Saturday, July 31, 2010

seize the day...





weekend fun. sleeping in. jam on toast. morning walks. beach naps. cocktails on the deck.
baby there's a shark in the water. summer smores.
beautiful sunsets.
goodnight july.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

i feel heavy...

so heavy.

a heavy that is different from the heavy i feel
when i eat too many chips with salsa
and guacamole
or after a few bites of a borders quesadilla,
as i  walk to the car from the mexican restaurant
a series of remorseful, thick steps.
the heavy i mean is the kind of heavy
that wraps around my heart,
sinking it down into my gut
like a rusty anchor.
it pulls down my shoulders, my chin,
the corners of my mouth,
and leaks from the inside out in tiny, teary streams.
i feel heavy
because i am sad…
sometimes i feel heavy
because sometimes life is hard …
and sometimes i feel heavy
because someone else is feeling heavy too.

heaviness is contagious that way.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

savoring summer.... 10 things...

1.    hope you are taking advantage of the nice weather, it won't last forever. devour your days. head out to the lake, or the beach, or the park.  sit out on your deck and drink "moe"hitos all night long.... thanks, moe


2. open a good book. find one that makes you want to keep the lights on a little longer at night. read it in a hammock.


3.     open the windows at night and listen to the crickets.




4.     sip homemade lemonade from an icy glass..


5.      get up early and walk around your neighborhood. you'll be surprised at what you will see.



6. pack a picnic.  we all talk about the value of nature, peace, and simple living. funny how sometimes we put every obstacle in our way to prevent this living. but it's always there for us......and i find i need these elements to literally breathe......


7.     don't forget to ride your bike.


8.   and don't forget to pack your sunscreen. 



9.    write down all of your summer 2010 memories....  you will be glad you did. 




10. Make your summer of 2010 a real T.E.N.

love sent,  xo

you...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

what to do with all that squash...

zest of one lemon
1 1/2 pounds summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1/6th-inch slices
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup fresh italian parsley
1 large garlic clove, chopped
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 cups panko  bread crumbs
1/2 pound waxy potatoes, sliced transparently thin
3/4 cup grated gruyere cheese, grated on a box grater

preheat oven to 400F degrees and place a rack in the middle. rub a 9x9 gratin pan (or equivalent baking dish) with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with lemon zest, and set aside.

place the zucchini slices into a colander placed over a sink, toss with the sea salt and set aside for 10-15 minutes (to drain a bit) and go on to prepare the oregano sauce and bread crumbs.

make the sauce by pureeing the oregano, parsley, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a food processor or using a hand blender. set aside.

make the breadcrumbs by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. cook for a few minutes until the butter is wonderfully fragrant, and has turned brown. wait two minutes, then stir the breadcrumbs into the browned butter.

transfer the squash to a large mixing bowl. add the potatoes and two-thirds of the oregano sauce. toss until everything is well coated. add the cheese and half of the bread crumbs and toss again. taste one of the zucchini pieces and add more seasoning (salt or red pepper) if needed.

transfer the squash to the lemon-zested pan, top with the remaining crumbs, and bake for somewhere between 40 and 50 minutes - it will really depend on how thinly you sliced the squash and potatoes - and how much moisture was still in them. you don't want the zucchini to go to mush, but you need to be sure the potatoes are fully baked. if the breadcrumbs start to get a little dark, take a fork and rake them just a bit, that will uncover some of the blonder bits. remove from oven, and drizzle with the remaining oregano sauce.

serves about 8 as a side.

this just says summer...

grape tomato, mozzarella & olive skewers, drizzled in balsalmic vinegar and topped with chopped basil. 
simple.


Monday, July 26, 2010

the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea...

Friday, July 23, 2010

happy weekend...

what a week!  can't wait to kick back and relax, drink margaritas and hang out.... wishing you all
some fun and relaxation ..

love sent, xo

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

lavendar lemonade...

perfect refreshment for these long warm days and it's just so pretty to look at.

lavender lemonade

 2 cups sugar
5 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish
2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes

directions
in a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

Monday, July 19, 2010

casual fare...

here is some beautiful inspiration for your next casual outdoor deck party.
menu for a laid back evening...

the key to this menu is keeping it effortless and fun. arrange all the items together on a huge wood cutting board for a look that says “summer abundance.”

mixed olives ~ (queen, kalamata, ceringola)

fresh figs, clusters of grapes, ripe pears

brie with almonds & honey

1 wedge of brie, about 12 ounces
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 large french baguette

preheat oven to 350 degrees. place brie in a baking dish. drizzle with honey and sprinkle with toasted almonds. bake for 10 minutes. serve with thick slices of french bread.

ricotta with toasted pine nuts

1 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup orange blossom honey
2 cups good-quality whole milk ricotta
2 tbsp  mint leaves torn
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

begin by toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. toss over low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. reduce heat to low and add the honey. mix well so the nuts get coated evenly and honey melts. allow to cool slightly, then add to a large bowl. add the ricotta, olive oil, mint and salt and pepper, to taste. refrigerate until the ricotta firms up a little before serving with grilled bread.


then turn last night's herb roasted chicken  into a pulled chicken salad sandwich. mix pulled cold chicken, some mayonnaise, grey poupon mustard, capers, pepper, salt, garlic powder, and a dash of tabasco to taste. add arugula and tomato {if desired} and top on toasted english muffins!


don’t forget the macaroons & crisp white wine or red if you so desire!



or pack up a wedge of creamy brie, juicy berries, some crusty bread  & tiny bottles of wine they simply beg to be packed into a basket and toted to the water's edge for a lazy afternoon or evening.


love sent, xo

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

i am melting...

i can't believe it is still this hot. honestly,  it has been two weeks of this.   it's barely 7am and it is already 75 degrees and 94% humidity... i love the 75 degrees but  the humidity kills me...  and never mind what it does to my hair.. xo

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

happy tuesday...

my favorite movie...


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

sometimes...

summer doesn't need words...

when it's to hot to eat...

eat...
watermelon and strawberry salad with ginger syrup


serves 4
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 2inch peeled piece of fresh ginger
1/4 watermelon, in cubes
3 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
fresh mint


start with the syrup.

bring sugar, water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan.
let it simmer for 5 minutes, cool.
discard the ginger.
place watermelon, strawberries and fresh mint in a large bowl and ad the syrup, mix well, cool and serve

seriously, i think i need a cigarette...

Friday, July 2, 2010

yes anything....

"i think that there is no truer place than an island.
whether it's a sandbar or a bubble-up of volcanic rock or a jut of tropical coral, an island stands only by some whim of fate, given a chancy foothold among the chaos. an island often makes you change your sense of perspective, your mind and your direction too. with the tide coming in over the castles you build, the currents sweeping you places you didn't plan on going, the mists rolling in mysteriously over what you thought was clear.   when i go to an island, i know that i'm in that state of grace in which anything can happen."

love sent, xxoo

Thursday, July 1, 2010

things happen... things collide...

july - i am ready for you ...



the days linger forever and i am ready for all the goodness those days will hold.xoxo