I Keep My Ideals

I’ve Moved!

kmtrends — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:06:23 +0000

I’ve moved my blog back to blogspot again. I know, I know.

Click here to go to the new blog….and bookmark it!

A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life

kmtrends — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:11:48 +0000

I came across this book in Anthro the other day and was inspired. Check out this coffee table book, which I will read cover to cover one day when I suck it up and buy it! It’s $34 on Amazon, $55 at Anthro! You know where to find it!

Success!

kmtrends — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:35:51 +0000

I pulled it off like a champ and we had a lovely time with some wonderful new friends for whom I am so grateful for – on that note, check out dear Miss Busse‘s blog. She’s a gem. These photos are from my iphone – should have brought out the Mother Camera but I always feel like a narcissist braggart taking photos of my cooking, baking and decor. Alas, this is all I have to show you !

And then here is what I did for table settings. Pink glass, of course. I love my wine glasses! And then I painted two X-Rated Bottles and a a Bailey’s Bottle for candle sticks. Plus I bought the miniature latte bowls from Anthropologie and set them on top of a handmade crochet lace piece courtesy of Oma Rogalsky!

Do I Dare?

kmtrends — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 03:39:00 +0000

I do!

For the last twenty-two years, I have known the most divine Thanksgiving dinners known to mankind. (Quite the claim, I know. But the honest truth nonetheless). All this to say that my first Thanksgiving away from home, and I know that the Canadian/American thing can cause quite the confusion, I have decided to embark on a quest to recreate my family’s amazing turkey dinner.

Landon and I are having a near-and-dear new friend of mine and her manfriend over for the occasion and I’ve been dreaming up decor and turkey trimmings for the last three days. I even watched Pioneer Woman on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown in preparation. The tips have been processed and I’m ready.

My favourite thing about a Hamilton turkey dinner (besides family, of course) is the delicious stuffing my wee Menno grandmother dreamt up (or was divinely given). Either way, it’s delicious and moist and the perfect essential for a turkey din. So here’s the recipe, right from the beautiful hands of my Gma Enns.

To Those I Love…

kmtrends — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:27:41 +0000

For those of you who have noticed my recent detachment from social networking (aka: I deactivated my facebook for the next week or two or three or forever) feel free to email me at kristenmhamilton@gmail.com. I am coming up to the end of my first semester in my MFT program. Stressed, excited, looking forward to rest. And facing a significant transitional phase in my life, from which I can choose joy or anger. Long story short, I’m choosing joy and for the sake of my sanity, I’m unplugging for a wee bit to readjust my priorities and enjoy where I’m at

I love you all. I miss you all. I’ll be back soon

I’m usually a leather-over-suede girl, but….

kmtrends — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:05:12 +0000

check out these wedges by MIA…..They are surprisingly comfortable. Pair them with high-waist oversized cropped pants and voila! Amazing….

MIA Modern Wedge Pumps - $49 at DSW

Sail or Dive Pants - $40 at ModCloth

Conflicting Cravings: Salted Caramel Sauce and Artichoke Ravioli. Hmm.

kmtrends — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:02:51 +0000

Check out this recipe by Smitten Kitchen

And this????? WHAT?! This will go on my list of recipes to attempt……

This looks AMAZING

kmtrends — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:49:04 +0000

Okay, seriously?? In perusing Design*Sponge for obvious reasons, I came across a link to a food blog that is absolute perfection. Cafe Fernando has a billion beautiful recipes – cakes, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!! Check out his delicious-looking chocolate mousse and click here to see the recipe! I mean, come on. Dolce and Gabbana asked this guy to create a recipe for their digital magazine – his recipes MUST be amazing.

Etsy Feature: Hob-Op

kmtrends — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:18:55 +0000

Check out Hob-Op‘s Etsy Shop! Beautifully designed covers for you iPad, Kindle, Nook and Sony E-Reader! And at this price, it’s less expensive and WAY more exciting than the boring solid-colored covers available through Amazon!

I picked this one for my mum, and check out the inside – crafty, amazing, fantastic!

And here are a few of my other favourites! She does custom covers as well! $29.99 for Reader Covers, and $37.99 for iPad Covers!

Recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala

kmtrends — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:01:35 +0000

I love food. I love spicy food. And I love it over rice. Amazing.

In lieu of my recent medical label, I am embarking on a really hungry journey of reassessing my dietary choices. The big 4 are difficult for me to cut completely out for a number of reasons: Caffeine. Sugar. Alcohol. Tobacco. I love coffee and teas (caffeine). I love baking and yummy desserty treats (sugar). I love to nurse a glass of wine as I cook my fave entrees (alcohol). And I am ashamed to say that I do enjoy the odd tobacco product – less so now that my fave smoke is unavailable in the USA.

To get all these amazing things successfully out of my body, I am doing a cleanse or a fast, more like. Awful. I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and then start reintroducing foods and pay close attention to how my body responds. But I love to eat. Simply put, I love food.

So last night I cooked one of Landon and my favourite dishes. Landon, not as much as me but of my favourite rice dishes, this is one that he can tolerate. So for the spice-lover in your life, make this. It’s spicy. But amazing. The original recipe is here. The one below has been modified for ease and a few little changes I felt were important in the perfection of my favourite Indian dish!

Chicken Tikka Masala

1 cup yogurt

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 or 2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp ground black pepper

1 tbsp minced fresh ginger

3-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tbsp butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp paprika

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 tsp cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper and ginger. Stir in chicken, cover and refrigerate for one hour.

2. Cook chicken in a pan. In another pan, saute garlic and jalapeno with butter for about one minute. Add 2 tsp cumin and paprika. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Add cooked chicken and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Serve over rice and garnish with fresh cilantro – delish!