Yes, I Found It!

This is our all time favorite painting. Which I just found, finally online. It moved around with us for so many years. It's back in our storage unit in Las Vegas, I miss it so much and it made me so happy to see it again.  It's by the artist Gary Kelly which for some reason I forgot. I love the colors and the beautiful parisan street. Of course I think it's also very romantic. So Lovely!

Great Summer Reads ~

I'm really into cookbooks, I seem to take them to bed and read them like novels.

 I just love the personal stories and beautiful photographs.

The summer is a great time for cooking or for a lighter, healthful side, grilling.  Here are some fun cookbooks as well as fun beauty/ life-style books.

Cookbooks ~

"Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights"

This is such a beautiful cookbook, full of charming stories and yummy recipes. Sophie Dahl is so adorable. Not only is she Author - Roald Dahl's granddaughter (many family stories, so cute). She is a model and a great writer. It was so enjoyable. I'll keep reading and making these recipes, throughout the years. It's a keeper!

"Recipes From An Italian Summer"

This is a wonderful book if you love to cook. It gives great idea's on grilling plus how to jazz up family favorites. I just love the cover! So bright and friendly.

"The Taste Of Summer"

This book is so helpful, with tons of useful information, It makes cooking so easy, especially during the summer months.

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Beauty And Lifestyle Books ~

"The World's Best- Kept  Beauty Secrets"

I've learned alot from this book. From fashion idea's, tricks of the trade and diet information. It's fantastic!

"Getting The Pretty Back"

Growing up in the 80's actress Molly Ringwald was our Audrey Hepburn. Since she is also a red head I so looked up to her. She has such charm and a wonderful sense of style, plus she has many of the same interests as I do, so I connected to alot of her stories. She also included some yummy recipes. She talks about family, staying true to who you are and growing older with a sense of  humor  as well as having fun and being kinder to yourself. Loved!

Enjoy the Summer!

Happy 4th Of July America~

The Kitchen Cupboard~ Salsa And Yummy Guacamole!

I haven't written a recipe in a while so here are some mouth watering favorites.

Tomato Salsa -

2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped ( I don't really like cilantro so I skip it..)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 onion, chopped

In the container of a blender or food processor, combine tomato, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Pulse to desired consistency. Add onion, and pulse three times. Cover, and chill. It's so good ~ 

Roasted Corn, Pepper And Black Bean Salsa -

4 roma tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

2 poblano peppers, cut in half lengthwise

2 cups fresh corn kernels ( about 3 -4 ears)

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

4 green onions, sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 500'degree's. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Place tomatoes and peppers, skin side up, on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle corn kernels around peppers. Bake for 20 minutes, or until vegetables look blistered.

Place tomatoes and peppers in a resealable plastic bag; seal, and let stand 10 minutes to loosen skins. Peel and chop tomatoes. Peel peppers; remove and discard seeds, and finely chop. Place chopped tomatoes, peppers, and corn  in a large bowl. Add black beans, green onions, oil, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Delish!

( Salsa recipes from Paula Deen)

 Megan's-  Holy Guacamole-

4 avocado's, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped

2 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 half red onion finely chopped, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

( I sometimes go without the tomatoes, It's great either way.)

In a large bowl, combine avocado, tomato, onion , lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a fork or I use a potato masher. Mash to desired consistency. Serve immediately. I love it served with pita chips.

I think you will like this recipe, I came up with it many years ago, friends and family love it!

I hope you try and enjoy these recipes.  Super easy, tasty and fresh!

All Things Summer~

 What we like about summer. From childhood memories to what we enjoy right now .  

A Fun Day At The Museum ~

Last week Daniel and I spent a wonderful day looking at an art exhibition of American Impressionism from 1870-1940. We love history so seeing America through the eyes of these masterful artists was great fun. It was extremely thought provoking. The whole time we were walking around I was thinking of my Grandpa Judd, who was also an artist and painter, who also used oil paints.  He painted his surroundings as well. The beautiful peaks of the Red Mountains and glorious wild flowers and  sun sets in his small Utah town. I always feel him around me when I see nature or any kind of art. He inspires me.
 We also  saw an amazing exhibit of photography from Clyde Butcher, who takes beautiful black and white photographs of the swamp and marsh lands and the National Parks here in Florida. We loved it! Such a lovely day. Here are some of the artists we saw.-

The Cooper's Come For A Visit~ And A Trip To St. Augustine FL.

This And That ~ Our Love Of Old Windows

40th Anniversary Of Earth Day

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, We Love It!

A Day At The Farm Stand ~

In The Garden ~ Beautiful Inspiration

Zest For Life- Lemon Cake

Lemon Cake Recipe-

Ingredients needed:

1/2 pound ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 extra- large eggs at room temperature

1/3 cup grated lemon zest ( 6 to 8 large lemons)

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

3/4 cup buttermilk room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 Recipe From The Barefoot Contessa, my favorite Lemon Cake - Delish!

*Just click on the post title above ( Zest for Life- Lemon Cake) it will link you to Food Network to print out full recipe* Enjoy!!

Happy Easter ~

Show And Tell, My New Favorite Magazine ~

This is such an amazing magazine! It gives so many great ideas. With dozens of consumer reports on the best products to buy, some examples in an issue - the best drugstore bargains, yummy health food, travel tips, also how to clean smarter? It's full of great information, so I wanted to share. I also put the magazines blog up under (favorite websites, to the left, so just click on the link ). (Shopsmart mag).. Hope you take a gander and enjoy the shop smart way of living. Yay!!

Something I Want To Make~ Caramel Souffle

This Recipe was on The Martha Stewart Show today. Doesn't it sound amazing?! There is also a recipe for caramel ice cream to serve with it, however I think just the souffle will be just fine! Like Martha says It's A Good Thing, and I agree.- Just click on the title of  my post ( Something I Want To Make) above - it will take you to Martha Stewart's Show website and to the recipe to print out. If you like!

Ingredients-

Makes 6

Unsalted butter, for ramekins

Turbinado sugar, for ramekins

1  1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup heavy cream, heated

2 cups milk, heated

5 large egg yolks, room temperature

2 tablespoons all- purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

10 large egg whites, room temperature

6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions-

Preheat oven to 350'degrees. Using a pastry brush, brush six 4 by-2 1/2 inch (10 ounce) ramekins with butter, brushing the sides with an upward stroke. Coat each with turbinado sugar, shaking out excess; set aside.

In a large heavy bottom sauce pan, heat 1 cup granulated sugar over high heat, without stirring, until edges begin to turn golden. Stir sugar, working from the edges toward the center, until sugar is melted and caramel in color, 3-5 minutes.

Remove sugar from heat and slowly whisk in cream, taking care as mixture may splatter and bubble. Add milk and whisk to combine. Return to heat and bring caramel mixture to a boil.

Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together egg yolks and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and cornstarch and whisk until mixture becomes thick and stiff, like buttercream. Slowly whisk in half of the caramel mixture until well combined. Transfer to saucepan with remaining caramel mixture and return to heat. Cook, whisking, until mixture is thickened and separates from pan, about 5 minutes. Transfer caramel mixture to a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.

In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Increase speed and add remaining 6 tablespoons granulated sugar in three additions, beating well after each addition, until whites form very stiff peaks. Whisk half of the whites into caramel mixture; gently fold remaining whites into caramel  mixture.

Divide mixture evenly between prepared ramekins. If desired, place each filled ramekin, one at a time, in microwave set at 50 percent power. Cook 10 seconds, turn and cook for 10 seconds more. This creates a sugar crust around the souffle and will help it to rise.

Place ramekins on a large baking sheet and transfer to oven. Bake until souffles have risen and tops are golden and slightly firm to the touch, about 18 minutes if using a microwave(about 20 if not) Serve immediately.

I've always wanted to try making a souffle. It doesn't sound to hard. Will see how it goes! Yummy!!

Colors Of Springtime ~

 

Vintage Postcards ~ Some Of Our Favorite Trips Ever-