bathing suit season...

finding a good bathing suit is tough. there are so many factors to consider, problem areas, print, color, and style. i think that jcrew makes the selection a little easier. the rouched mid section addresses problem areas in the tummy, the pallet is fresh and the prints are minimal. i really am enjoying the throw-back 50's style too.

i love you this much...

i did not want to wait until sunday to post this. happy mother's day to an amazing mother that has taught me so much about life, crafting, and cooking! but most of all what it means to be an amazing mama & the importance of your family. to make the time to go the extra mile for your child's birthday party after a long week at work. instead of buying something for a pot luck, to make a special dish, because you know how much your friends will appreciate it!
lastly, for teaching me it is always better to give, than receive.

thank you for everything you do and did.

i love you to the moon and back.

in honor of jazz fest...

new orlean is the home of muffaletta – a sandwich made with italian meats,
cheeses and a special olive salad. here is my version. again, not exact measurements.

INGREDIENTS
mayonnaise
red wine vinegar
grey poupon dijon mustard
honey
red onion, diced
roughly chopped roasted piquillo peppers
flat-leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped
ciolo kalamata olive tapenade (made in locally in lafayette, colorado. greek kalamatas, capers, a bit of red onion and great extra virgin olive oil.)



1 large round loaf of crusty bread

1/4 lb each thinly sliced
    genoa salami
    soppresata
    black forest ham

1/4 lb sliced provolone cheese

DIRECTIONS
whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and honey in a large bowl. Add the onion, olive mix, peppers, parsley; toss. make enough for a about a layer of 1/2" on top and the bottom - the olive salad is the star in this sandwich. slice the bread in half & toast, place cheese on either side of the bread then add the olive mixture to both sides or just one side, and layer the meat on the bottom of the loaf. a layer of salami, a layer of ham, a layer of soppresata. Cover with the top half, press gently, slice, and serve.

laissez les bons temps rouler!

mums the word...

after several weeks the carnations had to be discarded, so i picked up some spider mums ans some, blue eryngium thistle - natural and organic looking! 

don't keep this little arrangement a secret!

lucky me...

my bobby pins are now being sold at lucky-lu's hair parlour in nw denver!

check them out if you are in the 'hood. for all you out of towners, message me if you are interested in purchasing. My daughter was sweet enough to model for me. they are great gifts for bridesmaids, little girls or your special friend. don't forget mother's day.

spring is sprung...

 not your traditional easter eggs. one quick step turns easter eggs from ordinary to EGGStraordinary! follow the simple steps on the box. 

after you add the vinegar and water to the dye tablet, add about one tablespoon of olive oil (or whatever you have in the kitchen). dip the hard boiled eggs in different colors. the oil allows the dye to slide around, so you end up with this beautiful batik look. 

blot extra dye off, after they dry completely wipe any excess oil -
this provides a beautiful natural looking sheen.

 happy easter!

quick homemade tortillas...

after making homemade corn tortillas it's hard to go back to store bought. they are pretty easy too. I have rolled them out in the past with a rolling pin, but do yourself a favor and purchase a cast-iron tortilla press. it's awesome and under $20 - i purchase this one at a local hispanic market for $15. it can also be used for other things, quick press for pasta dough to fill for ravioli, flatten a short (butter based) cookie dough to bake and roll cookie for a cannoli or ice cream cone and finally,

fortune cookies. so it is not just for tortillas. 3 steps to a delicioso dinner. 

{1} MAKE THE TORTILLAS

purchase some instant masa, typically next to the four at the grocery store, follow the instructions:

add water & salt! it's that easy. you will have a mixture like above, scoop with an ice cream scoop & roll in a ball. place on the machine & press. i put some plastic wrap on each side of the press for easy removal. after the masa is presses, remove the flattened masa with the plastic wrap and place in a hot greased skillet. i like the spectrum olive oil spray. cook on each side until complete and repeat.

  

 

{2} SAUTÉ PEPPERS/ONIONS & SLICE UP A ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

i had some left over mixed peppers and red onions that i placed on

the warm tortilla with some pre-made rotisserie chicken form the grocery store...

{3} TOP

... topped with mexican crema & some hot sauce (cholula is my fave)! 

olé!

fruit, veggies and flowers, oh my...

come springtime, i want flowers in the house all the time. this weekend i was at the grocery store looking for flowers,  the pickin's were slim. i bought some white carnations, yes i said carnations. only $4.99. they are so pretty when you cut them short in a bunch & make them into a tight cluster. give them a try, clean and simple! then you too can say, "yes, i said carnations!"

i think that fruit and veggies are so pretty on a plate or a bowl. i just picked up some artichokes and lemons (steamed artichokes and lemon aioli - for tonight's dinner) and thought that they were too pretty to just put away in the kitchen. i arranged them on the table in between the 

2 arrangements of carnations. fruit, veggie & flower, tri-fecta!