Apple Pie!!!

 http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/pastry-chefs-signature-recipe/?ordersrc=rdbhg100317
I found the most amazing pie crust recipe on the planet last year in the November issue of BHG and thought 'tis the season for apples and apple pies, well pies in general so I would share the love and deliciousness.
Let's just say Alan Carter is a genius and his crust is phenomenal!

Alan's Pie Pastry:
In a very large bowl combine 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 to 1 tablespoon kosher salt,* and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.  With a pastry blender cut in1 3/4 cups cold unsalted butter leaving chunks the size of peas.  Combine 2/3 cup ice-cold water, 2 tablespoons of sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vinegar.  Add liquid all at once to the flour mixture.  Quickly stir to distribute; DO NOT OVER MIX.
The dough should be slightly crumbly.  Let rest in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.  The finished dough should break, not stretch.  Divide into three portions; shape into rounds.  Use right away or refrigerate for up to 3 days.  Or freeze for up to 1 month.  Thaw over night in fridge if frozen.  Makes 3 single pastries.
*Alan enjoys the contrast of a salty crust to sweet filling.  For a more neutral crust, use less salt.

Apple Pie:
2 Crusts
6-8 Apples (Granny Smith/ Cortland peeled, cored and sliced)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Cup Sugar
3 Tbs. Flour
                                                      1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
                                                      1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
                                                      a Pinch of ground cloves
                                                      a Pinch of all-spice
                                                      1/4 tsp. Salt
                                                      1 egg beaten
                                                      1 Tbs. Cream or Milk
1.  Preheat oven 375*F.  Butter your pie tin to prevent crust from sticking if there is juice seepage.  Roll out pastry on flour surface to a circle about 14 inches in diameter.  Transfer to a 9-inch deep dish pie tin or plate without stretching.  Trim pastry to rim of the tin.

2.  In a large bowl combine apples and lemons juice.  In a small bowl combine sugar, flour, spices and salt.
3. Toss apples with dry ingredients; pile in tin.  Cover with second pastry trim about 1/2 inch beyond the edge of tin.  Fold top pastry under bottom pastry.  Crimp edge as desired.  Cut 4 small slits in top crust to allow for steam to escape.  Combine egg and cream;  brush on pastry.  Place on foil-lined baking sheet.
4.  Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.  If necessary, cover edges of pie with foil to prevent over-browning.  Cool on wire rack. Make about 10 servings.

Thrifty is the new chic!

Okay so I am going to admit this- I used to hate the idea of shopping second hand.  Thrift shops, Goodwill, garage sales....ICK!  But now I'm kicking myself for not starting on this sooner.  I think of all the money I could have saved and awesome clothes I could have had if only I would have jumped on the bandwagon sooner.  Don't get me wrong I love "new" things and the enjoyment of walking into a fine boutique, well, there is no comparison but I've learned to look more than indulge.  And now having two boys that seem to grow faster than my weeds, as if that is possible, I have definitely made the switch and am so happy because of it.  Might I add Nate is very thrilled too because my spending has dropped dramatically.  I started couponing this past year, watching the paper and the ads and am a frequent G.W. shopper.  I do have to say it has become the "trendy thing", Nate Berkus has had so many shows on thrifting , Hello!, Mr. Goodwill Hunting! (http://www.thenateshow.com/) How much fun to snag an awesome deal on designer stuff.  Check out some amazing deals I scored this summer. And please, feel free to share any great deals you have found.

Obermeyer- $12.99 Goodwill (regular priced $90-$180)

Glass-top end table- $20 Goodwill

Sesame Chicken, so yummy, so yummy.

Okay, now I may have the pickiest eater(s) on the planet but after going to a Chinese restaurant on Sunday I discovered my boys love sesame chicken so, hm mm...maybe I should figure out how to make it myself at home and WOW! the kiddos and the hubby with my mad kitchen skills.  I am a bit lazy so I just bought Iron Chef Garlic Sesame Sauce in a jar (could that be easier, I don't think so)  And got the following recipe via the Food Network website (link at the bottom) and viola, the kids loved it and so did I.  Only thing I would change is maybe a little less spice and more sweetness but that's what happens when you buy a jar and don't make your own?

Ingredients

• 3 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total) *I used chicken tenderloins and cut them up.

For the marinade/batter:

• 6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Wash the chicken under cold running water, pat dry and trim off any excess fat. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and put into a large mixing bowl. Add the marinade ingredients to the bowl and stir to combine. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the sauce.

In a heavy-bottomed pot or deep-fryer heat enough oil (Peanut oil is recommended but can be very expensive but it will not burn as easily as other oils) to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 375 degrees F.

Fry the chicken, in small batches, until golden and crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes.(*Mine cooked a lot faster than this) Remove the chicken using a wire mesh strainer and drain on paper towels. Season with a little salt, to taste. To serve, arrange the fried chicken on a platter and pour drizzle with the sauce (I tossed the whole jar of sauce and the chicken together). Sprinkle with a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds and garnish with scallions and cilantro sprigs. (I just made white rice and used a bag of oriental salad and that was my meal)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/sesame-chicken-recipe/index.html

Saturday of Bliss

So I finally made it to an amazing store- Patina  Such a cool store and I must visit again soon.  I first heard about it from my favorite Blog- Design Sponge and instantly fell in love.  Although the prices are a bit steep for some things it is still a place full of inspiration.  I did not purchase anything "yet" but it seems they may have really awesome gifts for events to come. And next time I will be not tagging along the hubby and Chiclets but maybe a few girlfriends.  Check it out they have a website!
http://www.patinastores.com/locations/selby-snelling.php

                                       

Attn.:FREE CHAIR!

before

So, I've been scouting out C.L. for the last week for cheap or free chairs and I found a couple not too far from home for FREE!  Since I'm very new at the redo/reupholstering thing I figured free is really the best way to go.  I guess it turned out okay but I couldn't find the Krylon-Coral Isle I had wanted to use so I'm just not "in love" with the paint job.  And my upholstery skills need work.

Don't mind the t.v.- Here is the after shot in my living room.
If you can see- I have pink and blue items on my entertainment center
 that's where I got my inspiration for the chair, although I'm not not completely
sold on how it turned out it.  It was relatively free- because after all there is no such thing as a free chair if you end up doing a lot of changes but it was a great learning experience and hopefully the next project will turn out better. -"sigh of relief" well,until next time.

After removing the first layer of upholstery

I read it's best to take note of the order you remove
the fabric so you can put it back together the
same way.

primer

Rustoleum- Pink Berry

Didn't buy enough jute strapping
but I made it work.
Once I added foam and batting
it didn't matter.

$12.99 and I don't have to borrow from Nate! Yay!

Mom didn't like the pillow.

AFTER!

Garage Entry Organization Project

It's very embarassing how unsightly my attached garage is and it's been a project I've been wanting to tackle for a while now.  After a slew of different ideas I decided to go with old school lockers and recently purchased off CL for a really great price.  They need some work but I think once Nate and I get done with them they will be up to par...hopefully. I can't quite decide if I want to go yellow or red for the lockers.  I think I'm going to do a cream/white wall (which I already have) and a painted gray chair with an upholstered cushion for putting on shoes, boots, etc.  I want to do some sort of wall display above the chair or bench depending what I decide in some vintage frames- that I have not acquired yet.

Krylon: Red Pepper

Krylon: Bright Idea

Some fabrics I want to frame.

Something similar to this for the framed fabrics- vintagerevivals.blogspot.com

   

I like the styles of both these chairs- the lines are just beautiful!

This one for reupholstering a chair. The attitude owls remind me of my boys.

My Basement!

Entry from the garage

                 

My movie pal, Tulip.

It took me about seven years to get this room done.  After adding the gas stove, pine wall, birch tree(Nate cut down for me from the property FREE), tiling, carpeting, three furniture changes, custom built entertainment center(http://www.nolimitsconstruction.net/), vintage mirror (C.L. find $45), vintage cuckoo clock (on loan item from my mother), glass/wood/caning end table (an awesome Goodwill find $20), curtains with matching pillows (Home Goods-tablecloths I changed up $15 total) and other fun accessories I finally got it right and love it!  It's my favorite spot for movies and just relaxing. And yes, I know my photographs really suck but bare with me I'm saving up for an actual camera to use instead of my droid.  Thinking a Nikon so it may be awhile.  Until next post, Tah!