Thursday, March 5, 2009

Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes

These paintings remind me
of the many fairy tales
and nursery rhymes
that I read as a child.


Maybe Little Red Riding Hood...



Maybe Mr. Toad...




Maybe The Chronicles of Narnia...




Maybe A Mid-Summer Night's Dream.



All these were by Oh My Cavalier.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Good Morning


Today started of very good.

1. Waking up early
without the need
for my alarm...

(You can see both the Eiffel Tower and Nortre Dame)

2. Getting cozy
next to the morning fire
with a cup of coffee
and toast...

(Spring time Tulips)

3. Watching the morning sun
reflect off the
slowly melting snow...

(Colors)

4. Not feeling the least bit rushed...

(Victorian Tea Cups will always remind me of my mother)


Days like that are few and far in between,
but when they come
I cherish them.


All photos were by:
Kari Herer Photography

Her photography is so dreamy.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Hints of Spring and Soup

For the first time,
in what it feels like a long time,
we had dinner when the sun was still visible.

Spring is coming.

And even though there is still
snow lingering on the ground,

I now have hope
that is wont be much longer
until we will be having
picnic dinners outside again.


But until then,
I am still enjoying
warm winter foods.

Tonight's dinner was...


Sausage and Lentil Soup

1/3 pound French green lentils
olive oil
1 cup diced yellow onions (3 large)
1 cup chopped leeks, white and light green parts only (2 leeks)
1/3 tablespoon minced garlic (1 large cloves)
1/3 tablespoon kosher salt
1/3 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 minced tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/3 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup medium diced celery (4 stalks)
1 cup medium diced carrots (3 carrots)
4 cups chicken stock or broth
1/8 cup tomato paste
1/3 lb kielbasa, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and sliced 1/3-inch thick
1 tablespoon dry red wine
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water
and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.

In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onions, leeks, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are translucent and tender.

Add the celery and carrots and saute for another 10 minutes.

Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and drained lentils, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, or until the lentils are cooked through and tender.

Check the seasonings. Add the kielbasa and red wine
and simmer until the kielbasa is hot.

Serve drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.

Ban.do

Amazement.

That is my state of mind right now
after seeing these...



These accessories
are from
ban.do



Two gals from L.A.
created them.



They even have a blog!
iheartbando@blogspot.com



I will definatly be adding them
to my blog list.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Charade



Tonight was an Audrey night.

Recently I have been watching
a lot of classic Audrey Hepburn movies.

Tonight I watched Charade.


I love how the old classic movies
keep you guessing all the way up to the end.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Kate Towers.

Kate Towers.....
I love your clothing.

Please Please.....
sell more on Etsy.










Friday List



Here is my list of wonderful things
that I have found this past week.



Petite Diamond Rings.
Are they not so delicate.
via:katezabone



These ceramic cups make me
want to take another trip to the
paint-it-yourself pottery shop.
I would so copy this design.
via:baileydoesntbark



Socks with heals again!
I think that confirms my desire
(and now justification)
for going out this weekend
to buy some dainty socks
so that I can wear them
with my oxfords.

And can I mention the purse....
amazing!
Makes me want a vintage Chanel so badly.
via: garance dore



I wish that summer would just get here.
These bathing suites are perfect.



Oh, what a beautiful getaway.
I will dream of sleeping here tonight.
via: country home

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tomato Risotto with Seared Scallops

One of my favorite foods are Scallops.
But only if they are cooked just right.

Once I tried to get creative,
so I added Scallops to a Alfredo sauce...
it was not a good thing.

So this time
I stuck with a recipe
that I found in one of my
many cookbooks .

And it was wonderful!




Tomato Risotto with Seared Scallops.


1/2 can stewed tomatoes (with basil)
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 tbsp butter
1 shallot, finely sliced
1/2 cup Arborio rice (Risotto Rice)
1/2 cup white wine
Salt and Pepper
1/8 cup Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley

6 bay scallops
3 tbsp olive oil


1. In small pot, simmer stewed tomatoes and sliced garlic for 30 minutes.

2. In sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in shallots and rice; cook or 1 minute.

3. Pour in wine and cook, stirring until absorbed. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and stir. Repeat the process until the rice is loose and creamy (about 20 minutes)....never stop stirring.

4. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in stewed tomatoes and garlic, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and dried herbs.

5. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat. Add scallops and sear. Cook until done.










Tug




Sometimes I get a tug
to travel to a place
that I have never been before.

I feel that tug right now.

image via:ffffound

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras.

I have always wanted to go to New Orleans...
maybe one day I will.




I just love old vintage posters like this one.
Found via:Flicker via:finsbry

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cherry Almond Scones

This is a no fail recipe for the perfect scones.
I made them yesterday for breakfast.
They were delicious.

Cherry Almond Scones



INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
2 tsp almond extract


DIRECTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Grate butter into flour mixture on the large holes of a box grater; use your fingers to work in butter (mixture should resemble coarse meal), then stir in the cherries and almonds.
3. In a small bowl, whisk sour cream and egg until smooth.
4. Using a fork, stir sour cream mixture into flour mixture until large dough clumps form. Use your hands to press the dough against the bowl into a ball. (The dough will be sticky in places, and there may not seem to be enough liquid at first, but as you press, the dough will come together.)
5. Place on a lightly floured surface and pat into a 7- to 8-inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 triangles; place on a cookie sheet (preferably lined with parchment paper), about 1 inch apart. Bake until golden, about 15 to 17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
6. In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until icing consistency. When Scones are cooled, drizzle over the top and sprinkle slivered almonds on top.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Similar to Amelie

I just couldn't resist...


When I saw these paintings ...


I immediately thought of Amelie.


Don't they look quite similar to the ones hanging over her bed.
I would definitely have them over mine.

The paintings are by Shelley Reed.

Friday, February 20, 2009

All things Notical

I am starting to like all things Notical.

Like this beautiful jewelry line from...

TOM
TOM





I have also had my eye on this shirt from Anthropologie.




The sad thing is...
I think I had a shirt almost exactly like this in High School.
From now on, I am saving all of my clothing.
You never know when it will come back in fashion

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Playing

It feels like forever
since the last time
I was able to just play
on the computer.

Here is what I found today
"playing"...

I am in love with ruffles.
Ever since I saw Kelly
wear them paired with jeans
and a v-neck sweater
I have been in love.

via:Domino



Socks with heals?...
yes please!

via:Cherry Blossom Girl



I love the vintage clothing found on this site...
Clever Nettle



Flower Headbands are so pretty.

via:Time


I would love to spend some time
at this retreat.
After this week,
I need to curl up
with a good book and some coffee.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Loche

This is the reason why I made my trip to California in February.

I wanted to welcome my new nephew...
Loche Beniah Finch.

(Elisha, Jillian, and Loche)

I got to California on February 1st...
he was not born until February 7th.

You can read about my sister's amazing story on her blog.



My first nephew, Sebastian.
He is now 5 years old...
how the time flies by.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Game Night

We had a game night while we visited California.
Micah and I went over to the Risch home to play Settlers.


Micah won the first game...
Dave won the second.


Krystin is one of my longest and dearest friends.
I miss her terribly when I am away
and I pray that one day we will be able
to live near each other again.