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Best Movie I’ve Seen in Ages

August 17, 2009 in Books, Food and Drink, Movies, Television

Julia-child-with-rolling-pins Julia After seeing the movie, Julie & Julia this weekend, I have decided that I have a new role model in Julia Child. In fact I’ve been walking around the house saying “Bon Appetit!” in a very high pitched voice followed by a little chortle. Just that in itself seems to elevate my mood. Amy I may even decide to start wearing pearls. The movie was probably the most charming and inspiring piece of film that I have seen in some time. Not to mention, it was laugh out loud funny throughout. Meryl Streep just keeps getting better and better – in fact the entire cast was entirely engaging. (that Amy Adams is a doll!) I will see this one again and again. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, (in my humble opinion) - it’s a must-see!

Eggs

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Vacation Getaway Recap

July 23, 2009 in Excercise, Family, Food and Drink, Friendship, Holidays, Well-Being

 IMG_0371   IMG_0375 I grew up in Seattle and making a road trip to vacation at the Ocean was a favorite tradition in my family. We revisited this tradition with a recent trip to a coastal fishing town in Washington called Westport. We spent time doing all the touristy attractions. We climbed 135 steps to the top of the tallest lighthouse in the Northwest and learned about what an enormous job it was to keep a lighthouse operating. (Now replaced by simpler, modern technology) IMG_0372I didn’t realize that every single lighthouse has a different light signal soIMG_0385 sailors know where they are.  We dined at the oldest resort in Washington. (we did our best to ignore the ants that were crawling around on the table – but couldn’t help but laugh about it after) We browsed the gift shops, the Oyster Farm, bought cans of best Tuna you’ll ever taste, toured the Museum, and even spent a few hours tasting and lunching at the Westport Winery.  IMG_0367When we weren’t being tourists, we enjoyed walking the beach looking for whole sand dollars while taking in the wonderful sea air. It’s actually a pretty decent work-out to walk against the wind and trudge through the soft sand. (an excuse to eat more!) When you grow up with certain smells and sounds it is so very nostalgic to experience them again. We happened upon a great driftwood structure that we surmised locals had spent many hours constructing. But mostly we ate – and every meal was seafood.  And it was all great seafood – crab, oysters, clams, tuna and prawns and then we’d do it all over again. Don’t worry though – we ate our veggies too – my sister introduced us to the best Bloody Mary ever!

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Cheery Cherries

July 19, 2009 in Food and Drink, Recipes

It’s Cherry Pickin’ Season here and one of our favorite local pastimes is to visit Greenbluff Orchards for the Annual Cherry Festival.  I’ve been out picking with the little girls and it’s entertaining to see how many more of them make it into their mouths rather than in the bucket.  Even if you don’t get a chance to pick your own, there are ample at the local produce stands and the grocery store. 

FruitBowl-FullI found a great recipe from Taste of Home for a “Cheery Cherry Crisp” that you might give a try. CherriesWhen you dish this one up, don’t forget to dollop with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream and top with a cherry (of course!). Decorate your table with a painted terracotta bowl that you embellish with red glass “cherries” and tin leaves, or have your own Cherry Festival by posting our “A bowl of Cherries” desktop background on your computer screen.


Cherries1
Cheery Cherry Crisp

INGREDIENTS


DIRECTIONS

  1. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Add enough water to measure 1/2 cup. Set cherries aside. In a microwave-safe 8-in. square baking dish, combine 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and reserved juice until smooth. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3-4 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Gently stir in the rhubarb, basil, reserved cherries and remaining sugar.
  2. In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and salt. Cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over cherry mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

FOOTNOTES

If using frozen rhubarb, measure rhubarb while still frozen, then thaw completely. Drain in a colander, but do not press liquid out.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1/2 cup) equals 229 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 115 mg sodium, 50 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Cherries2


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The Perfect Evening

July 16, 2009 in Food and Drink, Friendship, Recipes

1 2 You know how when you’re watching a movie and a group of people are dining outdoors in a lovely setting, eating wonderful food, laughing and drinking wine and it all looks so ideal? Then you dream about doing something just like that (but without having to do all the work that goes with it). That’s exactly what I got to do this weekend. A local Winemaker and Chef pooled their talents together to present the most magnificent meal to 10 very lucky people. We started at the Tasting room at Townshend Winery before we headed up to winemaker’s home to enjoy an incredible meal paired with a chosen wine for each course. With a clinking of a wine glass at the beginning of each course, the chef and winemaker introduced and described the upcoming dish and wine. To top it all off – it was a warm and glorious evening, set on top of Greenbluff, with a panoramic view enhanced by a gorgeous sunset. I couldn’t resist taking some photos of the food. It was all so perfect, that even the mosquitoes and bees even left us alone. Now that I’m describing it, I feel like I was in a movie!

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Cookies, Candies and Nuts - Oh My!

June 18, 2009 in Food and Drink, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

Wilton Planning a Shower, a little Garden Tea Party or just feel like sharing some goodies with your co-workers?

Just in time for the wedding season, we have a brand new line of party favor boxes, small candy boxes, and treat bags in sweet designs and colors that are perfect for showers, rehearsal dinners, and other special events. We even have a new molded cookie tray so you can home bake treats for these special celebrations.

(Made by Wilton for JoAnn Fabric Stores)

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Sweet & Pink Popcorn Crunch Recipe

February 1, 2009 in Food and Drink, Recipes
  1. Pop 24 cups of popcorn (1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn yields approximately 10 cups of popped popcorn.)
  2. Put candy canes into a food processor and finely crush. Or put candy canes into a zip lock bag and crush with a meat tenderizer or small hammer.
  3. Melt dipping wafers following the package instructions.
  4. Put popcorn into a large  bowl.
  5. Add melted dipping wafers to popcorn and stir to coat.
  6. Add crushed candy canes and gently mix.
  7. Spread popcorn mixture onto wax-paper lined cookie sheets.
  8. Place cookie sheets in frig for approximately 30 minutes or until coating hardens. Remove from frig/freezer and break into medium-sized pieces.
  9. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.

Make 24 cups of popcorn.

Cards Valentine e-cards!
We have two new "lovely" Valentine's e-cards. No time to mail cards to everyone you're feeling fondness for? This is a super easy way to spread the love!




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14 Things to do before Summer is over

August 15, 2008 in Books, Food and Drink, Friendship, Recipes, Resolutions, Travel, Well-Being
  1. Loose the swimsuit weight - ha!
  2. Sit in the canoe by the waterfall at Horseshoe Lake and sip Lemon Drops
  3. Drink Get one of those European Pedicures that Carolyn keeps raving about
  4. Have an old fashioned picnic with fried chicken, potato  salad and strawberry jello (wow, that one brings me back to my childhood) 
  5. I need at least four more “floats” in the pool. Crystal, come on over!
  6. Be the willing recipient of all the homegrown tomatoes and zucchini that I’m offered by my zealous gardening friends.
  7. Finish up my fun summer reading before they're due back to the library. Currently enjoying Nancy Martin's Blackbird Sisters Mysteries including, "Cross your Heart and Hope to Die," "Have  your Cake and Kill Him Too,"  "A Crazy Little Thing called Death."
  8. Take a ROADTRIP to Seattle to see the Mariner's play. (and win, hopefully - however, I hear you can get tickets cheap)

    Icecream
  9. Have an old-fashioned double scoop chocolate ice cream cone. If I'm going for all those calories, it's gotta be chocolate.
  10. Drive up to Greenbluff to pick ripe Peaches. Just slice the peaches, sprinkle with powdered sugar and arrange in pre-baked pie crust - Yum!
  11. SunbathingTalk Murphy into a day at Silverwood Theme Park to get soaked on the Thunder Canyon water ride. (forecast is 100 degrees on Sunday)
  12. Go up to Priest Lake, lay on the beach and watch the Meteor Shower on August 18 
  13. Throw the final pool party of the season - but make it easy - Pizza and beer!
  14. Meet girlfriends at Anthony's to watch the Falls from the patio - if I leave right now, I can make it for the earlybird dinner special.

What's on your List? Write up 14 ideas and do AT LEAST 3 of them. 

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Fun New Year’s Meal idea!

December 30, 2007 in Food and Drink

Dallasrobert_2  Thanksgiving was delicious and special – but our Christmas Day meal was fun and a lot easier. PIZZA!! LynnLynn went to a local pizzeria and purchased ready made pizza dough (freezes well!). I cut up every kind of topping you could think of and everyone got to make up their own little personalized pizzas. Lynn brought her pizza stone – which we kept heated up in the oven and it made for a delicious crust. Robert and Dallas showed off by tossing our pizza dough in the air. (I failed as an action photographer – we hooted and hollered when the dough flew in the air like a couple of UFO’s!) If you’re struggling for ideas for New Year’s – Pizza may be your answer. 

Notes My holiday is extended this year – my mom and sis are here now for our Family Christmas. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

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My strong desire to eat prevents me from Cooking

August 10, 2007 in Food and Drink

It sounds like a contradictory statement doesn't it? Don't most people cook for the actual PURPOSE of eating? My problem is I just can't wait! As I'm driving up the hill on my way home from work, my brain is thinking, "what should I have for dinner?" As I walk in the door,  my stomach starts churning big time. I throw my bags down and whip the refrigerator door open...."is there something that I can grab and eat now?" Next are the cupboards. One after another, I open each food cupboard door looking for just the right thing. "I do want it to be kind of healthy - but what I really want is something now!"

Blondie "Okay, what will it be? I really should make us some stir fry OR grill some chicken and veggies on the BBQ. But that would take too long. What can I eat now?"

Breakfast "Let's see, which of my quickie meals sounds good? Yogurt over a bowl of fruit? A bowl of shelled peanuts? Perhaps a bowl of Grape Nuts? A big bowl of Popcorn?"

You can see, all I really need is bowls! Well, silverware comes in handy too. To smear celery with peanut butter or to cut up an apple and cheddar cheese.

"Can I wait long enough to pick a few leaves of basil from the garden - because that is great with sliced tomato and Havarti (w/dill) cheese."

"No, not tonight, I think what I really want is a good meal. Once again, my strong desire to eat prevents me from cooking."

"Hey Murphy!  Get in the car, We're going to "Taste of Thai" NOW!"

                                           
                                       

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Love those Satsuma Mandarin Oranges!

December 10, 2006 in Food and Drink

My son describes them as the perfect fruit - and I think he's right.  They peel in seconds, there are NO seeds, the sections break apart easily and they are delicious!! I've had several this weekend.  Anytime a fruit is as easy to grab as junk food, now that's a pretty good thing.

I have had quite a week.  Well, really more of a "lost" week.  I had the stomach flu to end all stomach flus.  At least in my experience.  Stomach flu does have a way of getting us on our knees for a variety of reasons -  one of them being to pray that you're not dying. I actually called the Dr. this time - just to confirm that I would, indeed, pull through.  I was supposed to travel at the end of the week and I had to cancel.  I didn't have the strength to move underwear from my dresser to my suitcase two feet away.  I figured that was a sign.  If I couldn't pack or bathe - then I probably couldn't make it to the airport.....And I was trying to think of others - it's not bad enough that someone would be flying from west to east coast in a middle seat - but then if they had to sit next to me "moaning" - now that just would have been cruel. 

After a full week, I'm almost back to 100%. Now the one positive consequence of the stomach flu is weight loss.  I was pretty excited that after days of dehydration and gnawing on little more than a few saltine crackers I expected my loss to be significant.  Even though I have a lot of work to catch up on and my son has no groceries - in my head I was planning when I couDsc_2559ld get away to purchase new jeans in the next size down....... so with great anticipation I got on the scale. ......Yes, it was shocking all right.  My disappointing loss was only 1/2  pound.  How could that be??

I'm over the shock and disappointment, and will work hard not to gain back that 1/2 pound!

I'm bringing a box of those oranges into the office - YUM!!  Debbie

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