That Tray ... And A Hide

Picking up where I left off regarding all things interior design - or not ...

One of my guilty pleasures prior to moving to the UK was watching practically every show on the Bravo TV channel.  When we moved I told myself, "Self, you are above Bravo TV, leave that smut behind, explore the treasures to be found in this new old world."  Guess what?  I couldn't leave it behind.  A little research revealed that my favourite Bravo TV series could be purchased for a few bucks on iTunes.  Money well spent.  This season Bravo TV premièred Million Dollar Decorators and I bought it.  The show profiles five well known interior designers from Los Angeles, CA one of which is Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.  Hold that thought ...

As well as keeping up with the American smut TV I also purchased the DVDs from eBay and have been watching the 1st season of a British TV drama from the 1970s called Upstairs Downstairs.  This series is set in the townhouse of 165 Eaton Place in Belgravia, London in the early 1900s.  The show follows the lives of the Bellamy family that owns the house and lives "upstairs" and their servants who live "downstairs". Think The Young and the Restless and you've got it.  Hold that thought ...

On last weeks episode of Million Dollar Decorators Martyn Lawrence-Bullard travels to London with representatives from the interiors sale website One Kings Lane for a shopping trip for items to be sold on their site.  (An amusing as always review of the episode was written here by my friend Raina Cox from the blog "If The Lampshade Fits":  http://curbed.com/archives/2011/07/06/episode-six.php.)  One stop during this shopping trip is at what ML-B refers to as being a designer's secret in London, Alfies Antique Market. I think the word "secret" is a stretch since even Frommer's England travel guide mentions Alfies, but no biggie.  While at Alfies ML-B finds a tray he is going to buy not for the One Kings Lane sale, but for his client Elton John.  ML-B thinks it will be perfect for one of Elton's ottomans.  (Elton and I have babies about the same age.  My Mother hopes he and I will end up in a Kindermusik class together with the boys. I think it is sure to happen.)  Hold that thought ...

So, I'm watching an episode of Upstairs Downstairs and what do I spot, but a very familiar looking tray -

Oh my gosh!  ML-B bought an Upstairs Downstairs tray for Elton!  Score!

Now you can process all the thoughts you've been holding.  One last visual from Upstairs Downstairs.  Look at that hide draped on the sofa. Covet.  I do.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Caused by discovering all new decor magazines from the UK during my recent house hunting trip in England -

Further enhanced by finding this treasure left in the seat back pocket in front of me on my flight back to Indianapolis -

A Change In Plans

There has been a change in plans.  I've started another blog.  I know!  I know!  I haven't even done what I set out to do with this blog which was to document the remodel of our current house.  I promise I will follow through on that in the next month.  Until then, please visit me here:  http://achangeinplans.blogspot.com/

Better Late Than Never

My favorite "HAPPY NEW YEAR" television scene -

Designing Women - Bernice - Happy New Year!

Chile-Cheese Rice

Logan's preschool had a luncheon for the teachers today. Parents were asked to volunteer to do one of the following:
1)  Stay in the classrooms with the kids for an hour while the teachers were at the luncheon
2)  Prepare a dish for the luncheon
3)  Do nothing
Since I normally do nothing and am much more the chef type and much, much less the preschool teacher type I volunteered to bring a side dish. I made Chile-Cheese Rice from the Grant Corner Inn Cookbook that I've written about before. The rice was great! All but one serving was left in the casserole dish when I went to pick it up this afternoon and I had a teacher ask for the recipe. So, I thought I'd share -

========================================================================

Chile-Cheese Rice

1 bunch scallions, most of green tops removed, finely chopped

1 jalapeno chile, finely chopped

½ stick butter

3 cups cooked white rice

1 ¼ t salt

1 ½ cups sour cream

2 cups (8 ounces) cubed Monterey jack cheese

2 cans (4-ounce) chopped green chiles, drained

½ cup (2 ounces) grated Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 2-quart casserole dish.

In a small sauté pan sauté scallions and jalapeno in butter until softened. Stir into cooked rice; add salt, sour cream, cubed Monterey jack cheese and green chiles. Pour into prepared casserole dish; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese topping is melted and casserole is bubbly.

Serves 8.

========================================================================

This recipe would also be good with cooked and cubed chicken breast mixed in casserole-style.  I am going to make it again this weekend and serve it with Cilantro-Lime Shrimp.  Yum!