Lightening Up....

Hello Everyone!  I've been wanting to blog all week, but it's been crazy-busy around here.  For one thing, we are getting ready to go on a mini-vacation this week, and trying to prep myself, husband, and toddler hasn't been an easy task.  Also, I haven't taken a full week off from work in a long time, so preparing for that was weighing on me as well.  But truly, what was really keeping me away from my computer was this...

For two short weeks every spring all the pink flowers in my front yard bloom.

In my little world, it's a pink-paradise and I want to be out in the sunshine enjoying every minute of it. 

I stroll though my yard admiring the flowers while listening to "La Vie En Rose" on my IPod.  This is true.  Crazy, but true. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end, and as I write this post I'm saddened to say - it has.  See you next year, little cuties.  Same time, same place ... ; )

What is it about the smell of roses in the air that makes people so happy?  I feel like everyone has a smile on their face lately.  We've been so busy these past few weeks between mother's day and father's day.  I had a shower, a wedding, two graduation parties, and I think a few birthday's thrown in there too. Normally this would really have me stressed, but not this year.  I've taken a new outlook on life.  Enjoy the moment and be grateful that I have wonderful friends and family that have invited us to share in their good times. I'm taking time to smell my roses. 

Last weekend we were invited to a friends wedding in Qgunquit, ME.  Despite the fact that it rained in biblical fashion, we had a GREAT time!!!!!  The wedding ceremony was as beautiful as the happy couple, and everything down to the last detail was perfect.  I could not get over this cupcake tower....

From across the room they looked like flowers.  I love that!  I love weddings in general anyway.  Its a great excuse to dress up, have champagne, and dance until my toes hurt.  Glad I was wearing comfy shoes... : )

Here I am in the hotel getting ready.  Did you notice the pink flowers on my dress?  I see a pattern here.  I can't get away from it.  I'm obsessed. 

So after having my fair share of appetizers, inhaling my baked stuffed haddock, and one to many of those yummy cupcakes (although a friend of ours actually ate 7!) I decided it was time for me to "lighten up" this week.  By that I mean watching what I eat, portion CONTROL, and a little exercise (which is a four letter word in my vocabulary).  I've always believed that you can truly eat whatever you want to, as long as its in moderation.  I never deny myself anything, but I do try to control how much I eat. Funny thing is, a little of this and a little of that, goes a long way. 

I like to start my day with something healthy.  Along with my coffee of course,  I feel like the antioxidants wake me up.  After another trip to the farmers market on Sunday I came home with a boat load of fresh fruit.  Just the smell of it energizes me. 

So here's what  I've been having for breakfast all week.  Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola, drizzled with honey.  It's so good....

This is a perfect summertime breakfast.  It's light and can be eaten on the go.  The best part is that my son doesn't like yogurt or granola so that avoids little sticky fingers being stuck into my breakfast.  Although I do share my blueberries with him - and maybe a strawberry or two.  He certainly doesn't need the energy, but my heart grows full knowing he's eating healthy too.  And as a parent I then feel less guilty about the cake he's going to be having desert tonight, knowing that he's gotten his vitimans during the day. 

After dinner we walk, talk, breath fresh air, play on the swings, laugh, dance in the kichen, play bocce, ride bikes, or blow bubbles.  This is my excercise.  I don't know about my body, but my "smiling muscles" couldn't be better. 

I wish you all a perfectly pink summer!

PS Keep eating light this week, because next week I have something special that I am working on.  Eggplant rollatini and banana's foster..... just sayin'.... ha-ha.... : - }

My Favorite Bruschetta

Here is a recipe for my favorite bruschetta in the world.  It's not your typical bruschetta.  It's no frills, very rustic, and I think very delicious.  Here's how to make it. 

Start with cherry tomatoes.  Wash, dry, and remove the stems.

Put them on a cookie sheet and drizzle generously with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt & pepper, dried oregano, and garlic powder.

Put in a 350 degree oven and roast for 20 minutes. 

Remove from oven and let sit.  Once they are cool, spoon the tomatoes (and all juices) into a bowl. 

Meanwhile....

Lightly grill (or toast) both sides of sliced ciabatta bread.  Try to control yourself from nibbling on the bread.  Can you imagine being in the bakery when this loaf came out of the oven?  Heaven. 

Rub the grilled bread with a large garlic clove.  This will infuse the flavor of garlic into the bread. 

Next, spoon the tomatoes onto the bread and top with....

fresh, sliced mozzarella.  Once again - use control.  Remember you have guests to feed.... : )

Top with basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  Only use your fingers to eat this and only serve with red wine. 

I have made this as an appitizer and also served as a side dish in lue of a salad.  It can be a quick lunch on a lazy afternoon, a dish to share with your girlfriends before going to a movie, or something special made just for YOU after a long day at work.  However you decide, please indulge. 

And just as an FYI - this dish is also amazingly good cold the next day.  Trust me, I know.... wink, wink...

Aren't You Glad I Didn't Make Chicken?!

This past Sunday I wanted to cook my Dad something special for fathers day.  He always jokes with me that every time they come to dinner I cook chicken.  He'll say - "I assume we are having chicken".  Then he'll add "if I eat any more chicken I'm going to start clucking..."  He always kids me like this, and I really like it.  I know he loves everything I cook (even chicken) but he likes to joke with me just for the fun of it. If you knew my father you would know just how funny he is. After being with him for five minutes you would be able to feel his warmth, humor, and sincerity.  Everyone tells me this. 

Anyhow, I decided to cook a pork roast with sweet potatoes and onions.  Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite veggies and they are SO good for you. My mom makes them all the time, not just in the fall. I grew up eating them all year long. Slow cooked in the oven, the skins caramelize and become sweet and melt in your mouth good.  This is what I wanted for father's day.  And not a feather in sight. 

I seasoned the roast, sweet potatoes, and onions with olive oil, Morton's Seasonings, garlic powder, pepper, and a few sprinkles of rosemary.   This is all you need. 

I cooked it at 325 degrees for 25 minutes a pound.  We had a 3 pound roast, so it cooked for an hour and 15 minutes.  I let the meat rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.  The thermometer read exactly 160 degrees, which was perfect. 

I served with broccoli (because we have to have our greens), and my homemade bruschetta. 

For desert I served chocolate chip cake with ice cream.  Dad loves chocolate, so this HAD to BE. 

(I'll post the recipe for this cake next week)

I've loved cooking since I was about 8 or 9 years old.  I have vivid memories of baking cakes in my Easy Bake Oven. I use the term bake loosely as all it involved was just "adding water".   My Dad ate all my cakes (baked with a light bulb in a plastic box that looked like an oven) and never complained. 

This is a picture of the first cookbook I ever owned.

It's called Pickle in the Middle and Other Easy Snacks.  I made every recipe in this book and my Dad tested them all.  This book in an antique in my world.  I don't really know how it's survived all these years, but it sits proudly with all the cookbooks in my kitchen. I don't know how MARTHA would feel about this, but I'm happy with it. Flipping through the dogeared pages, I don't really know how Dad stomached all these delicacies.  Especially this one - which I remember was my favorite. 

Sound yummy, doesn't it? Keep in mind that this was a "NO BAKE" cookbook so all the ingredients you see were rolled into balls and eaten raw. It wasn't until many years later that I found out about all the stomach pains that Dad endured after our weekly food fests.  He never let on because he didn't want to hurt my feelings.  That's just how he is.  

My father is also the most non-judgemental person in the world.  When he meets someone he sees what is on the inside, instead of what is on the outside.  This is a rare quality in a person these days.  I try so hard to be like him every day.  He learned from his father years ago, so luckily it's hereditary. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad.  Aren't you glad I didn't make chicken?! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day ~

Olive Oil Can Arrangement

Do you remember this olive oil can?  I had posted a picture of it in the post I did about making pizza.  I was at my parents house one Friday night when we decided to make pizza.  When I asked my mother for some olive oil, this is what she gave me.  I loved it.  I have a thing about "containers" or "vessels".  I'm always looking for different uses for them and when I saw this can I thought to myself what a cute vessel this would be for a flower arrangement.  I asked my mother to save the can for me.  She finally finished up the oil last week, so now it's mine. 

With a can opener I cut the top off.  I washed out all the oil and dried the inside completely. I flattened down any sharp edges with a hammer. This was after I sliced my finger, so if you ever do this be careful.

I put a piece of styrofoam in the bottom and then began to make my arrangement.  I had three bunches of silk flowers that I got at the craft store.  They were very inexpensive ($2.99 a bunch) but I loved the colors and they didn't really look "fake" to me.  Silks have come a long way over the years.

With wire cutters I cut each stem off and trimmed it to the height I wanted.

Flower by flower it was coming together.

Viola! 

I was happy with how it turned out, but now where to put it?

I chose here on my hutch.  I like how the reflection of the can shows in the mirror.   

Next to it is this peony from my yard.  They look good together.

Just goes to show that silks can sit harmoniously with real blooms. 

And come the fall I can always switch these spring flowers out for mums, bittersweet, or pussy willows. 

I'm glad my mother taught me to never throw anything away.  Thanks Mom!  I love my new arrangement.

A Special Treat

Here is a special treat that your kids will love.  Adults too.  Picture fried dough with a banana inside. Sound good?  Here's how to make Banana Fritters:

You will need:

1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp melted butter
dash of salt
3 bananas
juice of 1 lemon
powdered sugar

Separate the egg and beat the white until stiff.

Beat the yolk with milk.

In a separate bowl mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.  Stir in the egg mixture and melted butter.  Fold in egg white.

Cut bananas into bite size chunks.

Drizzle with lemon juice and dust with powdered sugar.

Add bananas to batter mixture and toss until coated.

Fry in two inches of hot oil.

Turning so both sides are brown and crispy.

Drain on a paper towel and dust with powdered sugar.  Serve immediately.

These are great served with ice cream or even a dollop of sour cream. 

Pass a basket of them at your next barbecue or make them for your kids as last day of school treat. 

Either way, eat them hot, close your eyes, and imagine yourself at the county fair. 

A Visit to the Farmers Market

Being a cook at heart,  one of my favorite things to do in the summer is to visit the local farmers markets.  It seems they have one in just about every town now, brimming with fresh, local grown fruits and vegetables.  Last summer my mother and I tried to visit a new one every Saturday. My favorite market was in the town right next to ours.  I felt it had the freshest produce, plus they sold fish, flowers, and crafts and goods made from local merchants.  I loved the set up of it, as it was right on the beach - not 10 minutes from my house. 

Driving along Saturday morning I saw this sign.  The farmers market is back in town!

I was so excited.  It's still early in the season and most towns haven't started theirs yet. Saturday was a beautiful day and it seems everyone had come out to play.  Driving through the quaint center of town to get to the farmers market I saw men in flip-flops, women in straw sun hats, and every other person was walking a dog.  There were folks on bikes, kids with soccer uniforms on getting ice cream cones, and  there was a line out the door of the coffee shop - ice coffee I can imagine. 

Hubbie and I have talked many times about how we would love to live here - within walking distance of this square.  It reminds me of small town America. 

I would love to be able to hear these church bells through my kitchen window every hour.  So peaceful....

This square is a perfect place to visit.  Especially on a sunny Saturday morning... : )

When I arrived at the farmers market I got a parking space facing the beach.  I lingered for a while.  I popped in my new Edith Piaf CD (which I will tell you about another time) and took in the view of the boats and waves.  I took a few deep breaths of salt air and then I came back to reality and realized I was on a time schedule and better get shopping.  There is never enough time, is there?

There were little white tents set up in groups all across the parking lot.  There were tables of fresh herbs, hanging plants, and vibrant fruits and veggies.

I walked through mentally preparing my meals for the week, feeling very grateful that I am able to feed my family healthy, organic food, while supporting the community at the same time.

I left with a brown shopping bag full of goodness.  The first item on my agenda were these beautiful strawberries.

I've been craving homemade ice cream and strawberry is always the first flavor I make.  Mostly because it's my favorite : )  And also because I always seem to dust off the ice cream maker in June - coincidentally right when the strawberries are at their peak.

Here is my recipe for strawberry ice cream.  You will need:

2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups pureed strawberries (roughly 2 pints)
2 tsp vanilla

Puree strawberries in a food processor and puree until liquid.

I have to admit, I love this machine and I look for any occasion to use it. 

Stir milk and cream in a sauce pan and heat until it begins to bubble. 

Remove from heat and add sugar.  Stir until it dissolves.  Add the vanilla and then the strawberry puree.

Mix well...

Pour the mixture into the freezer container of an ice cream maker.  (My mom bought me a Cuisinart last year for my birthday and I love it : )

Cover and freeze for several hours.

I had a little strawberry puree left over, so I put it in a Tupperware to freeze it.  I will certainly find use for it.
Stay tuned...

Anyway, here is my final result.

The flavor is very "strawberry-eeee".  It's literally like eating a strawberry. I got the approval from my three year old, which was all I really cared about, but everyone else loved it too.  After two days, the container is almost empty.

We consume an outrageous amount of ice cream in my home, so to know that this was made with fresh ingredients, by my own hands makes me feel really good. 

With that being said, there is only one thing left to do on this sunny day -

"Pick up your coat
Grab your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Direct your feet to the sunny side of the street...."

If possible, try and visit a local farmers market.  Fresh ingredients feed the soul and do a body good.  It's true.