book lust

Remember way back in April when I went to San Fransisco to see my sister? Well I have been thinking about the Tartine  cookbook for the better part of a year and just broke down and bought it. I can't wait to start making all the wonderful goodies, that is if i can get my oven to work first...

paint

Lately I have been painting. The more I paint the more I see, take for example this Rainbow Eucalyptus tree that we encountered on our walk through the botanical gardens,

 or this view looking towards the ocean,

 or these bananas.

My sister got me artist trading cards which I have been meaning to start paining, but somehow something else needs to be finished first. Like these asparagus I painted for my Dad's 65th Birthday (check out the blue frame W made!).

I 'll post the cards as they are finished...

happy new year!

It seems as if time has been slipping by, it feels as if it was only yesterday that I was packing up the car to come down to Miami. It is a New Year and with the New Year comes change. This year promises to be spicy and full of good food. Maybe this year I’ll make the time to check in here more often…

I wanted to share one of my favorite things about my new home, the fact that it is January and our little pepper plant is still going full force. 

Don’t let their size fool you they pack a big punch!

family and fun

There is a fine line between delicious and explosive, that is, when it comes to roasting chestnuts. 

Who knew you are supposed to crack them before roasting? A lesson my sister and I learned yesterday. The little devils exploded and we found bits and pieces of them all over the kitchen, including all over ourselves… 

My sister came down to see W and me. Between the three of us, we turned out a lovely feast, complete with stuffing, cranberry sauce (also explosive), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts with maple syrup, the non-exploded chestnuts and bacon (which Em made- they were very good and I am not a big Brussels sprout eater), green beans and turkey cranberry sausage instead of a whole bird. I got up while everyone was sleeping and started two pies, apple and pumpkin. 

We went and sat by the pool while the pies where baking, where else but Miami is that possible? 

Here is to good food and family!