About Me

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Born a mid western girl but an ocean girl at heart! My soul belongs to the sea....I am obsessed with the color TURQUOISE and all things beachy. I love nature, the outdoors, dogs,cooking,wine,art backpacking, cycling and reading. I also have a passion for photography and I absolutely love photographing the beach that is where my soul is happiest.! I hope you enjoy following me and my adventures so welcome to my blog, I hope you are inspired. HAPPY BLOGGING !

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Festivities 2009

The holidays are upon us and you know what that means... Cocktails, friends and good times. Just thought I would share some of my holiday festivities.

Yummy Pomegranate martinis ... oh and notice we have the same shirt on, so not planned but too funny!!!!




Wishing all of my friends and family peace , joy and love this Christmas.
Cheers!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Happy Winter Solstice


Cheers to the return of the sun, Hooray we will begin to gain daylight from here on out. Hope you take time to enjoy and celebrate each season. So light some candles or have a fire this symbolizes the return of the sun, let's just hope spring comes early.

~ HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE ~

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Family Traditions

Last weekend my family went to cut down a Christmas tree. This has been a family tradition for my sister and I for a long time. Now I didn't get a tree this year but in keeping with tradition we went along to have family time and we have since added Molly to our tradition. It was super cold this day but we trudged on looking for that perfect tree.
Wow Haley is almost as tall as me, not quite but I have no doubt she will be and may even be taller! Wow where does time go.... It is so cool to be passing on my traditions with my niece and nephew.
I know what you are thinking... the husband looks less than thrilled in this picture probably because it was freezing this day and I asked him to take a million pictures, none the less he was a trooper , and happily took the pictures that I asked him to take for me :-) I really do have an awesome husband he puts up with all my crazy antics!
Noah brought his chain saw so he can help cut down the tree too cute! Oh yeah and his monkey had to come along too and be part of the tradition. Do you have any family traditions? I have many traditions some new some old but none the less I love them, they mean a lot too me. I think along the way in life people have forgotten about their family traditions and it is really a shame. So I hope you get to spend time with your family this holiday season and share in a tradition or even start new ones. Traditions are a great way to spend time with and appreciate the people you love. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I can't wait for my next tradition, mimosas on Christmas morning. Now this was not my original tradition it was my sisters mother in laws who sadly is no longer with us , so to honor her we will be toasting to her memory on Christmas morning. Rest in peace Janis Case you are gone but not forgotten!!!

Friday, December 4, 2009

BRRRRR.... it's Fresh Friday!


Ok well I think we have to come to the realization that winter is upon us and you know what that means living in the midwest ... it means get ready to bunker down and try and stay warm and cozy for the next few months! So for me it means getting cozy with my dear friend cabernet :-) Now I ABSOLUETLY hate winter but I am going try very hard to stay positive and cheerful, it is quite a challenge when our winters are so brutal. So there will be many nights where I will light all my candles, turn on the jazz pour a glass of vino and dream of warm beachy places. Ah to Dream.... that is how I plan on getting through this harsh reality of winter in the midwest. I also plan on trying new yummy recipe so on that note here is my Fresh Friday recipe now I have to say this is one of my absolute favs!

Asian Lettuce Wraps

For the peanut sauce...

1/3 cup of water
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tbs lime juice
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 cup cooking sherry
2/3 cup peanut butter (your choice) to be healthy you can use smart balance.
blend all ingredients with a wisk and microwave until smooth.

In the meantime... saute in a wok
edamame
bean spouts
chick peas(aka garbano beans)
Shiitake mushrooms

Add 5-6 basil leaves
1/2 freshly grated ginger
2-3 fresh garlic gloves minced
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tbs sesame oil
2 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs cooking sherry

Cook all veggies to desired doness
serve in lettuce cups now I tried butter crisp lettuce and they are great just not so sturdy I suggest iceburg, not my favorite lettuce but it is actually great for this dish

add chopped carrots, chopped peanuts or cashews and dollop a little peanut sauce on each. Fantastic, you must try this dish I REPEAT If you like asian style food you will love this and will dream about it!

I think this dish would be great paired with a nice glass of Reisling just my humble opinion on wine and food pairings. The sweetness of the wine balances the spice in this dish.

Hope you have a great weekend and try to stay warm and cozy!

Cheers~