gardening is in my genes

Flower Patch 2010

 ever since i can remember gardening has been part of my life. growing up my dad always had a massive garden overflowing with fresh vegetables & beautiful perennials, annuals and flowering trees- he has been creating his little piece of heaven for over 30 years. it is so beautiful and peaceful- i strive to create the same feeling in my garden one day. i have a hard time remembering that it has taken 30 years of dedication, love and hard work to create what he is so prideful of and mine is just in its beginning stages- a little jewel that continues to need polishing. in time i will get there.

creamy roasted mushroom soup

i like mushrooms...alot.

so much so that i didn't reaize i had bought 4 containers of the fungi over the weekend - one of which was a jumbo pack.

when life gives you mushrooms - roast em' with garlic & shallots, bathe them in sherry, and blend em' all together for a creamy, healthy tasty & inexpensive soup.

happy thoughts

i'm not gonna lie- today has had its own set of challenges & wave of dissapointing news. when days like this come about i have to remind myself of what i have in life ; all that makes me happy and gives me great joy- i sometimes have to stop and look around to remind myself that i am truly lucky and blessed to have all that i do.

just a few things of many that make me smile....

asparagus + red quinoa salad // meyer lemon dressing

i bought some red quinoa a while back- i had never cooked with quinoa before and being that it is a complete protein i figured i would give it a whirl. i just wasn't sure what to do with it. the most adventurous i got was to add a 1/2 a cup to some basmati rice that i was cooking for a weeknight curry. then walks in asparagus- a favorite springtime favorite of mine that i look forward to every year. i am even attempting to grow some this year- the starter plant went into the earth last fall- so we will wait and see if anything decides to sprout up this spring. sorry a little off topic, anyways in walks asparagus and i immediately knew what was going in my quinoa.

citrusy scones

meyer lemons, mineolas, tangelos, blood oranges popping up in the market is a sure sign that spring is on its way to new england. soon enough we will begin to see the first signs of spring in our own backyards; true story, as i am writing this it is the first day of spring and what do you know it just starting snowing- weather in new england is fickle, one day it will be a bright warm sunnyy 65* degree day everyone is excited you leave your coat at home, boots in the closet and the next day you have 5 inches of slushy snow on the ground and you are digging your boots out once again. mother nature is such a tease this time of year.

oven fries

what's not to love about the spud- quick, versatile, cheap ; toss them into soups, mashed with a little butter, slow cooked stews, frittatas you name it potatoes are like little chameleons able to transform right before your very eyes. the white potato has been given a bad rap by some; they claim the potato is lacking in the nutrient department. did you know that the white potato has 620mg of potassium- that is more than a banana and provides 45% of you daily value of vitamin c? so next to you go for a white, yellow or red tuber don't feel so guilty- go on and give your spuds a little love.

peanut butter banana bites with chocolate, coconut & cashews

in order for easter to be more meaningful- even though i am not catholic i decided to partake in lent. so i have made the decision to give up dessert- yes you read right, no dessert until april 24; at least i have something to look forward to.

a- z all about me!

sarah & i at the national arboretum in dc

i've seen this survey on many blogs now. so, i thought i'd join in on the fun. i know you all are just dying to know a bit about me...here we go!

Where did February go?

i cannot believe that it is march 1st, the entire month of february has been a complete blur. my schedule last month was jam packed, the positive is i have been able to cross a lot off my project list. so let me catch you up on what I have been up to this month...