HAPPY BIRTHDAY delicioso mama !!!!!!

Birthdays are ordinary days sprinkled with stardust.

May yours be extraordinary.

Summer Pasta

Today was a scorcher! It was at least one of the hottest days we have experienced so far this year. When that happens, I am usually a fan of "sun pasta". The way it works is you make angel hair pasta, throw in basil, tomato, garlic, buffalo mozzarella, and olive oil. Salt and Peppa to taste... and you sit it on the sunniest part of your counter while you set the table etc. The flavors meld together and it is light, fresh and all together wonder-full. It is a caprese salad on pasta. When we served it, my #1 food critic (eldest boy 16...) said "I need some balsamic vinegar"; a kid after my own heart. . . needless to say I had to stop eating even though I was full; it was delicious. Serve it with a baguette and fresh fruit... you have the makings of summer.

Off to dreamland - thinking of Italy tonight!! Ciao!

Vicarious Living

Cafe with Eiffel Tower, Paris www.allposters.com



What is it about looking at photos and pictures that gives us the greatest joy? I am sure it is in part, the memories that they conjour up. But I believe it is also something about looking through the eyes of someone else and seeing a bit of their vision, their joy.

Lately I have been looking at so many of the Daily Photo Blogs. Paris Daily Photo, Glimpses of South Pasadena just to name a couple. There are so many places I want to travel to and just by getting a glimpse of the cities, it is almost like I know these places, and have made new friends. It is interesting, if I know someone in that particular city that I am looking at, I somehow feel closer to that person, as if I can say I know where you go and see what you see!

What a wonderful way to connect and share. Someday I hope to take my own pictures, in wonderful far away places, but for now I will just live through the camera who takes them.

Thought for Today

When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives, but are grateful for the abundance that's present... we experience heaven on earth.


~Sarah Breathnack


Thought Of The Day

Every day we all have the same opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We can choose to mope about our lot in life, or we can decide to live in awe, touching hearts along the way. We all know ducks who make lots of noise, quacking and complaining about their problems in life. And then there are eagles, who go about their business and consistently soar above the crowd.






Today's message comes to you from THE POWER OF ATTITUDE

www.motivationinaminute.com

Static

When we have so much going on in our lives and things are going on all around us, it sounds like static. Life's pressures, depression and all negative thoughts invade making the sound deafening. THEN we get used to it and forget what it sounds like to hear stillness. Today we can find a quiet place, unload the static and listen for the quietness. Be still.

FoodBuzz

I have been enjoying my back and forth blogging on www.foodbuzz.com and the recipe is from my site over there. At the risk of repeating myself, I will probably put this blog on that blog and then we will be a linked blog! So this is how I posted the recipe:



I usually have menu plans written out and I buy groceries based on them. Then on any given evening I can pull something depending on what is going on. Last night was a harried one so by the time I got back home, I was accosted at the door … when is dinner!?? My kids enjoy the usual quick fix: Pasta . . .

1 package fresh ravioli – cooked al dente

Lemon Alfredo

2 TBSP flour
2 TBSP butter
1 1/2 C milk
1/2 C cream
1 1/2 C fresh parmigiano reggiano
Zest of one lemon
Scant 1/4 C lemon juice
dash nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste

In medium saucepan whisk the butter and flour until lightly browned. Add milk, cream, dash salt and pepper and stir until it becomes thickened and bubbly (about 5 min). Add cheese until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and nutmeg. Pour over cooked pasta. Add lemon zest and more cheese if you like.

I serve this with snap peas and carrots sauteed with garlic olive oil. The salad is basically spinach, avocado and caesar dressing. A fresh baguette is a great “dipper” for the extra sauce.

In the Kitchen

So I was surfing around different food blogs and found some amazing recipes. I am quite sure that this blogspot is somehow going to turn into something food related. Among my many interests, food is at the top of my list. I love going into a really nice grocery store and just looking at the produce section. One of my favorites is a local grocery called the Nugget. Beautiful polished cement floors, every section like a picture. That is a slice of heaven for me. Dean & Deluca in Napa is another place I love to just meander through. So many food options, so many tasting options, almost like a kid in a candy store ~ literally!

Since the kids can sleep in, I plan on making good use of our late evenings. One night during the week (usually a Friday) I have one of the kids pick out something they want to cook. I have them make me a list and I get all of the ingredients. The plan is for them to prepare and cook the meal for the rest of us. I have three boys and one girl, and I am training all of them to learn to cook !! So far the two oldest boys have done their dinners; they were wonderful. One of the most refreshing summer fruit salads was created by one of them. It is cool, summery and very easy.

Summer Fruit Refresher

1 seedless watermelon, cubed
2 baskets strawberries, stems removed, sliced into thirds, longwise
2 C red grapes, rinsed, sliced in half optional
2 grapefruit, no white on sections, cubed
Assorted berries - raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries,

Mix all the above fruit. Serve in ramekins garnished with mint. Delicious!

I am sure the road to foodville is going to be a great trip - good experience and fun memories. Bon Appetit!