SATURDAY SHOES :: SPRING CLEANING :: HERE COMES THE GREEN !

first...a healthy a dose of  Leslie's GREEN  SMOOTHIE ! 

... my new morning game face, go to. 

thank you, Leslie, you are both beautiful and inspiring!

( two BIG revelations came to me last month. 1. i do not move nearly

enough, and  2. Mr D and i need to find a way to consume way more fruits and 

vegetables during the day!   Leslie's smoothie and at least 3000 steps 

before hitting the desk in the morning, are now in the order of the day.)

:: ici ::

sooooo...beautifuls!

what are you doing this weekend?

will you be mixing with family and friends?

are you planning a casual weekend at home,

or will you be tucking your fave flannel into satin and stepping out on the town?

( i'm not too sure about her choice of Saturday shoes...)

:: ici ::

a wee bit of spring cleaning shall be happening here on 34th street.

 that familiar task of sorting through old memories and junk,  once again.

the demands of the next couple weeks are always so "taxing" !

i will take some moments to rest and reflect,

(why oh why do i hang onto this stuff?)

 before i toss the sheet music for my green tambourine!"

(could Nana D. be rubbing off on me just a little?)

 hmmmmm.

it's time to say goodbye to one of the most memorable

Februaries of the Pacific Northwest,

 (GO HAWKS!),

and...

...welcome March and it's widely promoted madness!

Primroses $0.75 each | Friday - Sunday Only!

on Sunday, there shall be Primroses on the porch!

withLove!

FRENCH BREAD ON FRIDAY :: DÉFINITION

...a small, stylish blog, situated

 in a friendly and fashionable urban location in America,

where petit portraits of life are shared 

with family and friends.

as you can see,  i have been changing the de·cor, at my little ven·ue, again! 

like our home,  i love to rearrange my blog.  recently,  i gave myself a little exercise to define it!


it was fun, and sparked inspiration..."nouvelle"!

bou·tique ho·tel

noun

1. 1.

   a small stylish hotel, typically one situated in a fashionable urban location.

...as you can see, i created a new "urban" definition for a small petit blog like mine!

vi·gnette

vinˈyet

noun

1. 1.

   a brief evocative description, account, or episode.
2. 2.

   a small illustration or portrait photograph that fades into its background without a definite border.

verb

1. 1.

   portray (someone) in the style of a vignette.

(i didn't have to touch this definition!)  ...words-perfect mots-parfait!

oh... how i hope to speak fluent French, one day!

my blog is just one vehicle to transport me to my goal.

(by the looks of this list, those of us that speak la langue de l'anglais,

are quite possibly half way there!)

now...just putting them all together with fi·nesse.

there you have it!

my mind, on the move this morning before work, and Friday's always guilt free

serving of French bread!

withLove!

GRANDMA CONTESSA and A RECIPE !

yesterday, around lunchtime, Chrislyn called

me at the office.

"mom, you are going to crack up, when i tell you what Holland just said."

they had just returned from bible study, and were making

smoothies and lunch.  Chrislyn popped the Food Network on!

on the FN was The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, 

coincidentally...making a smoothie.

:: ici ::

almost immediately, out of the mouth of Miss H...

"Momma!  

Look! 

Grandma's on TV makin' smoothies too!"

...it's both, not the greatest and endearing that Ina and i 

have similar a body type. ( thus why i am  presently on a path to drop 45 pounds)

 i love Ina.  i have followed her in the kitchen for years.

while Chrislyn was telling me her "Holland said story",

 i could here Holland in the background saying, 

"hi, grandma !"

"are you makin' smoothies, too?"

:: ici ::

grandma's Ina's Tropical Smoothie

1/2 ripe mango, peeled and seeded

1/2 papaya, peeled and seeded

1 ripe banana

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup nonfat yogurt

1 tsp GOOD honey

2 cups ice

in a blender, combine the mango, papaya, banana, orange juice, milk, yogurt, honey, and ice.

blend until s-m-o-o-t-h-i-e !

(i think i am also wearing a wig...)

you be the judge!

withLove!

WINTER INTO SPRING :: PRESERVING FEBRUARY

helloooooo  lovlies!

this morning, i resurrected the blooms and breath from 

my beautiful Valentine bouquet.  i was not quite ready to let it go.

it's blooms are now preserving in linen on the farm table.

 it's breath, transplanted in the kitchen window,

just in time for first light of  Lent on 34th street!

withLove!

BONJOUR MONDAY! BONJOUR WINTER SWEET!

oh...winter!

so many of us are wishing for you to go away!

pardon?

omgoodness!

i almost forgot!

yesterday, in my quest for healthier choices for sweetness, i was reminded...

'tis the season...

:: ici ::

...for capturing a natural treasure treat !

:: ici ::

pure and sweet.

( i'll have a small wine carafe filled to go, please! )

label reading does not get any better than this!

one pure organic ingredient!


***

read about team America's sugaring season - here.

and...

the amazing gold medal winning...hockey playing... team Canada's sugaring season - here!


( hmmmmmm...looks like Costco supports team syrup Canada! )

this morning...just a teaspoon drizzle.


***

yesterday, Ted Watson shared a kale salad recipe with

a simple maple syrup based vinaigrette.

i also found this recipe for a maple vinaigrette.

1/ 2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste...

makes 1 3/4 cups

:: ici ::

this weekend i also discovered a funny...well...maybe just a little annoying revelation.

when you don't get your 10,000 steps completed in a day, your

fitbit's smiley face sticks it's tongue out at you!

that little green mini monster thing is giving me "guilt"!

ok...ok...so...if i am here, i'm not moving! 

sending sugar to all, and always thoughts and prayers to those of you

who have some extra challenges this week.

you know who you are!

withLove!