Sunday, June 29, 2008

Cooling and Refreshing!!

Doesn't this look cooling and refreshing? I got the idea from Heather at Present Past Collection (link over yonder). She posted this on June 21st so you'll have to scroll down a bit. The only change I made was using Cranberry Raspberry Juice instead of Cranberry. I'm enjoying it while doing my ironing.....yucky job and this makes it easier. Hop on over and get the recipe. Well it's not exactly a recipe just a couple ingredients. It is easy, cooling and refreshing. Thanks Heather.

I made my usual Market run yesterday morning and picked up some Colorado honey and honey sticks. The honey sticks are so nice for tea. I take them to work and just break one in my cup. Easy and convenient.
I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Marble Cake with White Chocolate Glaze

Happy Friday everyone. I hope you have had a wonderful week. It went really fast for me. My back has been pretty good so I've been doing extra laundry and cleaning in the evening when I get home from work. It's wonderful!!! I'm still trying to get caught up because I haven't done much for the last year. This weekend I'm hoping to finish my kitchen cabinets. I'm leaving you with a cake to try and I hope you enjoy.
Doesn't this look yummy? The recipe is from Martha's Baking Handbook. I've been on a Martha kick lately haven't I. The cake is scrumptious and the white chocolate glaze is a wonderful addition.
Marble Cake with White Chocolate Glaze
1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
1 3/4 c cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c sugar
3 large eggs room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 buttermilk room temperature
1/4 c plus 1 T dutch process cocoa powder
1/4 c plus 2 T boiling water
Preheat oven to 350. Generously (make sure it is generous) a 9x5 loaf pan. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at time, beat well. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture in 2 batches alternating with the buttermilk. Set aside one third of the batter.
Mix cocoa and boiling water until smooth. Add cocoa mixture to the reserved cake batter.
Spoon batter in two layers alternating white and chocolate batter to create a checkerboard. To create marbeling, run a table knife through the batters in a swirling motion.
Bake 40-50 minutes. Cool on rack 10 minutes and remove from pan to cool completely.
Pour the glaze over the cake letting it drip down the sides.
White Chocolate Glaze
3/4 c confectioners sugar sifted
2 T milk
2 1/4 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
Whisk together the confectioners sugar and milk. It should look like thin sour cream. Add the melted chocolate and whisk until smooth. If it is too thin add more sugar or if it's too thick add more milk. Add just a little bit at a time. I added a little more milk to mine.
Pour over the cake, cut a nice thick slice and enjoy!!!
Bon Appetit

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Amber Bath

Hi everyone. I promised Elizabeth my lovely and beautiful "Soap Lady" as I call her I would advertise her website. Look at my Farmers Market post and there are pictures of her and all her yummy items. She makes everything herself in her basement. She is sooo proud of everything she makes. I remember when I met her 4 summers ago. She said "Come on over to see me." Well I did and I've been hooked ever since. Her company has grown so much and her packaging and website has gotten better. She makes new products every year and always has soap with new scents. Try the Lemon Aide, Mojito, Freckle Face, Grapefruit and Bergamot, Almond Oatmeal is a new one this year. She even makes soaps for dogs. I know you won't be disappointed if you shop.
This a postcard advertising her business and I brought one home so I could show you. I told her what I had done with the other pictures I took and what I was doing this week. I thought I would have it done by now but it's been a busy week.
This is a whipped butter that is new this year. The picture aren't doing it justice. Sorry Elizabeth. Below you can see her beautiful labels. Well kind of!! Her products last forever. Her body butta's as she calls them last for months because you put them on when you are wet from the shower so you just use a little bit. A little bit of her product goes a long way.
Her website is on my sidebar under favorite places to shop. And you can see it on the postcard above. http:\\www.amberbath.com
If you visit tell her Judy sent you. She'll love it!!! Happy Shopping.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ginger Chicken with Peaches and Onion

I think I got this recipe from Martha but I'm not sure. I've had it for awhile and dug it out again. It is something a little different and so delicious.

Before and after baking pictures.
I just sauteed zucchini and made brown rice to go with it. Pretty simple but it looks like something special. I didn't do too much with the zucchini or rice because the chicken had so much stuff in it.

GINGER CHICKEN WITH PEACHES AND ONION

(adapted from Martha Stewart I think)

1 bag (1 lb) frozen peaches, unthawed

2 red onions, halved and sliced 1/4" thick

salt/pepper

2 T grated fresh ginger
2 T soy sauce
1 T vegetable oil
1 T toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
4 bone-in skin-on chicken breast halves

Preheat oven to 425. Place peaches and onions on a large rimmed cookie sheet; season with salt/pepper. Mix together the ginger, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes; toss with the peaches and onions.
Season chicken with salt/pepper and arrange them skin up in the peaches and onions. I kind of roll mine around to get some of the sauce on them.
Roast about 30-40 minutes depending on how big your breasts are. Mine were pretty good size so I cooked mine about 40 minutes.
Bon Appetit!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Kitten Fun!!

Happy Monday everyone!! I wanted to share some funny pictures of my kittens today. I received a package from Amy at FourSistersInACottage (link over yonder) and Bailey had such a good time.

He likes getting into bags, boxes or whatever is laying around that he thinks he can get away with....well the truth is he doesn't care if he gets into trouble or not. He likes to hide under the covers when I'm making the bed. I've learned to just ignore him. It's just that my bed always looks rumpled because after he crawls out there is of course wrinkles. He is such a character.

Anna finally came over to see what all the excitement was but just thought it was childs play and moved on to more grown up things.
If you've never visited Amy stop in and say hello, she has the most fantastic treasures and I'm managing to acquire some in my house. I should have taken pictures but forgot as usual. I'm going to refinish the mirrors so you will see them later.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Happy Sunday

First of all I'd like to thank Cielo for such a wonderful party. I really enjoyed visiting the garden blogs. I do have to admit that I still have a list of must visits though. There were so many of us joining in. I'd also like to thank all my lovely visitors. It was so nice meeting you. I hope you visit again soon.
As you can see I did my weekly market visit. These are real tomatoes. They smell and taste so good. I had one last night with a little balsamic vinegar and fleur de sel. So yummy!!
I had fettucini alfredo, roasted asparagus and of course my lovely tomatoes. Everything was so good. I used Giada's Everyday Pasta book for the fettucini and the asparagus I just tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted for about 15 minutes at 400. I roast most of my veggies that way. I just love them.

This is my sink full of the weekly veggies. I bought onions, asparagus, peas, zucchini, kohlrabi and beets this week.
Don't they look beautiful? Almost too pretty to cut but guess what. I did. Below are my beets. I toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper and a little fresh thyme, wrapped them in tin foil and roasted at 400 for about an hour. I'll use them this week in salads. I wrap them whole and unpeeled then peel after they cool. Can't get much easier than that.

Aren't these beautiful cherries? I just love this time of year. It is so hard sometimes to decide what to buy every week. Next week the apricots may be ready. I sure hope so. If not then I'll have to wait 2 weeks. Green beans will be ready in a couple of weeks too. So many good things to cook!!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

My Balcony Garden

I'm joining Cielo from The House In The Roses (her link is on my sidebar) for her Garden Party. I wish I knew how to do links but I don't have that figured out yet. Everytime I try it bombs!! I have so much to learn about this blogging thing yet.
I hope you enjoy my little balcony garden. No these aren't real flowers. But it is pretty don't you think? The little white bucket has a plant with silvery leaves and I just love it. The angel is something I bought at a flea market and is so sweet.
I've posted Anna with the kittens garden but I had to get one of Bailey so they would have equal space. They love their little garden of grass and catnip.
My planter used to have a tall plant in the middle but as you can see, Bailey loves to chew on the leaves especially when the wind is blowing and he tries to catch them.
Two of my hanging baskets which are so pretty.
My balcony corner with my bird bath and wheel barrow full of mint. The bird bath I got at the flea market last summer and enjoy it so much.
I have two planters with herbs. I have enough to freeze and dry for winter. I have parsley, chives, oregano, marjoram, lemon verbena, sage, thyme, basil and rosemary. I probably forgot something but as you can see I have a pretty good assortment.
These are orchids that I'm trying to grow but think they are mad at me for some reason because they don't seem to do much. I give them lots of love and talk to them but no blooms. The do have new leaves and they look healthy so I don't know what the problem is.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of my balcony and thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Maple Brown Sugar Granola Cookies

These cookies are so yummy and they have to be healthy with all the good things that go into them. I sort of added a small ingredient that on my list is very very healthy....chocolate!!! I didn't have any raisins so thought that would be close substitute. I hope you enjoy if you try them. Or if you aren't into baking stop over and have one with me.
Don't they look healthy?
Already for the baking part!!
My first sheet that I probably ate all of. They were so yummy right from the oven nice and warm with the chocolate chips kind of melty.

MAPLE BROWN SUGAR GRANOLA COOKIES
(adapted from the Cascadian Farm Granola box)

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups Cascadian Farm organic maple brown sugar granola
3/4 cup raisins (I used mini chocolate chips because I didn't have raisins)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350. In large bowl beat butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs with electric on low speed until light and fluffy. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt until well mixed.
Stir in granola, raisins or chocolate chips and pecans. Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.
Bake 11 - 13 minute or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute, remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
Enjoy!!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Jan's Treasures

I'm a little late in posting this but here is the rest of my Saturday's adventures. As you may remember, this is my very good friend Jan. I think I have her talked into starting a blog. I am so excited. When she does I'll give you the address so you can visit. In the photo below she has on a necklace that she made from old china. It has the date on it...1911. Isn't it amazing?
This is a picture of Jan holding one of her paintings. She is so amazing. I don't know if you noticed in the Paris Street Market post but she also painted the banners in the background.
This is her beautiful jewelry.

And more of her beautiful jewelry. I love everything. You can see the jewelry made of old broken china in this picture.
This is my very special set that Jan made for me. Isn't it beautiful? I just love it. I will think of her always whenever I wear it. If she starts a blog she will be selling her jewelry so you will all have a chance to own something special.
You can see the broken china pieces really well in this picture.
Aren't these bottles way too cute? They were imported from France so I had to buy one for Jan too!! They had a sparkling lemonade in them. Jan kept teasing me about giving her something with 27 grams of sugar but my dear friend I want you to know I reread the label and they have only 22 grams of sugar. But wasn't it worth it? She tied the ribbon around hers. I haven't decided what to do with them yet, but something special.
Don't you love the pot? It is sitting on the back of my commode!!

And this piece is so very special. It was made in 1910. I jokingly told her I was going to paint it white. She made me promise I would take a picture a week just to make sure it was still red.
I hope you enjoyed Jan's booth. I really should have taken more pictures of her wares but we always get to talking and laughing and I forget. Maybe next month at A Paris Street Market.
A very special thank you to Crystal and Anna, my two loyal visitors. I appreciate you both so much for making me feel welcome. And yes, I came home broke!!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Saturday Adventures

I went to the Old Glorys Antique Show this afternoon and had a wonderful time . I hope you enjoy seeing some of my pictures. My friend Jan was there and I took lots of pictures of her and her jewelry but that is tomorrow's post. I know Jan is going to rush home after the show and turn on the computer to read my blog but my day was so full and I want to donate a whole post just to her.
I loved these chandeliers. The guy was from Plano, TX and since I lived in Carrollton, TX for 6 years when I was working for Mobil Oil we had a nice chat.

Cute wagon!!!
The tools were laying on the ground and only a dollar a piece.
I must have been tired because I sure liked taking pictures of beds. Aren't they awesome?


And I love quilts.

Don't you love these dresses? They reminded me of my Grandmother.
The lamp was really pretty, love the shade.
Oh my another bed. This one was loaded with pillows.
This morning I went to the Farmers market and took some pictures there too. It is so much fun I look forward to it and go most Saturdays.
This is my favorite vegetable stand. They drive down from Brighton every week and we always chit chat. Today was the guy in the yellow shirts birthday. He is always so happy.
Look at those artichokes. And no we don't grow them here in Mile High, Jose has them shipped in from California. I can hardly wait to cook them tomorrow for dinner. I bought some last year and they were so good.
And this is my sink full of the week worth of veggies. I just love everything because it is so fresh. He picks the previous evening but also some in the morning before he goes to the market. It is always hard to decide what to buy.
That's it for now. I'll get your post ready for tomorrow Jan. That will give you an excuse to visit again.