Seaside Fun, Over The Years-

We love going to the beach.It's one of our all time favorite things to do.Smelling the salty air, listening to the calmness of the breeze.Watching the funny pelicans diving and scooping up fish from the sea. Having long walks and playing in the sand, collecting shells.

Lots of wonderful times! Now we've experienced the Pacific,The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.



" The Kitchen Cupboard " VIVA ITALIA!!

 Daniel and I love Italian food! It's so delicious and hearty.

There's nothing quite like a plate of pasta,and a great salad!

These recipes are super easy, and make you look

like you've been working all day to create them!

- Bon Appetito  -

Italian Pizza Casserole-

3 cups uncooked ziti noodles

1 pound ground sausage

1 onion,chopped

1 green bell pepper,chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups quartered fresh mushrooms

1 can sliced black olives,drained

1 (14.5 -ounce) can diced tomatoes with

basil, garlic, and oregano

2(15 -ounce)cans tomato sauce

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups (8 ounce) shredded

mozzarella cheese,divided

Cook pasta to package directions

drain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350'F.

Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

In a large skillet,cook sausage,onion,bell pepper,and garlic

over medium heat until sausage is browned and crumbles;

drain well.Spoon sausage mixture into large bowl.

Stir in mushrooms and next 8 ingredients.Stir in 1 cup

mozzarella cheese.Add cooked ziti, tossing gently to combine.

Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.

Top with remaining

1 cup mozzarella.Bake for 30-40 minutes,

or until casserole is hot and bubbly.

Chicken Florentine Pasta Bake

1/2 cup butter

1 package thinly sliced prosciutto,chopped

2 cloves garlic,minced

1/2 cup all purpose flour

3 cups chicken broth

3 cups whole milk

4 cups chopped cook chicken

2 cups shredded gruyere cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (9-ounce) package fresh baby spinach, stemmed

1 (16-ounce)package dumpling -style noodles,cooked according to the package

and kept warm.Garnish with grated  Parmesan cheese.

Preheat oven to 350'.Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish.

In a large Dutch oven,melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat.

Add prosciutto and garlic,and cook,stirring frequently,for 3 to 4

minutes,or until prosciutto is crispy.Stir in flour , and cook for 2 minutes,stirring

constantly.Add broth and milk,stirring until smooth.Bring to a simmer,and cook

for 6 to 8 minutes, or until thickened.Stir in chicken,cheeses,salt,and pepper;

stirring until cheeses melt.Stir in spinach and noodles.

Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.

Bake for 30-35 minutes,or until casserole

is hot and bubbly.Garnish with Parmesan,if

desired.Serve immediately.

*Note This recipe can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated or frozen

for up to 1 month.If frozen,thaw completely in refrigerator before baking.

On A Lighter Side-

Basil Pesto-

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

1 garlic clove

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,plus more to taste

about 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a blender , pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic,1/2 teaspoon of salt,and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper

until finely chopped.With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form

a smooth and thick consistency.Transfer the pesto to medium bowl and stir in the cheese.

Season pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.(The pesto can be made 2 days ahead.)Cover and refrigerate. I serve the pesto with grilled chicken breasts over a penne, bowtie, or fettuccini pasta.

All I Can Say Is Delish!

(Toasting Nuts-)

Preheat oven to 400'F

Place shelled nuts,such as walnuts,almonds,pine nuts,hazelnuts.

On a heavy baking sheet,toast nuts in the oven

until they are fragrant and golden brown on the outside

and pale golden throughout the inside.Stirring occasionally and watching closely

to ensure they brown evenly and don't burn.about 5-10 minutes..

To Serve With Any Of The Pasta Dishes-

Little Italy Salad -

6 cups torn green leaf lettuce

6 cups torn red lettuce

1 cup cherry tomatoes,halved

1 cucumber,Thinly sliced

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives

 

Creamy Italian Dressing-

1 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 table spoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

In a small bowl,whisk together all ingredients.Cover and chill.

~Beauty Treatments At Home~

 Skincare, Health and Wellness

 have always been a huge passion for me.

I love the science aspect,

as well as feeling great!

And always learning new techniques.

I guess thats why I became an  Esthetician.

 I'm a strong believer,that being healthy inside always shows on the outside.!

Everyone can always use things,to help themselves look and feel better.

Times are hard.Life is stressful,but that doesn't mean,

you can't give yourself

 a little home spa treat.So easy and inexpensive!

 Here are some idea's.-

 Avocado Honey Mask-

1 large ripe avocado

1 tablespoon honey

Peel and slice avocado,put in a blender with the honey.
Put in small bowl.I use a clean face brush to apply(or fingers.)

Apply mask to your face by patting  gently and then continuing

 to pat until mask feels extremely tacky to the touch.

      Relax and leave mask on for 20 minutes.Rinse off with warm water.

     This mask helps replenish your skin with moisture(helps with dry and tired skin) and has vitamin B and vitamin E.

Coffee Body Scrub-

2 cups ground coffee

1/2 cup of brown sugar or sea salt

2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil

Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag

Take into a warm shower.Add to damp skin.Then scrub skin.

Gently massaging the skin.Rinse off with luke warm water.

   Ground coffee is an excellent way to

treat and prevent cellulite.It also helps with blood circulation.

(*Don't use if expecting a child.*)

Homemade Face Exfoliator-

1 teaspoon cornmill

1 teaspoon your regular cleanser

mix together.Works great!

You should exfoliate the face at least two times a week.

  Brown Sugar Body Scrub-

1 small plastic bag

2 cups brown sugar

4 tablespoons olive oil

make into a paste-

                                                           (I also add about 4 drops lemon aromatherapy

                                                                         oil to make a citrus body scrub.)

                                                                       Helps to energize and smells great!

                      (*Never use aromatherapy oils while expecting a baby*.)

               Blend ingredients together.Use in warm shower.

                         Helps give a nice glow to skin. Makes skin soft and smooth.

~ The Kitchen Cupboard- "Hello Muffin"~

I think muffins are so tasty, convenient,and satisfying to eat.These muffins are so easy to make, plus they come  sweet or savory.I hope you enjoy all three choices!

Chocolate Chip Muffins-
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine,
      at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk  and 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375' degrees.Grease 10 muffin cups or use paper liners.With an electric mixer,cream
the butter or margarine until soft.Add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Beat eggs,one at a time.
Sift together the flour and baking powder,twice.Fold into butter mixture,alternating with the milk.

Divide half the mixture between the muffin cups.Sprinkle several chocolate chips on top,then coverwith a spoonful of the batter.To ensure even baking,half-fill any empty cups with water.
Bake until lightly colored, about 25 minutes.Let stand 5 minutes before unmolding.

Pumpkin Muffins-

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 large eggs,lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree(not pie filling)


Preheat oven to 350' degrees.Grease a 12 cup muffin tin.
In a small bowl,beat together the sugar,oil,eggs,and vanilla.
Add the pumpkin puree and mix well.Add the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
Pour the batter into the muffin tin.Bake for 20 minutes,or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
Let the muffin tin cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.Remove the muffins.

Cheese Muffins-


1 1/2 cups all pupose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups coarsely grated chedder cheese
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter


Preheat the oven to 350' degrees.Sift together the flour,sugar,baking powder,and salt.
Stir the chedder into the dry ingredients until all the particles of cheese are coated with flour.
Beat the egg with the milk and stir this into the flour mixture until just blended,then add the butter.
Bake the batter in greased muffin tins for 20 minutes.Great served with just a green salad!

~ A Little Artistic Inspiration,Some Of Our Favorites~

The Kitchen Cupboard,Flavorful Salad's And Dressings

• Chicken Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette -
• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 cup sliced roasted red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup minced celery
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
• Balsamic Vinaigrette(recipe follows)
• pita pockets, split
• leaf lettuce

In medium bowl, combine chicken,bell peppers,celery,pine nuts,and basil. Add Balsamic Vinaigrette,tossing gently to coat.Cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve in pita pockets with leaf lettuce, if desired.

Balsamic Vinaigrette-

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil,vinegar,mustard,salt,and pepper. Cover,and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Almond Broccoli Salad-

6 cups small broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup raisins
10 slices bacon,cooked and crumbled
3 green onions,sliced
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 package honey roasted sliced almonds
In a medium bowl,combine first 5 ingredients.
In a small bowl,stir together mayo,honey,and lemon juice.
Pour over broccoli mixture,tossing gently to coat.Stir in almonds just before serving.

A Few Salad Dressings To Jazz Up A Boring Salad-

 Fresh Herb Vinaigrette-

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs leaves(basil,majoram,oregano,rosemary,tarragon or thyme)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 medium green onion,finely chopped(1 tablespoon)
Shake all ingredients in tightly covered container.Shake before serving.

Lemon Vinaigrette-

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Shake all ingredients in tightly covered container. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

Avocado Dressing-
1 large avocado, peeled and mashed with 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of cayenne pepper

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth.Chill and serve.

~What I'll Be Watching, On The Lifetime Channel~

~ The Kitchen Cupboard, Soups of the day~

Sausage and Lentil Stew-

• 3 slices thick-cut bacon,diced
• 1 large yellow onion,diced(about 1 1/2 cups
• 3 large carrots
• 3 celery stalks,diced(about 1 cup)
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 ounces French lentils
• 1pound andouille sausage,cut into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices
• 2 cups coarsely chopped kale
• One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes,with juice
• 6 cups low sodium ckicken broth
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt &1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
  

In large heavy pot, cook bacon over medium.heat until fat is rendered &bacon is crisp. Remove from pan drain on paper towels. Reserve for garnishing. Add onion,carrots,celery,and bay leaves to bacon fat.Turn the heat to Med.low heat & cook the vegetables until very tender.about 15 mins. Stir in lentils,sausage,and kale.Add tomatoes,crushing the tomatoes with your fingers as you add them to the pot.Add the chicken stock,salt,and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for one hour,covered,until lentils are tender. Stir and add more salt and pepper to taste,as desired. Ladle into bowls and top with reserved bacon bits and some grated cheese.(Cook time 1 hour 20mins.)

Broccoli Cheese Soup
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
1 (14-ounce)package frozen broccoli florets
1 cup matchstick carrots 3/4 salt &1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups shredded Chedder cheese-Garnish : with fresh thyme

In a large dutch oven,melt butter over med.heat. Add onion,and cook for 5 mins. Add garlic,and cook for 3 mins. Add flour,and cook for 2mins,stirring constantly. Whisk in chicken broth and half-and-half.Stir in broccoli,carrots,salt,white pepper,and thyme. Bring to a boil,reduce heat,and simmer uncovered for 20 mins.Add cheese,stirring until smooth. Garnish with fresh thyme. Soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator.

So Delicious,Enjoy!

First Encounters, Meeting Megan

When I first met Meg I was in a very sad state. She not only brought me back to life but gave me a whole new appreciation and passion for what Life could be. I was the project she never gave up on and I am Eternally grateful for that. Every day for the past 10 plus years has been one of joy and gratitude for what I had previously only imagined what a "Great Love" could be. One that ignites every fiber of your being with a euphoria that comes from knowing how "Lucky" you really are.
Meg is not just a true beauty to look at but a kind and beautiful person inside as well. She is my Wife and my Life.

First Encounters, Meeting Daniel

Over a decade ago I was extremely fortunate to meet Daniel.
A couple of my friends took me to see Daniel's band. They were friends of his as well.
From the very beginning it was "Interest at first sight". He was so charming and fun, handsome and so interesting. Not only did we hit it off right from the beginning we talked for hours on our first date and when ever we saw each other. He'd been all over the globe and had amazing stories to tell. I also love how funny & kind he is. How intelligent, artistic and so full of life and ideas. Everyday is a wonderful new adventure(never boring). He is truly my best friend and partner in this wacky world. Everyday I feel so lucky and grateful for what I have with Daniel!