by Roxanne -

Romantic Bedroom Before & After

Romance is my word for the year. You may remember this picture that was my inspiration for using what we already have to create a more inviting and romantic bedroom.

Photo Apt. Therapy

Of course it’s not about literally duplicating this room. Rather I hope to improvise key elements of this room to create a similar warm, inviting, romantic look using what we already have. We already have a bed that is in keeping with this look, but slightly more modern with medium toned wood.

One afternoon I moved a red wool rug (a generous gift from my cousin) from the living room to the bedroom. This really set off the lighter toned wood of the bed and the white linens. Scouting around the house I gathered a collection of pictures in deep rusts, oranges and reds with wood and metal burnished wood frames. I hung them over the bed. A bookcase was moved to flank the bedroom window.

What else? I love the white bedding and the casual “unmade bed look” in this picture. Currently we have a white quilt (also a gift from my cousin) and comforter, cream flannel sheets and khaki colored pillows on our bed.

As it happens, a while ago DH gave me a gift of an extravagant down comforter. I had never used one before and they seemed expensive. But once you experience how incredibly light and warm they are I wonder how I ever lived without one – especially in Minnesota where temperatures easily dip to 20 or 30 below. We can set our thermostat even lower at night. It is a gift I truly enjoy. So topping the bed with this fluffy, but light, down comforter really adds to this look – and we already have it.

Since I’m a writer and voracious reader, as is DH, my desk has the usual writer’s articles, books and notes. This desk already functions as a bedside table.

Next I will finish one side of the window with a panel of cream velvet or white linen. I don’t think it’s necessary to drape the entire window which is large in this case. A panel hung to the floor will provide the same look for minimal or no cost. The fabric – velvet or linen – will most likely depend on how close to warmer weather we are when this update is finally finished. I already have cream colored linen panels, by the way.

Then hopefully I can post a picture of the finished project. It will have a slightly more modern look and feel. But the romantic vibe should come through. Here’s the before from a photo taken two years ago:

Photo R. Meshar

And here’s where we are so far, basically  almost done:

You may also like Isn’t It Romantic?, Romantic Dining Area Before & After.

Ciao!

by Roxanne -

“Stinkin” Cheeses

Photo WizardRecipes.com

We are hosting our small Christian community for dinner this week and “Engaging Spirits” (as T calls them) actually Engaging Spirituality Group will be with us the following morning. But what to serve?

I have decided to keep it easy but interesting. Viva Italiana! An Italian menu will suit my purposes perfectly. An added benefit is that many of the ingredients will work for both meals.

For dinner, a baked lasagna, chopped green salad, garlic bread and wine will be easy to serve and easy to eat – at the table or buffet style. I can make it the day before and bake it that evening. Homemade lasagna is not a light dinner but it is always welcome during cold winter months.

Photo A. Meshar

(Post Script: Here’s a picture of the actual lasagna I served.)

An antipasti platter (grilled vegies, prosciutto, olives, and some other things), maybe fresh Italian bread from Brianno’s Deli-Italia, crispy potatoes, juice and coffee will complete the breakfast.

Both menus will allow me to enjoy our guests because everything is prepared ahead of time. The house will smell great.

In addition I hope to include a platter of “stinkin” cheeses sprinkled with Kalamata olives. These may not be exclusively Italian. Double-cream Egyptian feta is absolutely the best feta I have ever tasted. Gorgonzola always melts in my mouth. Both stink — but taste wonderful 😉

by Roxanne -

Spend Less on Groceries – Eat Better

The other day I noticed that there are a lot of places I don’t go to in the grocery store anymore. I don’t go down the bottled water aisle, for example. I haven’t been down the frozen food aisle for more than a decade now.

Making our own no-knead artisan bread and homemade pitas, we never have occasion to visit the bread aisle. Likewise, the bakery aisle is visited only on rare occasions. Bagels are an occasional treat.

Since we only purchase muesli, cut oats and kasha, the cereal aisle is a 30 second trip. About four years ago we stopped buying soda pop and snacks – so that aisle isn’t on my list anymore.

Basically we purchase fresh fruits & veggies, eggs and cheese, a little meat and fish, coffee and tea along with nuts, dried beans, spices, flour and some pasta. We try to cook with fresh ingredients almost every day.

In fact the cleaning aisle and paper products section only see limited visits from us these days. We use cloth. We clean with vinegar (makes a great dishwasher rinse agent) and baking soda most of the time. Lemon or lime juice is one of the strongest disinfectants you can use. After juicing one for a recipe rub it on cutting boards, sinks or knives.

Of course, none of these are absolutes. When a guest is coming who enjoys sparkling water I will purchase it. The same is true of crackers or other items. However, they are no longer a weekly item on my grocery list.

A couple of years ago my cousin and I purchased a soy milk machine. Now we make our own rich, creamy soy milk for pennies – and share the machine.

In the summer the farmer’s market gets most of our attention. Over time we continue to adjust and change what we purchase and how we cook.

All in all, it’s interesting to notice where I don’t go in the grocery store these days.

You may also like Christmas Craziness or Christmas Spirit? and Kowalski’s Grocery Store and Fiji Water.

by Roxanne -

Fabulous Furoshiki

Photo furoshiki wrapped gift

If you haven’t heard of furoshiki continue reading. The ancient art of Japanese gift wrapping with fabric can be a great way to make wrapping easy, elegant and beautiful!

I like new dish towels or flour sac dish towels in colors to wrap a gift of wine or home baked bread using the art of furoshiki.

A large scarf can be used for wrapping bigger items or even to create an instant shopping bag! Watch the video to see just how easy it is here.

They are beautiful, useful and reusable. Bulky wrapping paper, ribbons and bows – gone! An empty shelf in my linen closet – yes!

Just like the picture above, I have often used a scarf to create a small coordinated evening bag. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s great when traveling and it folds flat into my suitcase.

On other occasions, if you need to dress up in the evening, simply wrap the same scarf sarong style over black or white slacks. It quickly dresses up a casual look and is used often in the Middle East.

One scarf, many uses.

You may also like The Jewelry We Keep, Tiny Silver Spoons, and Cinco de Mayo.

by Roxanne -

Spirit Sightings

Photo Greenbabyguide.com

We have “Spirit Sightings” on this blog from time to time. Today I heard about the following one.

A friend of mine was returning from a winter break in the Florida Keys with her husband. Because of bad weather their flight to Minneapolis was delayed.

On the plane she noticed an elderly couple nearby. They were very upset at the delay. Evidently the woman had an appointment at the Mayo clinic in Rochester. It took her many weeks to arrange this appointment. A delay now would mean missing the appointment the following morning. She was distraught. My friend noticed that she tears were in her eyes.

My friend said to her husband, “I could take them to Rochester if they arrive late to Minneapolis.” He wasn’t sure. They had children waiting for them at home. But she insisted, “What if they were your parents or my parents? Wouldn’t you want someone to help them?”

She took the initiative and spoke to the couple. She explained that if they would be willing to trust her – she would drive them to Rochester when they arrived in Minneapolis.

A flight attendant nearby overheard the conversation. “Why couldn’t a shuttle take them to Rochester?” she thought. She spent the rest of the flight arranging a shuttle from the airport to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Upon arrival the couple was allowed to exit the plane first before the other passengers, and a shuttle was waiting for them to drive them to Rochester.

Spirit Sightings are really uplifting. I am so proud to know someone like my friend. These are the kind of people I want to spend time with, be around, and be like. People like this remind me that we can be so much more – if we only take time to notice and listen.

If you’re interested, read about another inspiring Spirit Sighting here. Actually, although they are not named, both of the women in these Spirit Sightings know each other. I wonder if they will recognize each other?