House and Life

House and Life

Friday, January 29, 2010

Survival of the Fittest

The Today Show had this segment on surviving the winter this morning. In it they featured one pot meals to warm your heart and keep your belly full. I'm thinking of pulling a Katy Elliot and trying this number below. I say this because Katy is liable to whip a gorgeous looking treat at moment of the day. I love her.







Shrimp and scallop pan roast
Ed Brown
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS


• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 2 strips bacon, minced
• 2 small cloves garlic, peeled, minced
• 2 small fresh shallots, peeled, minced
• 1 tbls. vermouth
• 3/4 cup light fish or chicken stock OR water is OK
• 1 medium potato, washed, diced fine (skin on best!)
• 8 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and butterflied
• 8 medium sea scallops
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
• 1 tsp good brandy
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp rough-chopped tarragon
• 2 tsps rough-chopped flat parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 1-inch-thick baguette croutons (toasted crisp)

DIRECTIONS
In a medium saucepan heat oil and bacon on medium heat.

Add shallots and garlic, sweat without color until translucent.

Add vermouth, stock and potatoes; bring to a simmer. Cook 3 minutes until potato is tender.

Add shellfish and half-and-half; keep at gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes until shellfish is just cooked. Add cream, Worcestershire and Tabasco, bring to boil, then simmer 1 minute.

Remove from fire; add brandy, lemon, herbs and season. In a soup bowl place crouton on bottom, ladle shellfish and sauce equally over the bread, serve.

search for more recipes in TODAY's Cooking School

PS. This is not my kitchen.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Orange You Glad?















For something today? I'm glad my bi-monthly cleaning Wonder Woman Daniella is at my house today. Heaven!

A touch of orange in a design scheme is so beautiful with a great application, isn't it? I'm so loving it in a drape lately. If I didn't have yellow and purple stained glass windows through my downstairs, I'd so be there!


Images from Elements of Style,Domino,House Beautiful,Elle Decor, Unknown,Tory Burch,Say Yes To Hoboken!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Come On In!



























After the holiday decorations come down do you feel your entry is less than inviting? I think I'm due for a little sprucing up. I love drama right from the front door and it gets even better when you walk into a spectacular entry. I think if I tented my foyer (or lack of one, you kind of just spill into the living room) James would pull it down in approximately 10 minutes. He is now in the pull himself up on anything,grow wobbly, then proceed to pull whatever he's holding onto and all of its contents down with him. Fun stuff! Whatever I do, it should be nailed down.


Images from Kelly Wearstler, Martha Stewart,Cottage Living,One Kings Lane, Domino, Unknown.

Monday, January 18, 2010

























I'm sick. My kids are sick. For over a week sick. I'm really sick of runny noses. And the world is kind of falling apart right now. I'm ready for some cheery weather and some cheery times. I know that's not coming anytime soon (for sure in the weather department) so I'll look to interiors. Isn't it at least wonderful we can escape inside?

Images from House Beautiful,Domino,Unknown

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lucky Baby!



Isn't this the best baby gift? The Wisteria House's talented blogger Devon made this basket up for her sister's new baby. Isn't it the perfect gift to welcome a new baby home?

Here is the tutorial on the contents. I love those new baskets from Pottery Barn! I can see a housewarming gift made up in a similiar fashion, with a few simple white plates and some yummy treats with a bunch of hydrangeas. Love it!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Welcome!

I just wanted to welcome our newest sponsor Avid Home. Have you ever checked out their site? They offer some of the most sought after accessories and furnishings for the home at very attractive prices. A couple of things I'm coveting right now:

Beringer Limed Wood Lamp



Palazzo Gilt Sunburst Mirror



and last but not least the Auburn Chandelier




We're glad to have you!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Digits

I never really minded the cold. Perhaps artic cold which we have going right now here in Scranton. I hate the darkness at 5 o'clock with two mini persons wanting to do fun things. See below:












I also hate that this house doesn't have a fireplace. I think I've mentioned this a few hundred times. How could you buy such an old house and not have ONE fireplace. I think I see on the floor where they were taken out. I don't quite get that. But I will put one in. I'm thinking simple mantel with a gilted mirror above it. So Michael
Bargo
.




I don't think the budget allows for it this year so I'm gonna have to stock up on hurricanes and light up the house. Higher than the little people seen above. I was lamenting to Michael Devine about my "problem" when I was in New York. He said get bookshelves and books. Lots of them. Not a bad idea. I still think I need fireplace. Sorry Michael.



I just noticed this fireplace doesn't have fire! Perhaps I need just a mantel and fake it till I make it.


image from Decorno origin unknown

Friday, January 8, 2010

Steal Alert



I lovingly ripped off Little Green Notebook's picture of these gorgeous little lamps by Victoria Hagen in Target. In my picture you can see that when lit the lampshade takes on a pretty light grey effect. Well here's the thing, they are on clearance for $13.00 bucks!!! These little suckers are HEAVY and so well done, rivaling the high end numbers we see for big bucks. Go out and get yourself one and light up your darkest corner. I bought two for the kitchen!