Taking Care Of The Old

I am a firm believer of  "if you take care of your things, you'll have them forever".  This patio set below, I am prepping to paint.  I bought the set about 20 years ago for my youngest daughters 1st birthday party, because we needed more seating.  It wasn't cheap, I spent $399 for the table, 6 chairs and the umbrella, twenty years ago that was a lot of money.  So you can see why even after 20 years I still have it.   The set is made of steel, it is very sturdy, but the paint is worn and it's getting rust in some spots.  I am going to save it by painting the whole set.  I power washed the set to get all the dirt and moss off, let it dry in the sun, lightly sanded it, then I painted it with Rustoleum paint.  I should get another 20 years out of it, I hope!

This is the table, it's big and heavy.  The set was a faded tan/beige color and was rusty in spots as you can see. 

I had one of my sons take the table apart, there are rust spots between the glass and frame..

Taped and papered the top and the underside of the table, so paint doesn't get all over the glass.

 The four stationary chairs aren't too bad looking.  I  used my power washer to get all the dirt and moss off of them.

 The two "rocking chairs" are a bit rusty.

The chairs came up pretty good after washing them.

 This is my paint, a bronze - brown metallic paint, I wanted to jazz -up the set a little bit, I found it at Home Depot.

The stationary chairs are all done and looking good! It's amazing what a can of paint can do.  I always say, "spray paint is your friend".

 Ready to be paired back up with the table once I get that painted.  It also matches the new patio set that I purchased this year.

These are the 2 "rocking" chairs" that are now done.  The seats on all the chairs have vinyl strapping on them, the paint covered it pretty well.  They did have some age spots on them, but you won't see the spots when the cushions are on the chairs.

Clean smooth paint job.  I used a trigger nozzle on my paint cans, so no dripping occurs while I am painting.  I always get a clean smooth paint surface when I use them.  

I had to think quick when I started this job, that white valve (pictured) on my can of paint, did not fit in my handy dandy trigger nozzle, all I did was take a valve from an old can of paint (the red valve), problem solved.  This red trigger nozzle from Krylon is my favorite one to use, no drips.

 This is another trigger nozzle that I use, but I like the red one better.  

 Top side and underside are now done.  

My son put the legs back on the table and the set is finished!  Doesn't look too shabby, if I say so myself!

 It compliments the other patio set and furniture nicely, and more seating for parties!  So, don't throw out old worn out things, re-use them by painting them and they will last even longer.  Consider it money in your pocket, that's were money belongs.  Total cost for the makeover - $70 for paint and a little bit of my time.  Beats buying another new set!

Perfect Portions - Mini Cakes

Check these out!  I came across them at the grocery store on one of my many trips.  Duncan Hines Perfect Size, 4-6 serving little box cake mixes.  I don't always need a big cake for dessert to feed 4-6 people, and if it is left over, I WILL eat it!  These came in 3 varieties as you can see, they also come with a pan to bake the cake in and a frosting mix too, all for the low, low price of $2.49.  Can't beat that and only takes about 1/2 hour to bake.  SO, when you need a little something sweet, these cake mixes rock!

Old Chair, New Use

Went to a yard sale a few months ago and found this chair, it was only $2.00 so I grabbed it.  I always have visions when I see things like this, how I'm going to paint it, how or where I am going to use it.  It was a little rickety so I had to tightened it up.  I have to say it was well worth the price, and the chair now has a new use in my home.

Used my "mouse sander" and sanded the varnish off of it.  

This is the paint I used, it goes on great! Spray paint is your friend remember.

I love the rush seat on the chair so I preserved that, I used painter's tape and newspaper, and carefully covered it so paint did not get on it.

 The first coat of paint is on, flipped it over to paint the underside, then put a second coat of paint on.

 Amazing what a little bit of elbow grease, and a fresh coat of paint, will do for a worn out piece of furniture.  This chair now sits at my desk in the kitchen, and I no longer have to "borrow" a chair from the dining set.  I love how it turned out, and I hope I get many more years of use from it.

What Am I To Do With All This PAELLA? Eat it of Course!

Here is a new dish I have never tried before, Paella, a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, sausage, seafood and spices.  I usually don't venture too far out when cooking dinner, but this dish was so easy and it's all in one pan.  The family loved it, although they wanted it to be spicier, I don't like too much hot and spicy foods, but I passed the test with them and will make it again.

What started this dish is a little kitchen store I purchased the spices in when we were in Lititz.  I thought what the heck I'll try anything once, and I did and it was so delicious.  I combined a few recipes together to make it and it turned out great.  It's not hard to put the dish together so don't shy away from making it, you're using one pan.  Recipe below.

To print recipe click, highlight and print.

To view pictures in a larger format, click on the pictures.

So here are my ingredients - olive oil, chorizo sausage, chicken, shrimp, onion, garlic, parsley, saffron, my spice packet, salt, pepper, tomatoes, rice, lemon and peas.

For those who don't know what saffron is or looks like, this is it.  Saffron threads, as they are called, are the stamens from a small purple crocus.  I purchased my saffron from a spice store in Philadelphia.  As you can see you don't get much for the price, but also don't need much of it to color or flavor your food.  Saffron when steeped turns food a golden color, that's unique about it and what it's used for.  You can also purchase saffron in a powder form.

 Cooked up the chorizo, set aside.  Chorizo is a somewhat spicey Spanish sausage.

 Rub spices on the chicken and cook skin side down until crispy.

 The whole house smelled so good from the fragrance of the spices!

Sweet onion, garlic, parsley and lemon.

 Sauteing onion, garlic and parsley.

 Add in the tomatoes until caramelized, looking so good, and smells even better!

 Toast the rice and add water.  Put the chicken, and sausage back in and let simmer.

 In the last few minutes add the shrimp and peas.  Garnish with lemon slices and serve.

 See, I told you it was easy!  Look how good this looks for a weeknight dinner, AND it's something different to serve your family.

 PAELLA

Ingredients

Spice mix, recipe below

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 chicken thighs, skin on
3 chorizo sausages, cut in thick slices

2 tablespoons Paella spice mix 

salt and pepper

1/2 sweet onion, diced

2 big cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

1 - 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained

3 cups medium grain white rice

5 cups water

pinch of saffron threads

1/2 lb raw jumbo shrimp

1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

lemon wedges for garnish

Paella Spice Mix Blend - If you don't have paella spice on hand

a generous pinch of saffron threads

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more if you like more heat

Mix together and store in a tightly sealed jar.

Directions for Making Paella

Heat the olive oil in a large shallow pan over medium high heat.  Rub about a teaspoon of spice mix on the skin side of the chicken thighs, let them sit.  Saute the sausage until it is browned.  Remove from pan, set aside. Add the chicken skin side down in the pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper on the side that is up.  Cook until the skin is crispy, all sides are browned, and juices are clear, turning as it is cooking.  Remove from pan and set aside.

Saute the onions, garlic and parsley for about 2 minutes, then add the tomatoes and remainder of spice mix and cook until all is caramelized.  Toss in the rice, stir to coat with juices and toast it. Pour in the water and add the saffron threads, simmer for about 10 minutes, gently stirring as it is cooking, so the rice absorbs the juices. Add the chicken and sausage back in and tuck the shrimp down in the rice so it cooks, they don't take long to cook, 7-8 minutes. Gently shake the pan and let it simmer, do not stir, and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, toss in the peas to heat them through. Garnish with chopped parsley, fresh lemon slices and serve. There will be a nice crust of rice on the bottom of the pan that tastes wonderful! Makes 4 servings.