Friday, February 24, 2012

Food 4 Friday :: White Bean Soup with Kale and Winter Squash


We had this soup this week while a friend came over to discuss some business ideas. Serve with toasted sourdough and a peppery olive oil. Oh, so good!
This simple, flexible soup is better the next day. Just add a few more handfuls of kale to brighten it up.

2 cups white beans. Cover with water and cook until tender.
Then add extra water.
one chopped butternut squash or other winter squash. maybe even canned pumpkin in a pinch
one sweet onion
4-6 large chopped carrots
3 stalks celery
1 Tsp herbs de provence
salt and pepper
one HUGE bunch of assorted kale (dinosaur, curly blue, red russian, etc. ) 
any green would work here. kale, collards, chard, bok choy, spinach. fresh or frozen


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Backpacks


"Backpack! Backpack! Backpack!" Oh, how I wish I were already four years old!


Friday, February 17, 2012

Food 4 Friday :: Salmon with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce

I found this recipe in a surprising place....on the back of the package of the frozen salmon from TJ's. It goes to show you that you never know where you may find something to add to your cooking repertoire.

2 Tsp evoo
2 Tsp butter
2 Tsp TJ's whole grain mustard (love this stuff)
black pepper
1 lb silverbrite salmon, frozen or defrosted
1 Tsp honey
1/8 cup water

add butter and oil to skillet to melt.
add mustard and stir to combine and toast for 1-2 minutes
add fish and saute until lightly browned
turn fish mix in honey , sprinkle with pepper and cover to complete the cooking
remove fish and add water to deglaze pan.
reduce glaze by half. pour over fish and serve.

A very easy one-pan recipe that basically cleans up after itself? Perfect!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day :: A Little Bouquet








Happy Valentine's Day :: A Little Decor




Amazing what a little twine, paper and clothespins can do. XOXO


Happy Valentine's Day :: A Little Treat


I love peppermint bark and meant to make some for the holidays but here we are in February, needing a little sweetness today for our loved ones. So....Gracie and I created these delicious little valentines yesterday and it couldn't be simpler.

Microwave dark chocolate chips until warm and stir to melt.
Mix in a few drops of pepperment extract
Drop by 1/2 tsps onto parchment
Melt white chocolate chips and drop next to dark chocolate.
Use a toothpick to swirl
Use the back of a knife to turn the circles into hearts by running stright down the center.
Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
Enjoy!

DIY :: Heart Elbow Pads


What an adorable wear to wear your heart on your sleeve!
Tutorial here (via Cup of Jo)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Babywearing 201



Emily wore her first baby today! I am sure it will be the first of many if she is anything like her sister.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Friday, February 3, 2012

Food 4 Friday :: Simple Sopa de Lima


I am wishing we were exploring the Yucatan peninsula instead of home with colds...again! We are swimming in chicken soup, but I decided to spice mine up a bit to make a simplified version of Sopa de Lima. Basically, you add chicken soup to your bowl, top it with crushed tortilla chips, the juice from half of a lime, a large dash of habenero picante sauce and you are good to go. Sand, waves and hammock optional. 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Bearded Buddies


Yummy Black Beans!