Showing posts with label opendoorstudio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opendoorstudio. Show all posts

10.04.2017

Chicken Tortilla Soup with Rice

chicken tortilla soup

After a successful fiesta shower... we had leftovers!
Leftover chicken fajita meat with onions and peppers, left over avocados, cilantro and Mexican rice.  What to do? I created my own soup! It turned out delish.  Here’s what I did.

Chicken tortilla soup with rice

2 cups fajita meat (chicken)
2 cups cooked and prepared Mexican rice
2 small cloves garlic minced
1/4 jalapeño pepped seeded and diced
2 bags frozen onion and red and green peppers fire roasted (Trader Joe’s)
2 Tbs olive oil
8 cups chicken stock
2 Tbs tomato paste
Salt to taste
1 tsp cumin
1 packet taco seasoning

Garnish with:
Cilantro
Lime
Crushed tortilla chips
Sour cream 
guacamole (find my recipe in a previous post)

In a soup pot, heat the oil, minced garlic and jalapeño  until heated, add the cooked fajita meat and two bags of veggies.  Stir til heated. Add chicken stock, tomato paste, cumin and salt (if needed) and bring to simmer. Once simmered, add taco seasoning.  Heat as desired and return to low heat to serve.  Place in bowls, crunch tortillas atop, add a dollop of guacamole, sour cream and add cilantro to garnish. Finish with juice from one lime wedge!
It’s family and neighbor approved.
Enjoy!

12.08.2016

Christmas a 60's ski chalet vibe

This year I thought I would throw back to my days as a kid in Califorina!  We delighted in spending time at Lake Tahoe.  camp Richardson in south Tahoe was a place where I believe shaped so many of my memories...memories of lakeside cabins, cozy plaids, playful times... So this year I thought I would harken back and pull together a bit of an apres-ski feel... Granted, my family didn't ski back in those days...but looking back at favorite scenes in the old movie White Christmas... At the lodge, around that fireplace, comfy cozy... Just brought back fond memories! Bring on the warm milk and let me count my blessings!  So... Here is this years take on Christmas! Enjoy!

7.31.2015

Cute Vintage Camper ... Summer Roadtrip 2015

Miss Mabel, Tony and I... took a road trip.
Can you guess where we went?
Here are a few hints, Cherries, Goats, Plein Air Painting and Sunsets!
(oh and did we mention... the cutest little tiny house this side of the mighty mississippi?)






















you guessed it...
 Greetings from DOOR COUNTY
(Summer 2015, Wagon Trail Campground site 205 and Fish Creek Campground site 208)
for more views of our cute little camper... check out our pinterest board and instagram pages...you may find something you like! 







12.14.2014

Happy Holidays from OpendoorStudio


We love the new truck!  So Cute adorned with all of our Vintage Plaid Suitcases.  Ready for YOUR photo shoot. 
                  She is almost up and running.  She is getting ready for her debut in Spring of 2015.  
Located in West Suburban Warrenville, IL.  Email us if you would like a quote on rental for your event.  Photostyling by Opendoorstudio. 

11.02.2014

Fall Rustic Woodland Wedding: First Look … part 2

A relatively new trend in wedding styling is to photograph the "First Look" where the bride and groom get out the wedding jitters… by seeing one another before the ceremony… while photos are being taken.  Our lovely Rustic Woodland Wedding was no exception. 
Here are some views of the capturing of the "First Look"



 First Look: The setting, a local barn, just "down the road  a bit".  The idea, to get the "first look" on camera… and the nervous jitters out of the way… gathering with family and wedding participants… 
.

The bride and groom were placed on adjacent sides of the barn.  They were told not to look, but to walk closer to the corner, until they reached out for one another's hands (with a little help from a groomsman). On the count of three… they were able to look… and capture that moment on film. (The large photo above)


 "People moving out… people moving in".  The photographer (the grooms mother) felt this captured the activity of the day and what her brain felt like in the weeks moving up to the actual wedding day!  Organized chaos at its best.




 Incase you missed the post... be sure to Click here to see the lovely Woodland, Rustic Wedding photos and read more about this Family Affair. 

9.09.2014

A Rustic Bridal Shower in the Garden

Gathering under the August skies.

Adding a single mop head hydrangea to a simple ball jar.  Our theme for the day and for the rustic wedding will be Burlap and Lace.

A simple basket placed aside the favors is filled with pre addressed wedding invitations.  Guests can bring their invitation home and the bride and groom save on postage.  Twisted pines grace the table (the name of the future bride and grooms lovely home).  Handmade pumpkin spice soaps, made and decorated by the grooms mother and little tags painted by opendoorstudio, rest on a tiered silver stand.

A hand embroidered burlap runner is adorned by the "Twisted Pines".  The bride and grooms initials and wedding date have also been incorporated.  The archway was covered in lace and burlap for a
romantic and rustic feel.


The bar was set including refreshments for all who attended, Fresh cucumber water, home made sangria and spiced tea are served in glass pitchers.

The garden blooms were plenty for the shower day.

Guests arrived through the secret garden arbor, while the old wolf dress form was the perfect fit for the grooms mothers 1979 wedding gown.

Reclaimed tables and chairs were clothed in ecru cloths with a burlap rectangle on top.  Glass plates were created with lace accents on the bottom.  Atop the plates sat a simple ball jar with a single stem hydrangea.  Simplicity ruled the day.  The white tent was the perfect space for the bride and groom to gather.
The table was set to receive the gifts.  To the left you find a vintage table covered in lace and an old rustic cart tucked underneath for a place to place gifts.  The matching white folding chairs have "rest" and "relax" painted on the back.  The spot where the bride and groom will sit to open their gifts.


Wil and Kristin opening their gifts under the tent.
(hint… lace sticks to the velcro on the tent!!! bonus time saver)


"Aunties" enjoying the beautiful garden.


The lovely bride to be.

Adirondack chairs were a castoff from a friend.  Tony, my husband, painted them the bright yellow we used on our shutters.  They lent a bright pop in the front yard amongst the flowers, trees and pond.
All day long butterflies and hummingbirds were flitting about in the garden… reminding us of those who had passed before and were able to attend in spirit.


The pond flowers bloomed for the first time on shower day… even the pond flowers loved the day!


Bridesmaids, moms and aunts lent a hand.  Everyone brought their favorite appetizer and a recipe card for the bride and groom so that they can prepare them at their own gatherings in the future!



Geli made this delicious Black Forest cake! Perfection… right down to the sprinkle shimmer hearts.

Under the lights in the garden the night before. 
We often gather with others in the front yard to celebrate birthdays, graduations and more.  We were so happy to have had the chance to host the Bridal shower for my nephew and his wife to be.
What a lovely day!


Congratulations to my nephew and his beautiful "bride to be" … on their upcoming wedding!

For more…check out instagram #wilkristin2014 and #twistedpines for more of the wedding day (in the future)   #opendoorstudio