Not Your Average Cabbage!

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Maple & Applewood Smoked Bacon

............most people tend to shy away from brussel sprouts , but when prepared correctly they can make an amazing side dish....they also contain sulforaphane, a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties!

Here I roasted Baby Brussel Sprouts and added Crispy Applewood Smoked Bacon & Maple Syrup-...

what an amazingly delicious combination-you will not be sorry-

enjoy...

Method-

2 bags Baby Brussel Sprouts-cleaned

1 tblsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 c Maple syrup-(not aunt jamima!!)

1 pack Boars Head Applewood Smoked Bacon, thick cut

Salt & Pepper to taste

*Roast your Bacon & Brussels separate, (toss brussels with olive oil) roast both at 425*

...Chop bacon, then toss with roasted brussels, add Maple syrup & toss again, season with salt & pepper and enjoy!

Stylish Celebrity INTERIORS

I often see in the news or tabloids (no I don't buy them, I just peek when in line at the grocery store)beautiful celebrity homes. Always, they picture these over-the-top mansions from an ariel view, showing you just enough of the land, estate, pool, pool house and guest house that it leaves you mouth open, hanging on for more.

Although I will admit it's interesting to see these Monster Mansions from an exterior point of view--you really can get a sense of just how large these homes are--I know personally, I want to see more!

Don't they know it's what's on the inside that counts?

1. Jonathon Adler: bedroom via ELLE DECOR
2. Ellen Pompeo: bedroom via ELLE DECOR
3. Jennifer Aniston: living room via New York Daily News
4. Jennifer Aniston: bathroom via New York Daily News
5.  Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher: living room via Architectural Digest, Decorator: Brad Dunning

6. Anjelica Houston Photo Via Architectural Digest
7. Rush Limbaugh: dining room via Corcoran
8. Rush Limbaugh: study via Corcoran
9. Rush Limbaugh bedroom via Corcoran
10. Rush Limbaugh sitting room via Corcoran
11. through 14. Nicolas Cage via New York Daily News
15. Manny Ramirez via New York Daily News
16. through 18. Sting via New York Daily News

Below:
Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick's Weekend House
Photo Via elle decor
Interior design by Eric Hughes


Attention PB Loving Chocoholics!

"Tandy" cupcakes

This is a simple way to jazz up both the look and taste of plain old cupcakes. 

For the cupcakes you will need:

-chocolate cake mix

-vegetable oil

-eggs

-chocolate frosting

-baking cups

-peanut butter

-Reese's PB cups

Bake the cupcakes according to package directions

cut the Reese's cups into wedges

                                     Let the cupcakes cool, and then ice them with peanut butter

then layer the chocolate icing on top of the PB

    For the wrapper you will need decorative paper, scissors, glue stick and template found here for free!
                               Decorative paper cupcake wrappers at Snow and Graham

                                                  trace the template and cut out

apply some glue to one end and wrap it around cupcake and stick the ends together

add the PB cup wedge!



Risotto Balls, "Arancini"

This is an old sicilian tradition.  Families would use their leftover risotto from the night before to make these wonderful snacks!

I discovered them years ago, and I have been introducing them to people ever since! Needless to say they are always a hit, and people always request them for parties......

Enjoy!

Start out by making basic risotto.  If new to the risotto game,  just follow the basic recipe on the back of any arborio rice box....

For risotto balls you will need-

chilled risotto

fresh Mozzarella ball, cubed

all-purpose flour, for dredging

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

dry bread crumbs or panko

vegetable oil for frying

                           

Method-

-Roll chilled risotto into balls using wet hands. 

-Poke a small hole in center of each ball and insert a cube of cheese, (or put on top of chilling risotto, as I did here) then re-form into a ball.

-Put flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. 

-Dredge risotto ball in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, then dredge in bread crumbs and transfer . Repeat with remaining balls.

-Heat 2 inches oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot. 

-Working in batches of 4, lower rice balls into oil with a slotted spoon and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Season with Salt/Pepper

Serve warm. (plain or with your favorite marina sauce...)

to die for..........

How to "Freshen-Up" Your Kitchen for Spring!

We are finally starting to see glimpses of the sun here on the East Coast!  It has been a long cold winter and we are welcoming the signs of spring with open arms!  Whether you are in a warm or cold climate, sometimes it is nice to freshen up your space with a few items that make you smile!  They don't have to be big or even expensive.  Fresh flowers always seem to do the trick.  Well, here are a few other trinkets I came across while thinking spring, that I would love to see in my kitchen.  Sometimes it only takes one thing or a couple of little things to change the way you feel about your space.  Here are some ideas!


        *iced lemon sugar olive oil soap next to your sink                      *lovely birds dish towel

*sweet orange chili pepper scented candle     *colorful pear hotpads      *bright green leave dipping set

*asparagus photo to brighten your walls                   *graphic ceramic salt & pepper shakers

       *seafoam collander                           *mod printed napkins              *serving tray for your counter

*bright colored placemats                                  *summer carnival glasses

 *bold patterned canister set                          *modern sleek salad set                    *rainbow nesting bowls

1. catherinefilipelli: Iced Lemon Sugar - Olive Oil Soap $6
2. Mahleewan: Lovely Birds Dish Towel $6
3.Taromas: Sweet Orange Chili Pepper Candle $13.50
4. Candyargyle: Cheery Pear Hot Pads $10
5. hopejohnson: Dipping dish- leaves in chartreuse $24
6. lingeron: Spears Fine Art Photograph $15
7. nelaceramics: Salt & Pepper Shaker in white & orange $50
8.LennyMud: Ceramin Collander in seafoam $24
9. Ikea: Matt Paper Napkin $1.50/50
10. Zgallerie: Everglades Round Tray $29.95
11. cb2: Basketweave Placemats $2.95 ea.
12. fishseddy: Carnival Glassware $6 ea.
13. modcloth: Canister Set $42.99
14. westelm: Bamboo Salad Set
15. momastore: Nest 8 Bowls $50

What Does Your Front Door Say About You?

he front door of a house speaks volumes about a home's style...after all, the front door is the "mouth" of the home and quite often its focal point.  It sets the tone for the feeling of the house, and perhaps what you will find inside. 

In our home town, we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by many older homes with doors that are not only original, but exude character. As we know, we live in a melting pot of cultures, each of which brought with them the architecture and style of their late European traditions. 

Below are a multitude of door styles and colors from our area  (Although its likely not all these home owners gave much thought to the inner meaning of their curb appeal when choosing the style and palette for their home).  Here is a general breakdown of decoding the inner meaning of color:

Blue: If you want your home’s curb appeal to suggest a feeling of abundance and prosperity, consider painting your front door a beautiful blue.

Dark Blue:  Dark blue doors are believed to create calm and peace for your home...in turn, bringing those feelings to your guests and family who enter through and into your home.

Yellow: Yellow is a color that evokes mental clarity, perception, understanding, wisdom, confidence, curiosity, humor and merriment.

Green:  Green is always a great choice for the front door since it's a color that is said to represent balance, peace, compassion, growth, renewal, and harmony.

Red:  In Feng Shui, a red front door means “welcome.”

Black:  A black door signifies promise and options, like a blank slate that is transformable into anything imaginable.

These are a few beautiful front doors from our hometown...

Before & After Chairs

I am so excited about these chairs!  I found them and could not pass them up!  A new coat of paint and a great fabric will totally revitalize them.  Now I just have to decide what color paint and which fabric will suit them best.   I have been searching for inspiration on how I will refurbish these beauties.  They would be acceptable for outdoor chairs, but I think they have so much more to offer!  So, the "after" of these chairs is still to come....but, these are some pictures I found of other "reborn" chairs that I love, and am considering for inspirational ideas,

These are my chairs......

These are the inspiration.....

{via: Janis}

{via: Susie}

{via: Kirsten Design Sponge}

{via: Nancy}

{via: Danielle}

{via: Jesse}

{via: Jessica}

{via: Susan}