Herb Mustard Pork Loin & A Great Knife

 You've probably seen variations of this recipe before, but it is one of my favorites to make in the summer when my herbs are flourishing.  It is really simple and versatile, you can change it up with any herbs you have on hand.  You can even use dried herbs, just make sure to use a lot less.  I also want to show you one of my favorite kitchen gadgets.

Wild Child Desk

I've finished another project and am taking it to Old Paris today.  Jeff is opening another store (actually in the original building that he took back the lease on) next week, so I want to get this in for the opening.  I found this desk one day on my way home from lunch with my mom and sister.  I really wasn't looking to buy anything, but sometimes you just can't pass up a piece that talks to you.  In fact when I asked the lady how much she wanted for it I was hoping it would be out of my price range.  I think my husband is getting a little frustrated with furniture all over the shop, you see he has the neatest, cleanest shop of any guy I know.

Fleur de lys Transfer Chair

My sister turned over  Paris Flea Market to her son Jeff this year and instead became a dealer in his new store. They both graciously suggested that I start picking and selling there.  I thought it might be a fun way to get rid of some of my projects.  I didn't know how addictive it could be.  So I got on craigslist (not many garage sales in March in North Idaho) and found this chair.                                                                          

Wild Turkeys in the Garden

I was talking to my sister on the phone yesterday and looked out my window to see this.  Dang turkeys!!!!!!!  Doesn't look like I'll get much this year if I don't figure a way to keep them out.  We already moved the raspberries in there to keep the turkeys from eating them all.

An ugly chair & a cool ottoman

Well I guess every passion starts somewhere, my latest is revamping furniture.  I had just put all of the Christmas decorations away and felt like I needed some type of change in decor.  You know how it is, the bling of all the decorations is gone and it feels great to have things back to normal, but it also feels empty.

Swiss Steak & Veg-all Salad

You know how some meals bring you right back to your childhood?  This is one of those.  If I was to read these recipes I would probably blow right by them, they seem so boring.  Back when these were popular you didn't see 5 or 6 spices listed in every recipe, they were simpler.  This doesn't mean they don't taste delicious.  So please give them a try and let me know what you think.

The Begining

Who am I?

I live in the styx of North Idaho.  Actually I look out the window and think "I'm in God's country", except in the winter when there is four foot of snow on the ground with predictions for another foot, then the expletives come out.  I've recently joined the ranks of real housewives, not the Mark Jacobs, Manolo's type, more the New Balance, Levi type.  I'm not a twenty something newlywed.  Think more like retired but too young to collect my pension or social security.  I few years ago I tried to change out from the corporate world to one of my passions, cooking.  I got a certificate of culinary arts at the local collage and became a private chef.  That was great for a couple of years, but I guess I just wasn't ready yet to give up the 9 to 5 routine, so I went back to work for a few of years.  There comes a time when you know that it is time to stop collecting a paycheck and start breathing in life.  So with my husbands blessing I took that step a couple of months ago.  I've worked most of the time since I was 14 (which was awhile ago), so I know I will need something to keep me busy.  I've turned in my spreadsheets, blueprints, email (well for work), and voice mail (see previous), for sandpaper, paint, rick-rack, and lace.  I've already finished a few projects which I will post soon, and there will be some great recipes.  Enjoy!