Mr. Prof designer home

Dear Readers,

After months of contemplation, I’ve decided to say goodbye to my blog.  *sniff, sniff*  I’m finding that blogging about design has settled further down on my priority list…if that’s not been obvious by my lack of posts.  My time is taken up more than ever before…three teens now in the house (delightful so far, but time consuming…lots of eye-to-eye conversations involved that I wouldn’t miss for the world),  ramping up homeschooling of our special needs daughter, and of course, I can’t leave out the two middle girls who need their Mommy’s attention as well. 

I’ll still be decorating obviously, and will forever be rearranging, tweaking, and will continue to be inspired by your projects and pictures.  You can still keep up with what’s going on over here at our fixer farmhouse via Pinterest and Houzz.  I still want to share, but just in a way that works better with my life.  Hopefully I’ll see you over there!  This blog led me into a fun, surprising journey, and I’m so glad you were all a part of it with me.  Thank you!

Love to all,
Rie

I thought I'd shake up the blog a bit with this eclectic boho London flat  Very rock n' roll! There are bohemian elements I totally love such as the netted room divider, the peacock chairs and shabby white floors with painted black diamonds - and other areas where um, I'm not quite so sure, such as the netting around the sink. But one's thing for sure, it's fun, quirky, very personal and perfect for a Friday night!

Shoot Factory Via The aestate

Have a fab weekend and see you Monday!! x

Oh caprese, how I love you. I kinda have a thing for all things caprese, in case you haven't noticed.


So I was, of course, thrilled when I received my recipe for the Burger/Sandwich Swap. Not only was it one of my good friend Jaida's recipes, it was something I've had my eye on every since she posted it. The Balsamic Caprese Panini combines my love of caprese ingredients with the tang of balsamic vinegar and the crunch of crispy bread. I couldn't wait to make it.


Like Jaida, I had some trouble with this sandwich. I used a nice, crusty roll to combat the wetness of the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, but I had forgotten to take the roll out of the freezer before I started cooking so that was problem #1. Problem #2 arose when I got careless. I was patting myself on the back, proud of how well my sandwich was cooking in a skillet with a brick to weigh it down. Then, since everything was going so well, I walked across the kitchen to clean up a bit and the next thing I knew the brick was sliding, taking the top half of the sandwich with it. I managed to salvage the sandwich, and it was positively delicious, but not exactly photogenic. No matter. I had plenty of fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil and I planned to try again for lunch another day.


The photos are attempt #2 and as you can see it was still a mess. Ingredients sliding every which way. This is a messy sandwich, folks. The juicy tomatoes and moisture in fresh mozzarella conspire against you. I tried adding more cheese so I could have three layers to sort of glue everything together, but that didn't work. You could maybe shred the fresh mozzarella instead of slicing it or just make it and deal with the mess.

I made only one modification and that was to swap the oil for a little mayo. I used about 1 tablespoon for my sandwich and mixed it with the balsamic to create a balsamic mayo. Holy yum, folks. Thankfully I had a little leftover to dip my sandwich in. I'm trying to think of other ways to use balsamic mayo, perhaps on a sandwich with some arugula and proscuitto?

Big thanks to Jaida for an awesome sandwich recipe!

Balsamic Caprese Panini
Slightly Modified from Sweet Beginnings
Makes 1 sandwich

4 slices of tomato (I used beefsteak tomatoes)
Salt and pepper, to taste
A splash of balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon mayo
3 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
9 basil leaves, stems removed
2 slices crusty bread
Cooking spray

Sprinkle the tomato slices with salt and pepper. In a small bowl combine the mayo and balsamic vinegar. Stir to combine. Spread half the mayo on each slice of bread (if you have leftover, you can dip the sandwich into it later). Place alternating layers of tomato and mozzarella slices on the bottom bun (2 layers of each). Place the basil leaves on top and top with the other bread slice.

Heat a skillet or panini press over medium-low heat. Spray the pan with cooking spray and place the sandwich in gently. Spray the exposed slice of bread with more cooking spray, then top with a sheet of tin foil. Weigh down the sandwich with a heavy skillet, a brick covered with tin foil (what I used) or a plate with some cans stacked on top. Cook 5 minutes, watching the sandwich carefully as the contents will shift as they cook. Flip over and repeat on the second side.

Cut in half and serve.

'Simply breathtaking' are the only words I can find to describe the San Giorgio boutique hotel on Mykonos, Greece. Congratulations to the team;  Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel and Design Hotels. Book me in!

San Giorgio via Flodeau

How would you describe this hotel in one word?!

I love the combination of chicken and pineapple. I first had it in this summer staple, Pineapple Chicken Salad, and then these delicious Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas. These Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches received rave reviews on my cooking board, so I knew I had to make them.

All I can say is wow. No wonder these were a favorite in Katie's house growing up. They couldn't be simpler yet the flavor is outstanding. Marinating the chicken overnight imparts such great flavor, so don't skip that step. Unfortunately we were out of charcoal so I had to cook these inside on the stovetop. I think the smokiness from the grill would only enhance the flavor. These are definitely a winner. I even strong-armed SP into sharing a second sandwich with me. I couldn't stop thinking about them and almost cried when SP inadvertently took the only leftover sandwich to work the next day. I guess I'll just have to make them again next week.

The only change I made was to add a smear of mayo to the top and bottom buns. I loved the way the marinade on the chicken and the juice from the pineapple mixed with the mayo. I also doubled the recipe so we'd have leftovers for lunch (although obviously not enough leftovers). If you like chicken and pineapple you NEED to make this. Thanks for an amazing recipe, Katie!

Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches
As Seen on So Tasty, So Yummy

2 large boneless skinless breast of chicken
1 large can pineapple rings (8 rings)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 slices provolone cheese
4 hamburger buns or kaiser rolls
A smear of mayo

Pound out the chicken breasts and slice each into two pieces. Combine the juice from the pineapple can, soy sauce, brown sugar and mustard. Marinate the chicken overnight in the the juice mixture.

Prepare your grill. Grill the chicken for 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Add the cheese with 3 minutes left. While the chicken is grilling, add the pineapple rings halfway through, turning once. Smear some mayo on the buns, then top with a piece of chicken and two pineapple rings each.

The last few weeks have been the busiest I’ve had in just ages.

So….what has been happening since I was here last.

We celebrated Aidan’s 4th birthday at their house on the 20th – we went and visited early in the day because I wanted to enjoy Aidan before I started the day and didn’t know how I would feel being I had the procedure the day before.

That little boy is such a delight – he gets so tickled out of everything.
He has this thing with my camera…will not leave it alone and takes tons of pictures when he gets it in his little hands….so we bought him his own digital camera – Fischer Price makes a child friendly digital camera.
We couldn’t have gotten a better gift – along with some clothes and a toy…he was a pretty happy little boy.
 

He’s showing grandpa the ultra-sound pictures of baby Miranda

And shortly we will be greeting baby Miranda into the family…if she doesn’t go into labor by Sunday night the Dr. is taking her on Monday and inducing labor…he doesn’t want to let her go any longer being she’s a high risk.

 

My brother and his wife came over on Sunday and we went to the Elkhorn flea market – it is held at the fairground and it’s huge!  We arrived at 7 when it opened and left at 1 – I honestly can’t believe I held up that long but like I said at the beginning – just loosing a bit of the pain gives me more energy – oh, that  and 2 Vicodin helped…

Here are a few goodies I found.
This tin of really old and vintage buttons is large (a 14 inch tin).
I saw tons of vendors selling jars of them from $5 to $20 – which to me is way out of line.  Then I saw this tin and saw that there were very few buttons I could use for my projects.  She had $5 on it and I said it was a good price but I could use but a few in there and she said take it for $3.  Oh yes…I did take it.  I came home and put them in a bucket with Pine-sol and soaked them overnight – the water was about the color of this blog background.  But they smell good now!
 

Love my drying rack – it has original blue paint on it and she was asking $18 – I got it for $16.

Now this bowl is large – it’s about 9 inches high and 15 inches wide. I really don’t think it’s old – probably a reproduction as she has $28 on it…I got it for $24.  but I loved the size and the Aqua blue ring instead of the other ones I’ve seen with Royal Blue

Remember the peaches I bought at the rummage sale a couple weeks ago for .10 each?
They look quite real sitting in the bowl don’t you think?

Loooove this hanging basket – I will put greens and a candle in it for Christmas

 

So what’s next…Oh yes…Monday we went to Madison for the Wholesale Cash and Carry show.
I bought a couple things to re-sell at the show as long as they are handmade

Bought two of these fabric bags  - I’ll add some Sweet Annie in the pocket

One vendor has put out a line of woven table squares and table cloths…they aren’t as nice as FHW’s but they are nice.
This one will be used on one of my display tables at the show.  It’s a nice 52 x52

And these adorable mini bowls…hand made by one hyper little gal.
I didn’t intend to buy 3 – let alone all with Red but she had them in the bag before I could say anything.
But at .25 cents each they were staying they were hard to pass up.
I use these small bowls for rings and earrings and my vitamins so it’s okay that I have them.

The 2 Mercury ornaments were a find at the flea market

I bought 2 of these wood over the door candle holders for the show to display my candles that I wrap with flax and jute.

And I can’t get by without some Black Crow Candles…I bought 2 with a Christmas scent for the show – candles never sold well for me so I’m just trying 2 for the first show.

I finally got some Sweet Annie in the wall box that I bought at the rummage sale a few weeks ago.

When it was time for my brother and sil to leave on Sunday Gene gave me something – he knew I’d love it and cherish it.
It’s my grandparent’s marriage certificate.
Dated June 21, 1911 – he gave it to me June 25, 2012…it’s 101 years and 4 days old!
It’s in sad condition so I want to get it framed (and hopefully they can clean it also)

Oh, one more thing…I started a new blog for KM Primitives – It’s in the process but it would be great if you would follow me and add me to your blog list on your sidebar so that when I get it up and running completely it will be more noticed.
http://kmprimitives.blogspot.com/
I have categories and will add products as I make new designs. I’m having a devil of a time getting Paypal  set up and products on.

Blessings,

Karen

You'll have definitely seen this home floating around the blog world. But I am particularly excited and have more reason than most to show this fab home - I know the owners! They are a wonderful, fun and talented family. She's a designer with her own Copenhagen based company and he's an architect which explains all the fantastic renovation. They really haven't lived there that long and they've done absolutely loads; including an all white canvas, new plywood stairs, kitchen cabinets and shelving units among other things. All in all they've turned it into a fun, beautiful, sunlight drenched home and guess what? It's for sale!!!.....

Bo-laget

 I'm already excited to see what they do in their next home!

Will it be plywood again? Plywood is definitely the interior material for 2012, but what do you think of it?