Lovely little email I am passing on!

I am passing on a 'sweet' little e-mail I recieved the other day!

Hi Raine,
I have to tell you this story my sister Sandy loves your blog site .....but of course!!!!!! (its fab.......)
Anyway she was reading up about your favorite chocolate and she lives in San Fransico and works in a surgery hospital in OR.....anyway she was reading about your chocolate and the next day was talking with a patient and I cant say who because of patient confidentiality but a extremely close relative to the chocolatier in Edmonton......is that not wild!!!! She has passed your site along to all her pals in San Fran as she is now your second biggest fan next to me ......

Thanks so much--- and I am planning on a blog- shortly- using this same Chocolate store with a few ideas how to serve some of their products- BEFORE dinner with a nice Chateau Neuf in the middle of a very cold wind storm--!!!

http://www.kerstinschocolates.com/

I had a chocolate tasting booked this summer- but I cancelled- I was the first nice long weekend we had- I will get in after the 'season' and update you!
For the original post of this wonderful shop and terrific pics- check out my August 9th post!
Yummy!

Pinks,oranges and green silks!

Smoky blues

This would be a great line for a cabin or a country inspired room

Taupe sheers and glitter!

Time to think about winter

This is the time every year I clean out closets and linens. (I can't believe I still have stuff!). I clean out clothes, bedding, pillows, coats and bundle them all up to give to charity.
One should have a warm coat in the winter. Especially the poor souls that for what-ever reason are down on their luck!
So, I bundle, bug friends for their items they no longer use and take them to either the Bissel Centre here in Edmonton or my friend's care centre on the west-end.
This year I will be donating to

Christian Care Centre.....
10137-150 St. 780 484-5847
......outreach ministry of Paul's' Anglican church
mission statement
"we are here listen".......".first in prayer.".....comforts, hot coffee, snacks....sometime more depending on what volunteer brings in......maybe full breakfast, homemade soup, roast turkey, then sandwiches, clothing room, fellowship, prayer.....community gathering place for all....Mon-Fri 9:30-12:00 noon.

While it is run by a church, they do not turn anyone away. Apparently there is increased need in the west-end of Edmonton for food, clothes,small kitchen goods.
Also, a growing homeless group.
Often, we do not think of those in need until the snow is falling and we see a poor soul bundled up in a doorway. Then we thank 'our god' that is not us.
Or we think of giving during the winter religious festivities- which is great!
But, I think we should think of those in need before the snow falls, so they can be better prepared.
When shopping for your new coat- think do you need your old one?
Can you spare a few dollars and drop into a second hand store and pick one up for a less fortunate soul?
Thanks
Raine

fantastic taupes blue greys and black

Cheap chic bathroom

Just a few touch ups on an existing room. The marble floors were the splurge (I am having a trend for marble floors) The vanity, sink and taps were all around $500.00 dollars, that is a steal- and look at those taps! Square and highly polished! The doors on the vanity have the little inside buttons so they do not slam shut, the hardware on the drawers is awesome! Truly incredible quality for the price! Reminds me of German or Italian production!
The mirror- Ikea. Also I hate towels bars so we used some cheap little hooks from a hardware store and kept the beadboard lined walls and painted out the wood finish with a glossy lilac. Terrific room. Problem is the first thing you see when you enter to the room is the shower curtain. We installed a nice enough one for now but are on the hunt for the perfect fabric (I found one but at $180.00 a yard we are still looking! We may end up with the pricey fabric as there is no artwork in this room and the shower curtain will be the focal point. I shall keep you in the loop and promise to get an image of it to post so you can see just how perfect it is !

Nubbly silk texture

This is amazing! It is a blackout washable material- and has a terrific hand! Great for bedrooms, you do not need a blackout liner! Washable! Oh Vay!

Office desk vignette

Personalize your desk area
Ah the spot you see is from the 'air freshener' that spilled! It took the paint and lacquer right off the top- I think perhaps we should not have these lovely liquid air fresheners in our houses. I think maybe- highly carcinogenic? Hey if it lifts paint and lacquer-- no more for me in my house!
(and I wiped it up right after I spilled it!)

The Brag Girls

Yes, I got my new Brag panty pak.... it matches my 'Brag' and is made just as well! .....cute little inside pockets- nicely named even- 'Clean' and 'Not so Clean'- how sweet! The 'not so clean even has a solid pocket lining- keeps the other side 'fresher'.

Pockets on the outside as well -- too cute!

Perfect for a friend that has everything and likes to travel- or for you and your travel dreams!

thebragcompany.com

Let them know you heard about them from Raine!

Close up of perfume cabinet

The owner of this house wanted a simple clean space to highlight her extensive collection of miniature perfume bottles.... that she never uses - execpt for the bottle of GEM- which is no longer available but if you find one highly recommended you buy it!

A male friend who has smelled this remarked- well things we cannot say on this blog- but ladies truly you should indulge if you can find a bottle- even an old one!

Perfume Cabinet in bathroom

Views of Perfume Cabinet...

These are the views you see walking past the back entrance- the perfume cabinet is reflected in the mirror above the sink- drawing you in and creating interest in an otherwise very simple white on white space.

Small half bath off master bedroom and back entrance

Click on images for larger view)

This is a small half bath off of a master bedroom in a 1960's house. The rear entrance which is rarely used had a bench, lino floor that was starting to sag. The owner of the house a single woman actually wanted more closet space than she had in the small walk-in closet in the master bedroom. In addition there was an exterior swing door- which we kept- a swing door into the bathroom from the rear entry, a swing door into the hallway in addition to the existing pocket door that went into the bedroom area.

To open up the space we installed pocket doors to the hallway and from the back entrance to the bathroom. She basically wanted a dressing area as well. We installed electrical inside the sliding mirrored closet doors to allow for a steamer.

We installed large 24 x 24 marble tile on a diangle with white grout to create a flow and the look of one large piece of marble. (I do not recommend white grout in commonly used areas as this is a true labour of love to keep clean).

We also included a wall hung sink and cabinet to extend the feel of the small space.
Our splurges were the tile and installation,(over $2000.00) save on the cabinet, sink, taps and mirror (total for all three was 600.00).

In addition, while we truly wanted a TOTO toilet-low flush (but actually works even with teenage boys- if you know what I mean?) our budget was getting out of hand so we re-purposed the relatively new existing toilet with the plans of down the road installing a TOTO- which has the same white finish as the sink.....aghhh budgets!

In an ongoing theme throughout the house in order to re-create the minimilist mid-century modern feel of the home all the moldings were removed from all the interior doors... creating a simple smooth look that highlights the architecture and simple lines. All the door frames were matched to be the same height further eliminating visual clutter and allowing the eye to follow the lines of the home.

Gelato

I have been wondering lately why the huge difference in gelatos.... some are so creamy, others more like sorbets.


I have the answer..... often both types are called Gelato-- the creamier ones are from recipes from the North of Italy-- and then the fruit based 'icer' ones are more often from the Southern regions (historically)


Gelato is Italy’s version of ice cream, with three major differences. First, gelato has significantly less butterfat than ice cream's typical 18 and 26 percent. Tests conducted by Delaware’s Department of Agriculture confirmed vanilla and chocolate gelato both have less than 10 percent butterfat.

However, less fat does not mean less taste. With the lower butterfat content, gelato is less solidly frozen than ice cream and melts in the mouth faster.Therefore, the customer will taste gelato’s full flavor immediately.

Second, gelato has a much higher density than ice cream. Ice cream is produced by mixing cream, milk and sugar, then adding air. Manufacturers add air to ice cream because it nearly doubles the quantity of their product. But, it cuts their quality in half. No air is added to gelato. The result is a higher quality dessert with a richer, creamier taste.

Third, gelato is served slightly warmer than ice cream. While both gelato and ice cream are served well below the freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, gelato is served 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ice cream. Because it is less solidly frozen, gelato’s taste is further enhanced as it melts in the mouth.

Many cafes use real fruit, nuts, chocolates, milk and cream, not syrups, to make award winning gelato. Three centuries ago, northern and southern Italy created two separate and distinct gelato recipes. In the north, the people of Dolomite made gelato with fresh milk, cream and sugar. In Sicily, the southern Italians used a predominantly water-based gelato with fresh fruit.

Dacapo

Interesting little spot. Thought I would drop in with a friend to check out the Gelato and try a few little appetizers.
Well, they really do not have nibbles, good wine-but pricey-- chairs are not there for a long sit-hard on the behind.
Cleary the intention here is to get in -eat and get out.
I had a pizza with a dribble of truffle oil, very thin slivers of artichokes and I think there was supposed to be some basil on it, I could not see any. Also the thin crust pizza could of used a tad more heat (as in I think it was too rare).
However- I was there for the gelato and that did not disappoint. Terrific... one of the best I must admit.
Service was okay- but I felt we were boring the staff by being there-- and also BRING CASH. Surprise, this must be the only restaurant in Edmonton (or the northern hempisphere) that does not take credit cards or debit. They do have a private cash machine on the premises if you like paying $10.00 per withdrawal.
Would I go again- yes to pick up the gelato and take it home.
The gelato was worth it!
109 Street and 85 Avenue- on the west side of the street just before you go down the hill- across from High Level Dinner (gosh have not been there in years! It used to be a great place for Sunday brunch- back before kids made Sunday brunches a thing of the past!)

Kerstin's Chocolates Edmonton

Chocolate!
The true gift of the gods, the forgotten major food group, the medicine to reward the soul (and women’s hormones) Chocolate!

In my ever expanding world of chocolate I have discovered yet another little chocolate place.
Kerstin’s Chocolates
10139 112 Street
Edmonton

Tucked away in the lower level of a residential/commercial condo complex this is a delite as you enter the door. The décor is friendly and cosmopolitan, the layout of the delicious little lumps of chocolate are (excuse the bad pun) tasteful and elegant. The merchandise is unique and lovingly displayed….

Now, what about the taste.
I sample a few of the creations, ginger dipped chocolate, pears, pepper infused ganaches, ginger and chocolate delectables. Very unique flavour combinations, chocolate caviar and the cacao buds---! These were a surprise there was none of the bitterness we would expect from this single sourced chocolate rather a exhilarating taste of roses, or was it cherry, or was it….? It was sweet but wonderfully so!

The combinations of the chocolates found here come from the owner’s travels and life experiences in Tokyo and New York. Once I heard this all these strange and wonderful combinations made sense.

Certainly a place to drop in an visit for unique chocolate combinations!
I will be going back!

They also have chocolate tastings (which I highly recommend one takes at least one chocolate tasting in their life-----. I had one booked but it ended up being on the only nice weekend we have had in Edmonton this summer- so I canceled! I do think, the Single Source Chocolate Tastings at Kerstin’s would be well worth it!

Tell her Raine sent you!

http://www.kerstinschocolates.com/

Ryan's Room- Desk Area

Where his 1920's re-purposed hutch used to sit- is his nice big new desk!

He loves this huge office sized desk, it was his one real begs of me when I went to redo his room-"Please can I have a big desk and a leather chair". Well he did not get the big leather chair but a very nice, simple dark stained shaker influenced desk is his!

The round bed side table was re-purposed from my bedroom, the art over his desk was relocated from an area going to the basement ( and did not really work with the decor there! ) Hard to see from my images but the walls are a yellow toned taupe which works well with cork floors and compliments the red of the wood and of course is the same tone as the taupe on the bed.