Thoughts

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

The mind is everything.

What we think, we become."

-Buddha (563 - 483 B.C.)

How often do we take time to be silent and listen to inner most thoughts?

To say that what we think we become is very powerful and true. Our thoughts are our beliefs... think good ones.

That is your challenge today!

Esty Poster Shop!

I just love this poster shop of ESTY!

This designer has some wonderful designs and captions.

Growing up I had a lot of fun posters on my walls, Charlie Brown, Snoopy posters... dates me doesn't it?! But they were fun. Haven't really found any that were quite the same until I found this site.

I may just need to purchase this bicycle poster and put it in my office!

Self Portraits and Scrapbooks

Recently while doing a scrapbook of our spring break trip I got to thinking... why am I not in these photos? That's because I was always the one taking them! Sometimes when we were out I'd ask a stranger to take our photos together so I could remember when I'm old and gray that I did actually go on that trip too! I also want my kids to know that I am comfortable with who I am and not afraid of having my picture taken. So many people resist having their photo taken by themselves or in a group. Why is that? What are they trying to hide? We see them already. This summer remember that you went on that trip or were represented at the outing. Don't leave yourself out!

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

A Homemade Life

by Molly Wizenberg

I am probably the last person to read this wonderful book. I had been following
the blog Orangette for sometime and Molly would refer to her book so I finally put it on hold at the library. It came in and I read it in three days.

This was a really wonderful read. I'm not very detailed on book reviews so I'll give my quick perspective. I think Molly has done her family proud. This book is destined to be a Wizenberg family heirloom. I just wish I had one in my family.

Molly takes you in and out of her relationships with her family, her mother, father, her Parisian boyfriend and eventually the future husband. The stories revolve around their relationships and food. Each chapter doesn't let you down...
at the end there is a recipe that you will have to try.

I found the chapters surrounding her father very touching... and I won't give the contents away but they are wonderful stories.

Molly has a knack with language and she draws you into her world and your reading just flows from one chapter to the next.

I'm just sorry I didn't purchase the book because there are too many recipes that I want to make and it would be easier if I was able to pull it down off the shelf when needed for a quick glance.

My kids are gone this weekend but when they get home,
Molly's "Winning Hearts and Minds Cake" will be waiting for them after dinner!

Rosemary Kissed Orange Thumbprint Cookies

Rosemary Kissed Orange Thumbprint Cookies Tuscano

I found this recipe in the April 2010 Better Homes and Garden Magazine and it was a $2500 winner in the Holiday Category and it was submitted by Mary Louise Lever from Rome Georgia.

I tried to find a link to the recipe on their site but nothing came up so I'll type below. With the Rosemary I got from the CSA last week I knew I had to try this cookie. They were very good!

Prep 30 min, bake 14 min. chill 1 hour. Oven 325 F

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 tsp snipped fresh rosemary

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup powdered sugar

a few drops of almond extract

1/4 cup orange marmalade

powdered sugar

1. In a small bowl stir together flour, cornstarch, rosemary and salt. set aside. In medium mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add 1/3 c powdered sugar and almond extract and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and beat until combined. Wrap and chill dough 1 hour or until easy to handle.

2. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Shape dough in twenty-four 1 1/4 - inch balls. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Use thumb to make indentations in each cookie. Spoon about 1/2 tsp. marmalade into center of each.

3. Bake 14 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Coll 1 minute on cookie sheets. Remove and cool completely on wire racks. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar to serve.

Makes 24 cookies!

First Day of Summer!

Today is the first day of Summer!

Longest day of the year, Summer Solstice, you name it!

Here at our home summer means two teenagers running in different directions, never home at the same time.

For me it's leaving notes on the kitchen counter before I leave for work instead of packing lunches.

We are still looking forward to some sunshine here in Seattle!

What will you do on the longest day of the year?

Think about it and go for it!

Swiss Chard, Yum!

On my way home from work this evening I picked up my CSA basket of wonderful vegetables.

In the basket was Rainbow Chard... yum! One of my favorites! Along was a recipe for a Swiss Chard Frittata. Since I could pick the herbs as well at the farm I had everything for a Friday evening dinner. Nice and light since we didn't eat until 8:30 pm! After baseball practice! I thought the recipe was so good that I wanted to share it with you.

Swiss Chard Frittata

1 onion

1 garlic clove, minced.

2 T olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp rosemary

freshly ground pepper to taste

1 zucchini chopped

1 bunch of Swiss Chard chopped

1 green bell peper, chopped

mushrooms sliced

5 eggs

1 c. shredded cheddar or grated parmesan cheese

In a 9 or 10: cast iron skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil with salt, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and freshly ground pepper for 5 min. Add zucchini and Swiss chard leaves. If desired add green bell pepper and sliced mushrooms. Beat 5 eggs and shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese. Turn heat up in frying pan. Pour egg-cheese mixture over veggies. Place pan in the oven at 400 degrees and cook for 12- 15 minutes, or unit it sets.

I have to tell you this was really very good.

I have to give credit where credit is due. They copied it out of a cookbook, and don't know the title but at the end of the recipe it says:

Anne Morgan

Lakes and Valley CSA/ Midhaven Farms

Park Rapids, MN

Thank you Anne!