Monday, September 30, 2013

Inspiration - Live Every Day With Intention

"Live everyday with intention" quote

Love this quote to start my week ... hope it brings inspiration to yours.  Happy Monday!

Image via:  polyvore.com




Saturday, September 28, 2013

Pinterest - My Favorites This Week

Fashion Illustration - Rene Gruau

Dog Lovin'  - Hello Cutie Pie!

Culinary Pleasures - Roasted Squash With Mint & Pumpkin Seeds
via Bon Appétit - see recipe here

Gardening - Baby Olive Trees via flickr

Happy Weekend & Happy Pinning!



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Friday, September 27, 2013

In The Kitchen - Shrimp Over Cumin-Scented Beans & Coconut Rice

Shrimp Over Cumin-Scented Beans & Coconut Rice recipe

I was visiting my family in Missouri this week and my sister and I made this recipe for Shrimp Over Cumin-Scented Beans & Coconut Rice and it was outstanding!  We love to cook together and put our own twist on recipes.  This one was so fun to make and the everyone raved about it ... even my 3 year old nephew tried it!

Shrimp Over Cumin-Scented Beans & Coconut Rice
recipe adapted from Weightwatchers.com
Prep Time:  20 min
Cook Time:  20 min
Serves:  4

Ingredients:
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper, cored, seeded and minced
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, undrained
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt 
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper 
  • 1-1/2 lbs medium shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp paprika, smoked or hot
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1/4 cup lite coconut milk 
  • 1-1/2 cups water
Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 400°.  Arrange shrimp in a medium bowl and toss with the lime juice and paprika.  Marinate for 10-15 minutes.
  • Wash the rice and drain.  Fill medium saucepan with 1-1/2 cups water, 1/4 cup coconut milk and a pinch of salt.  Bring to a boil.  Add the rice, stir and bring back to a full boil.  Cover and turn down heat to low.  After 15 minutes, remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the jalapeño pepper and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.  Add the kidney beans, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and simmer over low heat for approx 10.
  • Spray cooking pan with olive oil spray and spread shrimp out in a single layer.  Spray shrimp with light coat of olive oil spray.  Roast for 8 - 10 minutes, until just pink, firm and cooked through. 
  • Serve shrimp over kidney beans and coconut rice and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Note:  the picture shows chives as garnish, but I think the cilantro is a better flavor with this dish.

Buon Appetito!

Image via:  weightwatchers.com




Thursday, September 26, 2013

Artist Spotlight - Vintage Cookbook Illustrations

Illustration by Gloria Kamen
Image via:  Vintage Goodness

I love vintage cookbook illustrations and wanted to share a few of my favorites today.  Gloria Kamen's illustrations for the 1957 Betty Crocker's Cookbook For Boys and Girls are so sweet and playful.  

Illustration by Gloria Kamen
Image via:  Vintage Goodness

This adorable illustration of a boy eating spaghetti is from the 1954 Dishes Children Love from the Culinary Arts Institute.  It's for a recipe called Spaghetti Feast.

Artist Unknown
Image via:  Retro Cookbook

Frank Marcello's whimsical illustrations of pigs for the 1961 Cutco Cookbook are wonderful and make me smile.  Adorable happy pigs next to the recipes for pork dishes.  Very funny!

Illustration by Frank Marcello
Image via:  Vintage Goodness

Illustration by Frank Marcello
Image via:  Vintage Goodness

For more great vintage illustrations, check out Mitzi's blog Vintage Goodness.

Hope these pictures make you smile today!

Images via:  Vintage Goodness Blogspot




Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Dog Lovin' - Dogs Snugglin'

dogs sleeping together, dogs hugging

I love when our Indigo and Lily snuggle together when they're sleeping and it's happens often.  Sharing some cute pics today of other pups cuddling while sleeping.  Hope they make you smile!

dogs sleeping together, dogs hugging
Our Indigo & Lily

dogs sleeping together, dogs hugging, dogs sleeping with baby
Image via:  Jokeroo

dogs sleeping together, dogs hugging
Image via:  Cute Heaven

dogs sleeping together, dogs hugging
Image via:  Cutestuff

Happy Dog Snugglin' & Dog Lovin'!




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sweet Indulgences - Pumpkin Butter {Dairy Free}

Pumpkin Butter recipe (dairy free)

Now that it's officially Fall, my mind turns to all things pumpkin.  I love, love, love pumpkin butter and this recipe is my favorite!  It's non-dairy and a healthier version without white sugar.  I'll have a jar of it in my fridge from now until Christmas ... perhaps longer.  Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Butter 
recipe adapted from About.com Dairy Free Cooking
Prep Time:  15 min
Cook Time:  15 min
Makes:  Approx 2 cups

Ingredients:
  • 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup agave syrup
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 t. cinnamon
  • ½ t. ginger
  • ¼ t. ground cloves
  • 1/8 t. nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
Instructions:
  • In a small saucepan, combine the pumpkin puree, agave & maple syrups with a whisk.  Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat for 15 minutes until thickened.  The color will darken considerably.
  • Stir the spices and salt together in a small bowl and add to the pumpkin mixture.  Combine with whisk and cook for another 5 minutes.  
  • Remove from heat and allow pumpkin butter to cook in a jar before sealing and putting in the refrigerator.
I love using pumpkin butter on:
  • Toasted english muffins w/ ricotta cheese, extra cinnamon & a drizzle of honey - heavenly!
  • A dollop on vanilla ice cream
  • A warm slice of pumpkin bread 
  • On corn muffins
Have a sweet day!

Image via:  Flickr | photo by Susan Wolfe




Monday, September 23, 2013

Inspiration - Live, Love, Listen, Speak


Happy Monday & I hope your week is off to a great start!

Image via:  Pinterest, artist unknown




Saturday, September 21, 2013

Pinterest - My Favorites This Week

Dog Lovin' - Dog Jammin'

Interior Eye Candy - Gorgeous Lights

Culinary Pleasures - Moroccan Chickpea Salad
(click here for recipe from Delicieux)

Flower Love - Double Ranunculus

Happy Weekend & Happy Pinning!

Images via:  Pinterest



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Friday, September 20, 2013

In The Kitchen - Herbed Roast Chicken

Herb Roasted Chicken

This Herbed Roasted Chicken from Simply Recipes is my go-to recipe when I want to cook a whole chicken.  The skin of the chicken gets golden and crispy every time and it looks beautiful!  Especially with the herbs showing through the skin.  It's a show-stopper to serve and always turns out moist and juicy. And, the aroma throughout the house is divine!

Thank you for a great recipe Elise!

Buon Appetito!

Image via:  Simply Recipes




Thursday, September 19, 2013

Artist Spotlight - Bird Paintings By Erin Fitzhugh Gregory


I'm inspired once again by Erin Fitzhugh Gregory's oil paintings.  I love her bird series and the vibrant colors!  I previously spotlighted Erin's floral paintings and continue to visit her site regularly for inspiration.  See my previous post here.

Be sure to stop by Erin's website to see her gallery.  You'll be glad you did!





Thank you for inspiring me today Erin!





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