asian food store run!

I had to take a day to run out to an Asian food store to pick up some things for recipes that I can not find in the area. I took some friends to share the experience! We spent quite some time among many wonders. Some packaging had English words, all had photos or sneak-a-peak windows ... thus the delay in the store.

http://www.lotteplaza.com/branch/branch.php?Id=45&lan=ENG

I know there are so many food fads/lifestyles that come back to life every decade or so but something has to be said for centuries of cultural food traditions! It was wonderful to walk down the aisles and come upon some unique ingredients. Jane tried to talk me into some kind of eel paste in a jar but Dan prefers when I make his fresh.

I wanted to take a photo of some beautiful quail eggs that I happened upon in the HUGE tofu section but I was embarrassed for taking so many photos. Do people do that when they come to Shady Maple? I thought I had to show some respect. Here are a few photos that I snuck!!!

cookbooks anonymous, when and where should I be?

I found yet another cookbook that I am having a hard time living without, Apples for Jam. It has been 9 hours since I have seen it last . . . I have to admit that I took a recipe out of the book to see if I'd like it . . . granola. I just pulled a batch out out of the oven. I am experimenting with 3 recipes and this gal's is one. I day dream that if I ever write a cookbook it would be as beautifully scripted and photographed as this book. It the story of food and family written by Tess Kiros, who's father is Greek and mother Finnish.

I am unsure if I can post her recipe but I'll post a link to it. http://cookingupadream.livejournal.com/tag/granola

I am really busy and have some soup recipes I am experimenting with next!

vacation souvenirs

I don't need no flip flops, jewelery or t-shirts . . . local tasty treats are perfect for me! Yesterady we visited the historic village and lighthouse of Corolla. We stopped at a local bookstore and coffee shop. I ate my pumpkin cinnamon roll for breakfast today - it was too tasty for a photo. I have to find the recipe. We also purchased locally made lemon and lavender cookies. I have lavender I have wanted to try in a recipe and this is perfect.

We are off to read and search for sea glass. I finished Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus II, author of House of Sand and Fog. The Garden was good but not as compelling as The House which I raced through with one eye open and holding my breath hoping "fate" would be kinder than reality. I am reading another Paulo Coelho, The Zahir. In my pile of books to read I also have... My Life in France, Food INC, Chuck Klosterman IV, and The Journey of Crazy Horse.

I am going to be brief, we have Internet but not too reliable and I am on vacation. I am better without this techno media. I just
wanted to share that even if you are on vaca you can eat healthy. I have balanced my high fiber breakfast (fiberful thomas' english muffins and apple) with my daily lunch salad with . . . fudge, wine, margaritas and John's fine peach pie!

My salad was easy to prepare with out all the at home conveniences!

• 1 can of chick peas
• 1 can kidney beans
• 2 cups of flash steamed broccoli
• 1 cup whole wheat pasta, prepared
• 1/2 cup carrots chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• paul newman's olive oil and vinegar dressing, to taste
• 1 lemon freshly squeezed

oh, I and topped with a bit of feta and greek olives. yum!

I picked up some whole wheat naan and hummus to munch on. In case you are
wondering you can not make hummus in a blender... I tried.

I finished the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I enjoyed it's simplicity and found the profound and reminder to clear away all the nonsense and distractions in my life while following my dreams. It is the moments we remember not days! Here are 2 quotes that I enjoyed,

"At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie."

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it"

I hate to be a bit morose but I have to share that on our first night here a family arrive not far from our home. The husband went to take a dip in the ocean at 9:30pm. There were strong rip currents, he never returned. The Coast Guard has been out in full force searching the coastline. Life is unexpected but death is a guarantee so it makes me wonder how we live our lives in this moment. How much integrity do our words hold? Do we know the power of our words? Do we build each other up or, as a result of our insecurities, tear each other down. What kind of memories do we leave with our loved ones?

It is just something I can't ignore when we hear a helicopter or see them searching the coast for this husband and maybe father. Enjoy the blessing of today!!!!

happy! happy! happy!

...after many months of waiting, working, money, dreaming, planning, sanding, scraping, headaches, backaches, painting, money, sweat & tears it is finally finished! The dept of ag inspector just left and the kitchen is certified commercially (I had the baking certif) and with just a few small hurdles to go and I can finally get moving!!!

here is a view of my favorite room of the house! The colors are in the shade of soothing sea glass and my 3 bay sink has a wonderful view (that does not make washing dishes a magical chore). I know this space with revive me and get my creative juices flowing...in addition to restoring some of that positive energy that some people just tap right out of me.

I should be finishing up on the packing for our holiday to the Outer Banks but I had to share this great news!!

We were away most of last week for a show in OC Maryland. It was a great opportunity to visit my parents as well. I removed an entire kale plant from the garden and my dad cleaned it up and prepared it for dinner with just a splash of oil and vinegar, YUM!

I wanted to prepare a kale dish for you but because I've been spread so thin with work and preparing for this inspection I have had no time and we will be leaving tomorrow (after the Lisa L show). I make a fab kale dish that is filling, tasty and healthy... you will have to wait.