And the acclimatization to suburbia has begun. Two months in, and it is starting to look like a home. The all white decor is starting to get to me, but the finances have been tight. So, I wait and browse the freecycle and free craigs list entries, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting owners for furniture and goodies we can make over.  Until then, I browse and dream, and wait for design salvation.

 And since it is getting all cold and gusty out, I leave you with :

A SIMPLE VEGETABLE STOCK:

 Made of mirepoix ( 2 parts onion, 1 part carrot, 1 part celery). Dice and  sauté them lightly in a little  oil — Don't brown, but “sweat” them. Add some parsley ,some thyme,  and two cloves of garlic.  Add just enough water to cover, and simmer 40-60. This is a good base for all soup dishes. Especially if you are unsure of unknown vegetarians.

We're moving to Pennsylvania!

And now it's time to decorate again.

I lost track of my inspirations and gave all my energies to my job and surviving in NY. With this move, I foresee more time and the inclination to decorate. We are moving into a larger apartment : Duplex style.
It has 2 extra rooms and everything is white.  We have moved from the exurbs (lake communities and farms) back to the suburbs. Both the husband and I were raised in the suburbs and we really believed that we didn't want to end up here. But we NEVER realized how isolating living in the exurbs really is.

So, back to reality (and having people around)

My plan is to post the before, during, and after photos, as well as anything that inspires me along the way.

So this entry is a wish list. The beginning of a new life.




Chocolate and Hazelnuts always inspires me...

From the Family Kitchen: http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/24/homemade-nutella-oh-yes/

Homemade Nutella

Adapted from the Encyclopédie du Chocolat, by way of David Lebovitz.

1 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp. mild-flavored honey
pinch salt
1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips
1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the nuts in a 400ºF for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins begin to pop. Transfer to a tea towel, gather into a bundle and rub together to remove as much of their skins as possible. While warm, transfer to the bowl of a food processor and blend until they go from finely ground to pasty and thick, like natural peanut butter.

Meanwhile, warm the milk, powdered milk, honey and salt in a small saucepan just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. In a glass or stainless steel bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), melt the chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Add the melted chocolate to the ground nuts and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well blended and as smooth as you can get it. Makes about 2 cups.

Things that will inspire me at home:

http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-2-Inch-Dinner-Plate-Cobalt/dp/B004BJ25XQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I6KIBXKKLCCNM&colid=33PWAXKXLB5PA

http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-4-Inch-Salad-Plate-Scarlet/dp/B0002N4T6G/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3VD8WMN2EYR4X&colid=33PWAXKXLB5PA

http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-14-1-4-Ounce-Small-Sunflower/dp/B00005LD3J/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IJ1J6W9GHZAGK&colid=33PWAXKXLB5PA

Kitchen
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Retro-Dinettes-Retro-Dinette-Table-in-Bright-Chrome/14685800?sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=14685800

Dining Room

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Indoor-Beige-Geometric-Area-Rug-5-x-73/5804456/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

Office
http://www.kagozi.com/big-home-office-design-gallery/

Kitchen Curtains

http://www.jandofabrics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=dot00045

Living room

Office

Living Roomhttp://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/hot-fireplace-design-ideas/pictures/index.html

Office

Below:

http://www.wearesuperfamous.com/2008/08/best-home-office-design/

Autumn In the wings!

Another season is shyly moving in. The White Linen couch cover will be replaced with the Burnt Sienna Suede Cover. The Scarlet wool blanket will once again live on the sofa to chase the coolness away. It is currently 95 Degrees and the air conditioner is chugging away, as it has nearly all summer. However, the new magazines have been drifting in and my senses are being tweaked. I love autumn and the vibrant color, and I surround myself with them. Goodbye Summer. Hello Autumn!!

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
refrigerated pastry for an 8 inch 2 crust pie
4 small, cored baking apples
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water

Instructions
Combine the raisins, cranberries, walnuts and spices in a bowl and set aside. Roll out the pastry into a 14-inch square, then cut it into 4 squares. Place a cored apple on top of each square and fill the center with the raisin and cranberry mix.
Cover each apple with its pastry square by bringing the opposite corners up over the fruit and pinching them together. Then, seal together all of the pastry edges, moistening them with water if needed. Place the dumplings in a glass baking dish.
In a saucepan, bring the brown sugar and water to a boil, and then pour it over the dumplings. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven, spooning the syrup over the dumplings a few times, until the crust is golden (about 40 minutes).

Home is where the Hearth Is.

Spending the weekend with a cooking afficianado, causes the mind to wander into the design of ovens and fireplaces.



Chicken and Leek Pie

* 6 cups Chicken, chopped
* 2 cups leeks, chopped
* 1 cup shortcrust pastry
* 1 cup Ham, sliced
* 1 cup onions, chopped
* 3/4 cup chicken stock
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1 pinch nutmeg, ground


Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Make pastry. In a deep baking dish, place the Chicken, leeks, Ham and Onion in layers. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour chicken stock. Cover with the pastry. Brush top with milk. Before putting the dish in the oven, make a small hole in the middle of the pie. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Heat cream and pour down hole. Serve hot or cold.

Sunday Spirit

http://www.pier1.com/




from:http://rangdecor.blogspot.com

It is no surprise to my friends that my style is rather eclectic. I have a tiny pocketbook and I rent, so my tastes are adapted to the area around me. I tend toward naturalistic representations and have an interest in very old things and asian style furnishings. I like all color and try to bring as much as I can into the room without assaulting your eyes. I find that accenting in moveable spaces helps to overcome the "apartment" problems. After all, landlords really don't like it when you modify permanent elements on their properties.






Method to make this recipe : sag (palak) paneer:
2 and 1/2 cups of Fresh spinach
Paneer
2 Onions grated Ginger
Garlic paste
5-6 tbsp oil
1 tsp pure ghee
Garam masala to taste
Red chili powder to taste
1 tsp cumin powder
Salt To Taste

* Clean and wash spinach nicely.
* Boil the spinach in water and cool it.
* Now mash it in a mixer.
* Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger-garlic paste and stir-fry for a minute.
* Now add onions and fry till golden brown.
* Add all spices except red chili powder.
* Now add the spinach (palak) and little water if needed and cook for 4-5 minutes.
* Cut paneer into pieces (Paneer can be fried to golden brown in a seperate pan or can be used as it is).
* Add Paneer pieces to the gravy and cook until done.
* Take out in a bowl.
* Just before serving, heat pure ghee in a small pan.
* Hold the pan over bowl, add chili powder and immediately pour on the indian palak paneer.
* Caution: Don't allow chili powder to burn .


How To Make Paneer

Ingredients of this recipe:

4 and 1/2 cups of Milk
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Method to make this recipe:

* Boil the milk in a pan.
* When it's boiling add lemon juice while stirring.
* When milk curdles full turn off the gas and keep aside for 5 minutes.
* Pour it on to a cotton/muslin cloth and tie it with a tight knot.
* When all the water is drained from the paneer shape it into a rectangular block.
* Now place the cloth under heavy weight for 2-3 hours before using it.