Fig Bounty

For the past few weeks, I have basically been living off figs.  This particular season, the fig bounty has been of such abundance that I had to come up with ways to use this glorious fruit (not a bad problem to have!).  Besides just eating them fresh off the tree or indulging in this decadent treat, I decided a bread of some sort would be the perfect recipient of my favorite 'end of Summer' fruit.  

And yes, I would be thrilled to know how you satisfy your fig fancy ~

Fig Banana Bread

2 Bananas (ripe)

4-5 Figs (ripe and cut into small pieces)

1/2 cup of melted butter

3/4 cup turbinado (raw sugar)

2 cups of all-purpose flour 

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cardamom*** (this is what puts it over-the-top)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix mashed bananas and butter in large mixing bowl.  Add the sugar, lightly beaten eggs, figs and vanilla.  Sprinkle baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom over the mixture and stir in.  Add the flour last, mix well.  Pour into a 4 x 8 loaf pan and bake for approx. 1 hour or until toothpick comes out dry.  Once removed from oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve!     

Fast Forward to Fall

Now that Summer has officially signed off, our arms are wide-open in acceptance of Fall!  Is there anything better than the change of seasons?  Autumn provides such a golden crispness of color and harvest ~ a fresh start to looking at the world through a 'new lens'. 

Bring on the pumpkins, apple picking, chai tea lattes, cozy sweaters, and a kitchen filled with the aromas of roasting root vegetables and chunky soups.  Fall is here, so put on those boots and let's go!

Pastries & Petals

Carmel-by-the-Sea is filled with magic around every corner, so it was a 'sweet' surprise to find the newest addition to this 'fairy land of perfection' ~ Pastries and Petals.  A lovely new bakery and cafe with outstanding treats (re: cheesecake cupcakes and champagne) prepared on-site by the pastry-chef co-owner.  The menu is filled with savory choices and sweet temptations all being served with a rosebud in a 'culinary boutique' atmosphere underneath an eye-catching antique crystal chandelier. Pastries and Petals is the ideal addition to one of my favorite 'villages' in the world, and I cannot wait to return and indulge!

Pastries And Petals

Mission St 2 NE of 5th
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

(831) 620-1400

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

A Crate of Goodness

A wooden crate filled with rhubarb and fresh herbs (including my favorite, lemon verbena) hand-picked by my lovely friend, Sherry, greeted us upon our return from the South.  You see, Sherry is a Southern Belle too, and she gets it ~ she knows just how wonderful it is to welcome someone home with a perfectly simple gift of home-grown goodness!  This crate was just what the doctor ordered to set my baking heart on fire again!

Lemon-Verbena Rhubarb Crumble

8-10 Stalks of Rhubarb cut into small 1/4 chunks 

12 Lemon Verbena leaves

1 cup of turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)

1-1 1/2 cups of rolled oats

6 tablespoons of butter

Place rhubarb in a non-reactive bowl/pan (I used a ceramic baking dish) and sprinkle with sugar.

Allow rhubarb and sugar to sit for approx. 3 hours., and then strain liquid contents of dish into a small saucepan.  Replace rhubarb in baking dish.  Bring 'sugary substance' to a boil and remove from heat.  Add lemon verbena and let steep for 15 minutes, then drain into bowl (discard leaves).

In a separate bowl, mix the remaining sugar, rolled oats and butter together forming a chunky mixture (you may wish more/less butter and/or oats).  Pour the infused sugar 'syrup' over the rhubarb and then add the 'crumble' topping.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes - 1 hour (or until the rhubarb mixture is bubbling and the topping is golden brown).  Serve warm with a dollop of ice cream or sorbet!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Smoldering | guest post by SPM

It was the end of August, and it was as hot as a smoldering Cuban cigar in Tampa’s Ybor City, (pronounced EE-bore). The heat and the imminent late afternoon rain was the narcotic needed to get my reluctant model in front of my lens. 

After Georgia, it was my turn to spend quality time with my family and have the opportunity to show Mel and Gaia my favorite places near my home town in Florida. 

Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., this small corner café known for its Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban sandwiches, frequented by the local cigar workers is now in it's six generation of family ownership. Casimiro Jr. aspired to take the Columbia beyond its humble beginnings and envisioned an elegant dining room with music and dancing, the likes of which were unheard of in this part of the country at the time. The Columbia Restaurant has seen its share of change, but through its dedication of successive generations of family management, it has persevered as Florida's oldest and world's largest Spanish restaurant.

I was originally inspired by Columbia's architecture, but Melissa's values of quality food, supportive family and originality made me see the Columbia's true magnificence. Mel always helps me see things in a new light, and I was enchanted to capture her in mine.

1+1 = Masterpiece

This is what happens when two perfect worlds collide ~ a mini-masterpiece!

McDreamy's incredible photography 

paired with 

karey's ingenious words of magic. 

{via the sweeterie}

{Georgia} Grande Dame

Oh Savannah, you are the beautiful Grande Dame, The Hostess City of the South.  Your perfect twenty-one squares provide lush green vignettes to stroll through while soaking in the gorgeous architecture and design that began to form in 1733.  Even General Sherman must have been a bit smitten by you, for he left his flaming fury on the back-burner as he made his way through your stunning streets.  The older gentlemen and refined ladies mesmerize with their drawls as soft as velvet. Your history is as thick as the sobering humidity that surrounds your magnificence, and I look forward to being your guest again one day soon.

[images by Reverie-Daydream ]

{Georgia} Farm

Just as we seek out the current museum exhibitions when traveling, we always make sure to frequent our favorite local, organic delectable restaurants.  Farm 255 in Athens never disappoints with their make-your-tummy-happy offerings, and as you must know by now, I strongly support any artisan, company, or restaurant with a philosophy for making/keeping our beloved Mother Earth a blissful place of existence.

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

{Georgia} On My Mind

As we walk around the squares of little ol' towns, I'm reminded of history, Georgia's past ~ the good and the bad.  Deserted cotton gins, abandoned pianos, and empty brick buildings are forlorn objects that tell their own piece of the story. My thoughts find solace from Her motto of : Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation; words held dear to my heart and forever keeping Georgia on My Mind.   

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]

{Georgia} High

No matter where we travel, McDreamy and I always check the local art museum schedules to see what exhibit is currently on display, so you can just paint your own image of how excited we both were when we discovered Salvador Dalí's late works would be on display at the High Museum of Art.  

It goes without question that this incredibly talented man was a pure genius!  My mind is still trying to process the surreal 'worlds' I gazed upon for as long as I possibly could, and actually, my brain hurts from just trying to fathom the overall brilliance of Dalí.  Yes, my friends, this 'brain pain' equates to a great exhibit of one of the world's brightest individuals.

Thank you High Museum for adding such a bonus to our Georgia visit ~

[image by Reverie-Daydream]

{Georgia} Mansion

Ol' Southern Mansions are scattered all around Georgia ~ some are deserted with silent history as the only inhabitant while others are maintained and loved for generations.  We took a little drive through some quaint towns in Northeast Georgia, and this one particular mansion still stands with pride amongst grand pecan trees and flowering magnolias.  She's still a beauty, and I can only imagine her splendor during her prime ~ oh, if only those walls could talk!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

An Invocation

I'm sharing a bit of peace and harmony over here ~ 

[image: yoga in Paris at 28 weeks pregnant with the crumb]

{Georgia} Peach

Did I ever tell you I'm a Georgia Peach?  Yes ma'am, born and raised in the South ~ sweet tea, pecan pie, bless your hearts, and endless how-do-you-do's ~ I'm a Southern Belle through and through, and I need my juice-running-all-down-my-chin peach fix, so we are heading to my sweet home Atlanta for a dose of heat with a big dollop of humid on the side (a definite welcome after ten San Francisco Summers!).

The crumb will be spoiled by all her grandparents (and great-grandparents), play non-stop with her cousins, and learn to chase 'lightning bugs' like the best of them (her mama is a pro!).  I'm looking forward to the memories that will be made and re-living my favorite summer adventures with one cute little bumpkin by my side!

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

City of Light

Last week, we took an 'art break' and headed to the city for the Impressionist Paris: City of Light exhibit at the Legion of Honor which is concurrent with Birth of Impressionism at the de Young. 

Of the over 150 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and illustrations, this photograph above along with one of the most evocative passages in Emile Zola's novel L'oeuvre (The Masterpiece, 1886) really spoke to my heart the most ~

Claude was quivering with delight, "Ah! This Paris!" he cried.  It's ours!  All ours for the taking!  Each one of them was thrilled almost beyond words as they looked on the scene with eyes that shone with desire.  Did they not feel glory being wafted over the whole vast city from the top of that Avenue?  Paris was here, and they meant it to be theirs.

[photograph by Charles Marville]

SOL Food ~

Okay my lovely peeps, it's confession time ~ the Reverie trio is completely addicted to Sol Food!  I can't get enough of their lemon-garlic dressing and café helados, the crumb is all about the oregano and garlic marinated free range chicken, and McDreamy is head-over-heels for the atmosphere and its I-don't-feel-like-I'm-in-Northern California-vibe!  

Sol Hernandez began serving her delicious dishes at the local farmer's market, and she was an instant hit. After a few years, she opened up a cool little restaurant in San Rafael.  Sol has a very dedicated clientele thanks to her incredibly delectable cuisine (which also is sustainable, local, and organic), so it wasn't long before location numero dos opened its doors.  Both restaurants look and feel like Puerto Rico:  colorful shutters and chairs, green plantains holding down stacks of napkins, and lively Latin music adding a hint of happy energy in most everyone who enters through the doors.

If only I could box it up and send each of you a taste of this Puerto Rican perfection ~ it's that good!  

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

~ Simple Things ~

The Simple Things in life are the true beauty, hope, and love of our existence ~ the list can and will change daily, but what is important is the ability to appreciate and indulge in these moments.  The incredibly wonderful and beautiful Christina, of the magical and poetic Soul Aperture, is celebrating her birthday today, and in honor of all the glorious things which make her heart sing, I'm celebrating her with a few of the delightful moments which make my days brighter and my soul joyful ~ 

* laughs from the deepest depths of your belly

* sunshine warming your shoulders

* memorable moments made with friends

* a warm cup of smooth coffee

* the way your body absent-mindedly dances to the beat of your favorite song

* the gentle caress of your beloved's hand

* blue polish on my sweet crumb's toes

* the way a perfectly ripened peach drips down your chin

* the fresh scent of rain on a summer afternoon

* a breathtaking sunset while dining outdoors

*  closing your eyes and making a wish

*  warm sand between your toes

 [Gaia and Isa ~ Reverie-Daydream Images]

Blackberry Picking

"At first, just one, a glossy purple clot

among others, red, green, hard as a knot.

You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet

like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it

leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for picking."

~ Excerpt from "Blackberry Picking" by Seamus Heaney

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

A PUBLIC Wish ~

All it takes is a vision, a group of like-minded people who put their thoughts, ideas, and plans of change into action.  A movement has started in the U.S. ~ one that not only benefits the environment but also improves health and socialization.  Europeans have proven this brilliant concept equates to a more civilized society, and now we are finally taking note.  

PUBLIC bikes is Rob Forbes' (founder of Design Within Reach) newest venture, and this design based business is on "a mission to help us reduce our dependency on cars and think more intelligently and artfully about the way we get around and connect with our cities and communities". 

I don't know about you, but this is one bandwagon I'm going to jump on ~ and yes, I've already picked out my PUBLIC M8 beauty (in Cream, please) and have added it to the top of my wish list.  

[Reverie-Daydream Images]

Laissez Faire

It's captured, the moment in time when she had her mama's gaze through her papa's eyes.

A moment when it doesn't matter what size bikini you are wearing, but just the fact that you are wearing one.

She rocks our world.

Our Summer will be fabulous.

Here's to a lovely holiday weekend filled with blissful laissez faire!

[Image by Reverie-Daydream]

Lavender Farm

Last week, we enjoyed outdoor adventures in Northern California with Sean's parents.  They have been traveling across country in their beautiful new RV (an eco-friendly, green machine by EverGreen), so we couldn't wait to rendezvous in the foothills of Mt. Shasta. 

One of the many highlights of our camping adventure was the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm.  It opened to the public on June 12th, and although the lavender blooms were not at their peak of prime loveliness, the beauty of this seasonal destination was magnificent.  Truly, a gorgeous thumbprint of Mother Nature's glory!

[Images by Reverie-Daydream]