Sunday, January 30, 2011

Race Remixed: More Choose 'ALL'



by SUSAN SAULNY, New York Times

Many young adults of mixed backgrounds are rejecting color lines that have defined Americans for generations.


DIGGING DEEPER

Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list. ~Dennis Leary

Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color. ~Author Unknown

Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.” Abraham J. Heschel

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everwhere is war and until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of internatonal morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,but never attained...now everywhere is war." --Popularized by Bob Marley in the song War

Friday, January 28, 2011

Etsy Friday Finds: Vintage Landscape Paintings




WINTER SALE Folk art Painting Inspired by Grandma Moses
DaffysLanding $276.25 Etsy

Wonderful simple Folk Art painting of a working farm back in the good old days. This was painted by Ethel St John from Pennsylvania in the late 1960's or early 70's. Ethel was getting up in age when she painted this and passed away in 1978 at the age of 82. This painting was obtained directly from her family....






Vintage Barn Painting on Canvas by A. Jones
jdbridgers $12.00 Etsy


This early 80's painting is signed by A. Jones and is done on stretched canvas on a wooden frame. It is of a blue barn in a snowy setting and is very beautiful. The painting itself measures 16" X 12" and is in WONDERFUL condition. It is loose and free to be placed in the frame of your choice.







Vintage Farmhouse Landscape Original Signed Painting
Bird in the Hand Vintage.Home $36.00 Etsy birdie1 $36.00

Beautiful original vintage landscape painting depicting a small town nestled in the snowy mountains.15" x 19" including white painted frame. Incredibly deep hues of barn red, mustard, blue and a bit of violet in the sky, provide a wonderful contrast with the white snow-covered roofs and hills....




Vintage Original Scottish Farm Cottage Landscape Oil Painting 1940's - 1950's
scottishart $38 Etsy

This is a beautiful vintage original oil painting. It comes framed in its original frame and measures 11'' in legnth and 9'' in height. It is signed by the artist but I am not sure what the signature is. The frame has some scratches and scuffs, but other than that it is in very good condition...

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Quick Tricks for Instant Bliss




REAL SIMPLE
life made easier, every day

THE GUIDE TO HAPPINESS
Quick tricks for instant bliss, and the secrets of staying happy long-term.

9 Quick Ways to Improve Your Mood
Surprising ways to instantly improve your mood.

How to Make Positive Changes in Your Life
Easy tips on how to improve everything from your dinner order to your career.

9 Easy Ways to Be Happier
Don’t let the winter blues get you down. Try these simple tips to lift your spirits.

The Psychology of Happiness
Learning to be grateful for the ordinary things in life.



And sometimes we just need a good laugh so we can relax and enjoy life:


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Gather 'round a pot...




Fabulous Fondue Party MyRecipes.com

Gather 'round a pot of delicious cheese or chocolate fondue for a fun retro party where guests do the cooking. ...



This delicous recipe is so simple that it doesn't require a degree from the Condon Bleu Cooking Academy!


Swiss Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a fun and unique appetizer that's perfect for bringing friends together. This fondue recipe features Swiss and gruyère cheeses and is served with baguette cubes.




Beef Fondue

3 pounds filet of beef or boneless sirloin steak
1/2 pound butter (no substitute)
3/4 cup of good grade olive oil
+ Sauces for Dipping

Carefully trim off any fat or connective tissue from meat. Cut into 3/4 inch cubes; refrigerate. About 20 minutes before serving, heat butter and oil together in saucepan. When mixture bubbles, pour into a 2-quart fondue dish. The hot fat should not be more than 2 inches deep.

Place the pot on the stand and light canned heat under it. When fat begins to bubble, invite each guest to spear a cube of meat with fondue for or bamboo stick and lower it into the hot fat. Fry for 2 or 3 minutes, according to doneness preferred. Push meat off fork onto plates and spear another cube of meat to cook while you consue the one you just finished.

Guests may be provided individual dishes of several kinds of dipping sauces. One of my favorite dipping sauce for beef or chicken fondue is here:


Herb Green Dipping Sauce ****
(prepare ahead of time)

1 tsp dried tarragon
1 tsp dried chervil (0ptional)
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup commercial sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Lemon juice to taste
Salt to taste
Dash ground nutmeg

Crush tarragon, chervil, basil, parsley, and garlic with mortar and pestle or in a bowl, using a wooden spoon. Stir in sour cream with mayonnaise; add lemon juice, salt, and nutmeg. Check seasonings; serve as sauce for fondue or as a sala topping. Should be prepared the day before to allow flavors to blend. Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Source: Southern Living Party Cookbook, ISBN 72-85026, pages 252-253.








Form and Function: An Evolution of the Fondue Pots
The traditional container for holding fondue, called a caquelon, is a glazed ceramic pot with a thick handle. The squat, broad shape, as in this example from the Swiss company Landert, is designed so that the bottom and sides heat evenly, which helps prevent the cheese from scorching

Friday, January 21, 2011

Dinning Next to the Fire





Back to the Fire: Pear Pecan Pizza Sortachef
Jan 18, 2011 ... Made on a bed of caramelized onion and topped with pear slices, pecans and herbed chevre cheese, it’s the closest thing to a dessert pizza we’ve had here at Chez Bullhog.
And by all accounts, it’s a winner!





Lobster Ravioli in Lemon Butter with Saffron Recipes - Jenny ...
Jan 18, 2011 ... Lobster Ravioli in Lemon Butter with Saffron for Valentine's Day. I like to stay in. Especially when it falls on a Monday night like it does this year. Nothing sounds better than to stay in for a cozy night and fix a special dinner. And nothing is better for Valentine's Day than lobster. This Lobster Ravioli will stretch your lobster dollars... you could even use shrimp, if your budget it tight. . . .




Personal comment: Over the weekend I decided to make this recipe (minus the dried onion mix and instead I used one small onion diced, which added great texture and taste). Not only is this recipe easy but it tasted delicious!

White Chicken Chili - Campbell's Kitchen - Campbell's Kitchen ...
From Campbell's Kitchen

Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup and dry onion soup and recipe mix combine to flavor this scrumptious chili featuring chicken, white kidney beans and chili powder, and served with shredded Cheddar cheese and sliced green onion.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Don't Knock The Weather...



Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while. -Kin Hubbard

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain. -Robert Frost

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. -George Carlin

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get. - Mark Twain

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together! -Author Unknown

It is best to read the weather forecast before praying for rain. -Mark Twain



photo credit: Charles Schiller

Antique Weather Vanes - Country Living

What to Collect: Antique Weather Vanes

American weather vanes have been a part of the landscape for centuries. ...



Justify Full

Joanna Madden - Country Living
7 Ways to Declutter Your Antiques Pile
Joanna Madden offers decorating advice on how to live comfortably with loads of vintage finds. By Kathleen Hackett


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Welcoming Foyers



Perfectly Polished

From Southern Accents

This barrel-vault-ceilinged foyer leads directly to the garden, with the living room to the left and the stair hall and dining room to the right. » see room




All-White Entryway

Check out Coastal Living- Great Seaside Homes!
A cozy living room and entryway is essential to this North Carolina cottage. Small-scale furniture fits this space perfectly, and blue accents are classically coastal.




Open to the California Sun

From Cottage Living

Color, Mediterranean pattern, and natural light define this home. Matte finished white walls resembling stucco provide the perfect canvas for colorful furnishings





Adorable Entryway

From Southern Living

A striped, slipcovered settee is the perfect size for this young gentleman. The photo display is a montage of family shots copied onto wooden plates and hung on the wall with simple hooks.



Guest Entry

From Sunset magazine

Eldorado Stone veneer, slate floor, and wood create a warm welcome. Right Guests use the metal-and-wood front door.




Cubbies and Columns

From Sunset magazine

Because its used by both guests and family, the foyer in the Seattle, Washington, home needed to blend formality with practicality. A pair of 48-inch-high partitions separates the living room from the dining room. The craftsman influence comes through .




Blue Entryway

From Sunset magazine

A 1960s vibe gives this front entry in Scottsdale, Arizona personality. Brilliant blue and lime green walls create a dramatic backdrop for art, a wall unit, and a retro chandelier.