Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins #MuffinMonday

 Fresh strawberries and rhubarb in a tender muffin topped with a pecan streusel.  These are perfect for a brunch, to go breakfast or a quick afternoon snack.

It's time for Muffin Monday................

Three Bean Enchiladas with Corn Salsa #SundayFunday

 These enchiladas made with three different types of beans are delicious in their own right but it is the Corn Salsa that is the star of this dish!!

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Salsa Recipes today.......

The Master Bath Progress, Rhubarb Galore and the Weekly Menu

We are overdosing on rhubarb around here!!!  We had to cut it back to make room for my tomato plants and cucumbers and it is coming back stronger than ever.

Between the Sheets #LemonWeek

Fresh lemon juice combined with brandy, gin, and triple sec creates this cocktail that originated in Jerusalem.  Date of origin is not certain but it appears to have been in the late 1920s or early 1930s which makest the name very risque at that time.

I'm finishing up Lemon Week with a Friday Cocktail and boy is it a good one.......

Spaghetti a Limone #LemonWeek

The bright, fresh taste of lemons turns this easy pasta dish into something special.  Perfect as a Meatless Monday Meal or as a side dish.

Today is the 4th day of Lemon Week and my second of three recipes that I'm sharing with you......

The Great Master Bath Remodel

 So yesterday began the demolition of our old master bathroom.  The bedroom area was adjacent to a walk in closet, hallway with a small office area a large vanity with one sink and then an opening into the watercloset and shower area big enough for one person to turn around in.

Our contractor and his guy arrived at 8 am.  When I got home at 3:30 pm this is what I found........

You can't tell much from the photos but basically we now have just one large square room that we can turn into whatever we want.  

The vanity and linen closet are ordered and the floor tile is purchased.  Tomorrow they will rework the plumbing and frame in the walls.  The the carpenter will come double measure for the vanity and linen closet, a cupboard door, cabinets and bookshelves for the office area and Frank and John can start rewiring the electrical.  The contractor is saying 3-4 weeks....that means 4-6 weeks but I know it is going to be worth it.

Chicken Piccata #LemonWeek #reciperedo

Tender, juicy chicken breast cutlets in an absolutely amazing lemon sauce.  This simple dish looks and tastes elegant but is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Chili Mac #SundayFunday

Easy and tasty, this one pot meal is sure to bring back fond childhood memories and become a new family favorite.

It's time for the Sunday Funday Bloggers........

Summertime and the living is easy and so is the Weekly Menu

 Wow....we went from rainy and cold to sunshine and HOT this last week and I have been enjoying the heck out of it. My gardens are groomed and planted thanks to my friend, Tamie, who is the very best!!

Avocado and Shrimp Chopped Salad #FishFridayFoodies

 Plump, tender shrimp grilled to perfection and served on top of chopped romaine, red cabbage, fennel, avocado, cucumbers and bell peppers.  A perfect summer meal.

It's time for Fish Friday Foodies...................

Hershey Bar with Almonds Bundt #BundtBakers

 The Bundt Bakers are celebrating their Moms this month by baking up a bundt based on our Moms favorite candy bar.  My Mom's favorite was Hersheys Chocolate Bar with Almonds.

Peanut Butter Snack Cake #CakeSliceBakers

This is a peanut butter lovers dream come true.  Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting topped with Honey Roasted Peanuts.  Be still my heart.

It's time for the Cake Slice Bakers..............

Two Bottles of Lovely Wine from a Lovely Area #WorldWineTravel

 I have invited the members of World Wine Travel to join me in exploring Carinena, Aragon Spain.  Carinena is the most well know wine region in Aragon but I am hoping that some of the group explored other areas.  

photo courtesy of google images

Won't you join us?......

Greek Burgers #BurgerMonth

Ground Lamb or Beef seasoned with onion and oregano, grilled to a perfect medium and served on pita bread with a delicious lemon yogurt feta sauce, fresh tomatoes and sliced cucumbers.  

It is time for Burger Month 2021...........................

Beef Barbacoa Tacos #MultiCookerMonday

 Beef slowly braised in the slow cooker, flavored with orange, chili sauce and vinager.  Shredded and served taco style on corn tortillas.  OH MY YUM!

It is Multi-Cooker Monday.......................

Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad #SundayFunday

 

What is umami? 

Taking its name from Japanese, umami is a pleasant savory taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides, including inosinate and guanylate, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products. As the taste of umami itself is subtle and blends well with other tastes to expand and round out flavors, most people don’t recognize umami when they encounter it, but it plays an important role making food taste delicious.  (source: Umami Information Center)

Welcome.  The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing recipes with Umami today..............

Chablis and Grilled Shrimp; Summertime must be near #PureChablis #Winophiles

 I received 3 bottles of Chablis wine from #PureChablis for use in this month's Winophiles event.  All writings and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation.

The French Winophiles are talking about All Things Chablis today........

Stratciatella with Chicken and the Weekly Menu #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This Italian version of Egg Drop soup called Stratciatella is filled with chicken, spinach and peas.  So good.  I served it up as part of our Easter feast this year but it is perfect for anytime you have leftover chicken.

Welcome to this month's version of Soup Saturday Swappers.......

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Tropical Fruit Salsa #BBQWeek

Scrumptious skewers of delicate, tender shrimp, sweet pineapple and crisp green bell pepper served up with a tropical salsa.  You will feel like you are on the beach in the Caribbean.

This is my final post for BBQ Week........

Smoked Sausage with Dirty Rice #ImprovCookingChallenge

This quick and easy one dish dinner is ready in under an hour.  Perfect for those crazy days when you have been running all day and are famished.

It's time for the Improv Cooking Challenge......

Wine Wednesday with #L'Ecole Chenin Blanc

 I am very pleased to have been chosen as one of the Wine Ambassadors for L'Ecole No 41 Winery with Vineyards in Oregon and Washington.  Each month I am sent 2 bottles of the wine they are featuring in a Zoom meeting.  One is meant to be enjoyed during the meeting and the second is to be used in a food pairing. We are then asked to post an article about the wine and our impression and opinion of it.  We receive no monetary compensation and we are expected to be 100% honest with our writings. 

This month we are sipping the 2020 Chenin Blanc Old Vines. I opened this bottle and poured myself a taste about an hour before the zoom session was to begin.  The wine pours a lemony yellow and it has some citrus notes but I caught more floral on the nose.  This wine is produced in Yakima Valley from old vines since 1987.  It retails for $17 which I think is a steal.  You can order it on the L'Ecole website and there is a discount on cases.

My first sip of this wine had me yearning for a hot summer day in my pool lounger with a good book and a glass of this crisp, dry wine.  It is one of those wines that causes your mouth to water.  I'm sure there is a technical term for this. I know that acidity and astringency play a part.  This is one of the reasons I am so happy to have been chosen as a L'Ecole Ambassador.  The Zoom sessions are very informative and interesting.

I started making dinner, while continuing to sip.  I was making Spaghetti al Limone and was a little concerned about this pairing.  I added extra cream and cheese to the pasta knowing that the extra fattiness would play well with the crisp, vibrant wine.

It was a surprisingly pleasant pairing.  I had garnished my pasta with long strips of lemon zest.  When we got a forkful that included this large amount of zest the wine suffered.  Lesson learned, I will serve Chenin Blanc with Spaghetti al Limone but next time I will leave off the garnish. Problem handled.

The theme for this month's wine was making everyday meals special with a wine that is a good value. This wine certainly fit the bill and made this simple Meatless Monday meal special indeed. 

We finished dinner, I poured a third glass of wine and went in to join in the Zoom session while my husband took over clean up duty.  There were quite a few of us joining in the session.  It is always fun to hook up with people that you talk to numerous times a month on social media but seldom get to see "in person".

Winemaker, Marcus Rafanelli, explained that he made this Chenin in the classic Vouvray style so no oak or any other wood was used in the production of this wine.  The grapes used for this wine were planted in 1978 and the Chenin made by L'Ecole was originally called "Walla Voila".  

The grapes are picked and transported early in the morning before the heat of the day arrives.  I was surprised to learn that this was Rafanelli's first time making a Chenin Blanc.  The wine has such depth and body that I had thought he had been working for years to develop such a well balanced result. This wine has an acidity level of 7.8, this explains the juiciness and the food friendliness that I noted earlier.

I will be sharing my recipe for Spaghetti al Limone later this month as well as my food pairing that I choose for the second bottle of Chenin Blanc that I am excited to enjoy.  One of our ambassadors, Linda of My Full Wine Glass, is taking her bottle on a hike today and pairing it with peanut butter sandwiches.  I can't wait to hear about that pairing.  If you would like to learn more about this wine and the pairings that our group is sharing you can find us by searching #L'Ecoleno41 on social media.

Greek Chicken Pita Sandwich #BBQWeek

 A quick and delicious meal that is perfect for eating al fresco as you enjoy the summer weather.  Tender chicken that has been marinated in lemon and spices before a quick cook on the grill.  Served with pita, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and onions on top of a bright, tangy, cucumber sauce.

We are still celebrating BBQ Week........

Broccoli Bread #BreadBakers

 Cut open this bread to find a savory filling of broccoli, cheese, tomatoes and olives.  It is perfect as an appetizer or even a light meatless meal when served with a side salad.

The Bread Bakers are sharing "Surprise Inside" Breads today..........

Lettuce Wraps #EattheWorld

Diced chicken, red pepper, celery and waterchestnuts in a savory sauce to be spooned onto lettuce leaves and eaten taco style.

We are traveling to China with our Eat the World group today.............

Warm New Potato and Pea Salad #BBQ Week

Tender baby potatoes and freshly shelled peas wrapped in a mustard seed dressing.  Perfect side dish at your next BBQ.

Today is the first day of BBQ Week........

Asparagus and Ham Quiche #BakingBloggers #RecipeRedo

Diced ham, swiss cheese, fresh steamed asparagus, eggs, cream and a secret ingrdient that you probably have in your cupboard to make the easiest and most delicious quiche ever.

The Baking Bloggers are baking with Asparagus today.............

Roasted Beet Salad #SundayFunday

Beets and a full head of garlic, roasted and then quickly pickled before being tossed with the beet greens, pecans and red onion.  I served this as part of a  Mezze platter, a Lebanese appetizer course served before the main meal.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Beetroot Recipes today......

Celebrating Mothers and Daughters, Female Bonding and the Weekly Menu

Frank is having a CPL class today. Our friend Tamie, who has become like a daughter to us is going into the real estate business and wanted to have a women's only class as a bonding exercize.  I am sharing our menu for breakfast and lunch today.  Frank is on his own for dinner because our eldest, Amy, is taking me on a mother/daughter gathering for dinner and a stage play this evening.

It is a wonderful group of students and I wish Tamie all the very best in her new career......

Bottle Shock #FoodnFlix

Our FoodnFlix selection this month was the movie Bottle Shock based on the true story of California winery Chateau Montelena winning out over French wines in a blind tasting held in Paris in 1976.

This is the wine and the competition that put California and the USA on the map in regards to winemaking.

Mezze Platter with Lebanese Wines #WinePW

The Lebanese Mezze Table: Much More Than Food, A Social Gathering! Meze or mezze is a selection of small dishes served to accompany alcoholic drinks in the Near East, the Balkans, and parts of Central Asia. In Levantine, Caucasian, and Balkan cuisines, meze is often served at the beginning of multi-course meals. (Source: https://www.nogarlicnoonions.com/)

Join us today as we explore Middle Eastern Food and Wine Pairings.......

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!!! #FoodieExtravaganza

What are you serving up for Cinco de Mayo tonight?  I am making a Chopped Shrimp and Avocado Salad and then finishing up with these delightful bowls of Fresas con Crema.  Strawberries and Cream are a match made in Heaven and I love this Mexican version.  It is the perfect dessert.  Sweet, Fruity, and Creamy.  As an added bonus....It only takes minutes to put together.  

It is National Strawberry Month and the Festive Foodies are celebrating........

The Big 7 0 Celebration

We celebrated Frank's 70th Birthday Sunday, however today is his actual birthday.  As my regular readers know, Frank had a rough start to this year so we had much reason to celebrate.  

God smiled down upon us and gave us one beautiful day between last weeks rain and this week's forecasted rain.  It was sunshine and 80* perfect for an outdoor celebration.  The Angel Face made this stuffy for her Grampy for his birthday, she sewed it herself.

Please Join Me for Sobremesa and a Special #WinePW Event

I received a copy of Sobromesa: A memoir of food and love in thirteen courses by Josephine Camino Oria and 2 bottles of Norton wine for the purpose of review.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.  All writings and opinions are 100% my own.

Sobremesa (noun): Time spent being present at the table, lingering over a meal in conversation well after the food is gone.

Come.....sit at my table and share Sobremesa with me........

Banana Enchilada #SundayFunday

Bananas enfolded in a cream cheese filling, wrapped in a flour tortilla, drenched with caramel sauce and garnished with minted stawberries and whipped cream.  What a fun and delicious way to end your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Fruity Desserts today..............

An absolutely horrendous week and the upcoming Weekly Menu

 

This is a photo of me and my dear friend, Kirsten.  It was taken at our daughter, Nicole's wedding.  This photo always made me smile.  Now I am smiling through my tears.  I lost my sister, my soulmate, my dearest friend last Monday.  

Kirsten was completely healthy.  She had no underlying health issues.  She faithfully wore her mask when out in public and practiced social distancing.  She contracted COVID during the Easter holidays. She and her husband, John, both had a very bad case.  Kirsten continued to get worse as John started slowly improving.  Kirsten landed in the hospital with double pneumonia.  We were worried but knowing how strong and healthy she was had every confidence that she would be treated and sent home.  Kirsten did go home on Monday but not to us.

Kirsten was only 57 years old.  As soon as the appointments for vaccines were available to her, she got on the list.  On April 9th she was advised that she had an appointment to come in that day.  It was too late.  She was already sick and quarantined. 

The doctor told John that had she been able to have even the first dose of the vaccine she woud still be with us today.  I am begging all of my readers to PLEASE get vaccinated.  You are another persons everything.  Please don't allow them to go through what we are going through right now.

Kirsten's funeral Mass was yesterday.  Instead of going to the home show to make plans for renovating our bathroom and then grilling some shrimp for dinner.  I spent the day saying goodbye to my heart and preparing a reception for all the people who loved her so dearly.

Today, I had planned on celebrating our Anniversary a day early because tomorrow we are celebrating Frank's birthday with a family dinner.  I am happy that John and Kirsten's family that is still in town will be joining us.  Life is going to continue, we will adapt because that's the way God made us.  We will do our best to be there for John as his and Kirsten's sons return to their lives in other countries and other states. 

 

And we will still eat.....every day.....We are going to the home show today and will have dinner out to celebrate our anniversary.  I am going to prepare our Anniversary dinner I had planned on Frank's actual birthday, May 4th.  

Saturday

Dinner out after Home Show

Sunday

Frank's Birthday Dinner (See Large Menu above)

Meatless Monday

Noqui de Ricota

Salad

Fresas con Crema

Tuesday

Anniversary Dinner (see Large Menu above)

Wednesday

Avocado and Shrimp Chopped Salad

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday-moved from last week

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad