by Krista | Oct 15, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Good morning, luvs! 🙂 My whole being is hooraying that it’s Friday at last. It’s been a doozy of a week with much work and recovery from illness, and I’m ready for some sleeping in and a few lazy hours reading whilst sipping my first hot chocolate of the season.
If the rain lets up I simply must get out into the woods again. I spied a new trail I have yet to explore and can’t wait to find out where it leads.
I spent last night cooking up all sorts of delicious things so I can truly relax this weekend: roasted asparagus, buckwheat pancakes with coconut almond sauce, toasted prosciutto, mmm. I’m really looking forward to digging in.
I also want to get started on making Christmas presents and have been having such fun coming up with ideas. What are some of your favorite gifts you’ve made or received in years past? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And now, dear ones, I’ll leave you with the heart-shaped sunset that so delighted me earlier this week. I hope you have a beautiful weekend. 🙂
Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
1 packet hot chocolate mix
1 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp agave syrup
Directions:
- Combine hot chocolate mix, cocoa powder, hot water, cinnamon and coconut milk.
- Whip heavy cream with agave syrup until soft peaks form.
- Spoon cream on top of hot chocolate and sprinkle with cinnamon.
by Krista | Oct 14, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
Last week I was out running errands on a particularly grey and overcast day. I’d been at the office all morning and as I drove home for my lunch break I just had to pull into the park near my house and go for a stroll.
It was beautifully quiet and still and I was the only person there. I breathed deeply of the cool air, smiling at the scents of cedar, wet leaves and damp earth. Much to my delight I found a new trail that I simply had to go down. As animals twittered in the branches above me and twigs snapped, I held a tight rein on my all-too-vivid imagination and laughed at my so easily scared self. 🙂
The trail entered the woods and it felt like I was in Sherwood Forest, a canopy of trees above me, spongy, leaf and needle covered ground at my feet. It was dark and peaceful in there and I thought how much my brothers and I would’ve loved this place for fort-building and pretend battles when we were little.
Eventually I left the woods and as I came around a bend I smiled in surprise at this sight.
The stream gurgled along contentedly, wending its way through trailing blackberry vines and gnarled tree roots. On its banks fallen logs made a perfect home for bright green ferns and these beautiful, I don’t know what – mushrooms? fungus? But aren’t they delicate and pretty like seashells?
It was a wonderful walk, good for body and spirit. I felt thoroughly refreshed and ravenously hungry. So home I went and whipped up a green onion omelette stuffed with canned asparagus, juicy tomatoes and grated feta cheese. I don’t like canned asparagus on its own, but somehow it works splendidly in an omelette.
Do you like going for walks? What is your favorite spot to wander in?
Asparagus Feta Omelette
(serves 1)
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 scallion, sliced
1 tsp olive oil
4-5 spears asparagus, canned or roasted
1/2 tomato, diced
seasoning salt
1/4 cup grated Feta cheese
Green Tabasco Sauce
Directions:
- Beat eggs with scallion.
- Heat olive oil in sauce pan, add beaten egg and cook until edges are firm. Carefully flip over.
- Top one half of egg with vegetables and grated cheese.
- Fold in half and place on plate. Sprinkle with Green Tabasco Sauce.
by Krista | Oct 13, 2010 | Compatriot Wednesday
It truly felt like Autumn Monday night as my friends and I came in out of the cold and bustled about the kitchen stirring pots of simmering soups. Don shared bottles of his beloved “Two Buck Chuck” wine from Trader Joe’s, and it paired beautifully with Darren’s spread of savory sausage and Drunken Goat cheese.
As the last pot came to a boil, we set down three bubbling concoctions for folks to choose from.
I made Split Pea Soup with Prosciutto topped with Danish Crispy Fried Onions.
Cameron and Robin made a wonderful Rooibos Broth with Kale, Corn and Onions.
Toby made a deliciously cheesy batch of Potato Leek Chowder.
Jon rounded things off with the best twice-baked potatoes I’ve ever had stuffed with cheese, jalapenos, sun-dried tomatoes and sauteed sweet onions.
It was comfort food at its best. 🙂
What is your favorite thing to eat on a cold evening?
Toby’s Potato Leek Chowder
Jon’s Twice Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
12 baby red potatoes
3/4 cup sour cream
3-4 Tbsp butter
1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeno, chopped and seeded
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp chopped dried basil
1 sweet onion, chopped and sauteed
1-2 Tbsp Parmesan, grated
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut a small slit cut across the top of each potato and bake 20-30 minutes.
- Remove potatoes from oven, carefully cut a wedge out of the top and gently scoop out the innards, leaving just enough ‘meat’ to keep the shape of the potato.
- Combine potato innards with sour cream, butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeno, sun dried tomatoes, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, basil, and onion.
- Stuff mixture into the potato skins and continue baking at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until cheese is sufficiently melted.
- Remove, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted.
Krista’s Split Pea Soup with Prosciutto and Danish Crispy Fried Onions
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3-4 stalks celery, chopped
1 package (six slices) prosciutto, chopped
1 bag dried split peas
8 cups water
4 cups beef stock
1/2-1 cup Danish Crispy Fried Onions
Directions:
- In saucepan heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and celery and saute until soft.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 1 hour 20 minutes, or until peas are mushy and soup has thickened.
- Add salt and pepper as needed.
- Pour into bowls and top with Danish Crispy Fried Onions.
by Krista | Oct 12, 2010 | Gulliver Tuesday
It’s feeling particularly Fall-ish this evening with brooding skies and dried leaves skittering across the pavement. It’s the sort of night that makes me long to bundle up in sweater, scarf and sassy boots and visit England. That’s just what I plan to do March 26-27, 2011 during the Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU’11) conference in Manchester.
It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit England, and I’m so excited that my first trip there will be with a whole slew of fabulous writers, photographers, and travelers gathered to learn from stellar experts in areas such as podcasting, creating videos, and becoming savvy in business and public relations.
Early this year I started reading the Simply Zesty blog and have learned so much from their posts and delightfully informative videos. I’m so thrilled that Niall and Lauren will be coming in from Ireland to speak.
I’m also really looking forward to learning about podcasting from Kelvin Newman and affiliate marketing from Kevin Brown.
TBU’11 is the brainchild of my friend and travel expert Oliver Gradwell. A very funny guy and super hard worker, Oliver has done a fabulous job organizing a first class event that is not only going to be great fun, but highly informative and beneficial to both beginner and experienced bloggers.
For more information visit the TBU’11 website, follow them on Twitter @tbloggersunite using hashtag #TBU11, or visit them on Facebook. I’d love to see you there! 🙂
As our beautiful Indian Summer is replaced by crisp Autumn mornings, rainy afternoons and blustery nights, my imagination turns once again to hot, sunny mornings in Cancun, Mexico. While I loved nearly all the food on this trip, one of my favorite things was breakfast. Every morning we were treated to a dizzying selection of freshly baked breads and pastries, ripe fruits, beautiful vegetables and cold cuts, and an array of hot dishes, from ratatouille and Mexican-style chard to build-your-own omelets and crispy fried potatoes.
I’m afraid I stuffed myself rather happily during my 4-day stay, and loved every moment of it. 🙂
What is your favorite breakfast while on vacation?
(If you’d like to know more about this resort in Cancun, it is the Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand. I spent four days there last month courtesy of Royal Holiday.)
by Krista | Oct 11, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
I’ve now been sick for a week with a ghastly cold/flu combo that’s hanging on for dear life. Grrr. 🙂
So I’m taking a deep breath, sipping umpteen cups of tea, and dreaming of happier moments in sun-drenched Mexico. Care to join me? I’ll get the fruity drinks, you grab the towels and I’ll meet you on the beach. 🙂
Perhaps mid-afternoon we could dust the sand off our feet, don a fetching cover-up of some sort, and pop into the beach side cafe for dessert. Would you rather have the Mango Strawberry Tart or the Chocolate Brownie?
Thanks for taking a little vicarious trip with me. I feel better already! 🙂
If you could be whisked off on vacation anywhere today, where would you go?
(If you’d like to know more about this lovely spot in Cancun, it is the Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand. I spent four days there last month courtesy of Royal Holiday.)
