Loves Me Like A Rock ooooo Baby

I went for a walk

with Cheddar the other morning,

was feeling a little blue,

 missing Bruce,

 my father-in-law

wondering why I hadn't

felt his presence around.

Then I looked down and saw these.

HELLO!

and if that wasn't enough

 I found the mother of all mother rocks,

or should I say father?

This was not only

 the most perfect

 heart shaped rock

 I have ever found,

 in the thirty plus years

 that I have been looking,

but the largest.

I brought it home to my mother-in-law

 to show

 that her true love

 is around 

and

bigger than ever!

A Special Goodbye

I had the supreme honor of being with my father in law when he passed away

 a few days ago.

 The world lost a wonderful gentleman.

Such a kind and caring soul

Always brightening the world

 with his big, warm grin

 I know he's up there,

 smiling down on all of us.

 how fortunate am I to be married to the acorn that fell off that tree?

 Look at that smile.

Love his specs.

He was an inspiration

57 years with his lovely wife

my fabulous mother in law

his progeny lives on 

his adventurous spirit too

in all of us 

love your loved ones up

life is short

live large

surrounded by family and friends at his 80th bday

LOL Bruce

LOL

I miss you already

Who's The Boss?

What did you love to do when you were a kid?

You are never too old to change.

To skip to another pathway.

Live your Dreams, 

it's not too late.

I've been an entrepreneur forever,

 if you look at my life list on the right there

 ----->

you will see what I mean.

Wonder what my next stage will be? 

I'm ready for a big change.

Stay tuned... I've got lots of ideas...

New Year Brunch Bake

We had a New Year's Eve dinner with family and friends

serving up 12 courses 

representing 2012

Well 12 courses is A LOT of food

and after about course 8 we were all too full to eat another bite.

These asparagus tips and boursin 

wrapped with proscuitto

were one of the courses that didn't quite 

make it to the table.

I hate to waste food so

New Year's Morning

I decided to use them, along with some other "leftovers" to create a savory breakfast bake for all those

 groggy ones who'd slept over.

It was pretty darn good.

You don't need to make an appetizer first to make this dish, it would be just as good without the asparagus.

First I torn up six challah rolls

into small pieces

about 2" or so.

Then in a batter bowl, 

I whipped together 

2 cups of milk

with two eggs

and

some freshly ground black pepper.

Took left over pieces of cheese

 from the mini french onion soups

-course three-

 from last night

chopped them up in the mini Cuisinart

(great time saving tool to have in the kitchen)

whisked them in with the milk mixture and poured all over the bread pieces which I placed in a greased baking dish. 

Make sure to butter that baby up

 so it does not stick.

Topped with some chopped chives

and placed the asparagus pieces 

in a lattice pattern on top.

I baked the asparagus first

to make the prosciutto crispy

Don't add any addition salt to this dish,

the cheese and the prosciutto

 are salty enough

Placed some parchment paper

(I had from baking bacon)

and using a loaf pan

pressed down the bread mixture,

compacting it,

 causing the bread to absorb

the liquid mixture.

Baked at at 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes

or until the inside is set

To offset the richness of the dish

 I served a tart arugula and sunflower sprout salad dressed with pomegranate seeds,

 splash of olive oil and lemon juice

on the side.

mmmmm.....so custardy...

 I would highly recommend this

 for an easy brunch entree,

filling ski house breakfast,

also a really great way to end a diet!

Happy New Year to All!

Smells Like Christmas

Ahhhh... the annual ritual

My other-mother Jane's

Christmas Coffee Cake.

click for recipe

I have been making this for years 

and it has come to symbolize the

11th hour of the holiday season for me.

I am making them a few days early this year

 so I can mail a couple out.

Found these awesome paper bundt 'pans'

 which allow me to do so.

How cool are they? 

And LOCAL! 

Well, made in Japan

 (of course)

 but assembled in the US of A.

I was told by the girl

 at the Container Store

 that some guy

 from Westchester County

 created them.

Very cool.

You can get them at the Container Store
or online here 

The best part about these paper pans is that you can fill them with batter and deliver uncooked for the recipient to bake at home, no pans to return!

Sometimes I leave the house just to come right back in and get a really good whiff of whatever I am baking with a fresh nose.

Super easy to make.

Who knows maybe you'll add it

 to your holiday traditions!

this year I used greek yoghurt

 instead of sour cream

no reason except that it was on sale

and the containers are way cuter

don't try this at home....

the bowl did not balance well
nice money shot of our new handles though...
sweet huh?

I am going to break this new kitchen in HARD folks!

WARNING: Do not taste the dough
not because of the raw eggs
but because it tastes like pound cake married cookie dough
 and you will eat it all.
...at least that is what I have been told...

new favorite kitchen item
I have to contact this guy
 and get some for my next show!

 The house smells AMAZING!

 Here they are ready to go!

My friend Leslie gave me this cake tester little broom,
I love it. What a great gift.
Not to mention I always think about her
when I use it and am totally happy,
baking stuff for my loved ones.

Speaking of Happy....

Guess whose skates arrived today!!!!

check out my blog from a couple days ago to read about that Christmas miracle.

click here

Happy Holidays and Good Eating!

I recommend listening to Sarah McLaughlin Holiday on Pandora

 while you make your coffee cakes,

 or eat them.

What an angelic voice!