{snow days are a good day for catching up!}

It's true.  I haven't blogged for months {and I'm ashamed to say so...}!  :/  I guess it took a 'snow day' to set my priorities straight.  Well, that and the countless emails, texts, facebook messages and glares.  {juuuuust kidding.}  Either way, here I am: blogging!  But where should I start?  These last many months have been crazy.  Seriously.

September:
In September I started a Masters program for my MBA.  I love(d) the challenge, focus, and of course meeting people!  Oh and I finally got a MacBook.  Joy!  And, my lovely little sis (that I spoke about HERE) moved to Paris.  Oui !!!

October:
I met some more Army wives.  They are fantastic!  It's a nice feeling to be able to relate to those around you!  Also, Anthony took me to see AUTUMN!!  We had to drive a couple hours north, but it was worth it. :)

{Mister spontaneously took me on a two hour drive, so I could see some fall colors! It was SO worth it!!}

{I also made up this yummy pumpkin soup (with a dollop of plain yogurt).  The flavors brought 

some yummy comfort to the fall season!}

November:
I spent Thanksgiving with some local friends as my husband had to travel home last minute.  Admittedly, it was a hard week.  But, I had fun with friends and enjoyed some yummy food!  Because Mister was going to be gone, we started decorating for Christmas early!  It made my heart so happy and so cozy! ;)

December:
Christmas!  Need I say more?  I love the Christmas season!!  Our decorated house was so cozy.  And, this was going to be the first year Mister and I spent Christmas morning at our own place, with just the two of us!  BUT....gotta love the Army! He had to work on Christmas, so we ended up celebrating on the 24th.  So, I filled my home with Christmas cookies and delivered them to some of our neighbors that couldn't go home for the holiday either!  It was actually a lot of fun. So no complaints. :)

{My Christmas Cookies!! This was just a portion, since the recipe made a TON!}

January: 
This past month was a doozy.  School was going strong, life was on path and then bam! My dear Mister received Deployment orders. :/ Also, though I was doing well in school, I just made the decision last week to put further classes on hold. It's good.  I promise!  I can start them back up, but I need life to settle down a bit.  One thing that has helped with the stress is a Treadmill!!! Yes, we got one.  And it's awe-some! It was our Christmas and Anniversary gift!

{I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend!  3 years already, and yet at the 

same time, it feels like I've always been married to him.}

Current: 
So here I am at the beginning of February, facing the mountain of another deployment, enjoying every moment I have with my Mister while I can, trying to keep our home cozy (even with the lit Christmas Tree all put away), continuing to dust like crazy - thanks to the never ending dusty wind that this city offers, reading a lot, and knitting even more.  And today...enjoying our first snow day!

You're all caught up and I'm sure suffering from an overload of information!!!

Cheers to 2011 and a better year of blogging!!

x,
tal

{eat your veggies}

I love vegetables.  I've been off of meat completely since July (I know...shocker that I didn't quit earlier, since I've been talking about it since I was 10).  In doing so, I've had so much fun adding in new vegetables, and therefore new flavors and nutrients to the table. Trust me...it takes a bit of creativity!! What has made me so happy is that Mister has been such a supporter.  He even requested that we stick to veggie dinners.  And then last week told me that, "he never knew being a vegetarian could be so flavorful".  What a compliment, considering he's a hardcore carnivore. {Don't worry people, he still gets meat at lunch and sometimes breakfast.  More than enough.} 

ANYWAY...one of my new favorite vegetables is bok choy {also known as Chinese white cabbage}. I've always intended to use it, but never got around to it...until now.  It's excellent in stir-fry, soups or even better - to preserve the cancer-risk-reducing nutrients, eat it raw!  I love steaming it lightly and drizzling vinegar/oil and pepper over the top.  The flavor is light and compliments most things.  But the best part of bok choy, is the high vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber and potassium nutrients.  Oh, and if you're not already convinced to try it: a cup of shredded bok choy has 1/2 of your daily needs for the high vitamins listed. 

Happy 9.02.10! ;) And happy eating!

xx,

Tal

{pretty, pretty pale pink, rhubarb drink}

 

One of my newest favorite chefs is Laura Calder.  I've tried a couple of her recipes and read through several more.  I love her French food, cooking techniques and ever familiar "comfort" recipes.  One that I just learned from her is Rhubarb Water. I don't have a daughter yet, but one day...this pretty, pretty pale drink will be served at one of her tea parties. 

This recipe is SUPER easy...it just takes some time.  And, though I originally followed the recipe to a T, I did end up diluting it even more, as I didn't like it so sweet. Here's what to do: 

what you need...
2lbs Rhubarb, largely cubed
water to cover Rhubarb, boiling (about 4 cups)
Half Lemon, juiced
3/4 C sugar (I used 1/4 Cup and even more water than the recipe called for.)

what to do...

Cube rhubarb and place is a heat proof bowl.  Poor boiling water over the rhubarb.  Let cool (when finally room temperature, move to fridge for over night). The boiling water releases the color from the rhubarb and scents it with a delicate flavor. The next day strain rhubarb and re-boil the rhubarb water (discard the rhubarb).  Add in sugar and lemon juice, boiling until fully combined.  Chill completely and serve.  After completely chilled, make sure the flavor is to your liking. 

*Add more lemon if you need or more water if it's too sweet.  For me...I liked just the essence of the rhubarb and definitely preferred it less sweet. 



This drink is PRETTY and YUMMY!

Happy sweet Tuesday lovelies!!!

xx,
Naphtali

{congratulations, emily henderson!!!}

Who else was glued to the TV last night, waiting for the results of the next Design Star?! Or should I ask...who wasn't!?! Now, I don't claim to know anything about design; my area of love is food.  {That being said, I long to have a clue about it. } I love to be surrounded by beauty. Beauty in my home, beauty on a plate: it's all wonderful.  The Next Design Star, always "has me at hello".  And Emily Henderson {The Brass Petal}?! Well, she was on my radar almost immediately.  {Probably everyone is saying that now.  I get it.  But I don't care.  Let's just say when I found out she was a prop stylist and has done plenty of table-scapes...I became an immediate fan!}  Check out some of these gorgeous moments for insight to why I fell in love....

  Congratulations, Emily on your success and new show!!!  Your fantastic sense of style, hard work and amazing design sense is a true talent! 

This is the perfect example that design isn't just in the typical sense of the word....and all about a room/decor...but it also includes what's on a plate.  So make your dinner beautiful tonight! (Even if it's just yogurt...) :)

And to all the lovelies out there...keep up your passions!!  xoxo, Tal

{emily henderson}

{fish tacos w/ spicy red cabbage + a cool white sauce}

This easy recipe delivers on taste!!!  In fact, Mister made me promise to make this again soon. Here's what I did....I used cod (but any hearty white fish could work). As I love bringing the flavors of all the dishes together, I pulled the spices from the red cabbage slaw below.  On each fillet, I sprinkled a bit of oregano, cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper and then dusted with a bit of flour. Then I put it in a hot, hot skillet with a bit of oil and cooked until golden and delicious.  As for the rest...

 white sauce:

1/2 C plain yogurt
1/2 C mayo
1 lime - juiced
1 jalapeño - minced
1 tsp capers - minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dill weed
1 tsp cayenne pepper


*Combine and refrigerate until needed.  Best if made in advance, as it will have time to 'firm up' in the fridge.
 

spicy red cabbage slaw:

1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
juice of 2 limes {one and a half....if super juicy}
hot pepper sauce, to taste

*Combine and refrigerate until needed.

The fish tacos are perfectly piled, as such: white corn tortillas, some of the red cabbage, perfectly moist fish, white sauce and a bit of cilantro.  Miam. Miam. {Yum!}

As I mentioned before, I'm a firm believer in serving complimentary side dishes.  And particularly bringing similar flavors across the plate.  So, as for what to serve with these tacos..I made a cold mexican salad: diced tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro and a bit of lime juice.  (It's great eaten as a fork or dipped up with chips.)

Happy foodie friday lovelies and Bon Appétit ! ;)

xx,
Tal

{zucchini and potato latkes}

Last week our pantry was dwindling...and when that happens, I generally pull out "breakfast for dinner!!".  Ha!  {I'm sure that I'm not alone in that department.} But, what was even worse was I had 3 eggs, no bread and a bunch of veggies.  I especially wanted to use up some zucchini that I had.  Knowing that Mister would want some level of carbs, I had remembered some potato and onion latkes that my dear Aunt {Linda Diamond} had made out one of our family gatherings.  Zucchini would add to the perfect paring. 

What you need:

1 large potato (1/2 lb), peeled
1 large zucchini (1/2 lb), ends trimmed
1/3 C diced onion
1 large egg
1 tsp kosher salt
Black pepper
2-4 Tbs Olive Oil

1. Shred potato and zucchini.  Add onion, egg and seasoning.  Mix well.  {The mixture will oxidize quickly and brown slightly.}
2. Heat 2 tbs of the olive oil, using low heat.  Spoon in the mixture, creating 3" pancake disks.  Cook 7-10 minutes, turn over for an additional 6 minutes (ish). 
3. Cooking slowly creates a crisp crust with a creamy inside.  

4. If you want some "extra" yumminess, add a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream.

The result was perfect! {And as Mister thought so....it's pretty much the best compliment I could ask for!!}.

I LOVE it when you guys try these recipes.  So...if you do - please let me know!

Happy Thursday!

xx,
Tal

{yarn + dye = this}

While in Idaho, I had the opportunity to learn how to dye yarn.  It was a fun experience!!!! And, I'm entirely excited to try it again.  A longtime friend knew that I would love to learn.  She gathered the products and walked me through the process. Here are the results of my first experiment...

Now I need to figure out what I want to make....{any ideas?!}

Thanks Jamie!!!

xx,
Tal