I served chai bread for a ladies luncheon last summer. Subtly spiced, it was a lovely addition to the tea breads. It is also perfect for holiday dinners and buffets. And, as my friend Apple Valley Sue pointed out, it makes a very nice gift! Sue was my Secret Sister one year and gifted me with some chai tea bags – my introduction to the beautiful flavors of chai. I promised to get the recipe to Sue before the holidays so chai bread can be gifted to a hostess, a teacher, a neighbor or anyone else! So here it is!!! Cardamom adds to the distinctive chai flavor. It is a rather expensive spice so do watch through the year for a spice sale or check the ethnic aisle (or ethnic stores, if you are lucky enough to have them nearby.) I use a chai tea bag to make the tea, but you can also use ... [Read More]
Search Results for: Chai
How to Install a Chair Rail
Installing a chair rail was a step in giving our boxy plain dining room some architectural character. Here's what we did: You can purchase 12, 10 or 8 foot lengths of moulding and trim. Before buying, measure the room and take note of windows and doors. Determine the longest unbroken run and that will determine the length of the stock moulding. For example, if the measurement is over 10 foot, buy 12 foot long stock. This will allow you to make as few splices as possible and save you time and work. With a little thought, you can figure out how to make those three dimensions work in your room to make as few cuts as possible. Just be sure the pattern is exactly the same in all lengths. Remember when figuring length of stock that straight ends will butt up against door and window ... [Read More]
How to determine where to place a chair rail
A chair rail adds interest and polish to any room, bringing instant character and definition. The term may have originated from the Shakers who used rails with pegs to hang chairs so floors could be easily swept. Many people think they are intended to protect the wall from backs of chairs that were pushed up against it and they do sometimes serve that function. However as far back as the Romans, wood pieces have been most frequently used to divide walls for design and architectural interest. But how do you know where to place the chair rail on the wall? Is one place better than another? I am so glad you asked!!!! Because there are answers. Ancient Greeks searched for mathematical formulas to determine the perfect number, perfect chord, and points of perfect balance in ... [Read More]
Chai Tea Latte Mix
Chai Tea is just one thing I have learned about from my Secret Sisters. They’ve written beautiful notes, shared their talents in different ways and introduced me to all sorts of new indulgences. One secret sister was a tea drinker who gifted me wonderful chai tea. Mmmmmm --- a cup of delight! And of course, curiosity . . . . . . “Chai” is from India where it means “tea”. A combination of spices added to black tea in India eventually came to be associated with the word “chai” in English. Even though tea is made with milk in India, English speakers began using an Italian “latte” to indicate that fact. So when we refer to chai tea latte, we are really saying “milky tea, tea, milk”. Or something like that. . . . A little odd when it is the spices that set it apart and make it ... [Read More]
Busy Monday 519
Got to go shopping with my sister Kay yesterday. She is headed to Pensacola for a wedding and needed a little jacket of some sort to go with her dress so came to our neck of the woods to search. We set a record: four stores (not in a mall!) in less than 90 minutes! Nothing at the first three but the last one yielded several possibles and one that is absolutely perfect!!! Mission accomplished. Not sure who was happier -- Kay or the guys when we returned so quickly! May you accomplish the impossible and make someone happy this week! Thanks for stopping by to share your awesome ideas! Featured from last week: Our Tiny Nest - Coastal Grandmother Style The Happy Mustard Seed - Grilled Vegetables Salad Filling the Jars - How to Live Without a Dresser The Savory Cipolla - Easy Oreo ... [Read More]
Baked Honey Lemon Chicken
Tender and delicious, from Grandma’s favorite cookbook, this is a can’t miss recipe for serving 8-10. Grandma started with a whole chicken – but you can pick up a package of sliced chicken breast and have it in the oven quickly. It bakes for an hour, which gives you enough time to scrub 8 medium potatoes and toss them in the oven for an easy side. Don’t bother to wrap. No potatoes in the pantry? Grab a couple of boxes of sauced pasta or brown rice. Make a quick dessert like Buttery Apple Crisp or the Classic Naked Brownie and put it in the oven soon after the chicken. Grab a packaged green salad from the fridge and toss in a single large bowl for diners to help themselves. Or take a few more minutes and portion the salads in individual bowls for each place setting. Better yet, ... [Read More]