Summer Seasonal Inspirations + the June 2016 Printable Calendar

The June Calendar is here in all it’s glory! This month we celebrate by spending time in the garden, dining outdoors with friends + the heat of Summer Entertaining season. Just a few of the special days in June are :: Gourmet Soiree, Father’s Day, Summer Solstice and SO many more.

JUNE 2016 - An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch Printable Calendar cover

It’s here! My June 2016 printable monthly calendar just for you. Print it out + mark the reminders in your day planner or digital calendar.

I hope this calendar inspires you to find new ways to celebrate everyday of the month + season!

Click here to download your June 2016 calendar + to automatically receive new updates.

 

Celebrations + Happenings In the month of June ::

Father’s Day 2016 is Sunday June 19th

Dad deserved the best all year long but on this special day makes sure he truly feels the love – gifts for the grilling dad, Bloody Mary Bar or grill out back!

Happy Fathers Day BBQ grill on An Appealing Plan by #KraylFunch

Summer Solstice 2016 is Monday June 20th

My favorite day of the year! It is the day when the sun shines the longest on this beautiful earth. Early morning and late night on the porch. Celebrate your summer solstice with a the perfect summer solstice cocktail, planting a garden or decorate your entranceway for summer!

live more worry less summertime quote on an appealing Plan by kraylfunch 

What is May Day Anyway?

May Day May Pole Vintage Image via AnAppealingPlan.com for FB cover

According to history…. “During medieval times, May Day festivities took off in England. At the crack of dawn everyone would “go a-maying,” gathering flowers and greenery and choosing a Maypole.

Women would also wash their faces in fresh spring dew to improve their complexions — and men would try to seduce them. (Many poems about May Day festivities have made it into the scholarly canon of English Lit., and thus college classrooms — and almost all of them are not-so-subtle efforts to seduce a virgin.)

Children hung flower baskets from door-handles, whether to fend off evil spirits or spread joy.

And there were games, contests, dressed-up cows, sports, jesters, and wild costumes. A Queen of May was appointed to preside over festivities.”

History then goes on towards “a negative spin” which I am choosing to omit. Lets keep it a happy joyous day, all hall the Queen!

Don’t you agree? Happy May Day however you choose to spend it.

If you know any further history around this day, please feel free to share it in the comments. And as always, if you like this article spread the love and SHARE it using the buttons below.

Mapo Tofu Recipe from #SteamyKitchen Healthy Asian Favorites

Jaden Hair, first “came into my life” in 2009 at the social media conference Social Fresh . My boyfriend at the time, now my husband, was representing an online course and she had stopped his table to get more information on SEO and building an online presence. She obivously made an impression, after the event he gave me her name and said I should look her up. A few months later, after I had moved to Florida, I went to my first networking event and it just so happened to be the book launch for her first book, 101 Asian Recipes Simple Enough for Tonight’s Dinner. Last year I attended TECH Munch Tampa and who was one of the speakers? You guessed it, Jaden.

Fast forward to today, a few books and websites later, Jaden has obviously figured out SEO among many other things related to building a fantastic business around her love of cooking. When Isabel, of Sunday Supper, offer an opportunity to make one of the recipes out if the new Steamy Kitchen Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook, and the opportunity to give a book away to one if my followers, I jumped on it!

Jaden started Steamy Kitchen in 2007 and six years later, built herself an empire from her small blog that now employs her entire family. She currently has her own line of rice bran oil, branded woks, and a regular spot cooking on-air on Daytime.

Steamy Kitchen Healthy Asian Favorites CookbookWithout further delay….here is her new book: Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites

 

Join the Sunday Supper Team along with Jaden Hair this Sunday at 7pm Eastern Time on twitter, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag. We are giving away 20 copies of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook. You don’t want to miss this week’s #SundaySupper Event!

Twenty of our #SundaySupper Contributors have received Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook and are excited to share recipes from this cookbook.

 

MAPO TOFU RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons cooking oil
1/2 onion, diced
1/4 pound ground turkey, lean beef, pork or mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 vegetable stock
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
14 ounces firm tofu, cubed
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 green onion, chopped
Hot chili sauce, such as sriracha

Heat a sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, swirl in the oil, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until onion is softened and translucent. Add the meat and use your spatula to stir and break up.

When the meat begins to lose its pink color, add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the stock and oyster sauce and bring to a simmer. Add tofu and peas ans carrots. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Stir this mixture into the pan nd let ooh for 2 minutes longer. Stir in the green onions and season with hot sauce, to taste. Serve immediately.

 

Disclosure Statement: I was provided with a copy of Steamy Kitchen’s healthy asian favorites for my review. All opinions are my own.

Reprinted with permission from Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair, copyright © 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

 

WANT TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY OF STEAMY KITCHENS HEALTHY ASIAN FAVORITES

Here is how to enter to win. You must do both, #1 and #2, to have an eligible entry:

1. Tell me what your favorite Asian dish is in a comment below – AND – with your twitter handle in the comment. Comment must be posted by 8pm Eastern time today (Sunday, March 10, 2013).

2. Join in the conversation during the live #SundaySupper chat on twitter from 7 to 8pm Eastern Time today (Sunday, March 10, 2013). Your tweet(s) must contain the #SundaySupper hashtag.

The winner will be chosen randomly from the eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email. Note: Giveaway open for United States residents only. Contest ends on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 8pm Eastern Time.

Join the Sunday Supper Team along with Jaden Hair this Sunday at 7pm Eastern Time on twitter, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag.  We are giving away 20 copies of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook.  You don’t want to miss this week’s #SundaySupper Event!

Here is the list of #SundaySupper Contributors who will be giving away a copy of Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook and the recipes they will be sharing:

Tofu-Mushroom Miso Soup 

Crispy Rice Patties

Thai Larb Lettuce Chicken Cups

Miso Cod

Sake Steamed Mussels

Salmon Honey Teriyaki

Korean Beef Bites

Mapo Tofu

Mango Brulee

We are sharing more Steamy Kitchen inspired recipes. The following Sunday Supper Contributors are joining us with some of their favorite recipes from the Steamy Kitchen website:

  • Kung Pao Chicken by Cravings of a Lunatic
  • Prime Rib Roast with Miso au jus by The Urban Mrs.
  • Kickin’ Tequila Shrimp by Gourmet Drizzles
  • Korean Beef Rice Bowl by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
  • Pan Fried Shrimp and Pork Fried Potstickers by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
  • Shrimp Curry by Ninja Baking

 

Follow Steamy Kitchen: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Purchase Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites Cookbook

 

Seasonal Decorating: Styling a Spring Coffee Table

Dilemma:

“I want to bring the feeling of Spring into my home decor but my budget is small and my available time is even smaller. Can you help me?”

Solution:

I hear this dilemma quite a bit during workshops and classes. You want to refresh your home each season, and although you want it to look like a million bucks, you don’t necessarily want to invest a lot of time or money doing it. Creating a seasonal display on your coffee table is an easy way to bring Spring into your home and many of us already own these suggested items.

 

  • Wooden Tray
  • Your Favorite books or magazines
  • Decorative Box
  • Decorative Coasters
  • Potted Bulbs or Spring Flowers

 

Once you have raided your closets and collected all your items in one place it is simply a matter of placing them in an appealing manner on your table.

 

Check out this video I just made for you with simple tips for styling your coffee table that can be done in a matter a minutes. It will have you ready for entertaining or simply whistling like a spring bird in no time.

Now it is your turn, I want to hear your design dilemmas. Leave one concern you have about seasonal decorating in the comments below and we may answer in an upcoming video or session.

Weekend In Paris

This weekend many design enthusiasts and professionals made the pilgrimage to Paris for the Maison + Objet. Although 1000’s of miles away I am dreaming of the day when I can again visit Paris in the spring, attend this amazing event and walk the streets for inspiration.

Paris Streets. @AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

Paris Streets. @AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.
For now images will have to do.

The Street Markets.

Paris Street Markets. AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

The Cafe’s.

Paris Street Cafe. AnAppealingPlan. Dream Board 2013.

The City Gardens.

Paris Streets. Paris Gardens. #AnAppealingPlan.

Paris Gardens. Window Boxes. Garden. #AnAppealingPlan.

Until this dream becomes reality, a girl can dream. What is on your 2013 dream board? See our on Pinterest now.

Design Finds: Casa Nova Tampa

Lastnight I attended an event at CasaNova in Tampa, FL for a networking function {and if truth be told to stare at all their beautiful home decor items}, and found a few new favorites to put on my growing wish list as well as an item or two for a client’s office re-style.

This Bird Nest Pillow would make an excellent addition to the 75 other pillows currently on my bed, after all I don’t have one with a nest and eggs on it… And the whole bird trend is so hot right now.

Bird Pillow

If you follow my blog at all you know my love for Natural Design inside and outside the home, so when I saw this carved wooden chandelier hanging above a round card table I was mesmerized. I stood trying to figure out if it was a created from one single block or created separately then synched together. Still not sure but either way it is amazing workmanship. {although also on trend I apologize in advance for too much of the Tangerine Tango bookcase in the background of the photo}

Tablescapes, Tablescapes, Tablescapes. I LOVE them on an entranceway table, side table, waiting area, dining room, retail merchandising and for entertaining. Pretty much can’t go wrong. Try recreating the ones below on your empty table.

Finally their collection of custom fabrics which takes up pretty much the majority of one wall was too pretty not to take a few snappies of. Hmmm, I think the chair in my master might need a new slip cover…

NEUTRALS

Color Swatches Neutral

RED & YELLOWS

Color Swatches Red & Yellow

If you live, work, play in the Tampa Bay area be sure to stop in Casa Nova and say hi to owner Barbara & designer Kylie Italiano. And tell them I said hello.

Enjoy this post? What did it inspire you to do? Let a comment below and share the love with your friends using the social share button. Complete the form below to receive weekly updates to your inbox. Enjoy ~ krayl

Asparagus Soup… Cold Spring Trend

We all know there is more than one way to do pretty much everything but when I came across “Asparagus Soup with Poached Egg” twice in two days and thought it was worth testing and sharing.

The first one is from Williams-Sonoma and I found it when I was at my local shop drooling over pretty much everything in the shop. They had recipe cards on the counter and this one caught my attention as someone in my house is a poached egg freak. So I am always looking for new recipes to make.

The second came to me today via email from the About.com Food e-newsletter along with other tasty cold soups. Perfect timing for the warm weather the entire country is having.

Being in the height of the Asparagus season, it should be fairly easy to acquire  most of the ingredients called for in the recipes. Even easier if you are growing your own…. I will be testing them both at our home over the weekend and posting the results but would love to hear your feedback as well and which one you prefered, why, etc.. {with pictures of course!!}

Happy Spring!! ~ kf.

Williams-Sonoma: ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH POACHED EGGS

Ingredients:

•2 Tbs. olive oil

•1 large leek, white and light green portions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise

•Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

•1 tsp. minced garlic

•1 tsp. Hungarian paprika, plus more for sprinkling

•1 1/2 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed, spears cut into 1-inch pieces

•2 Tbs. chicken or vegetable stock concentrate

•3 cups water

•1 cup baby spinach leaves

•6 poached eggs

•Fresh tarragon leaves, flat-leaf parsley leaves and chopped chives for garnish

Directions:

In a Cuisinart soup maker and blender over high heat, warm the olive oil for 5 minutes. Add the leek, season with salt and pepper and cook, using the stir function occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the garlic and the 1 tsp. paprika and cook, using the stir function occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus, stock concentrate and water and cook, using the stir function occasionally, until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes.

Place the spinach on top of the soup mixture and cook for 1 minute. Using a towel, hold the lid down and blend on the highest setting until the soup is smooth.

Season the poached eggs with salt and pepper and lightly sprinkle with paprika. Pour the soup into 6 warmed bowls and top each with 1 poached egg. Garnish with tarragon, parsley and chives and serve immediately. Serves 6.

About.com: Cream of Asparagus Soup with Poached Egg

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

•2 bundles green or white asparagus, trimmed

•1 leek, washed and trimmed

•½ stick/50g Butter

•1 pint/400ml vegetable (or chicken stock for a non vegetarian soup)

•1 tbsp heavy cream

•1 tbsp olive oil

•4 medium eggs, poached

Preparation:

Serves 4

•Cut the asparagus into 1″/3cm lengths.   Reserve the tips and set aside.

•Halve the leek lengthwise and cut into ½”/1 cm pieces.

•Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the leek and asparagus.  Sauté for 3 minutes, until the vegetables are starting to soften.  Add the stock and bring to the boil.  Simmer for 10 minutes, until the asparagus is soft and cooked through.

•Blend the soup in a food processor or with a hand blender, until smooth.  Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper and return to the pan.  Add the double cream and warm through.

•Meanwhile, toss the asparagus tips in the olive oil, and heat a ridged griddle pan.  Griddle the asparagus for 2 minutes.  Serve the soup in warmed soup bowls if eating warm, or leave to cool if wanting to serve cold. Top each bowl with a lightly poached egg and some asparagus tips.