The MoodUp Refrigerator to Shake UP Your Kitchen

Time to Start the Party

At the 2023 consumer electronics show, LG launched an impressive new refrigerator. Called the MoodUp refrigerator, this fridge could either be a new take on appliances for the modern home or an epic flop. We will walk you through the features that it offers as well as questions we still have and leave it to you, dear reader, to decide. 

 The MoodUp refrigerator comes with many different features. There are two major ones that we will discuss first before we dig into the more practical set.

The first feature that we're excited about is the built-in Bluetooth speakers. Being able to have music while you clean or cook is really important for a lot of us, especially if you are looking to enjoy your time in the kitchen more. Whether it's food prep or making the nightly meal, or cleaning up after a long day, having something to listen to can make all the difference. After all, that's why Audible and services like it are so very popular. We like the addition to the refrigerator, and we're excited to see LG being inventive.

Courtesy of LG

The showstopper of course is the panels that are on the outside of your refrigerator. If it was a normal refrigerator, you would need to remove them and change them out if you wanted to change the color or material. Or, heaven forbid, you might have to purchase an entirely new refrigerator if it no longer matches your kitchen. LG, with their MoodUp refrigerator, asks what if that was no longer an issue? Instead, you now have the capability to match every Pantone color of the year that you could want. You can even go so far as to change your color every day if you want to. 

Courtesy of LG

The demonstration advertises 190,000 different possible color combinations. The key word in that sentence is combinations. It doesn't mean that you're getting the capability for 190,000 different colors. Instead, you're getting the capability of multiple different panels that can all do different colors at the same time.And that's just at the rollout. There's nothing to say that LG won't update or improve the color offerings over time.  

That isn’t everything that the MoodUp can do though. You also are able to knock on the upper right panel to see what you have inside the fridge without having to open it and waste the cold air. You can also have it set to a ‘nighttime’ mode so that you get a quiet glow from the fridge when you’re forced to wake up in the middle of the night.  Last, but most importantly, we’re excited that you can also set the fridge to more muted colors like stainless steel, silver or a wood color if you’re not in the mood to be vibrant on a particular day. 

After all this though, there is still quite a bit that we don’t know yet about LG’s new friend. So, we’re left with several questions. 

How good are the speakers? It's not every day that you attempt to build speakers into your refrigerator, not to mention a refrigerator is not conducive to sound output. Much of the insulation that goes towards keeping your food cold is going also to block sound waves. 

Courtesy of LG

Is LG attempting to replace the need for a conventional speaker system? It can be pleasant to be able to play music while you're cooking, but it's not something we consider our fridge for typically.

What are the size options? Can we get this in anything smaller than what the video portrayed? We know there is a French door model, but what about the various arrangements of the freezer and refrigerator portions? Is this counter depth, or will it stick out past everything? Knowing how a refrigerator will fit into your space is vastly more important than whether or not the color will match and that doesn't change simply because the mood up is capable of changing colors.

Are there other features than the ones we've discussed here that won't be revealed until closer to the release date?

And that leads us straight to what is the release date? LG was not clear in the video on when this would be released to the consumer market. Will it be locked to certain regions only? Is there going to be a waiting list? All of these questions are ones that we urge consumers to ask before getting too excited about the new fridge.

That right there is everything we know so far about the LG MoodUp refrigerator as of January of 2023. With what we know, are you interested? Would you consider updating your fridge once the MoodUp comes to market? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. 

If on the other hand you’re fighting with your current refrigerator, and you really just want it to function properly, that is something we can help with. Whether it’s getting too cold, not getting cold enough, or it’s making strange noises, we’re here for you. At Appliance Rescue Service, our goal is to help you get your home running smoothly again. You can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). We’ll work with you to choose a date that works best for you and send one of our expert technicians to solve the problem. At Appliance Rescue Service, we’re here for you. 

Sausage Bread to Get You Rolling

Or Something To Eat While We Hide From the Cold

We're taking a look at a delicious, grab-and-go dinner that's great for parties. Looking through our recipes, we were thinking about something that would work best for the Superbowl parties that people are already planning. This sausage bread is great for just that, as you can make several of them now, and freeze them ahead of time to be ready for the game. 

This recipe comes in two parts. The first, is for making sweet Italian sausage because it is remarkably difficult to find in the Dallas area. The second is for the delicious sausage bread that is going to have you making the sausage on a regular basis. 

Ingredients for Sweet Italian Sausage: 

3 lbs ground pork

3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 ¼ Tbsp dried parsley

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbso dried basil

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp freshly cracked black pepper

2 tsp paprika

2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

¾ tsp ground fennel seed

¼ tsp brown sugar

⅛ tsp dried oregano

⅛ tsp dried thyme

Ingredients for the Sausage Rolls:  

2 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for brushing 

1 pound sweet Italian sausage 

4 ounces Genoa salami 

2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella (roughly 8 ounces) 

Vegetable oil cooking spray

flour for the work surface

Oregano - for the surface

minced garlic - for the surface 

frozen pizza dough (not the premade crusts, the actual dough is what you want here. Alternatively, you can make your own dough.) 

Recipe: 

For making the sausage, add the pork and vinegar to a large bowl and then sprinkle the spices all over the top. Scrub down your hands and, if you like, put on some gloves. Mix the pork until the spices are thoroughly incorporated throughout the pork. Divide the pork into one-pound sections. Put one pound aside for the recipe, and the other two into separate freezer bags. These will freeze for 6-12 months and can be used for many different recipes. 

Now let’s move on to making the actual sausage roll.

-Start by preheating your oven to 340* F. Nope it's not a typo. It works for this recipe. 

- Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add the sausage and cook until brown, 12-15 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. 

- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a medium bowl and let cool. Once cool, add the salami and mozzarella, mixing with your hands. 

- Spray a half-sheet pan with cooking spray.  

-On a floured surface, roll out your dough into one long 18 x 6 inch oval. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle the sausage mixture all over. Make sure to leave a 1-inch wide perimeter uncovered, as that will be important later. 

- Gently stretch one long side of the dough and fold it so that it covers half the mixture. Tuck in the short ends to trap all that meat inside and roll it onto itself so the seam of the dough is on the bottom. (Think of it like making cinnamon rolls, instead of like making a burrito.) 

-Carefully and gently transfer the log to the prepared sheet pan and curve it into a slight crescent. (You want it to look more like a ( and less like a C .) Poke holes along the top with a fork to release the steam while it's cooking. Brush the top of the bread with a mixture of melted butter and sprinkle with oregano and garlic. 

- Pop the bread into the oven and cook for 20 minutes. At this point, the top should be lightly brown. 

Let it rest for 10 minutes, and then slice it into 1-inch rounds. 

-You can actually freeze this one up to 2 months in advance. For that you'll follow all of the steps up until you transfer it to the prepared sheet. Instead, you'll wrap the roll in tin foil and then tightly wrap that in plastic wrap. When you're ready to eat, thaw it completely at room temperature for 3 hours, remove the plastic wrap and bake it still wrapped in the foil at 350*F for 15 minutes. 

You can serve this with bolognese sauce, ranch or anything else you might put on top of your pizza. Personally, your blogger is fond of ranch. Let us know on the Facebook page what you serve yours with!

If you're here because you need help with your oven, we can help! We're here to help with all sorts of major appliances, and your oven probably shouldn't be smoking. You can reach out to us by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or by heading to our contact page. We'll work with you to set up an appointment that works best with your schedule. At Appliance Rescue Service, our goal is to get your home running smoothly again.  

Photo by Midget Momma

Top Tips for Achieving Coastal Decor

 Let’s Get Beachy!

The coast is something that calls to many of us, the warm sand, the cool, crashing waves, and the salty air. However, not all of us can live on the coast, for one reason or another. When that is the case, coastal decor can be a next best thing. If that’s what you’re craving, check out our tips for how to decorate your home in coastal decor and bring out the place you love. 

Start with the colors

Bring in the colors of the coast you’re thinking of.
Is it the white shores and pale green waters you long for? 

Or do you love the iron sky, deep stormy blues and beige of the Atlantic? 

Or maybe it’s the tropical colors of coral reefs and bright fish that you love? 

Whatever it is, build up your color palette first. This is going to be what you work from for building your space. Many look to beiges, warm grey, ivory, and white for walls and trim and then bring in dusty blues and greens. We say, find a few photos of the ocean that you love and build from there. After all, it’s 2023! Who says you can’t paint your walls or door a stunning blue or a vibrant coral? No one. Certainly not us. 

 Keep Your Curtains Light 

By this, we mean both in terms of color and, just as importantly, fabric. 

Whether you live on the coast or just wish you did, light curtains are a must. The floaty fabric serves multiple colors. It helps to allow air in when you’re trying to coax a breeze in. It also keeps a room bright and open if you chose to go with darker wall colors

Credit: Wayfair

Go For Hardwood Floors

    Or at least the appearance of them 

Whether you choose hardwood, bamboo, vinyl or a good sticker, the look is key. You can evoke sandy beaches and driftwood by choosing the right flooring in color or texture. Alternatively, you could go for more of a ship or pier feeling with darker stained wood. 

Textures! 

Keep furniture as smooth long lines. Then for storage, side tables and the like, bring in textures. Rope baskets, rattan accents, white-washed ceiling beams. Doing this gives you freedom to play, without having to replace large pieces. 

It doesn’t have to be cluttered

You don’t have to have knickknacks everywhere in order to make a room coastal. YOu can choose tight, focused decor to get the idea across or you can choose furniture and accents that do the same.  It’s not just rass bells, anchors and signs proclaiming “beach life.” 

Other decoration ideas: 

Bottles in blues, greens and browns on a high shelf. 

-Throws that work with the color scheme you’ve chosen. 

-Maps of all sorts, especially ones that show oceans, currents or islands. 

-3D printed coral 

     Getting it 3D printed means it will not only make it last longer but it will also not contribute to the death of coral reefs. 

-Driftwood

-Mirrors to bring in the light and airy feeling of the room. 

Credit: Wayfair

Paint Your Kitchen Island 

It might sound odd, but your kitchen island can be another wall to show off your color palette. And if you choose to paint it blue, you can make a very quiet ‘island’ pun, without ever saying a word. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative 

 Take ‘traditional’ concepts of coastal decor, and find ways to work them into your space in new and creative ways. 

• Use a pattern that mimics a rope net, like houndstooth in a brown or beige color, against a black or blue background. 

•  Take colors from your palette and use them in an unexpected place, like a set of airy coral curtains around your bed. 

• Your planters can add to the look as well. You might not be able to grow coastal plants in the DFW area, but you can paint your planters in shades that reflect the beachscape. 

Credit: The Nursery

What are your opinions on coastal decor? Are you interested in using it in your own home? Have you already? Let us know that or your favorite tip over on our Facebook page, or in the comments below! 

If it’s not ‘beach,’ you’re thinking of but instead ‘waterfall’ as in “my washer overflowed and ruined my laundry room,” we can help. At Appliance Rescue Service, if you’re struggling with your washer and dryer, we’re here for you. Whether you’re looking for someone to fix that washer-based waterfall, or your dryer is squeaking so loud you thought you had a seagull, we’ll figure it out. We’ll work with you not just to find a date and time, but also to find what the problem is and make sure that you’re satisfied. You can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055) to set up an appointment today.

Viva Magenta! Pantone Color of the Year 2023

A Showstopping Color That Gives Rise to Bold Expression and Comfort Simultaneously

It's that time of year, when everyone is excited about the new Color of the Year from Pantone.  Pantone influences many different fields including beauty, marketing, and most importantly to us, home decor and design.  

Before we show off the new color though, how does Pantone choose the color? Just how did they decide?  According to Laurie Pressman, the Vice President of Pantone Color Institute, "To arrive at the selection each year, this global team of color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, aspirational travel destinations, new lifestyles, playstyles or enjoyable escapes as well as socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention." Pantone created a color language that everyone across many different industries can use to ensure that everyone knows exactly what color they're talking about, and more importantly how to replicate it. They also do research across many different cultures to  find how and why colors affect us the way they do. All of this together means that they are very good at choosing colors. 

What Is The Color? 

Credit: Pantone

All of that said, this year's color is a showstopper. This year's color is Viva Magenta! (18-1750) A vibrant and stunning red that according to Pantone "encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint." It is a balanced tone between warm and cool colors. Viva Magenta is a modern color for the Post-Pandemic world but one that is deeply rooted in the past.

What Does It Draw Inspiration From? 

Viva Magenta is a riff on carmine red. This is one of the most expensive and valued dyes of the natural world. It comes from cochineal insects, and their shells. Hundreds of thousands of these beetles would be collected and ground up in order to create the color, for dyes and paints. Carmine was once a major export from the Americas, and is again a rising economy in that portion of the world. 

What Colors Does It Pair Well With? 

Apartment Therapy (one of our favorite places to look for trends) put together four different palettes that they feel Viva Magenta would work well with. The first, called Resonance, is a sumptuous selection of colors that give a very rich and elegant feel to a room. Looking at them, they make us think of soft velvets, a warm fire, and a glass of wine. The second, titled Ignite, is all soft hues that Viva Magenta splashes into the middle of. If you're usually one for calmer, more relaxed environs, this might be the palette for you. The third palette is one aptly named, Family Ties. This is a palette built around the shades both brighter and darker than Viva Magenta, pinks, reds, maroons, and a soft red-grey color that we didn't think we could like and have been surprised. This one brings to mind the dining room and kitchen, with warm tones that evoke friendship, family, and community. The final palette is one titled Equilibrium, and while the other palettes have had Viva Magenta as the star, this one balances the color with others of equal vibrancy. This one is all about rich hues in very tropical tones with two softer colors to keep it from exploding into a riot.  

(Credit: Apartment Therapy)

All four of these palettes are only the beginning of what we expect to see over the next year, or more, as people play and experiment with this color. If you've already got ideas, why not show it off on our Facebook? 

Places It Might Look Good Around The Home

We think that Viva Magenta can be great just about anywhere, depending on how you balance it. If you've got a room that needs a bit more pop to it, throw in a few blankets and pieces of decor. If you're looking for something louder, try painting a wall or painting the trim in it. We could also see this as a way to paint your ceiling if you're not wanting to change up the walls but still want to add some heat to a room. There are SO many different ways that this beautiful red could fit into the home that we aren't really seeing a place where it wouldn't fit. 

An interesting side note for those of you who enjoy speculation on colors. Originally many suspected that the color Digital Lavender was going to be this year's color.  While many experts, including MSN & Architecture Digest both, reported early on this was the color, it ended up not being the case. We will say that the calmer grey-hued lavender is a very nice color, but we find that Viva Magenta is very fitting for this year and the hopes that many are bringing into the year.  

What about you? What are your thoughts on Pantone's color of the year? Will you be bringing it into your decorating? Your furniture?What about your appliances? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. 

If, on the other hand, you're more worried about the health of your appliances rather than what color they are, we can still help with that. Reach out to us on our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). We'll work with you to find a time and date that work for your schedule and send one of our experts out on the day you choose. At Appliance Rescue Service, our goal is to get your home running smoothly again. 

Lasagna Roll Up For New Year’s Eve

When You’re Wanting To Impress, This Is The Dish! 

For many of us New Year’s Eve is a great time to test out new recipes or ones that we want to show off. This recipe is a bit of both. It looks gorgeous and it tastes even better, while still being a warm and filling meal great for a get together of friends and family. We’re making a lasagna roll up that will impress people with your ingenuity as well as getting them to ask for the recipe. 

Ingredients

For the sauce:

3 tbsp olive oil

¾ C pancetta, cubed

1 onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 ⅓ C packed ground beef

2 ⅓ C packed ground pork

7 Tbsp milk

2 x  16oz cans chopped tomatoes

2 bay leaves

1 rosemary sprig (or 1 tsp dried) 

2 thyme sprigs 

2 tsp dried oregano

1 beef stock cube

2 C red wine

For the bechamel:

4 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp  all-purpopse flour

 3 generous cups of milk

½ C mozzarella, grated

½ C parmesan, grated

Nutmeg -to taste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the assembly:

6-8  sheets flat, al dente lasagna (the crinkled variety makes this recipe incredibly difficult) 

¾ C grated provolone, grated

½ C mozzarella, grated

½ C parmesan

Instructions:

For the sauce: Put the oil and pancetta in a large saucepan on medium (a Dutch oven is a great option). Gently cook until the pancetta is crispy and golden. Add the onion and turn the heat down, cooking for about 10 minutes until the onion is softened. Then add the garlic and cook for a further 3 minutes. It should be a wonderfully aromatic mix at this point. 

Next, add in your ground beef and pork, breaking down the meat with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula. Then add the milk and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Stir in the bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, oregano, beef stock cube, and wine, and bring to a simmer.

Courtesy of Bake Your Day

Cover with a lid and cook for 1 hr, occasionally stirring to stop the bottom scalding. Then remove the lid and gently simmer for another 30 mins-1 hr until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. Taste and season, then set aside to cool with the lid off. 

For the bechamel sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, and once melted, add the flour and mix in. Right here is one of the keys to French cooking, making a roux. The important part is the next step. Cook the flour and butter mix for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flavor of the flour. Stir in the milk, a little at a time – adding milk slowly to avoid lumps. A whisk is best here to fully incorporate everything. 

When all the milk is fully mixed in, bring the sauce to a simmer, constantly stirring until thickened. Do not let it come to a boil. Now stir in the cheeses and a good grating of nutmeg. Remove from the heat and set aside. 

It needs to cook for a minute or so longer, but this is the color your bechemel should be.

Preheat your oven to 400*F, and get ready to put everything together. 

To assemble: Lay a large piece of baking parchment on top of a large baking sheet. Lay the lasagna sheets on top of the baking sheet so that they are touching, and top with ½ of the provolone and ½ of the mozzarella. Place this under the broiler for 2 minutes to melt the cheese and form the lasagne into a single sheet. 

Once the cheese has melted, it’s time to add the filling. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the solids from your sauce and transfer that to the lasagna. Spread the sheet of lasagne with the meat sauce and drizzle over a little of the bechamel sauce, then add the last of the grated parmesan. Roll the whole thing up like a swiss roll and place it into a dish large enough to fit it. Pour over the remaining bechamel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining provolone and mozzarella. Place into the oven for 30 minutes, then remove and sprinkle the last of the Parmesan over the top. Slice the roll to show off your beautiful work, and impress your guests! 

What did you think? Will you be trying this one out for New Years Eve? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. As always, we love to hear from you! 

If you're more interested in getting our help with your recalcitrant appliances, we can do that too. Just reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055), and we'll work with you to set up a time and date to send one of our expert technicians to get your home back in order. At Appliance Rescue Service, getting your home running smoothly again is our top priority.