[ paris bound ]

AH, PARIS! Je t'aime!

I'm heading out on a little trip to Paris! It's being tacked onto my guy's business trip and even though there won't be much outdoor terrace sitting in November, heck, it's Paris! I'm sure I'll find something to do! See you soon!

And happy thanksgiving to all of my lovely American friends!

lisa

[ crockpot french dip sandwiches ]

IF YOU are looking for a super-easy, delicious meal, how about french dip sandwiches in the crockpot? This couldn't be easier...

lisa's ultimate french dip sandwiches

This recipe is so easy! I used 2 small roasts since that's all there was available in the grocery store at the time. Pile onto soft buns, and serve with the 'au jus' liquid it cooks in.

what you need:

3 lb beef roast (I used rump roast)

1 packet dry onion soup mix

15 oz can of beef broth or 2 OXO beef cubes dissolved in 15 oz boiling water

1/2 cup water

buns (I used Portugese rolls)

how to:

Put roast into crockpot (remove any strings holding it together). 

In a medium bowl, combine beef broth, onion soup mix and water. Stir until combined. Pour mixture over beef, put lid on crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

An hour before serving, shred meat with two forks or slice thinly. (If you want your 'au jus' for dipping to be lump-free, strain liquid from crockpot to remove onion bits from the onion soup mix. Then return all liquid to crockpot). Put shredded meat back into crockpot for another hour.

Pile onto rolls. If you like, you can top with some mozzarella cheese slices and put under broiler until cheese melts. Serve with a bit of 'au jus' from the crockpot in a small bowl on the side. Yum!

lisa

[ cozy and fluffy ]

I JUST love the feel of this spot ~ it's just so comfy and cozy on a cold day...

I love the wood wall, the tripod lamp and the cable-knit pillows. I think I'd be a bit afraid of that rug with dogs, kids or messy humans though. Just think of all the spare change you'd find in there after a while! Could you live in a space like this?

lisa

[style at home]

[ today's chuckle ]

Works for me! Have a great day everyone!

lisa

[ getting crafty ]

I'VE actually been thinking ahead this year and figured I should get started on some Christmas cards. I usually buy store-bought cards but thought it would be fun to just make some this year and November is ticking right along.

After wiping the dust off my Silhouette, and a simple design, I'm all done!

I was going to make them all reversed out of white, but then decided to make use of the word I was peeling out instead of throwing it away - no point having all those 'jingles' go to waste.

What do you do for Christmas cards? Do you buy them or make them?

lisa

[ stairway to happy ]

SOMETIMES I really wish I had a staircase so I could do something fun like this...

Isn't it fun? I love how the colours pop against all the white. Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

lisa

[housetohome.co.uk]

[ mmm... coffee cake ]

LOOKING FOR an easy recipe for a little treat to enjoy with your latté or afternoon tea? This is it! Makes a small cake in an 8" square pan.

lisa's streusel coffee cake

what you need

topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar or Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 tsp cinnamon

handful of finely chopped pecans

cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

a good sprinkle of cinnamon

a pinch of nutmeg

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup granulated sugar or Splenda Granulated

1/3 cup melted butter or oil

1/2 cup milk

2 tbsp plain or vanilla yogurt

1 tsp vanilla extract

how to

Preheat oven to 375F.

In a small mixing bowl, combine topping ingredients. Blend with fork or pastry blender until crumbly. Set aside.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl.

In a medium bowl, beat together egg, sugar and melted butter. Add milk, vanilla and yogurt. Stir in flour mixture and mix well.

Pour some batter into a greased and floured 8" square pan. Sprinkle half of topping mixture evenly over batter. Pour on rest of the batter and smooth out. Bake for 15 minutes, then...

sprinkle on remaining topping mixture and bake for approximately 10 minutes more or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Yum!

lisa

[ what's new in the 'hood ]

SO IT'S November and just like last year, the weather has shifted as though someone has flicked a switch. And so what's new around here? Well... with temps peaking at only 32C (90F), it means getting outside!

sitting on a patio to enjoy a drink...

and taking a walk to see what's new... the twisty building is coming along...

and a new mosque is being built...

It's been a very long 6 months of extreme heat and being cooped up in A/C and it feels great to finally get outside to exercise and get some air. I love winter in Dubai.

lisa

[ lounging ]

I'D LOVE to be lounging in a cozy spot like this today...

I love the carved daybed and the enlarged letter on the wall. And the lace curtains add a little bit of romance. The chandelier is charming too.

Sundays tend to be laundry/grocery day around here. We went to see Skyfall on Friday ~ I enjoyed it, although to me, it kind of felt like something was missing from the usual Bond films I enjoy. Have you seen it? What have you been up to this weekend?

lisa

[via ullamaijahanninen.net]

[ cottage charm ]

SOMETIMES the tiniest spaces are the most charming...

This compact kitchen is just so cute. I love the use of reclaimed materials for the peninsula and the adorable slipcovers on the bar stools. And adding art and full length drapes makes it feel less like a kitchen. For a small space, it sure oozes cuteness!

lisa

[better homes and gardens]