PORK ROAST.....This way or That way...

If you have never tried a

Hormel Pork Roast...

You don't know what your missing.

Found in the same area as traditional

pork loins....this chubby little piece of meat

is fabulous.

The best part....the price...

I usually can get one for under $5.00

Publix will on occasion carry them

I can always count on....Yes...I'm going to

admit this....Walmart....

Below are two of my favorite recipes

to make with this fork tender...

perfect for two people...

"I'm hoping it's really from a pig"

piece of meat...

After all Hormel are the people that also

make corned beef hash in a can...

And the Boss' favorite...

Dinty Moore Beef Stew...

Trust me these recipes will not

disappoint...

perfect size for two with some leftovers...
Makes about three portions..

start with one of these.....

Or one of these...
My cooking vessel of choice...

I like to call this
de-constructed Shish-Kabobs....
I love the flavors of a Shish-Kabob
but don't like grilling them and having the
peppers and onions not cooked.
This is a nice way to have the same
taste done in the oven or the crock pot....
You want to have some peppers....I use red...
Green....and yellow peppers...About 1/2 of
a sweet onion...
Of course Pineapple.....and any other
vegetable you might like...I added a zucchini
and Mushrooms...

cut into large chunks...saving the pineapple juice

Cut the Roast into medium size pieces.....

Discarding the schmutz ......
I'm picky..

Toss everything together and sprinkle with
a bit of garlic salt... a splash of Soy Sauce...
Not too much....you don't want it to be overly
salty...You can use fresh diced garlic also...

You add some honey...
Fresh ground pepper...
and Olive Oil..
I buy My Olive Oil at
Whole Foods...
the best bargain in the Whole
Store...
$5.99 for this big bottle...
And it's good!!

After everything is mixed...
finish off with some more honey...
and add some of the
pineapple juice...
You can cook this all day in your
Crock Pot....Or
you can put it all in the Dutch Oven
At 400 degrees for about an hour and
a half....
I prefer the results from the crock pot...
the meat comes very tender...A bit more
firm when roasted in the oven...

Perfect served over yellow rice....

a little heavy handed...
with the parsley :)
And then with the same piece of
Pork...
You can make this...

This is my all time favorite meal...
The Boss actually was the one who
came up with the sauerkraut recipe...

start with the pork roast....
a big jar of sauerkraut...
half an onion...half an apple...any kind.
and a small red skinned potato...
the mustard will be added at the end...

Grate the apple...onion...and potato...

Add to the sauerkraut and it all goes in to the
crock pot....Add water as needed about 3/4 cup....or if I have
it on hand....I will add a juice box of
Apple Juice...
If your not going to be home all day while it
cooks....add a little bit more liquid to the pot.

I have never made this in the oven
But I'm sure it would work out fine...
I would think unlike the shish-kabob...
this would Roast in the oven at a lower temp
for a longer time...

For this I do not trim the Roast...
the little bit of fat gives it great flavor
and will cook off over the time it's in the
crock pot....
I start this in the morning around 10:00 and
by dinner time it's perfect....

I always serve this with Potato Pancakes...
chunky apple sauce...and Creamed Corn...

Look at the color
of the
Sauerkraut...
it tastes amazing...
Before serving you can
stir in some Dijon Mustard...
to the sauerkraut that is...

The only complaint I have with
this meal is that everything
is the same
Color...
Not making for an appealing
plate of food...
So I will never serve it
on a White Plate...
But the Great mix of Tastes...
Make up for the lack
of "Plate Appeal"

Bon Apetit!

HANGING STUFF........take a hammer and nail.

It's been 2 1/2 years since we moved into the
House...and our Master BR has been missing
 something....that extra "touch"
If any of you have a husband like the Boss you will know
that asking them to hang something for you
turns into a big production...
I'm talking....levels...banging on the wall to
find the studs...
hooks that have special dry wall screws...
too much for me to just stand by and watch...
Then the tape measure comes out because he feels
everything needs to be lined up...
do you know how hard that is to do....I mean really...
It can be done but who has the time...
And then you have the magazine suggestions that
 tell you to lay out your "stuff" on the floor before hanging...
Make a diagram on a big piece of paper to see what
is going to go where....
Forgot that...all I use is my eye....
a hammer and a plain old nail....

I happen to have unusually high ceilings
and large furniture and the space behind the bed
just didn't look right....Because of the shape of the
headboard I thought pictures was just not the way to go...

I started by putting some color on the bed
I love the color red...
and the room has bits and pieces of yellow..
Sort of French Nautical....
So to the blues....I added the above...

Don't ask....
I have a thing for Lobsters....
I guess that's fine but in the bedroom???
I have loved lobsters in decorating ever since taking
a trip to Maine with daughter back in 92'

Why not throw in a little French while we're at it
I picked up this dish towel for $5.00 at the
Country Living Fair a few years back
and in five minutes and a little stuffing
turned it in to a lovely pillow...

When we bought out bedroom set it only had one
night stand....I recently moved in this cute little
Red side table to hold my magazines and "Stuff"..
But as you can see above the Bed it still looks...
Blah!!

see my little steps..
yes...there is a story...

When we had new carpet put in the room
a few months ago...."Herb" the 6ft.5"
installer saw the bed and said....
"My mother in law when she visits
needs a step stool to get up on to the
bed because it's so high and she's
so old"
Herb near died the day he finished
the installation and I was helping him put
everything back in the room...He didn't know what to
say when I walked in with my
"old ladies steps"....
I politely said...
"Don't worry Herb not everyone is as
Big as you are"....

Finally I get to the part about
Hanging Stuff...
I decided on Plates...
Not just any plates...
But my Vintage Souvenir Plates
from the 1950's.....
I picked all blue....
From my Favorite places...

the only thing I asked the Boss was....
"Do you mind if I put 7 nails in the wall?"
He said as long as they don't fall on his head
during the night...Hammer Away...
Because he knows that after
43 years....I can hang anything
with just one simple nail....
And nothing every comes down....

I use no Rhyme or Reason...
I just eyeball it...
and hammer in the nail...
I don't even hold up the plate...
It just always seems to work out..
 I always leave room for add ons....

Miss Liberty had to be included....

And my favorite Place to Visit as a Child....
Every summer we would end our
Day at AC by getting
Cold Milk and Hot Cinnamon
Donuts at "Mammy's" on
the Boardwalk before heading
back to the beach house...
I can still taste those Hot Donuts.

Now that looks better!

I still might
Add
a coffee table or maybe
a small trunk in front
of the Sofa...
What do you think?

it's always fun to move things
around too...
She was in my sewing room
and swam in to the Bedroom
to join us for a little while..

two Paris souvenirs...

and now in to
the Man-Cave.

When daughter gave the Dad
these two Album covers for
Christmas...
He got into his usual tizzy about
hanging them
Trying to hang them evenly side by side...
Well.....we still would be trying
to get them to line up...
So I suggested we hang them like this..
Nice don't you think?
Hanging pictures or anything
for that matter unevenly
makes for an interesting space...
As long as you don't leave
big spaces between what ever it is
your hanging...that never looks good...

My on going Gallery Wall....
Same concept...hang un-even...
I try to keep frames that sort of match
Most are from Ikea...
With a few different ones thrown in
for interest...
That picture in gold all the way on the
Left was a Boss addition....
I know it doesn't match...
But it's a autographed picture of
1940's Star....Claudette Colbert in
Cleopatra...
and since she's a favorite of mine...
I let it slide....

But I do wish someone
Would let me know
how in the world do
You
Hang things on steep
Stairs....
when you can no longer
Reach??
Where in the
World do
You Put
The Ladder???

www.astrollthrulife.net

I am linking today at 
A Stroll Thru Life
and Marty's
201st. Inspire Me Tuesday...

AROUND THE WORLD IN 24 HOURS.....Travel inspired my Decorating.

Asked recently what has inspired my
Decorating Style...I simply answered....
"take me on a Trip"....
and let me bring home a boat load of
Souvenirs....
I am the Queen of Souvenirs..,,,
We have been traveling the world for 43 years...
Which leads to my "brief" (yeah right) story
about the Title to this Post....
43 years ago me and the Boss were Airline
Employees working for Mohawk Airlines....
Don't ask....
a small prop plane carrier out of Upstate NY...
we got many a free pass on larger carriers due to the
fact that Mohawk didn't compete with anyone...
I was 20 years old...the Boss 21 when we took our first trip
to Italy....
Time for the trip to be over and to fly back home
TWA....overbooked the flight leaving us
stuck in Rome....
If you have ever tried to board a European Flight
it's like a free for all...
We got bumped.....But being airline "people"
The TWA employee made us an offer
no one would refuse....
We could catch a flight going in the opposite direction....
Making stops all around the world on our way
back to LA.....?
We were told we could get off the plane in every city
they made stops in
until we reached our destination...
A 24 Hour Trip Around the World....
Only problem the Italians couldn't comprehend
how far LA was from NYC....
they thought it was a bus ride...
That's as far as they were getting us...
The airline didn't mind you traveling....But
when it's time to return to work....well...you better show up...
It was a time issue...
At 20 years old.....with $20 left between us....
we passed up the offer....

Fast Forward to today...
Our home filled with treasures of all our travels...
Maps....souvenir plates....furniture....
Globes and National Geographics everywhere....
Photos and posters of Favorite Places....
some people might say a mish mash of
design....
I like to think of it as memories of a 
"Life Well Traveled..."
All around me......Everyday..... to Enjoy and Remember
 the Wonderful times .....
It might not be a cohesive style like a French Theme
which is so popular today....
But My style will never go out of style...

As Typical in a lot of my posts....
There will be a lot of pictures....
 You all know the drill....
before going any further....
get yourself a cup of tea....
and take that bathroom break...
And Enjoy.....
My Little Tour around the world
From Tarpley Place....
and a little bonus....
 our "Home Away From Home...."

Taken with a fish eye lens....
Our Great room...
We have been told how comfortable....
and warm and inviting this space is....
I think so!
It all began on that sofa table with
those Globes....

And they grew from here....
Setting the tone of Traveling
Around the World... 

Of Course.....The Eiffel Tower...
Memories of sitting on the Grand Lawn...
Listening to the "Three Tenors"
Sing live with the Tower as the back drop.
It was the summer of 1998 during the World Cup
and I was sharing this magical moment with
Daughter....
Most incredible moment of my life...
Hearing Luciano Pavarotti sing...
Breath taking....

Framed Travel posters add that
perfect touch of color....

My collection of Peter Mayle books on
Provence....
I have never been but these books remind me
that we need to put that on our list!
Beautiful pine cone bookends....recently
bought online at One Kings Lane....
My favorite place to spend money from
the comfort of my recliner...

My little French Chair with my
Union Jack
pillow.

I love this space....it's Me!

When we travel to Paris the husband
Always makes sure I have flowers everyday...
When I'm home he buys me fresh flowers every week...
That little touch of France to
Make me smile...
That's one thing I love about Europe....no matter what
Time of Year....they have fresh flowers at their
Outdoor Markets...

It was 1970 and we had just gotten married...
Our first trip abroad was to London where the
Boss gifted me with this beautiful
hand painted bone china souvenir plate
of that wonderful city....
it's now
Hung over an authentic English
Hunt Board...

It shows all the landmarks around the city.....
I was Hooked!

Sophie in Paris 2013....
Her start of a family Tradition

Simple as a little post card....
Framed in an Ikea frame...
a souvenir from the Top of the
Eiffel Tower...
And a little teapot given to me as
a gift from a dear friend...

It all began with this camera....
43 years old...
My first Honeywell Pentax....
has been all over the World.....
sitting atop vintage National Geographics

I don't care for boats....but loved
this great Tray....

The Best place to find great travel posters is
Museum Shops...
This one was purchased at the Trocadero in Paris
at their Maritime Museum...
Always a must stop when we are there...
Framed again in an Ikea frame...
My choice for all my frames....You can't
beat the price...

when Guests stay.....a little French
Breakfast in Bed...

"Come to the Sea".....
I bought this set on the Rue Monge near the
Sorbonne when daughter studied
International Law there back in 98'
the little egg cup was purchased at the
Bon Marche'
Wonderful memories of us two girls
living it up in the City of Lights..

I actually managed to squeeze this wonderful
French Market basket in to my luggage....
still don't know how I pulled that one off...
I also fit an entire set of French cookware from the
famous....E. Dehillerin cookware shop....
We still don't know how we passed so easily
through customs...
Oh....did I mention a few iron crepe pans also...
Thank goodness the luggage had wheels..

One of the Boss' favorite travel destinations is
Munich Germany....He has an extensive stein collection...
The DAD sign was made by daughter from
photographs she took traveling through France and
the Netherlands...
Each letter came from some sort of sign she saw...
taking one picture at a time of individual letters
she made name signs for us all...

Maps are cheap to buy and cheap to frame.....
this was just a few dollars...

Even in our guest bathroom.....
Photographs line the walls...
The bicycle is in black and white...
I colorized the basket with a colored pencil....

Daughter also happens to be a wonderful
Artist...
this pen and ink drawing was done after she
visited the top of the Arch D Triomphe

Sophie's room is French inspired using
cartoon posters of Tin Tin....
bought at a Paris flea market for about $1.50 each...
they set the color tone for the room...

Of course Sophie wanted Superman but being a
mini-Francophile she agreed...

But in the end there is no place like home.....
from Paris to New Jersey....
I also love decorating with a
Slice of Americana.....

I love the Statue of Liberty.....

Let her Light the Way....

Our Vintage 1950's New Jersey Map....
or as we refer to it as the Motherland....
Hanging above an English bench dated 1870

to where are roots now grow.....
30152.....Georgia...

And when we aren't in Georgia we are usually
visiting the girls in NYC.....
Daughter and Miss B also love souvenirs....
Forget the actual museums....
You will usually find us all making a run
for the museum gift shops....
Thank goodness the Boss loves to shop too!!

While daughter is off to work and B is off to school....

Miss Kitty....who happens to be a French Cat.....
Enjoys spending her days high above the East River....
among daughter's souvenirs...

Yes....your seeing that right...a huge
Eiffel Tower perched on her dining table.....
Daughter went off to work one day and I
re-arranged her apartment....
Luckily she liked all the changes I made...
last time we visited everything was still in
 place....

book shelves filled with photo's and post cards....
mementos of family trips...
Old cameras.....and travel books...

A framed World War II Red Cross Poster of Paris....
that her grandfather brought back from the war...
And pictures she framed from the street stalls of
Paris that run along the Seine....

a little adorable Indian side table
bought on a recent holiday trip....

Daughter's own slice of Americana.....
using a vintage NYC  subway sign as a headboard...
she Actually found this at Scott's Antique Market
Here in Atlanta.... 

hoping to go on a Safari someday?
she dressed up this Springbok deer  
And Framed Her in
Gold

She gave me the idea of using Travel posters as
Art....

Aren't you all Happy we don't have another House in
France....
The name of this post would be correct...It would take you
24 hours to see all the pictures....

I was not compensated in any way for writing this post....
I was asked by
"One Kings Lane" to write about my decorating
inspirations....
In fact I have no idea why they even asked....
I just thought it would be fun to do so I agreed...
I'm sure they never expected a blogger who
has so much to say....
What can I say....I've been doing this for
43 years!!

Please visit a lovely article HERE @ OKL  on
decorating internationally....
Then sign up to get their daily sales and get hooked on
"goodies".....
that's just my own little suggestion...
every morning when I turn on my computer the first thing
I look for is their e-mail....
To see what I can't live without :)

Bon Voyage!!