Sunday, December 11, 2011
Colors of Fall
I love this time of year and the colors of a Florida fall, after all they are some of my favorites. The sights and smells fill my head and have inspired both the interior and exterior of our little bungalow. Roasted Root Salad with warm garlic dressing, rich carmel onions, roasted pumpkin seeds, butternut squash, chocolates in creamy variations of mocha and coffee play their part. The colors of the bungalow we first purchased have given way to the colors of fall, cool blue and yellow are slowly yielding to slate and mossy oak, cypress and cinnamon now coat the walls of the library and the living room. Roasted butternut warms the walls of the bathroom and highlights the fireplace.
I am sure all of life's perplexing questions can be solved with a brush and the colors of fall . . .
Roasted Root Veggie Salad
Sweet Potato, sweet onion, butternut squash, delicata squash, carrots, parsnips, acorn squash all make great choices for this salad, slice all veggies in uniform thickness, rub with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and place in a single layer on cookie sheet, cut the tops off of 4 heads of garlic, rub cut edge with olive oil and place on cookier sheet. Roast for 30 minutes @ 350* then flip veggies and roast another 25 minutes. In the meantime whisk two tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 c Rice vinegar, salt and pepper to taste in a heavy saucepan and bring to a quick simmer, then remove from heat, squeeze all 4 heads of roasted garlic into dressing and whisk. To serve add roasted veggies to a bed of baby organic spinach, and pour warm garlic dressing over veggies, serve immediately.
I am sure all of life's perplexing questions can be solved with a brush and the colors of fall . . .
Roasted Root Veggie Salad
Sweet Potato, sweet onion, butternut squash, delicata squash, carrots, parsnips, acorn squash all make great choices for this salad, slice all veggies in uniform thickness, rub with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and place in a single layer on cookie sheet, cut the tops off of 4 heads of garlic, rub cut edge with olive oil and place on cookier sheet. Roast for 30 minutes @ 350* then flip veggies and roast another 25 minutes. In the meantime whisk two tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 c Rice vinegar, salt and pepper to taste in a heavy saucepan and bring to a quick simmer, then remove from heat, squeeze all 4 heads of roasted garlic into dressing and whisk. To serve add roasted veggies to a bed of baby organic spinach, and pour warm garlic dressing over veggies, serve immediately.
All is right with the World
3:19 a.m.
The roosters have begun to crow this morning, the hens are brooding and beginning to lay eggs. So much to be thankful for, all seems right with the world . . .
As this Thanksgiving rolled in, despite the retailers best efforts to shorten this holiday, I need much more time to recognize all that I am thankful for this year.
Most recent being, Ella Lily now 7 days old arrived healthy and happy at 20 inches and 7 pounds, with the blue eyes of her father, her mothers angelic face, and the love of her big brother so excited she has finally arrived (the spider man back pack certainly helped).
As with the seasons and holidays, the ebb and flow of life continue on and I am grateful for not only the good times, but the rough ones too, for without them I could not recognize how good life is this Thanksgiving morning.
The roosters have begun to crow this morning, the hens are brooding and beginning to lay eggs. So much to be thankful for, all seems right with the world . . .
As this Thanksgiving rolled in, despite the retailers best efforts to shorten this holiday, I need much more time to recognize all that I am thankful for this year.
Most recent being, Ella Lily now 7 days old arrived healthy and happy at 20 inches and 7 pounds, with the blue eyes of her father, her mothers angelic face, and the love of her big brother so excited she has finally arrived (the spider man back pack certainly helped).
As with the seasons and holidays, the ebb and flow of life continue on and I am grateful for not only the good times, but the rough ones too, for without them I could not recognize how good life is this Thanksgiving morning.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Baby Cakes & Barbecue
In August when the ideas started to flow for a Baby Cakes & Barbecue to celebrate the impending arrival of Sweet Baby Ella, so did the house projects we would need to finish before having to introduce not only Baby Ella but this little gem of a bungalow to a Punta Gorda that had long since forgotten she was here . . .
The property was in all it's glory, the summer rains, although heavy at times, had created a lush tropical border filled with Bromeliad bloom, with hundreds of torch like flames, spreading like wild fire through this paradise. The new mulch driveway framed the greens in perfect combination, the palms swayed in the gentle breeze that flows from the Peace, and the zinnias and ferns stretched toward the sun.
We had painted the front porch, stripped most of the bathroom wallpaper, and picked up a crazy mix of architectural salvage and antiques from my mothers in South Carolina, including the old doors that would become the tables and the vintage bird cages filled with candles that would light the setting for this magical night.
The studio's new lighting was installed, all twenty feet of the old work bench had been skirted in off-white canvas, and the clutter of our projects were neatly tucked away. The 1887 Chickering piano, which now performs as our work station was converted to the buffet, it's Rococo legs long ago painted the perfect vintage pink, begging to set center stage for the Hootenanny to come. The candelabra above made from piano parts and garage sale finds, highlighted not only the Brazilian Rosewood below, but the art of the rafters above.
The table cloths of burlap with pink brocade runners had been sewn, the white linen napkins tie-dyed pink by our friends were complete, the mason jar filled with cut fern would adorn the tables.
The very southern Pear and Ginger cocktail was inspired by Garden & Gun, the Bourbon Maker's Mark, the pears plucked from my mother's yard on our latest trip. The menu was selected to surround Papa Z's lip smakin Grilled Chicken, Fig infused barbecue sauce, Roasted garlic cheese grits, Baked beans with pig parts, Spinach salad and Sarah's Cornbread Pudding embraced like old childhood friends. I know, mouth watering goodness, only to be topped off by Carmel and Sea Salt cupcakes, Ginger snaps with Sweet Potatoe Butter (Low Country Produce), and Peanut Butter Pie cups. One of our guest confessed he ate ten or so?
The night finally arrived, the little bungalow lit with enthusiasm and anticipation, the high class bluegrass of the Steep Canyon Rangers and the soulful blues of the local Still Friends flowed from it's crevasse's in beautiful harmony. The memories of our guest this night will forever be of a sweet baby girl still to come and a little bungalow with a great history.
The property was in all it's glory, the summer rains, although heavy at times, had created a lush tropical border filled with Bromeliad bloom, with hundreds of torch like flames, spreading like wild fire through this paradise. The new mulch driveway framed the greens in perfect combination, the palms swayed in the gentle breeze that flows from the Peace, and the zinnias and ferns stretched toward the sun.
We had painted the front porch, stripped most of the bathroom wallpaper, and picked up a crazy mix of architectural salvage and antiques from my mothers in South Carolina, including the old doors that would become the tables and the vintage bird cages filled with candles that would light the setting for this magical night.
The studio's new lighting was installed, all twenty feet of the old work bench had been skirted in off-white canvas, and the clutter of our projects were neatly tucked away. The 1887 Chickering piano, which now performs as our work station was converted to the buffet, it's Rococo legs long ago painted the perfect vintage pink, begging to set center stage for the Hootenanny to come. The candelabra above made from piano parts and garage sale finds, highlighted not only the Brazilian Rosewood below, but the art of the rafters above.
The table cloths of burlap with pink brocade runners had been sewn, the white linen napkins tie-dyed pink by our friends were complete, the mason jar filled with cut fern would adorn the tables.
The very southern Pear and Ginger cocktail was inspired by Garden & Gun, the Bourbon Maker's Mark, the pears plucked from my mother's yard on our latest trip. The menu was selected to surround Papa Z's lip smakin Grilled Chicken, Fig infused barbecue sauce, Roasted garlic cheese grits, Baked beans with pig parts, Spinach salad and Sarah's Cornbread Pudding embraced like old childhood friends. I know, mouth watering goodness, only to be topped off by Carmel and Sea Salt cupcakes, Ginger snaps with Sweet Potatoe Butter (Low Country Produce), and Peanut Butter Pie cups. One of our guest confessed he ate ten or so?
The night finally arrived, the little bungalow lit with enthusiasm and anticipation, the high class bluegrass of the Steep Canyon Rangers and the soulful blues of the local Still Friends flowed from it's crevasse's in beautiful harmony. The memories of our guest this night will forever be of a sweet baby girl still to come and a little bungalow with a great history.
Mango Madness
Our first crop of Mango was ready, and with Cooper here to harvest, I could not wait any longer. Absolutley nothing taste better than fruit rippened in the yard, my first mango was going into our morning shake, yum.
In blender combine:
1 fresh mango
2 cups organic spinach
2 cups Chobani yogurt
1 frozen banana
1-2 cups orange juice
Blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings to be enjoyed walking the yard (pull a weed or two).
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Peace
Laishley Park, early morning, September 1st, 2011.
Children already at play in the fountain and the smell of a Florida Fall already in the air. The Peace River flowing towards the harbor with an absolute resolve. The palm trees continue to sway in the warm breeze, stretching towards the misty morning sky. A pair of Ibis hunt for breakfast near a small pond.
A peaceful solitude in the midst of a morning routine.
Children already at play in the fountain and the smell of a Florida Fall already in the air. The Peace River flowing towards the harbor with an absolute resolve. The palm trees continue to sway in the warm breeze, stretching towards the misty morning sky. A pair of Ibis hunt for breakfast near a small pond.
A peaceful solitude in the midst of a morning routine.
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