Bittersweet and Butter Beans...

This past Sunday found me dancing around the kitchen to one of my favorite bands Bittersweet. Their album The Mating Game is great. Here's a link to the YouTube Video, go and check it out. I think you'll really enjoy her sultry voice.

A really great friend of mine just passed along a simple soup recipe that is now "Officially Endorsed" by The Bear. I have one rule when passing along recipes, if the Bear doesn't give it two thumbs up then it doesn't get shared. He's my greatest critic, always has been, always will be. 4C Veg Stock (the whole box pictured here)
2 (14oz) cans Butter Beans, drained (next time I'll add 1 more can or maybe 2. We LOVE beans)
4 Tbsp Sun-Dried Tomato Paste (the whole tube) you can substitute regular Tom Paste
5Tbsp Basil Pesto
(Optional, 6 Sun-Dried Tomatoes from a bag, cut into pieces with kitchen shears, yummy)

In a large pot add Veg Stock and Beans
Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 Mins
Add Paste and Pesto, stir to combine well
(if opting to add the additional Sun-Dried Toms, do so now. I did and it was yummy)
Cover and simmer 5 Mins
Remove 4 Laddles worth of the soup into a blender or food processor and blend well. Return blended to pot. This will thicken up the soup

Here's what she looked like right before I slurped it down. The Bear's Birthday is tomorrow, hence the cake mix on the counter! I see CupCakes in our future. Mmmm, CupCakes.

Here's a typical site in our kitchen. I cook and Wiener the Wonder Dog is right there in the mix. Even if there's no meat to be found she still hopes something will fall to her level so she can sample what's for dinner! If it doesn't look promising then she just sits there with her eyes closed and pouting. Poor dear.

The Bear said that this soup would be just PERFECT in a thermos and packed for a picnic or a hike through the park. Yep, it's that good. Note to self, I think The Bear wants to go on a picnic.

Oh, I do hope you try this simple and satisfying recipe. Please let me know if you do and what you think about it.

I hope you've enjoyed this Musical Culinary Adventure. What music to you like to groove and cook to?

Woolly Bear Adventure, Part 1...

About a week ago while sitting on the porch just after sunset I noticed something black crawling along the edge of the wall. What do you suppose that is, I asked. Why it was a Woolly Bear. But it's not your typical Woolly Bear that I'm used to seeing with a Brown middle section. This one's all black. What do you suppose it is? Well, upon further research on the internet I discovered that it was going to turn into a Giant Leopard Moth. How freakin COOL is that? That got me to wondering. Could I capture this beautiful creature and watch it morph into a gorgeous moth? Why yes, yes I could. So off to the store I went in search of a Bug House. I found this at Target for$12. Oh so much fun!

I can not express just how much fun I'm having with this little project. I mean I'm 32, married, no children, one dog and I'm giggling like a little girl over this little Woolly Bear. You should try this, really, you'll feel young again.

Under one of those leaves laying on the bottom is my little woolly bear. It makes a little leaf tent to sleep under for the day time hours. So cute. Let's peek under briefly shall we?

There it is. Hopefully I didn't disturb it too much trying to take it's picture.

ZZZzzzzz.

Once the sun went down and my Woolly Bear woke up the photo shoot began.

I brought the bug house in from the porch. With a little lamp, let's begin.

Aw, isn't it cute? How Cuddly.

Sorta like a little Koala Bear don't you think?

Back lit so that you can see it's adorable little feeties!

I had to find a way to show you Scale. Just a little finger shoved in there. For anyone who knows me, they'll know that "short" nail is so not typical. I usually have "talons".

I LOVE my little woolly bear. It's going to grow into a majestic Giant Leopard Moth. Stay tuned and follow us on our journey. May I challenge you to go out and search your own back yard for something equally as fun as my Giant Leopard Moth Woolly Bear?

A Good Start Means a Good Day...

I try to start every day with a Cup O Joe, something tastey. A good start to the day means that no matter what comes up that day, atleast a good tone was set from the start. And as always, there is one rule in this house that must never be broken. Always have a book in progress!

More Grapefruit and some times the Joe is served on the rocks.

Siggi, meet my readers, readers meet Siggi! I am a HUGE fan of Greek yogurt. I love it but this, this is like Greek yogurt of ROIDS! I'd never even heard of Icelandic Style Skyr yogurt. It's even creamier than greek and has more of a wang. If you are up to the tangy challenge you should try it sometime. I'm a fan of anything flavored with Ginger.

Chobani? Yes PLEEEEAAASE! I think that Honey is my favorite flavor.

Okay, I think that the Orange/Ginger is good but this Pomegranate/Passion Fruit isn't worth it. Just sayin.

How do you like to start your day?

Kyoto Saturdays...

The Bear recently tried sushi and it was love at first bite. We are lucky enough to have a GREAT Sushi place down the street Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, and we go every other Saturday for lunch. Okay sometimes during the week too, shh, don't tell! The Miso Soup is devine and the salad dressing is to dye for. We are now regulars and she brings us our soup and salad even before we order! It's wonderful to go out where people know you and make you feel welcome.

The Bear's platter is the Chef's choice and it's a delicious piece of art.

They bring out creatively carved oranges with your check. How cool is that?

We just keep ordering different things off the menu. I think we are just going to go down the list and check things off till we've had it all. Sounds like a great plan to me.

I mean seriously, they must think I'm either a food critic or a crazy person since I'm always so enamored with the dishes that I have to whip out my camera and snap a photo. It's beautiful AND delicious. Nothing could be better.

Do you like sushi? What's your favorite? What do you recommend for my next meal? No, seriously, what do you suggest?

Oh Wonder Book and Video, How I Missed You...

Years ago when The Bear and I lived in Frederick MD, one of my favorite places to go was Wonder Book and Video. I would go there, get lost in the stacks of book, smell the aroma of second hand volumes, then make my way to the video side and rent a movie to bring home. In those days it was usually a Season of the Sopranos since we didn't have HBO then. Oh Tony, how I miss your nose whistle! Good times, good times. Any ways, I digress. A couple months ago The Bear and I went to visit our dear friend Leah who lives in Frederick and I couldn't resist dragging every one along into the store. Can you belive that Leah practically lives around the corner and has never been inside? It's almost criminal. I wandered around the Art/Photography section among others while The Bear and Leah found themselves enjoying the Engineering/Math section. You just never know what you are going to find in here. It's always a treasure hunt.

What used book store wouldn't be complete without a Stephen King section? Erynne, this pic is for you. Anything you want me to pick up next time I'm there?

I found this stack next to the check out. It made my day. I mean seriously, what could be funnier. Scientology for UNDER $1. Guess it wasn't the smash hit it was hoped to be.

If you aren't lucky enough to live close to a Wonder Book no worries cause you can always get your fix online! Yeppers, take a gander and see what you can find! Wonder Book and Video.

Spring Blossoms 2.0...

These are a few of the pics I took during the last of the blossoms around the neighborhood. Just thought you'd like to take a peek. Enjoy.

I'm so thankful that I have a little cranky pup that forces me to wake up everyday and get outside for a stroll and just take in the fresh air.

Beanie's Easter Egg From Mother Nature...

Beanie stepped out the door the other morning for her routine "wee" and discovered that Mother Nature left her a Spring Gift. Just off the patio some new mother mistook our mulch for a nice nesting spot.

We routinely throw out seed and nuts for our little feathered and furred friends. We get so much out of watching them every single day.

That little spot down on the right? Yepp, that's it. That tiny little itty bitty egg. So cute.

You never know what you'll find when you step outside the door.

The Awakening Of The Spring Blossoms...

We wait with baited breath, afraid that if we breathe too hard they will float away before we can have even a promise of a second date. At the very first sign of one fresh bud you can almost feel the collective sigh of relief from all those individuals that call our DC Metro area Home. The sun shines, the air turns warmer and everyone sheds their winter frocks for brightly colored outfits. Everyone smiles and actually looks forward to saying "Hello" to a stranger.

You can almost count the hours by how many blossoms have opened. Blink or stop to have a cup of coffee and you'll miss it. It will slip so easily through your fingers and before you know it you'll have to wait a full turn of the calendar to recapture the magic.

While out on one of my morning strolls I was engrossed in taking pictures. Nose in the air, camera to my eye and thoroughly enjoying the spell that Spring casts on me when a woman, a stranger, walked up, paused next to me and smiling, she sighed "If you pause while standing below and take the time to just look up, well, it's just plain MAGICAL". And like a petal on the wind, with a smile and a nod, she was gone. Lost in her own magical wonder land.

Only during this special season do you get that kind of random connection with a stranger. A moment in time where, despite your background, you know EXACTLY what the other is saying.

It almost feels like a slower pace around here. You notice everyone is smiling and actually strolling instead of rushing to that meeting, the bus stop, to run that errand.

When this is what awaits you just outside your door in the morning how can you not take the time to breathe it in? It would almost be a sin to not take time to pause, reflect and appreciate.

Please dear reader, every morning for a week, step outside your door and just take a moment to let the fresh air soak into you. Smile and say thank you to Mother Nature who has once again woken up from her Winter slumber and painted us a precious gift.

Morning Walk With Beanie...

Starting just before the Blossoms were due to come out, you could almost taste Spring. Imagine being able to stick your tongue out and instead of catching a snowflake, you caught a pink cotton candy blossom. Oh how sweet that would be. Beanie and I started going to Fort Ward Park just down the street for morning walks to clear the winter webs out of our brains and prepare our "inner" space for the coming Nature Color Show. There's nothing better for mental health and inner peace than a morning stroll with your favorite four legged baby. It just sets the tune for the whole day.

Beanie and I choose to wander off the path into the "field" and pretend that we aren't in the middle of the city. It's easy to do if you don't look hard through the trees.

Just like my mother, I'm a sucker for knotty trees with no leaves. I love their shape. They have so much character. If they could only speak, what tales they could tell.

Sometimes you just have to take your shoes off and feel the grass. Living in the city, I had almost forgotten what it felt like to walk with your toes in nature's lush carpet. That's what I miss most about growing up surrounded by fields, goats, chicken, horses, angora rabbits and just about any other animal that wandered through our lives. *Sigh* Those were the good old days.

What things from your childhood do you miss or haven't you done since then?