Foodie Friday

Sweet and Savory

Recently I learned of a deliciously delectable dessert made with avodacos!

Decadent Chocolate Pudding

You can serve it to the skeptic's in your household that cringe at the very thought of anything 'healhty'. They won't know the difference and will be asking for more.

I pureed the avocado first...

...then added the in the rest (I also added a dash of cayenne for a little zip).

The recipe calls for 3-4 tablespoons of cocao, I used 4 for extra chocolately-ness (is that a word?).  I also only used 2 tablespoons of water for the consistency I wanted. 

source

The 'MR' - with raised eyebrow- liked it. 

I would definitely serve it at my next dinner party!

Now on to something savory...

Growing up I was introduced to brussel sprouts and they were never my fave.

Of late with trying to eat more 'green' I have rediscovered this tasty cruciferous

cancer fighting veggie.

Melt a tablespoon or so of grass fed butter along with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper...

...toss with split brussel sprouts and roast in the oven at 425˚ for 8 minutes or so. I tossed them a couple of times while they were roasting. They really are quite tasty.

Anything blooming at your house yet?  

♥

Moore Designs would love to help you make your house into a beautiful home.

E-design services available.  

Project Monday

Getting ready for spring!

This was my back deck last year...I 'Waterlogued' the image.

Close up of the birdies last year. The female cardinal (not shown) perches herself at the transom of the bay window in the kitchen when the feeder is empty and sings to me. I'm really not crazy, she has done it a number of times.

I got a great deal on this table and 2 chairs from Ballards Outlet a few years back. The heat and the elements 'weathered' them more than I like. The bamboo director style chairs were a find from HomeGoods and I had custom  canvas covers in good outdoor fabric made.

Time to do something.

I bought Sherwin Williams 'Deckscapes' exterior deck stain #3001 Shagbark. 

It has a paint texture, not thin like stain.

All painted....really happy with the finish.

Next project is to do some repair on the deck and paint it too.

I 'think' I want to paint a design on the deck floor to look like a rug.

I'm ready to get some color out there.  Are you planning for spring?

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you create the home of your dreams

E-design services available!

Sid Dickens Memory Blocks

Sid Dickens, a brilliant artist, in front of a wall of memory blocks that he and his team of artists create from his studio in Vancouver, Canada. The memory blocks are hand-crafted in plaster and each have unique designs that are hand painted and stained as well as gold and silver leafed. As you can see there are images reflected from a deck of cards, letters, floral, spiritual and architectural motifs.

Each year he unveils new collections and retires some. The blocks are not inexpensive but after retirement, values have been known to increase quite handsomely.

 I admired them for many years before starting a collection of my own.

Each are given a name, this is Empress.

Harlequin - retired

 Mozart - retired

 French Crest

 Medieval Cross 

 Watermark - retired

 Under Stars - retired

 Screen Passage - retired

Naturlich

My preference are those that are black and white or more neutral in color rather than those painted in brighter colors and I like to find those that are or nearing retirement.

I have the Star of Zanzibar - retired on my bookshelf waiting to add to the wall collection.  Just need two more!

For an example of how a value can increase, Chess Pawn (not in my collection!)

is for sale on ebay.  She's a beauty for sure.

Do you have something special that you like to collect?

♥

Moore Designs is here to help you create the home of your dreams.

E-design available.

Project Monday

Painted Furniture

                            after:

Years ago I painted this hutch (circa 1970-ish) black from sort of a creamy white. I wanted a glossy look and used oil, this was way before the chalk paint craze. One thing I didn't know about oil is that it has a propensity to chip. With several moves and attempts at touch up, it.was.time.

I started painting and realized I hadn't take a 'before' shot. 

I decided to keep the inside light, te outside color is Annie Sloan's slate gray and the inside is old white. After painting the white it was too bright for me.

I painted over it with SW Crushed Ice - which is a pale gray and the color I have used on most of the interior walls of my home. You can see it on the left of this picture. 

I got this far and had to put the brushes down to go visit these fellers in Washington state.

One week of lots of lovin'.

When I got back I used Amy Howard's technique of waxing and using dust of ages over it. See post here where I described in detail.

Clear wax, dark wax, dust.

Buff.

Oops!  With starting, stopping, traveling and working in different lighting conditions I missed this one door.  Good example though of the difference of waxing and dusting (left) and just painting. I've got 6 chairs and the table legs of the table to do so I will fix it.  :)

Hobby Lobby has a wonderful selection of door pulls and handles. I have lucked out each time I have gone looking for pulls to find them 50% off.

I found some to update the cabinet a bit. 

Difficult to get a good shot with the reflection in the glass.

All finished and cleaned up pretty well for an old girl.

♥

Moore Designs is here to help you create the home of your dreams.

E-design available.

Foodie Friday

Rachel Ray's Fiery Chicken Chili

I shared this a few years ago, but it is worth the repeat.  

I had never heard of 'chipotle in adobo' before I came across this recipe, 

now I make sure it's always in the pantry.

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ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 large chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped, sauce reserved
• 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
• 2 28 ounce cans diced tomatoes with their juice
• 3 15 1/2 ounce cans  pinto beans, rinsed
• Chopped avocados, cilantro leaves, grated cheddar cheese, chopped scallions and sour cream, for serving

****I use 1 can petite diced and one can crushed tomatoes, and black beans (no pinto)

directions:

1. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and paprika and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, about 7 minutes. Stir in the chipotle and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until the meat begins to turn opaque, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and beans and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat and simmer the chili briskly, stirring often, until thickened, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Add more adobo sauce to taste, serve with avocados, cilantro, cheese, scallions and sour cream - I know this will become one of your favorites too!

I recently picked up several stems of pussy-willow at Whole Foods - they and Trader Joe's have the bestest flowers! These are sweet arrangements, I know you can do it!

♥

Contact Moore Designs to help you create a beautiful home.

E-design services available. 

Fun with my Grand!

I am in southern Washington state taking care of my grand while his parents went away for the weekend.  We have had some fun adventures and also did a little craft project to give his parents, did one for me too!

                                   

Great idea from Pinterest.  Using art board, decide what color to use as background, paint and let dry. Next put 'blobs' of paint on a plate and do one foot at a time, as you can see the feet are placed with outside edges together. I let dry overnight, then with a sharpie drew the body and antennae. So simple - other than trying to hold a toddler (16 months) and keeping the paint from getting everywhere! 

                                                                               ❤️

Moore Designs would be privileged to help you turn your house into a lovely home.

E-design services available.

            

                  

Foodie Friday

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are very yummy with no wheat or dairy. 

A little nibble satisfies even the most voracious sweet tooth.

I found this great recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 c. almond meal
• scant ¼ t. sea salt
• ⅛ t. baking soda
• ¼ t. cinnamon, optional, but delicious!
• 3 T. coconut oil or butter, melted
• 2 T. honey or maple syrup
• 1½ t. vanilla
• ½-1 t. water, only if/as needed
• 2-4 T. chopped dark chocolate, depending on your personal preference (I used 3 T)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the almond meal, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
3. Stir in the coconut oil, honey/maple syrup, and vanilla.
4. Add in water as needed to bring everything together.
5. Stir in the chopped chocolate last.
6. Bake for 10-11 minutes on a well oiled or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet (the edges should be golden).
7. Let them sit on the pan for 5-10 minutes (they firm up during this time, so this is an important step!).
8. Remove and enjoy!

***I doubled the recipe and use 90% Cocoa bars

I hit Trader Joe's today and am deeply sorry for those of you who don't have one nearby.  The almond flour is less than half the price of Whole Foods or my local grocery store.  AND, they have the BEST flowers. It is tulip season and they have an awesome variety of colors. Tulips are my fave along with hydrangeas and sunflowers.

You KNOW the drill, go outside and cut what is in your yard or treat yourself from the grocer or flower market.

♥

Moore Designs would welcome the opportunity to help you turn your house into a lovely home.  E-design services available.