‘Sunset Daze’ radiates an aura of beauty and sentiment - The Boston Globe

‘Sunset Daze’ radiates an aura of beauty and sentiment - The Boston Globe

Sunset Daze at WE

One Year Latter, The Blog Lives On

Today marks the first anniversary of my blog - it keeps on keeping on. I think I have been successful (for the most part) in keeping it positive and reporting on subjects that appeal to me, making my everyday life more fun filled and challenging my known interests. Challenges do not have to be rock climbing to be growth inducing. A recipe or home project can seem daunting until it is tackled and admired - not from afar - up close with dirty hands or aching muscles. Last year I posted an article about the success of blogs. Read below to see where this one fits. You will find this blog is one of the few and proud that survived the paperless world of online posting.

"According to a 2008 survey by Technorati, which runs a search engine for blogs, only 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs the company tracks had been updated in the past 120 days. That translates to 95 percent of blogs being essentially abandoned, left to lie fallow on the Web, where they become public remnants of a dream — or at least an ambition — unfulfilled." NY Times 06/07/2009, Posted to Chadwickland 06/10/2009

Green Lawn Safety

Opinion
Opinionator: The Dandelion King
By By ROBERT WRIGHT
Published: April 20, 2010, NY Times
Wild, weedy lawns are greener, but can we consider them prettier, too?

I could not live with a lawn full of weeds but I do not use chemicals on my lawn. Some of the approaches I take are listed via a link at the end.

SafeLawns.org

The site is very detailed and includes instructional videos. A variety of hand tools can be used to do manual weeding to get directly to the root of the problem. A Ball Weeder is a Victorian invention and good for weeds as is an Asparagus Knife.

A Decor With Provenance, NY Times 3/10/10

Photo: Leigh Davis for The New York Times
Found objects add inexpensive (free) sculptural elements to a space or credenza. Remember to put felt pads on the bottom to prevent scratching.

Photo: Leigh Davis for The New York Times
A Homasote board from Lowe's ($20) decorated with postcards. Wall art includes both found/collected mementos, which are united together with color, uniformed placement, and a raw piece from the hardware store (Homasote).

Buying coordinated push pins will unify an eclectic collection.

Fashion & Style
Brooklyn Apartment: A Décor With Provenance
Leigh Davis for The New York Times
Published: 20100310

Inside the Brooklyn one-bedroom that is a live-work space for the architects Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechuehler.

Big Fern Takes a Holiday / Have Clay Pot Will Travel

December 2009: Fern, a prehistoric plant, surrounded by 20th century lit.

This was Fern as she looked in December after being inside for a bit over a month. She does not look - sadly - this bold or robust now. Wintering in a warm, dry and less humid house did not suit her like the grand outdoors courtesy of my deck. However, she will be going back out there in a couple of weeks. I will post the after winter photo soon. It's the least I can do because I know she will be beyond last season's prime in no time at all. More on fern care.

More "Everyday Food" Success

Quick Chickpea Curry

A flavorful, protein rich alternative to a meat dinner option. May add more curry next time. I am also looking for canned chickpeas without salt added.

Backwoods Design From the Alabama Woods

Photo: Robert Rausch for The New York Times

Home & Garden

Backwoods Design and the Art of a Doo Nanny
Robert Rausch for The New York Times
Published: 20100407

A look at Butch Anthony’s home, part of an 80-acre compound in the Alabama woods, and his “micro” folk-art festival.

I like the crisp white walls and vaulted ceiling with the rustic fireplace and furniture.

Recent "Everyday Food" Ideas for Dinner

Lately I have enjoyed several of their veggie options or dishes not centered around meat. Here are the favorites hits from the last few weeks.

Eggs with Mushrooms and Spinach This dish was much more satisfying than I thought and was all I needed for dinner. The parchment cooking packets make plating a breeze.

Broccoli, Asparagus, Snap Peas in Parchment An excellent way to not overcook veggies (esp. Broccoli). Like this trio together very much.

And if you just have to add chicken to the meal. The mustered panko crusted chicken breast from the Whole Foods meat department satisfies . The crunch factor is there without the heaviness of traditional breadcrumbs. They also sell the rub/coating for those that wish to make there own. I oven fry these. Brown on top of the stove on both sides in some olive oil then place in preheated 375 degree oven 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. They make them in-house and run (depending on special pricing promos) aroun 6.00 per pound (two breasts).

John Forsythe of TV's 'Dynasty' Dies

Arts / Television
John Forsythe, ‘Dynasty’ Actor, Dies
By ANITA GATES
Published: April 3, 2010 NY Times
Mr. Forsythe starred in three television series, as Bentley Gregg on “Bachelor Father,” as the sexy telephone voice of Charlie in “Charlie’s Angels” and as Blake Carrington in “Dynasty.”

This was guilty TV viewing at its best and the classic gave us cat fights and the ultimate prime time bitch, Joan Collins. However, the center of the universe in the show's fictional take on the Colorado oil business was Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). Dynasty was the ultimate 80s night-time soap - forget Dallas despite a much longer run.

Spring Time and Easter Home Inspiration

My old living room had buttery yellow walls that provided a happy glow in the daytime and a pleasant warming feeling at night. Rabbits are Ebay finds. Re-productions of classic Germany candy containers. Now, I keep them out almost all year because they are both whimsical and a classic silhouette.

The rabbit sculpture is from the now closed Smith & Hawkins. Although, Target continues selling licensed products from the brand. Items include everything from pots, wreaths to doormats.

Having the plant/shelf stand in the corner and the books piled on the table, the room felt like a mini conservatory/library.