Well, I haven’t been cooking or baking much here. This Christmas we are all alone. Packages have been sent and received and we’ll have a tiny town Christmas all alone. Next year we’ll have a big celebration here. Or, in San Diego. Who knows? However, that isn’t to say I haven’t seen some amazing food…
December
Well, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! December. The month that brings cold, hard reflection. Have I accomplished all that I set out to do? Did I keep those resolutions? Did I write that book? Did I lose those extra few pounds that have been hanging on like molasses in January. Have I…
Juniper Berries
One of the things I love about the ranch is the trees growing wild on it. They are what most refer to as scrub junipers. They dot the land like weeds here in Northen Arizona. But pruned back and thinned out a bit they add a nice landscape to the raw land. One thing I…
Chocolate Peanut Butter Tartlette for Jennifer Perillo and to remember her Mikey
It was May of 1985. My husband had just finished his bachelor’s degree and we were waiting for our tax return to come so we could move back to California and go to graduate school. It was a bright sunny day. We had just returned from the pool so the girls could burn up some…
Arizona! A working farm in progress
After several years of hoping and planning and delays, we’ve finally made Arizona our home. As my customized sign says, “Dreams Come True Here”. I believe it. And, we’re going to make them happen. It all started one day at the food plant I managed. I was un-boxing a bunch of labels in the label…
Penny de los Santos and Creative Live
I spent this last weekend with Penny de los Santos. She taught a three day seminar on food photography, culture and how to be the best photographer you can be. I signed up a couple of months ago to participate in an online class being given with the premier food photographer of our time –…
Book Review – The Art of Eating In by Cathy Erway
Book Review – The Art of Eating In, How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway Gotham Books, a Member of Penguin Group Illustrated by Evah Fan 336 pages Publisher’s Summary: In the city where dining is a sport, a gourmand swears off restaurants (even takeout!) for two years, rediscovering…
Spicy Chocolate Mousse for Valentine’s or any other day
I was inspired this morning when I read Susan’s Chocolate Mousse recipe at her blog Diamonds for Dessert. I had never made mousse with just chocolate and water before and I was intrigued. I had the essential ingredients so why not whip a quick batch for dessert? Simply the recipe is 265 g of semi…
Me and my MINI
It’s hardly a secret that I love driving my MINI Cooper. I bought it so long ago it’s hard to think it’s not brand new any more. It’s a 2003 model that was built in September and delivered to me in late October. When you order a MINI they’ll even give you the date it…
Cookbook Review, Complete Gluten Free Diet & Nutrition Guide
Complete Gluten Free Diet and Nutrition Guide, with a 30-day Meal plan and over 100 recipes by Alexandra Anca and Theresa Santandrea-Cull Robert Rose, 2010 256 pages, 100+ recipes Publishers summary: A gluten-free diet is one of the most challenging diets to adopt and follow, but the effort is worth it! Since there is no…
