Friday, December 10, 2010

A few favorite pictures



Love the red ribbons and poinsettia's on this porch!


             This home seems to say "Come up for a visit"!  Looks inviting in the cold weather!





Loved this winter scene! 


The Christmas Holidays always make me wish for some snow.  So thought I'd share a few snowy scenes. 


Till next time....Dee Dee


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas Decorating

Haven't posted in quite awhile.  November was a busy month for me.  But I wanted to update my blog and hopefully inspire myself to get into the Christmas decorating spirit.  I've visited all my favorite blogs and some others for inspiration.  Hopefully this will get my into a decorating mood! So might as well tackle redoing my blog for starters.  Hope everyone is enjoying putting up their tree and festive decorations! Happy Holidays to all!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

I love October!!!

October is such a wonderful month! The weather is getting crisp and Halloween is coming.  We can plan to decorate, or not.  Whatever you want to do is fine.  Me...I like to decorate for Halloween.  I think this came about because my daughter was born in October, and she always wanted to decorate her birthday with a Halloween theme.  So, I continue the tradition.  She and I both love the fall and October!   So, if you haven't checked out some wonderful blogs that decorate for fall and Halloween, I suggest you check them out!  Go Susan's TableScape Thursday at Between Naps on the Back porch!  Follow her fellow bloggers that post their Tablescapes for that day.  Also, check out A Fanciful Twist for a real spookey time.  You can get to these blogs on my sidebar under Pretty Places to Visit.  Enjoy!  And Happy Fall!!!


                                          In The Beautiful Texas Hill Country

                              Beautiful Fall Foliage of Aspen Meadows in Santa Fe, NM
                                                                                  


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fall is coming...

Hello Blog Friends!

I am wanting the fall weather to start, but don't have time to decorate yet!  I've put a few things out, but don't have the time to completely decorate the house the way I like!  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the colors of fall and my house does reflect that.  So....for all of you who don't have time....like me....to do it justice....pour over the blogs who do have the time and let's get some inspiration!!! 




Wow!! I like this pumpkin patch!!!




Must have pumpkin people!!!





A rather LARGE pumpkin!!!



A tired Scarecrow Farmer!!!



One very cute Scarecrow!!!



Hope this is some inspiration for you!  Go forth and be Fallish!!!  And Decorate!!!



Happy Decorating....Dee Dee



Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Sisters on the Fly

While I was on vacation with my family down in Port Aransas, my sister sent me this photo of one of the cute trailers from "Sisters on the Fly".  This one was parked on the beach!   Here's the photo she sent to me.  Cute huh!!!


Dee Dee

Texas Spirit

Hey Blogging Buddies,  I have been pouring over pages from the Cowboys and Indians Magazine and found some pretty awsome shops in Bandera, Tx.   If you're look'n for some Texas Treasures you'll find some here.  It’s an interesting mix of cool cowboy boots, hats, clothing, lots of jewelry, aromatherapy, ranch furnishings and accessories, and, of course, great Texas music. 



http://www.gunslingersofbandera.com/

and

http://www.countryaccentsantiques.com/

Check out these two websites for some Texas fun!!!

Till next time.....Dee Dee

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Health Benefits of Avocado

Greetings!!! Found this information on the internet and thought everyone might like to read up on the benefits of the Avocado.....enjoy! Yummm....


Health Benefits of Avocado

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Jalapeno Jelly

I think I'm finally getting settled in my new job, and wanted to share with you my latest cooking project.  I have been wanting to make Jalapeno Jelly for a while now.  I finally got around to doing it .... so here's the process! 

Recipe I used from "Simply Simpatico...A Taste of New Mexico" Cookbook.

1 1/2 cups finely chopped, seeded green pepper (I used red bell pepper)
1 cup finely chopped and seeded jalapeno peppers
6 1/2 cups granulated sugar (I used 5 1/2)
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 tsp green food coloring
1 6 oz bottle liquid fruit pectin.
 


                                                   Get your jars ready for canning!


                      
                                                    Get your ingredients together!!!


Chop up your red peppers!!!



Chop and remove the seeds from your jalapenos!!!



Mix the peppers, cider vinegar and sugar in a 4-6 quart saucepan and bring to a rolling boil.



Add the liquid fruit pectin and bring to a full, rolling boil again, stirring constantly for 1 minute.  Remove from burner and let stand for a minute or two and then skim off foam.  Add food coloring (if desired).  Pour into hot sterilized jelly jars and seal.  Serve with game or over cream cheese with crackers.






Finished product!!!


Hope you make your own batch of Jalapeno Jelly!!!


Till next time......Dee Dee







Friday, June 25, 2010

Haven't posted anything in awhile.  I've started a new job and it consumes my time!  I am going to be away from my blog for the summer.  I will try to resume again in the fall.  Thanks to all of you who left nice comments.  I'll be back with more recipes! 

Caio!  Dee Dee

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Busy...busy.....busy.....busy


I can't believe it's already the end of May!  I have been sooo busy with my life and other projects I have not done much on my blog.  My sister and I have a booth at a place call "Craftiques Mall" in San Antonio.  We've been working on that because Shelly Miles from "San Antonio Living" show on WOAI TV has done a segment!  So we had to get ready for that!  I will enclude the link if you want to check it out.  So if you're in San Antonio you will want to plan this on your visit for a little shopping spree!  http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=833791














Just a few items we have in our booth!


Hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!!!!





 





Dee Dee

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Cino De Mayo!!!


Hola Lady's!  In case some of you don't know, I am in love with New Mexico!  Especially Santa Fe!  This is where I met my sweet husband.  Even though I am from San Antonio, I love the culture of Santa Fe!  I was fortunate to live there for 3 years and experience the wonderul climate and culture.   Some of my recipes (salsa and Margarita's, Carne Adovada) originate from there.  I am here to help you celebrate your own Cino de Mayo!  Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating! 


Margarita's

Ingredients:


Margarita salt, for rim

Lime wedge, for rim and garnish

Ice

2 ounces tequila

1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice

1 ounce simple syrup, see Cook's Note

1/2 ounce green chile juice, see Cook's Note

Directions

Put some salt on a flat dish. Moisten the rim of the margarita glass with the lime wedge and dip it in to the salt.



Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and green chile juice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 3 seconds. Pour into the salted glass and garnish with the lime wedge.



Cook's Note:



To make the simple syrup, heat 1 part water and 1 part granulated sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Cool before using.



To prepare the green chile juice, put 1 New Mexico green chile in a blender with 1 ounce of water and blend thoroughly. Strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer and transfer to a squeeze bottle. If New Mexico green chiles are not available, serrano chiles may be substituted.





Carne Adovada (Marinated Pork)

2-4 Pounds Pork shoulder roast
2 tsp Salt
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp whole leaf oregano
1 qt blended red chili

Sprinkle meat with salt.  Add garlic and oregano t blended chili.  Pour over meat and marinate in refrigator overnight.  Cook in Slow Cooker for 6-8 hours on low.                                                   

Serve with flour tortillas, onions and cheese



Red Chili Sauce

16-18 dried red chili pods
Hot water
2 cloves garlic
Salt to tase

Open each dried red chili pod.  Wash well inside and out and remove blemishes.  Remove stems, some
seeds and veins.  Rinse with cold water and soak in hot water for one hour or until soft.  Place the podsin an electric blender and add enough water to almost cover them, leaving about two inches headspace.  Blend until smooth and skins appear, about 2-3 minutes.  If sauce seems to be too thick, add more water and blend for another 1 minute or until skins disppear.  Add 2 cloves garlic and process until well blended.  Salt to taste.     





                                                                                            


Salsa


4 to 5 Tomatoes
2 Cans of Rotel Tomatoes (either mild or hot)
1/2 small onion
1 large Poblano Pepper or 4 Japalenos
1 lime
Cilantro (if desired)
2 cloves of garlic
Salt & Pepper

Combine rotel tomates in your Food Processor.  Add tomatoes, onion, peppers, cilantro and garlic.  Process until desired texture.  Add juice of one lime and salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve with Chips





Enjoy!!!













Dee Dee













Friday, April 16, 2010

Beautiful April

April is such a pretty month!  All the wildflowers are out in full bloom here in Texas.  As you drive along you will see thousands of bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, indian blanket, buttercups, and the list goes on and on!  Most people in the U.S. don't even realize we have such beauty!  I have my camera with me all the time now!  










I know I've been slack in posting menus lately.  But, you do have a good idea of how this works, and can continue on without a continous post from me.  I don't know actually how many recipes I've posted, but I am going to try to set up a link to all of them so if you click on a name, it will take you to that recipe.  I will have to get my daughter-in-law to help with that! 

I've been researching more recipes.  I like to change it up a bit once the weather starts warming up.  So bear with  me.  I will post more soon.  Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend.  Happy Friday!


Friday:

Pizza, with a small salad
Fresh fruit for desert

Saturday:

Homemade Hamburgers
French Fries

Sunday:

Pot Roast with potatos and carrots
Ice Cream

Monday:

Tacos

Tuesday:

Smothered Steak (cooked in your crock-pot) with Cream of Mushroom soup for gravy
Twice Baked Potates
Fresh Greenbeans

Wednesday:

Veggie Fettucini
with small salad

Thursday:

Shepards Pie
with rolls

Friday:

Fish and macaroni salad

Saturday:

Broccoli Salad
BBQ Steaks

Sunday:

Out -to-eat!

        

Happy cooking!!!

Caio

Dee Dee

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Happy Spring! Happy Easter!






Hello All!  I'm posting  the weekly menu.  One new recipe to add to the list.  Lemon Honey Chicken! It is a super easy recipe and can be made during the week! 




Saturday:

Barbque Ribs, Corn on the cob and salad

Sunday:

Left overs from Saturday

Monday:

Lemon Honey Chicken over Rice

3-4 Chicken Breasts cut in half lengthwise
Sald and pepper
1/4 c Olive Oil
1/4 c Honey
2 T Lemon juice
2 T Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Paprika

Place chicken in a 9x3 inch baking dish.  Season both sides w/salt & pepper.  Measure oil in a glass and add honey until mixture measures 1/2 cup.  Add remaining ingredients and stir.  Pour over chicken. 

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until chicken is done.  Turn and baste once while baking.  Serve over rice.


Tuesday:

Lemon-Chicken Salad:  use left over chicken from Monday and make a salad.  I use the Spring Mix in a bag and add your tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and chicken (cut up).  Makes a really nice salad.  Serve with your favority rolls

Wednesday:

Pork Chops
Baked Potates
Fresh Greenbeans


Thursday:

Meatloaf
Mash Potatoes
Small Side salad




Friday:

Baked Fish
Macaroni
Fresh asparagus

Saturday:

Hamburgers
with homemade French Fries




Sunday:

Barbqued Brisket
Potatoe Salad
Pea Salad
Baked Beans
Homemade Rolls

Strawberry shortcake








Bon Apetite!.


Have a Blessed Easter weekend!




Dee Dee

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Weekly post

Hello All!  Spring is coming!!!

Here are some menu's for March.  I've been busy having little birthday parties.  My mother had a birthday, then my granddaughter, and now my mother-in-law will be this weekend, so I thought I'd better get busy and post a menu early.  I won't have time this weekend.  Hope y'all have had a nice start to the week.  It's been fairly nice weather.   I think I'll have to start my veggie garden soon!   

March

 Sun            Mon           Tues            Wed           Thur              Fri           Sat

Egg           Baked         Chicken       BBQ        Enchilada      Left            Homemade
Rolls         Chicken         Salad       Pork         Cassarole       Overs         Pizza
with         w/herb                            Sandw.
Rice         Potatos
               & green
              beans



If you haven't tried making egg rolls, it is a very simple process.  You will need a deep fryer for best results.  I use hamburger meat, onions, and a package of coleslaw.  Don't forget your egg role wraps.  Fry up your hamburger and onions.  Drain meat on a papertowel.  Directions are on the pkg of wraps on how to fold.  Just fill with your meat and coleslaw.  Seal each wrap with a bit of water and fry up.  You can make your own sauce, which every type you like.  Or buy already made.  This is an easy recipe.  I make plain white rice and add a can of mixed veggies to it for a bit of flavor. 


Enchilada Casserole (super easy)

1 lb of ground beef
1/2 med onion, chopped
12 corn tortilla's
1 can enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese

Brown your meat, drain on a papertowel.  Fry your tortilla's to soften.  In a large cassarole dish layer with tortillas, meat, onion, cheese.  Repeat layers.  Cover with enchilada sauce and top with cheese.  Bake at 350 degree's for 15 to 20 minutes. 


BBQ pork sandwiches:  You can purchase the ready made or make your own using my slow cooker recipe. 

Homemade Pizza:

I purchase the ready made pizza dough, usually you get 2 pizza circles in one package, buy the ready make sauce and a package of pepperoni.  Cheeses can be whatever you like.  Add onions, olives, mushrooms, and any other toppings you like.  Cook according to package directions. 

Baked Chicken:  I purchase 1 whole chicken.  If you don't have a small roaster, I would highly recommend you purchase one.  They are great for chicken and roasts.  I clean my chicken, add salt and pepper.  Put in your roaster, add a little butter on top.  You can add potatoes and carrots if you like.  Bake for about 45 minutes to one hour on 350 degree's.   Sooo delicious.

Chicken Salad:  Use any leftover chicken from your roasted chicken. 


Have a wonderful week, and happy cooking!!!





                      Beautiful Fiesta wreath at the Guenther House a few years ago! 




Bon Apetite!!!

Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Weekly Menu

Hello Everyone!  Sorry I didn't post a menu last week.  I think I needed a little break.  So, here's a new menu for the week.  Hope ya'll had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend.  Sunday is my mom's birthday, so we will be having a small luncheon at my house after church for her.  She will be a young 76, (sorry mom).  She doesn't like to reveal her age, because she doesn't look it! 

I wanted to tell ya'll of some cool websites I have found to help you with your meal planning.  Some of these sites have a service charge for their meal planning, but I have found sound nice Menu Calendar downloads to share.  One is http://thefamilyhomestead.com/.  The other is http://theorganizedhome.com/  Both are interesting sites about family meal planning and organizing your home.  In the organizing your home, go to the Top Stories and read the article on Menu Planning: Save Time in the Kitchen.  The family homestead site has a menu calendar you can print out for the whole month, if you like to really plan ahead.  So, check them out!



Sunday         Monday           Tuesday    Wednesday     Thursday    Friday         
Tortilla        Slow-Cooker   Left-          Easy                Grilled      Talipia        
Soup            Meatloaf          Overs        Stroganoff      Cheese      Twice Baked     
                                                                                          Soup      Potatoes 
                                                                                                             Salad



Recipes:

Tortilla Soup

8 Corn Tortillas
1 can (14-1/2 oz) Whole tomatoes, undrained        1/4 tsp sugar
1 cup diced onion, medium size                               1 whole chicken, cooked and boned
1 clove garlic, finely chopped                                  Broth from chicken w/strained        
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)                         8 oz shredded colby-jack cheese
1 Tbsp lime juice                                                      2 medium avocados
1 tsp comino (cumin)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.  Stack and cut tortillas into 1/2 inch strips.  Place in a single layer on sheets.  Lightly spray tortillas strips with cooking spray.  Bake 20-25 minutes until crisp.  Set aside.

Place tomatoes, inion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, cumin and sugar in blender. Blend until chunky.  Place in large cooking pot, add broth (from chicken) and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add boned and chopped chicken.  Simmer and additional 10 minutes.  Season to taste. 

To serve:  Top with tortilla strips, cheese and avocadoes

Slow-Cooker Mexican Meatloaf: (this is a new recipe I'm trying)

1 eggs, slightly beaten                1 pkg of Corn or Flour Tortillas
1  jar roasted red peppers
3/4 cup crushed tortillas chips
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grd cumin
1 tsp chili power
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup frozen whole kernal corn
1/2 pepper
1 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup of the roasted peppers, chopped, crushed tortilla chips, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.   Add beef and corn; mix well.  Shape mixture into a round loaf or oblong loaf to fit the slow-cooker. 

Crisscross three 18 inch strips of foil,  Place meat loaf in center of strips.  Bring up foil strips to lift and transfer meat to slow cooker.  Cover; cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 

Using foil strips, carefully lift out meatloaf and place on cutting board.  Sprinkle with cheese and service with tortillas (corn or flour). Top with salsa, avocado, and lime wedges. 

Easy Stroganoff:  ( I use to make this recipe when my kids were younger, they loved it)

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained (optional)
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream

Hot cooked Noodles

Cook beef and onion in a large skillet until meat is browned; stirring to crumble meat; drain.  Stir in flour and next 3 ingredients; cook and stir 1 minute.  Stir in soup and mushrooms.  Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occassionally.  Add sour cream, and heat thoroughly.  Serve over noodles.  Yields 4 servings

Twice Baked Potatoes:

Cook your potatoes either in the oven, or microwave.  When the are done, cut in two and scoop out the insides.  Place scooped out potato in a medium bowl and add cheese, butter, sour cream and chives.  Mix well.   Place mixture back into the potato shells.  Top with cheese and place in the oven or microwave to melt cheese.  Serve with additional butter and sour cream. 

Talipia recipe: 

You can use any type of fish, we like talipia. 

2 T Olive oil
4  talipia fish
1 T Season-all
1 small lemon
4 t butter

In a large skillet add the olive oil.  Add talipia, add season-all to both sides of fish.  Squeese the juice of one lemon into skillet and over fish.  Add the butter to tops of fish, cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.  Flip fish over and cover and cook and additional 8 to 10 minutes. 

Serve over hot rice or with a small side salad. 

 
Enjoy your week!  Until next time....   Dee Dee

Are we ready for Fiesta!!!!   I thought a nice cheery picture would brighten your day!!!



 This photo was taken during Fiesta and is some if my cousin's beautiful floral work and display!  He is very talented.  If anyone needs an excellent florist or event decorator in San Antonio, let me know! 

Monday, February 15, 2010

Menu Post for Week of February 15th

Howdy all you Rodeo Fans! It's time for the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, which actually has already started, but my mind has been on Valentines! Well, now that it's over I can think about the Rodeo.  This weeks menu has a Cowboy Theme.  I'm thinking of chuck wagons and being on the trail with some cowboys and their trusty horses.  Hee Haw !!!  Time to cook up some grub! 

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Menu of the Week

 Finally getting around to the menu!  I've been busy this weekend.  My grandkiddos came over to the house for a visit yesterday.  So, you know what that means!  Time to play!  My daughter-in-law and I took my granddaughter to the boot store to get her a new pair of boots. She got pink boots, and a pink cowgirl hat with rhinestones on the hat band!  She is ALL decked out for the rodeo!  The boy's got new boots also, and cowboy hats!  Gosh if they didn't remind me of when their dad (my son) was a boy and I took him to get his first boots and hat!  What a fun day! 

Well, here's the menu.  I'm going to add Sunday .... since it's Valentines!  You can use my idea, or choose your own, of course! 

Happy Valentines Week Everyone!!!                


Dee Dee

Monday: Feb 8th:  Hamburgers with Homemade french fries, or the frozen kind.
                              
Tuesday: Feb 9th:  Chicken Picata with Herb Potates and Frenchstyle Greenbeans

Recipe for Chicken Picata:  Serves 6  Recipe from  The Southern Living Cookbook

6 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of wax paper; flatten to 1/4 inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.  Combine flour, salt, and pepper; dredge chicken in flour mixture.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add chicken, and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels; keep warm.  Add lemon juice and lemon slices to pan drippings in skillet; cook until thoroughly heated.  Pour lemon mixture over chicken; sprinkle with parsley (optional)

Herb Potatoes (My own recipe)

10-12 small Red Potatoes (washed and dried)
2 Tablespoons of Parsley flakes
2 Tablespoons of Butter or Margarine
1/2 tsp Salt & Pepper

Cube the potatoes and place in a medium size pot, cover with water and bring to boil.  Turn down to simmer and cook potatoes until done. 
When potatoes are soft, drain and place in a serving bowl.  Top with butter or margarine and let the butter melt.  Add the parsley and other spices and toss to coat. 

Frenchstyle greenbeans ... Canned or frozen (easy enough!)

Wednesday: Feb 10th:  Slower Cooker Bar-b-que Pork Sandwiches

1 - 2 lb pork roast
1/4 cup Barbque Sauce
1 Tablespoon Liquid smoke

Place in your slow cooker in the morning.  Cook for 6 to 8 hours on low.  Will be ready when you get home from your day out!  Pull apart pork and serve over hamburger buns.  Garnish with onions and pickles!  Pick up some potato salad, or make your own. 

Thursday: Feb 11th: Fish Tacos

See my recipe from an earlier post.  See January 17th post.

Friday: Feb 12th:  Left overs day! 

If we have leftovers in the refrigerator, which we usually do, we have a feast of whatever is there.  We do this at least one day a week! 

Sometimes we have an OYO Day!  On Your Own for dinner!  This was my husbands contibution to the meal planning!  Hey! I like it! 

Saturday:  Feb 13th:  Pizza night!

Sunday:  Feb 14th Valentines Day!  Roast and Potatoes with Yorkshire Pudding
                                                             Desert: Strawberry Shortcake
 (this is my husbands favorite, it's also our Anniversary, so I'll make this for him!)

2 to 4 lb Roast (your choice of cut)
6 to 10 Red Potatoes, cubed with skins on
1/4 chopped small onion
1/2 cup water

Add first 3 ingredients to your roaster pan. Cook in the oven on 350 degrees for one hour, or until done.   30 minutes before your roast is done, add your potatoes.  

Mix up the Yorkshire pudding and have it ready to put in the oven when the roast is done.  

Yorkshire Pudding: Recipe from my mother-in-law (who is from England)

2 cups Flour              Bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown
2 cups Milk
2 Eggs
Pinch of Salt

Beat eggs in milk.  Add salt to flour.  Pour eggs and milk mixture into flour and beat well.  Let set for 30 minutes to thicken.  Pour into a 9x9 pan.  Will be puffy and golden brown.

Easy Strawberry Shortcake

1 Ready made Angelfood Cake
1 Carton of Fresh Strawberries
1 pkg of Strawberry Glaze
1 Carton (large) of Coolwhip

Shred the cake into bitesize pieces.  Wash and drain the strawberries and cut into bite size pieces.  In a small bowl add the strawberries and glaze.  Mix together. 

In a pretty glass bown layer the cake, strawberries and coolwhip.  Chill before serving. 

Bon Apetite!!!

Ciao....Dee Dee  

Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Pantry

A convenient place for storing and displaying your kitchen goods. 



To most people, a traditional pantry means a cool, dark room near the kitchen, a room stocked with fresh foods and canned goods and filled with the scents of herbs and spices.  Before home refrigeration became common in the late 1800's, this versatile storage and work room-usually fitted with a stone or wood sink-could be found in most homes.  Shelves held seasonings, meal, and sugar, dairy products were kept on a stone or dirt floor.                                                                                                                                  

Today many homeowners don't have the space in their houses to devote a whole room to pantry storage.  But, with a little imagination, it is still possible to create the effect of a pantry in almost any kitchen.  You might try using an old pie safe to store kitchenware.  Or, fill a wall of open shelving with jars of preserves.  Even tabletops and corners can evoke a pantry feeling when set up to dry herbs and vegetables or to store wares and utensils.                                                                                                                                  

From: The Country Kitchen, Time Life Books 1988.
________________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to share this with you.  If you are lucky enough to have any space for a pantry, they can be so handy! 

________________________________________________________________________________

What a wonderful idea! Turn any corner into a Pantry!
________________________________________________________________________________




Or change a small closet!  Remove the doors and add shelves! 
______________________________________________________________


Happy Weekend!  Will post a new menu tomorrow!

Cia!

Dee Dee