Herb Garden
Last year I wanted to plant a small herb garden, but I was traveling for most off the summer and did not get one planted. I have watched the 100 Mile Challenge and have heard a lot about sustainability and self-sufficiency. I think they are all great concepts and make a lot of sense. With spring on our doorstep I decided that this year would be the year that I would start a herb garden and learn to use them in my cooking.
While I was in Seattle, WA for work my boyfriend’s mom, Sherry, planted us a small herb garden. I am quite excited and can’t wait to start using them in my cooking. She planted chives, parsley, rosemary, basil and oregano (not in picture).
Movie Night
I went to the movie tonight with my boyfriend and good friend Michelle. We went to see Shutter Island. The previews made it look like a horror movie. Well it wasn’t. It was quite long and I was a bit disappointed in the acting. It was an interesting movie with a couple of parts that made me chuckle and a couple that made me tear up a bit. But overall I was disappointed, maybe because I was expecting something much different thatn it was. Definitely not at the top of my list, and honestly I would have preferred to rent it.
We did get Kernels Creamy Caramel popcorn though, so good!!
Super Nibs
Yum!! I love this cherry flavored licorice. Nibs is one of those snacks that are great for long road trips. I am not sure why, they are just so tasty, AND you can tie them in knots. Ohh even better is shoestring licorice. I love to tie it in knots and eat it. YUM!!
♥ Happy Valentine’s Day ♥
February 14, 2010
Saint Valentine’s Day (commonly shortened to Valentine’s Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffery Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.*
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentines_day
what do you Crave?
Crave Cupcakes is a cookie and cupcake company started by two sisters from High River, Alberta. These cupcakes are something special. Their stores are bright and just make you feel happy. Then you get to pick from 13 different delicious and colorful cupcakes.
We decided it was a good night to treat ourselves. Don’t worry we didn’t eat them all
*When you look at a cupcake, you’ve got to smile – Anne Byrn
Coffee Beans
It is Sunday night and I am pretty tired from the busy weekend. I am thinking that coffee might be a necessity tomorrow morning. Good night and good morning everyone.
*No coffee can be good in the mouth that does not first send a sweet offering of odor to the nostrils. ~Henry Ward Beecher
Sugar or Salt??
These pictures are SOOC (straight out of the camera) and have not been edited in any way, not even cropped.
Have you ever mixed up salt and sugar either accidentally or on purpose? When you are close up like this it might not be as easy to mix them up. The sea salt is a lot larger than the raw sugar. The sugar has a more defined shape than the salt crystals. The sugar also has a bit of brown tint to it, while the salt is primarily white.
Do any of you superstitious types throw salt over your shoulder to keep the devil at bay? I was reading that if you spill salt, which used to be a precious commodity, that you would have to throw a pinch over your left shoulder with your right hand. I have never done this, I would like to, but then I would have to clean up all the salt after. Decisions decisions.
There are days that I crave sweet and other days that I crave salty. Either way I try to follow the rule, everything in moderation.
Happy Tuesday!!
Banana & Chocolate Chip Muffins
Who doesn’t love banana and chocolate chip muffins? Well I sure do.
Today I am sharing my recipe with you and hope that you too can enjoy these delicious, easy to make muffins.
The ingredients:
2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking power
a pinch of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 bananas
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 cup chocolate chips
Pre-heat oven to 350º
Mash up the bananas in a large bowl. Add sugar, eggs and softened butter to bananas and use an electric mixer to mix on a low speed. In a medium bowl mix the flour, baking power, salt and baking soda together. Slowly add the dry mixture to the banana mixture. Continue to use the electric mixer on a low speed. After all the ingredients are mixed well, stir in the chocolate chips with a spoonula, wooden spoon, or whatever your preferred tool is.
Placed batter into greased muffin tins and bake for 25-35 minutes.When done they should be light brown around the edges, and if you stick a wooden tooth pick in the center, it should come out clean.
Let muffins cool in tin for 10 minutes. Remove from tin and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Yum! I hope you enjoy these muffins as much as I do.
*Happiness is homemade – Author Unknown
