Just stealing some wifi... I'm alive!!

Hi there!!

It's been a while, I know, and I'm sorry, but until today I couldn't steal some wifi, so it's bien alsmot two weeks without internet... but yesterday I was a little bit lucky and so I was today, so here I am... alive!!

As you may suposse, I'm at Barcelona right now, in my new flat. We've move to a smaller one, but cute, I must say. And another good new: I'm starting next monday at Barbie's store here, in Barcelona... yes, I've got a job! And it's in a Barbie's Store, so funny! I'm so happy about that!

I'm searching too for a Swedish teacher, as I want to learn Swedish, and so maybe next autumn moving to Sweden... what do you think? At least, I must try!

And I've got some news that you'll know about it soon ;)

So, from now, I'll try to be more online like this, until next week when we'll have our proper internet connection.

Puss!

Beef Rendang

  

      

"The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness."  So says Deepak Chopra in The Ultimate Happiness Prescription:  7 Keys to Joy and Enlightenment.  Through chapters guiding us how to Be Aware of Your Body, Find True Self-Esteem, and Give Up Being Right we learn that happiness is the goal of every other goal.  Chopra sees most people believing that happiness comes from becoming successful, accumulating wealth, being healthy and having good relationships.  He believes this is a mistake.  "Success, wealth, good health, and nurturing relationships are byproducts of happiness," says Chophra "not the cause."

    

Is Chopra right?  He wouldn't be able to say so since he suggests giving up being right.  However, he must certainly be a really happy guy, since he is reaping the byproducts of success and wealth.  What lessons do I take from Chopra?  One is that if I can get happiness from opening a book, I can get joy from opening a jar.  That is a modern home cook's dilemma, isn't it?  Are we semi-homemade, or are we intrepid culinary explorers?  Although for me, it's less about fear of the journey's path or destination, than fear of the time it will take to get there.  Of course, Chopra would probably say something like life is a journey that must be traveled.  But, at the end of a long kid-filled day with errands and grocery shopping, trips to the park and birthday parties, self-esteem is put aside for the body weary awareness that enlightenment, this evening anyway, will come from a jar of pre-prepared simmer sauce.

   

If there is ever a recipe to thank for coming pre-made, Rendang sauce is one.  While originating in Indonesia, Beef Rendang is favored by Malays in Malaysia and Singapore.  It is a rich coconut beef stew with a complex mix of southeast Asian spices.  It is often served at ceremonial occasions and to honored guests.  They should feel honored because it takes 3 hours to make, simmering cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cardamon, lemon grass, tamarind and palm sugar in coconut milk.  Time I want to take on some school nights?  20 minutes, or about the time it takes to cook the rice.  Still need convincing to put occasionally aside your inner chef?  As Chopra would say, "If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue."  So, some nights, quiet that internal dialogue, supress your ego, and find joy in a jar.  Serves 2.

      

Ingredients:

1 tbsp canola oil

1 lb beef appropriate for stir fry, cut into strips

salt/pepper

12 basil leaves, shredded

1 jar simmer sauce

     

Description:

Heat the oil in a wok or other fry pan over medium-high heat.  Add the beef and and brown for 4 minutes.  Add the simmer sauce and stir to mix.  Turn the heat to low and simmer gently uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.   Meanwhile, prepare the rice.  Plate the beef stew with the shredded basil on top.  Serve with the cooked rice.

     

French Beach Cottage Headboard

Hi everyone, Its that time again, Make It For Monday. I didn't post for the party last week for two reasons. One I have been busy working on Gracie (for those in the know my Beach Cottage On Wheels), and two I had nothing to show. This week I have a great project to show. I call it a French Beach Cottage Headboard, this was the solution to needing a headboard for Gracie, and having a small budget. I hope it inspires.....

Don't mind the blue tape, I'm still working on Gracie. A little of the finished product.

I had some beadboard from another project, but its not that expensive (also you can have it cut down at the home improvement store). I bought some 1x6 finished lumber.

I put it all together like this (BTW its better to nail the beadboard into the 1x6 from the back), also mitered corners look better (If you ask real nice they may do it there too, Mr. Swedish Room helped me with that).

What? Oh that, I had this laying around the house so I just put it on. I'm sure you can find something like this at the flea market or something like it at a home improvement store. You can be as fancy or plain as you want.

Add a little primer and paint, Wa La a French Beach Cottage Headboard. Go try it, I had fun. For more inspiration go see Cindy at http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/. Have a good Make It For Monday. I'm back to work on Gracie........

See everyone next time.......

Bed, Bath & Beyond Giveaway!

I am very excited to be hosting my first ever giveaway, in honor of my birthday week! It is a coupon to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It is worth 20% off until 10/04/10 on one single item. From 10/05/10 get 10% off one single item. This is a in-store only coupon! To find a store near you , visit their web-site's store locator page.

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment and tell me what you love about Bed, Bath and Beyond. Also include a valid e-mail address that I can contact you at.

For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each!)

* Follow Golden Reflections on Google Friend Connect (Left hand corner)
* Follow Golden Reflections on Twitter
* Vote for Golden Reflections on Picket Fence Blogs each day (1 separate comment each time).
* Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment!

This giveaway ends on September 19 at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen on September 20 via random.org. The winner will contact through e-mail as well as an announcement on this site. The winner will have 72 hours to contact me to receive the coupon. If not, another winner will be picked on 9/23.

I am not being financially compensated for this giveaway in any way.

Menu Plan Monday

Be sure to check out my first ever Giveaway; a coupon to Bed, Bath and Beyond! Click here for entry details! 

This week's menu is again pretty simple and easy. There is one thing that was brought over from last week, the lentils and rice. I will also be gone Friday-Sunday for a women's retreat with our church so poor David will be fending for himself! I think his parents house will be visited a lot this weekend. :)

Monday - Leftover Buffet
Tuesday - Rice and Lentils
Wednesday - Eating out for my birthday
Thursday - Scrumptious Bean Chili (a new recipe from Sarah over at Sarah's Heart's Home).
Friday - Sunday: Gone at the Women's Retreat.

Have a great week of menu planning! Be sure to link your menu up over @ OrgJunkie.