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Fall 2008 Newsletter
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Have you ever tried to think of a perfect word to describe a situation or feeling that you had experienced; that one simple word that sums up everything? I have thought about this a lot trying to find just the right word that would tell the story, touch on the emotion and be from the heart.
The dictionary defines the word "gratitude" as thankfulness or appreciation, a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgement of a benefit that one has received or will receive. "Gratitude" was perfect. No other word quite explained how we feel here at Amphora.
June 2nd the doors opened to our new store at 2 North Northwest Hwy. Gratitude is what we feel every time we look around and see old and new customers excited to continually find those unique and interesting treasures while they save money, gratitude is what we feel when we get the chance to help with your design needs and stay under your budget, gratitude for the opportunities to partner with community events such as Rainbow Hospice, allowing Amphora "to pay it forward" and gratitude is certainly flourishing with the many friendships that we have made and continue to make with you and new customers as well.
With the expansion of our new store and our second anniversary quickly approaching, Diane and I want to extend our genuine heartfelt gratitude to all of you for making Amphora such a success. We have so much planned for the coming months and are excited to tell you that we will be offering complimentary in store design seminars starting in Sept. as well as expanding our ever changing inventory to include upholstery and drapery designer fabrics, juvenile furniture and accessories, unique lighting, rugs and great holiday gifts, ornaments and décor. All of which will continue to be a fraction of what you would normally pay. Also, watch for all of our special events coming up and then mark your calendar which will include our 2nd year anniversary celebration on Sept 12th, the Brickton house walk starting on the 16th of October and so much more. Do you have an organization you belong to and would like us to host a meeting in our store? Amphora will be happy to speak at your event...call for details.
This month's newsletter, Carol has a great article in her "Interior Gardner" section that shows you how to step by step make your own affordable table top fountain. Once you have read her simple instructions, stop by and pick out a great container to make your own. Eileen Constance Boggins has some wonderful end of summer salads you will want to try in the "Practical Chef" then click on "You can do it" and I will show you how to make a creative and inexpensive floor cloth or wall hanging out of something you may already have at home. Get the kids involved and it makes a great family project.
Gratitude...yes the perfect word!
Debi
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Water is often referred to as the elixir of life but beyond needing it for survival, water also appeals to our senses in many therapeutic and recreational ways. We relax to the sound of a trickling stream, a soft summer rain, or the rhythm of rolling waves on a shoreline. We are visually drawn to the aesthetic beauty of oceans, lakes and rivers. We love to swim, ski, sail and whatever else we can think of to interact with water. Mini ponds and fountains are added to our personal outdoor spaces to create a place of serenity to come home to. And sometimes just a nice long soak in the tub can be therapeutic and turn a bad day into a good one.
You can easily simulate the serene feeling water creates to any room with an indoor water garden and it couldn't be easier to assemble:
All you need are a few elements:
• Decorative Bowl (ceramic, glass, be creative)
• Small Aquatic Pump (craft stores or garden centers)
• Rocks (glass marbles, shells, etc.)
• Plants (optional)
• Water
Directions:
• Center the pump inside the bowl.
• Cover with rocks.
• Fill with water.
• Add Plants (optional).
This is an accessory that not only brings unique beauty to your home, but also the movement and peaceful sound of water in your own personal interior space!
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Finally summer has arrived, and we deserve it after a long snowy winter and rainy spring! Now, it's time to enjoy your herb garden, watching the tomato plants grow and incorporating herbs into your home cooking weekly. If you don't have a vegetable garden - the farmers market on Saturday mornings is a perfect stop for you. Be creative and adventurous this summer. Try new vegetables, grill them, add herbs to salads, steaks, marinades and yes, even fruit. Try grilling pineapple and add dash of chopped lavender or rosemary. I have planted 34 tomato plants and by the end of August, I will be making sauces, sun dried tomatoes, salsas and eating them daily! Below are a few recipes that you can easily adapt with adding or changing the vegetables to your liking. Everything highlighted you can grow in your garden.
Bon Appetit!
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Panzanella Salad - Italian Bread Salad
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 lb. seeded and chopped tomatoes, with juices reserved
1/2 - 3/4 lb country bread, cut into 1 inch slices
1 cucumber, peeled seeded and chopped
1 yellow pepper, sliced thinly
1/3 c salt packed capers, rinsed
1/2 - 3/4 C extra virgin olive oil
30 fresh basil leaves (3/4 C) torn into pieces or narrow strips
• In a bowl, combine garlic and vinegar, Season with sale and pepper, set aside. Place tomatoes in their juices in large salad bowl.
• Toast or grill bread slices, let cool slightly then tear into bite size. Add bread to tomatoes, add cucumber and capers.
• Whisk 1/2 C olive oil to vinegar mixture to emulsify into vinaigrette. Drizzle over tomato mixture and toss to coat all ingredients. Adjust with salt and pepper. Scatter basil over top.
• Note: if you make the salad too far in advance, bread will soak up all dressing and you will need to add more olive oil.
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Chicken Salad with Tarragon, Grapes and Walnuts
1 Roasted Chicken
Bunch of fresh tarragon
Bunch of red/green grapes, your choice
4 green onions or chives, chopped
6 oz. walnuts, chopped or almond slivers
White wine vinegar - 1/8 c or more, depending on taste and texture
8 oz. or more, non-fat plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper to taste
2t sugar
Lettuce of choice, spinach, arugula, etc
• Purchase roasted chicken from grocery store, take meat of bones, shred chicken.
• Add grapes, walnuts or almonds.
• In a separate bowl, whisk yogurt and white wine vinegar together, add sugar, salt, pepper to taste.
• Drizzle over chicken salad to coat, not to drown the in dressing.
• Three ways to serve; on bread as a sandwich, a big scoop over mixed greens, or stuff into a large ripened tomato!
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Fennel and Parsley Salad
2 large fennel bulbs, stems
2 cups chopped flat leaf parsley (about a bunch)
2 t Meyer lemon or regular lemon zest
3 T olive oil
2 T Meyer lemon or regular lemon juice
s/p to taste
1/4 c dry jack cheese, shredded
1/4 lb shredded proscuitto (optional)
3 T shallots, chopped
• Cut fennel bulbs in half lengthwise and discard tough portion, slice thinly.
• Combine fennel, parsley, shallots and lemon zest in bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon. Season with Salt and pepper. Add proscuitto (optional). Toss.
• Scatter with cheese on top and serve.
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Having been a set designer for a variety of live shows in Waikiki as well as a mural artist that specialized in children's rooms I learned to find ways to save money and get creative with unique ways of designing.
One day I was researching "floor cloths" for a mom who wanted a different hand painted accent piece to compliment the mural I had just painted in her child's room.
Floor cloths have been around a very long time:
"They were first invented in France in the early 1400s, when painted oilcloths were used as decorative wall hangings and table coverings. They were introduced to North America in the 18th century.
In the early days, floor cloths were used to imitate the fine flooring found in fashionable homes. These cloths, often referred to as "crumb cloths" because of their use under dining room tables, were also used in parlors and hallways. They also made the floors warmer in the winter, and were used to cover the dirt floors of early Colonial America. Sails from ships were recycled as floor cloths and painted in bold designs. For several hundred years, these cloths were made and used in both rich and poor homes. It is said that George Washington listed a floor cloth valued at $14.82 in 1779 in a financial disclosure. While in office, Thomas Jefferson had a green painted canvas floor cloth in the dining room in the Whitehouse.
Until the invention of linoleum, these floor cloths were very popular throughout North America. Painted either free hand or using stencils, their washable and wearable finish made them a desirable addition to the home. By the early 1920s floor cloths virtually disappeared until hand-painted items came into style in the 1960s and they once again became popular."
I got to thinking...what fabric or material other then oilcloth or canvas could I use? What would be water, food or crayon and paint proofÉin other words, what would be kid proof? I finally came up with an ideaÉ.linoleum! It was inexpensive, waterproof and most of all had a built in smooth backing that was perfect for painting.
Listed below is the directions and material list you will need to make a floor cloth. I have also included a picture of one of my finished cloths that I used to carry out a nautical theme in a little boys room. Note; I used his actual feet and hand prints "in the sand" to add a personal touch.
MATERIALS
• Piece of linoleum (sheet vinyl). Any size, color or pattern.
• Paints or markers
• Paint brushes
• Small roller to apply sealer
• Water based sealer in the finish of your choice
DIRECTIONS
1) Take your piece of linoleum and cut it to the size and shape you would like. Since it does not unravel and has a clean edge after cutting, you can really get creative in your shape.
2) Flip the piece over to the smooth side. Your pattern will be on the bottom. The smooth side is ideal for painting.
3) Paint the smooth side with a primer coat of paint. This will seal the backing and prepare it to paint your design.
4) Paint on your design. This can be anything you dream from a board game, roads for little cars, a design pulled from your bedding, the alphabet, numbers...the sky is the limit.
5) Once you have painted your design, let dry and then apply a couple coats of clear water based sealer.
6) Now you have a game board, play mat, floor cloth or wall hanging that can also be easily rolled up and stored or taken on a road trip.
7) ENJOY!...P.S. makes a great gift too!!!
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