Hometown Success and the Secret in the Fridge…

Thanks to all participants and sponsors for the NARI Holiday Celebration this week at Standards of Excellence in my home town of San Rafael!  Local designer Susan Lund of Spacial Design helped coordinate this very successful event and fundraiser for ROP Educational Programs.  Everyone on the San Rafael team was truly the “hosts with the most”, setting up, coordinating the beverages and helping at every turn. Another team effort for success!

 

NARI is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry www.nari.org, consisting of designers, builders, contractors and more dedicated to advancing and promoting the remodeling industry's professionalism, product & vital public purpose, such as supporting educational programs. They held a raffle and auction bringing in support for Regional Occupational Program classes in building and design for youth and adults. As a former culinary ROP teacher, I know first hand how vital these programs are to the trade industries and for students who need other outlets for education. The main raffle prize was a shiny new Thermador dishwasher donated by Purcell Murray.

Thanks a million to Purcell- Murray for helping support such an exciting auction! 

 

John O'Meara, branch manager

An international Holiday Menu was served and the food was hot and fresh. Here is store manager, John O’Meara giving his full approval to the spread! 

 

Try this easy appetizer ideas: Smoked Salmon Flatbreads

1.      Lightly toast a pre-made or home made flatbread ( the par- cooked ones from my last post would be prefect, but cook them until crisp) 

2.      Remove from oven and cool slightly, spread a flavored cream cheese on top, about π inch from the edge and season with cracked pepper. Ron whipped cream cheese with fresh chopped Italian parsley, dill and chives or you can purchase an herbed blend cream cheese. 

3.      Top with a good quality cured (thin sliced) or smoked salmon (flaked) or any smoked fish such as trout or white fish

4.      Sprinkle with capers and very thinly shaved red onion and fresh fennel bulb, sprinkle with lemon zest and fresh chopped dill.

5.      Using a double folded piece of plastic wrap, place wrap on top of pizza and compress toppings so they stay in place. Repeat with each one. 

6.      Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature. 

 

Simple and delicious! 

 

Now, one of the funniest fridge moments I’ve had… My good friends Chris and Nancy just purchased new appliances from SOE SR, and I came to visit and share in the excitement. I have opened thousands of fridges in my day, but never one like this. First, I was admiring their shiny new, roomy Fisher Paykel refrigerator, then… 

 What is that? Toys? Yes! Toys!  “I always have toys in my refrigerator!” said Nancy. I laughed so hard, we all did. “The Angel is praying by the beer, Ernie is riding a tricycle.” 

Here’s Elmo in the celery and 

a chunky raccoon, eyeing a Weight Watchers chocolate cake! 

 

Most wonderful… this discovery again goes to show that while we do create incredible kitchens here at Standards of Excellence, it is the new life they take on in our clients’ homes that really brings out the true magic of these appliances.  Now, go play in the kitchen!