Tag Archives: eat

Tips for Bringing Spring Mojo into your Home this Easter!

Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Now that spring is here, it’s about time to start implementing some of our New Year’s resolutions, which may include sprucing up the house, or what we often call (yes, the dreaded) spring cleaning. However, before you resign yourself to rolling up those sleeves and digging out the Comet, let’s take a moment to appreciate the ways we can celebrate spring for spring’s sake–without all the chemicals.

History has handed down several traditions for celebrating the vernal equinox, the official start of spring in the Western hemisphere, a day which normally falls around March 21. This particular day has different names in various cultures. We often call this day Easter, but in Iran for example, it’s called No Ruz, which is a time for mending, repairing and gathering flowers; and in Greece they celebrate Hilaria, a word which was originally used to denote any day or season of rejoicing.

At Stone Creek Custom Homes, we love to see our customers enjoy every opportunity to celebrate life, loved ones, and a beautiful home. What better time to appreciate life than spring? So no matter how you celebrate this upcoming holiday, here are some tips for bringing some fresh spring mojo into your home.

Tidying Up

A bit of (literal) wiping the slate clean goes a long way. Throw out the Valentine’s day trash, sweep up the porch, wipe off the countertops. Although spring cleaning can perhaps call to mind a military task force armed with Swiffers, we recommend making things easy for yourself. Make a list of tasks you haven’t had the time or energy to address – such as cleaning out the garage or organizing that box of family photos that’s been sitting in the corner of the living room for 6 months – and put it somewhere you can see each day, like on the door of the fridge. Commit to knocking out just one item on your list each week. Before you know it, you’ll have nothing left to do but sit on your patio sipping margaritas!

Fresh Foods

This may seem like common sense; eating well is for every day, but taking a moment to recharge and appreciate the new opportunities open to us in spring while munching on a healthy snack of nuts, seeds, and spring fruit (strawberries, honeydew, and mango to name a few), is good for the head space. Now that there are so many new farmers markets popping up, such as the brand new one at Trinity, it’s much easier to find fresh produce in SA.

Colorful Eggs

Taking some time with the kids in our lives (or the kid in you) to decorate eggs is a wonderful way to be reminded yourself of the newness and miracle of life. Boil some eggs from 10-12 minutes, or hit your local art store for wooden or plastic eggs, and gather markers, glitter, stickers, and just have fun. Get crazy and creative, but if you want a bit more sophistication this holiday, we recommend a gorgeous Martha Stewart marbled egg-decorating recipe

 The air is brimming with fresh starts and new beginnings: Carpe Diem, as the poets say! Call us at 210-494-5400 if your spring includes a new custom-built home. To join our newsletter, click here.

Happy Spring from Stone Creek Custom Homes! 

Get Ready for Your Memorial Day Cookout!

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Who doesn’t look forward to an amazing Memorial Day cookout with all of their friends and family in their lusciously-landscaped backyard?! But what if your backyard isn’t so luscious? Here are some fast, easy things you can do to help enhance your Memorial Day experience, your backyard and your culinary prowess!

The Backyard

If you haven’t had time to landscape your backyard the way you want it, consider sprucing it up for your party by covering the deck and yard with potted plants filled with beautiful blooming flowers. As an added touch, you can paint the pots with glow-in-the-dark paint to make them stand out when the sun goes down.

No one will be paying attention to how perfect your backyard is or isn’t as long as you have games for people to play. Buy a set of bocce balls, croquet and badminton and keep everyone entertained and happy. However, beware of mixing too much alcohol with a game of bocce ball… or croquet for that matter!

The Grill

You may already have the king of grills, but if not, think about adding this little green gem to your backyard. The Big Green Egg is a popular addition to outdoor kitchens. We’re finding that a lot of our clients either have one or want one. It may not be the prettiest appliance, but this kamado-style ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker is considered one of the most versatile cooking devices on the market. You can grill, bake or smoke just about anything with it… and it tastes delicious!

The Barbecue

You can enhance just about any protein – beef, chicken or fish with a simple pesto. San Antonio’s own, Chef Chuck Hernandez, also known as the Pesto King and owner of Arugula Catering and the soon to be open O’liva Cafe downtown, was kind enough to share his Chihuahuan-style Pesto recipe with us. It goes great with grilled meats and veggies, either as a marinade or a condiment. Chuck likes to add it to his quail diablos and grilled avocados (pictured here). If you try it this Memorial Day, please send us a pic or post on our Facebook!

Chihuahuan Pesto Recipe

  • 2 cups  fresh cilantro – rinsed, drain-dried with some stems
  • 1 medium fresh jalapeno pepper
  • 1 green onion, stalk included
  • 4 cloves  garlic
  • 1/3 cup  jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon  prepared mole paste
  • 1/3 cup  toasted pecans
  • 1 tablespoon  orange, pomegranate or pineapple juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon  cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon  oregano dried or fresh
  • 1/3 cup  EVOO
  • sea salt & black pepper to taste

Directions:

Using a food processor, gently pulse ingredients until they are thoroughly combined. Scrape sides down with a rubber spatula. Approximately 1 minute. Serve or refrigerate in an air-tight container, up to 4 days.

If you don’t already have an amazing home and backyard for your Memorial Day cookout, we can help you get ready for next year! Give us a call at 210-494-5400.