Learning to cook, Loving to eat and Living life well

Patios, Pergolas & Paint, Oh My!

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:26:31 -0500

It’s been a hectic time around my house lately. Outdoor projects, excruciatingly high temps and various demands of work and home have meant little time in the kitchen for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve continued to eat! But much of it has been on the go; and the times I have cooked, it has been less than blog-worthy. ☺
There’s been maintenance of the vegetable garden--which I am happy to say is doing well. Aside from some brown spotting on my tomato leaves (which I have almost assuredly diagnosed as sun scorching), I have had no problems; and all the fruit looks amazingly healthy!

Almond Joy Ice Cream

Wed, 8 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For months I’ve put my workout regimen on hold because of various distractions and excuses. “It’s too dark and cold in the mornings.” “I have too much to do in the evenings.” “It’s too hot and humid.” etc...etc.... But finally yesterday I put my Vibram Five Fingers on and hit the road. The humidity is ridiculously high right now (welcome back Louisiana summer! :-/), but unless I get out there and start acclimating myself to it, the summer will be long and miserable!
So Spicehubby and I decided it was do or die time. Well, maybe not that dramatic! LOL We managed to walk a mile and then run a mile. Not medal-worthy, it’s true; but at least it’s a start. ☺

Homemade Ice Cream: Banana Coconut

Thu, 2 Jun 2011 12:35:35 -0500

After a very short period of debate, I decided to use my 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath & Beyond on an ice cream maker attachment. I figured since it’s getting hot and I keep seeing all these great homemade ice cream recipes pop up online that it would be put to good use. I’m really not one for lots of kitchen gadgets. Usually they take up too much space, get used a few times and then shoved aside forgotten or considered too much trouble to use. I try to really consider the usefulness factor of an appliance before I put out the money. (I’m tight with my money, I don’t mind admitting!) But I will also admit that I’m a sucker for a good deal. Send a coupon my way, and I will put forth my best effort to use it! ☺
Which brings us back to the 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath & Beyond and the Kitchenaid ice cream maker attachment. I used my coupon, paid the money and carted my new kitchen toy home to try it out.

Vegetable Garden: Day 60

Tue, 31 May 2011 08:47:51 -0500

I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud for so little effort. Every morning, the first thing I do is walk outside straight to my garden and look at every plant. I inspect each bloom, oooo and awww over each new bud and try to imagine how much everything has grown since I stared at it the evening before. Then I water my two garden patches while the sun is still behind the tops of the trees. That’s pretty much all I do. Stare and water.
So far, that’s been enough. I’ve been very lucky in not having to deal with any pests or diseases. I’ve read plenty horror stories online about awful things like “blossom end rot,” “blight” or “verticillum wilt.” ((shudder)) But my plants are green and healthy and the tomatoes are bright and shiney.

A Curious Invitation to a Mad Celebration!

Sat, 28 May 2011 23:12:12 -0500

I have come to love Twitter. Something that seemed so pointless and time-wasting in the beginning has become an incredible way to connect to like-minded people (friends) all across the world. Where Facebook allows us to re-connect with friends of old and keep up with the minutiae of our loved ones’ lives, Twitter allows us to find kindred spirits who, otherwise, we never would have had the chance to meet! It has been a tremendous learning experience for me, and I am grateful for the friends I have made so far and absolutely giddy about the prospect of meeting more! ☺

Take a Mad Tea Party, for instance! All because of Twitter I was lead down the rabbit hole and ended up HERE. And what to my curious eyes did appear? An invitation of the most marvelous kind! The opportunity to join in a world-wide tea party hosted by A Fanciful Twist, myself, and dozens of other eager bloggers. An event born of sheer imagination and a desire to celebrate...anything, or.... everything!

So, please accept my formal invitation to join me June 25th for a Mad Tea Party!

Foodbuzz 24x24: Wine Tasting Party

Sat, 28 May 2011 20:56:54 -0500

I am so excited to be participating for the first time in Foodbuzz’s 24x24 project! Inspiration for this party came from my love of entertaining and of drinking wine. The setting for this late spring feast is my garden, under a brand new custom pergola.☺ It was the perfect evening for dinner outside, so we made the most of it.
A full table setting; lots of food; several wines; and a soft breeze set the scene for this feast of indulgence.

Grasshopper Pie

Fri, 27 May 2011 13:23:14 -0500

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It’s official; most people are off for a long weekend, and some are off for the whole summer! (lucky dogs!) ☺
This dream of a dessert is not just to celebrate the imminence of summer; it’s also to celebrate Spice-hubby’s family. The big annual family reunion is tomorrow, and I promised I would bring a dessert.
This recipe is (altered) from a Kraft advert that I cut out and saved from probably 10 years ago! I make it every summer b/c it’s one of my favorites. It’s cool, easy and .....chocolate-y!

Shrimp Lo Mien

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:59:44 -0500

As most of my recipes are, this is a quick dish that’s super easy for a week night. I had never actually tried to make this before, so I was a bit apprehensive at the outcome. (I had all these ingredients on hand and REALLY didn’t want to make a trip to the grocery for a Plan B in case this was a failure!)
No worries, because it was actually really good. And so...I pass it on to you. ☺

Chicken Pasta/Spinach Salad

Fri, 20 May 2011 22:30:28 -0500

I’ve been so busy with work lately that I’ve had little time for anything else. Very little time in the kitchen. No time to write. Not even much time to keep track of all my peeps and tweeps online! I was beginning to have serious withdrawals! But not to worry. I am still alive and kicking! ☺

Since I’ve spent my whole day and now most of my evening preparing for Saturday’s farmer’s market, I had to think fast and act quickly for supper. This is one of my easy go-to recipes.

Veg. Garden: Day 45 & Birthday Re-Cap

Mon, 16 May 2011 08:07:06 -0500

I had the most wonderful birthday weekend! Friday night wine tasting and dinner out with friends. A little time in the kitchen and work in the garden on Saturday. And then cocktails in the sun on Sunday. The best gifts of all: time at home with my husband; a call from my favorite niece; a chat with one sister; a visit from another sister; messages from my brother, SIL and nephews; birthday wishes from MANY friends--new and old; and lots of love all around. I am a happy and grateful person. ☺