Friday, October 28, 2016

Mock Baked Oatmeal Recipe


When the weather turns cold my breakfast turns hot and sustains me until lunch time.  I love baked oatmeal but when I'm read to eat I don't want to wait for something to bake so I came up with this quick dish.  

I start with (my homemade cranberry) granola and pour (almond or whatever milk you like) milk over it just to barely cover it.  Then I nuke it for a minute.  The milk will be absorbed into the oats.

While that is cooking, chop a couple of apples and saute in a small amount of butter,  add a handful of walnuts and sprinkle with cinnamon, stir until coated.  I always make more and have some for the next day.  Cook until desired tenderness and top granola with a few spoonfuls of this apple nut mixture.  Your home will smell like you've been baking apple pies!

The sauteed apples can be heated later and topped with Greek yogurt then a sprinkling of granola, as a healthy dessert, or another breakfast option.  They are also great cold (keep refrigerated until ready to use) I also just made a wonderful kale salad using the apples and dried cranberries with a olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.  Having cooked apples on hand makes me think of different creative ways to use them.

It's fall y'all !  Eat what's in season, and take it to a health new level.










Sunday, October 2, 2016

Future Designers Field Trip to Chicago

Getting out of your comfort zone is always a great learning experience.  Most everyone has been to Chicago but very few have visited The Chicago Merchandise Mart, and what a great experience it is! The building itself is iconic.  Here's a brief history borrowed from their website...
The MART has been an icon in Chicago’s history since the 1930s. It was developed by Marshall Field & Co. to create a central marketplace where retailers could come to buy their wares all under one roof.Today, theMART is the world’s largest commercial building, largest wholesale design center and one of Chicago’s premier international business locations. The Chicago icon encompasses 4.2 million gross square feet, spans two city blocks and rises 25 stories.

For a designer we strive to find things that are of the best quality and items that you just can't find anywhere.  Visiting the Mart makes us realize that some of the best interiors are not a mix of all new furniture, but a mix of old and new.  We were also surprised to find many of these showrooms make the furnishing right here in the USA.  





We were all bright eyed and ready for the day.
The ride home was a different story after walking
6 miles!


We take the south shore train and enjoy the time
getting to know each other.

The students outside of the Mart

My inspiration for my bathroom remodel!

a great pipe leg bakers table

My favorite store in the Mart, Mike Bell.  He offers lots of
custom made pieces made with recycled materials and unusual antiques
 (go figure!)



This reminded us all of Cindy-our student that couldn't join us.
She loves pink and purple!

Interiors can have humor


Edgar blending in with the patio furniture at Woodward, Made in
Michigan!

Utensil and knife drawer in a custom kitchen

Water Gardening