Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Give the Gift of Steak and Espresso-Infused Salt to the Foodie Who Has Everything


Stumped by what to give your favorite foodie this holiday season? Surprise them with premium steaks and Espresso Brava Salt. The Snake River Farms "Steak and Espresso Brava Salt" holiday package pairs succulent Wagyu sirloin steaks with a distinctive fusion of espresso and coarse sea salt, lending to the steaks a smooth, rich coffee flavor that is pronounced but not overpowering.


The "Steak and Espresso Brava Salt" package includes six, hand-trimmed, 4-ounce petite sirloin steaks and a 4-ounce container of Espresso Brava Salt. This gift package, designed for the epicurean in your life, is priced at $100 and includes cooking instructions and serving suggestions. To purchase, go to http://store.snakeriverfarms.com/ or call 877.736.0193.Media Contact: Lisa Helderop 503.546.7883 lisa@lanepr.comhttp://www.facebook.com/SnakeRiverFarms http://twitter.com/snakeriverfarms"The 'Steak and Espresso Brava Salt' gift package is truly designed for the person who loves cooking, serving and eating the very best food available," said Kristin Thornton of Snake River Farms. "We hand selected the Espresso Brava Salt to create a unique cooking experience that brings out the intense flavors of our Wagyu beef sirloin steaks, which can handle the espresso flavor. After the party, the salt can also be used for sweet applications such as in brownies and even sprinkled on chocolate ice cream."About Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Featured on the menus of prestigious restaurants around the world, Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef was once available only to the highest-level chefs. Snake River Farms Wagyu cattle are raised along the high plain of the Snake River in Eastern Idaho. The family-owned business began more than a decade ago with a small herd of Wagyu cattle from the Kobe region of Japan. The Wagyu bulls were crossed with premium American Black Angus to form a proprietary herd that has developed into one of the finest groups of Wagyu/Angus cross cattle in the U.S. The beauty of Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef is its simplicity. It has been slowly raised from the best livestock for succulent flavor and extreme tenderness. Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef is often called the "Butter Knife Beef" because it is so tender you can cut it with a butter knife.

Media Contact: Lisa Helderop 503.546.7883 lisa@lanepr.com




Feng Shui Money Trees


In feng shui, money trees are one of the main symbols of wealth.


Plants: In feng shui, money trees are plants with thick and fleshy leaves of a circular shape (the so-called succulents). To strengthen the talisman, attach coins and notes to the leaves, or put them in the pot. Avoid placing the plant next to cactuses, as this can lead to the following situation: the wealth is there, but it�s complicated by problems that are as sharp as cactus spines.A rain of gold coins is one of the favorite themes in Chinese art, which is often depicted in Chinese paintings. This money symbol works on the following principle: like attracts like, and money attracts money. The amulet can come in an array of options, including live plants, artificial commercial charms, and hand-made talismans. In this article, we will discuss and advise on each type.An ancient Chinese legend tells about a tree with gold coins on its branches: when it�s shaken, gold coins fall to the ground like drops of rain.Placement: Whichever type of wealth symbol you choose, it needs to be placed properly. One of the popular areas is the southeast or northwest section of a living room, or any other room in your home. Alternatively, the talisman can be placed near the home or office entrance.Commercial: You can also find nice commercial items. A popular example is money trees that stand on gold bars, and have gold coins on their branches (the material can be anything, as long as it�s painted in a gold color). Ancient feng shui texts refer to a tree that stands on a gold bar, which shows a dragon and phoenix. This symbol is more potent than the one in a pot. Another option is the tree that has its leaves made of precious stones, such as jade or carnelian. And finally, you can find the trees with peaches instead of coins. These give many years of happy life. A peach is a symbol of longevity, spring, love, and happy relationships. To find a soul-mate or improve your current relationship, put it in the southwest section of your room.Having made a few branches, twist them together to make them look like a tree. The trunk can be wrapped with foil or painted with a gold or silver paint. Place the construction in a flowerpot and secure with play-dough. Your work and creative energy will definitely lead you to success.There are many ways to create feng shui money trees with your own two hands. You can glue coins onto a photo of a tree (preferably a strong and beautiful one like oak or sycamore). You can sew banknotes (rolled in tubes and tied with red ribbons) onto tree-embroidered fabric. You can put a dragon in the branches, attach a motto on the trunk, or put three red lights at its base, etc. In Feng Shui, they traditionally place an image of an owl onto the tree - this symbol of wisdom will save you from wasteful investments.

Placement: Whichever type of wealth symbol you choose, it needs to be placed properly. One of the popular areas is the southeast or northwest section of a living room, or any other room in your home. Alternatively, the talisman can be placed near the home or office entrance.




Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Chef Jack Lee Catering Agency Launches $100 Lobster Egg Roll


LOS ANGELES -- Chef Jack Lee Catering, also known as Chinoise Cuisine, www.ChefJackLee.com, today announced its latest menu highlight: the one-of-a-kind $100.00 Lobster Egg Roll.


Lee started the firm after managing the Hotel Bel Air’s culinary program, out of which his restaurant staff led meals for events such as the Million Dollar Baby Oscar Party.Chef Lee’s concept: Bring the Five-Star restaurant experience to the comfort of his client’s home, in turn allowing his staff the flexibility to present a customized menu.About Chef Jack Lee CateringTo learn more about Chef Jack Lee Catering, visit the company’s WEBSITE HERE: www.ChefJackLee.comFollow Chef Jack Lee Catering:The dish comprises succulent Maine Lobster, rare Shark Fin, julienne baby carrots, Shitake mushrooms and wild Taro root, coupled with fresh raspberry and a 2009 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc and Bird Nest (Caviar of the East) infusion, and topped for a perfect finish with Sveruga caviar. Cooked over 8 hours of braising, it’s ready to serve.“We are really excited to launch this new special item to our collection,” says Chef Lee. “Clients have come to expect originality in our creations that make for a lasting impression.”The company’s founder, Chef Jack Lee, immigrated to the U.S. over 25 years ago. Since then, Lee says he always knew he would start his own firm. After arriving in the states, he named himself after his favorite actor, Three’s Company’s Jack Ritter.Chef Lee is confident this $100 Lobster Egg Roll will beautifully complement the Euro-Asian infused menu.Chef Jack Lee Catering is a full service catering company specializing in off-premise events. Signature menu items feature pistachio-crusted veal chops, lobster ravioli, filet of Kobe beef with Foie Gras, Chinoise Bouillabaisse and much more. The catering firm has managed events for the Oscars, Golden Globes, and international venues. Oprah, Barbra Streisand, and Quincy Jones are a few of their clients.www.Facebook.com/ChefJackLeewww.Youtube.com/ChefJackLee888www.Twitter.com/ChefJackLeePhotos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6837795&lang=en“We love having Chef Jack Lee in our home because his menus are always served with a personal touch. His cooking demonstrations really engage our guests,” says actress Roma Downey and husband/producer Mark Burnett.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6837795&lang=en




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Chef Jack Lee Catering Agency Launches $100 Lobster Egg Roll


LOS ANGELES -- Chef Jack Lee Catering, also known as Chinoise Cuisine, www.ChefJackLee.com, today announced its latest menu highlight: the one-of-a-kind $100.00 Lobster Egg Roll.


About Chef Jack Lee CateringChef Jack Lee Catering is a full service catering company specializing in off-premise events. Signature menu items feature pistachio-crusted veal chops, lobster ravioli, filet of Kobe beef with Foie Gras, Chinoise Bouillabaisse and much more. The catering firm has managed events for the Oscars, Golden Globes, and international venues. Oprah, Barbra Streisand, and Quincy Jones are a few of their clients.Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6837795&lang=en“We are really excited to launch this new special item to our collection,” says Chef Lee. “Clients have come to expect originality in our creations that make for a lasting impression.”The company’s founder, Chef Jack Lee, immigrated to the U.S. over 25 years ago. Since then, Lee says he always knew he would start his own firm. After arriving in the states, he named himself after his favorite actor, Three’s Company’s Jack Ritter.The Los Angeles-based catering firm manages off-site culinary events for celebrities and private parties.The dish comprises succulent Maine Lobster, rare Shark Fin, julienne baby carrots, Shitake mushrooms and wild Taro root, coupled with fresh raspberry and a 2009 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc and Bird Nest (Caviar of the East) infusion, and topped for a perfect finish with Sveruga caviar. Cooked over 8 hours of braising, it’s ready to serve.www.Facebook.com/ChefJackLeewww.Youtube.com/ChefJackLee888www.Twitter.com/ChefJackLeeFollow Chef Jack Lee Catering:“We love having Chef Jack Lee in our home because his menus are always served with a personal touch. His cooking demonstrations really engage our guests,” says actress Roma Downey and husband/producer Mark Burnett.Lee started the firm after managing the Hotel Bel Air’s culinary program, out of which his restaurant staff led meals for events such as the Million Dollar Baby Oscar Party.Chef Lee is confident this $100 Lobster Egg Roll will beautifully complement the Euro-Asian infused menu.Chef Lee’s concept: Bring the Five-Star restaurant experience to the comfort of his client’s home, in turn allowing his staff the flexibility to present a customized menu.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6837795&lang=en




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

You steam-bake a chicken inside a clay sculpture - or ham - recipes


Cracking open the clay cloak is the first part of enjoying Beggar's Chicken, a showy entree served in Chinese restaurants around the world. The second part is indulging in the fragrant, moist bird that steam-bakes inside its own clay pot.


You can shape the meat in clay a day ahead, then cover with wet towards and plastic wrap and refrigerate until baking. Chicken Baked in ClayAccording to Chinese fable, this dish earned its name from a pauper who was so hungry he wrapped a feathered bird in mud and threw it into his campfire. The results were so succulent the technique was soon passed on to the chefs of royalty.Baking parchment or foil1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar1 broiler-fryer or roasting chicken, 4-1/2 to 5 pounds6 green onions, ends trimmedWe use this technique, only slightly modified, to produce two highly fragrant and succulent entrees. The first is a whole-meal dish of herb-seented chicken with carrots and potatoes, the second a clove-studded ham with yams and onions. To preserve the juices, the ingredients are first wrapped in baking parchment or foil.Olive oil or salad oil4 or 5 red thin-skinned potatoes (2-in. size), scrubbed and halvedArrange green onions next to chicken; surround with potatoes and carrots. Drape bacon over breast, then fill chicken cavity with half of the rosemary: set remaining rosemary on top. Bring sides of parchment together and fold over to seal, then fold ends to seal in bird.20 to 25 pounds low-fire white ceramic clayPut the clay packet on an ungreased 12-by 17-inch baking sheet. Shape packet with trimmings to form a pig or a pig's head; smooth with wet hands. Pierce the clay in several places.About 2 teaspoons whole clovesLift the clay bundle from cloth and transfer to an ungreased baking sheet at least 12 by 17 inches. If desired, use trimmings to shape a chicken's head and tail on bundle. Smooth clay with wet hands. Pierce clay in several places to allow steam to escape (optional).You don't need to be an artist to produce these entres. Simply shape a sheet of low-fire white ceramic clay (available at ceramic and art supply stores for $5 to $6 per 25-lb. package) around the parchment. The shape of the food suggests the form; you'll use most of the clay to wrap the food. Use the extra from the trimmings to create a rustic chicken or pig.2 to 2-1/2 pounds yarns, peeledShape clay around package by bringing opposite sides to center; dampen with water where edges overlap, then pinch clay snugly against ham to seal. Pinch open ends together. Leaving a 1-inch edge on top and ends, cut off excess clay.1 teaspoon each dry mustard and lemon juiceShape clay around package by bringing opposite sides to center; dampen with water where edges overlap, then pinch clay snugly against chicken to seal. Pinch open ends together. Leaving a 1-inch edge on top and ends, cut off excess clay.1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces1 bone-in, fully cooked ham, 5 to 6 poundsBake in a 375[deg.] oven for 2 hours, or 2 hours and 15 minutes if refrigerated (expect clay to crack slightly). Let stand 10 to 20 minutes.Score fat side of ham in a diamond pattern. Insert cloves in center of diamonds. Mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, mustard, and lemon juice; spread on ham.Remove the giblets from the chicken and reserve them for other uses. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Rub all over with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Make about 20 small 1/2 inch-inch-deep slits in chicken breast and insert a sliver of garlic into each.Bake ham in a 375[deg.] oven for 2 hours, or 2 hours and 15 minutes if chilled (expect clay to crack slightly). Let stand 10 to 20 minutes. Transfer to tray and invite guests to watch as you crack clay with a mallet. Pull off big clay chunks. Unfold parchment. In the kitchen, put meat and vegetables on a platter and juices in a bowl; at the table slice ham and serve. Serves 6 or 7.Salt and pepperCut clay into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices with edges touching on a pastry cloth, dish towed, or parchment paper, measuring at least 15 by 30 inches. With a rolling pin, roll clay into a 15- by 25-inch rectangle that is about 1/2 inch thick. Lay a 15- by 30-inch piece of baking parchment or foil on the clay. Set chicken in center of parchment.4 to 6 sprigs rosemary, each about 6 inches3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliveredCut clay into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices with edges touching on a cloth or parchment paper measuring at least 15 by 30 inches. With a rolling pin, roll clay into a 15- by 30-inch rectangle that is 3/8 inch thick. Lay a 15- by 30-inch piece of parchment or foil on clay. Set ham in center of parchment; arrange yams (cut into 1-in. pieces) and onion around meat and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bring sides of parchment together and fold to seal; fold ends to seal in ham.Transfer clay bird to a board or tray and invite guests to watch as you gently crack clay with a mallet or hammer. Pull off major clay pieces. Unfold parchment; you may prefer to take chicken back to kitchen and put it and vegetables on a platter and juices in a bowl. Carve bird to serve with vegetables and juices. Serves 4 or 5. Ham Baked in Clay3 slices partially cooked bacon

Bake ham in a 375[deg.] oven for 2 hours, or 2 hours and 15 minutes if chilled (expect clay to crack slightly). Let stand 10 to 20 minutes. Transfer to tray and invite guests to watch as you crack clay with a mallet. Pull off big clay chunks. Unfold parchment. In the kitchen, put meat and vegetables on a platter and juices in a bowl; at the table slice ham and serve. Serves 6 or 7.




Wild inside: decorating your house for the holidays is as easy as foraging in your own backyard


Bits & bits


Driftwood arrangementbambooGetting to ClementBe careful weaving through the piles of delicate antique plates stacked inside Period George--a mostly used (but carefully curated) stash of English bone china, dessert wineglasses, and teacups for every time of day. Puts anything your grandma might leave you to shame. 7 Clement St.; 415/752-1900.TabletopPROJECTS BY STUDIO CHOO | PHOTOGRAPHS BY THOMAS J. STORYA large portion of work at POP Gallery falls into the New Brow movement. Often darker, New Brow art draws inspiration from underground comics, tattoos and body art, album cover art, illustration and animation."The pop art collector is a person who likes figurative work," Nelder says. "Figurative work will always have a place in people's home because it's very comprehensible, but also because people are able to project themselves into it."12 other items we love to forageSince its inception, pop art has gained momentum as pop culture has become more invasive. Modern pop art takes its cues from reality television, comic books, graffiti and more. The results are a mix of serious and light hearted, dark and uplifting, and the common link is pop culture that feeds the artists.Warhol's now iconic painting of a Campbell's soup can, Lichtenstein's comic strip inspired works and hundreds of pop pieces by the likes of Peter Max, LeRoy Nei-man and others turned the ordinary and everyday into something worthy of art, or as Nelder says, made them into heroes.Britto's work depicts everything from animals mid-stride to couples in an intimate embrace to crowds united in love, all rendered in intense colors. Companies and organizations around the world have commissioned Britto, including Absolut Vodka, the International Federation of Association Football and numerous children's hospitals and museums.seed tassels from grasses like Miscanthus or Pennisetum"We are very focused on helping young people come to decisions that are emotional," Jaffe says. "They see a piece of art and have a visceral reaction in front of it. When that happens, they were all on the same page and then a much broader education can come in ... When somebody has an emotional relationship to a piece of art, you can help them have that experience over and over again."With an endless supply of subject matter, new technology and young collectors hungry for a new interpretation of their culture, pop art continues to thrive, putting new twists on the everyday reality.1. Prettiest flower shop on the block4. A store-size china cabinetColorful, crammed, community-minded, and with no room for a cafe, Thidwick Books (11 Clement St.; 415/831-1600) reminds you what bookstores used to be. As does indie-to-the-core Green Apple (506 Clement; 415/387-2272), a few blocks away.cactusThe American pop art movement began in the late 1950s. In a period of heightened consumerism and pervasive pop culture, artists like Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschen-berg, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol took everyday items and threw them back in the faces of the very people who interacted with them every day, giving them new meaning.PHOTOGRAPHS BY RACHEL WEILLJeff Jaffe, owner and curator of Pop International in New York City with Rick Rounick, made it his goal to educate these new collectors when they opened the gallery 13 years ago. By nurturing young collectors, Jaffe says he builds relationships for life.

PROJECTS BY STUDIO CHOO | PHOTOGRAPHS BY THOMAS J. STORY




Author: Miranda Jones


Northern California weekend


Inside Tackle your gift list with a stroll clown Clement Street Check out an epic Southwest trail A Sierra Foothills weekend


Jaffe says pop art today has a more urban feel, with artists like Britto, Bansky, Mr. Brainwash and others drawing inspiration from the cities around them."(Emerging collectors) want to be part of somebody's journey," Throckmorton-McDowell says. "It's exactly what they're living reflected in art. Oftentimes it's the case that they never even knew that it would exist in a format that they could afford."This wreath by San Francisco's Studio Choo (studiochoo.com) is made from "bits and bits" of items picked up while walking after a big storm. Pine, fir, rosemary, magnolia leaves, succulents, and berries are wrapped into the wreath. TIP: Supplement the wreath with items found at a floral market. For complete wreath-making directions, visit sunset.com/wreath"Pop art comes from pop culture, and pop culture comes from pop art," Britto says. "It is a universal language that people can all speak. There are a lot of things that artists try to express themselves that the average person doesn't understand ... But when somebody shows a Coca-Cola or something that is part of everyday life, (viewers) can say, 'Oh, I get it."'Quirky little secrets like pairing a 40-year-old port with a bowl of breakfast cereal are things people would never share with others, and Nelder wants people to question those urges to conceal.In a season that's often predictable, mix it up with a rosemary nest place setting and a centerpiece of forest finds (take care with wild mushrooms; many are poisonous). TIP: Rosemary stalks should be long and tender enough to curve into a bowl shape. Add kumquats for a splash of color.5. Let someone else do the wrapping"Part of the making of a hero is the objectification of something," Nelder says. "To objectify is to make it into something more specific and personal to the viewer. The viewer projects their experience, and that experience makes the object important or not."cotoneaster"Happiness is the most important thing in people's lives. That's why there is so much money spent on things. Everyone is trying to find happiness," Britto says. "As an artist, I want to introduce things you can look at that will put a smile on your face."Use a piece of found driftwood as a rustic backdrop to moss, small evergreens, and succulents. TIP: Fill crevices in the driftwood with enough soil to anchor your plant tableau firmly.It seems like a tall order for a box of breakfast cereal, but for Nelder and other pop artists, it's items like Cheerios, a multicolored horse, a dark and twisted carousel and a Playboy Bunny that reflect pop culture back to viewers in new ways.

Clement St. runs from Arguello Blvd. west past State 1.




Author: Rachel Levin


Art that continues to 'pop'! The iconic genre continues to reflect the mass culture around us


Open bottles of expensive port and a succulent, half-eaten slice of chocolate cake sit almost forgotten next to a bowl of cereal and a glass bottle of milk. A designer sandal is tipped over next to a carton of juicy strawberries, and a pearl necklace is carelessly tossed onto a bright box of Cheerios popping out like a yield sign.


"Pop surrealism and New Brow art is such a meld of technology," Throckmorton-McDowell says. "We're being influenced by so many things today, and the artists working today (have) influences that are bigger than any other era. Pop art is a place for them to refine that."Artist Romero Britto uses universal subject matter to create vibrant, blissful paintings and sculptures that are shown and collected around the world. His use of thick, black outlines, playful patterns and a vivid palette are meant to convey life's optimism and joy.Instead of decking the halls with boughs, use felled branches to make your own right-size tree. Buy a piece of cone-shaped floral foam and insert branches. Once the tree looks full enough, add succulents, berries, and leaves. Ornaments not needed. TIP: Water greens daily to keep them looking fresh. A good source for foam cones is save-on-crafts.com/foamcones.htmlArtists shown at POP Gallery like Carrie Ann Baade mix inspiration from both pop culture and ancient mythology. Baade's pieces create a visual collage exploring the complexity of the human condition, Throckmorton-McDowell says. In one piece, "Our Lady of Perpetual Indulgence," (see page 19) Baade places an unapologetic nude woman in a bath filled with pink elephants and alcohol."Urban art reflects a great deal of what is going on in popular culture in the urban setting," Jaffe says. "I think there are a lot of great young artists working in the genre who are influenced by the history of pop art and current popular culture."Planterberries (try coffeeberry or Pyracantha)dried chile peppersPick up orchids potted with branches and mosses, Lots and lots of succulents, and quirky garden decor at Fleurt. This elegant, sweet-smelling shop excels at custom-designed, super-seasonal bouquets. Closed Sun; 15 Clement St.; 415/751-2747.In today's pop art, artists mix traditional media with the latest in technological design, resulting in original, of-the-moment pieces. "I see the combination of digital media in fine art really coming to fruition in the next few years. Technology will only continue to drive new media," Throckmorton-McDowell says.Despite the spare, airy atmosphere, it's easy to get lost in Park Life, a gallery/curiosity shop. Browsing the shelves lined with Rubik's Cube clocks and retro T-shirts. Looking at the contemporary exhibits by local and visiting artists. And standing around the center table, flipping through what has to be the city's best collection of arty coffee-table books. 220 Clement St.; 415/386-7275.Artist Amy Nelder's "A Progression of Grand Cru Classe" (see painting on page 18) mashes the high-class world of expensive wine and designer decadence with everyday items like strawberries and Cheerios. Working in what she calls a "pop trompe roeil" style, much of Nelder's work depicts odd pairings like these that viewers find funny and provocative.manzanita branchesForaged "tree"rose hips (from unpruned rosebushes)Ogle ream after ream of pretty patterned paper at Cherish, then ask the pros there to wrap your gifts (from $2)--yes, even the stuff you bought down the block. Card- and ornament-making classes in the back studio too. Classes from $15; 115 Clement St., shopcherish.com or 415/373-7300.eucalyptusheather"I'm using the subject matter in my paintings to try to make people think about how they're living. Why do they live their lives the way that they do? Is there a way that they can be freer?" Nelder says. "And I also want them to laugh about it."pineconeschestnutsToday's pop art collector is often what Throckmorton-McDowell calls an "emerging collector," someone who is in their 20s or 30s who has just discovered pop art for the first time.Pop art appeals to so many people, Britto says, because everyone can relate to the subject matter and draw their own interpretations. Other art movements can exclude those who may not have knowledge of that particular style, but pop art feeds from culture.3. iPad, schmiPad ...Clement St. runs from Arguello Blvd. west past State 1.Sharla Throckmorton-McDowell owns POP Gallery in Santa Fe, N.M., with her husband Michael McDowell. They focus on current trends in pop art, particularly pop modernism, including the New Brow and pop surrealist movements.It is the universal language that draws people to figurative work by Nelder, Britto and other pop artists."What I'd like them to ask themselves is, 'Do you think this would also taste good?'" Nelder says.Recycle a wooden crate into a front-porch planter box; for a statement, use plants of differing heights. This arrangement includes fruiting citrus, lavender, rosemary, and large and small Succulents. TIP: Before planting, arrange plants still in their pots to see if the symmetry works.

With an endless supply of subject matter, new technology and young collectors hungry for a new interpretation of their culture, pop art continues to thrive, putting new twists on the everyday reality.




Author: Catherine Klene


Pork chops a la steamboat - recipe


Pork Chops a la Steamboat


4 pork shoulder chops or steaks (about 1/2 in. thick)Photo: Legs of roasted quail peek out through double-crust pie and guide you for serving; cut between the birds to make eight portions1 cup fresh or frozen (thawed) peas3/4 teaspoon dry rosemary leaves Pepper"This day has become as much a tradition at our house as Thanksgiving and Christmas,' Sylvia Jones says. A dozen or so relatives and neighbors join in to help till the soil, stake out rows, and plant out seedlings. Plan and logbook in hand, John Jones oversees the chores; each worker has an assigned job.Rock Cornish game hens are readily available frozen; squab and quail, fresh or frozen, are becoming commoner in poultry sections of supermarkets. Or you can order the birds through a meat department. Prices vary considerably, so check around.To serve, break pastry with a spoon and place on dinner plates. Alongside, serve squab, vegetables, and sauce. Serves 8.Bring 1 inch water to boiling in a 4- to 5-quart pan. Set a steaming rack over water; arrange onions, carrots, and potatoes on rack. Cover pan and cook over gently boiling water until vegetables are tender when pierced, about 15 minutes; set aside. Also, let puff pastry stand at room temperature 20 minutes.1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon waterCombine the onions, carrots, potatoes, and peas in a 4- to 5-quart casserole; arrange birds on top. Pour sauce around birds in casserole.

Photo: Braised pork chops and mushrooms go with fresh orange and yogurt sauce




Birds in a pie. Double-crust or deep-dish - recipes


Birds in a pie. Double-crust or deep-dish


Each 8-inch-deep furrow is sprinkled with 5-10-10 fertilizer. Mr. Jones and helpers cover the fertilizer with a generous layer of soil before planting to keep it away from tender seedling roots.1/2 cup unflavored yogurt Orange slices1/4 cup cornstarchLike all successful food gardeners, Sylvia and John Jones of West Seattle recognize the importance of timing. They know exactly when to start seeds and transplant them; when to fertilize, cultivate, and water; and when to harvest crops at peak quality. Their routine involves a 12-month plan that they draw up in January.1 pound spinach1 tablespoon grated orange peelMelt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in pan; add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring, until onion is soft. Add the mush-rooms and cook, stirring 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook until bubbly; set aside.Photo: Vegetable plot takes shape with help of willing workers. Here they're digging 8-inch-deep furrows for plants, marking out rows with string and stakes2 large carrots, peeled and choppedOn a floured board, roll half the pastry into a round about 4 inches larger in diameter than a 10- or 11-inch pie pan or dish. Line pan with pastry; trim edges to 1 inch beyond rim. Spoon onion-carrot mixture into pastry; top with spinach. Arrange quail on spinach, breasts up and legs towards edge of dish.Pastry for a double crust 10-inch pie or mix for 3 crusts, 9-inch sizeOverlap chops in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat to draw out juices, about 10 minutes. Uncover, boil off liquid, then brown both sides of chops in their own drippings. Lift out chops. Add butter and mushrooms to pan and stir until mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add orange juice and peel; scrape pan to loosen browned bits. Set chops on top; cover. Simmer on medium heat until chops are tender when cut, about 20 minutes.Wipe frying pan clean; add 2 tablespoons of the butter and melt on medium-high heat. Add quail and cook, turning frequently until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes. Lift out quail. (If done ahead, cover and refrigerate as long as overnight; let warm to room temperature before proceeding.)Roll remaining pastry on a floured board into a round that is at least 3 inches larger in diameter than pan. Drape over quail, allowing legs to pop through; crimp edges of pastry to seal. Brush top with egg-water mixture. Bake pie, uncovered, on the lowest rack of a 400| oven until richly browned, about 30 minutes.1 large onion, peeled and choppedGarden party day1 cup whipping cream1/2 pound small mushrooms, halvedQuail Pie1 cup sour creamIn the deep-dish pie (next page), four squab or Rock Cornish game hens, cut into halves, snuggle under puff pastry with chunks of winter vegetables and a sour cream sauce.Bringing to mind the nursery rhyme, serving birds in a pie is an unexpected presentation for quail, squab, or Rock Cornish game hens. Besides hiding the surprise, the pastry cover provides a steamy atmosphere that keeps the birds and surrounding vegetables tender and succulent.Unwarp pastry sheets and pinch together at seams to form one large sheet; roll out on a lightly floured board until 2 inches wider and longer than casserole. Lay pastry over filling and trim so it extends 1 inch beyond the rim; moisten edges of pastry and press to rim. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes.Photo: Tarpaper, cut into 6-inch squares with center holes, fits around stems of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower to help reduce infestation by cabbage root maggot. Plastic labels note variety and days to harvestOne highlight of their gardening year is a planting party every April, when willing relatives and neighbors come over to help with tilling, planting, and a farm-style lunch. "Their incentive is the reward at harvest time,' Mrs. Jones says, "When the garden yields enough crunchy lettuce, succulent corn, ruby red tomatoes, blackberries for jam, and other crops we can share with them.' (The garden yields some 75 percent of the Joneses' food intake, with plenty to spare; much of the harvest is frozen, dried, preserved, or stored in bins in the garage.)1/2 cup dry sherryOn a diagram of the 26- by 50-foot garden, Mr. Jones decides which vegetables (and which varieties) will go where. In a logbook, he plans the year's gardening chores, month by month, including when to plant particular vegetables and herbs, when to spray, when to harvest.Photo: In spoke-like fashion, arrange whole quail on vegetables in a pastry-lined dishPlants are tagged with labels that indicate varieties and days until harvest; most durable are the ones cut from white plastic bottles.1 pound thin-skinned potatoes, scrubbed (1-in. diameter or cut into 1-in. pieces)Photo: Braised pork chops and mushrooms go with fresh orange and yogurt saucePhoto: Master plan in hand, John Jones checks locations for this year's crop on garden party day while neighbor completes rotary-tilling1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunksWaterDeep Dish Squab PieCut birds in half lengthwise with poultry shears or a sharp knife and mallet. Melt butter in a 12- to 14-inch frying pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 the bird pieces at a time and cook, turning frequently, until squab breast is firm but slightly pink when cut (15 to 20 minutes), or game hens are no longer pink when cut near thigh joint (about 25 minutes). Remove from heat; lift birds from pan.Before the partyBlend sour cream and cornstarch; stir into pan juices. Slowly stir in gin and broth; add rosemary. On high heat, stir saucc until boiling and thickened. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.3 cups regular-strength beef broth2/3 cup gin or regular-strength beef broth4 tablespoons butter or margarine3 tablespoons butter or margarinePhoto: Buffet lunch is served near the garden. Blooming tree behind is a grafted cherry that produces "Bing', "Royal Ann', and black "Republican' cherries in late June1 cup orange juice1/2 pound small mushrooms, quarteredShown above, eight butter-browned quail nest with spinach, sauteed carrots, and onions in pie crust. You serve the baked pie with a sherry cream sauce.

Photo: Billowy puff pastry conceals birds in a pie. Cut pastry into individual portions, then spoon squab and vegetable filling alongside




Every spring the Joneses of West Seattle put on a planting party


Every spring the Joneses of West Seattle put on a planting party


Combine whipping cream and sherry in an 8- to 10-inch frying pan; boil rapidly until reduced to 3/4 cup; keep warm. Cut pie between birds into 8 pieces. Spoon sherry sauce over portions. Serves 8.Wash spinach, discarding roots and yellow leaves. Put damp spinach in a 12- to 14-inch frying pan on medium-high heat; cover and cook, stirring once, until spinach wilts. When cool, squeeze excess moisture from spinach with your hands.1 box (17 oz.) frozen puff pastryThe Joneses' plot plan makes coordinating the party simple. If you plan your vegetable plot now, you can duplicate their planting party next month. In the Northwest, you can plant seedings of cool-season crops out then, but wait until May to plant out summer vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers. Gardeners in warmer climates can plant out seeds of summer vegetables.Seeds of cool-season crops are started in the greenhouse in February, timed to be ready for planting out in mid-April. A month before the party, Mr. Jones spreads 2 cubic yards of well-aged chicken manure over the plot.Arrange chops and mushrooms on a platter; keep hot. Stir cornstarch into yogurt and add to pan. Stir over high heat until sauce boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Pour into a serving bowl and serve with meat. Garnish with orange slices. Serves 4.1 tablespoon all-purpose flour1 pound small onions (1 1/2-in. size), peeledPhoto: Seedings started in pressed peat pots are ready to plant. Among cool-season crops in garden cart are lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbagePhoto: Billowy puff pastry conceals birds in a pie. Cut pastry into individual portions, then spoon squab and vegetable filling alongsideBake the pie, uncovered, in a 400| oven until the crust is richly browned, 30 to 35 minutes.Work well underway, the Joneses and helpers pause to enjoy lunch in the garden; a table near the vegetable plot is set up buffet-style.Port shoulder chops or pork steaks become fork-tender and succulent when they're cooked by this method.The Joneses usually grow about 10 kinds of corn, 18 or so varieties of tomatoes, 6 to 8 kinds of onions, plus other favorite vegetables. Each year, they evaluate what they have grown for flavor, yield, vigor, and ability to grow in their climate. They eliminate varieties that don't measure up and try new varieties ordered from seed catalogs.When you serve either pie, supply guests with plenty of napkins and suggest the option of eating the birds by hand. Complete the meal with a robust red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignor or Merlot, a salad of mixed greens with a mustard dressing, and a cool, rich dessert such as chocolate mousse or gelato (Italian ice cream).8 quail (about 3 oz. each), rinsed2 tablespoons butter or margarineOnce the ground is prepared and rows are marked off, seedlings of these crops are planted: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, garlic sets, lettuce, onions, and potatoes. These seeds are also planted: beets, carrots, dill, parsnips, and spinach. Space is reserved for warm-season crops that will go into the ground later.

Photo: Buffet lunch is served near the garden. Blooming tree behind is a grafted cherry that produces "Bing', "Royal Ann', and black "Republican' cherries in late June




8 Tips for Selecting the Right Greenhouse!


You may be asking yourself, with so many hobby greenhouse kits to choose from, how do I select a greenhouse kit? At the Greenhouse Catalog, we want you to get the most out of your investment. Owning a greenhouse is a rewarding experience that will enhance your life with color and serenity. With so many greenhouses to select from on the market today, finding the right greenhouse may seem like a daunting task. At the Greenhouse Catalog, we have nearly 20 years of experience in helping customers find the greenhouse of their dreams. We believe that the greenhouse you purchase should bring you many years of pleasure. This article will highlight the important features to look for in a greenhouse and help you select the greenhouse kit for your plants and your lifestyle.


Palm Springs is a desert city, surrounded and sheltered by mountains and sits approximately 466 feet above sea level. It's average yearly high temperature is in the high eighties, it's average yearly low temperature is in the mid fifties and it's average yearly rainfall is less than eight inches. This makes Palm Springs a city that can be enjoyed any time of the year.1. Find a greenhouse that worksCleaning and maintaining your greenhouse should be simple. Look for greenhouse materials, that do not scratch, mold or mildew, or water etch. Also, remember that some greenhouse coverings have a UV coating on the outside and you have to be careful not to damage the outer coating. Find out what is involved in upkeep of the greenhouse. You want to have your greenhouse for many years, so make sure it will keep looking good and working good for years to come.8. Select a greenhouse that is easy to maintainThe greenhouse paneling should be equally durable. It should be scratch-resistant and also offer excellent impact strength. If you live in an area with lots of snow or other harsh weather, it�s important that the greenhouse covering be strong enough to support the extra weight.Unexpected areas like side and rear entrances can also serve as backgrounds for pot plants in casual groupings. For sunny steps, consider tubs of petunias, or dwarf dahlias, or boxes of herbs to be used in cooking. Tuberous begonias, fuchsias, patient Lucy, and fragrant nicotiana solve the problem of what to grow in shade.This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.This article has barely started to cover the things you can experience in the Palm Springs area. To cover everything would take several books instead of an article. Whether you stay a night, a weekend, a week or a month you will never run out of things to do and experience.These are just a few ideas for using container plants around your house and garden. Use your imagination and have fun. Happy Gardening!6. Select a greenhouse with good ultra-violet protectionNovelty containers�donkey carts, wheelbarrows, and spinning wheels�can be fun in some places, but, of course, such planters must not be overdone. Usually they are set on lawns, on a terrace or beside a gate or doorway. (If you life in a neighborhood that has a house owners association check with them first to see if this is allowed). Steps leading to a driveway or street or to different levels in a garden can be emphasized with pot plants. A few can be arranged at the top or at the base of the stairs. And, there are other possibilities. Tree trunks cut to the ground or left a few feet high make good pedestals for large containers. In fact, this can be a solution to the problem of what to do with a trunk too expensive to remove. If you have a tree with heavy shade, why not construct a pretty sitting area around it and decorate the space with containers of coleus, wax and other begonias, caladiums, ferns and other shade-tolerant plants.Greenhouse gardening is addictive! As your greenhouse hobby develops, it is likely that your needs will change as you discover the many ways that you can fully utilize your greenhouse. A good greenhouse should offer versatility and be customizable to fit your own desires as well as your climate. Whether it is adding extra accessories to enhance productivity in your greenhouse or adding an extension kit to give you even more growing space, when you select a greenhouse make sure you can customize it easily. With the right greenhouse, you can grow everything from succulents to tropicals and herbs to flowers � in the same greenhouse!Whether you like sitting around the pool at a luxury hotel, dining at fine dining establishments, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the nation, hiking in the nearby mountains, playing tennis on top rate courts, gaming at indian casinos, partying at exclusive night spots, mountain and trail bike riding, spending the day or week being pampered at a luxurious spa, shopping in designer stores or celebrity gazing, you can do it all year long in or near Palm Springs.Everyone knows that sunlight is important for plant growth. It may surprise you to know, however, that natural sunlight is not the best light for plants. In fact, direct light may even damage plants. The same harsh rays that cause sunburns in people also can burn your favorite foliage. Studies show that diffused light, the same light provided by Solexx greenhouse panels, is the best light for growing. Growth rates increase 20 to 30 percent under diffused light when compared to plants grown under more direct light.The patio or terrace, beside or beyond the house, where family and friends gather to eat or relax, is an ideal location. If it is formal, select clipped evergreens and arrange pots in symmetrical rows, perhaps lined up against the house or along the edge of the terrace. If the site is informal, make casual groupings of one or two tall plants with smaller ones in front. Either way, allow for a few large plants in tubs or boxes for accent and height.Diffused light reaches your plants from all angles and produces fewer shade spots. That means plants don�t have to strain to reach towards available light. As a result, the plants develop healthy, compact growth in your greenhouse.You can always dress up the lamp post in your yard with container plants at the base or you can suspend a hanging basket of lantana, perhaps from the top. Ivy geraniums in an old-fashioned black kettle are nice for the base. Bare posts that support sectional roofs over patios or paved surfaces of contemporary houses look more attractive if potted plants are clustered around the bases or permanent boxes for plants are built there. Try planting climbing ivy in a pot and train it to climb the posts.Look for greenhouses with low-maintenance frames. Ideally, you should have something that is easy to clean, such as the strong composite frame found on Solexx greenhouses. This ensures that you can wipe out any disease or pests that enter your greenhouse.Light diffusion of greenhouse coverings differs greatly. Glass and most single-walled greenhouse covering materials provide minimal, if any, diffusion. Polycarbonate greenhouse covering provides more diffusion than glass, but far less than Solexx. Solexx greenhouse panels provide the best diffused light available. Even on a cloudy day, a Solexx greenhouse is bright inside. Unlike other greenhouse covering materials, Solexx greenhouse covering reflects the light throughout the entire greenhouse structure.5. Select a greenhouse for strength and durabillityCopyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.2. Select a greenhouse that provides the right amount of light for your plantsWith so many choices in greenhouses today it can be difficult to find the greenhouse that is truly ideal for your personal needs. The tips below will point out the most important features to look for when selecting a greenhouse. When you understand what makes a greenhouse perform well, you can be sure that you will get the results you expect.

Cleaning and maintaining your greenhouse should be simple. Look for greenhouse materials, that do not scratch, mold or mildew, or water etch. Also, remember that some greenhouse coverings have a UV coating on the outside and you have to be careful not to damage the outer coating. Find out what is involved in upkeep of the greenhouse. You want to have your greenhouse for many years, so make sure it will keep looking good and working good for years to come.




Author: Michelle Torres


Visit Palm Springs California


The playground of Palm Springs, California is less than a two hour drive from most cities in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties and less than an an hours drive from the cities of Riverside and San Bernardino. It is approximetly 130 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport and 100 miles from the Orange County John Wayne Airport.


Your perfect greenhouse should fit both your available space and your plants. When choosing a greenhouse kit, keep in mind that no matter what size greenhouse you buy now, you will likely fill it up within a year. You will want to make sure that you start out with plenty of growing room.4. Select a greenhouse that is adaptable7. Select a greenhouse with room to growContainer plants may line walks and paths that lead to the house, garage, or garden. They can rest on paved areas along fences and walls and on driveways where they are not in the way. If the driveway adjoins the foundation of the house, plant containers may be placed there.

For more information about the city of Palm Springs, California see: http://palmsprings.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Palm Springs, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.




Author: David G. Hallstrom, Sr.


Ideas On How To Use Container Gardening To Decorate Your House And Garden


Nearly every house and garden presents numerous attractive settings for container plants. Suburban gardens, estates, small city backyards, and summer cottages�all can be enhanced by this type of gardening. A few of the seemingly endless possibilities include entranceways, steps, courtyards, walls, rooftops, balconies, patios, breezeways, lawns, driveways, walks, sundecks, windowsills, porches, summer houses, even tree stumps can be utilized.


Play golf where the pros play. The Palm Springs area has over 100 beautiful, exquisitely maintained golf courses, some of which are famous throughout the world. Play tennis at some of the best tennis courts and clubs around. If you like shopping, you will find a myriad of art galleries, antique shops, designer boutiques, craft shops, jewelry stores, malls and shopping centers, carrying almost anything you might wish to purchase. Be pampered like royalty, stay in luxury hotels and spas like the Hilton Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club, the Hyatt Regency Suites, the Parker Meridien Palm Springs, the Spa Resort Casino, the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel and dozens of others. Relax and rejuvenate is one of the many health and beauty spas that Palm Springs is famous for. Take a 2.5 mile ride up the mountain on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens with it's nature trails and over 3,000 varieties of cacti, succulents and flowers. Tour the Joshua Tree National Park with it's amazing desert scenery, rock gardens and 1000 year old Joshua Trees. Experience the culinary arts of some of the finest chefs is some of the best restaurants in the world. Party and dance at top night clubs. Etc., Etc., Etc..For more information about the city of Palm Springs, California see: http://palmsprings.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Palm Springs, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.Your greenhouse should be hassle-free. That means that you shouldn�t waste your time recovering the greenhouse time after time. Greenhouses have to stand up to the harsh direct sun, so they should be designed to last. For maximum life expectancy, the greenhouse framework and glazing should be UV-treated. Look for greenhouse that are UV-certified. Also check warranty periods and find out how much it would cost to buy replacement parts.Porches or verandas, traditional or contemporary in style, offer numerous settings for pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Indeed, the entire container garden can be concentrated there so that plants can be easily cared for. If the porch is open on three sides, it will afford exposures to suit a variety of specimens.Think of what you can do with rooftops and sundecks where considerable space is usually available. Here sun-loving plants, like geraniums, most annuals, cacti, and succulents can be grown, but, again, include large specimens for height to give a garden feeling. A few large boxes and planters for trees and shrubs are sufficient but be sure to include some evergreens for year-round green.The size of the greenhouse you need is dependent upon the available growing space as well. With Solexx greenhouses, built-in bench frames allow you to get the maximum use of your space. Hanging rods are another important feature, allowing you room to winter over all of your beautiful hanging baskets.Many gardeners like to insert container plants in flower borders to introduce unusual specimens, such as tropicals in the North. Large tubs can be set at the corners and small pots may be scattered among the permanent flowering plants. One gardener keeps a supply of potted pink Fiat Enchantress geraniums on hand to fill bare spots in her wide borders, moving them about as needed. Most of the geraniums are in four-inch clay pots, but there are larger specimens for the center of each grouping. Make sure their secure, sink pots a few inches into the ground.Too much light causes excessive heat in the greenhouse. As a consequence, plants waste energy through transpiration, much like sweating. This stresses plants and reduces photosynthetic rates. More plants actually die in a greenhouse from overheating than from the cold.A good greenhouse should be able to stand up to daily living and harsh weather without any problems. Falling tree branches, rocks thrown from lawn mowers and stray baseballs can all be hazards to greenhouses. Severe weather such as wind, snow and hail can also pose a challenge to greenhouses with poor construction.3. Select a greenhouse that will extend the growing seasonYou wouldn�t send your children or grandchildren outside to play without sunscreen, and you wouldn�t lock them inside a hot car. Treat your plants with the same care and give them the healthiest start you can. Using Solexx greenhouse panels is the best way to protect your plants.Let us start with the entrance, a focal point for every house. A simple arrangement consists of similar container plants at each side of the doorway. If the house is informal, painted tubs will make a cheerful note, while urns or ornamental pots are more appropriate if the architecture is formal. The arrangement, however, need not be symmetrical, since a single container at either side, particularly if the doorway is off-center, is pleasing. A large specimen can be balanced by a grouping of small pots, and various other interesting combinations can be worked out. Sometimes, the front entranceway can qualify as an outdoor place for house plants, but be sure they are not exposed to strong sun and wind.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.




Author: Mary Hanna


There Are A Wide Range Of Houseplants Available In Shops Or Can Be Grown In Your Own Gardens


Houseplants are one of the quickest and least expensive way of brings life and interest to a room. A splash of green instantly revives a rather tired scheme, and flowering plants provide a lively range of colors. There are few design rules about where to put plants and flowers look good almost anywhere, as long as they are not in the way of everyday activities. You should treat large floor-level plants as focal points, making full use of your lighting to show them off to best effect.


  • In countries such as Morocco, which line the balmy Mediterranean, curtains are often used in place of doors to allow breezes to circulate freely. Use gauzy fabric such as mosquito netting or scrim, a light, sheer, loosely woven cotton or linen cloth used for upholstery lining. Since it�s inexpensive, you can install luxuriously full draperies without going broke.A long lasting container mixture is the perfect medium for long-term plants such as woody plants and perennials. Use one part: peat moss, composted bark, compost, sand and perlite. If your compost is too heavy, just add more perlite to ensure good drainage. You can use extra compost for mature plants; however, it may be too rich for young plants and could damage their delicate roots and stems.

    Houseplants bring a fresh, lively look to a bathroom and ferns, ivies, bromeliads and epiphytes thrive in low light levels. Maidenhair ferns are delicate and are unsuitable for draughty windows. You can also buy plastic hanging baskets with drip trays attached. Cacti and succulents need plenty of direct sunlight; ferns and palms survive in the shade. To avoid drips, stand plants in saucers or on shallow, gravet-filled plastic trays and keep permanently moist.




    Author: Roger King


  • Come With Me To The Casbah!


    A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty � sweet, succulent and an amazing shade of orange-red. Orange and red continue to be popular colors in decorating this year but 2004�s shades are softer and more vibrant, like ripe persimmons and pomegranates.


  • Use accent pieces of dark wood or brass. Pile a brass tray high with exotic fruit such as persimmons, tangerines and glossy pomegranates.Houseplants and flower help bring the garden indoor and add a human touch to your decorative scheme. The delicate structure of leaves and flowers also helps to soften hard outlines of modern furniture. With care, and frequent dead heading, they will last a lot longer than cut flowers, as long as they get sufficient sunlight at some time during the day. Choose plants with a variety of shapes and colors and try to include some trailing plants to break up horizontal lines.Houseplants bring a fresh, lively look to a bathroom and ferns, ivies, bromeliads and epiphytes thrive in low light levels. Maidenhair ferns are delicate and are unsuitable for draughty windows. You can also buy plastic hanging baskets with drip trays attached. Cacti and succulents need plenty of direct sunlight; ferns and palms survive in the shade. To avoid drips, stand plants in saucers or on shallow, gravet-filled plastic trays and keep permanently moist.Initially, you will need to purchase enough container soil to fill all your planters and urns, but you may cheat a little the next year and just replace half the soil from the previous year and top-up for the next year. This may be false economy and it is very good practice to replace all the soil every year and then you know that you have the best conditions for your new plants. Just add the spent soil to the compost pile or the �old� soil to pot up those plant sale donations.Your very large planters and pots may be cumbersome to move around, so consider setting them in position before filling them with your potting mix. Even with the lighter pots, it is often easier to fill them where they will eventually reside. Just move around with your container mix and plants and fill up your planters with those flats of beautiful new flowers, herbs and perennials.
  • If you�d rather not have curtains, consider using the same fabric as a tent over a table or a chaise. Some nettings come with a center hanging unit, or you can easily make one of a 2� square piece of plywood and some rope.If you are considering Cacti and Succulents for your planters and containers this year, they certainly use less water; this is a soil mixture that may be considered. Start with five parts perlite, 4 parts bagged potting soil, 1 part coarse sand and a pinch of rock dust. Once your plants are in, just top dress with small rive rock, gravel, aquarium stone or a fine grade of gravel to keep the crowns of the plants from rotting. To increase the acidity (succulents thrive in acid soil), add a tablespoon of white vinegar to 5 gallons of water when watering.
  • Moroccan-style lanterns usually have some sort of filigree work, whether wicker, metal or some other material. They are often pointed at both ends, necessitating hanging. Most often, they will enclose a flame, either of candles or small oil torches. You can also use white or ivory pillar candles instead of, or in addition to, hanging lanterns.
  • Intricate latticework is another element often seen in Morocco. You can emulate the look by edging pieces of plain lattice (the closer the weave, the better) with old carved porch posts. Paint roughly with turquoise or azure and then further distress the finish with sandpaper. Alternatively, you can install a carved wooden room screen.
  • For greenery, use succulents such as banana trees and mother-in-law�s tongue, and tropicals like palms and ficus. You can also add more color to your space with lush pots of bright geraniums.

    Use the rich color and sensual textures of Morocco in your outdoor space and this summer you�ll be escaping to the casbah!




    Author: Debbie Rodgers


  • Planting Your Container Garden


    There are so many horror stories from novice and experienced gardeners about using an incorrect soil mixture for their garden planters and containers. Here is the best advice that we have culled from many sources, especially from those growers that specialize in container plants.


    Bagged commercial potting mixes are the very best choice for filling containers. These mixtures contain a variety of ingredients, including composted bark, sawdust, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or sometime real soil which is usually pasteurized. Some container mixes also contain fertilizers, and if you wish your planters and pots to be organic, you will want to avoid those. Although perfect loamy soil may be used as an ingredient for your homemade potting mix, most ordinary garden soil is not suitable. It is too heavy and compacts easily in pots and planters and doesn�t drain properly.
  • Wood furniture will give you the most authentic Moroccan look. Don�t have wood furnishings? Try constructing a simple low-slung chaise from a used solid core door with six fence post tops screwed into the bottom. Paint or stain it to look like rich wood and top with a thick cushion (use an 8� foam mattress cut to measure). Use a heavy-weight fabric for the cushion cover and make sure it�s a bright orange or red color!Here are some suggestions if you wish to create your own container mixture � 100% compost, 100% soil-less mix, 25% garden soil with 75% compost or soil-less mix and we have also seen 50% soil-less mix and 50% compost. There are a lot of variations; however, garden soil may contain weed seeds or pathogens that cause plant diseases.
  • You can improvise a table from a hollow core or solid core door set on cement blocks or stacks of bricks. Cover it with layers of rich cloths in your chosen colors. You�ll find this table sits low to the ground and you�ll be able to eat in the traditional Moroccan way: sitting on pillows and rugs. Cover the cushions with co-ordinating or contrasting fabrics in rich finishes. Use azure, persimmon and lots and lots of gold fabric.Some houseplants need less light than others, but normal artificial lighting is no substitute for the natural daylight that all plants need. Medium-sized plants can be placed on furniture, but there are alternatives, hanging baskets, wall-hung planters, stands or window shelves. Small plants, such as African violets need placing with care. They usually look and grow best grouped in a box or on a stand. Make sure you match a plant to its growing conditions.
  • Tiles are an absolute must in Moroccan style. If you cannot incorporate them in the floor of your space, by painting a tiled pattern on a wooden deck, laying tiles on a patio, or edging your pool-side cabana, be sure to pick them up in a tabletop, a plant pot, a wall-hanging or a large tray. Mix bright turquoise or azure blue and goldy-orange tile pieces in intricate patterns to capture the Moorish look.

    To sum up, always moisten potting mixture before filling containers. Pre-moistening is essential, potting mix may be difficult to wet and you may end up with pockets of soil that stays dry. This dry soil will just pull the water right out of the plant roots and damage them. Some gardeners even consider pre-soaking their plants before filling the pots and containers.




    Author: Marion Stewart


  • Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    SPECTATOR MINI-BAR


    I'm always delighted to run an offer from Swig, a wine merchants based in west London. James, Robin, Damon and Lucia travel the world looking for terrific unknown wines, and others as good as the classics at a fraction of the price.


    In case you live around the mountains acquire landscape ideas and take your inspiration from the forest�s edge. Pay attention to the plants that thrive within the meadows and forested locations. Trees such as small conifers, deciduous vine maples, evergreen salal, ferns and wildflowers almost all may transform with the seasons. For some landscapes added color plant cannas, hostas, and other perennials and shrubs can create a gorgeous fringe all around the lawn. Trees are essential for virtually any size yard. They will offer shade and entice wildlife.You could possibly be looking at leaving a lawn completely out of any of your landscaping ideas. If you do, try out using gravel, pebbles or crushed granite to produce unique mosaic layouts. There are also a number of types of ground covers which can be low maturing and may withstand foot traffic and demand a minimum of care. Use sand to cover kid's play areas for instance under swing sets, volleyball or play houses and forts.Take this scrumptious Secateurs 2010 (1), a Chenin Blanc from A.A.Badenhorst of Swartland, who is one of the most exciting young winemakers in South Africa.ROSEMEAD, Calif. -- Panda Express, the nation’s leader in Asian dining experiences, kicks off the 2011 Chinese New Year holiday by bringing back a special menu item for a limited time only - spicy Firecracker Chicken Breast™. The Chinese New Year entrĂ©e features strips of marinated chicken breast, crisp red, green and yellow bell peppers, succulent sliced onions and red chili peppers all cooked to perfection in a wok with Panda’s original zesty firecracker sauce. Panda Express will also be offering a coupon for a free single sized portion of Firecracker Chicken Breast™ to Facebook fans, for one day only on February 3rd, the first day of the 15 day-long holiday celebration.Finally, a superb Rhone at, frankly, a ridiculous price. Stephane Ogier makes CoteRotie, the greatest of all Rhone reds, but he creates La Rosine 2009 (4) on a patch of land between that legendary appellation and the equally fabulous Condrieu. What might you pay for a bottle of Cote-Rotie? Never less than �25, and you could fork out hundreds.Four superb, terrific-value wines. Delivery, as ever, is free, and there is a sample case containing three of each bottle. There's also a glugging case, six each of the cheaper wines.

    Four superb, terrific-value wines. Delivery, as ever, is free, and there is a sample case containing three of each bottle. There's also a glugging case, six each of the cheaper wines.




    Author: HOGGART, SIMON