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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

AMARYLLIS

I love these flowers. They are exotic and easy to grow indoors. They are perennial. After the foliage is gone the bulb can be removed and stored indoors to be replanted for the new season. One year I was able to grow it in my garden. It sure was a pleasant surprise.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

POACHA

This is a easy to make any time snack attack, savory pastry.

1 can refrigerated biscuit dough

8 oz feta cheese

1 egg separated

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl blend cheese, parsley and egg white until smooth. Set aside.

Open the can of refrigerated dough and separate each round into two layers (this will yield to 16 rounds). Place the prepared cheese filling in the middle of each round, fold over and crimp the edges with a fork. Place them in a baking sheet side by side and brush with the egg yolk and bake for about 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy with a cup of tea, soup or salad to your hearts content...

IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN!!

DON'T FORGET TO SCHEDULE YOUR YEARLY MAMMOGRAM ....

JERSEY'S OWN

With a talented cast and the unforgettable melodies of Franki Valli and the FOUR SEASONS, "Jersey Boys" was a great musical.

I think for a few hours my husband and I and the audience returned to our teenage years and reminisced our carefree days of youth, rock and roll and heart throbs.

In addition to great music, the actors, stage and scenario were fantastic. The multi tasking of the cast on stage was an interesting touch.

It was a truly a nostalgic and enjoyable evening for all of us.

WELCOME AUTUMN

When my husband brought this bough from our Dogwood tree, I couldn't belive that a whole summer just passed us by. Happy Autumn everyone.

A JEWEL IN NEW JERSEY

OCEAN GROVE is just a few miles from where we live and along the New Jersey shore line. This beautiful and quaint town is a National Historic shore community. In 1869 a group of spiritual leaders of the time formed the "Camp Meeting Association" and resumed the task of of forming and incorporating the town of Ocean Grove. With its Victorian architecture one cannot help but bask in its old charm and beauty. In the middle of this tiny town and amongst the colorful Victorian and tent houses stands the majestic "Great Auditorium". With its grandiose structure many celebrated preachers have addressed the congregation from its pulpit. Today it is not only a beach town but a jewel in our Jersey shore.

A BOUQET FOR YOU

I came up with this bouquet after getting inspired by my summer flowers. I had planted these day lilies years ago. They come up year after year. Their colors are so vivid that I thought I should match the water with a few drops of red and yellow food coloring and I achieved the color I was looking for.

HMMM! I WONDER

Recently I celebrated a memorable birthday and as usual I contemplated about my life. Thoughts about my life prompted me to recall an article I read in a magazine. The article was about Ernest Hemingway who once was challenged to write a story in only six words and did. What would I write in six words that will summarise my life? FATE HAD GREAT FUN WITH ME.

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial day is a holiday which gives us all an opportunity to reflect upon our nation's history and remember, give thanks and pay tribute to the countless men and women of the past and present , both living and dead who have served in the US military since our Revolutionary War through the present.. Without their service , dedication and sacrifice we would not exist today as a nation nor would we be the great nation which we've become. I would like to take this opportunity to salute all those who are currently serving our interests in every part of the world specially I salute my husband, my niece and her husband who served and are still serving our nation. Thank You , Thank You and Thank You all from the bottom of my heart.

LETS HAVE A SPOT OF TEA

I found this scone recipe in a magazine. It is very simple to make. Scones are high tea favorites but why not enjoy them for breakfast also. I used raisins, but you can use any dried fruit you choose.

1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbsp cold butter cut into pieces
3/4 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)

Preheat oven to 400. Whisk the egg and milk together in one bowl and the sugar, baking powder, and salt in another. Mix butter with flour and using your fingers cut and rub until the mixture is like course meal (pebbly). Pour in the milk mixture and mix until the dough is evenly moist. Add raisins and give the sticky dough a few more stirs. Spoon on to a lined baking sheet and bake 25 minutes or until the scones are golden brown. Yield 12 medium sized scones. Cool and serve with lemon curd or any other jam and butter.

SIGHT TO BEHOLD

This year my Wisteria plant decidedly grew forward and has many more flowers. You have to be in the vicinity to take in the delicious aroma. What a sight to behold.

MY FAVORITE THINGS

My grandmother gave me this lady's toiletries set, which was from her trousseau, before she passed away. While I was dusting them this morning my heart was filled with memories of her using these items as she sat in front of the mirror. I realized again how much I miss her. She was a lady in the true sense of the word. She taught me a lot from her life's experiences. She was always prim and proper. She gave me these handkerchiefs while I was growing up to use on special occasions. I will always treasure them. They evoke wonderful memories of her.

Spring is here but where is the sun?

Isn't it interesting that Nature doesn't wait for anything? These Lilies of the Valley are blossoming in my garden despite the bad weather. They are so fragrant it gives my room a sweet aroma. I placed them in a little coffee mug and tied a red bow for added joy.

UPSIDE DOWN CRANBERRY CAKE

TOPPING

1 cup grape juice or orange juice

1 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup honey

Bring juice to a boil turn off heat and add berries. Soak for 30 minutes and discard juice. Heat butter in a pot and add honey and berries and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour into a 8 inch round pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 and start making the cake.

CAKE

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup milk

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Add dry ingredients and milk alternately until completely combined. Pour over the prepared berries in pan and bake 40-45 minutes. Cool and invert on a platter. It is superb..Enjoy with a delicious cup of coffee.

CARROT SOUP

I make this soup often. It is pleasing to all senses. It is delicious, its color is vivid, it smells great and it warms you all over. My husband rates this soup a ten.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 jumbo onion chopped

4 teaspoons curry powder

1 tablespoon peeled grated fresh ginger

3 bags of carrots (16 oz. each) cut up

2 cans of chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup of light cream

Sautee onions in oil in a large pot. Add curry powder and ginger, stir. Add carrots, chicken broth and and 2 cups water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes or until carrots are tender. Cool slightly. In blender blend soup in batches and return it to large pot. Add 4 cups of water and light cream. Over medium heat, heat soup until hot stirring frequently.

HAPPY EASTER, HAPPY SPRING

HAPPY EASTER !

The little lamb cake is made and decorated by me.

This little porcelain basket is filled with hand painted wooden eggs.

ORCHIDS

"A THING OF BEAUTY IS A
JOY FOREVER"

CELERY ROOT

Celery Root Salad

1/2 of celery root - peel and finely shred
juice from 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 clove of crushed garlic

Mix all together in a bowl until well blended. Serve cold as a side dish. Garnish as desired.


Celery root is the bulbous part of celery which can be found at supermarkets. It doesn't look very appetising but it is very tasty and healthy.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

TODAY WE ARE ALL IRISH TO COMMEMORATE THE IRISH SAINT PATRICK. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL FIND THEIR LEPRECHAUN AND POT OF GOLD.
ERIN GO BRAGH!!!

Also the legend says that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you'll become a clever speaker.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. I HOPE ALL YOUR DREAMS AND HEART WILL BE FULFILLED.

LET IT SNOW - ENOUGH ALREADY!

I love snow! I really do. However, after today I think I just had enough. We are only in the beginning of winter and we already had 6 snowfalls. Today my husband and I dug out from more than six inches of snow. Just as we finished, an icy rain began to fall and a little girl appeared on our side walk. She was all drenched and had no hat. I asked her where her hat was. She said she did not have one. I told her to wait while I fetched a towel and a wool cap for her. As I dried her hair and gave her my cap to keep I told her to go home and dry off. I would hope that another person would have done the same. She happily wondered off.

BALTASAR GRACIAN

The Art of Worldly Wisdom was written more 300 years ago by Baltasar Gracian. A seventeenth century Spanish Jesuit Scholar. What a great book. It has 300 aphorisms. My husband and I bought this book many years ago. Although it is old we never get tired of it. We love to read, reflect and discuss its messages. Here is a sample aphorism from the book #99: " Reality and appearances. Things pass for what they seem, not for what they are. Only rarely do people look into them, and many are satisfied with appearances. It isn't enough to be right if your face looks malicious and wrong."

I recommend this book for everyone who likes to think and philosophise. Many great authors have exalted Gracian's work for a good reason. This book is timeless.

HEALTHY EATS!!!

Pan Fried Salmon & Vegetables

2 Salmon fillets
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tsp salt
1 Tsp cumin
1 Tsp lemon zest
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Mix dry ingredients in a shallow bowl. Dredge fillets with the mixture and fry in the oil for five minutes on each side. Serve with baked potato and pan fried zucchini. I also added tomatoes and radicchio as salad to my plate. Bon Appetito!!!

This recipe can be doubled to serve 4.

NEW BEGINNINGS

We have a new President!. New hopes and new beginnings!. We hope that our country will move forward toward prosperity and peace with a renewed unity in brotherhood. This election was historical in many ways. We all watched and experienced the peaceful transition of power in our democracy. God Bless the USA and each and everyone.

LET IT SNOW #4, 5......

Another snow day.

LET IT SNOW #3

After yesterdays slow but steady snow this is what we ended up having. Isn't it so beautiful?. Today we have a beautiful sunny and crispy winter day. I sometimes wonder what ever happened to "global warming"? Are we experiencing exception to the rule?Whatever it is, people who want to live the four seasons here it is.....

DUSTING IS EASY

I don't like to dust much but it is one of those chores that we can not avoid. To make dusting easy my mother came up with this nifty idea. Use a pair of old wool or flannel gloves. After putting them on you can run your gloved hands over the area that needs to be dusted. You can even use your favorite wood polish. Once you are done all you have to is to go outside and clap your gloved hands to get rid of the dust.

LET IT SNOW!!!

Second snow fall of 2008. It is a sight to behold after everything had melted down from the first snow fall. We are again under a white blanket. If you look closely at the picture you can see the snow falling. But "Tis the season". Snow doesn't bother me like rain in winter. I like rain but not in winter. I actually like summer rain. When everything is dry and hot and we get this pouring cool rain. Then the grass smells good, the streets seem to be cleaner. The flowers pick their heads up, trees look bright and happy and everything looks like a newly bathed baby, fresh and sweet.