Crazy for Blueberries

Exceptionally gorgeous day but unbelievably bitter cold.  So what to do .......bake something warm

I took some of this......

and this....

and this...

A few other ingredients....and I came up with this...

And you can find the recipe here

Day Dreaming Summer

Movies & Books

Today I've been sorting through some photos from last summer and came upon this one.  Such a gorgeous shot of Lake Superior and if I try real hard I can feel the sun on my face and the breeze off the lake......oh, .........back to reality as it is only January and yes, it is still snowing.  So if you're looking for a diversion like a great book or interesting movie ... I've got a suggestion.

I saw Revolutionary Road a few weeks ago.

In a nutshell, The Wheelers, April and Frank are a young couple living the American Dream in 1955.  She's a housewife caring for their two children while Frank works in the city as a salesman.  They live on Revolutionary Road.  Frank is dissatisfied with his job and April's dream has always been to become an actress but she has resigned herself to the life she now lives.

You can tell that this isn't a "feel good" flick and it's not.  Watching Revolutionary Road is like watching a train wreck you know is going to happen but you simply can't turn away and the reason you can't turn away is because of the stellar performances by both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and the incredible writing.   It is depressing (NOT a date movie), brutally honest and disturbing.  In some instances you feel like a voyeur as the movie reveals itself so intimately.  If you appreciate a film that is thought provoking and brilliantly explores the dark essence of family/life relationships and broken dreams...give it a go.  It will stay with you a long time after the movie ends.

For Christmas Kelly gave me " Room" by Emma Donoghue.  This was a book I could not put down.  I've attached a You Tube clip that will give you a good understanding of what the book is about.  It is a powerhouse.  At first I thought the premise is of a young boy and his mother living in captivity in Room would be terribly sad but the entire novel is told with Jack doing the narrative and for some reason it does not come across that way.  Riveting, chilling, intriguing and beautifully written.  Another piece of art that stays with you long after you've closed the book.

Everything's Coming Up Yummy

Friday night I cooked for Kelly and I must say we had a "grand old time".  Her contribution was a yummy bottle of  Napa Valley red,  actually she brought two bottles but I knew sharing one would be far more than enough unless I wanted to wake up with a splitting headache screaming for Advil in the a.m.  Lots of laughs and good food always = good times...

So with all the talk of food these days and my renewed vigour when it comes to meal planning,  I decided to make Holly homemade blueberry pancakes for breakfast on Sunday.  O.k., let's take a step back because I didn't actually decide that but when I looked in the cupboard and realized there was no mix hanging around .....it was then that I decided.  Just wanted to clear that up.  So throwing my confidence around me like a coat, I found a five star recipe online and nailed it.  Surprisingly enough it was dead easy and according to Holly "delicious" which is quite a compliment since she's a teenager...enough said.  Of course anything would taste yummy smothered in this

and this

I'm just chalking it up to another culinary success in the kitchen.

Have a yummy Monday and yes, I know I've said yummy three times in this post.

Winter In The Village

So even though winter just hasn't been my thing lately ... I must admit yesterday was a stellar day here in the village.

My New Friend Epicurious

Lately I've become absolutely obsessed with my newest find......Epicurious!

Not that I'm a crappy cook to begin with as I have been known to whip up quite a tasty meal.  My issue lies in the "what to make for dinner tonight" category.  I, like many others, have fallen into the rut of making the exact same meals week after week.

Spagetti.......Baked Chicken.......Salmon Patties with Rice

Now don't get me wrong because it does taste great or good depending on who you ask but it's just soooooo damn boring and predictable.  That is until........Epicurious.

I'm not going to blabber on about all of the sites many virtues only to say it has made my meal planning all the easier and more exciting.

Last week I made Thai Beef w/Noodles and John ate two helpings and couldn't stop raving about it.  When I made Seared Wild Salmon with new potatoes and Dijon Broth....yum.....Holly loved this.

So Friday night is "girls night" and my friend Kelly is coming over for dinner prepared by moi.   She has been talking to be about the major health benefits of coconut for months now so being the consumate host that I am, I wanted to cook something in which coconut milk was one of the main ingredients.  Click onto Epicurious, type in coconut milk and voila .. up pops dinner for Friday night.

African Curried Coconut Soup with Chickpeas and Chicken served with warm Naan Bread....

I love Epicurious but I think I already said that............

A Few Things I've Learned in 2010 (but some I already knew)

Teenagers will run screaming from the room if you decide to dance to Madonna's "Celebration" in the living room.

When making cookies parchment paper is mandatory

Listening when others speak will always be more important than talking

A daily yoga practice does as much to strengthen the mind as it does the body

Turning 50 is good ... 

Learning to accept "what is" is so much easier than continually banging your head against the wall

Art continues to fill something within me that cannot be described in words....only feelings

Performing one act of random kindness each day will change you.....promise

Even though dark chocolate is good for you....eating too much will make your heart beat at 250 beats per minute and yes, I know from experience

Friends will stick with you until your unstuck

Owning what your husband considers "too many" Roots purses will piss him off.

Pure joy can be found in a hot cup of green tea, a blanket and a good book

A hot flash is not a "slight warming" it is a five alarm fire

Living in the moment is a choice to be made everyday

Family is always there to hold you up and hold your hand.....always there

Meditation is key

A new baby in the family opens your heart to unconditional love and has you making incredibly "goofy" faces just for that one moment in which he rewards you with a smile.  My new most favourite guy, Max.



Last but not least......

Try your best not to take life too seriously, it's not like anyone of us is getting out alive.

Blogging Will Resume Tomorrow...........missed you guys