A Well-Rounded Treat

I'm always looking for healthy snack foods, and these delicious 'power balls' are filled with nutrient rich ingredients to give anyone a perky little boost anytime of the day!  And they are REALLY easy to make.

Well-Rounded Treats

1 cup chopped pitted dates

1 cup raw walnuts (or almonds)

1 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest

1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut flakes

Place dates, walnuts, sesame seeds, lemon juice and zest in a food processor.  Pulse and blend until completely mixed.  The mixture will be slightly sticky.  With dampened hands, roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls.  Roll in coconut and chill until ready to serve.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Wishes Come True ~

A very dear friend once told me that if you put your wishes out there, they will eventually come true.  I made a few birthday wishes this year, and they all came true and then some!

Celebrations continue throughout the month, but this weekend was especially wonderful because my Dad and Step-Mom were by my side for every special moment!  There is no denying that I am a total Daddy's Girl, so to laugh, talk, and just spend quality time with him was a birthday highlight. 

McDreamy pulled out the 'birthday carpet of love' with my special day planned perfectly from beginning to end.  Delivery of a huge bouquet of shiny silver balloons, a freshly baked gigantic organic pop-tart from Cibo, an afternoon at the Cartier exhibit, and a delicious outdoor dinner with great friends ~ all underneath the sunshine filled blue skies of a 70 degrees day in San Francisco. 

Remember when I mentioned this dream chair?  Well, it is mine!  One of the greatest people to ever walk upon this Earth and into my life gave it to me ~ I'm still speechless, but it's easy to be at a loss for words when daydreaming underneath this chair's beautiful canopy.  

My little brother surprised me with the gorgeous pair of antique French earrings from here (he obviously knows his sister very well!).  Gifts, cards, emails, calls and messages came pouring in from so many loving friends and family.  Truly, I'm not sure what I did to deserve all this amazing love and goodness that has been showered upon me ~ There are so many creative gifts and stories I want to share with each of you, and I will do so throughout the weeks ahead.

Until then, I'm going to go make some delicious lemon desserts from my birthday basket of Sherry's lemons!  My sweet mom just arrived, and we have a lot of fun things planned which includes some serious baking!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Deep Within....

~ If you look deep within .... you will find a brilliant light ~

[Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by reverie-daydream]

French Essence

Last week while in Southern California, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting this beautiful woman [who inspires me with her lovely words, incredible eye for French treasures, and ability to make everyday life feel like a fairy tale] and her equally stunning daughter [who creates exquisite masterpieces with the finest of French materials, adores all things great and small, and has the most endearing heart of gold] ~ it was a glorious gathering of like-minded souls who truly felt as if we had known each other forever! We shared personal stories, dreams, creative thoughts, travel memories and so much more, and we also discussed the power of blogging and its magnificent ability to connect people from all over the world along with the added life bonus of cherished new friendships.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I adore all things French, so when the kind-hearted and always gracious, Janet and Noel, gave me a copy of French Essence by Vicki Archer, I seriously jumped for joy! I've been a huge fan of Vicki's ever since I picked up a copy of My French Life, and I've been anxiously waiting for French Essence to make its US debut. When I opened my new book friend, I didn't stop reading until I soaked up every single word from cover to cover. Vicki's writing has this special way of making you feel as if you are right there beside her as she describes her joi de vivre in France. She takes your hand and leads you through the beautiful chapters of her life entangling you with her love affair of France, an affair you never wish to end.

HEATH Ceramics

As if the San Francisco Ferry Building couldn't get any better ~ now Heath Ceramics has opened a new location within the beautiful walls of this historic marketplace.

Most likely, Heath Ceramics creations, with their signature style, doesn't need an introduction. Each piece is still made in their original factory in Sausalito, California and crafted in the same manner as it has been for the past 55 years.

This design driven, small-scale, family owned Bay Area company is a perfect fit with the Ferry Building's unique mix of artisanal, local retailers and restaurants ~ the ideal gathering of Northern California's best of the best.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]