stirrings

closely linked to one's 

roots

this wasn't part of
the garden tour
at the art museum
but it spoke to me
as I was walking by
and asked to have its
picture taken

on St. Paddy's Day

chores were made joyful

with a Celtic

backdrop

pictures and music

that had me

trying my hand

well...feet

at river dancing

like no one was watching

images of Ireland

and Celtic crosses

seemed to surround

me

wearing mine

right along with

the green

and as it goes

the mind wanders

with a prayer in your heart

that touches the lips

and you find yourself standing

at the spot of another cross

that somehow bid you to 

come.

Stirrings 

that pull at you

draw you to them

and you just know

you must

listen.

saffron barley orzotto

Not a typo...

like risotto but

without all the fuss

so says

Nigella Lawson

I immediately googled

the recipe

which is not available

online

so I turned to others

who like myself
had to have it!

Sam

a fellow blogger from

Loving Oven
(I'm lovin' that oven too)

shared her rendition

but with a desire
to keep

all things plant based

I developed mine.

Saffron Barley Orzotto

1 Cup Pearled Barley

2 Shallots finely chopped

4 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Earth Balance

1/2 Cup Dry White Wine

2 Cups Vegetable Broth

2 Cups Water

Pinch of Saffron

Salt and Pepper to taste

Here's the how:

Bring the broth and water to a boil

and add a healthy pinch

of Saffron crumbled with fingers

stir to combine and remove from heat.

Set aside.

Heat a heavy (Cast Iron is great!) skillet

over medium heat with

oil and butter

Add shallot and saute until translucent

Add garlic 

heat for 1 minute longer

Add the pearled barley and stir to coat

for a few minutes.

Add the wine

My choice.

One of my complaints is when a recipe

calls for wine

and they don't provide

the brand that was used!

I'm breaking that tradition.

Reduce slightly

add the broth/saffron mixture

and simmer on medium

for about 30 minutes

until all liquid is absorbed.

Stir on occasion.

No constant attention needed

like with risotto.

A lazy woman's delicious alternative.

While it was doing its thing

I decided to saute some asparagus

which is my new favorite way to eat it.

Chopped into one inch pieces

and pan-fried in 1 T olive oil

with a bit of salt and pepper.

Brown it a touch.

Mmm...

so good

and 

a perfect companion to the 

orzotto

I tasted this creamy

 carb-rich 

comforting

dish

and had to share.

Fresh Parmesan can be added 

after the liquid is fully

incorporated

but

I enjoyed mine

as is...

well,

was. 

For it is all gone.

The whole family loved this one

and yours will too.

Thanks for the inspiration,

Nigellissima!

friday evening

the sky at sunset

how many images come to mind?

at the beach

out your kitchen window

where the view is always spectacular

and yet

as I stand in awe

I find it virtually

or would that be 

visually
 impossible

to capture 

the whole of it

but

how i try

yes 

it is grainy

since it was taken with 

my phone

while looking out the passenger side window

in the acceleration lane

of the expressway

with all that against me

I still love it

love the color

that immediately reminded me

of a painting

that caught my attention

but

exceeded my budget

entitled

New Year Sky

by artist

Nicole Strasburg

she

and her painting

were featured in

Sundance catalogue

I saved this image

for a long time

convinced that I could paint

my own version of a

New Year's Sky

and although my memory

held more vibrant colors

than the actual painting

it goes to show

how that sky

continues to change

with each setting sun

offering

a glimpse of its

beautiful

maker.

and it will forever

capture

our

imaginations.

go on.

look up.

check out that amazing sky.

my yoga studio

I've tried others

but it seems I always

return

to my sanctuary

my bedroom

where true calm

can be found

where 

hot yoga

can happen with the

flip of a switch

and there is always

time

for a few poses

or a whole session

often times

guided

with videos from my

laptop

right within reach

to create

a successful

comfortable practice

the essentials

mat

blocks

strap

zafu & zabuton

yoga socks

a lavender-filled eye pillow

and finally 

myself

because when I show up

and sit quietly

in meditation

as the asanas

wash over me

feeling strong and capable

to greet what the day holds

it is a simple reminder

an encouraging

to 

show up more often.

my chai

Happy March

made much happier

with a cup of chai tea

to see you through until 

Spring



the key players
from my spice rack

Rather than a mortar and pestle

I use this mini food processor

and give the assorted spices

6 

that's six!

pulses

that's important

because you don't want them too

fine.

Trust me.

I follow Heather's recipe

from Beauty That Moves

for the concentrate

This image is from the page you will be visiting

Here's the link:

beautythatmoves.typepad.com/files/homemade-chai--1.pdf

You can acquire all the ingredients

from your local Kroger

however

the cardamon is ground

I find it quite strong

so I use 1/4 teaspoon

for my concentrate

and

since I prefer

to limit my caffeine

I use 5 tea bags

(my favorite brand is Yorkshire Gold)

rather than the suggested 8

which still gives it 

a little kick

Make any adjustments you feel

fit your mood

which is sure to be lifted

as you sip this warm

aromatic

 elixir.

Celebrate March

with a cup of homemade

goodness.

inspired to

january  

elizabeth st hilaire nelson
paper artist
extraordinaire
her amazing work with collage-ing
is so inspiring to me
and why I felt drawn to
this lang calender

when you sit with it
you will soon see
beyond the sweet bird
to snippets
of postage
sheet music
a child's homework

captured and preserved

oh
how i feel a stirring
of inspiration

exactly how that will
express itself remains
to be seen

inspiration abounds
and can feel like a slippery slope
when you begin to peruse
the internet

i'm not a pinterest gal
but i am a blogger
who can
pin these little
trysts
that interest
me

a hodge-podge really
of things that caught my eye
on a recent
sitting at my desk

these darlings will
look adorable
out of my felted wool stash
a martha project
that i will make my own

hopefully.

then i saw these babies

 a feast for the eyes

what is it about bacon?

i have successfully captured
its flavor with tofu
no joke here
when my boys tasted it
they wanted seconds
and it is super-duper easy
the recipe:

extra-firm tofu; drained and sliced thinly
a hot frying pan with 2T canola
get 'em frying
about 10 minutes on one side
flip
4 minutes on the other
(you want them brown and crispy)
sprinkle all with
2T nutritional yeast
a few shakes of soy/tamari sauce
a few shakes of liquid smoke
serve it up

between pancakes
swimming in
maple syrup
or
any
way
you like it.

up next...
exercise.

yep.
that's right.
from bacon to
sweating on the mat
no connection...

or is there?!

an ab workout
that claims to be the best

 by
tone it up

 i stumbled upon it
at a blog called
the stirring place
which has a video clip you can
watch
but you'll only reap the benefits
if you do

while there
check out what's stirring in
 faith's kitchen
so good
it got her doing this workout
to compensate...
hmmm...
sounds familiar.

and so it's
january
a month to
renew
unwind
curl up
with a good book
and treat her
like
the good friend
she is.

:)



a crafter's heart

Two scenarios.

On second thought...

three.

One.

You caught the bug

You've knitted

 baked

sewn

to create

and now your hands

feel idle and listless

Keep those hands moving

with this crafty

use of the leftover

foil wrap

Christmas cards

bottle tops

...

to add shine to your

New Year's Festivities

Two.

You wanted to make things

for Christmas

but time wouldn't

allow it.

Now's the time!

Trade out

the pine garland

center/mantel piece

for time pieces

gathered and grouped together

in one place

set to chime at...

midnight!

A party wouldn't be a party

without a fun hat.

My sister Mary would

make hers from

newspapers...

reusing before it was

hip...

then she would make

confetti

again from newspaper

to throw

at the countdown's

destination  to

Happy New Year!

(mom would find little pieces

of newspaper on bookshelves

and plants in August!)

Three.

You really don't enjoy crafting.

You know you should

if you believe the

press.

But. You. Don't.

Leave everything as is.

Tree twinkling red and green?

Pretty.

Store bought wreaths on the door?

Homey.

Fuzzy red stockings with glitter names?

Fill 'em up!

Works on two levels!

Sit back.

Relax.

Enjoy a game that really

gets 'em fighting...

Battle of the Sexes works well

each time.

Let others around you

get their Martha on

while you sip and smile

and get rosy

all over!

:)