Etsy, oh you're so fine, you're so fine

I added a couple things to my shop.  My stationery will be next.
Fineartworks
Please pass this on to all you know

Secret Asian Soup

Okay, it's not secret. It's a bit outside our normal comfort zone of the typical Chicken Soup. Here is what happens: you wander down the road of making a good chicken soup. But, when you get to the proverbial fork in the road, instead of staying the course, you step onto a new, narrow path. It's lined with bamboo stalks.. And into the stock pot, already filled with carrots, celery, zucchini, and onion goes ginger and sambal manis and garlic ... Oh, and some coriander on top.

Fireside

It's still not too cold out, but sitting fireside and eatting nice bowl of fettucini with a lovely sauteed chicken and mushroom sauce feels good and right!

Ooh, THIS is good

I am not big into promoting any certain bran or product: we all have our personal favorites, who am i to say that this one is the best. So, i wont say it's the best. Well, i need'nt--it already one "gold" in the Los Angeles International Olive Oil competition of 2011. Oh, my, it is scrumptious. They say the olives are picked and go to press within 2 hours! It is stunningly, differently delicious. A product of Chile, and their website is, o-liveandco.com. Look for this one, you will be happy!

Everything is better with bacon

Baking powder biscuits and bacon, oh so darn delicious. I have spent the morning puttering with a heavy dose of sock knitting. The biscuits are flaky: no need to overwork the dough when I have knitting on my mind!!! Maple bacon makes for a perfect match with this chilly and rainy season called winter.

Peppermint Bark

The holidays encourage sweets and treats which we would not make at any other time. So, i find myself making batches of peppermint bark because it makes people so happy. This was delicious dark, french chocolate, 10ounces worth, melted and spread on a silpat, drizzled with white chocolate, sprinkled with peppermint, then left to cool. Lord, is it ever rich!

Eating during the Holidays

Well, if you know me, you know I love my greens.  I call it my girl food! 
And here is Kerry Dunningtons' nod to greens.
My recipe that for girl green goes like this:

GIRLS GARDEN GREENS
FIRST:
Kale, chiffonade/finely chopped so it is not cumbersome to eat
Mache or spinach
NEXT:
top with a heavy garnish of:
Blackberries
Blueberries
Edamame
and drizzle fine olive oil, fresh thyme, salt or lime juice,
stir together and happily refresh your yin! 

Yin's wikipedia definition goes like this:  Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime.  It does not completely summarize my mood after eating this, but I do know I am definitely a little stronger and more centered when I eat the foods that make me feel like a girl!