Tasty Tuesday

It is Tuesday, the sun is shining, the birds are singing - aah!!!! Do you know what that means? No more cooking in the oven, the grill rules once again! I love fish, but do not like cooking it in the oven very much - my preferred method is in a pouch on the grill! It is so easy and delicious! Enjoy!



Halibut: Grilled in Foil
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

* 8 Halibut fillets (4 oz each)
* Salt and pepper
* 8 sprigs fresh thyme
* 2 lemons, sliced into 16 thin slices, seeds removed
* 8 fresh bay leaves

Equipment Needed:

* Aluminum foil (8 sheets)
* Non-stick spray
* Grill

Directions:

1.) Preheat grill on high for 10 minutes.
2.) Spray 4 pieces of foil w/ non-stick spray & place 1 fillet in center.
3.) Season fish with salt and pepper.
4.) Top each fillet with 2 thyme sprigs, 4 lemon slices, and 2 bay leaves.
5.) Layer another fillet on top, making a "sandwich."
6.) Season with salt and pepper.
7.) Cover with other piece of foil.
8.) Crimp edges to form tightly sealed packet.
9.) Reduce grill heat to medium.
10.) Grill uncovered, 8-10 min, or until internal temp reaches 130°.
11.) Carefully poke holes in foil packet avoiding steam.
12.) Let rest at least 2 minutes before serving.

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mosaic Monday

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
-Russel Baker

I do not know about you, but I am ready for flip-flop weather!! They may not be the best thing for you feet, but I LOVE them!!! There is no other type of shoe that you can own 40 pairs and not feel guilty about throwing a pair away!!!


Is It Time Yet???



"To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee."
-Emily Dickinson

Mosaic Monday

Hello! I have water in my basement and it is -13°F as I type this, so I thought a little beach time was in order! Enjoy!

Mosaic Monday

“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.”
-Lao Tzu

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend and if you have today off as well, good for you. Today's mosaic is a simple one celebrating something so simple, but without it life would cease to exist! Enjoy!

“Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.”
-Albert Szent-Gyorgyi




Thought of the Day:
“Keep your head above water”
-Proverb

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Friday Favorites

"Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee."
-Author Unknown

Hello! Sorry for not posting the past couple of days, I decided to take a little break from the computer. I hope you are having a wonderful week - I don't know where my week has gone! As I was sitting here drinking my coffee I decided to search Etsy for handmade coffee mugs, sugar bowls and creamers - Enjoy my finds!

"No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee's frothy goodness."
-Sheik Abd-al-Kadir



1.) Textured Mug
2.) Dogwood Sugar and Creamer Ceramic Set
3.) Turquoise and Green Coffee Mug
4.) Celadon Sugar and Creamer
5.) Tall Shiny Green Mug
6.) Sugar Bowl and Creamer Set

Thought of the Day:

"Conscience keeps more people awake than coffee."
-Author Unknown

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Tasty Tuesday!

Hello! I don't know if you noticed, but it is that time of year: FALL! I love fall and everything about it (except that winter follows!). The days are warm and the nights cools (perfect sleeping weather), and APPLES!! Apples are such a wonderful and versatile fruit - you can do so much with them! My boys and I go apple picking every year and we always pick way more than we need, but we have so much fun! Do you like to pick apples? Today I am going to share a great fall drink made from, APPLES! The following recipe is non-alcoholic, so everyone can partake. ENJOY!

“Love doesn't grow on trees like apples in Eden - it's something you have to make. And you must use your imagination too.”
-Joyce Cary


Hot Mulled Cider
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

* 1 orange, washed
* 15 whole cloves
* 2 quarts apple cider
* 3 whole cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)

Directions:

1.) Peel orange and insert cloves into peel.
2.) Combine apple cider, orange peel and cinnamon sticks in large stockpot.
3.) Remove sections from orange and squeeze any remaining juice into cider mixture.
4.) Simmer slowly on MEDIUM until hot and steamy, about 10 min; do not boil.
5.) Remove cinnamon sticks and orange peel.
6.) Ladle into warm glasses and serve.
7.) Garnish with extra cinnamon sticks.

“Why not upset the apple cart? If you don't, the apples will rot anyway.”
-Frank A. Clark

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Souper Saturday!

Hello and Welcome!

I have been a bit remiss about blogging the past few days, I have been ill, so computer time was not a priority. I am on the mend, but still trying to take it easy. So here is just a comforting soup recipe for you.

Enjoy!



Italian Wedding Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

* 1 Large egg
* 1/2 Lb.s lean ground beef
* 1/4 cup chopped parsley
* 2 Tbsp seasoned bread crumbs
* 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
* 1 cup mirepoix (finely diced carrots, celery & onion)
* 1 carton (32 oz) chicken stock
* 2 cups fresh escarole, chopped
* 1/2 cup acini di pepe pasta
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Parmesan cheese grated

Directions:

1.) Beat egg slightly in medium bowl.
2.) Add ground beef, parsley, and bread crumbs.
3.) Mix well with clean hands.
4.) Form into small meatballs. (1 tsp ground beef mixture for each)
5.) Brown meatballs on all sides in olive oil in large soup pot on medium, about 5 min.
6.) Remove meatballs and drain off pan drippings into small bowl and set aside.
7.) Add mirepoix and reduce heat to medium-low.
8.) Cover mirepoix and cook, stirring occasionally, 6-8 min, until veggies are soft but not browned.
9.) Add meatballs and chicken stock.
10.) Bring to boil on high.
11.) Lower heat to medium and simmer for 5 min.
12.) Add escarole and return to a simmer on medium-high.
13.) Add pasta and simmer about 5 min until pasta is tender.
14.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
15.) Ladle into bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese.


Have a great weekend and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Friday Favorites: 2/19/2010

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well! I have returned from vacation and I am ready to get back in to the swing of everyday life! It is nice to be home, but I miss the bright Florida sunshine!!

In honor of sun and warmth, today I would like to feature my favorite flower: The Periwinkle Hydrangea. These beautiful flowers are so cheery, you cannot help but smile when you see them!


"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view."
-H. Fred Dale


Hydrangeas are a genus of about 70–75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia and North and South America. The greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia. Most are shrubs 1–3 m tall. Hydrangeas can be deciduous or evergreen, although the most widely cultivated species are deciduous.

Hydrangea flowers are produced from early spring to late autumn and grow in flower-heads at the end of their stems. In many species, the flower-heads contain two types of flowers, small fertile flowers in the middle of the flower-head, and large, sterile flowers in a ring around the edge of each flower-head.

Hydrangeas come in 2 flower arrangements: Mop-head and lace-cap. Mop-head flowers are large round flower-heads that resemble pom-poms, or as the name implies, look like the head of a mop. Lace-cap flowers bear round, flat flower-heads with a center core of subdued flowers surrounded by outer rings of showy flowers.


"It is a golden maxim to cultivate the garden for the nose, and the eyes will take care of themselves."
-Robert Louis Stevenson



1.) Periwinkle Hydrangea by: moniepenny
2.) Blue Hydrangea Pendant by: gildedlilyglass
3.) Ivory and Periwinkle Rose and Hydrangea Pomander by: Emici Bridal
4.) Hydrangea square plate by: brookepickering
5.) Periwinkle felt hydrangea brooch by: shopkissingtoads
6.) Blue Hydrangea - Vintage German Glass Flower Earrings by: julylamoon
7.) Whimsical Wedding Ring Bearer Pillow with Wool Felt Hydrangea Flower in Periwinkle, Robins Egg, Purple Sage and Moss Green by: HeyMiemie
8.) Hydrangea Blue Vintage Rhinestone Pendant Necklace by: sugarlilac
9.) Hydrangea pitcher by: brookepickering
10.) Hydrangea Blooms... blue glass and silver plated necklace by: nancywallisdesigns


"Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844


Have a great weekend and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Tea, tea, everywhere, how many cups do you drink? Part I

Hello and good day to all!

Well, I mentioned before, tea is my topic for the next few blogs - there is so much to say about it. Before I start, let me share a quote that I think is fitting for this cold february day. Actually, there are so many great tea quotes/poems, etc.. I may share quite a few.

As the centerpiece of a cherished ritual, it's a talisman against the chill of winter, a respite from the ho-hum routine of the day.  ~Sarah Engler, "Tea Up," Real Simple magazine, February 2006

Well, that just about sums up my feeling for tea. I like coffee, but I adore tea. I love my tins of loose tea, the pretty silk tea sachets I have are just too cute, my teapot collection is really getting out of control (so my husband says), the tea cozies, strainers, spoons, etc... so much fun for such a simple pleasure, and don't get me started on the sweets I serve with tea! (that will be part III).

In case you haven't noticed, yes - I am a nut about tea, but we all have our crutch!!

There are many fine tea companies out there, but I have always loved Harney & Sons. http://www.harney.com. They sell loose tea, tea sachets, iced tea, teapots, tea cups, tea gadgets and yes - sweets for tea.  Every order I have ever placed with them has gone smoothly and their products are wonderful! 

One time I placed an order online and they were having trouble processing it, so, instead of sending me an e-mail they called me and took care of everything over the phone. They were so friendly and accommodating, you could not ask for better service. Their tea tasting room is located on route 22, in Millerton, NY, those of you who live nearby should stop in -  if you have not done so already!

Not only can you sample tea in their tasting room, you can stay for a bite to eat, shop for tea accessories and have a lively discussion about tea with their knowledgeable staff. The Harney catalog is always packed with wonderful products, pictures and stories about their tea travels. 

One of my favorite authors had this to say about tea:

We had a kettle; we let it leak:
Our not repairing made it worse.
We haven't had any tea for a week...
The bottom is out of the Universe.
~Rudyard Kipling

So funny, don't you think? But I feel that way if I don't enjoy my nightly cup of tea. It is so soothing to sit with a hot, flavorful cup of tea after the kids go to bed, like I am now!

After all, tea is not only tasty and enjoyable, it is very good for you! (that will be part II)

I found some cute shops on etsy that make their own tea, take a peek:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5715114

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6831206

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6183654

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5813303

If you get a chance, take my tea poll! It is located on the left hand side of my blog!

to be continued... part II - the health benefits of tea.

-Ciao