{julia's kitchen wisdom}

My mom is one of my best friends.  She has always been one of my biggest supporters {what are mom's for?!} and I can easily bounce ideas and life off of her.  She instilled a love for France/French in me at a very young age and though she didn't know it, taught us to live and eat organically.  She's an inventive cook and I'm constantly inspired by her ability to just 'whip something up'.  She's often looks at restaurant meals and thinks, "I can just make that myself".  Now, I tend to do the same thing. 

One love my mom passed on to me is a love for Cookbooks!  I love collecting all sorts{though need to maybe use them more}!

 I have several that I'm  currently reading through right now.  This week, I'm loving Julia's Kitchen Wisdom by our dear Julia Child. 

This small quick reference book that is full of gems! It's peppered with recipes, but more than that, fantastic techniques. 
{Ohhhh! I have so much to learn!!}

When you look through it, you'll find tips on soups, dressings, braising, roasting, breads, souffles and the list goes on. 


Check it out and you're sure to step up your skills, no matter what level you're at!

Happy kitchen times!

xx,

{meerkat love}

So, not to sound like a crazy, but Mister and I have a thing for Meerkats. We got hooked on the show: Meerkat Manor.  Then after relocating, we heard that they would be touring at our local zoo.  So...we had to go.  They're so funny and small.  Here's a quick pic I snapped with my phone. Haha. How funny are they?!

Anyway, I was was pleasently surprised when I was looking on Esty and found this Meerkat Planner (guess I'm not the only one out there who's facinated with these little guys...)!

heroes and criminals

Have any of you ever seen that show?
 
xx,

{monday inspires}

I'm inspired to tend to my garden today.  What are you inspired to do?


Happy Monday Lovelies!



{image via Apartment Therapy}

{à table: à la mexican}

I didn't do much cooking this past week.  Mister was gone and really, what I was to do with all the food? But when he walked in the door late Friday, he was glad that I was ready to start creating! Saturday I had fun trying a bunch of new recipes and variations on some faves.  It was dinner à la mexican.  I knew that Mister would be happy as it's his favorite food to eat. 

We love tacos.  Sometimes I make them "American-style" with lettuce and all the trimmings, but lately have been inspired by what we find here in "almost-Mexico".  We didn't have any carne asada (Mister's favorite), but the ground beef was perfectly dressed with grilled onions, tomatoes, fresh avocado and of course cilantro.  Add some fresh radishes on the side, and the meal is satisfying!  As I was in the mood to create, I made up some homemade stuffed jalapenos (a recipe that I learned a few weeks ago when visiting friends for Easter) and a vegan bean dip.  YUM!

à table !

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  We are taking ours quite easy as poor Mister walked over 40 miles in less than a three day period just before coming home.  He's stuffing his belly and resting up for the week ahead.  Even though we're pretty much house-bound, it's been an awesome couple of days. 

Do you have anything going on this weekend?!

Enjoy today, Lovelies!!

{under $20 fave}

I've mentioned this BEFORE, I have a lot of favorite kitchen items.  Lately, I've been very happy for my Pampered Chef Garlic Press!  {I think it's so funny how I find such joy in something, such as a salad spinner or garlic press....} I love fresh garlic, but am not a fan of mincing and stinking up my fingers.  This press does it all: put it in whole and it will peel, crush and mince.  Love it {and it's under $20}!!

Do you have any favorite kitchen items?

Interested in purchasing? Click below!

{happy birthday, sis!}

Happy birthday to my beautiful sister, Amber!!  I haven't seen her sweet face since my wedding (so we're in need of some updated pics...!)  Since then, she's been married had a beautiful baby, landed an amazing job and is now moving this weekend.  Busy gal!

{Me, Amber}

{Here's all the siblings + the love of my life... Amber, Liberty, Me, Mister, Suzette, Jonathan}

I love and miss you so much my dear sister!!  xx,

{perfect writing desk}

My dear Mister is out in the field training....again.  So, what have I been up to? Shopping online or 'screen' shopping, rather.  {Would 'screen' shopping be the equivalent to 'window' shopping? Well, I guess for my purposes, it is.}  

Since moving into our new place, I have been looking for some key pieces {and by key pieces, I'm specifically talking about a small desk}.  Mister and I have searched and searched, but I haven't been satisfied....that is...until now!  I just found the perfect writing desk (though a too much $$ - ugh!).  Either way, I fell in love with this Etsy perfection.

Uncommon

Hope you are having a lovely week!