Wednesday, February 26, 2014

you never know...

i know this isn't new but it's my new song on repeat...

 


love sent, xo

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

happy tuesday...

a few random things i have enjoyed this week.


i love this   rules for an inspirational kitchen.  i really love the shop small idea.  i always have way too many items in my refrigerator.

12 things every home should have      i love these ideas and i do light candles every night for dinner
but i didn't think of doing it for breakfast..

so delicious    and my obsession with hot chocolate continues.  last week i tried bitter hot chocolate with
chili and i really loved it.  a sweet chocolate drink with a kick.

oscar night is almost here    ideas i will most certainly be viewing.


looks very interesting   the food sounds amazing.


food photography    at it's best.


hope you are having a great start to your week.

love sent, xo

Monday, February 24, 2014

for all it was..

ok winter you win.
we are totally through with dragging through slushy, dirty, snow and slipping on unnoticeable black ice.
but thanks so much for the peek at spring this past weekend.

it could not have come at a better time and it will stay in my heart for weeks to come.  the long walk
on the beach was just what we needed.  the opportunity to see an amazing sunrise over the ocean was spectacular.  it was so worth getting up extra early even though the thoughts of climbing out of that warm bed over looking the toasty wood stove was difficult initially, the universe graced us with this amazing site.




the perfect weekend of in and out.  important talks around lobster stew and bottles of wine.




spectacular service and so much to be thankful for.


spectacular food.


the day before the amazing sunrise (above)  before i was convinced to head out of the room to witness it first hand, in the early morning hours of my first day, i savored my window view.

life is good i tell you.


 this was the first time in many months i could wear just a vest.  the beach air felt so good.


sunday was a bit cloudy but still lovely.



i even finished my book.  the gentleman at the book store that encouraged me to buy it was correct when he said it will stop you in your tracks -  in such a good way.  rarely have i read a book that has moved me in such a way.  the  images are so vivid, so wonderful and so tragic.  a beautiful story of such an ugly time.  i promise you won't be disappointed.  it's truly one of a kind.

  buy it here   the book thief



thanks for another trip around the sun and a wonderful birthday weekend.


love sent, xo



Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Monday, February 17, 2014

winter...

on this snowy winters day i waited until a patch of sun made it's way through my bedroom window and cast warmth over my face. just outside my window it is totally blanketed in white. i said a prayer of thanks for my warm house and the hot shower that awaits.   i got up, brewed fresh coffee and contemplated the day ahead.  an extra day off and it feels like a gift.  today will surely be filled with simple pleasures, or at least that is my plan to make it so.  i will read a few chapters of my book and get lost in the story.  we will go cross country skiing and take in  this beautiful blue sky winter's day.
i hope to carve a fresh trail through the woods and stop and take everything in.   i might catch up on at least one and maybe two movies which need to be seen before oscar night. 
i am hoping for a great plate of sushi because life is too short to not enjoy good food.

simple pleasures are what life is all about.  wishing you a great day ahead too.


update ..  the day was perfect!


                                                                                                                                          

 
 

“May you awaken to the mystery of being here.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.”

~ John O’Donohue


love sent, xo

Friday, February 14, 2014

happy valentine's day.

thanks for the adventure. now go have a new one...



and because i didn't have the energy to write a valentine post, i'll have to repost last years.
hope everyone had an awesome day. 


be my valentine. 


love sent, xo

Thursday, February 13, 2014

on snowy days ...

make tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons
 
 
 
ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 3 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably san marzano
  • large pinch of saffron threads
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup orzo
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • grilled cheese croutons (see below)
directions

in a large pot or dutch oven such as le creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat. add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil.
add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (it will finish cooking in the soup.) drain the orzo and add it to the soup. stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.

serve hot with grilled cheese croutons scattered on top.

grilled cheese croutons
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices country white bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 ounces gruyere cheese, grated
heat a panini grill. place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices.
place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the gruyere, buttered sides up.
grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes.
sprinkle over soup.


love sent, xo

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

the great aventure...

i loved  the middle place  and i loved  the lift, so when i saw that kelly corrigan had published a new book glitter and glue    i preordered  it before it was released.  i just knew i had to have it.  i received it in the mail the other day and devoured it in one sitting.  she casts a spell over you with her humor, her vulnerability, and her ability to pull you into her inner circle and make you want to hear every word. 
she makes you laugh and cry and feel and think about....

what really matters.





love sent, xo

Monday, February 10, 2014

february ...

is a month of celebrations.

of love
of birthdays
of anniversarys...

this month has had me thinking a lot about love…how i  receive it, and how i  give it.  it has me looking into the future and wondering if i will look back and see a life laced with it. will i have been stingy? will i have received it with open arms? will i have given it to the ones who need it most? will i have been patient enough to love through the hardships that life offers?   have i surrounded my life with love and poured love into needy hearts?
if i could pick one thing that i hope i leave this earth with - it will be that people see me as someone who cared about the people i loved.  it won't matter how right i was,  or how successful i was, or how
smart i was,   but ... it will matter how often  i took  some time to make someone feel special and loved even if just for a moment. 
some of my favorite memories are wrapped up in february. 


love sent, xoxo

Thursday, February 6, 2014

valentine craft

so sweet.  back by popular demand.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

happy love month...


this winter has been one of hot cocoa and warm ovens.  today is another blustery winter snow storm, a work from home day which i actually love. 

today is the perfect day to think about your valentine plans.  maybe you will recreate a romantic dinner of your own. click the links for some great recipes (via susan branch)

click here for champagne cocktails

click here for filet mignon

click here for ceasar salad

click here for potatoes anna

click here for caviar and oysters

click here for valentine toasts


                                                             and make this for dessert






                                                       wishing you love on this snowy day.

love sent, xo

Monday, February 3, 2014

let it snow...

good morning...

happy monday.  hope you had a nice weekend.

i love the quiet stillness and hope found in a new day.  my first cup of coffee remains one
of the truest joys in my life.

this honey oat bread was delicious.  served toasted for breakfast or with soup for dinner.
it hearty and healthy.



honey oat bread

yields 1 loaf

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk
1/3 cup  warm water
1/4 cup  honey
1/4 cup  melted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups oat flour
2 cups  bread flour

in a large mixing bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer), sprinkle the yeast over the barely warm milk and water and allow to sit about 5-10 minutes until activated. mix in the honey, melted butter, and salt. gradually add oat and bread flour, mixing until the dough comes together. ff the dough is too dry and will not come together, add small amounts of water until it does, if the dough is too sticky, add flour until it becomes workable; however, do not add too much flour or the bread will become dense.
turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for 7-10 minutes, or until elastic.

using the dough hook on a stand mixer, knead the dough for 7-10 minutes, or until elastic. cover dough with a damp kitchen towel and let rise until doubled in a warm place, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. punch down the dough before turning out onto a lightly floured surface. shape the dough into an even log and place in a lightly greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 40-60 minutes until doubled.
preheat oven to 350 degrees F
brush the top of the loaf with warm honey and sprinkle on oat flakes. bake for 40-50 minutes, or until bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped. remove from baking pan and allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

to make oat flour, place either quick or old fashioned oats into a food processor and process for 2-3 minutes, or until it resembles whole wheat flour

enjoy, xo