Showing posts with label FRIENDSHIP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FRIENDSHIP. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
SPECIAL BANANA BREAD RECIPE
Hello TLB friends....today's blog started with over ripe bananas and special memories! Come on over......
Friday, September 9, 2016
FOOD AND FRIENDS
Welcome......
One thing that moving makes you do, is sort!! As I was perusing my old cookbooks, I came across a tattered, paper spiral bound cookbook, that was gifted to me in 1992 from "my Ohio bestie" Pam.
We moved to Ohio from Western NY in 1988, and became neighbors with Pam and her family who had moved from Illinois. We were two of many transplants in Springboro that bound together, forming the greatest circle of friends, with many of us remaining friends to this day!
One thing that moving makes you do, is sort!! As I was perusing my old cookbooks, I came across a tattered, paper spiral bound cookbook, that was gifted to me in 1992 from "my Ohio bestie" Pam.
We moved to Ohio from Western NY in 1988, and became neighbors with Pam and her family who had moved from Illinois. We were two of many transplants in Springboro that bound together, forming the greatest circle of friends, with many of us remaining friends to this day!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
LIVE FROM TEXAS....THE LAVENDER BOUQUET
Hello TLB friends, it's so nice to be back!
As I sat in church on Sunday, my head was filled with so many thoughts. No matter how joyous or sometimes difficult our journey has been, you, our family and friends have been there for us with your support and enthusiasm as we begin to build our new life. Strong foundations begin with support of family and never wavering friendships. We
are fortunate to have an abundance of both! THANK YOU ALL!
My hubby laughed at me when I told him I wanted to bring a statement to our new porch. I think he was afraid that it might cost him some money. (ha,ha) Instead I surprised him by planting my urn with summer grasses and flowers, and strategically placing it in plain view from the street. I really missed my Buckingham porch and my Spring/Summer plantings this year, but darn it, even though the temps top 100 degrees these days, there was going to be an inviting urn on our porch with the message...
As I sat in church on Sunday, my head was filled with so many thoughts. No matter how joyous or sometimes difficult our journey has been, you, our family and friends have been there for us with your support and enthusiasm as we begin to build our new life. Strong foundations begin with support of family and never wavering friendships. We
are fortunate to have an abundance of both! THANK YOU ALL!
My hubby laughed at me when I told him I wanted to bring a statement to our new porch. I think he was afraid that it might cost him some money. (ha,ha) Instead I surprised him by planting my urn with summer grasses and flowers, and strategically placing it in plain view from the street. I really missed my Buckingham porch and my Spring/Summer plantings this year, but darn it, even though the temps top 100 degrees these days, there was going to be an inviting urn on our porch with the message...
"WE'RE HOME.... COME ON IN!"
So WELCOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY
as we sink our roots into the "red clay soil" of Texas!
FONDLY,
Kathleen
P.S. Our front door is knotty Alder wood from Texas stained Ebony. It has knots in it much like knotty pine and has bit of a rustic feel. It's color and graining are much like cherry. I chose this wood because it reminded me of the knotty pine cabinets my Dad made for our kitchen when I was growing up back in WNY!
Friday, October 24, 2014
BRAZILIAN DINNER WITH FRIENDS
Welcome to Foodie Friday!
Last weekend while we were in Florida our very close friends invited us to a dinner party. My friend is Brazilian and her husband is Italian. He's the grillmaster, she's the chef. They are quite a team!!
Our menu for the evening was outstanding. Our grillmaster cooked our meats to perfection and our chef's side dishes were outstanding. We love to try cuisine from other countries.
Our meal was so delicious I just had to share it with all of you. When I asked my friend for the recipes, she told me she would be "happy" to jot down exactly how she prepared each recipe.
**My apologies for the quality of my photos. It was a very dark evening.
We feasted on:
Brazilian Beef and Chicken
Crispy Smoked Sausage
Sauteed Collard Greens
Farofa
Brazilian Rice
Brazilian Black Beans
Our featured drink:
Caipirinha shorties (my favorite)
Brazilian Rice
Saute garlic and olive oil until it begins to slightly brown. Add the rice and saute for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Cover the mixture with HOT water, approximately 2 inches above the rice. Add salt to taste. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Cook at medium heat for approximately 20 minutes.
Black Beans
My friend used chicken thighs for our dinner. First wash the chicken in a white vinegar and salt bath. Add fresh or ground garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Marinate in vinegar and olive oil for a few hours. Grill when ready.
Our grillmaster used Top Sirloin beef. He sprinkled it very liberally (as they do in Brazil) with coarse salt and pepper to taste.
Caipirinha--Brazil's National Cocktail
Last weekend while we were in Florida our very close friends invited us to a dinner party. My friend is Brazilian and her husband is Italian. He's the grillmaster, she's the chef. They are quite a team!!
Our menu for the evening was outstanding. Our grillmaster cooked our meats to perfection and our chef's side dishes were outstanding. We love to try cuisine from other countries.
Our meal was so delicious I just had to share it with all of you. When I asked my friend for the recipes, she told me she would be "happy" to jot down exactly how she prepared each recipe.
**My apologies for the quality of my photos. It was a very dark evening.
We feasted on:
Brazilian Beef and Chicken
Crispy Smoked Sausage
Sauteed Collard Greens
Farofa
Brazilian Rice
Brazilian Black Beans
Our featured drink:
Caipirinha shorties (my favorite)
Saute garlic and olive oil until it begins to slightly brown. Add the rice and saute for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Cover the mixture with HOT water, approximately 2 inches above the rice. Add salt to taste. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Cook at medium heat for approximately 20 minutes.
Black Beans
Saute green onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add as
many cans of drained beans as you require. Then add 1/2 can of water for each can of beans used. Simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
***She occasionally adds bacon or fresh basil also.
Collard Greens
My friend buys her Collard greens already chopped (Costco) but if you prefer you may chop your own. She prefers not to use the middle vein as it can be a bit tough. Saute garlic in olive oil until it slightly browns then add the greens and cook until softened. Salt and pepper to taste.
Farofa
Farofa is the most well known accompaniment in Brazil. It is toasted manioc (yucca) root. This may be purchased in most Latin supermarkets.You may add any of the following ingredients to this; eggs, sausage and chicken. In a fry pan mix all ingredients together. Saute and serve over rice and beans.
Crispy Grilled Smoked Sausage
Our grillmaster cut smoked sausage into tiny bite size pieces and grilled them so that when you bit into them they were nearly all crispy except for the soft center. They were outstanding.
Farofa
Farofa is the most well known accompaniment in Brazil. It is toasted manioc (yucca) root. This may be purchased in most Latin supermarkets.You may add any of the following ingredients to this; eggs, sausage and chicken. In a fry pan mix all ingredients together. Saute and serve over rice and beans.
Crispy Grilled Smoked Sausage
Our grillmaster cut smoked sausage into tiny bite size pieces and grilled them so that when you bit into them they were nearly all crispy except for the soft center. They were outstanding.
Brazilian Chicken and Beef Sirloin
My friend used chicken thighs for our dinner. First wash the chicken in a white vinegar and salt bath. Add fresh or ground garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Marinate in vinegar and olive oil for a few hours. Grill when ready.
Our grillmaster used Top Sirloin beef. He sprinkled it very liberally (as they do in Brazil) with coarse salt and pepper to taste.
Caipirinha--Brazil's National Cocktail
 |
Ingredients:
1/2 lime, quartered
1 tsp. white sugar
2 1/2 fluid ounces cachaca
1 cup ice cubs
In large glasses squeeze and drop in 2 eighths of lime. Add sugar,crush and mix with spoon. Pour in cachaca and add plenty of ice. Stir well.
There's nothing like spending an evening with good friends especially with the added bonus of taking a trip to Brazil for dinner!
I hope you all enjoyed today's blog and make your own Brazilian dinner. It's so delicious......you will love it!
Many thanks to our friends for treating us to such a lovely evening!
Wishing all of our TLB friends a wonderful weekend with your friends!
Kathleen
I hope you all enjoyed today's blog and make your own Brazilian dinner. It's so delicious......you will love it!
Many thanks to our friends for treating us to such a lovely evening!
Wishing all of our TLB friends a wonderful weekend with your friends!
Kathleen
Monday, September 8, 2014
INSPIRATION & SWEET MEMORIES VIGNETTE
Thanks so much for visiting The Lavender Bouquet--I hope you enjoy your visit today.
I spent my weekend doing the much dreaded outdoor clean-up and removing all of the plants from my patio pots. I love fall for so many reasons, however, I'm always a bit sad when the colorful flowers of spring and summer come to an end.
I stopped by the grocery store today to pick up a few items and as I entered there were beautiful bouquets of deep pink Cockscomb (Celosia) on display. If you aren't familiar with this beautiful flower this may jog your memory---
These flowers are sometimes referred to as Wool Flowers or Brain Celosia, referring to the color of the brain.Their heads range from 2-5 inches across and they have a strong leafy stem. They bloom from late summer through late fall. I've never grown them, but am tempted to try them next spring.
Arranging Cockscomb in a vase couldn't be simpler. They display best keeping them in a tight bouquet because they have a flat side to them. They may be dried if you prefer also. All I added were sprigs of tall twigs adorned with lime berries.
Take a look at the coffee table vignette that all began with inspiration from the Cockscomb.
Speaking of inspiration......as I was setting up the vignette. I came across a very special gift from some dear friends. They gifted us this beautiful book when we were moving from Ohio. It's titled, Where Love Resides-Reflections on Love and Life. The book is about quiltmakers. It showcases the blocks that represent each quiltmakers declaration of love. The final quilt is called Where Love Resides.
I started re-reading some of pages and leafing through the beautiful photographs. The photos of the quilt blocks are the handiwork of many talented women ultimately culminating into one quilt. Below is a list of the blocks represented on the quilt:
Sisterhood
The Home
Your Dreams
Motherhood
Nature
Creativity
Passion
Marriage
Community
Wrapping ourselves in a quilt like this, is like surrounding
ourselves with the people and places that have enriched our lives. As a blanket makes us feel cozy and warm, so does this quilt of Love.
There are days that we all need inspiration and comfort. My day started with a decision to buy some beautiful flowers and ended with the warm memories of old friends.
What about your day? What inspires you?
Wishing you a day filled with sweet memories!
Kathleen
***Please stop by back on Wednesday for a little Fall inspiration!
I spent my weekend doing the much dreaded outdoor clean-up and removing all of the plants from my patio pots. I love fall for so many reasons, however, I'm always a bit sad when the colorful flowers of spring and summer come to an end.
I stopped by the grocery store today to pick up a few items and as I entered there were beautiful bouquets of deep pink Cockscomb (Celosia) on display. If you aren't familiar with this beautiful flower this may jog your memory---
These flowers are sometimes referred to as Wool Flowers or Brain Celosia, referring to the color of the brain.Their heads range from 2-5 inches across and they have a strong leafy stem. They bloom from late summer through late fall. I've never grown them, but am tempted to try them next spring.
Arranging Cockscomb in a vase couldn't be simpler. They display best keeping them in a tight bouquet because they have a flat side to them. They may be dried if you prefer also. All I added were sprigs of tall twigs adorned with lime berries.
Take a look at the coffee table vignette that all began with inspiration from the Cockscomb.
Speaking of inspiration......as I was setting up the vignette. I came across a very special gift from some dear friends. They gifted us this beautiful book when we were moving from Ohio. It's titled, Where Love Resides-Reflections on Love and Life. The book is about quiltmakers. It showcases the blocks that represent each quiltmakers declaration of love. The final quilt is called Where Love Resides.
I started re-reading some of pages and leafing through the beautiful photographs. The photos of the quilt blocks are the handiwork of many talented women ultimately culminating into one quilt. Below is a list of the blocks represented on the quilt:
Sisterhood
The Home
Your Dreams
Motherhood
Nature
Creativity
Passion
Marriage
Community
Wrapping ourselves in a quilt like this, is like surrounding
ourselves with the people and places that have enriched our lives. As a blanket makes us feel cozy and warm, so does this quilt of Love.
There are days that we all need inspiration and comfort. My day started with a decision to buy some beautiful flowers and ended with the warm memories of old friends.
What about your day? What inspires you?
Wishing you a day filled with sweet memories!
Kathleen
***Please stop by back on Wednesday for a little Fall inspiration!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
FRIENDSHIP CAN BE GREAT FOR YOUR HEALTH!
My husband and I are coming off a whirlwind "old friend" weekend! I think we probably all know that great energy we feel after reconnecting with friends we have not seen in a few years.
I started the weekend out by meeting up with my friend Marcella. It had been over a year since we had seen each other. Marcella is a very talented Redken hair colorist/stylist, and has an interesting family background. Her family was part of the Washington, Capital Hill crowd for years. During that time her mother, who was a wonderful cook, became friends with many woman from other countries. She actually was a real "foodie" back in the day as they shared their recipes and dishes with one another. Marcella has the same love for ethnic foods as her mom. I encouraged her to start her own food blog which I know you would all love!
Marcella knows of my love for Lavender, so she contacted her Uncle, who is the Mayor of Marseille, France, and asked him to send a couple of gifts for me. I was so touched! Her uncle's neighbor painted the gorgeous print, and the beautiful Lavender Bouquet towel is so beautiful, and actually holds a bit of a story from Provence.
The towel is trimmed with an insect print. The insect is known as the Cigales in France and a Cicada in the US. They are very popular in Provence, because they symbolize summertime. The people of Provence are people of the sun. After their long windy winters they look forward to the vibrating melody of the Cigales.
Thank you so much Marcella!
As Saturday arrived so did our friends from Ohio.....it had been too many years!
Ahhhhh-------one of life's greatest blessings, Friendship!
Thanks Donna & Frank for a great weekend!
Maybe it's time for you to reconnect with an old friend. There is no better way to brighten that smile, and lighten your heart, than to reminisce with an old friend.
Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by
smiles, not tears.” ― John Lennon
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Kathleen
***Thank you so much for visiting The Lavender Bouquet. See you on Foodie Friday as we will
feature a meatless dish in honor of the Lenten Season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)