Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Drunken Potatos


Drunken Potatoes

My daughter rated them as the yummiest potatoes ever and I decided to share the recipe with you. I call them drunken potatoes, because I use cheap whisky to cook them.


It all starts with 9 medium size potatoes, 3-4 steams of green onion and one bulb of onion. Peal the skin of the potatoes. I always do that, but they are some types of potatoes where you could skip that step.
Cut them on a little pieces.


Add 1tbsp whisky


 and 1 cup of water,1 tbsp Salt, 1tbsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning, 1 tbsp Chili Red Pepper Powder, and 1 tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning,



3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil.



Mix all the things together.


Cover with aluminum foil and put it in the oven for 21 min. Uncover and again leave it in the oven for more 30 min. you will see the results in approximately 40 min.

Bye for now. I am going to check on my drunken potatoes.

Magdalena Grantcharski

 Creator at www. joanelly.com
The wind of Beauty is all around!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Designing with decorative objects


Designing with decorative objects


Decorative objects and collections, whether of red glass or butterflies, porcelain figurines or photographs, give a house charm and distinctive character. Such objects of affection- those pieces you love- should hold a permanent place in a room's design.

Placing a few objects on a tabletop is attractive, but don't go overboard and fill every surface in a room. Creating a tabletop of objects requires some experimentation. When it comes to showcasing objects, display lightning is a critical consideration.

What matters most: Objects you care about stand on their own, and do not have to "match" the style of the room they are in. Any quality piece instantly adds interest to a room because of its shape, color and detail- and because it makes the room uniquely your own.

If you have an idea or favorite decorative object, but you are overwhelmed by executing of the project, you can contact us at  support@joanelly.com









Every home project adds Beauty to your home. Improve the appearance of your home  in a few easy steps. To find out how easy and economical it is to create a great environment, visit Joanelly.com

Monday, April 2, 2012

Is there discrimination in America?

Hello,

Today is time for me to touch one very painful and unpleasant subject of my life in the country, which proclaims freedom and equal rights for it's nation as the most important and significant sign of democracy, USA.

Is there really freedom and equal rights in America?
I am American citizen from 04/20/2010. That was the most amazing and happiest day in my life - I said to myself : Finally I am accepted, finally I am a part of a great nation, finally I am American and I am going to be  an honored one. On that sunshiny morning of April everything looked possible for me.

Unfortunately, not everyone are accepting me as I thought. I couldn't get rid of my "Russian accent" - I came to America at age of 31 and my East European will stay with me for the rest of my life.
My disappointment came from the fact that even after I educated myself, I became a responsible part of the society, I became citizen, most of the born here Americans do not accept as as equal. Examples are surrounding me everywhere, every day, but the most painful experience I had at my recent place of work- Sunrise Senior Living of Highland Park, IL.

I have always looked on the humorous side if somebody had some kind of racist remarks towards me, and I felt that part of it is probably my fault  I was and am trying constantly to improve my language skills and pronounceation.

The new director of Sunrise Senior Living, Joan Barris made it very clear for me.
Once I overheard her saying that I am not appropriate for the position as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator I am taking with my accent.
Then, in front of one corporate person Christine Sdrenka on a conversational level I was called "You with your Russian accent".
Third time in front of the HR Representative Jennifer Greaney it was said to me:" ...but you do have Russian accent".
What is the meaning of all this?
Does it mean that I don't deserve to work as Activity and Volunteer Coordinator after all my qualifications and 6 devoted years in this company?
Does it mean that I can be only at the front line positions- as serving level employee, but not at the managing tire. That was offered to me at my first one on one conversation with this director.

I am not working anymore for Sunrise Senior Living. Of her 4th month of service to the company, Joan Barris fired me, right after I said to her that I would like to have shared our conversations with the Area Manager for the the company.

I am not  Russian. I am coming from very little country located next to Greece in  Europe - Bulgaria. I don't call myself anymore Bulgarian, I am coming from Bulgaria but I am American and I am proud to be.
For a long period of time I was battling in myself if I have to share this painful experience. I don't believe in revenge and I don't want to harm nobody.

I just think is time to raise my opinion of how I feel after little remarks in the supermarket, or on the kids playground, or even in the city hall when I pay my car stickers, or the guy who's dog bit my daughter and did not wanted to give me response if the dog has all the immunizations and scabby shots, because he is born in this country and if I don't like it to go back from where I came from.

There is discrimination in America on every level of the society. The question is: Do we want to notice it?