Notice the New Blog Layout?

I've been experimenting with new ways of expressing my blog.  Hope you like it. 

 Now on to the renovation.  I'm actually playing catchup since the renovation has been ongoing for 3 months now, but it is much more interesting showing you the changes now instead of waiting on the permits as I've had to do in real time.  This is the first of the changes to the condo.

This was the way the original kitchen layout was.  It was completely closed off and had a separate service entrance (10 feet away from the main entrance--very posh for 1969).

The main thing we wanted to do was to open up the kitchen and have ocean views from all parts of the kitchen and main room.

This was the first step of opening up the kitchen. Notice the hallway and ceiling heights, they will be opened up later.

The main living room will not change very much, except to be trashed!

You can see the ocean, this is why we are so excited, the views are wonderful!

The bathrooms were hard to photograph since they are so small.  

Here's the guest bath before and with initial changes:

Before

After.

Unfortunately we cannot enlarge this shower due to codes, but we can try to make it look larger by opening up the left wall with a half glass wall.  Also, we'll be putting a mirror on the entire back wall to give the bathroom an open feeling.

Our plan has been to add a washer and dryer in the master bath area.  That change is fluid at the moment.  

The master bath has a dressing area with the sink area seen here on the left and a separate sink with the toilet and tub.

First step is to get rid of the cabinets and see how to move the walls to make room for the washer and dryer.  A big plus for us since there is one washer and dryer per floor.  

Make sure to check back for more changes!

Condo in Florida

My husband and I have many ties to Florida.  I was born in Miami, we lived in Boca Raton for 8 years, but there has been one place that has been in both our lives for most of our married lives, the family condo.  My husband has been coming to this condominium since it was built in 1969.  We've been visiting since we were married and spend many days there with family while we lived in Boca Raton.  We've always dreamed of how we would renovated my in-law's condo if we bought it.  We'll our dreams have come true.  We bought a smaller condo in the building a few years ago, but it was too small for our growing family (daughters getting married, not children!). Last year a larger unit that was in foreclosure became available, and after a month of negotiations we were able to purchase it.  

When you first enter the building, it may not seem that the investment was very sound, but you must first see the views:

They cannot be beat!  Ocean front. Period.  Steps from the pool and a few more to the ocean, and in Palm Beach.  The Palm Beach.  

In future posts I will offer more information about the area, but I first thought I'd show you how our new place looked in it's prime.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Let's just say that the tile, countertops and floors were original.  This is how the condo was shown when listed, but this is what we found when we purchased it. 

Bedroom 1

Master Bedroom

Let the fun begin!

Comfort, Homemade Tomato Soup

One summer day in Atlanta, I was chilled as I went into the mall (yes, chilled).  I'll never forget how the tomato soup at Nordstrom's made me feel warm and so good!  I went home and searched all over to find the recipe for their soup.  In the process, I have adapted it into my own version of Tomato soup.  I made this all the time.  For any cold or hot day, for a soup and sandwich dinner or for a friend who's not feeling well.  Did I mention how easy it is?  Try it soon and you'll love it.

I start with a small onion diced and cooked in a teaspoon of olive oil. Cook until translucent.

I then add 3 large (28 ounce) cans or 6 smaller 14 ounce cans of diced tomatoes.  For this batch I used fire roasted tomatoes. Add them to the onions.

Then add a quart of chicken broth.  I like to make my own using the soup base and adding it to water.

Add the dried basil or 2 tablespoons of fresh basil.  Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes or until the liquid is reduced.

I use and immersible emulsifier to puree the tomatoes and onions. This step really thickens the soup.  If you don't have an emulsifier, you can use a blender or food processor, but you want to make sure all the tomatoes are pureed.

If you want to add 1/2 cup of cream, you have cream of tomato soup, but I like it just like this.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Here's the recipe:

1 small onion chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 28 ounce cans of diced tomatoes

1 quart of chicken broth

 1 tsp dried basil

salt and pepper to taste

Cook the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent.  Add the tomatoes with their juices, chicken stock and basil.  Cook over medium heat until the liquid is reduced, about 30 minutes.  Use an immersible emulsifier or blender to puree all the vegetables.  Add 1/2 cup of cream if desired.  Salt and pepper to taste.  

Apples!

One peeled and cubed apple and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Microwave on high for about 2 minutes.

I add chopped walnuts. Great for breakfast or a dessert!

Sazon Chicken

This recipe is from one of my favorite websites, Skinnytaste.com.  The recipes here are wonderful without even having to be slimmed down. I love this recipe that uses Mexican spices and chicken thighs, which are becoming my favorite part of the chicken.  My husband, who is usually not a fan of Mexican food, loves this dish. It's easy, delicious and "skinny"! 

First mix all the ingredients and let marinate for 30 minutes.

  Cook on broil for about 20 minutes total, 10 on one side and 5-10 on the other.

Beautiful Red Color!

  

Enjoy! 

 Here's the recipe.  Click here for the original and nutritional details.

Broiled or Grilled Pollo Sabroso, or what I call 

Sazon Chicken

Serves 6, with 1 thigh each serving.

Ingredients:

6 chicken thights

1 tbsp vinegar (I used white)

2 tsp soy sauce

1 packet Sazon* (in Spanish Isle)--I used 2 and it was great!

Adobo

garlic powder

oregano

Directions:

I mix all the ingredients with the chicken in a large plastic bag and let marinate in the refridgerator for at least 20 minutes. You can broil or grill it until the chicken is cooked through.  I broiled it for about 10 minutes on one side and another 5-10 on the other until done.  

* Be careful!! The Sazon will stain your hands and your clothes, so don't handle directly.

Brunswick Stew-Dinner In a Pot.

This is so easy to make and so great for the colder weather.  I used double the chicken in this recipe instead of the chicken and the brisket, so it's also very healthy!  I know you'll love it.

 

 

Adapted from the original recipe here.

1 large chopped onion

2 minced garlic cloves

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp jarred beef soup base

4 large chicken breasts

1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can hominy

1 can lima beans

1 12 ounce jar of chili sauce

1 tbsp yellow mustard

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

optional hot sauce

Saute onions and garlic in hot oil in a large pot over medium high heat for about 2 minutes.

Stir together beef soup base and 2 cups of water and add to pot.  Stir in chicken breasts and and all the vegetables and seasoning.

Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook stirring occasionally for 1 to 2 hours.

Uncover and remove chicken.  If its on the bone, remove the meat from the bone and shred it (click here for an earlier post on shredding chicken). Cover and cook at least 20 more minutes.  Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Makes at least 12 good servings.