Koto Supa Avgolemono

No, I haven't been reading Harry Potter recently (although I did mention wanting to see a movie or two...). Koto Supa Avgolemono is the Greek name for their traditional Chicken Egg Lemon Soup- the most iconic of all Greek soups. It’s on the menu at every Greek restaurant or diner and you’ll probably find it as the first course at most Greek holiday celebrations. For budget chefs- this is also something easy to make with ingredients you already have in your cabinet or freezer.



3 Pounds Chicken ( I used boneless skinless breasts I had- less fuss)
8 Cups Water
1/2 Bunch Parsley (or about 4 tablespoons dried)
1 Medium Onion -- sliced
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Raw Rice
2 Medium Eggs at room temperature
2 Lemons Lemon Juice
2 Teaspoons Cornstarch -- dissolved in 3 Tablespoons Cold Water

Parsley -- for garnish
Pepper -- to taste
Naan/Pita for serving

Put chicken, water, parsley, onion and salt in a large pan and bring to a boil.
Cover pan and let simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove chicken and parsley. Cut meat into cubes and discard parsley. Set aside.


Add rice to broth and cook for 10 minutes.

Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Add lemon juice to the soup and cornstarch mixture. Slowly add egg to the soup. Add chicken and reheat. Serve with Naan (Indian flatbread, available in grocery stores) or Pita bread. Enjoy.

the civil wars. waverly, alabama.

I apologize if you are facebook, twitter or real life friends with me. You know you've been spammed with photos, videos & voice memos. Get over it.
474 miles.
3 states.
11 friends.
1 great band.

flourless peanut butter cookies.

for a generation with a million different allergies, hopefully one not being peanuts.

makes about two dozen cookies

1 cup all-natural chunky or smooth peanut butter

1 cup sugar (1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar)

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter and set aside. In a mixer combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Roll into walnut sized balls and create a cris-cross pattern with a fork. If you’d like, add a few chocolate pieces to the top of the cookies. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a baking sheet for two minutes, if you can wait that long!

i don't love you, but i always will.

Tickets here for the Waverly, Alabama show. So excited to road trip to see The Civil Wars live. This show seriously seems like a dream.

DIY lamp upcycling #1

This weekend after visiting an aunt cleaning out an attic in her new house, I immediately saw these (then in need of some major love) and saved them from their future fate in New Smyrna's finest landfill. This is one of the simplest "upcycling" I have ever done, but I am super excited to use them in our new house. I promise more challenging DIYs in the future, but this is such a no-brainer project that saved major $$, costing about $30 for two HUGE lamps. Take that West Elm.


What you'll need:
2 Grandma lamps - Goodwills ALWAYS have them in stock. Make sure the wiring is safe.
1 can of high gloss spray paint (for more of a modern look) - I used Valspar's "Exotic Sea" but whatever matches your decor is fine too!

2 large lampshades, I got mine at Target on sale for $14.99 (this isn't exactly it, click the link for a similar shade)

Step 1. Remove the old shades and harps


























Step 2. Clean the surface with Windex or other mild household cleaner just to remove dust and dirt that may be there.





























Step 3. Start lightly spraying the surface- make sure to do this evenly or else you'll have runs and will never be able to remove them.







































Step 4. After lamps are dried & evenly painted add your new shade. Viola!
(My lamps had a raised texture within the leaves and little polka dots)

renew.

there are over 24,590 things i am not good at.
blogging being one.
this year i start over.

new school.
new city.
new direction.
new art.
new love.


this last year i honestly stepped away from wedding photography. not just stepped, i RAN. through a series of becoming completely broken from comparison i made towards other photographers and myself, i bowed out. i needed God more than ever before and didn't want to allow Him to guide my business.
then came my reality check. (habakkuk 2.4)


look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. for I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
habakkuk 1.5


while reading this recently, i felt like God was challenging me for to be my motto for this new phase of my life. i am simply a child of the creator of the universe. nothing less. i do not know what tomorrow will look like, but i know i would not believe the work being done in my life, even if i was told.


here's a blog promising weddings, DIYs, recipes, fashion and a diary of where God is leading me through what 21 and single looks like. i still am the same girl who loves weddings, being a part of couples am so excited for my upcoming weddings this year.

here's to new art. school. city. & love for my Savior.

(march 2011. patrick michael chin.)