Bits From The Scrap Basket

Friday, May 3, 2013

Flat Iron Steak with Bourbon Mustard Sauce

So, summer has finally hit here in Michigan, and the weather is gorgeous! Came home today to find my boyfriend had been to the grocery store and had started the grill - yummy! This was the second time we made this Flat-iron Steak (recipe by Charbroil). We've had it with steamed broccoli, grilled brussel sprouts, and rosemary potatoes.

The part that seems to confuse everyone is the Bourbon. I'm a tea-totaller, but I will eat food prepared with alcohol. As you can see, we splurged and bought the big bottle! We got the 3-incher!

You can get the recipe here or visit the Charbroil site.

Happy Spring!

Elisa

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Tool Tip: Velcro & Power Cords

Here's a cool tip that will work at home (sewing machine cords, irons, CD players) or at work (phone chargers). I did this at work and was surprised how many compliments I received.

This is my iPhone charger at work. I like to keep it at the ready because I need to charge my iPhone in the afternoons. However, the outlets are under my desk so the cord kept slipping down and pooling on the floor.

So I added adhesive-backed velcro to the desk's edge. I cut off a section, peeled off the backing on one side, adhered it to the edge, and then clamped my cord in between. It's discreet and allows me to extract as much cord as I need or completely remove the cord if I need to take it with me.

I have this at home, too. I have a portable CD player that I like to take from my quilt room and use outside when we grill. When I return it to it's normal space, I just plug the power cord back in.

Happy Wednesday!
Elisa

Monday, April 29, 2013

Flowers From My Sweetie

Happy Monday!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Moving of the Koi - Spring Edition

Today was the annual "moving of the Koi" on Belle Isle. The Belle Isle Aquarium, designed by Albert Kahn and opened in 1904, was the oldest continually-operated public aquarium in North America (until Detroit budget cuts forced it to close its doors in 2005).

Pond outside the Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

Since then, the aquarium has been maintained by a group of extremely loyal volunteers. One of their responsibilities are the large koi ("Mo", the oldest, is reported to be near 80-years old). These amazing creatures reside in the outdoor pond in summer (attached to the Scripps Whitcomb conservatory) and in the basement in winter (the basement doubled as a speakeasy during Prohibition). Twice a year, dozens of volunteers move the koi from one location to another.

Members of my family volunteer yearly

My family has volunteered for each move over the last few years. This year, I met my sister (Lorna), brother-in-law (Corey), brother (Jeremy), sister-in-law (Robyn), and nephew (Andrew) on the Isle for the move. We were joined by Andrew's Cub Scout pack, Robyn's church, and my geocaching friends to help out!

Geocachers for the cause!

In essence, it's a large bucket brigade scooping up the fishies and sloshing their way to the pond.

Objects in the bucket are bigger than they appear!

My first catch of the day!

Getting acclimated

In the next weeks, volunteers will bring out the water plants.

Settling in fine!

Afterwards, we celebrated our hard labors with hot dogs, chips and Town Club Root Beer & red pop - yummy! Then we wondered into the flower room of the attached Conservatory.