Sew Busy!

Today I want to share with you  the ABC artwork I made for my son's small playroom. Its been a good addition because he knows the letters ABC already...

Summer, Baby and Goings on!

We are hoping to go skating today, fingers crossed. First skate of the season. But I've got to be honest, I'm really missing summer. I love BBQ season, roller blading, floating down the bow and walk by the river at Edworthy Park. A bit nostalgic today.
It's only a few months right??
In other news, my son seems to love butter and cooking! He saw me using it for some cooking, and says "budda", soo cute! He loves to mix in random things like uncooked lentil or bread crumbs into a water base and calls it "ca ca" meaning cooking. We let him do his cooking while we cook. We get work done, while he plays kitchen. We have started to use only butter at our house after my  friend suggested an article that I reads about the way margarine is made. We obviously try to use it in extreme moderation, it does have lots of fat.
Thought you know about the everyday stuff around here,
see you soon,
Ameera

J'adore Home 4: Room Dividers

Why are room dividers on my mind? I saw a DIY version using old records and contact paper and thought this was an ingenius idea. Some room dividers are art in itself, no need for a painting when your room is divided by a beautiful lattice or an industrial style bookcase.

Refinished Vintage Chest of Drawers

Today is a blistery - 27 and feels like -30 in Calgary Alberta. This type of weather is expected for the whole week!!! The weather comes as no surprise to us because this was marked as one of the coldest winters and thus far, we Calgarians have been spoiled with warm temperatures above 0. I am looking forward to lots of evenings at the pool in Cardel Place while the manageable weather comes around this weekend.

But back to the original reason for this post! Remember that chest of drawers I scored for free to practice my staining techniques. Well I completed the work over the last few weeks and wanted to give you a peak at the new look. But before I get to the after pictures, let me tell you the whole story!

Metro Mix Great Room Design

I've finally completed the mood board for my brother's apartment in Downtown Calgary.
His great room is entirely open concept with the dining room, living room and front entry melding into one another. As a result, we have to use coordinating colour schemes throughout.

Lentil Soup served with Rice

Lentil Soup is also known as Daal in the East Indian Culture. Lentil soup can consist of a variety of lentils including split peas and beans (channa daal or mung beans). suffice it to say, the recipe is consistent for most beans and the same steps can be followed.
The night before I want to make lentil soup, I always soak the beans in water. I will say that if you would like to make this recipe, then be sure to read it all the way through before making it because it is a step-by-step process and a few ingredients are saved for later.

For this recipe you will need:
2 cups of Masoor Daal (presoaked from the night before)
3-4 cups of water
1/4 cup Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Prefried Onions

1 tbsp Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Garam Masala
1 tbsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp saltThatka

1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp curry leaves (optional)

1. In a Dutch oven, add 2 tbsp of oil and prefried onions. Fry for 1 min.
2. Add Red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and coriander powder and fry spices for 1 min.
3. Add Presoaked Daal and cover with a fresh batch of water just until the beans are covered. Add salt to taste. Bring to a boil, and simmer for another 40-60 mins until the flavours are melded and a medium consistency is achieved.
4. Finally, heat one tablespoon of oil to a small saucepan. Sprinkle cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Next add curry leaves and fry for another 10-20 secs. Add the Thatka mixture to the simmering Daal  and cook for 2-3 mins.
5. And Voila! this is your Lentil Soup. This can be served alongside rice and potatoes (which is what we do most of the time) or serve it alongside some crackers or buttered toast as a hearty soup.

This recipe brings us to the end of the Expected Party's Cuisine Week Series. Thanks for joining me, it was really eye opening on how hard it is to blog everyday, I really have to give credit to those of you bloggers who do blog every day! Its more than a full time job to say the least. I'll be back in a few days with a moodboard for another space that I am working on right now.
See you soon,
Ameera 

 

No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars

The fourth recipe of the Expected Party Cuisine series is packed full of energy and protein, perfect for a midday pick me up!

Dinner is served!

The following meal is easy on the wasteline and the tastebuds. One of my absolute cuisines is Meditteranean, especially because they have so many salads. Its just so refreshing to eat raw salads flavoured with wonderful dressings! On this note, I want to share with you my recipe for marinated Drumsticks with Meditteranean Quinoa Salad.

Todays recipe is for a fantastic Breakfast Smoothie...

Whoops! One day Late but you'll have to forgive me, I've been helping my brother with sectional shopping! I'll be showing you the moodboard next week, I havent quite completed it yet!

Enough about that, and let's get on to Cuisine Week!

"Drop of Heaven" Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Here it is... the cookie recipe that I made four times in December! Its that good!

I'm Back!!!

Woweee! These past few weeks flew by. I've been MIA on here but definitely fully invested at home. Even over the holidays, I got lots done. Apart from baking, cooking and spending time with family, I found time to complete the free dresser that I scored, and the second coat on the living room mantel, some DIY ABC artwork and the DIY headboard. Footboard is pending.