PROJECT: Knobs

 With over a dozen doors, this home had just as many different door knobs.   Current project is removing the all discombobulated handles & replacing with aged/antiqued bronze knobs, handles, locks, & levels.


Let the restoration begin!

A Reuben (the wrong way good)

Since the grocery stores across the nation are against the idea of me making a proper reuben, I have successfully & continually substituted pastrami & rye (if making it the wrong way good).

The proper way to make a Reuben is to use corned beef & pumpernickel.

 

Tonight, we lucked out with pumpernickel & rye swirl bread!

Freeze the bread (I typically keep my bread in the freezer, just 'cause).
Smear thick layer of butter on each slice of frozen bread.
(8 slices, making 4 sandwiches)
Drain 1 can of Frank's Sauerkraut
Open 1 package of deli sliced corned beef (or pastrami if making it the wrong way good)
Open 1 package of sliced swiss cheese
Open bottle of thousand island dressing

Heat griddle ~350ish

Throw on 'kraut
Throw on corned beef (or pastrami if making it the wrong way good)
Keep on the griddle only long enough to heat.  Do not fry or cook the deli meat, otherwise it'll get all rubbery and nasty crunchy, which is definitely the wrong way and not at all good.

Remove from griddle & place in bowls near by.

Place the slices of bread, thick butter side down, on to the griddle.
Dollop of dressing on each slice.
Slice of swiss on each.
Then hot 'kraut on one side & hot corned beef (or pastrami if making it the wrong way good)

If you have any left over cheese slices, throw them on!
Keep on griddle until bread is golden & the cheese is melted.
Flip the corned beef (or pastrami if making it the wrong way good) covered slice onto a 'kraut covered slice.

Set aside to cool just a bit.

Slice diagonally, because your husband will think that is fancy.

Serve with a side of dressing for dipping & pickles. 

Enjoy!  We did!

Deviled Chix!

My friend Ginny facebook-posted this instagram-picture of foods from a recent potluck she attended.  After Pinteresting this, I learned that Ana made these; Ana rocks!

What an adorable idea!  

Suggestions for eyes: peppercorns, capers, poppy seeds, caraway seeds, bacon-bits etc.

The eyes are dried chives & the beaks are carrot slivers!

Blustery Day Roasted Garlic & Acorn Squash Soup

A blustery cold day, calls for roasted garlic & acorn squash soup. Roast garlic in the cavity of the acorn squash. 3 squash, 2 garlic heads a little olive oil: roast 350F for 45min 'til garlic & squash edges are golden. Let cool. Boil 2 cups water, 1 peeled potato, 3 celery stalks & 1/2 red onion finely diced all to boil 'til mushy. Stir in 2 cups beef broth, roasted squash innards, and roasted garlic. Let simmer 30min. Dash smoke paprika, dash nutmeg, 1tsp montreal steak seasoning, 2tsp dried thyme. Served w/ dollop sour cream. Wine pairing: Apothic White.

Tucking the garlic cloves inside the squash while roasting.

 Kept it rustic by mashing with potato masher instead of blending.

 

Updated:  Re-runs got fancied up by mixing in chopped fresh spinach, topped with shredded colby, dollop sour cream, & handful of roasted pistachios!  SOUPER Yummy!!!!

 

Packing / Unpacking - Reuse Reuse Reuse Reuse

Yep! Petra's Projects is back online & have we got ourselves some projects!!!

Before we dive into the many restore/upgrade/renovate projects, we must unpack.  That's right, we've moved again.  This time we've moved back to a house that we have lived in before & still have dreams of bringing this poor thing back to life again with a lot of love, (& paint, & hardware, & electrical, & windows, & doors, & stained glass, & flooring, &, &, &, &, ...)   Yet, again I am distracted!

Must unpack!
Packing materials can be expensive & I learned during my previous move, that sometimes the packing materials are not accepted in local recycling programs.  (bummer).  So, this time I used paper towels & paper bags to wrap & pack all my breakables.  Very inexpensive compared to packing papers.   AND everything I used is reusable, recyclable (in my area), & compost-able!

Reusable, Recyclable, and Compost-able!

I picked up a couple packages of paper lunch bags at the dollar store & now have lunch bags for lunch, puppets, gift wrapping, etc.

I picked up a bulk package of paper towels at Costco & now have towels, napkins, water-colorable butterfly wings, etc.

I stopped by my local grocery & purchased a 50cnt bundle of grocery bags for $2 & now have recycling containers, thick crafting paper, postal wrap, gift wrap, etc.

We will have plenty of crafting supplies by the time packing is complete!