Posted by bethany on Nov 6, 2009 in
Guest Writers Friday Recipe Feature: with Jackie Connelly Photography
www.JackieConnelly.com
Chicken Satays
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
6 skinless chicken thighs cut into strips
1/4 cup lemongrass paste
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1 inch sliced ginger
1/2 tsp. turmeric
2 tbsp. coriander
2 tsp. cumin
3 tbsp. dark soy sauce
4 tbsp. fish sauce
5 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
METHOD
• Place all marinade ingredients in a food processor and process well. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Slide the pieces of meat onto the wooden skewers. (Tip: soak skewers in water beforehand to prevent splintering.)
• Pre-cook: Barbecue the satays on high heat (400-500 degrees) for 10 minutes (place the satays diagonally on the grill for 5 minutes; then same side but opposite diagonal for the next 5 minutes).
• About 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve, pop the skewers in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes (check thoroughness of cooking before serving)
• Serve with thai peanut dipping sauce.
Enjoy!
Posted by kari on Nov 2, 2009 in
Guest Writers 
Good morning and a happy Monday to everyone. As you may have noticed, the website has been looking a little different these days. Over the past couple of weeks there have been many changes happening in my household, including ongoing discussion to relocate and pursue our dreams of farm life and self-sufficiency. The results of this discussion and deliberation have led our family to take a leap of faith, and on December 1st we will be leaving the Comox Valley to re-establish ourselves in my husband’s home town of Didsbury, Alberta. This has been both an unexpected and exciting turn of events in our lives, and we are moving forward with our decision to pursue an incredible opportunity.
Obviously this has an impact on my involvement in our website, and unfortunately I have to step down as the contributor for our Interior Design component. While I am excited for the future and what this change may bring for me and my family, I am also disappointed to have to leave the Valley and the Comox Valley Dwellings venture. I have greatly enjoyed my time working with Bethany on this project, as her vision for this website has been so inspiring. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the home owners, shop owners, and readers that have supported us through the start up of the website, the local support in this community has been amazing!
Over the next couple of years we plan to devlope a self-sufficient farm, that includes chickens, pigs, goats, cows, and of course a vegetable garden. We are ambitious about our future at the farm, and have been brainstorming our way through impending projects. As we settle into our “new home on the prairie,” I look forward to many days of garden designing, animal tending, and enjoying all the perks that wholesome country life has to offer.
I will always be grateful to the Comox Valley for providing my family with such a lovely life experience. We have enjoyed our time here immensely and look forward to many returning visits. Thanks again to Bethany and her family for such a wonderful opportunity, your passion for the website is beautifully earnest.
~ Kari
Posted by bethany on Oct 30, 2009 in
Guest Writers When I was a little girl, we used to have pancakes at brunch every other weekend. Now that I’m “grown up” I still get a little bubble of glee rise up in my stomach at the thought/sight/smell of this simple food which brought our family together time after time.
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around here as we shuffle around the website with sick children on our laps and deal with changes of the “left-field” variety.
How does that relate to pancakes? Well normally it wouldn’t. But this weekend I’m vowing to put the books, work and other stresses of life aside while I sit around the table with my family to share some simple pleasures.
… then, perhaps, we’ll install the new loft window :)
www.jackieconnelly.com
Posted by bethany on Oct 16, 2009 in
Guest Writers Happy Friday!
Today we have a guest to teach us how to make a custom pillow slip cover. Thanks Katie!
Enjoy…
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If you haven’t used your sewing machine in a while this is the perfect quick and easy project to revive your sewing inspiration. If you sew all the time then this is a totally satisfying project to freshen up your home décor.
I was inspired by this gorgeous piece of silk fabric recently given to me (Thank you Mo!).
Fiber Facts ~ Silk is a natural fiber that is highly regarded for its strength, luster and dye-ability. The intense and vibrant colour of silk fabric is inspiring in itself. Silk production is labour intensive and therefore costly, but its luxurious and luminous qualities can’t be matched by any synthetic fiber that has been developed in imitation
A small project such as a pillow slipcover is THE perfect way to indulge in this spectacular fabric without spending a fortune. Of course, you can also use any of the beautiful home décor fabrics currently available locally.
You will need:
- a pillow form in your desired size (mine is 20” x 20”)
- approximately half a meter of fabric (your measurement will depend on the size of your pillow)
- matching thread
- ruler, pins, marking pencil
Cutting:
1.) Cut the front of the slipcover to the exact size of your pillow.
My piece is a 20” square.
2.) Cut two back pieces ½ the length plus 4” for hems and overlap.
Note ~ This is one of the few times when you are not going to add seam allowances – this creates a plumper and more professional looking pillow. If you add seam allowances the slipcover will actually be loose.
Sewing Instructions:
1.) Measure and press ½” to the wrong side of one long edge of each back piece. Fold ½” again to hide raw edge and press. Stitch close to the folded edge as shown.
2.)Lay front piece right side up. Place back pieces face down, overlapping in the middle. Pin. Use a pencil (any colour that will show up on your fabric is fine) to mark ½” pivot points for the corners.
3.) Using the ½” seam guideline, start sewing in the middle of one side (do not start sewing at a corner). Stitch around the entire pillow cover, backstitching when you meet your starting point. You can pivot at the corners or try the professional technique below. Trim excess seam allowance at corners.
Professional Tip ~ One stitch across the diagonal at the corners actually creates better-formed points when the fabric is turned right side out.
4.) Turn right side out, stuff with your pillow form, and Voila!
There are endless options for embellishment with contrasting stitching, appliqué, hand embroidery… Watch out for a future DIY pillow post…
Happy Sewing!
Author Bio
Katie Leikermoser is a Home Economics Teacher, enviro-conscious mother of 4, living with a renovation-in-progress who loves to share her passion for sewing and all things related to making a house a home. When she’s not in the kitchen she tries to find as much time at her sewing machine as possible.
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Recipe Feature with Jackie Connelly
This recipe for Harissa Prawns calls for the sauce on the side, but I like to marinate the prawns in the harissa sauce for a short while before pan frying. Served with something fresh like this cucumber and tomato salad with fresh mint balances the heat of the harissa. Source local, in season prawns in your area to make it even better!
Harissa Prawns Recipe
©2009jackieconnelly
www.JackieConnelly.com
