The French Tangerine

Antique Letter EngravingI hope everyone’s week is going well!  Ours started out quite busy and exciting as we received our latest container in our Baton Rouge showroom.  I will tell you about the container later on this week as we unpack more and have the chance to take more vignette photos.  Check out our Facebook page for some sneak previews until we post the blog.  Today I wanted to let you know about one of our great customers, who happened to be a fellow blogger ~ Jan Vrana whose blog is The French Tangerine.

The French Tangerine

If you have not discovered it yet, I do recommend it.  This blog is very inspiring and quite fun as she covers everything from decorating beautiful interiors to travelling, from shopping to gardening and antique collecting ~ all subjects close to my heart. She is also famous for her amazing collages, where you can easily see her passion for beautiful colors.  Her stunning mosaics with gorgeous images are created with such flair!  Below are just a few of my favorites… The French Tangerine

Light, airy, and so romantic~ Crisp and Cream

The French Tangerine

Blue has always been my favorite color ~ French Winter Blues

 

Yesterday while starting to read her post from last week- Friday, January 25 (always trying to catch up) I was so excited to see the antique pair of tapestry cartoons she purchased from us prominently featured in Jan’s bedroom!  (Tapestry cartoons were the paintings that served as the guides and inspirations for tapestry creators as they were weaving them on the looms).  I found this treasured pair featuring adorable cherubs in France last year and Jan spotted them on our online store~ inessa.com.  It is so gratifying to see these beauties installed in the space, as they are truly of the perfect palette for her bedroom.

Come back and visit us soon so we can all enjoy discovering antiques, art and design!

If you want to learn more about Jan and her wonderful blog, click on the links below:

Jan’s Blog      Jan’s Facebook     Jan’s Pinerest

Inessa Stewart's Antiques & Interiors

Antique Engraving

 

The Antique Jewel of Florida

Antique Letter EngravingUsually when someone thinks of Florida, sunny and pristine white sandy beaches come to mind.  You don’t immediately think of priceless works of art and a world-class European museum.  However, in the city of Sarasota, Florida while you enjoy the picturesque sunset on the bay you can also discover the antique jewel of Florida ~ The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

 The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

On our winter holiday visiting family we took a day to explore this majestic mansion and museum surrounded by enchanting gardens. We were blessed with marvelous weather so I was able to take an enormous amount of photos that I could not possibly put in this blog!  Below are the highlights of our excursion through the amazing treasures of this collection and the sprawling gardens across this vast estate.  The estate was founded during the fantastic times of Great Gatsby, and is positioned on the majestic shores of Sarasota Bay.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of ArtThe John and Mable Ringling Museum of ArtThe John and Mable Ringling Museum of ArtInessa Stewart's Antiques & InteriorsAntique Engraving

Inessa’s “Secret” Chicken Soup

Antique Letter EngravingThe ultimate in winter comfort food and a staple on cold and rainy days, a steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup is sure to satisfy the senses and spirit. With so many sick with the flu and other winter ailments this season, this recipe has been put to use soothing sore throats and easing congestion.  Of course you do not need to be sick to enjoy this recipe, a true comfort for your body and soul! I hope you enjoy making this for you and your loved ones. Please let me know in the comments below how yours turns out!

Inessa Stewart's Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients        

For the stock
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
5 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
The heart of celery with leaves, chopped
10 sprigs of thyme
10 sprigs of parsley
1 Large chicken – cut up
1 tsp. black peppercorn, whole
1 tsp. sea salt
For the soup
4 carrots peeled and shredded, reserving ½ cup
4 stalks of celery chopped
1 parsnip peeled and shredded
¼ cup of minced parsley
1 Tbsp. minced thyme
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
 

Inessa Stewart's Chicken Soup Recipe and Culinary Antiques

Directions

  • Heat oil on medium heat in a Dutch oven or a stock pot and roast onions and garlic for 5 minutes, continuously stirring.  Add carrots, celery and parsnips then turn up the heat to medium high to roast the vegetables.
  • Cover and continue roasting for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.  If the pot seems to get a little dry, add a couple splashes of hot water and continue roasting.
  • Next, add the chicken to the pot with 4 quarts of water, then parsley, thyme, salt and peppercorns. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
  • Remove the chicken from the broth; let it cool on a plate or a cutting board. Debone and shred the chicken into small chunks.
  • While the chicken is cooling, strain the broth through a fine mesh colander and return to the stockpot.
  • The is the secret part of the recipe that gives my soups extra flavor so take note (I am not going to be like that evil relative that leaves the secret ingredient out): heat the vegetable oil on medium high in a small skillet; add garlic and stir frequently for about 5 minutes, then add parsley, thyme and the reserved cup of shredded carrots, continuing to stir frequently.
  • Keeping the skillet on medium high heat sauté carrot and herbs until they soften and start to give mixture a color; about 10 minutes.
  • For the soup, at the same time bring the stock to a boil and add the rest of the carrots, celery and parsnips.  Boil for 10 minutes.
  • Add reserved chicken, boil for another 5-10 minutes, and then add sautéed herbs and carrots from the skillet.  Bring back to a simmer, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
  • To serve the soup I cook desired noodles or rice separately and heat them up in the soup.

Bon appétit, mes amis!

Inessa Stewart's Antiques & Interiors

 Inessa Stewart

Antiques in Style is a source of joy for me to create, and hopefully will be a source of inspiration for you! The variety, artistry and history of the antiques and vintage pieces that surround us every day provide pleasure, beauty and sometimes even intrigue.

The classics never go out of style, and each era, country, and even artisan's interpretations create an environment that is always full of surprises.

It is truly a pleasure to bring such timeless style together for every client and follower of my blog. And of course, your input is always welcome!

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