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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Blackballoon

I've found a great Swedish website that has some really cool items and selected some of my favorite things to share with you.  The website is called Blackballoon and you can visit it here:  Blackballoon.

A few German and Scandinavian blogs that I follow have design styles that tend to be more modern.  The colors are often monochromatic using variations in lightness and saturation of a single color for a more clean and elegant look.  It's a different look but one I'm starting to like. The items on this website are along those lines.  What do you think?

Love the color 


I've had my eye on this for some time...I collect little creamers

A set of these would be nice!

Gorgeous blue vase


While I've never been real fond of horns or heads, I think something like this would be okay in the right spot.
A shell ball

Hope all is well with everyone and I hope you all have a great weekend!

A photo I took of St. Andrews Bay with Waterlogue App.


Sunday, March 2, 2014

St. Louis Ribs

 I think using an outside grill to make ribs is difficult. They always seemed to turn out tough.  So, yesterday I decided to try my hand at making some St. Louis dry rub ribs in the oven. After scouring the internet recipe sites, I found a spicy dry rib mix that I thought sounded good.  I've made Wolfgang Puck's Dry Rib Rub but wanted something a bit different.  I must admit they turned out delicious.  So, I wanted to share the recipe with you along with instructions on how to make them in the oven instead of on an outside grill.

Recipe for the Dry Rub Mix

2 1/2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
2       Tablespoons Ground Cumin
1       Tablespoon Coriander
1       Tablespoon Paprika
1       Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
   1/2 Tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
   1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
   1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
   1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Preparing the Ribs:

I used St. Louis Style Pork Ribs but you can use Baby Back Pork Ribs too, whatever your preference is.  I think St. Louis Style ribs are a bit more meatier than Baby Back so I used them.  Next you will want to remove the membrane from the back of the rib bones.  This can be tricky but I googled a video that showed how to do it and it really wasn't too bad.  Removing the membrane enables you to really rub the dry mix better onto the boned side plus the membrane is tough and not all that good for you.

After you do that I squeezed mustard (I used spicy brown) onto the front of the ribs and rubbed it into the ribs.  I took  1/4 cup of the dry rub mix and rubbed it onto the meaty side really good making sure all of it was caked onto the ribs.  I flipped them over and did the same with the back of the ribs...first squeezing the mustard, spreading it around and adding the 1/4 cup of rub mix.  I then let this set overnight in the fridge wrapped in Saran Wrap.


Rub added to Ribs before cooking


Cooking:

I set my oven for 300 degrees and placed a pan half full of water on the rack directly beneath the ribs to add moisture while they cooked.  The ribs are placed in the center of the oven on a rack and baked for 1 hour meaty side up.  After one hour you will bake an additional 2 hours setting a timer for every 30 minutes turning the tray the ribs are on in the opposite direction. Leave the oven temperature at 300 degrees and DO NOT TURN THE RIBS OVER just turn the tray.  After the 3 hours are over pull out the ribs and let set 15 minutes before cutting.  I guarantee that you will have the most tender and spiciest ribs you have ever eaten.

After cooking

Add caption



Soon I will share a recipe for a lemon tart made with a gingersnap crust.  Double Yum!

I leave you with a photo I took of a bluebird sitting on my fence that I used the Waterlogue App on.

"Tweet tweet", spring is on it's way!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Spring Plantings...I think?

Hi everyone,

 I was eager to write a post about the hydrangeas that I planted last weekend so I took some photos of the two plants that I bought and planted (really husband was the one who actually planted them, I supervised) LOL. Anyway, they look so lovely and perky but alas it appears that we may be in for a possible frost :-( (32 degrees) tomorrow night. So, I will dutifully cover the hydrangeas and my ferns who have just started to grow new fronds to keep them from freezing.

 It was a dreary, cloudy day with intermittent rain and a good day to tackle some cleaning chores so I immersed myself in cleaning blinds and washing curtains and inside windows so that when spring does arrive for good I'll be ready to enjoy the warm, breezy, sunny weather. I hope all of you are well and if living in areas that are cold and snowy keeping busy waiting for the weather to break.

 One last thing...I thought I was going to be able to share with you a recipe for an Apple Tarte Tartin but my first experience with making one didn't turn out AT ALL. LOL It was a disaster...except for the crust which I made in my food processor, it turned out delicious. So, now that I know what I did wrong I will attempt it again or better yet, maybe I'd better stick with baking an apple cobbler. Sigh...






I hope these photos bring a bit of sun and warmth to all of you.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Beach Photos

Here are a few warm weather photos that I've taken since we moved to Florida. I hope it brings a bit of warmth to all of you in the Midwest and on the East coast. I am just starting to see the grass start to green up and have started digging in the dirt getting ready to plant some perennials in the next couple of weeks. The weather has been pretty crazy here for Florida so I don't want to take a chance and plant to early. And to all of you who are still in the throes of winter, don't despair...soon spring will be at your doorsteps too!
















I hope you have a wonderful week!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day Giveaway Winner


Thanks to all of you who entered my Valentine's Day Giveaway.  Through the random number generator the winner was #4 Jana Around The World.  If you will send me your address at klfranklin60@gmail.com I will send you the necklace.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!  Spread a little "love".

Monday, February 10, 2014

Swoon Worthy Rooms


This time of year when some of us are having cold, snowy, icy weather (which seems to feel like it will never end) it's hard to be cheerful and excited with at least 2 more months of winter to face.  I love to look at colorful, bright, rooms with loads of color and whimsical artwork.  I've selected a few in various styles, modern, traditional, and bohemian.  I hope it will bring a bright spot in your day.  So grab a cup of coffee and dream of warmer, sunnier weather coming soon. (We hope)

House to Home UK

House to Home Co., UK
While not very colorful, I found it very soothing and pretty to look at

House to Home Co., UK

House to Home Co., UK

House to Home Co.,UK

House to Home Co., UK

House to Home Co., UK
I'm not a fan of the color Citron, but I love the bird pillow and bohemian feel of this room

House to Home Co., UK




House to Home Co., UK
This room is bright and even though I don't like the citroen rug I do love the deep purple sofa and the wall paper.

House to Home Co., UK  One of my Favorite room settings.

House to Home Co., UK
I hope this has brightened you day.  Don't forget to leave a comment on my giveaway Here.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Waterlogue

Hello everyone,

It seems that you can always find something new and interesting on Facebook.  A couple of days ago, I found an image a friend on my page had posted using a  technique called Waterlogue.  It is an app designed specifically for IPhones and IPads.  The cost is $2.99 US dollars and works great if you want to give your images taken with your phone a different look... like a painting.

I've had so much fun with this app, taking my photos and using this technique.  I have also used my camera, downloading my images to my IPhone and using this technique.  You can purchase it here:  Waterlogue.  There are several different kinds of finishes you can use for your photos...Natural, Bold, Luminous, Its Technical, Travelogue, Rainy, Illustration, Soaked, Shallow, Color Bloom, Fashionable, and Blotted.  So many option's and you can load photos directly to your Instagram, Twitter, and Tumbir.  I have selected some of my images shown with just my camera and how they look after applying Waterlogue.


This is a photo I took of St. Andrews Bay yesterday
This is the same image used with an app called Waterlogue

Original Picture

Original with Waterlogue Finish 

Original Picture

Original With Waterlogue Finish

Original Picture

Original With Waterlogue Finish 

Original Picture
Original With Waterlogue Finish
Original Picture

Original with Waterlogue Finish

Original Picture

Original with Waterlogue Finish

Original Finish

Image with Waterlogue Finish
So, these are some of the photos that I've used Waterlogue on.  It's a fun app and with all the different types of finishes, you can spend a LOT of your time playing around with this.  LOL

Have a great weekend!




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