Berries, bread, blessings

We recently went to Ohio to visit family and… well, family. The DaBramo family has been in my husband’s life for a long time – with Christine being the loving, caring chauffeur, cook, confidant, counselor to a group of kids who at one time or another, needed at least one of these services! When Tony…

Turkish Delight

I had the most wonderful opportunity to guide some amazing women through a cooking journey yesterday… They were a group of strong, capable and caring gals, each with their own strengths ~ we found a common bond or two; formed a new bond or two. I feel blessed, and certainly enriched by your company! Thank…

Food for Flowers

  I have taught cooking classes to many people in my kitchen throughout the years; taught large groups at military spouse functions, but today was the first day I have taught a guy aside from my boys, Andre & Toren; and it was at his request! Adam was a quick learner, even though his…

Santa Lucia Eyes

I just love making something that brings a certain look of satisfaction, love and longing to my family ~ this time, my husband.  Tony came home last night, changed from his military uniform and went straight to the computer… strange.  I asked what he was doing, and he said he thought about something his Mom…

chia pet, chia juice, chia bread, chia, chia everywhere!

Salvia hispanica Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala.   Things to do with chia seeds: add to your daily smoothie, your pancakes or your yogurt   put 1 T in your juice to give you energy,…

Breaking Bread

  All sorrows are less with bread. – Miguel de Cervantes     There is something so gratifyingly innate about making bread. I love the entire process!  Grinding flour, kneading the dough with my hands, the rise or two my loaves get and then the best part: the baking!  My kitchen is nice and toasty…

Colors of the Rainbow ~ and my kitchen

The “canned food” section of my kitchen!  I have cans of Hatch Green Chile, Coconut Milk, Water Chestnuts and Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes in my pantry, but that is it.  For most meals, our plates look like a color bomb exploded!  Fresh this, fresh that ~ You can’t help feeling healthy with every bite!…

CHICKEN SOUP CURES ALL ~ READ ALL ABOUT IT!! Chicken soup may contain a number of substances with beneficial medicinal activity including an anti-inflammatory mechanism that could ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, according to a new study. (Science Daily) Although many foods are considered to be healthy due to their individual blends…

love affair

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien For me, it started about 15 years ago ~ my love affair with food (come on, what did you think this was about?) When I was a little girl, my Grandma Margaret would often…

Swedish Coffee Loaf

Today was all about baking ~ I have croissant dough in the fridge ready to work (again), this time with chocolate, I made up a batch of sugar cookie dough with fresh ground nutmeg (smells like a doughnut shop when baking!), sandwich rolls (see prior post), and the lovely thing cooling on the counter and…

Good Day, friends

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. Cherokee Expression Indian Fry Bread ~ Great as a taco shell! Or dessert (just sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over top, place a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of chocolate syrup!)! Enjoy…