culinary pleasures ~

This past weekend, I had the grand fortune of attending one of Sherry Page's Culinary Getaways in Napa Valley.  There really are not enough adjectives to describe how much I enjoyed three days of incredible food bliss.  Sherry is one of those people who lives life to the fullest.  She makes sure to enjoy every single bite she places into her mouth, and she wants those who are with her to experience the best of the best.  I always feel as if I won the lottery every single time I get to hang out with her!  

Not only does she share the most simple and delicious recipes with others, but she also reminds every one how easy it is to fill a plate with "off-the-charts" flavors.  One of my favorite moments in her getaways is how the guests react to foods they have never tasted or been exposed to {re: fava beans, beets, fleur de sel, etc.}...it's as if their entire taste bud world has been opened to new pleasures of delicious bliss.  Eye lashes flutter, mouth slows to an intentional chew, and a smile slowly highlights their thoughts...pure goodness straight from mother nature never tasted so good, and now they are hooked!  

A gathering of strangers around a table partaking in amazing offerings of food, wine, chocolates and olive oils.  The connection is made over a fava bean crostini, a glass of late-harvest wine, and a shared moment overlooking the glorious landscape of the Silverado Trail.  Food and wine bring people of all backgrounds and cultures together ~ magical experiences and lovely connections are made around a simply curated table of culinary pleasures.

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Drizzle Me Happy ~

Do you know Katie?  She is a superstar, and I don't use this word lightly, she is SUPER in every way and a shining STAR on camera {and in real life}.  Not to mention, she is a kickass fitness trainer {personal goal of mine is to one day have my butt kicked by her early morning spin classes}, and the brilliant beauty pens words of sarcastic wit and humorous tales on her blog, Good Nite Irene.  Simply put, I have major girl crush on Katie.

Last week, she sent us a bottle of 25 year old Balsamic that sent our taste buds into a drizzle happy frenzy.  Obviously, Katie knows my weakness for anything delicious, and this thick-as-syrup balsamic was the perfect addition to one of our favorite avocado treats.

 Loaf of fresh sourdough or multi-seed bread

Avocado 

Balsamic Vinegar

Sea Salt

{olive oil is optional}

Cut bread into moderately sized pieces {if you prefer toasted bread, brush olive oil on one side of bread and lightly toast}, add thinly sliced avocado to each piece of bread making sure to cover the entire surface, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle sea salt to taste.  

Easy and addictive.

My Tomato ~

Isn't she a beauty?

My Pop-paw would be proud of this perfect heirloom tomato because it was so juicy and flavorful.  I sliced it up and had it for breakfast ~ placed upon a piece of toasted rye bread smeared with cream cheese and then sprinkled sea salt and ground pepper on top of the plump red fruit of glory.  Seriously, I thought I might cry it was so darn good! 

This garden thing has my emotions on a happy high, for there truly is nothing better than growing your own vegetables which reward you so unselfishly with their mouth-watering taste.

It's a tomato frenzy around here, so share some of your favorite concoctions with me.  Pretty please?!

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Hostess

I'm not going to lie.  Summer is going to be missed around here.  Although, I find comfort in knowing Northern California basks in Indian Summer.

It arrives right about now...so hello September/October, we are going to embrace your golden days of warmth and sunshine until they fade away to crisp, cool Autumn.  

This past weekend was filled with many visitors.  You see when you live in a very popular destination, like the wine country, people like to drink visit.  We get it, and we totally dig the continuous open door policy of fun times.  It just took me a while to step up to the plate and be at the ready in terms of the 'hostess with the mostest' role.  

Don't worry, I've got it down now.  There are a few tried and true recipes that I can whip up at a moments notice without a sigh of oh-my-goodness.  Thankfully, I have many foodie friends that keep me on my toes, Sherry is one of the best to have by my side.  This weekend, I served {twice} the meyer lemon pecan brown sugar shortbread...oh yeah, it's good {Dad, I promise to make for you in November!}. This lovely shortbread pairs perfectly with tea, coffee, or wine ~ we like to be prepared for every delicious situation.   

So here's to Indian Summer ~ you help feed my resilience for saying good-bye.  

And if you are in the mood for shopping good deals, a few fellow friends and bloggers cleaned out our closets and created an online sale of some lovely treasures~ check it out here ~ free shipping through sept. 12th. 

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Trespassing ~

I'm not sure additional words should accompany this image, for the point is made loud and clear.  Although, when I stop to think about it, too few people are actually getting the point.  We need to wake up and restore sustainable, organic land practices to the Earth ~ the soil, the dirt, the very thing we are made of, we live from, we return to.  Is it that hard to do?  Or will the greedy forces of humanity continue to reign supreme when it comes to the use of chemicals, pesticides, genetically engineered seeds, and unethical 'farming' practices?  

I love this planet I call home, the dirt beneath my feet, the food that maintains and keeps my body healthy and alive, the water I drink, the air I breathe, the stunning vista visions which surround me, and I refuse to just accept the common food/farm/agriculture practices of today's society.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed and defeated by what I consider a personal trespassing upon me and my family, I choose to continue to educate myself and make a difference in every way I can. Obviously, I do not have millions of dollars to fight the aggressive conglomerates {aka chemical trespassers}, but I do believe there is power in numbers; people who wish to go back to the days when organic didn't seem to carry the weight of 'privileged and wealthy' but rather as it has always  meant to be ~ simple, pure, healthy living for all mankind.  

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Cuban Bread

Last week while in Florida, we discovered a hidden gem in the heart of Ybor City ~ La Segunda Bakery.  McDreamy and I will search out any establishment that boasts a history of upholding tradition, and this corner bakery has stood the test of time and discerning palates {including ours}.  They bake 7,000 loaves of bread per day, and  place a freshly cut leaf of palmetto across the top of each loaf to create the signature split down the middle ~ a true sign of authentic Cuban bread.

We paired our warm buttered Cuban toast with a café con leche, and there wasn't  a word spoken until every bite and sip was savoured.  

Do you have a favorite bread?  I'm determined to successfully bake bread this year, and the recipes are waiting to be tackled despite how much they daunt me.  Any suggestions or tried-and-true tips you wish to share in regards to yeasts, temperatures, and such...well, I'm all ears {and eyes}.

Wishful Thinking ~

If I had one wish, it would be for everyone on this planet to have access to affordable and fresh organic food.  Around every corner, there would be communal gardens offering seasonal goodness and local farmers sharing the fruits of their labors with one and all.  

Healthy food, food which is the gift of the Earth, is so incredibly important to me.  My entire life revolves around it, for I am a firm believer in you are what you eat.  As the old adage states, "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away" is a simple truth.  What we put into our bodies equates to our overall health ~ Eat Good, Feel Good. 

Whenever I leave my 'bubble' of Northern California, I immediately begin to worry about where I will find the food which my family and I are used to eating.  This should not be a worry.  It is not fair to be considered 'high maintenance' because I expect local, seasonal food wherever I go.  What happened to the history of planting, growing, and eating food from a local garden?  Why has genetically engineered corn become the base for most everything in a typical diet?  

Perhaps I'm naive, but I truly believe if every person on this Earth had access to the edible greatness which comes from unaltered soils, then hunger, disease, healthcare, the environment and more would be impacted in a positive way.  

Wishful thinking of a healthier, happier world is something I do not plan to stop.  Anything is possible if we set our minds to it, take action towards change, and support the efforts of those who are making a difference.  One life, one body, one chance ~ we are all worth it.

**This post is the first of a new series, Wishful Thinking.  Each Wednesday, an admired blogger will share their thoughtful wishes.  There are no boundaries.  The platform is open to all things great and small, and I anticipate Wednesdays will be quite wonderful around here. 

POP!

Pop! Pop! Pop! ~ don't you just love to hear the sound of popcorn popping?  The transformation of these little kernels filling up our bowls as we gather around for foreign film night {my vow to learn French one way or another} is definitely a fall/winter weekly ritual.

I'm old-fashioned when it comes to popcorn ~ stove-top popping is the only way {especially since I refuse to own a microwave, gasp!}.  Heat up organic coconut oil, add the golden corn, and let the magic begin!  Upon transferring to the bowl, add a  hefty sprinkle of Himalayan salt.  Voilà: a perfect snack!

Always looking for a few new tasty tricks, so what's your favorite way to add a bit of flavor to popcorn?

{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!

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Green Goodness

One of my must-haves in life is greens ~ leafy, flower, herb, sprouts ~ all types of edible green goodness! Every week, my basket is always brimming with a variety of my favorites from the Farmer's Market. And now that Spring is here, almost every meal consists of at least one generous serving of these fresh vitamin and mineral packed superfoods.

It's hard for me to narrow down a favorite or two, but if I had to choose one leafy green that I couldn't live without, it would be wild arugula (with kale, watercress and mesclun mix as the runners-up).

Now tell me....what are your favorite greens?

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