3.30.2010

spring fling




I'm busy you see, busy having a 'spring fling'. I'm soaking up the sun, cool breezes and all their glory.

Your saying, "Isn't it always sunny & lovely in Houston?" I'd ordinarily say, "ya'all are right" (I can use the accent now that I'm a Texan resident). Our winter, much like the rest of our United States of America, weather was such that only a clairvoyant would of predicted. Don't get me wrong, I adored breaking out my neglected cashmere and wool but happy once again to bid them ado.

Whilst I should be in the kitchen preparing a meal, planning Easter brunch or my husband's birthday dinner, I dream a little dream of staying out of the kitchen. Instead of the traditonal baked ham, how about letting each one of my guests pick out their favorite box of breakfast cereal in lieu of time spent indoors, in the kitchen? A big bowl of Captain Crunch with crunchberries is rather festive in it's own way, colorful.

So, with the birds now chirping, the skies a bright, brilliant, almost shimmery blue along with temp's back into the glorious 70's, I long to take it all in. For you see Scotland is still on the agenda and those days of lounging by the our grand pool will be only a faint dream.

** I've included a recipe that for at least one evening grants you a reprieve from hours in front of the cooktop. Put it on and forget about it. Incredibly easy & so very tasty. Do hope you'll enjoy. Cheers!









What kitchen would you like to be creating a meal with
Chef Curtis Stone in? And who would not love doing some serious
'cooking' with Curtis?
The only other man who fills out an apron or get's my water-boiling
like Stone is Chef Ramsay;
Am I right or am I right?

Let me know if you like the recipe!

{go forth & live responsibly}

life is fleeting soak up experiences

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photo credits; homesandgardens.com; elleinteriors.com; marieclairemaison.com; designshimmer.blogspot; stylefiles.com; southeraccents, abigailahern.wordpress.com; materialicious.com

59 comments:

A Perfect Gray said...

You, my dear, are divine. Lovely kitchen eye candy and a no-brainer dish. Do we love you, or what...?

La Dolfina said...

Oh it sounds delish... I can't wait to try it :)
Coming from you I know it's a winner!!
Cute post... Love you :)
xo

Anonymous said...

love the green cabinet kitchen!! morning coffee would linger into afternoon tea into evening cocktails in those chairs.
i've had secret fantasies of curtis popping up at my grocery cart, eschewing my yawn yogurt in exchange for some fabulous meal at home using woks, shun knives, and his dimples.
cereal party!!! i'm there with my Kix!! Katie tested, mother approved! woo hoo!

hello gorgeous said...

You are right, of course.

The kitchen for darling Curtis would have a bed in it.

Or at least pillows... I'm not an animal. :-)

Oddly, my teenage daughter (at the time) turned me on to Curtis. Maybe not so odd... after all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right?

Shannon of HAPPINESS IS said...

Oooh, nice collection of images! Glad you're experiencing the lovely Spring sun. I'm experiencing the lovely Spring showers here ;) xo

A Refocused Life said...

What a wonderful kitchen tour. When I see a series of images of a specific room, I'm always amazed at how many different and creative ways people take the same basic furnishings and arrange and decorate to make each room totally unique...all interesting.

Jane said...

ooh Curtis. He is a Melbourne boy you know. Technically Essendon. And I think he has done quite well in the States. Comes across as a bit dense but I like that, and in fact I think he is quite clever. Love all those kitchens, Makes me want to demodernise mine a bit. xoxo

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Must say those stacks of china are a BIG turn on!
Happy Spring dear!
xo

Karena said...

Great images!! The recipe sounds delish! I will definitely try this out!! Fab kitchens!

Karena
Art by Karena

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, I'm in love with that pale green kitchen.

ashlina {the decorista} said...

i love that boy! he is a cutie. those images rock my world...thanks for posting them...

:)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

The hubs and I have cracked up SO many times over how the ladies have to go "freshen up" when they get back to their house after he ambushes them at the grocery store. Too funny!

Brabourne Farm said...

I love the shelves full of plates and the ladder ... why oh why didn't I see this when we were designing our kitchen. Hope you have a lovely Easter. Leigh

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Deb,
First of all, I love the idea of giving the Easter guests a bowl full of cereal !! That's my kind of cooking on a sunny day, although I will attempt the Beef Strogonoff. Actually, I'm quite a good cook so, I don't know why I said that !!
I love all of the kitchens that you have shown, Deb. So much more welcoming than those massive, impersonal, cold, minimalist ones where I'm sure nobody ever cooks and cost a fortune !
How lovely that you are having such glorious weather. Ours has turned cold again and Scotland is having LOADS of snow . I'll have to rethink my wardrobe when we go !!
Wish Graham a very happy birthday and I hope he has the BEST day. After the time you've had lately, I am prescribing lots of good food, copious amounts of alcohol and lots of dancing !!!!
Have fun Deb's. Lots of love. XXXX

Haute World said...

Loving those kitchen interiors! Thanks for the recipe... I"ll try it out when I'm craving something hearty again. Curtis is a great guy... have you seen him in the new Celebrity Apprentice? Not a huge fan of Ramsay unfortunately. I think his TV persona is a little too contrived (he never swore like that before) and the quality of the courses in his restaurants has dropped so much I'm not surprised he's had Michelin stars taken away. His proteges Angela Hartnett and Jason Atherton are still fantastic though!

P.S. Definitely enjoy the warm weather as long as your'e not in Scotland. I heard they're getting snow again this week! ;-)

Mise said...

I like the idea of the breakfast cereal dinner party, and of course it'll be good practice for all the porridge traditionally eaten in Scotland.

Anonymous said...

Daaaaaaahling great news!!!!!!! You've won my competition for $75 worth of Amazon vouchers Woo HOO *kisses* please contact me with your email address so I can send u an e-voucher.
As to this post, I love all these kitchens. I've always liked the look of steel kitchens, but I decided on an all white kitchen and it has a white corian top. It looks way cool and is a pleasure to work in :D (if i worked LOL).
Email me daaahling.
Congrats!!!
HH

Chicago Chic said...

I love this post, enjoy the sunshine! You deserve it! :)

xo
Rachel

Christy said...

Curtis is gorgeous and such a good cook...I'd cook with him in ANY of these kitchens! The one with the picnic table and the pink cushions is calling my name! Hope you have a great rest of your week!

Cashon&Co said...

You are NOT kidding. you saved the best image for last. oy! I'm certain then that you have been watching this lovely boy on Celebrity Apprentice? If he's not cute enough to look at, hearing him talk is even better. AND he cooks! wow!

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

I would hate to admit how often we have cereal for dinner......we just really like it. Thanks for the recipe, it will certainly be better than cheerios! Have a great Easter weekend. XO

Barbara said...

Lucky you....winning HH's Amazon gift certificate!

And yes, he is a hunk and a half. And I don't want to brag but I have a nephew in California who looks just like him!

The Kitchen Witch calls recipes like this one (goodies that are from the 60's) "white trash motherlode".
Which is a compliment! I'm going to post one with veal, coming soon, that is very similar to your stroganoff. Defininetly white trash food!

I redid my kitchen about 4 years ago...very stainless steel and comtemporary when I have a traditional, if islandy, house. I am NOT NOT NOT going to be tempted by these lovely kitchens, esp. kitchen #6.....which MUST be in France. Tell me it is!

And yes, Deb, let them eat cereal!

Averill said...

If Curtis would come and cook for me, I'd do it anywhere -- even my own kitchen! (And I'd clean up!!)

Enjoy the gorgeous weather, Deb. I had lunch outside today and I'm longing to get out of the office this afternoon and enjoy some more of our perfect weather.

Anonymous said...

I think you've got the right idea, Deb! Throw is some Frosted Flakes and I'm there! This is a FANTASTIC roundup of kitchens. There are so many gorgeous ones here, I could never choose just one. Glad you're getting some good weather out your way. We are too - finally!

Sanity Fair said...

I heart the green cabinets with floral shades! That's a kitchen I could stand to eat in! (Notice I didn't say cook.)

DolceDreams said...

I haven't had Beef strogonoff in quite some time, I will have to try your recipe, merci!I love a good kitchen, and they all look dreamy to me...Spring is the best, isn't it!
Nathalie

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Deb
Well firstly happy Birthday to Graham.. I hope he has a wonderful carefree day... just time to spend with you and the family having some much needed 'me' time...

So... Curtis is Australian... one of our own.. I saw him on the Today show and wondered if anyone actually 'got' his sense of humour.. oh well it is a required taste.... speaking of.. I'd love to have that strogonoff .. haven't had it in eons.. might have to pull out some pots and pans... would go down much nicer with some of those Tolix chairs.... actually give the moroccan kitchen and i'll bring the chairs myself....

Hope you have a wonderful Easter... and a bright future whether it be in Scotland or home... If it's home I'm coming over to escape the aussie winter and swim in your pool.. hahaha xxx Julie

*Chic Provence* said...

Love all these kitchens, especially the yellow chairs/chinoiserie, adn the one from MarieClaire that just has all those incredible shelves!! The recipe looks easy and tasty, but as a vegetarian, I won't be trying in :(..
Sooo this Curtis is kind of easy on the eyes, no?

great wonderful post!

xx

Kit

bunny, The Paris House said...

Hi Deb, congrats on winning HH's giveaway! Love all the kitchens in this post, they are all filled with fabulous and unique style!
Have a nice weekend
xoxo

lucitebox said...

We had 70 degrees in Chicago today, too! I was amazing. I'm totally excited about your move--that is if it's going to happen. I think really cool things happen when you shake up every last bit of all of it and begin anew. (Yep. I've been lurking.)

As to the Chef Ramsey--does this mean you want someone to swear at you? Or that you like his "cooking."

I adore the picnic table kitchen, but my back hurts when I think about sitting on those benches for extended periods. Which we'd be doing, Curtis and me, with our martinis and foodie foods.

lucitebox said...

I meant "it was amazing," but I was, too. Riding around on my bike like a young woman.

Alicia said...

Such sugary eye candy and the kitchemns are not too bad either. Oh the only kitchen for Curtis is mine....preferably brekafast thank you.

The Townhouselady said...

Deb- Good for you out enjoying the gorgeous weather. We're drying up today after getting soaked for the last long while. I'm going to sit out back and enjoy the sun and my favorite stray kitties (who I guess are technically our cats as they live in our backyard and we feed them daily).

I love a simple recipe. Sometimes you just don't have the gumption to get gourmet. Actually that's most of the time.

Lastly, thanks for all the inspirational kitchen photos. What eye candy!

Beth Connolly said...

Love the Chinoiserie one with the Chinese ancestor portrait and yellow chairs-brilliant!

La Petite Gallery said...

What a handsome guy, Curtis Stone.

I liked that lilly of the valley roman shade. The port hole windows, the gold chairs,
very nice post. That small kitchen looks like my Daughters kitchen when she lived in NYC, so small.. yvonne

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous post, darling!

Love all these chic kitchens!

xoxox,
CC

Kitty said...

Deb, dahhhling! It's been too long. I am in love with the green kitchen. I just published a comment of yours from last week on Zen of Homekeeping; in case you didn't subscribe to that thread, here it is:
Deb: how marvelous to hear from you! Yes, I think it's weird you like the smell of vinegar. I add a little essential oil to my spray bottle when I use it; when I gave Hubbs the Heisman (thanks Jenni from My favorite and my best for that euphemism), I got rid of all the douchiness around here, so....yeah. I mix in a little lavender oil to freshen it up. Gotta be careful with that, though. The oils can oxidize and stain. XO your Kitty!

annechovie said...

I say give yourself a break and enjoy the long-awaited Spring weather, Deb! Happy Easter to you and yours. xo

Southern Aspirations said...

Definitely enjoy the spring weather! Long time coming! Had to laugh at the recipe as it's strikingly similar to one my mom and grandmother handed down to me. And as for kitchens, while all are lovely, I'll take the Robion sign one!!

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

Dear Deb,
what a fun, witty and charming blog-I absolutely love your writing and I have to say, everytime I see your blog name I have to laugh-Bonwit Teller was our favorite store-the ONLY place to go for really special dresses and coats--loved the lavender bags too. Have a lovely Easter-
best. Barbara

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Deb,
Enjoy all that Spring sunshine. Love all the kitchens here, lots of unique style. This is so funny, believe it or not I was looking for a good Stoganoff recipe this week! Will definitely try this, yes easy peasy is so good!
Scotland will be a big chnage from Texas, but no worries, change can be very good!!
Happy easter weekend,
Mimi

Anastasia Schembri said...

Just love all your images, always such a pleasure to visit with you!
I think you have inspired me to try and stay out of the kitchen this weekend and enjoy the lovely weather we all seem to be having!
Have a very happy Easter!

Beadboard UpCountry said...

I love to cook!!!! Great pictures of kitchens. I might just try that recipe What is it about an AGA I can't resist? I wish I could make it on that!!!!!Happy Easter Deb! Maryanne xo

Slices of Beauty... said...

Definitely the pink kitchen!
Happy Easter.

Unknown said...

You are very lucky!:-)It is still somewhat cool in New York and I can not wait for the sun to shoew up!
I absolutely loved the picture of the kitchen with beautiful green-blue pallet. This color combination is my latest new discovery and I am seriously thinking about doing my new dinining room in the pallet. :-)I am wishing you wonderful Happy Easter!:-)

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

What a fabulous collection of kitchens! I love that striking yet simple table setting and centerpiece in the first pic. And I like your idea of various cereals for an Easter Meal. Why not? If I had to choose between spending hours upon hours preparing food and enjoying the weather outside, I'd choose outside any time!

I know that Easter is a bittersweet time for you Deb, I do hope that you had a lovely Easter weekend. How difficult it must be, being away from your kids, and the loss of Mum. You have such wonderful memories with them, and although things will never be quite the same, just taking the time to think of them today and remember just how wonderful those Easters were can bring such warmth to your day. Hugs, sweetie! -- M

Millie said...

One of my all time faves is a big bowl of good Muesli for dinner - oh bliss!! Curtis is a hunk, no doubt about it. His recipe for Roast Duck with Rosti in the Cooking With Curtis book is beyond divine. I can picture you in a tweed suit & brogues wandering the Scottish moors, tweaking the accent until you get it just right!
Millie ^_^

Porchlight Interiors said...

Too many gorgeous things to comment on in this post but the most outstanding is the wall of green tiles...stunning! Hope you have had a lovely Easter break! Tracey xx

Kellie Collis said...

An AUssie - great choice! x

AJ at OFLBlog said...

Hope you had a lovely, lovely Easter, Deb, filled with pounds and pounds of decadent chocolate, great wine and the super company of family and friends! oxoxo Aj

Renée Finberg said...

great post!

i think the green tile run straight up the wall is fab.

HAPPY EASTER girlfriend!
xx AND HUGS

Tish Jett said...

It is no surprise you are on everyone's favorite's list. Your blog is divine, an escape into a world of fun and beauty.

I remember Bonwit Teller. I loved it. I wonder what went wrong.

Now I shall join your fan club.

Warm regards,
Tish

studioJudith said...

Love all your choices .. . each one has a unique flavour and personal expression.
Though I must say I'm liking those yellow chairs in front of the giant portrait.

I've just broken my chef (aka husband) of a very bad Campbell Soup habit - so, I'll decline the recipe (but know he'd adore it) !


Judith

Anna White said...

Oh I love this post...such an eclectic range of images...all stunning in their own right..love it! :)

My Notting Hill said...

Love that table center piece w/the birds. Great collection of pics - the kitchen w/the blue tiles is beautiful.

International Decor said...

wow! its amazing, thanks

golden house said...

Thank you for sharing this post

Italian corner said...

i love your pretty tastes

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