La Maison et le Jardin ~
Everything
Home and Garden and Friends.
I'd love if you came and took a peek and let me know what you think.
Thanks. Lylah
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Ta Da . . . La Maison et le Jardin
La Maison et le Jardin ~
Everything
Home and Garden and Friends.
I'd love if you came and took a peek and let me know what you think.
Thanks. Lylah
Simple Home Adventure: Making Cactus Jelly
My dear mother used to make prickly pear this time of year and I can still remember how wonderful that was to slather on top of an English Muffin.
Yesterday one of my grandkiddos joined me on an adventure down our street to gather the ripening fruit from some cacti
The boy seeing the game.
Onward ho.
Picking. Plucking. Picking. Whatever.
More posts on the HOW To of making yummy Cactus Jelly.
A few more please.
The boy distracted - in a good way - or a God way. (He is taking some of these pictures.)
Our prize.
His turn. The last time he spent a few moments in or around cactus ended up not being a pretty site. He'd tripped and landed in one of these. Needless to say, he was moving carefully.
Unfortunately, our photo opp ceased at this point. The boy saw a rabbit, got excited and then guess what? It happened. Again. Stink. I just might have lost my cactus fruit grabber helper.
More posts on the HOW To of making yummy Cactus Jelly.
Bathroom Project in Process
We started this project updating in our master bathroom about two weeks ago. While we wait for lights and sink fixtures, I decided that the pale pink blinds need to go and this needed to go up. He's so sweet to be my "honey-do."
My part is to re-caulk around the sinks. I've been attacking that area and realized what a poor job had been done by the builders leaving big gaping holes around the tile where the sink should be set. I'll post pictures later, but I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself for getting such a clean look - removing all the grout.
The next project - labor - I'm going to do is remove the old grout around the tub. It's white and should have been almond. From their, I'll move on to the shower - which is - not pretty.
What projects are you working on?
My part is to re-caulk around the sinks. I've been attacking that area and realized what a poor job had been done by the builders leaving big gaping holes around the tile where the sink should be set. I'll post pictures later, but I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself for getting such a clean look - removing all the grout.
The next project - labor - I'm going to do is remove the old grout around the tub. It's white and should have been almond. From their, I'll move on to the shower - which is - not pretty.
What projects are you working on?
Friday, July 03, 2009
Out of this World 4th of July Table Scape
Last night I visited Susan's beautiful home at Between Naps on the Porch and her lovely home and this particular Celebration Table Scape captured my little heart. To be honest, I had to work at NOT feeling guilty that I've not yet taken time to even think about the table setting let alone how we'll spend the 4th - which at this point - a quiet evening at home might be nice.
As you have time, meander through the rooms of Susan's home - be encouraged to notice little touches of her heart throughout her home - perhaps there are some ideas you might be able to "copy."
Perhaps I haven't thought about my own table yet, is because I'm spending a little time putting together my notebooks - over here at la maison et le jardin - come pay me a visit won't you and become a following friend.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Our Daughters from India Graduate from ASU
Bindu's Graduation (Masters) from ASU
Ambika's Graduation (Masters) from ASU
Garden to Kitchen to Table
It never ceases to amaze me the joy that Michael and I have that comes from the garden God helped him prepare and plant and that I get to harvest.I suppose the joy comes from the fact that neither of us city dwellers have ever really done anything like to this degree before . . . and especially in our backyard in the desert. I'm amazed that this stuff actually grows and that I head out the back door and clip herbs or lettuce or peppers or tomatoes and make salads and soup.
Just look at this bounty from this spring time.
Michael figured that each garden box cost under $50. Our organic soil was about $150 (and that was delivered to our front door) and the little potted beauties were about $100.
I get to take the Italian herbs outside from here . . . to my kitchen here . . .
. . . for my Italian sauce here.
If you need to get inspired this book might do just that!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Pass the Chocolate Please - 6 Reasons Why Chocolate is Good for You!
I LOVE chocolate (dark is my first choice) and I don't know too many women that don't love Chocolate.
Yes to Chocolate! Health.com lists 6 Reasons Why Chocolate Is Good For You.
1. A happier heart
Scientists at the Harvard University School of Public Health recently examined 136 studies on cocoa—the foundation for chocolate—and found it does seem to boost heart health, according to an article in the European journal Nutrition and Metabolism.
“Studies have shown heart benefits from increased blood flow, less platelet stickiness and clotting, and improved bad cholesterol,” says Mary B. Engler, PhD, a chocolate researcher and director of the Cardiovascular and Genomics Graduate Program at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. These benefits are the result of cocoa’s antioxidant chemicals known as flavonoids, which seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation.
2. Better blood pressure
If yours is high, chocolate may help. Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University, recently found that hypertensive people who ate 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for 2 weeks saw their blood pressure drop significantly, according to an article in the journal Hypertension. Their bad cholesterol dropped, too. People who ate the same amount of white chocolate? Nothing. (It doesn’t have any cocoa—or flavonoids.) Word to the wise: 3.5 ounces is roughly equal to a big bar of baking chocolate, so the participants had to cut about 400 calories out of their daily diets to make room. But you probably don’t have to go to those lengths. Just a bite may do you good, Blumberg says.
3. Muscle magic
Chocolate milk may help you recover after a hard workout. In a small study at Indiana University, elite cyclists who drank chocolate milk between workouts scored better on fatigue and endurance tests than those who had some sports drinks. Yoo-hoo!
4. TLC for your skin
German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of special extra-flavonoid-enriched cocoa every day. After 3 months, the women’s skin was moister, smoother, and less scaly and red when exposed to ultraviolet light. The researchers think the flavonoids, which absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance.
5. Brain gains
It sounds almost too good to be true, but preliminary research at West Virginia’s Wheeling Jesuit University suggests chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. Chocolate companies found comparable gains in similar research on healthy young women and on elderly people.
6. Good loving (maybe)
Italian researchers wanted to know whether chocolate truly is an aphrodisiac. In a survey of 143 women published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, those who ate chocolate every day seemed to have more sex drive, better lubrication, and an easier time reaching orgasm. Pass the Godiva, right? Not so fast. The women who ate chocolate were all younger than the ones who didn’t; it was age and not chocolate that made the difference. Still, if a double-chocolate raspberry truffle puts you in the mood, why let science get in the way?
Heirlooms From My Garden
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
5 Tips on Updating Bathroom Faucets
Michael and I went into this last leg of updating our 80's home not fully realizing the speed bumps we'd have in the "simple" task in choosing new faucets, lighting and mirrors for our master bathroom.
I really thought I could simply venture into Home Depot (a favorite place) and pick out matching pieces for the two sinks, bathtub and shower. My thinking quickly changed when I started noticing that every thing I liked was high end. My thinking also changed when I realized that I needed to really match or at least complement the brassy looking 80's door hardware.
Since starting this fun adventure, I've made no less than four trips back and forth to different Home Depots and Targets. I've expanded my journey to looking at bathroom remodeling pictures and to the online options with Home Depot, Bellacor, the Lighting Catalog, Overstock.Com and anything else I can find.
Today, my mind is stuck. Like everyone else our budget is limited to a dime. My mind is stuck because of the pressure to make the right choice with our limited resources. I want it to be lovely and at least match or complement.
HGTV has some helpful tips for any woman wading through the decision to update bathroom faucets.
Tip # 1 .... Pay Now or Pay Later
You may sputter a bit at the price of some faucets, but paying for quality now can save you searching for a plumber — or new faucet — later. Look for solid-brass construction instead of plated metal, and check the warranty. If you need to pinch pennies, consider a different finish. Polished chrome is one of the most popular finishes because of its timeless color and least expensive price tag. This is a good tip! Read more . . .
Tip # 2 ... Think Sink
Bathroom sink faucets come in four basic varieties, based on the configuration of the sink on which they're mounted: 8 inches, also called widespread; 4 inches; single hole; and wall mount. This is a good tip! Read more . . .
Tip # 3 ... The Choices
Most of the 8-inch or widespread faucets have three pieces, the tap and the hot and cold handles, which means some 8-inch faucets can fit holes not exactly 8 inches apart.
If the span is 4 inches, a 4-inch faucet is what you need. These usually have a base and come in one solid piece. Read more . . .Tip # 4 ... Style Savvy
Configuration isn't the only faucet decision you'll need to consider. Read more . . .
Tip # 5 ... The Match Game
Your faucet should match or complement the tub faucet as well as other hardware in your bathroom, such as towel racks, hooks and the toilet paper holder. Choosing from a manufacturer's design series can take away the guesswork when making your decisions, Stephanie says. Read more . . .
Now I'm really confused, just when I thought I'd head toward 'investing' in polished bronze, this article says chrome is the leader in choice!!! I'm thinking this project might take longer than originally intended as I think and ponder and scout around some more. Got some ideas?
For more great tips read the fantastic comments here.
Risking It All
Daughter Candace posted a new Face Book status a few days ago. It went something like, "Who plays risk anyways?" Well, we just did. The four adults in our home gathered around the kitchen table and played a very long - I mean very long game of Risk.
Guess who won?
Updating a Bathroom on a Dime
I love my home and have enjoyed the process of creating sanctuary in the spaces of my home.
A few years ago we started updating our 80's home. We ripped out all the 8" white tile, ripped out old Berber carpet in the family room and the original carpet in all the bedrooms.
We changed up the dark brown cabinetry and base board to Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee (love that color) and warmed up the floor with dark walnut 5" planked hardwood floors. The last room in the house to be changed up was our master bedroom and bathroom. This long awaited project took off two weeks ago and all that's needed now is updating the faucets.
This is where you come in. I'd like your opinion and here's the challenge. I have a itsy bitsy amount of money and need to replace the lighting and the faucets and find some Cottage or French Country style mirrors. The floor is a deep bronzy brown color and the tile is beigy.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the swiss coffee white cabinetery. I'm not sure it's all "matching" with the tile, but it's at the very least - fresh.
Darling husband patching some missed holes and getting ready for a second coat of this embracing yellow which is a hint of a shade lighter than what I used in our master bedroom.
A little tub action. Check out that BIG picture window. I had a pale pink (no clue why I picked pale pink) wooden blinds. Michael's in the process of painting them white. Any other ideas?
With all this updating, I think I would I have conclude that my style is mostly Cottage or French Country. In all the magazines and books I am drawn too and drool over - it's these two styles that distract me most.
One of two sink faucets that we need to replace. OK, this is....uh.....ugly, I know and full of calcium - the original faucets.
A little tub action. Check out that BIG picture window. I had a pale pink (no clue why I picked pale pink) wooden blinds. Michael's in the process of painting them white. Any other ideas?
This is the tub. The shower has the same brassy looking stuff. Take note of - or, no, don't look at that ugly grout line along the edge of the tile. Actually, that's my next project. I'm invigorated by the inspiration and how to help from Sherry and John's This Young House blog. Check our what they did here.
Now, I think this bath ware is still in good shape. If I don't have to - spend the money - I'd like to keep it. So, as you pass on ideas, please let me know what you think? Is it possible to find matching sink faucets that will still work with this?
Oh, this is my flooring. The photo is a bit glarey, but it's a rich stained concrete - needing a bit of repair, but I still enjoy it.
This is the suggestion that my husband has come up with. They are an antique bronze finish.
Do you think it can work? Would you use this? If so, can it work with the existing tub/shower faucet along with hinges and door hardware that is the goldy brassy color that matches the tub?
Or, maybe this rubbed bronze one is better? What do you think?
This is the suggestion that my husband has come up with. They are an antique bronze finish.Do you think it can work? Would you use this? If so, can it work with the existing tub/shower faucet along with hinges and door hardware that is the goldy brassy color that matches the tub?
Or, maybe this rubbed bronze one is better? What do you think?So, help me out! I need faucets, lighting and mirrors. Can't wait for the help!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Dinner Tonight: Hot & Sour Cabbage Soup
This is the only way to use left over cabbage! So, guess what I'm making for dinner right now? Yup...this soup. It's awesome and for an extra kick add a few jalapenos to your bowl.
Hot and Sour Cabbage Soup Serves 4
1 Tbs Oil
1 Small Onion, minced
1 Small Cabbage, about the size of a grapefruit
2 Large Carrots, chopped
1 15oz Can Tomatoes, blended smooth
6 Cups Water
1/4 Cup Tamari, low sodium
1/3 Cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar,
1 tsp Hot Red Chili Flakes
1/2 tsp Salt, Black Pepper, to taste (a lot!)
Heat a large 5 qt soup pot that has a heavy lid over medium heat. Add oil and onion, and saute until golden. Meanwhile, quarter your cabbage, remove the core, and shred the cabbage with a large chef’s knife. Add carrots, tomatoes, cabbage and water to the pot and stir well. Add the tamari, vinegar, chili flakes and salt.
Bring to a boil, cover, then turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 20 minutes or until cabbage and carrots are the desired tenderness. Grind a lot of fresh black pepper over the top and serve.
Hot and Sour Cabbage Soup Serves 4
1 Tbs Oil
1 Small Onion, minced
1 Small Cabbage, about the size of a grapefruit
2 Large Carrots, chopped
1 15oz Can Tomatoes, blended smooth
6 Cups Water
1/4 Cup Tamari, low sodium
1/3 Cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar,
1 tsp Hot Red Chili Flakes
1/2 tsp Salt, Black Pepper, to taste (a lot!)
Heat a large 5 qt soup pot that has a heavy lid over medium heat. Add oil and onion, and saute until golden. Meanwhile, quarter your cabbage, remove the core, and shred the cabbage with a large chef’s knife. Add carrots, tomatoes, cabbage and water to the pot and stir well. Add the tamari, vinegar, chili flakes and salt.
Bring to a boil, cover, then turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 20 minutes or until cabbage and carrots are the desired tenderness. Grind a lot of fresh black pepper over the top and serve.
Just Can't Help Myself
Will someone please tell me what it is about cupcakes? This is a prize winner from Cooking Light (even better) and it's a Lemon Scented Blueberry Cupcakes via Urban Grace. YUM!
Labels:
cupcakes
Friday, June 19, 2009
What To Do With Arugula
Arugula in my garden that has gone to seed.
Arugula has just about got to be one of God's greatest delights in a garden. I think it has a buttery taste with a kick and the only way I've ever used it is in salad with pears, walnuts and goat cheese with drizzled evo and balsamic.
I enjoy finding and introducing new blog spots and today, I discovered a new blog that I'll add to my "got to visit blogs" - La Table de Nana (note the new widget on my left column with all the great pictures).
One of the reasons I'm jazzed is not only because of the way she surrounds herself with beauty and seems to have this ease in creating sanctuary but also because of the new recipes she shares for arugula!
These pictures look so amazing I just had to share them with you. This one is what she calls Lindsays Arugula and Red Pepper Penne Dish. Oh my goodness!
And this "soul food" is her " arugula mashed potatoes and garnished with a parsley coin." Does this NOT make you want to go whip up some? She found this recipe here. So, go pay this lovely blog spot a visit, will you!
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