a casserole dish and then brush with the butter mixture on all sides. Place skewers in the oven and bake until chicken is cooked through (12-15 minutes). You can check the doneness of the chicken by tearing a piece in half. Serve and enjoy! Serves 1 large or 2 small.

Variations and Options
For a lower-calorie meal, substitute fruit with vegetables. Zucchini and garlic are great options. For a more tenderized and flavorful meat, marinate the skewers for a couple of hours (or over night) in a mixture of 2 tablespoons oil, 3 tablespoons acidic juice (lemon, lime or orange), ½ teaspoon ginger and salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information
(per serving)     large     small
Calories (k/cal)     369.0     184.5
Fat (g)     14.0     7.0
Saturated (g)     7.9     4.0
Monounsaturated (g)     3.5     1.8
Polyunsaturated (g)     0.6     0.3
omega-3 (g)     0.4     0.2
omega-6 (g)     0.5     0.3
Carbohydrates (g)     20.1     10.1
fiber (g)     2.7     1.4
sugars (g)     12.9     6.5
Protein (g)     40.7     20.4

Picture from [Gourmet Nutrition: The Cookbook for the Fit Food Lover]

We enjoyed this recipe- plus, it was super easy to make and only took about 15 to bake.

We paired it with .....

Fruity Cashew Quinoa-

This was the mixture of ingredient I put in the Quinoa.                                                                                             

Ingredients-

Quinoa               
1/2 cup

Vegetable broth   1 cup

Apple {core removed, small diced}  1/4 cup

Orange {peeled with outer can central white membrane removed
chopped}  1/4 cup

Raw cashews chopped    
1/4 cup

Fresh cilantro chopped            1 tbsp

 

Instructions-

Rinse quinoa in a fine strainer and drain. Bring veggie broth or water to a boil in a medium-sized pot and then add the rinsed quinoa.  Cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 10
minutes and then add the apple, orange and cashews.  Remove from heat and let it sit for another
10 minutes with the lid on.  Add the cilantro, stir all the ingredients together and serve.  Serves 1 large or 2 small.

{the large serving is huge....when I made it ....I think it could serve 4 adults with a large
serving .} 

I really liked the fruity Quinoa...Danny was just ok with it....{maybe its a girl thing.}

What we have found from this recipe book- we have liked everything we have tried so far....and the food taste really good.  We are both losing weight.....and we like what we are eating.  {I'm down 8 lbs.}  Happy, Happy Day.

 

 

Considering the Blessings-

Today as I walked the path to the garden; I was considering all my blessings.....listing them one by one large or small in my mind as I walked and worked.

As I looked around an overwhelming feeling came over me....Teresa you are so blessed.  Yes, death, illness, pain have entered you life.....but....you are blessed.

Even as we stand knee deep in work....I feel blessed.   Blessed to have the strength to do the work....and that I have work to do.

 The outpouring of blessings makes me wonder- I'm I becoming the person God, our Heavenly Father Intended me to be?

Do I listen carefully to the promptings sent my way?

I love this qoute from  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be.

To avoid some of the deepest regrets of life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today. Therefore, let us:

• •

  Resolve to spend more time with those we love.

• •

  Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.

• •

  Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.   {End quote}

 

I want to gather those I love around me and let them know how blessed I feel to have them in my life. 


Even when things seem just to0 big to handle....I need to remember to just do it a step at a time, make better decisions and try to use my time more wisely.



Quote- "The path toward fulfilling our divine destiny as sons and daughters of God is an eternal one. My dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, we must begin to walk that eternal path today; we cannot take for granted one single day. I pray that we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Next idea waiting in the wings-

(Master bath- before)

At times I think I'm a little unusual....well, most of time I think that way.   I tend to start working on the next idea before I finish the one I was working on.

 {and I always have an idea waiting in the wings.}

Do you do that?

I'm just about finished with the Hall bathroom....still waiting to find the right knobs.

So, in the meantime.....I starting playing around with some ideas for the master-bathroom. 

 As far as master-bathrooms goes....this one is not large by any means....but it's not tiny either.

Before-

Step one-

I still would love to add a great light from Ballard designs and awesome roman shades- in Step two and three.

{the mirrors were a Christmas gift from Dan.}

A cozy basket for towels and a tub caddy would be wonderful.  I'm also planning to put a topiary on each side of the tub under the mirrors.

Shopping my house:.... Some of my Mercury glass made it way to the bathtub shelf. {smile}

Another project I'm working on...finishing the kitchen-

Made a promise with myself today...no new project until the bathrooms and kitchen projects are done.

You are my witnesses.

 

 

 Note-  Just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to Shannon and Scott.  Happy 14 years.....man, I have a daughter that's been married for 14 years!

Happy Day

 

 

The No pasta Spaghetti-

 

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

Ingredients
Spaghetti squash 4 cups
Coconut oil or butter (melted) 1 tbsp
Salt ¼ tsp
Pepper 1⁄8 tsp
Cinnamon 1⁄8 tsp
Olive oil cooking spray
Ground sirloin or extra lean ground beef (340 g) 12 oz
Onion (small diced) 1 cup
Tomato sauce 2 cups
Cashews (crushed) ¼ cup
Parmesan cheese (grated) ½ cup

Serving Size
Serves 2 large or 4 small.

Preparation Time
15 min. Preparation Time
45 min. Cooking Time

Calories-354

Introduction
If you love eating spaghetti but hate what it does to your stomach and hips, you’re not alone. Yet spaghetti squash can act as an excellent pasta substitute. So why not simulate your favorite spaghetti recipe with this take on spaghetti with meat sauce.

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut squash in half and clean out the center and seeds. Place cut side up on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil or butter. Season with salt, pepper and cinnamon and then place in the oven. Bake squash for 45 minutes or until tender enough to stick a fork into it with minimal resistance. Remove from oven and allow it to cool a little. While the squash is baking, preheat a non-stick frying pan on medium heat, lightly coat with spray and add the ground sirloin. Sauté the sirloin in batches if necessary, until lightly browned and cooked all the way through. Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat, add in the tomato sauce and cashews, and set aside. Once squash has cooled a little, scoop the flesh out of the skin with a spoon, measure and add it to the meat sauce. Next, reheat in the frying pan on medium until warm. Garnish with the parmesan. Serves 2 large or 4 small.

Variations and Options
Make this post-workout recipe a chicken recipe by substituting sautéed chicken breast for the ground beef. For a lower-carb anytime dish, reduce spaghetti squash from 4 cups to 3 cups. For a more gourmet approach, plate the warm squash first, top with the hot meat sauce and then garnish with the parmesan, adding some chopped basil on top.

We really liked this recipe- and it has us thinking about other ways to use the Spaghetti squash.   With other sauces and other kinds of meat.

Yummy! 

Happy Day

Related articles

Gourmet Nutrition- Goal

Tomato Basil Soup with Sirloin Meatballs-

Blackboard fake style-

Remember the post about just popping a board painted with chalkboard paint on my back-splash and "wa-la" a new back-splash?

Well, I'm at it again- I picked up a roll of chalkboard contact paper- $7

Decided to give it a try on the back-splash.  Fairly easy to put on {it would be easier with two people}....just have to work and work to get all the air bubbles out....still working on that here.

I think it looks pretty good for $7 - painted outlets black.

Question now is..... will it pass the "chalk" test?

It did okay- was a little slick to write on....plus with the board gone the outlets got in the way of the writing, and were still staring at me......so, I put the board back up. 

I like the feel of the chalk better on the board....but it wasn't all a lost;  with the chalkboard contact paper up.....it covers up the two inches at the top of the back-splash that the board didn't cover before.

All in all the think the paper was way clever and looked good....hey, where can you get a back-splash makeover for $7.

Just wasn't for me.

 

Related articles

Blackboard Backsplash- The Mill House

Wall Pantry- Before and After

Mill House Hall Vanity-

Chalkboard messages

Mill House Hall Vanity-

-Before-

There is really nothing wrong with this vanity.....other than I would like it to be a different color.

Enter Paris gray chalk paint-  no sanding, no primer...just go for it.

The first coat of paint was the Paris Gray....then I dry brushed a sandstone gray over the top....to age it a little....also did a little "age sanding."  Finished the whole process with some clear wax.

This is the vanity area way before....when it still had carpet.

Now it looks like this.....

No hardware on the vanity yet.....coming soon.

 

Related articles

Wall Pantry- Before and After

Blackboard Backsplash- The Mill House

Tomato Basil Soup with Sirloin Meatballs-

 

 

 

Tomato Basil Soup with Sirloin Meatballs-                                                                            

Soup Garnish

Ground sirloin                                                            1 lb 7  oz

Salt                                                                                1 tsp

Pepper                                                                          1/2 tsp

Olive Oil cooking spray

Coconut oil                                                                 1 Tbsp

 

Soup Base-

Coconut Oil                                                              2 Tbsp

Yellow onion small dice                                          1 1/2 cups

Garlic Minced                                                            2 tbsp

Cumin ground                                                          1 tsp

Fennel seed ground                                                  1 tsp

Paprika                                                                        1 tsp

Vegetable broth                                                          2 cups

Tomatoes chopped                                                   7 cups

Balsamic vinegar                                                      2 Tbsp

Honey                                                                         2 Tbsp

Salt                                                                              1 tsp

Pepper                                                                       1/2 tsp

Fresh basil thin sliced                                             1/4 cup

 

Instructions-

Soup Garnish-  Season the beef with salt and pepper and form into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Preheat a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Saute the meatballs in batches until browned and then set aside.  Spray pan with oil if needed between batches.

 

Soup Base-

Preheat a large pot on medium-high heat.  Add oil and onions, and saute until lightly browned, stirring frequently.  Add garlic, cumin, fennel, paprika, 2 tablespoons of broth, and saute for one minute more, stirring constantly.  Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Now add the remaining broth, balsamic vinegar, honey and meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes, continue stirring occasionally.  Add the salt, pepper and basil and remove from heat.

Serves 4 large or 8 small.

Calories  large- 418   small 209

Gourmet Nutrition recipe

We really enjoyed this soup...Chunky and full of favor....it is on our list to make again.