ON THE MENU MONDAY WEEK OF APRIL 30, 2012

How do you mark time? We all have our own internal system of marking the passing of a year. 
I mark time by Holidays (birthdays count as holidays)! It must be the first grade teacher in me. Easter has passed and now I am counting down to Mother's Day and Memorial Day! 


I have not yet planned out my Mother's Day celebration. My dear Mother lives in San Antonio and in Lancaster County. She will be home (WHERE SHE BELONGS!) for Mother's Day. I am hoping my children will be as well...




I am not much for going out to eat on a special day, like Mother's Day. Too crowded. Prix fixe menus and higher prices. Push then in and shove them out. Not my idea of dining! Okay, I think you get the picture... little pet peeve here! 


Maybe this year we can all go on a picnic, if the weather cooperates.  Maybe a game of croquet, a game of bocchi and some great music.  Sound like fun. doesn't it. I better start planning so...


Here's what's ON THE MENU...




MONDAY
Homemade Artisan Pizza
Arugula, Shaved Parmesan, Pine Nut In A Lemon Vinaigrette

                                                    

TUESDAY~ SLOW COOKER DAY

Bacon Wrapped Barbecued Chicken Breasts

Roasted Root Vegetables

WEDNESDAY


Carmalized Onion, Bacon And Potato Tart
Endive Boats With Blue, Clementines, Toasted Walnuts And Balsamic Reduction






THURSDAY~SLOW COOKER DAY


Herbed Biscuit Topped Beef Stew
Green Beans 

FRIDAY 
Salmon, Asparagus And Bow Tie Pasta In Sherry Cream~ Look for an upcoming post this week
Antipasta Salad

Saturday


Ceasar Salad With Grilled Chicken

SUNDAY

Herb Crusted Pork Loin

Boston Bibb Lettuce With Fresh Figs, Gorgonzola And Prosciutto

ON THE MENU PRINTABLE RECIPES...
Artisan Individual Pizzas
Bacon Wrapped Barbecued Chicken
Carmalized Onion, Bacon And Potato Tart
Herbed Biscuit Topped Beef Stew ~ Slow Cooker
Antipasta Salad
Herb Crusted Pork Loin
Boston Lettuce With Figs, Gorgonzola And Prosciutto



ON THE MENU CULINARY TUTORIALS
Ceasar Salad



OTHER RECIPES ON THE MENU...

Gooey Chewy Pretzel Bars
from
Back For Seconds



Now what's ON YOUR MENU...

Thanks, for joining us and sharing!

* Please link your post using your permalink

* Please link back to ON THE MENU MONDAY in the body of your post

* Please visit other OTMM participants

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE~ April 29, 2012

The Earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all it's people belong to HIM!

Psalm 24:1

FRONT PORCH FLOWERS

I look forward to THIS weekend all year! I think about it in the cold and dreary winter months... and as the time approaches the excitement builds!

This is the weekend Bobby and I go flower shopping! We peruse our local greenhouses. I want to hit every Amish greenhouses dotting the countryside!  Bobby is really there to lift and carry... and watch me as I dance down the isles filled with all sorts of plants, lost in a floral frenzy...

I LOVE deciding what I will plant in all of the porch planters at StoneGable.

I even have themes for each year's designs... A SALUTE TO OUR MILITARY ~red, white and blue, the year our son enlisted... BRIDAL BLUSH~ soft blushy pinks and frilly whites, the year our daughter got married,  CACOPHONY~ a profusion of whatever I felt like planting that year.

Cacophony 2009

I called last year SHADOWS AND LIGHT~ a mix of purples and whites.

Here is a glimpse of  just a couple of pots planted last year.

Last evening I (well, Bobby and son Christopher) filled the back of my car with some of this years flowers.

I was out in my pj's early this morning taking these pictures of the back of my car. Can you see the direction I am going this year?

Last year's mix of purples, whites and greens worked so well with my front porch. I think I will do something similar this year... just with more white.

This years theme is...

WHITE BLISS

Now I am off to find more frilly white flowers! I hope those Amish buggies don't slow me down!!!!

EASY PEASY HORS D'OEUVRES

This beautiful plate of hors d'oeuvres took minutes to make an assemble. And doesn't it look yummy!

A  plate like this can be used as hors d'oeuvres or even as part of a meal. It has those scrumptious Mediterranean flavors we all love!

No one will care that you didn't spend hours slaving away in the kitchen when they can nibble on such great savories...

All these intensely flavored tidbits came from my grocer's deli isle. I am just amazed at all the wonderful, high quality food we can get ready-to-eat from the grocer's!

I chose 3 distinct flavors for my hors d'oeuvre platter. A tangy tomato bruschetta, pungent oil cured olives and soft cheeses. Three  selections are plenty... even for a group!

Toasting the baguettes was the only cooking I did. A day old baguette was cut up, brushed with olive oil and put into a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes until they were just golden brown and crisp. To make this appetizer even easier, store bought panini  could be substituted.

I think the real trick to making GOOD QUALITY store bought food  into a delicious starter or part of a meal is the presentation. We all eat with our eyes first!

 The food itself is so colorful and sensual that I served it on a very neutral, all white background.

 It is important to stage store bought hors d'oeuvres to look better than homemade. I added fresh herbs to the mozzarella and feta cheese as well as the bruschetta.  And drizzling a little extra olive oil over the olives made them look shiny and plump.

Here are some great deli isle finds to add to an hors d'oeuvre platter...

~bruschetta

~olives

~fresh cheeses

~roasted red peppers

~hummus

~marinaded mushrooms

~marinaded artichoke hearts

~marinaded heart of palm

~pickled vegetables

~tapenades

~ onion marmalade

~soft cheeses

~tzatziki

~ pate'

~ toasted baguettes

~panini rounds

~flatbread

~bread sticks

~toasted pita triangles

So save yourself a whole lot of work and pick up some tasty bites at the deli isle! 

Here is my rule of thumb for entertaining...

If I am cooking a meal, I buy the hors d'oeuvres... and if I make the hors d'oeuvres... we grill!

I am joining FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's

BREAKFAST ON THE BACK PORCH

Today is a beautiful, sunny spring day here at StoneGable. The kind of day made for being outside all day long!

I can't think of a better way to start my day than with breakfast on the back porch....

I've never been much of a breakfast girl until recently. Now that I am eating something every morning I can honestly say I feel much better throughout the day.

Today's breakfast is served in a white rattan tray... just perfect for one! It is covered with a pretty blue and white dish towel ( Wm-Sonoma). I love this  fresh periwinkle color!

Blues and whites have always been a favorite color palette of mine. 

I start every morning off with a big cup... or 5... of coffee. Do you have a favorite coffee mug? This is mine (Ralph Lauren from HomeGoods). 

Having a pretty mug that is all my own is part of my morning ritual. Making things special... even little things... brings a graceful quality to life!

BREAKFAST

Strong Coffee With Cream

Soft Boiled Egg

Soldiers, Buttered Toast Sticks

Yogurt and Berries

There are so may opinions for cooking a perfect soft boiled egg. Here's  how I cook mine. Easy and straightforward.

How To Cook A Perfect Soft Boiled Egg

1. Take your eggs out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. They cook better at room temperature.

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. The water must cover the eggs by 1 inch.

3. Reduce the water to a simmer. Add eggs and cover with a lid.

4.Simmer 4 minutes for a large egg. You might want to test this on an egg or two until you find your personal preference in doneness. You want the white of the egg to be soft and not rubbery and certainly not raw or runny. The yolk should be hot and loose.

5. Pour out simmering water and run cold water over the eggs to stop the cooking process.

6. Crack open the top, salt and pepper and enjoy!

I try to eat an egg or some protein every morning. It makes such a marked difference in my energy level. I also try to eat a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Costco has a mix of these berries in the frozen section of the store. I divide them in 1 cup portions in baggies and grab one out of the freezer each day. I like them as much as just picked berries!

I am participating in:
LET'S DISH at Cuisine Kathleen
FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm
SEASONAL SUNDAYS at The Tablescaper

PILLOW LOVE

Pillows are like jewelry for a home!  And I LOVE bling!

They add color, pattern and texture. They add seasonal panache and warmth. Pillows can change with our moods!  

And they are a mini facelifts for any room...

Pillows are the quickest way to update a tired piece of furniture and bring a new burst of color into any decor!

The pillows (Pottery Barn Outlet) on my family room sofa are rather calm and serene right now. Because this room is filled with neutrals, I try to add pillows with a refined and tailored... not fussy feel.

It's difficult to get a great open shot of my pillows... the sofa "floats" between my breakfast area and family room.

In this month's issue of SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE, Pheobe Howard shares some simple steps for arranging pillows on a sofa." Mrs. Howard gives her five pillow approach to creating a well composed sofa", the article reads. I think they are spot on! Here is a mix of StoneGable's and Mrs. Howard's ideas...

1. Don't be matchy-matchy! Pillows and sofa or chair upholstery should not be the same !  Use a combination of solids and patterns. Add pillows with texture for a big visual punch! Mrs. Howard says to limit patterned fabric to one set of pillows. Good advice, but I say mix patterns! Here is where you can go a little wild! Pillows are not a huge investment... experiment!

2. When arranging five pillows on a sofa, the outside pillows should be the largest. 

My two brown linen, jute trimmed piilows are 22 inches. Next to them are two 18 inch linen pillows in a deep rust. They sport a large tortoise shell button enclosure.... nice detail.  Because I wanted the pillows to give color and texture to the room without a whole lot of pattern I used two different solid colors next to each other.

3. Keep the look balanced but not too symmetrical. Throw in an extra odd shaped pillow. Here is where you can get creative. Choose a third pattern with colors that tie it to the total look.

I chose a beautiful crewel-look pillow in a very traditional pattern. It is timeless. It will never go out of style and will look good in any season. It brings interest to my neutral family room and ties in the colors of my sofa and other pillows. This will be my go-to pillow!

The embroidered pattern adds a touch of refined style to my farmhouse family room!

4. Use pillow covers and down inserts.

There are so many reasons to buy pillow covers. Pillows covers can be taken off easily to be cleaned. Some pillow covers can go right in the washer and dryer!

Pillow covers are often less expensive than ready-filled pillows. And you can control the stuffing material.

When you need a new look, just take off the pillow cover and replace it with another.

My favorite reason for using a pillow cover is that they store beautifully. When the cover is done for the season, I clean them, fold them and stack them in my linen closet. No big bulky pillows!

 Make the investment of good down pillow forms. They look and feel so much better. If you are allergic to down, use a high quality hypoallergenic down. 

I have found a very acceptable alternative to an all down insert as they can be very pricey. It is a feather/down blend insert from Pottery Barn. They are inexpensive, look nice and have been durable... without feathers popping through the casing. To see these inserts click HERE.

5. Overstuff your pillows.

If your pillow cover is 20 inches, stuff it with a 22 inch insert. I learned this trick by trial and error. Upsizing an insert gives a pillow a full fluffy look.  Thin, limp pillows are not attractive!

Use a "euro sham" pillow insert for a 24 inch pillow. You won't believe the difference it makes!

Mrs. Howard says DON'T karate chop your pillows... I didn't for these photographs. But the jury is still out... don't you just want to give those pillows a little quick chop?

I must admit, I have a wee little obsession with pillows, and change them often. Because of this I do not make a big investment in any one pillow cover. There are wonderful places to find upscale pillow covers that can keep us within our budgets... etsy and outlets are my favorite pillow haunts. And don't forget we can make them ourselves! I have a beautiful piece of washed burlap just waiting to become a pillow cover!

As always, decorating is a personal expression! Enjoy and be creative!

I am joining Thistlewood Farm  for PILLOW PALOOZA 2012 

ON THE MENU

I just got home from a RELAXING girl's weekend on the Chesapeake Bay. What fun to eat lunch on a big sailboat in a beautiful marina! The owner of the boat was kind enough to offer her boat as a setting for a tablescape. You bet I'll be traveling down to the Chesapeake very soon with a big box of dishes.

Don't we all need time to relax? I love to go away. No laundry to call for me, not pets needing my attention, no dusting, no cooking, no responsibilities! I sleep so well when I am away (as long as I have my own pillows!)...

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE ~ April 22, 2012

For by GRACE you have been saved by faith. And it is not your own doing, it is a gift of God.

Eph: 2:1     English Standard Version

STONEGABLE'S NEW DESIGN AND A FAVOR REQUEST

Do you like StoneGable's new look! 

When I made the decision to continue blogging I wanted to start with a fresh new look. This time I decided to let a professional handle the design. And I am so glad that I did! 

I researched many blog designer's... looked over their web-sites, perused portfolios and read testimonials. After much investigation, I chose Julie at BLOGGER BOUTIQUE to give StoneGable a facelift. What a great fit!

Let me show you around the new StoneGable...

  The header above is a montage of my original work with a "pastel filter" applied. The center square hold an image of our home's stone gable that inspired it's name and the name of my blog.

 The sprawling "StoneGable" across the header is a new font! We tried a few fonts but this was Julie's original choice... she knew best!

 My new tag line "inspiring creative living" reflects the purpose of my blog.

And my new logo ~ SIGH~ a lovely monogrammed seal, floats in the left corner of the header. It appears on any comments I leave, is my favicon, and the logo is echoed in the laurel wreaths in post titles.

Choosing a header was a very big decision. Thank goodness, Julie was a great listener! She translated my desires into beautiful elements and graphics. She also was very diplomatic, steering me away from making any poor decisions. Working closely together, Julie gave me a blog design that embodies all that StoneGable is.

I love the new blog colors. They were intentionally chosen too... soft buttery yellow (my favorite color)  and a pale steely blue to work with the colors in the gable. Julie used these colors in designing the body of my blog, giving it an updated appearance!

Other great elements added to StoneGable:

new layout

new background

new signature and comment bar

new post dividers

new sidebar titles

new blog button

new navigation menu

cute social networking buttons

I am especially enjoying the "pages" at the bottom of my header... Home, Recipes, Tablescapes, Weekly Menu, Tutorial Tips And Tidbits,  Home And Garden and On The Menu Monday.  Please click on these tabs to see my favorite posts.

A great big THANK YOU to Julie at BLOGGER BOUTIQUE  for all of your hard work, your listening ear, your determination to bring to life my vision for StoneGable and for your professional advice at all times!

I highly recommend Julie. If you are thinking about a new blog design please visit her site and her informative BLOG. 

StoneGable is just one sample of her beautiful work.  I could not be happier with it's new look. Please go visit her site and check out more of her creative designs!

Julie is offering a $75.00 discount on a custom blog design to the first client.

A disclaimer:  Julie did not ask me to post anything nor am I getting compensated in any way.

I hope you are enjoying StoneGable's new look! It was my fondest desire for all who come to visit to find a place of beauty and inspiration!

I NEED A LITTLE FAVOR

I need a little help!

Because I stopped blogging and most of us thought that I would not be blogging again, I see that StoneGable is not on many of the blogrolls it used to be on. I miss seeing my blog on your sidebar!!!!!

If you would be so kind... could you please add StoneGable back to your blogroll? Thank so very much!

HERBAL INFUSED WATERS

Elegant and refreshing... there is nothing boring about herbal infused waters.

These satisfying, easy to make waters are and light and oh, so interesting...

Herbal Waters have a hint of  flavor that lingers as you drink it down.  Dazzling! 

A welcomed alternative to regular water and much more economical than those expensive flavored water. Perfect for hydrating with style during the upcoming warm months or after exercising!

Make a statement by filling pretty bottles with your favorite Herbal Infused Waters... so chic!

STONEGABLE APPLEMINT HERBAL WATER

good fresh water

fresh applemint, rinsed

Fill a pretty bottle with good quality water and add sprigs of applemint. Depending on how intense you want the flavor, slightly bruise some of the leaves, releasing the applemint oils into the water. Refrigerate for a couple of hours. Serve with plenty of ice and a nice sprig of mint.

Show restraint... herbal waters should be very lightly flavored, so you only need a small amount of herbs. They should gently infuse the water.

Some recipes call for steeping herbs in boiling water. This can changes the flavor of the herbs, loosing their just picked, fresh taste. I would not recommend this for herbal waters.

Be creative with herbs and tasty add-ins!

Here are some other delicious combinations for HERBAL INFUSED WATER...

~thinly sliced unpeeled cucumbers, thinly sliced lemons, spearmint and rosemary

~ lemongrass and lavender

~lemon verbena, lemon peel and thyme

~ citrus peel and and pineapple mint 

~ lemongrass and mint

~ strawberries and basil

~ parsley... that's all

~ cucumber and basil

~thinly sliced oranges and sage

Beautiful and good for you too!

I am participating in:
FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm

POTS d'herbes TABLEAU

One of the very first plants to go into my garden each year are my herbs!  There is something so therapeutic about going into the garden and snipping a big handful of herbs for a bouquet or a meal.

Today's table brings the herbs inside and they become the inspiration for this tablescape.

Sweet pots d'herbes spread their green happiness all over this table!

An intimate group of friends had lunch here at StoneGable. We have been friends for over 20 years. Our children went to Nursery school together!

No fancy dining room table, we sat at my round kitchen table catching up on each other's lives and enjoying a hearty meal!

A very organic feeling cotton tablecloth with a small stylized floral print is the background for this tablescape.

It's pretty border drapes over the edges of the table.

SG TIP: Finding a round tablecloth is not always easy. I use my square and rectangle tablecloths on my round table anyway! It makes the table look even more interesting!

Pretty scalloped rattan placemats work well with the tablecloth. Their soft brown hue adds a layer of organic warmth to the table.

A stack of interesting green and white plates rest on each placemat.

A napkin that matches the tablecloth is folded to show off it's detailed border and tucked between the dishes.

Pot d'herbes grace the top each dish stack.

Small teracotta pots were painted white and waxes with clear and dark waxes.

They were planted with applemint...

sage...

rosemary and thyme...

Twiggy curly willow were anchored in the soil around each plant, gathered up and tied together making an interesting topiary, of sorts. 

Garden twine makes a bow!

I love to mix flatware! Green flatware and a white fork in the same easy breezy style adds whimsy to the table.

Green leaf dishes sit above the forks. They were filled with olive oil for dipping crusty bread!

A rough planter box made from old wood works as a centerpiece. 

During the summer it sits on my potting bench filled with flowers, but for today it holds pretty greens!

Look for a tutorial later this spring for making this rustic flower box!

Creeping Jenny's bright trailing vines look so pretty in almost any pot or planter. I love how it spills over the edge of  box. Thyme and applemint fill out the box planter.

Herb infused water was served in tall bottles. So delicious and refreshing!

This pot d'herbes tableau was the perfect setting for lunch with my girlfriends from our children's nursery school days!

We chatted, laughed, caught up on one another's families and of course ate!!!!

When the girls left they each took a little herb pot with them to remember this fun day!

THE MENU

Hors d'oeuvers

Bruschetta

Assorted Olives

Fresh Mozzarella And Feta

Crostini

The Meal

Arugula Salad With Parmesan And Pine Nuts

Printable Recipe

Roasted Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

Culinary Tutorial

Crusty Bread And Olive Oil For Dipping

Dessert

Zuccotto

made by my friend Kim~ fabulous cook!

Drinks

Herbed Water

StoneGable Iced Tea

Culinary Tutorial

Assorted Wines

Coffee

I am participating in:
LET'S DISH at Cuisine Kathleen's
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch