I've really been into making Latin food and enjoying all the scrumptious flavors that it offers.

I just can't seem to get enough and Hubs loves pork anyway I fix it.

Pork tenderloin is as versatile as chicken, and lean!

Here's a great recipe which has become one of my favorites.

I need to work on my food photography skills. It's time to break down and buy a macro lens.

The pork is so flavorful, and the rice will knot your socks off!!!

Cuban Spiced Pork Tenderloin and Soffrito Rice

RICE:

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 slices bacon, chopped

1 small white onion, chopped

1/2 small  pablano pepper (can use green pepper)

2 3/4 cups chicken stock

1 2/2 cups white rice

2 pinches saffron (or 1/2 teaspoon turmeric)

Salt

PORK:

2 pork tenderloins

4 cloves garlic

4 bay leaves

2 tsp. anise seeds

2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tbsp. ground cumin

2 limes, zested

2 tbsp. grill seasoning, McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning

EVOO

Preheat the oven to 450°

Heat pan with tight fitting lid over medium high heat.  Brown the bacon, and then add the onions and peppers and saute 5 minutes.  Add the stock and bring to a boil, add rice.   Cover the pot and reduce the heat to simmer.  Cook 15-18 minutes, until the rice is tender.

For the pork, cut four slits into each loin and nest the garlic and bay in to the meat. Place the meat on a nonstick baking sheet.  Combine the spices, coat the meat with oil, and rub the spices over the pork tenderloins and place in oven.  Roast for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.

Slice and serve with soffrito rice, you can also add scallions and cilantro on top.

Adapted from Rachael Ray.

Very easy to make and so tasty!

Today is the Charmer's 2nd Guest Post - in celebration of  my 1st Blogaversary!

Rukmini from Trumatter is gracious enough to join in on the celebration by sharing her creativity with us!

Yes, we are very lucky indeed!

Some of Rukmini's creativity is shown

in the transformation of  her DIY Project: Wine Crate To Beach House Table,

or her Before and After, Harlequin Tabletop Tutorial

her creativity shines through!!!!

In the journey of our roads meeting together, I have found Rukmini to be creative, a free spirit, gentle and beautiful inside and out!

Hi there. My name is Rukmini Roy and I blog @trumatter, from my teeny little, sunny space station by the creek on earth which I call home. A décor enthusiast with a strong DIY ethic, an editor by day and renegade foodie by night, I love every bit of my toggling life between pinstripe suits, junk silver and polka dot pajamas.

I’m honored to be Guest blogging for Cathy here today and I think this is a post you’ll definitely bag. Ah well, this is about a beach bag made from a discarded t-shirt! A bit sad that the bag for charity is weighing lesser by the minute but you cannot stop the DIY minded brain rat from looking for cheese (read tees), can you?

Without much further ado, here we are on how to make

A no sew beach bag from old tee

Ready then?

You’ll need

An old t-shirt

A pair of scissors

Fabric glue

Rope/cords

Directions

First, place your t-shirt on a flat surface, and starting from the waist hem, cut a tote shape. See collage below for ref. Next, reverse your tee and with fabric glue secure the cut and the loose ends. T-shirts generally don’t ladder but seamed ends do look neat to me.

Keep the top and few inches of the side open and give it an inside fold. Again, stickityboo. Now here, I have cut a little semi circle where the sleeves were. You can just go straight.

Now, with a scissor make 4 holes, 2 on each side of the open top section from where you will attach the rope handle.

How to attach the rope handle

Sling a meter of rope from your shoulders and see where you would like to see your bag. You might like it short or mid length so that’s totally up to you.

Take the measurement of the length and cut 2 equal lengths of rope. This will be your handle.

Pull one end of a piece of rope through a hole and tie two dead knots on the inner side of the bag. Actually, if you know some fancy knots, you can tie it outside too. Also, you can use a bunch of satin cords if you like. The possibilities are endless. here's a sketch of the same

Do it in all the four holes and you’ll be ready with a super looking beach bag that’s made out of your old teeshirt!

Fun?

Do yourself a favor and stop by Trumatter and bask in her creative spirit!

I'm still in the process of transforming our living area to a cottage style,

hubs and I have been working on changing an old ugly bookcase

in to a cottage one on a very frugal tight budget!

Here's how the bookcase looked before we started (before room painted)..

Yikes, that's an ugly bookcase don't ya think?

It's missing a leg - and has absolutely no CHAR.RIC.TER, if I say so myself - but it was $30 bucks!

It was slotted to go in the hubs workroom, but never made it!

Can you believe hubs still moans under his breath about it! - Like get over it!!!

The leg was repaired and we  painted it white.

We used it like this for just about a year.!!!

Me thinks it needs a "cottage" updo...

First we pulled the back off..

we found some old paneling laying in the basement.

The right side shows how it looked like before we painted it white...

Liked the varying widths of the panel...

and ruffed it up a bit with sandpaper..

Next we focused on the top of the bookcase - No cottage look here!

Wanted a "farmhouse" looking top -with a dark stain.

..

found these 2 FREE pieces in the basement..Way to Go... and sanded them clean....

Next hubs sawed the boards in varying widths.

To join the planks together Hubs used a Biscuit Joint cutter (very easy to use).

 to make slits like this (sorry about photos)

then you just stick a "biscuit" (buy them) in the slots, use some wood glue....

and clamped together for a few hours...

We stained it with our fav stain color - dark walnut... nailed and glued to the bookcase top.

I heart the  farmhouse table top look...helps to age the piece.

This is how she looks up to this point - yes that is a lot of birds - that's another story!

OK, focus!  With just those two changes she already looks a whole lot better.

Still needs a little somethin'?

 A little somethin' included trimming out the sides...

Adding some pretty scroll deets on the the front...

But her legs are just NOT doing it!

We tossed  around so many different ideas.

Our inspiration came from a very charming bookcase we already have!

Hubs got to work tracing it on some leftover wood..

and nailed it to the bottom of shelf, but we didn't like the "line" showing...

We bought  this cute trim at Lowes..and attached to the bottom...

Ruffed it up a bit, and aged with a dark stain..

Pretty, and cottagey don't ya think?

A few closeups...

love the paneled look in back of bookcase

Total cost - $30 bucks!  The only purchased items was the wood trims (side, scroll and bottom trim).  Everything else was from our scrape piles from garage and basement!

What A Makeover - Drab to Fab!

She's not Ugly anymore! Can't wait to decorate her!

So let's have another 1giveaway 1st Blogaversary GiveAway!

A $25.00 gift card to HOME GOODS!!!

How Can You Win?

Simple - Be a Follower! Either on Facebook, Linky, Email, Twitter or Pinterest!

- and leave a comment saying how you follow and how excited you'd be to win!

Simple, Right?

Want extra entries?

Tell Your Friends About It!

"Like" this post!

Share on Facebook!

Follow 1929 Charmer on Twitter!

Share a Tweet-

My fingers are crossed that you'll win!!!

All Giveaway winners announced at Sunday's Best May 27!

Again, Happy First Anniversary to you, Cathy!

Oh me oh my,

It's My First Anniversary, for Blogging that is!

Some of what I have accomplished over the last year - 200 Post, over 300 Followers!

This anniversary would not be possible if wasn’t for YOU,

Friends and blog followers!
You are the motivation, encouragement and friendships that have been such a blessing on this blogging journey….
I am SO thankful for you!

I am also thankful to

These lovely ladies will be guest posting over the next 2 weeks!!

Audrey @ Elegant Economics

Linda @ Two Succulent Sisters

Rukmini @ Trumatter

Wendy @ Her-Ballistic

Lori @ Bleak 2 Unique

Kelly @ Miss Information

GIVEAWAYS!

Grand Prize!!!

 Free Designed Blog Header and Button (WordPress, Blogger and Typepad)!!

This Giveaway was donated by Karen @ Simply Amusing Designs

A $300.00 value

by my fabulous Web Designer (my new web design)

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There will also be 4 other Giveaways during the next 2 weeks.

All Giveaway Winners will be announced on Sunday May 27th.

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Simply Amusing Design Giveaway!

Free Blog Banner and Blog Button (WordPress/Blogger/Typepad) a $300 value!}

Here's How You Can Win!!!

Just use the widget below to Enter

 (**1st time using the Giveaway widget, so if it's NOT working, just post your comments letting me know how you entered**)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Let's Get This Par.tay Started!!!    

Join in on the Celebration by linking up your wonderful crafts, DIY, recipes, gardening and inspiration!

NO ETSY OR GIVEAWAYS!!!!

This party will be open until May 26th.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Time for Sunday's Best #29 Wrap Up Par.tay!!!

So If you've been featured, grab a button!

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The Most Viewed..

Using My Quilts - Rita May @ May Days

Some of My Favs...

Copy Cat Coffee Table - Katie  Sue @ Let's Add Sprinkles

DIY Sharpie French Label Towel - Heather @ Setting For Four

Pallet Project: Kitchen  Herb Planter Box - Kristi @ I should Be Mopping the Floor

Pocket Full Of Sunshine - Heather @ The Sewing Loft

Penny Countertop - Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection

Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto  - Baking With Blondie

Craft Room Redo: Vintage Lamp Makeover -   Bethany @ Pitter And Glink

Vintage Armchair French Inspired  Makeover - Julie @ Knot All that I Seam

Remember Sunday Night is my

My 1 Year Anniversary Party!

My curtains are done, and I'm so very happy how they turned out.

For the last two weeks I've been busy making the curtains  -  they were not hard to make;

the calculations almost did me in!

But, I'm Still Standing...Yeah..Yeah...

After looking at numerous photos of cafe curtains here, and here

This photo became my inspiration.

Originally I was going to do the scalloped pinch pleat, but soon gave up on that!

My biggest challenge was figuring how to "determine" the pinch/space calculations.

I scrounged everywhere for information, and was lucky when I found this great video..

I fell in love with this lovely lady and have watched just about every video she has!

It's a great video on how to make pinch pleats.

For determining the pleats use the Pleat Calulator!

I'd like to share with you how I made them!

 Materials:

1. Fabric (Ralph Lauren Coastal Charm Floral Spring material, 56" wide)
2. Lining - (drapery lining fabric from Hancock Fabrics 56" wide)
3. 4" wide header tape
4. Single drapery hooks (HL, 99¢  for 10 (cheapest I found)
5. Tension rods (3 white spring tension curtain rods from HL $3.98 each, 4 from Target @ $3.39 each (preferred Target's)
6. 1 1/4" curtain rings (had from HL)
7. Notions:  scissors, tape measure, pins, matching thread, sewing machines.

My material was purchased last summer - I was going to use it in my kitchen, and bought 8 yards ($18 a yard). I noticed the material matched my  new living area paint color, and made the switch.  Since the material was discontinued,  I was lucky to find 7 more yards(material discontinued). I had 18 yards and was determined to make this work.

Measurements:

I'm making  7 curtains - for an inside window mount, and hung 3/4 high (see above photo).

Window Measurements: 30" wide by 47" long.  I added 10" (4" header & 6" hem) to length for header/hem =30" x 57" long.

Directions:

1) It was important to me that all seven curtains panel patterns "matched".  What I mean is, that when you looked across the bank of window across both rooms, the pattern matched exactly.

I took the time to figure it all out, determined that each matching panel would start just above the flower (by black arrow). You can see 1 cut panel on the left and one marked with blue chalk line.  If I had not taken the time to figure this out, I would of not been able to make this work.  It took about an hour, but so worth it.

2) My fabric was 56" wide, in order for my material to work my finished curtain width had to be 54", so it left me only 1 1/8" wide seam on each side (typically use a minimum of 2" seam on each side).

3)  Prepared my lining the same way

Don't look at my nails, I bite them all off during this process). I'm lucky I still have hair left!!!!

And stitched lining to fabric (wrong sides together).

4) I used a 4" drapery header tape to give "structure" to make my pleats.

Laid my fabric right (good) side down, and turned over 4" for the header.

This is drapery header tape and I cut it to 56" width (54" finished width, plus 1" doubled side edge).

Insert header tape under the 4" header fabric, and doubled over the tap an extra 1" at  ends for extra strength.

5)  The finished panel is now 54" wide by 57" long (I'll hem after curtains hang for a few days)

Now I'm ready to start marking the fabric for the pleats and spacing.

Pleat/Spacing Calculations:

TO DETERMINE YOUR PLEATS USE THE PLEAT CALCULATOR!

Why didn't I use?  Typically your fabric should be 2 1/2 times the width of your window space. I did not have this amount, so I needed to "make" my fabric work.

Pinch pleated curtains has alternating sections of a:  space/pleat/space/pleat/space, etc.  A curtain can start with a space or a pleat.  In the photo above the curtain starts/ends with a pleat.  I wanted to start with a space on each end.

My fabric is 54" wide and inside window measurement is 30".

To determine Pleats: take 54" - 30" (inside window measurement) = 24", which leaves me 24" for making pleats.

To determine Spaces: 54" - 24" (pleats) = 30"  leaving me 30" to make the spaces with.

So I have 30" for spaces, and 24" for pleats.  I wanted 7 pleats per curtain.

24" (for pleats) ÷ 7 (# of pleats I wanted) = 3".  Each pleat would be 3" wide.   30" (for spaces) ÷ 8 (I started with a space)

This sounded great and waas my starting point!

6) I laid my fabric right side down, 4" header facing up.

I began with a 3.75" (space), 3" pleat, 3.75, 3" and so on.  I needed to end up with a 3.75 space at end, and the finished width needed to be 30" wide.

I started marking and pinning.  To to honest it didn't end up right at first.  But it gave me a clear direction were I needed to go.  I knew I wanted 7 pleats. so I just kept playing with the spacing until I figured it out.

My calculations came out as:

3 3/8" space, 3 3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3 3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3  3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3 3/8 pleat, and so on until I ended with a 3 3/8 space on end.

Making the Pleats:

I measured and pinned each measurement in place using (3 3/8" space, 3 3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3 3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3  3/8 pleat, 3 7/8 space, 3 3/8 pleat, and so on until I ended with a 3 3/8 space on end).

7) Once all the pinning/marking was done it was time to make the pleats.

I brought the pins together (this will be a pleat pocket), and pinned in place.

Laid the pleat pocket flat, and marked my stitching line which would be 1/2 the pleat width  (3 3/8 ÷ 2), and marked.

I stitched the pleat seam.  Starting just below header tape (4 1/4" down) to top back stitching to strengthen.

After stitching you end up with a pocket.

To make the actual pleat start pressing the pocket down.

Until it is evenly spaced over the seam you just sewed.

Next start crimping the pleat in to 3 equal sections.

Just keep playing with it until you have 3 equal sections (very easy to do)

I placed pins on each side, to "hold" the pleats in place until they set.  I pinch the bottom of the pleat section also.

And sewed a seam across the bottom to "secure" the pleat in place.

I make the pleats (7) all the way across the material.

Then I flipped it over to check, and it measures 30", exactly what my inside window is.

Hanging the Curtains:

How you hang your curtains is really up to you. I choose to use drapery hooks.

A single hook,

I placed  hook into each seam pleat (2" down), and about 1" in on each end side.  This is really dependent on how you hang your curtains.  Adjust to your needs.

You can hang the hook end right over the tension rod, or attached the hook to 1 1/4" curtain rings.

Check out my inspiration here and here, you'll be able to see various ways to hang the curtains.  I didn't want my rods to show when closed, even though they are hung on curtains rings, wanted a more formal look.

You'll end up with some great looking curtains...

What you waiting for?

I hope this tutorial helps you to make yours.

Par.tay.ing here..

I love this time of year in my garden!!

Everything looking so new and pretty - even the weeds I haven't  gotten too!

A trellis right outside my front door - a home for a Clematis I purchased from Trader Joe's.

Love the color - one of my favorites.

A Lamiun - which are great for containers, can take the harsh cold winters here in Chicago.

Columbine

Little Miss Kim Lilac - the smaller size fits in my garden well..

Clematis - see all the Maple whirlybirds on the ground.

Such pretty blooms

Climbing Hydrangea - getting ready to flower.  A very slow grower - but so worth the wait.

Another climbing Hydrangea - in my "hidden" sitting area in my garden

Dianthus - a heavy re-seeder - great to use in containers, self sows

Corydalis  - lovely delicate leaves and flowers

Clematis - on a backyard trellis - Little Nell

I so enjoy the treasures of my garden..

Many say to me - boy this is a lot of work

Work - never!

Par.tay.ing With

Fishtail Cottage

It's Overflowing

Twigg Studios

Oi Vey,

I've been working on these curtains for what seems like for.eve.er.

Actually just over two weeks..

Of hair pulling, mind bending, calculus challenging hurdles.

The curtains themselves were not hard to do

but the calculations

caused me to pull at my hair, kick pillows, act like a crazy women, say bad words, and yes drink...

really - it almost did me in!!!!!

BUT - I am so glad I stayed with it....

The inspiration for our main living area was

 this gorgeous colorful Ralph Lauren fabric.

I am so happy with how they turned out!!

The mood I'm going for is a cottage style with a casually formal look.

And by Joe I've think I've  Got It!

Aren't they lov.er.ly?

Did ya notice the stairway wall has several paint swatches?

Just can't make up my mind!

So let's focus on the curtains shall we?

No more neony Merlot color (even though I loved it), except for 1 unfinished wall.

The pictures are hard to take, the window faces South, this is actually on a cloudy day.

The pillows were just pull together.

I've completely revamped our decorating style, so will take awhile to..

find and pull everything together.

Do ya love them as much as me?

I sure hope so!!!

I haven't made up my mind where I want them to fall on the window so I haven't hemmed them yet.

What curtains have you been working on lately!

I'll be putting up a tutorial soon!

Par.tay.ing With.

Savvy Southern Style

Welcome to Sunday's Best #29 Linky Par.tay!

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My 1 year blogaversary starts next week!!

The Par.tay will be May 13 - 27th

AND GIVEAWAYS!

The GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

 a FREE Blog Header and Blog Button Design (WordPress, Blogger or Typepad)

by Simply Amusing Designs -  a $350 value!

and many more during the two weeks.

You've got plenty of time to get ready!!!

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Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a guest post..

or by donating a giveaway for my birthday bash!!!

Let's Get This Par.tay Started..

Can't wait to see what you have been up too!

Da Par.tay Rules....

1. I'd l0ve it if you'd follow -  ,  and join us on Linky Followers or  FACEBOOK or Twitter.   Features from the Party will be posted throughout the week.
2. All your DIY project, thrift finds, crafts, recipes, sewing, renovations and photography are welcomed.
3. Post your button or link back on your blog.  If no button/link, no feature! Sorry - don't want to be mean!
4. Link to a specific post... not your homepage.  If you have a DIY project associated with a Link Party - that's fine! NO Etsy or, give-aways parties please! If you find your link deleted don't wonder why.
5. I want this par.tay to be about sharing Your Sundays' Best, with everyone else. Please share the friendship by visiting others.  Please visit at least 1  neighbor before and after yours.  Share the love!!
6. Have a great time, tell others about this party and come back to visit for the Sunday's Best Wrap Up every Saturday!

LET'S GET THIS PAR.TAY STARTED!!!!