by Krista | Feb 11, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
After days of glorious sunshine, our beautiful Washington rain is back, gentle and refreshing. Even though we still have frost on our windshields in the morning, it feels like spring is so close! On my morning break at work, I stroll through the neighborhoods of the little Dutch town where my office is located. Yesterday I meandered through back alleys and down side streets, delighting in budding branches, twittering birds and the first greens of spring. There are actually snowdrops blooming! And crocuses!
Tonight my dear friend Kat is coming over for dinner (yay!!) and because she loves veggies as much as I do, I’ve been plotting some marvy vegetarian dishes such as Kevin’s Balsamic Roasted Brussells Sprouts with Toasted Pine Nuts and Mum’s Green Bean Salad with Feta and Basil. I think Latte Gelatin will do nicely for dessert. 🙂
Today I want to share some of the beauties of rainy Washington. 🙂 There is an abundance of new growth in my heart these days, and these pictures delight my soul and remind me that after a hard winter the healing rains come and what seems dead is in fact green and full of life.
Nooksack River
Aren’t those ferns so vibrant?
I absolutely love this stark bit of moss against those burgundy leaves
The mist over the mountains is pure fairytale and I want to snuggle under a quilt with a fabulous British novel – John Buchan stories would do the trick nicely. 🙂
Thank you for bringing joy to my life, dear ones. 🙂
by Krista | Feb 10, 2010 | Compatriot Wednesday
After missing two weeks of CEC 🙁 I was so happy to be well enough to go this week! YAY! 🙂 Twas so splendid to see all my foodie pals, and hear their familiar banter and teasing.
The theme was Italian, but was adhered to rather loosely. 🙂 I started things off with antipasti of roasted yellow bell peppers, dilled green beans, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts.
Darren cubed a selection of fabulous cheeses including one aged with whiskey. Yum!! Selwyn made wonderfully chewy and buttery garlic bread sprinkled with roasted garlic, parsley and parmesan cheese. It disappeared in short order, especially when Deb set out a pan of piping hot pizza dip layered all manner of cheesy, tomatoey ooey, gooey goodness.
The Main Course folks were running late, so the rest of us sipped wine, looked through Darren’s cookbook collection, and visited contentedly. We also plotted ideas for the next few weeks and I’m so excited and can’t wait to share them with you. 🙂
Kat and Cameron arrived and Kat hustled to the stove to make a divinely creamy Alfredo sauce to go with the bits and bobs being assembled in the smoker.
Cameron disappeared into the woods for a bit, returning with just the right branches to impart the best smoke flavor.
Darren wrapped prosciutto around scallops while Cameron shucked oysters, and Kat chopped bell peppers and onions while Toby chopped Italian parsley and Mike stirred Kat’s Alfredo sauce.
Kristin and Noah arrived with beaming smiles and bottles of Italian wine and Selwyn served us Chicken Parmesan bites – yummy little nibbles with a crispy, cracker coating topped with tomato sauce and provolone.
Then the back door opened and Cameron entered bearing platters. The Main Feast was ready! Smoked salmon drizzled with Alfredo sauce, tender scallops with salty prosciutto, oysters on the half shell, smoky and briny, and shiny smoked vegetables providing a sweet balance.
It’s good to be back. 🙂
Deborah’s Hot Pizza Dip
(From Pampered Chef)
Ingredients:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 8-ounce can pizza sauce
2 Tbsp green pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp green onion, sliced
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine cream cheese and Italian seasoning and spread into an 8″ glass pan.
- In a small bowl combine mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle 1/2 on top of the cream cheese. Spread pizza sauce over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with bell pepper and green onion.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Serve with French bread or fresh vegetable dippers
Selwyn’s Chicken Parmesan Bites
Ingredients:
4 Chicken Breasts
Pasta Sauce, Sliced Provolone
2 eggs
1 cup breading of your choice (in this case I used about a cup of crushed gluten free crackers)
1 tsp of granulated garlic
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan
Directions:
- Cut the chicken into half dollar size pieces.
- Dip in egg then breading.
- Place on baking sheet and cook at 350 for 10 minutes on one side. Turn pieces over, cook another 10 minutes.
- Top with a tsp of pasta sauce and a quarter of a slice of provolone and broil until you get a nice golden brown color on top.
by Krista | Feb 9, 2010 | Spring
Our exploration of the Old Fort in Corfu, Greece was exhilarating, beautiful, and roasting hot! As we clambered down steep wooden steps and entered the cobbled tunnel leading out we groaned with joy as great gusts of cold sea air whistled through the tunnel cooling us off deliciously.
We left the gorgeous views of ocean and town and entered the labyrinthine streets of Old Town Corfu.
As we wandered, we found lovely shops filled with soft pashminas, gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry, and exquisite antiques. Soon we were famished and parched and ready for a break. We found the perfect respite in a bustling little cafe set under an arbor of vines.
As we nibbled on fresh bread dipped in olive oil – is there any better way to start a meal? – we perused the menus handed to us by our jovial and hilarious elderly waiter.
I always love looking at the English version of menus while traveling. There’s always something lost in translation that amuses me. Impregnanted sardines? I think I’ll pass. 🙂
I settled on marinated, grilled chicken and pepper skewers on a bed of rice with heavenly crispy, fried potatoes and a big bottle of water.
The view from our table.
We thoroughly enjoyed our leisurely lunch where we were highly entertained by the colorful characters around us:
This guy talked on his cell phone in this posture the entire time – flexing his muscles for anyone who might be watching. We were watching. And laughing. 🙂
And these chaps who we are QUITE certain were mafia. 🙂 They sat facing the doorway for hours, smoking, drinking copious amounts of wine and an array of folks would wander in to confer with them in hushed or animated fashion. We had grand fun making up stories about them. 🙂
Then we were off for more exploring, eventually making our way over to the New Fort. But I’ll have to share that with you next week or I shall be late for work! 🙂
by Krista | Feb 8, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning! 🙂 I am happy to report that I’m feeling better than I have in WEEKS! With rest, sunshine, and more rest, pain has ebbed and I’m so very grateful. 🙂
It was a lovely weekend, starting with Foyle’s War with Mike and Toby at Toby’s place. He made us all sorts of goodies – popcorn, chips and pico de gallo, but my favorite were oven roasted carrot chips with dill. Delish! Even though I’ve seen all the episodes of Foyle’s War, I can never remember whodunnit! It’s like I’m watching a new movie every time, and I’m not complaining one bit. 🙂
Saturday morning dawned beautifully sunny and after a lovely sleep in I trundled out to my sunshiny kitchen for breakfast. First I juiced a bowl of apples with a pile of grated ginger. Mmm, so fresh and tart.
Thus fortified I bustled about organizing my pantry, doing laundry and washing dishes until I was good and ravenous. Then I gathered ingredients for my absolute favorite hot cereal. Millet porridge with ground almonds, unsweetened coconut and dates. It’s my Mum’s invention and I love it!
Mixed with almond milk, honey and topped with slivered almonds, it’s a creamy, satisfying bowl of goodness.
By this time the afternoon sun was blazing through my windows, so I opened my door, spread a blanket on the floor and stretched out in the doorway with a good book. Protected from the icy wind all I felt was glorious warmth and I basked in it like a lazy cat, soaking up those healing rays, reading happily and eventually napping. Bliss. 🙂
Late afternoon I got inspired to try something I’ve been wanting to try for ages: molded gelatin. Of course I’ve made Jell-O salads and such, but these are different. I found them in an old Victoria magazine with a feature on banquets of old where chefs would create glistening molded jellies in wonderful shapes, colors and flavors.
The first one I tried was rich and creamy, two layers of almond gelatin sandwiching a thick, chocolatey latte one. Mmm! I did this in a Nordicware Bundt pan and served it in great quivery wedges.
Although the taste was great, the almond layers were softer than I would’ve liked (hence the photo not showing the mushed bottom :-)), and next time I will add more gelatin.
For the next batch I layered hibiscus gelatin with almond, and did mini ones in lovely molded muffin tins.
They were light and fruity, with delicate flavors that made me think of balmy summer mornings.
One day I will try the stunning, towering confections like they had in the magazine, but today I’m content with my little gelatin creations. 🙂
Sunday morning my friend Rose gave me a bouquet of pussy willows! (Thank you!!) I learned that you should never, ever, ever put them in water. If you don’t, they last for simply ages. 🙂
Sunday afternoon my pal Johanna did my taxes (THANK YOU!!!) and I made dinner for her and her man. I do love bartering. 🙂 Then we headed over to Mum and Dad’s for birthday cake (Happy Birthday, Johanna!!) and a good ol’ visit. After they left, Dad watched The Game and Mum and I cozied ourselves in the back room and had our own little movie day watching Foyle’s War and Campion whilst sipping Aussie wine and nibbling on Fritos, dark chocolate mint patties and crescent-roll-wrapped-smokies with sweet hot mustard. Clearly we were on a health food kick. 😉
I’m so grateful for such a good weekend, a grand mix of people and solitude, rest and accomplishment, sunshine and rain. 🙂
Millet Porridge
(From Mums)
1 cup millet
4 cups water
3 dates, chopped
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
Directions:
- Combine millet and water in saucepan. Bring to boil then lower heat and simmer 40-45 minutes.
- In food processor blend almonds, coconut and dates.
- Stir everything together and serve with almond milk and honey or maple syrup.
Almond Jelly
(From Lynn Siy)
Ingredients:
2 pkgs. unflavored gelatin
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. almond extract
Directions:
- Sprinkle gelatin on cold water in a pot. Put on medium heat.
- Stir constantly until dissolved.
- Add 1 cup sugar, stir to dissolve. Remove from heat.
- Add almond flavoring to the milk and pour into the gelatin mix. Stir to blend.
- Pour into 9″ square glass pan and put in fridge to set.
Latte Jelly
(From recipezaar)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon gelatin
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
375 ml ca evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
- Pour boiling water over gelatine in heatproof bowl.
- Stir till dissolved.
- Put coffee and cocoa in saucepan.
- Add sugar and milk.
- Stir over low heat till coffee is dissolved and mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Remove pan from heat, coll till lukewarm.
- Stir in gelatine mixture and vanilla.
- Pour mixture into 4 cup oiled mould.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours till firm.
- When ready to serve, dip base of mould into hot water then invert onto plate.
by Krista | Feb 5, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Waaaaay back in December 2009 I read a New Year post by the lovely El over at Fresh New England. She was reflecting on things she’d learned over the last year. Reading through her list I felt alternately teary, affirmed and cheered. When I shared it with a couple of friends I was visiting with online, I had to chuckle because all three of us immediately printed out the list and propped it up on our desks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at it over the past month and or two.
It’s such a simple list, and maybe that’s where the magic lies.
For me, being in a cult for seven years left deep scars and a mind chock full of false guilt, fear, and a habit of always thinking the worst of myself. Reading #1 on her list startled me:
1. Never, ever put yourself down. Ever. And don’t let anyone else do it either.
I thought, “Can I really do that? Am I ALLOWED to do that?” Turns out I can, and I am. 🙂 I’ve spent the last while discovering the joy of being kind, gentle and patient with myself. The cult taught me that I should die to myself, crucify myself, suppress myself in favor of what my authorities told me was right and acceptable. They told me there was nothing good in me, credited others with any right I did do, and taught me to always look for ways to give up my rights and die to my dreams, hopes and expectations. They warned that any other behavior would result in me becoming prideful, self-centered and arrogant.
The opposite has happened.
I have never felt so gracious, loving and accepting of others. It has freed me up to see us as we ARE, in all our lovely frailty and strength, beauty and ugliness, wisdom and silliness. I’m no longer afraid or ashamed of myself. When I do something wrong or foolish, I don’t berate myself or wallow in self-loathing, I simply acknowledge it, apologize if necessary, and press on with hope, joy and greater understanding.When someone praises me for something, I can now say THANK YOU with a free and happy heart instead of looking for ways to put myself down or deflect the praise to someone else. I can listen to the hopes and dreams of my dear ones and support them fully, even if I don’t understand or agree, simply because we are all on a journey and have the right to try new things, make whopping mistakes, and putter along as best we can.
I hardly got past #1 when #2 popped up:
2. Every week, plan at least one activity that you’ll look forward to.
I LOVE this! 🙂 I’ve always tried to do at least one happy thing a day, but I love the notion of PLANNING jolly things, giving myself something to anticipate, especially when times are rough.
I’m poor as a churchmouse these days, maybe worse :-), but that hasn’t stopped me from planning at least one happy thing a week. Sometimes it’s very, very simple (and cheap!): looking through old Victoria magazines, setting aside two hours to talk with a dear friend, or having a slumber party with my goddaughters and letting them plaster my face with make-up and tell me I’m “so beautiful, honey dear”. 🙂
Sometimes it’s just Danish pastries on a Saturday morning while having coffee with my parents and grandies.
Or making scones slathered with lemon curd and piled with Devonshire cream and fresh berries for tea and a good ol’ chin wag with a friend.
One day my friend Stacey and I decided we HAD to see snow (she was visiting from Texas, so this was important!). We got in my car and drove up into the mountains and it started snowing!! We cheered and hollered and got soaked and loved every minute of it.
This weekend I get to watch Foyle’s War with my pals, Toby and Mike, have my goddaughters and their parents/my friends over for Sunday dinner, and watch the Super Bowl with friends at my folks’ house. So much happiness in one little weekend. 🙂
I’m sure El had no idea the impact her simple list would have, but it watered good changes in this girl’s heart and brought much, much joy. 🙂
So, dear ones, what happy thing are you going to do this weekend?
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