living room remix

I'm calling this a living room remix because nothing is new. Everything is the same just moved around a bit. The walls got a fresh coat of BM Simply White. The pictures below are what the room looked like when I started blogging.

^the room slowly evolved to this, above

Before you see what the room looks likes now, I'd like to credit two bloggers in helping this room change. The first is Joni at Cote De Texas She showed my kitchen when she did one of her "Readers Homes" post. I asked her for advice on the living/dining room and she most graciously agreed. She is the sweetest, most thorough person. She analyzed the room and gave me great, detailed advice. I was unable to make the purchases she suggested but I got the point she was making with continuity, balance and scale. I used what I had on hand and I couldn't be happier with the results. I feel the rooms now relate to the heart of the home which is the kitchen.

Secondly I'd like to credit Daryl at Vermont Cottage for challenging me to remove 100 items from my home. I didn't think it would be possible, but it was and it was easy. I think the space looks less crowded and I'm left with what I truly love instead of just items taking up space. Thanks Daryl.

Can you see how the rooms now relate. I feel so much better about them now. Below are a few details that now stand out.

^above, 120 year old floorboards

^wood grain

^pencil etchings

I hope you like the changes because I do!

EASY soup

I have been getting emails asking for recipes so instead of posting my weekly menu, today I'm going to post what is perhaps the easiest soup recipe I have ever made. I got the recipe from http://www.vegetariantimes.com/ but made a few changes. If you can use a can opener then you can make this soup. There is no chopping, measuring or pureeing involved. You don't even add spices. Each serving packs a whopping 19 grams of protein. It makes a huge batch so it's perfect for this time of year. You can bring it to a potluck or share it with a neighbor. It's a spicy soup so if you need to mellow it out, just add a dollop of sour cream or cut back the enchilada sauce and use a little vegetable broth instead. But I think it is perfect just the way it is. I serve it with slices of fresh avocado on top and crusty french bread.

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green chili soup

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1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can garbanzo beans

1 28 oz can cut tomatoes w/juice

1 30 oz can green enchilada sauce

1 cup unsweetened pumpkin

s & p

Spray a soup pot with non-stick spray. Add rinsed beans and tomatoes, heat through. Add enchilada sauce and pumpkin, heat through. s & p to taste. I used about 2 t of salt and 1 t of pepper.

Once you make this you will see all the possibilities that can be added or substituted. I hope you enjoy this easy soup during this busiest month of the year.

shopping

The day before Thanksgiving I found 6 of these darling English ironstone dessert/salad plates at the Salvation Army for $1 each. I thought they looked perfect for my Thanksgiving table. Since I will be at work today, I'm wishing you all happy shopping. Be brave!

thanksgiving menu

What exactly does a vegan eat on turkey day? The answer is, really, really good clean food. Food that is colorful, healthy and delicious. Food that digests easily and that you feel good eating because you know that no animals were harmed in order for you to enjoy this day of gratitude.

menu

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pumpkin soup with roasted pepitas

garden lettuces with apples, dried cranberries and pecans

wild rice rissoles with mushroom gravy

roasted garlic mashed potatoes

fresh green beans

cranberry orange relish

whole wheat rolls

blueberry apple pie

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

dining room evolution

When I started blogging this is what my dining room looked like (below.) The major renovations to the house had been done and I just filled up the rooms with my stuff, wanting it to feel like home. But I've never felt as if the living room/dining room related to the rest of the house, mainly the kitchen. When you walk in the front door, since there is no formal entryway, you are standing smack dab in the middle of these two rooms and you look right into the kitchen. I love the kitchen, it's white and spare and perfect in my eyes. So again, wanting the two rooms to flow I went ahead and painted the rooms BM Simply White which is the color of all the moulding in the house. Then I went through and removed a bunch of clutter, leaving only what I truly love. While it is by no means perfect, I like it so much better and I feel it is now more "me."

The room slowly evolved to the this, below

this is what it looks like this morning

Next week I will post pictures of the living room as there are a few details left to finish. So that's it. Not a big change, but for me I feel so much more relaxed in the space. Do any of you feel uneasy when you are sitting in one of your rooms and it's just not right? I was really dreading this project because in essence, the rooms were fine and I knew the change would be subtle, but I'm SO glad I did it and it's over (for now!)

"There is relief in imperfection." ~Darryl Carter

menu monday*

While my living room is a disaster and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it, I'm going to have a little fun in the kitchen this week. We went out for dinner saturday night to a local Mexican/Yucatan restaurant called Casa Maya. They make delicious potato and avocado empanadas. I'm going to try and re-create the recipe using Pepperidge Farm puff pastry which happens to be vegan. Also, I'm making a sundried tomato and faux sausage calzone. I'm also going to work on a wild rice casserole w/seitan. So here's to a little fun.

monday

sundried tomato & sausageless calzone

garden lettuces

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tuesday

asian stir fry with tofu, vegetables & crushed peanuts

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wednesday

potato & avocado empanadas with balsamic reduction

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thursday

spicy black bean tacos w/peach salsa

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friday

oven roasted eggplant w/orzo

garden lettuces

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saturday

gardenburgers w/oven roasted red bliss potatoes

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sunday

split pea and carrot soup

cornbread

*not a single animal was harmed in the making of this food

beige

Beige is atmosphere. It's bisque, it's ivory, it's cream, it's stone, it's toast, it's cappuccino. It's, well, it's magic. ~Albert Hadley

(That beautiful quote being said, my living room is in the process of being painted. Everything is a mess and I'm almost sorry I started this project. Arghhh!)