Clinatro-Lime Vinaigrette

This is SOOOOOOOOOOO yummy! I simply cut up romaine lettuce, roma tomatoes, red onion, and an avacado and poured some of this dressing over the whole salad...it was YUMM to the O!

Amplify’d from www.eatingwell.com

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients 1 cup packed cilantro 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup lime juice 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Pinch of minced garlic

Puree cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Per tablespoon: 53 calories; 6 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber; 59 mg sodium; 14 mg potassium. Read more at www.eatingwell.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bwvgt

Vege Lasagna

This is AMAZING!

Amplify’d from www.suite101.com

Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe

8 oz. box of lasagna noodles 1 25 oz. jar of organic / all-natural sauce (such as Dell’Amore) 2 medium-sized zucchini sliced 4 medium-sized squash sliced 2 medium-sized tomatoes sliced 8 oz. bulk mozzarella cheese grated 8 oz. spreadable goat cheese 12 slices of provolone cheese 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions Drain water from noodles and rinse with cold water Spray 9 x 13 x 2 pan with cooking spray Cover bottom of pan with one layer of lasagna noodles Spread 1/2 of sauce over noodles Place 6 pieces of provolone cheese over noodles Spread 1/2 of goat cheese on provolone cheese Layer 1/2 of zucchini and squash over cheeses Sprinkle 1/2 of grated mozzarella cheese over vegetables Shake 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning over cheese Repeat steps 4-10 for next layer After 2nd layer is completed take sliced tomatoes and arrange on top Bake for 30-40 minutes in center rack of oven Remove from oven when juices are bubbling and cheeses are melted Allow lasagna to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting or serving Read more at www.suite101.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/aqa16

Garlic Red Potatoes

YUM to the O!

Amplify’d from allrecipes.com

Garlic Red Potatoes

Ingredients 2 pounds red potatoes, quartered 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1 lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place potatoes in an 8x8 inch baking dish.

In a small bowl combine melted butter, garlic, salt and lemon juice; pour over potatoes and stir to coat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over potatoes.

Bake, covered, in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

After making this over a dozen times, here is my edited version: when looking for this recipe, I was looking for a "garlic herb" sort of potato. I cut the potatoes into quarters but the cooking time for this recipe, as most people have mentioned, is WAY off. After 50 minutes or so, my potatoes weren't even close to being tender and the rest of my meal was about to get cold so I decided to throw everything in the microwave for 10 minutes- usually, that's how I make my baked potatoes so tender. PERFECT SOLUTION, and I highly recommend it. I now put the baking dish with potatoes, 2 TBS butter, generous drizzle of olive oil, and garlic, herbs, etc. in the microwave for about 15-20 minutes - not only does it taste exactly the same, but it takes a third of the time and your potatoes will be tender, guaranteed. For herbs, I just use 1-2 TBS dried italian seasoning. I also use concentrated lemon juice rather than real lemon. PS - Stir the potatoes every five minutes while microwaving just to make sure they're all coated.

Home Goals

So, The Nester has put it out there.  She told the world her home goals for 2011 and in doing so makes it possible for us to do the same.  Its true we just moved into our home in October...but I honestly can't think of time that we haven't "just moved into our home".  As you know...we move alot.  I am hopeful that we'll stay here for at least a couple of years.  We'll see what happens then.  But for now....I will do all that I can to make my home a place of love and peace, and for it to be obvious when you walk through.  I'm off to a pretty good start....but as you'll see I have MUCH to accomplish.  Its QUITE possible that I won't get it all done this year, but at least I have a goal that will hopefully help me stay on track with my spending....again, we'll see what happens.  ;)

So, I'll start with my living room, since its the one mostly done. 

I'm looking at this picture wondering what others see when they look at the picture.  I wonder what they will say still needs to be done here.  Here's what I see:

• Both chairs need to be slip covered
• Paint walls some other color
• New, larger rug
• More greenery
• Make more pillows for couch & chairs
• Wall writings  - I'm not sure exactly where yet, but I want them.

And thats about it for now...I feel SURE that I'll do OTHER things to the living room BESIDES what I have listed here.  Oh well...

Next room: Dining Room

Ok...I'm not sure where to start, but here goes:

• um...can you say WINDOW TREATMENTS...or mistreatments as The Nester calls them.  It is time.  In fact, this may be my first project.  I've got to do something.  btw:  I LOATH that sliding glass door, AND its placement.  Not sure what I'm gonna do exactly.  Considering taking the blinds off all together and just building a cornice like thingy...
• Rug for under table.  This is a NECESSITY, honestly.
• May be recover the chairs....I know, I know...I just did them...but I think they may be too busy...idk.  We'll see.
• Better wall hangings

On to the Master Bedroom.  This is truly a room that I could use some inspiration for.  I really think I just need to start over from scratch...I mean, I may even repaint the furniture...who knows.  There is really no need for me to make a list here...it just needs HELP!

PS:  Don't mind the GREAT fabric laying over the REALLY HIDEOUS stool....I know, I know. 

And now for the Master Bath...equally as inspiration-less.

Seriously people.  I'll give it a shot:

• I really would like to go with the "king and queen" idea in here.  All the crowns and stuff out right now are so great and I love the black and cream damask idea with that.  So as far as "stuff" goes, think CROWNS.
• I'd like to paint the walls a deep red...or goldish/wheat color.  I know thats a little random, but whatever
• Wall decal that says: Crowned with loving kindness
• You can't see it, but there is a window above the tub, so window treatments
• Frame the mirror out with a chunky gold frame-like wood...or something.
• I might have to move the towel bar over to the left...
• Figure something out for my makeup and hair crap...the plastic bin I'm using now functions GREAT, but has zero decorative value - obviously.
• Monogrammed towels

The Little's Bedroom:

Ok...so for now, the littles share a room.  And so, we're pretty limited on space and room arrangement in here.  What you can't see is the closet doors that are at the end of the bunk.  Making this even more of a challenge.  But, here's my list:

• Lower the window treatments and do something to make them more exciting.  
• Wall decor...seriously.  
• I think I need to rearrange the furniture, but I'm just not sure how yet, but I've got an aweful lot of wasted space.....ok...just back from rearranging. I basically just switched the two beds around, but pushed the bunk up against the back wall...anyway, not sure this is the best option, but its what i'm going with.

And finally, the Guest Bathroom:
I kinda like what I've started in here...but there are some OBVIOUS holes, like the big blank wall above the toilet [ehem].  There are some pics that I love at Bed Bath and Beyond...$20 each...and with the 20% off coupon, I could pick them up relatively cheap.  Just want to be sure I'm going the right direction before I spend the money.  Anyway....thats that wall.  This is the smallest room in the house, but still required two pics...so see below

Ok...so here's the second pic...lets talk:

• Frame the mirror out
• Add some greenery somehow
• Warm it up in here...seems too sterile to me.
• Wall decal above the door.  {I'm beginning to think it would be smarter for me to find great pieces of wood to put my "wall" decals on, since when I move, i can't take them with me...hmmm...thinking.....}
• Art on the wall above the hand towel

There is more stuff, I know...but for now, thats all I can fathom.  Again, I won't likely get to *half* of this by the end of the year, but its good to sit down and organize my thoughts.  So thanks Nester!  You're the best!

Peace,
Cristie