Sunday Sliders

Good Sunday to everyone!
Here is an easy Sunday afternoon lunch that you can prepare for guests or for yourself.  It's the perfect amount so you won't feel so full and sleepy for the remainder of the day.

-Organic Angus ground beef { I use the 80/20 so it's not so dry}
-Deli sliced cheddar cheese {or any of your choice}
-1 organic avocado

Prepare meat to your desire.  Toast buns in a toaster.  I like to use a thin layer of horseradish mustard on the bottom side.  Slice avocado.  Serve with no-salt tortilla chips and homemade salsa {Sweet potato fries is a second option} and your choice of Sunday beverage.  Enjoy!

Top off your meal with a low calorie sorbet or other frozen treat.  I like the Haagen-Dazs vanilla swiss almond. Then a hot cup of coffee or tea.{Choose your favorite cup}  Have a great weekend!

 

Latest Passport Series

Passports Series

Hello and happy weekend everyone! I wanted to share my latest series in what I call "passports".  The project began last night,{after an unplanned trip to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and Jo-Ann}...isn't that always the case?  Anyway, I hope you like this series...there are six passports created on 5x7 card stock.  {FYI, Jo-Ann is running a 40-60 percent off sale this weekend on many of their paper craft items! There is also a coupon in your newspaper or email if you sign up for updates}  
Enjoy the series...it's one of my favorites...love to hear your thoughts!

 

 Their way of "helping"

 

Spinach and Pear Salad

This is a wonderful healthy option for your mid-week dinner.  It's my own invention because I LOVE Bosc pears and it works well in this dish. 

A bed of baby spinach {picked}
1 organic vine tomato
1 mushroom (sliced thin)
1/2 cucumber
1/2 a Bosc pear
Arrange as desired.  I use a splash of Brianna's Italian vinaigrette dressing.
And enjoy with your favorite wine!

Have a terrific Thursday!

Addicted to Boxes

Boxes boxes everywhere!

I found that putting things in boxes deems very satisfying.  Ninety percent of my keepsakes are in these boxes that can be purchased at Michael's for only about $2 each {less if you have coupon or a teacher discount}.  My boxes contain my handwritten journals, calendars, photos, cards, letters, and mementos from days gone by.  I cherish my keepsakes because if it has been kept all these years, then it really has special meaning.  Do you have something you like to keep safe? 

 After a day of reminiscing. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Potato Carrot Stew

This simple meal is perfect for anytime of the day, week, or year!   I actually used a store-bought mix and only used a little over half of it so that it's not so salty. {I am all about a low-salt option}.  Then I used fresh organic red potatoes, carrots and then added frozen peas and carrots.  

1 pack Lawry's stew mix (use a little over half)
3 cups of of water
5 cups of vegetables of your choice
Bring to boil and let simmer for 30 minutes...serve and enjoy!

 As for the wine, I found this Australian red blend called "19 Crimes" at my local grocery store.  It has a bold but easy taste to the pallet...{goes with just about anything!} What is your favorite wine?

 

Mine sentiments

Mine sentiments true, mine heart sincere,

But it's another you hold most dear.

And in the gloomy midst of night,

I try and try with all my might,

To rid and wish my feelings bye,

Silent tears mine eyes doth cry.

 

Love's Philosophy

On this Valentine's Day, I'd like to share a classic {perhaps almost cliche} love poem by one of my favorite poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley:

The fountains mingle with the river

   And the rivers with the ocean,

The winds of heaven mix for ever

   With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;

   All things by a law divine

In one spirit meet and mingle.

   Why not I with thine?—

See the mountains kiss high heaven

   And the waves clasp one another;

No sister-flower would be forgiven

   If it disdained its brother;

And the sunlight clasps the earth

   And the moonbeams kiss the sea:

What is all this sweet work worth

   If thou kiss not me?-Percy Bysshe Shelley

 I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray...

-Seal 

Gloomy Midst of Day

And in the gloomy midst of day,

Glimpse a shimmer with eyes of grey.

I speaketh not of goth or dim.

But Angelic essence filled with hymn.

Ere this dawn I long for chance,

Wouldst thou fancy song or dance?

With each tune my heart's aflare,

Tis your air I beg to share.

Emily's? Or Annabel's?

Years ago, I had always kicked around the idea of opening up my own place. {Mostly, because of my love to play host}  And recently, the idea came back to me...not in a dream...but in my passion to give and to help others.  For me, giving is much more fun than receiving.  I had originally wanted to open up a coffee shop, then I thought about opening up a B&B {lots of work!}, and now I am back to thinking about the coffee shop idea I had back in 2005. 

Now, coffee shops are not scarce...you see one on ever corner block...they are not uncommon.  So I needed to come up with a niche that will not only sell, but will last.  I wanted to combine my love of coffee with my love for something that has just recently become popular...grown-up coloring books!

Welcome to Emily's {or perhaps Annabel's} Color Me Coffee.  A place where you can enjoy a fresh cup while discovering your artistic side!

Now, I don't have details {or even a business plan all worked out yet} but I randomly converted my living room and kitchen into a coffee shop! {Is that weird?} Well, my place is cute to begin with so all I really had to do was create a menu {just happened to be a spot for that, and start brewing the coffee.  A few close friends came over {again, I love to play host} and they all thought it may actually work. You can choose your own cup...bring your own coloring book, or artist canvas, etc... and off you go! What do you think?