TRAVEL TUESDAY: Getting The Most Out Of Your Vacation

During the month of January, Mr.P and I always end up having the same conversation, " 'I am so ready to get away!', 'Me too - me too! Where do you want to go?'. ' I'm not sure. How about you?' " And with these words our yearly hunt for the perfect get-away begins. If you find yourself in the same situation, you are most likely still throwing around ideas. First, Mr.P and I base our decision on the type of vacation we want to take. Has it been a stressful year? Mr.P and I may NEED a restful vacation. 

Or maybe we want to experience and discover new things. Our vacations will usually fall into one of three categories:

• Leisure and Relaxation
• Sightseeing
• Adventure

Then secondly, we decide where we want to vacation. If we decide to spend our vacation white water rafting, we look for locations that offer good quality rafting. 

Then thirdly, we begin the hunt for the best possible vacation packages. The type of vacation we plan will lend a hand in deciding on a hotel. 

For instance, if we are headed to Europe where our days will be filled with long hours of sight-seeing, four-star hotels are NOT on our agenda. Why? If we will not be spending much of our time in a hotel then we prefer to spend our money elsewhere. On the other hand, if we are getting away to relax, then we would be looking for a hotel or resort that we can enjoy. 

Looking back over the years, my favorite vacations have been the ones when we plan a vacation WITHIN another vacation, allowing us to have more than one experience. 

It's a smart use of not only our vacation time but money as well. A superb example of this would be to squeeze in a few days of exhilarating white water rafting on the Truckee River while staying in one of the dreamy cottages on the Hyatt Regency Resort property in Incline Village, Nevada. 

What a delight it would be to not only enjoy the peaceful solitude and breath-taking scenery of the Lake Tahoe area, but to spend a day or two experiencing the adventure of white water rafting as well.  Believe me, we would return home relaxed and rejuvenated ready to face the world again.

 What-ever, when-ever  or where-ever you decide to vacation, make it memorable, take lots of photos and keep a travel journal but most of all, plan ahead to get the most out of your time and money...

...you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

All photos provided by the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, Nevada.

One of our top ten favorite places to escape reality for awhile and recharge our batteries!

You can find more information here.

MY PINTEREST PANCAKES

I like to cook something homemade when we have the chance to sleep late. Today was such a day, It's Martin Luther King Day and E's out of school. Mr.P decided to sleep in, which NEVER happens....not sure if that was on purpose or by accident. In any case, when 8:30 am rolled around and he was still asleep I figured this would be my chance.  I found this pancake recipe on Pinterest over the weekend. They claim to be 'super tall and fluffy' and I knew the P's would love them. I read the recipe through twice and followed it to a T. After 10 minutes, my pancake batter was extremely bubbly and I was excited to start flipping my pancakes. 

 

That's when E found me in the kitchen and she decided to flip her own pancakes. When she had a plate full she sat down to eat and keep me company in the kitchen. E declared the pancakes to be 'really good' and then she was gone. I woke Mr.P up with a plate and we had a nice quiet breakfast while we watched the Presidential Inauguration.

The following is the recipe from Pinterest. It is exactly as I found it:

These are the absolutely best home made pancakes I've ever made. They are super tall, light and fluffy and yet they don't get all mushy when syrup is added, they are excellent.

3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons white vinegar (see note)
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar (I used 3)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the milk and vinegar in a small bowl for 10 minutes to "sour". This is an important step and it is called "soured milk" which is much different that sour milk. I guarantee you will NOT taste the vinegar in the final product. Set aside.

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk the soured milk, egg and melted butter together. Pour into the dry ingredients and whisk until most of the lumps are gone, but don't over beat.

NOTE: The batter will be thick, don't add any more liquid. Let the batter sit, undisturbed for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you will see bubbles in the batter, DON'T STIR.  Gently dip out a ¼ cup of batter and place it on a buttered grill or frying pan. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake and then flip with a spatula and brown the other side.

NOTE: This recipe only feeds about 3 or 4 people, but doubles or even triples nicely.

NOTE:  Don't skip the soured milk part of this recipe, you will not taste the vinegar in the pancakes. The vinegar super-activates the baking soda.

White Lightening Chicken Chili

Here in the Porter household we have been fortunate not to have had the flu, so far this year it has passed us by. However, we are congested, sneezing and coughing. It's no fun...we all feel just blah. I have been trying to prepare meals that are warm for our throats and tummies and spicy enough to clear our stuffy heads. When Southern Living posted this chicken 'chili' recipe on their blog earlier this week I knew we had to try it. Not only did it make us feel better but it was delicious as well. I just happened to have shredded chicken in the freezer from a rotisserie chicken I bought last week. And I switched out black-eyed peas instead of the navy beans, simply because that's what was sitting in my pantry. I can testify you couldn't find an easier and quicker get well meal than this. From pantry and freezer to stove it took 10 minute and only 1 pot, how's that for easy and quick?? I paired this feel good meal with my mother's cornbread. Why mom's and NOT a packaged cornbread mix? BECAUSE MY MOTHER"S CORNBREAD RECIPE IS THE BEST MY FRIENDS! You can find her recipe here. I try to keep my baking pantry stocked with the essentials for spontaneous baking! Check out the list of Pantry Essentials here.

This easy chicken chili takes only 30 minutes from start to finish. And it only dirties one dish, making it ideal for busy nights.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
• 2 (4.5-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
• 1 (1.25-oz.) package white chicken chili seasoning mix*
• 3 (16-oz.) cans navy beans*

WHAT TO DO

• Sauté onion and garlic in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until onion is tender. 
• Stir in chicken, next 3 ingredients, and 2 cans navy beans. 
• Coarsely mash remaining can navy beans, and stir into chicken mixture. 
• Bring to a boil, stirring often; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. 
• Serve with desired toppings.

* I used McCormick's white chicken chili seasoning mix, I found it on the seasoning aisle at my market. I used black-eyed peas instead of navy beans. That's what I had in my pantry and it was mighty tasty!

If you're feeling BLAH, make a pot of White Lightening Chicken Chili...

...you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

IF YOU EVER WONDERED: The American Flag

It is the right of every American to proudly display the Flag of the United States at their home, their business, and elsewhere. When you "SHOW YOUR COLORS" you tell the world that you are proud to live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." Throughout the proud history of America the U.S. Flag has been a steadfast symbol of Independence and Freedom, but it is so much more than that. Many flags have flown over the geographical area that is the United States of America since explorers and settlers began making their way here in the 16th Century.  During that period the flags of Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, and England provided the rallying point for the earliest Americans.  The Flag of Great Britain, The Union Flag, flew over the 13 American Colonies that were to become the first 13 United States, from 1707 to 1775. In the latter part of 1775, the delegates to the Continental Congress realized the need for a unique symbol of the unity of the 13 American colonies.  A committee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Lynch were chosen to design a flag. After doing their homework they decided it was best to please not only the colonial leaders but the individuals that were still loyal to Great Britain. The resulting flag was named the Grand United Flag.  The body was comprised of thirteen alternating red and white stripes to represent the unity of our thirteen colonies and their attitudes towards independence. On the other hand, there was a field of blue in the upper left hand corner that included the Union Jack, appealing to the loyalists. On January 1, 1776 General George Washington's troops raised the new flag on the liberty pole at Prospect Hill. The Declaration of Independence severed all ties between the 13 American Colonies and Great Britain.  For almost a full year after that first Independence Day, the flag of the new nation still bore the Union Jack among its red and white stripes.  All of that changed on June 14, 1777 when the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing a new design.  The name of the "United Colonies" having been changed in September of the previous year, the resolution read... "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation, a new nation." ...and, as they say, the rest is history.  In 1818, it was agreed that the number of stars would change as states were added to the union but that the stripes would remain at thirteen. Since then the United States has seen 27 flags. Across the nation and throughout  American history, Old Glory has flown from homes, storefronts, churches, government houses, village greens, college quads and even the moon! Every U.S. citizen should feel the freedom to proudly proclaim their patriotism by displaying their flag. The Flag Code was written for this very purpose. More than being a set of laws regulating how the flag should be respected, treated and displayed, it is a guarantee of the right of every United States citizen to fly the flag. It also states... "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing."  How awesome is that? A living thing, tangible and real. From July 4, 1960 onward, our flag has flown with fifty stars. This then is our flag..."Old Glory"..."The Stars and Stripes". It was not imposed on us from a conquering people, or handed down from an existing culture. It says we are American, not because of religion or race, or because we have a king, a common language, or an aristocracy, but because we are free. It's red, white and blue stand for black, brown, red, yellow and white...every man, woman, boy and girl who has inherited or achieved the privilege of calling themselves a citizen of the United States of America. Cherish it, honor it and never forget what it stands for and all of those that have gone before that have paid the price for such a symbol as our American flag.  These beautiful flags were found on rareflags.com. They have simply breathtaking flags. Check them out. The United States Flag Code tells how to properly display and care for the American flag as well as the dates on which it should be flown. If you're interested follow this link. Fly your flag today and take pride in being an American! ENJOY! ~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~ RONDA We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."   ....George Washington

Grilled Cilantro Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salsa

Look no further! This go-to grilled chicken dish will spice up even the dreariest of Winter days. It features a simple marinade with an addictive Indian-style  salsa on top. This meal will not soon be forgotten by your family.

TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA

                                                                   

• 1 pound medium beefsteak-type tomatoes, quartered, seeds squeezed out 
• 2 Serrano Chile's, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions 
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper 
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 firm-ripe avocados, cut into 3/4-in. chunks 

GRILLED CILANTRO CHICKEN

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 4 chicken breast halves with bone and skin (2 1/2 lbs. total)

WHAT TO DO

Salsa: In a bowl, combine tomatoes, chiles, and green onions. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring vinegar to a boil. Add sugar and salt and cook, stirring, until dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Put ginger, garlic, and dry spices in a bowl. In another medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until rippling. Add ginger mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in seasoned vinegar, and pour over tomato mixture. Let salsa cool, then cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. About 1 hour before serving, stir avocados into salsa and bring to room temperature.

Chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper. Turn chicken in mixture to coat. Let stand at room temperature, turning occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes.

 Prepare a grill for high heat (450° to 550°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). Lift chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and grill chicken (cover gas grill), turning often to prevent scorching, until no longer pink in center, 15 to 20 minutes.

 Transfer chicken to a platter and spoon salsa on top, saving half of liquid for another use (such as salad dressing).

SERVES :4

Spice up your winter day with this wonderful chicken dish.....

...you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

Canopy Beds for Awe-Inspiring Sleep

A classic and beautiful canopy bed is the dream of many a young girl, as was mine. Whether sleek and streamlined, or rich and ornate, a canopy bed adds instant architecture, character and style to a bedroom. Even simple, unadorned canopy frames make a quiet and unassuming statement. 

Below are several canopied beds I think are beautifully designed and look divine to sleep in.  I love how all of the rooms transport  you to a different place or time and create an instantaneous feeling as soon as you look at it, yet all are very livable. 

Canopies and bed curtains can be gauzy and romantic...

...formally dignified...

...soft and serene...

or childlike and frilly.  

A canopied or curtained bed can take center stage in a bedroom. Be careful to choose the fabric and usage of your canopy bed carefully so that it will tastefully enhance the decor of your room instead of becoming an unattended dust collector.

No matter the style, canopies create a magical place upon which to lay your head. I can definitely see myself relaxing on any one of these like a princess! 

What’s your style preference?  Do you like the cocoon of curtains surrounding your bed or do you prefer the unencumbered look? Leave me a quick note and tell me what you think. Are you pro-canopy? Start filling your inspiration file with pictures of canopy beds that you adore......you'll be glad ya did!

 ENJOY!

This is my little canopy that Mr.P built for me. 

I don't sleep like a princess, I sleep like a queen!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA