Every November our staff becomes introspective for all we have to be thankful for and are reminded of how thankful we are for our loyal clients and business associates. We have just completed eight years in business and look forward to serving you for many years to come. I am thankful to my loving husband and son who are always positive and supportive, and for the great team here at Robin Bond Interiors. Their hard work and dedication provide our clients with “second-to-none” service. They care about the people we serve and always seek to find ways to improve how we do things. I am blessed that my work is also my passion – it never seems like work. Design has been important to me for as long as I can remember. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of sharing this joy with you.
Thankful for you,
Robin Bond
Culinary Creations
From the Kitchen of Cielo Su Terra
Corn Bread Stuffing With Apples and Sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped coarsely
1 teaspoon freshly minced thyme leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped sage leaves
1/2 cup bourbon
1 1/4 pounds cubed and dried cornbread stuffing, store-bought
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 cups turkey or low-sodium chicken stock
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in 12-inch skillet.
Cook sausage for 5 to 7 minutes until browned. Add onions and celery and saute until softened. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in apples, thyme and sage and saute for another 2 minutes. Add bourbon.
*Cook’s Note: When adding alcohol take pan off flame. Allow to simmer until bourbon is almost evaporated; 1 to 2 minutes.
In a large bowl, add cornbread stuffing, parsley, chicken stock, eggs and pecans. Mix well. Mix in vegetable mixture to bowl. Combine and stir well together. Add to a large casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.
Visit Chef Ryan’s website at www.cielosuterra.net and keep his services in mind for parties, events, anniversaries or a special evening at home.
Let’s Party!
Join us for our second annual Holiday Open House
December 8, 2011 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Take a break from the hectic Holiday Season for some down time with the team at Robin Bond Interiors! It will be a fun-filled evening of food demonstration, recipes, wine, giveaways, music and more! More Info
“The Magnificent 7” … Seven Wines to Pour with Thanksgiving
Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce … tradition at its best regarding cuisine, however, the selection of wines to serve can be challenging as most preparations are richer in texture and flavor. No worries! Allow us to do all of the work for you and your invited guests. We have selected seven wines that will easily pair with each dish regardless if you are having a traditional or nontraditional meal. As we are fond of saying, good food paired with good wine tastes great. As well, family and friends … food and wine … perfect pairings.
Francois Montand Chardonnay blend Blanc de Blanc Brut Sparkling Wine Vins Mousseux France NV *Fine bubbles … defined acidity … flavors of citrus fruits, yellow apple, fresh melon, and flaky brioche … outstanding! ($16) Suggested pairing: great as a “start” to the festivities and will greatly compliment the meal as a whole
Guy Saget 100% Sauvignon Blanc “La Petite Perriere” Loire Valley France 2008 *Hints of fresh chervil and thyme … defined acidity and minerality … pineapple, tart gooseberry, and green apple … divine! ($15) Suggested pairing: due to the defined acid, will easily “stand up” to the traditional rich dishes of Thanksgiving
Weingut St. Urbans-Hof 100% Riesling Mosel Germany 2010 *Simply an amazing wine … an apple orchard in a bottle + a “hint of sweet” for balance … excellent! ($18) Suggested pairing: will compliment the salty “bite” of ham, the moist texture of a beautifully cooked turkey, and all the trimmings!
Les Vins Bréban L’ Opale dry rosé of Grenache Côtes de Provence AOP France 2010 *This wine is sunshine trapped in a bottle … gorgeous color, fresh fruit , crisp, refreshing … a tribute to Cezanne … perfect! ($14)
Suggested pairing: a great wine before “seconds” as structure will recharge the palate
Henry Fessy 100% Gamay Château des Reyssiers Vineyard Régnié Cru Beaujolais AOP France 2009 *2009 is the vintage of the decade for Beaujolais … truly an amazing wine with depth and purity of fruit … great balance … fantastic! ($17) Suggested pairing: a perfect red for a nontraditional protein such as a filet, however, will “dance” well with turkey
Luccarelli 100% Primitivo Puglia IGT Apuglia region Italy 2010
*The “other” cousin to red Zinfandel … great flavors of rich plum, black cherry, and raspberry … spice + hint of earth … delicious! ($15) Suggested pairing: this wine will simply “sing” with anything, even the crispy green bean casserole
Bogle 100% Petite Sirah Port Quick Ranch Clarksburg AVA California 2007 *one of the best fortified wines of California … rich, full bodied, concentrated … rich berry fruits … estate bottled … seductive! ($20) Suggested pairing: any empty wine glass or as a liquid dessert
For this project, we tasted over 136 wines before selecting the above … only 5% made the cut! Rest easy that you will not find better wines at a better price. You can purchase all seven wines, “pick & choose”, or replenish your cellar. We will gladly offer a 10% discount on a case purchase (yes, a mixed case is fine!). Also, keep in mind that each wine drinks and tastes at a level far above the stated cost … what I refer to as “$-Taste-Value-Per-Dollar$”. Please allow us to assist you regarding your wine needs for the upcoming holidays. As well, these wines will be on display starting 11/01/11 and available to taste, for free, on each Friday during the month of November at GOOD2GO from 4:45 – 7:30 pm. If Friday does not work, simply stop in and we will be happy to let you taste.
Simply ask for me, Nathan T. Prater, your “Everyday Sommelier” and I will be happy to assist. I can be reached at nathan@good2goaustin.com or 512 327 4246.
Always, good wine tastes good!
Designer’s Builder Pick of the Month
Canyon Creek Construction
Clint Tomlinson is the Owner and Managing Partner of the Canyon Creek Companies. It is our pleasure to introduce their services which include: new construction, remodeling, roofing, additions, flooring, painting, granite, cabinetry, and much – much more! With over thirty years of remodeling experience, Clint has an eye for detail and design. Clint’s father, who was also in the construction business, instilled in him the value of hard work, honesty and integrity in everything he does. Let Canyon Creek make your dreams a reality!
Canyon Creek prides themselves in honesty and integrity, sometime a hard combination to find in the construction and remodeling business. Canyon Creek Construction was selected as the winner of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Best Project Award in Central Texas. Based in Austin they have a broad reach for Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays and Burnet county clients.
Canyon Creek Construction is dedicated to customer service. They provide quality new and remodel construction at competitive pricing. Canyon Creek’s goal is to provide a seamless and effortless experience for the home owner!
One of the most under-utilized design tools is lighting. One of the elements of design that makes the most impact, second to color, is light. When I am fortunate enough to work with clients during pre-construction, this element can be discussed in greater detail in order to consider specific lighting for each room based on the need and function of the room. Simple solutions, such as adding in a few more recessed can lights and adding dimmers will give a homeowner much more control over lighting sources. Some things to consider and ideas for using lighting in your design project:
For multi-story, open spaces with tall ceilings use long life bulbs. As a matter of fact, I recommend using them as often as possible. Many times this detail is not thought through until the first time the homeowner’s bulb goes out and they realized they need to invest in an extra tall ladder.
How will the room be used? Typically, you will want a couple of light sources with high wattage bulbs in your bathroom area. A media room will call for a low light source so as not to disturb your movie.
Did you know that a well designed room will typically have five to seven light sources? You can include candles in this number. Look around and count the light sources in each room. You probably need to add some lamps.
Put all of your lamps on timers. Wall outlet timers can be purchased at any home improvement store and will keep turning lamps on/off of your “to do” list. I have all of my lamps set to come on at 6:00 PM in the evening and then go back off at 10:00 PM. This way, my family enjoys the ambiance of our beautiful lamps every night without a thought and without lifting a finger. Here again, long lasting bulbs will keep your lamps maintenance free for longer periods of time.
Add recessed can lighting. If you are updating or remodeling a space, include in the plan to add recessed can lighting with a dimmer switch. This type of lighting is a quick and easy way to add additional light.
When building a new home consider floor plugs for family rooms or other areas where your furniture will be floating in the center of the room. Floor plugs are often over-looked and great to be able to add more lamps without running the cords across a space, which can possibly be a trip and fall hazard.
Make use of natural light. Some rooms have a naturally uplifting feel because of the amount of natural light available. Often times, adding a soft sheer roman shade or drapery is just enough to add some privacy and filter the beautiful light to add a soft glow
When designing spaces light is always a consideration. Depending on wall color, color scheme of the room, or the mood my client is looking for; I always work lighting options into the plan. There are so many new, cutting edge lighting options available on the market including LED lighting. This month’s Wine, Dine and Design Broadcast interviews Tyson with Legend Lighting to share his vast lighting knowledge and some of the new things on the market.
LINKING LUXURY, QUALITY AND STYLE
Robin Bond Interiors was established in 2003, as a full-service design firm with an emphasis on custom drapery and high quality furnishings. Our niche is working with clients from concept to completion, a room at a time, creating a beautiful, pulled together space, which reflects our client’s style. Robin Bond Interiors operates in an ethical fashion and our goal is to build long-term personal relationships with our clients based on mutual trust and respect.
Contact us today for a FREE 1 hour consultation and let us make the space of your dreams a reality!
of remodeling experience, Clint has an eye for detail and design. Clint’s father, who was also in the construction business, instilled in him the value of hard work, honesty and integrity in everything he does. Let Canyon Creek make your dreams a reality!
Did you know that a well designed room will typically have five to seven light sources? You can include candles in this number. Look around and count the light sources in each room. You probably need to add some lamps.
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