Looking for a way to do better in living in the moment? Take a step back to your childhood and remember what made you joyful. You just might be reminded of your true passions. Here's mine!
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| Sly's Tea Party |
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Does Your Kitchen Inspire Cooking?
Ever have a monologue with yourself? You know the kind where you're talking out loud and are thankful no one caught you in the act of talking to yourself? My latest script goes something like this, "why am I not cooking more?" I answer myself hastily "time of course." When I'm more patient with myself, the answer changes to, "space." That's because I have a small kitchen. Since I can't really change the time equation, what I can do is deal with design issues. Think about it, design expresses how we feel about working in a space. If you're not a big fan of cooking, perhaps it's because you're in not in an inspiring, workable space.
How to get your kitchen zen-on you ask? First, know thyself. If you can't easily lay your hands on the most basic of items, find a new home for it. I loved this idea as it serves a double purpose with easy to reach solutions and is a window covering to boot.
If you have a heavy stand mixer buried in your cabinets, its weight for lifting it out of there may be just enough to deter you from you using it. This one stands alone in its beauty as if its in a statue gallery. Yet it's workable in the space where it is housed. What's that above the attachments you ask? Controls for the drop down television of course.
Pizza is a major staple in our house. Takeout is fine, but it tastes so much better if you can make it at home. Cheaper and healthier too. Make the pizza paddles wall art and never have the excuse again for not making your own.
The idea of having this cozy little eat-in diner in the kitchen buys space for making scrumptious meals, invites guests to visit and also serves as a good homework station if you need it.
The Architectural Heritage Center is a non-profit resource for historic preservation.
Homeowners and their all-volunteer tour selection committee make it happen. This self-guided tour represents a range of approaches to renovating your kitchen in a manner that reflects the home's original design and style.
If you are considering taking on a kitchen renovation project yourself, homeowners and contractors will be on hand to provide tips and real-life experiences on everything from retaining original material to hiding (or disguising) appliances. The tour will convince even the biggest of skeptics that you can adapt an older home to a 21st century lifestyle while still retaining its historic character and charm.
This event is held in some of Portland, Oregon's finest historic neighborhoods.
Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
How to get your kitchen zen-on you ask? First, know thyself. If you can't easily lay your hands on the most basic of items, find a new home for it. I loved this idea as it serves a double purpose with easy to reach solutions and is a window covering to boot.
If money were no object, this stove is an outstanding design statement just begging to be used.
If you have a heavy stand mixer buried in your cabinets, its weight for lifting it out of there may be just enough to deter you from you using it. This one stands alone in its beauty as if its in a statue gallery. Yet it's workable in the space where it is housed. What's that above the attachments you ask? Controls for the drop down television of course.
Pizza is a major staple in our house. Takeout is fine, but it tastes so much better if you can make it at home. Cheaper and healthier too. Make the pizza paddles wall art and never have the excuse again for not making your own.
Just having a happy color splashed in the kitchen makes you want to spend time here.
The idea of having this cozy little eat-in diner in the kitchen buys space for making scrumptious meals, invites guests to visit and also serves as a good homework station if you need it.
Robin-egg blue is my new favorite color. I'd be quite content taking in a meal or two in this home.
Perhaps it's the company. It's so necessary to have a companion!
All of these ideas came courtesy of last year's annual Kitchen Revival Tour hosted by Portland's (Oregon) Architectural Heritage Center. John and I actually planned our 2013 spring break/vacation around this event which happens every spring. You may remember we did all things foodie on that trip when we went on a food walking tour.
Feeling inspired and wish you had thought of going? It's not too late. Here is your next opportunity straight from their website:
2014 Kitchen Revival Tour
Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Architectural Heritage Center is a non-profit resource for historic preservation.
Homeowners and their all-volunteer tour selection committee make it happen. This self-guided tour represents a range of approaches to renovating your kitchen in a manner that reflects the home's original design and style.
If you are considering taking on a kitchen renovation project yourself, homeowners and contractors will be on hand to provide tips and real-life experiences on everything from retaining original material to hiding (or disguising) appliances. The tour will convince even the biggest of skeptics that you can adapt an older home to a 21st century lifestyle while still retaining its historic character and charm.
This event is held in some of Portland, Oregon's finest historic neighborhoods.
Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Members: $20 General Public: $25
Pre-registration is strongly suggested
.Wednesday, February 19, 2014
A Local Restaurant, A Local Coffee Distributor and a Thank You Note Can Make All the Difference
In the faceless, virtual world of the Internet and retail, a vendor's only tool for repeat business is to provide decent customer service. At a minimum, that means timely delivery, a quality product and getting the order right. Smart promotion can get the customers through the digital door. Most times it takes more than all of those moves combined to be successful.
The story I'm about to tell you, reveals a superb example of supporting the local guy (and gal) while thinking globally and how it can benefit so many.
John and I came across this remarkable company, Silverback Coffee of Rwanda by patronizing one of those unique little breakfast hotspots in the Valley, Charlie's Pantry. The ever delightful Maria Di Salvio who owns and runs Charlie's believes in making most of what you eat in her restaurant there on site. She knows how to maximize flavor by using seasonal, farm fresh, locally sourced ingredients while crafting simply prepared dishes.
On our first of many visits, we were immediately enticed by a most intoxicating aroma of coffee when we walked in the door. Sometimes a fragrance fools the desire but in this case the aroma did not lie. In fact, the aroma delivered on its promise with a sultry but richly mellow body leaving a slightly toasty after taste. Funny thing about love at first sight (or taste in this case), you must know the name of the object you desire.
Silverback Coffee and Charlie's have cleverly seized their ability to satisfy the senses while motivating customers to buy the coffee beans at the restaurant. With subtle signage and a retail aspect to the restaurant we were hooked We now buy a bag of Silverback's beans every time we visit Charlie's to satisfy our caffeine desires at home.
Jack's family became refugees of Rwanda during the 60's. He ended up in college in Arizona where he discovered he had a talent for basketball. Ultimately, he became a Harlem Globe Trotter with stints as an actor. Now with means he, is able to help the poorest coffee farmers in his homeland realize their value and empowers them to become a part of a global economy.
By merely treating ourselves to breakfast out, not only did we keep our money local but we also helped in our own minor way on something of a much grander scale. Thank you Charlie's Pantry and Silverback Coffee for providing us the opportunity to do so. Do you have any similar stories? I'd love to hear about it.
The story I'm about to tell you, reveals a superb example of supporting the local guy (and gal) while thinking globally and how it can benefit so many.
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| Silverback Coffee of Rwanda |
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| Charlie's Pantry in Studio City, CA |
Silverback Coffee and Charlie's have cleverly seized their ability to satisfy the senses while motivating customers to buy the coffee beans at the restaurant. With subtle signage and a retail aspect to the restaurant we were hooked We now buy a bag of Silverback's beans every time we visit Charlie's to satisfy our caffeine desires at home.
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| Charlie's Coffee Station |
When we couldn't make it over to Charlie's, we tried to mail order from the distributor directly. Low and behold, their offices are in Los Angeles. Visiting their website, we learned so much more about the company's mission:
Not that I needed further encouragement to buy their product, but I'm confident their motivations are in harmony with my desire to put my money in worthwhile causes. Imagine our delight when Silverback Coffee of Rwanda not only gave us good customer service, but the Founder & CEO Jack Karultetwa sent along a thank you note in his own handwriting no less! What a great touch.SILVERBACK COFFEE OF RWANDA™ supports its values by donating a percentage of its profits to organizations that build schools in Rwanda's local areas and provides services to widows and orphans as a result of the genocide.
In addition, together with the Rwandan government, SILVERBACK COFFEE OF RWANDA™ will improve the quality of care and growth of the native endangered silverback gorilla. Furthermore, our product can be traced to the farms where it's grown, to ensure fair wages and proper treatment of workers.
Jack's family became refugees of Rwanda during the 60's. He ended up in college in Arizona where he discovered he had a talent for basketball. Ultimately, he became a Harlem Globe Trotter with stints as an actor. Now with means he, is able to help the poorest coffee farmers in his homeland realize their value and empowers them to become a part of a global economy.
By merely treating ourselves to breakfast out, not only did we keep our money local but we also helped in our own minor way on something of a much grander scale. Thank you Charlie's Pantry and Silverback Coffee for providing us the opportunity to do so. Do you have any similar stories? I'd love to hear about it.
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