Fish Tostadas, Margaritas and Friends…

…makes for a perfect Friday night.

I enjoy sharing recipes with friends near and far. This recipe came from my good friend Tracy. It is easy and tasty!

Fish-Tostadas with Chili-Lime Cream
1 lb. fresh tilapia or cod fillets
½ tsp chili powder
1 lime, halved
½ cup sour cream
½ tsp garlic powder
8 6-inch tostadas shells
2 cups shredded cabbage mix
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and sliced (optional)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (optional)
Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preheat broiler. Sprinkle fish with ¼ tsp of the chili powder and ¼ tsp salt.

Chili-lime cream: In a bowl squeeze 2 tsp juice from half the lime. Stir in sour cream, garlic powder, and remaining chili powder; set aside.

Cut remaining lime half in wedges for serving.

Place fish on unheated greased broiler rack; tuck under thin edges. Place shells on baking sheet on lowest rack (watch carefully so they don’t burn). Broil fish 4” from heat 4 to 6 minutes per ½” thickness, until fish flakes with fork. Break into chunks. Serve tostadas with cabbage, chili-lime cream, avocado, tomatoes, lime and pepper sauce. Serves 4

Tracy is a special friend (I met through Gayle, another good friend), whose laugher and adventure is contagious, there is never a dull moment when we get together. She is always there to lend a hand and be there in a pinch. There is a group of us that live within walking distance from each other around the lake, making it easier to get together at a moments notice. Recently Tracy started her own blog to give a peak into her faux painting business. If you get a moment stop over at Wonderful-faux Finishes to say hi.

This is a wall she did for us to look like copper.

Have a great weekend!
xoxo

Guess What I'm Reading?

No it isn’t on Oprah’s book list. Not even close to making the New York Times best seller list. It isn’t a romantic novel, or a wonderful cookbook with beautiful pictures.
Let me just say this is one book I will be glad to finish reading!

I guess this comes with the territory of approaching another birthday next month.

EEKS I hope I pass!!

For The Love Of Desserts

Growing up, Joyce and kitchen were not used in the same sentence. When my mom would ask me for my help, it was short lived to her almost on her knees begging me to leave the kitchen.

Somewhere along the way I found my love for the kitchen trying new recipes and sharing with family and friends. Not too long ago I even toyed with the idea of becoming a pastry chef.

I have many loves and interests- anything pretty, art, baking, entertaining, photography etc... I enjoy it all. Once I started finding dessert blogs, I would read the recipes, ingredient by ingredient like a good book I couldn't put down. There are two I visit often and each time they make my mouth water!

Celebratory chocolate cake and photograph by Aran at Cannelle Et Vanille

One is Cannelle Et Vanille . I enjoy visiting Aran's blog to savory and enjoy the moment. It is like taking a mini vacation. Her desserts are beyond the word beautiful and her photographs are spectacular. I have many times wanted to reach through my screen to touch her desserts.

Not only was yesterday the 1st birthday of her blog, but it was voted "2008 Best Food Blog-Photography" in the 2008 Food Blog Awards hosted by Well Fed .

Tangerine creme brulees and photograph by Helen at Tartelette

Another favorite is Helen at Tartelette. I was lucky enough to have Helen stumble onto my blog and have enjoyed visiting her blog ever since. Her desserts are breathtaking gorgeous and her photographs are truly amazing. I get a chuckle out of reading her post on each dessert she prepares, wishing I could stand in the corner and watch her create. Helen also won 2 awards hosted by Well Fed, one in Best Food Blog- Chef and Food Blog of the Year.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you hop on over to their blogs for a visit, but remember I warned you the temptation will leave you wanting more!

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter...

Mustard Anyone?

Everyday since I received the new camera I have taken a photo a day. Sooo... today's photo is mustard!

Go ahead count them. Your right six different types of mustards. This isn't even counting what is downstairs. How much mustard do, two people need?! Please tell me someone else loves to collect mustard!!

Between my busy schedule with work, I'm still trying to clean out closets, drawers, and cabinets. As strange as it may sound I so love doing this kind of cleaning.
OK the question of the day. Any chance you have a favorite recipe that uses a lot of mustard?

It All Began...

..with the love of a butterfly.

Photo taken by my dear friend Catherine Grunewald Ullrich

Each day brings a treasure to a beginning or ending of a perfect day. Some are hidden for us to find and some are waiting patiently in our paths.

I have been blessed with many treasures in my life and one in particular is a relationship that started through blogging with a very special friend, Patricia.

As you may noticed I have a new header for my little blog. It was created by the very talented Patricia at pve designs with a little help from her friend Amy (Grafica). Patricia can take a blank canvas small or large and create a story of the beauty that surrounds us. Her gifted talent is not only with a stroke of a brush, but even her writing is magical, she is able to capture what our hearts hold. Patricia’s kindness, generosity and golden heart has touched many, including me.

The symbolic of the butterfly holds dear to my heart and I love how this precious art was created out of friendship.

Thank you, Patricia for not only listening, but hearing my new love of butterflies and for creating something so beautiful, it fills my heart with joy. Thank you, Amy for adding your special touch in completing this amazing and meaningful artwork that I will treasure.

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. Henry David Thoreau

Enjoy!
xoxo

Timeout In The Backseat

flickr


Hi Everyone,
The last couple of days have been a little busy with work and stuff, and my little blog has taken the "backseat", but I will be back soon.
In the meantime enjoy and make it a golden day!
xoxo

Snug As A Bug

She moves from this...

to this...

and dreams of sweet treats.

Our Kelly enjoying one of the things she does best!

A Special Start To A Special Day

Our day started with a peak outside to see the sun casting a shadow and a shimmer to the snow.

A simple breakfast of cheese omelet...

... and a baby Dutchman pancake.

How did you start your day?
Enjoy! xoxo

"A Perfect Beginning" For A 1st Birthday

My little blog started out as a physical healing process and a path I wasn’t sure where it was taking me and still not sure, but I’m enjoying the ride.

This was my first photo, of my first post a new beginning

Look into thy glass...William Shakespeare

I have shared with a few about my long and continuing journey and some of you have taken the walk with me.

Briefly, back on September 13, 2007 I went in for a simple laparoscopy day surgery. Only to be rushed back to the hospital days later for emergency surgery. I spent a week in ICU and a total of a month in the hospital, with healthcare waiting at home for me. I still have my days, but the good and not so good days are golden.

My surgeon tells me all the time if it wasn’t for my love of life and strength I wouldn’t be here today. I gently remind him that it was our Heavenly Father and him (God’s greatest tool in this situation), along with my many earth and heaven angels surrounding me with prayers, carrying me when I didn’t think I could go on, this is what helped me to where I am today.

Once home and between healthcare visits, I was starting to get antsy. I could only read and watch so much TV. It was with Gregg’s (my dear friend always looking out for me) suggested I start a blog. I had no clue what a blog was, but he mentioned to visit Curious Sofa and Oh Happy Day and this is how the birth of my little blog came to life.

Another wonderful hand in this blog was Martha from An Artist’s Journal. I came to know Martha by becoming a fan of her art right around the beginning of my blog. Thank goodness for the support of my friends Maureen, Gayle, Tracy, Gregg, Lisa and Kris for keeping me going with this little blog. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be celebrating my blog’s 1st birthday with you.

I had no clue how to expand and invite others into my little and quiet world. I would visit “Oh Happy Day” often, but didn’t think of leaving a comment because I didn’t want to intrude.

Before I continue I want to share, I believe that people don't just happen to cross our paths, they are meant to happen.

Out of all of the comments on Oh Happy Day I happened to clicked onto Courtney’s blog, In(side)The Loop. I would visit and read Courtney’s blog daily, still not sure how all of this connected.

I think it was around mid August, I took my first plunge into the next step of blogging. I left my first comment on Courtney’s blog. I was so scared and afraid, I guess of rejection. It doesn’t matter how old we are, some times those fears of the playground comes back to haunt us.

I’ll never forget the day, I was like a little girl on Christmas morning. A few days later I sat down to look at my blog, when all of a sudden I panicked repeatedly saying, “Oh my god, oh my god…” Gary kept asking what was wrong, I couldn’t even say anything but “Oh my god, I think I did something wrong, how did Courtney find me”?! Once I could explain what happened he laughed and said she found you because you left a comment on her site, silly.

It was at this moment I had what Oprah calls an Ah Aha moment- so this is how the blog world works connecting from one corner to the next sharing one another’s every day events, likes and dislikes, happy and not so happy times, sharing like old friends do, there are no invites, only open doors.

Remember earlier how I said this little blog started out as an outlet for a physical healing process? It also has become a learning tool for me to take risks, share and to ask all that are difficult tasks for me at times.

I have met some beautiful, wonderful and amazing people from this little blog that I feel are like dear friends and hope to meet some day.

I thank each and every one of you, for sharing and inviting me into your world, your home and for visiting mine. I appreciate all of your wonderful support. Your warm comments are like a friendly smile and hug from a friend.

Taking a little time out of my day to share and visit is my way, to take a little time to stop and smell the roses, and to continue to enjoy the simple things in life big or small. It is “a perfect beginning” of a perfect moment sharing it with you.

Have a golden weekend my friends!
xoxo…
P.S. Oops if you are still reading- I apologize for the length of this post. This one is much longer than my first post a year ago!

A Perfect Lunch...

Or light dinner. I love salads, so this sandwich was a perfect meal between two slices of bread! I added a cup of butternut squash soup (Trader Joe's) and I was a happy camper.

Warm Pear and Cheese Sandwiches (Cooking Light Magazine) serves 8
16 slices of Kasseri cheese
16 slices whole-grain bread
3 ripe pears
10 cups of mixed salad greens
¼ cup shallot, thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons extra-virgin oil
Pumpkin seeds, roasted (I used sunflower)

Place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet, add 1 slice of cheese on each bread slice; broil 2 minutes or until golden. Peel, core, and thinly slice pears; divide pears slices evenly among 8 bread slices. In a large bowl add salad greens and set aside. In a small bowl combine the shallot, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Slowly add extra-virgin olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over greens; toss to coat. Top each pear bread slice with about ½ cup of salad mixture, add 1 Tablespoon of roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds and remaining bread slices.

Thank You Mr. Postman

Yesterday my first little surprise from the Pretty Little Things Club, was waiting for me in the mailbox. Gregg, Lisa and Kris know how much I love to celebrate and embrace my birthday, so once a month for the next 12 months I will have a little treasure waiting for me in the mailbox.
Jordan over at Oh Happy Day started this little sweet club. I love the wonderful quote on the backside of the envelope.

Thank you Gregg, Lisa and Kris! My first surprise was perfect for me! A great way to get ready for my birthday next month a box of birthday candles and little birthday note cards. xoxo

Brown Butter Tortellini

This was easy, fast and a very tasty recipe. The original recipe called for gnocchi, but I only had 3 cheese flavored tortellini on hand. This recipe is slightly adapted from the Jan/Feb issue of Cooking Light magazine.

Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach and Pine Nuts

20 ounces pkg (Buitoni) 3 cheese tortellini or 16 oz. gnocchi

4 Tablespoons butter

4 Tablespoons pine nuts

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 (12 oz) packaged fresh spinach, torn

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.

Heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat Add pine nuts to pan; cook 3 minutes or until butter and nuts are lightly golden brown, stirring constantly. Add garlic to pan; cook 1 minute. Add tortellini and spinach to pan; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts, stirring constantly. Stir in salt and pepper. Sprinkle parmesan cheese. Serves 4

A Peak Outside..

Through one window...

...And another

To see the bare trees...

Lightly covered in snow.

Except for this one safely protected indoors.

An Apple A Day...

... keeps the doctor away. Do you think it will help?

This little green apple is on my favorite little bird plate from Whitney Smith Pottery. If you get a moment visit here to see more of her beautiful work.

My love knows I'm not feeling well when I haven't turned on the computer in a couple of days AND I turned down pizza (a favorite of mine). I have to be in top shape for Sunday or Monday of next week to go ribbon shopping in the city!

Happy Birthday Gregg!

Make a wish my friend and may all your dreams come true! I hope your day is as special as you are!

You even make me laugh when my head is in the clouds or in this case in an abominable snowman hat.

Enjoy your birthday and make it a golden one! xoxo

A "Tire" Friday!

The other day I had to take the car in and happen to have my camera. I thought it was a perfect picture of how I'm feeling today. A little tired and feeling like I got ran over by a tire. That little stinker of a flu bug got me.

I like Fridays and didn't want this day to go by without wishing you all a golden weekend!
Enjoy! xoxo

Breakfast At Frank's Diner

A couple of weeks ago, while we were in Kenosha, we stopped into Frank's Diner for breakfast. It has been there since the dinosaurs age. Just kidding!

It is a historical place that has been there since 1926. A team of six horses carried it to the spot it is today. The Franks family operated Franks Diner until 2001. It is now owned and operated by Lynn Groleau and Chris Schwartz.

I use to go to Frank's when I was younger and lived in town. It hasn't changed at all. The faces are different, but the food and service is still the same.Mmm... good!

(A wonderful employee at Frank's- he greeted us with a smile and even sat a moment with us)
If you ever have the chance to pass through Kenosha, I recommend a visit to the historical Frank’s Diner. The staff is a hoot, they will add a laugh or two to your meal and you won't walk away hungry.

I love the ceiling and the grill hood!

I

I don’t mean to namedrop but I think you might recognize a few names that stopped into Frank’s for a meal over the years. The three stooges, Lawrence Welk, Bella Lugosi, and Liberace. Recent stars Food Network host Guy Fieri and Mark Ruffalo. You just never know who might walk in and pull up a chair next to you.

Do you have a favorite diner in your area?

Roasted-Garlic and Buttermilk Salad Dressing

I'm sure the calories are not low on this dressing, but it has become one of my favorite!

Roasted-Garlic and Buttermilk Salad Dressing
yield: Makes about 1 3/4 cups
Simply pour this rich dressing over wedges of crisp iceberg lettuce or quartered heads of romaine for a salad, or use it as a dip for crudités.
2 heads of garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
7 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut top 1/2 inch off heads of garlic, exposing cloves. Place each on square of foil. Drizzle with oil, then enclose in foil. Place on oven rack; bake until garlic is tender, about 45 minutes. Open foil; cool garlic slightly.
Hold 1 head of garlic, cut side down, over medium bowl and squeeze, releasing roasted garlic pulp into bowl. Repeat with remaining garlic. Mash until smooth. Whisk in mayonnaise, buttermilk, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until ready to use, up to 2 days. Recipe from Bon Appetit

A Container Weekend!

I was going through one of the linen closets, tossing expired asprins and stuff. When I decided I needed one more basket. I then got this crazy idea that it would be fun to have a vintage sewing basket. The search began.
First stop was Crate and Barrel to pick up this basket that went on sale.



On my way to checkout, I noticed a stack of red lacquer box. The price was a steal, at $4.95!! It will be a great box to hold, homemade chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day or a special gift.

I went home to search ETSY and Ebay but couldn't find the sewing basket I had in mind.
The next day it was onto Woodstock to visit my favorite shop (The Backdrop) to pick up a gift, tucked in the corner was the perfect sewing basket I had in mind AND the inside was my favorite green!

The green is a lot brighter then in the photo.

This is the linen closet that needed the extra basket and the new home for the sewing basket.

While I was in Woodstock, Gregg (my dear friend, from The Backdrop) and I walked across the square to get lunch. He took me into Seasons by Peg for my first visit. It is a neat seasonal store. As they were getting ready for their Valentine display I saw these 2 little containers. Don't you think they will be perfect to fill with homemade caramels for a special valentine?
For now I have them on display to admire them.

A lazy weekend, but a successful container weekend!