Dinner in Your Own Backyard!

    

We’re  smack dab in the middle of summer and the best possible way to celebrate is by dining al fresco!   Think about it, great food, family, friends and your own “le petit morceau de terre” (little piece of earth)!  But how do we capitalize on all that our backyard has to offer?  With just a little thought and planning we will be ever ready to step into our backyard paradise.

Whether you’re planning a mid week family dinner for 2 to 4 people or a Saturday nite gala with 8 friends or more, these items are key to creating heaven here on earth....

First and foremost is lighting.   

Second, music is an absolute must!  Music goes so far to affect our moods.  It can help us to relax, or give us energy.  It can inspire us to dance or to dream.  Many evenings have resulted in romance in large part due to the music that played oh so sweetly in the background. Make sure you have a boom box, or speakers and your favorite mood music ready to play for at least a couple of hours without stopping.  You’re gonna be surprised at how wonderful this will be.

Third is decor.... what are you going for? Even a Bar B Que with the hubby and kids can be something special with the use of a white table cloth and china. This same combination is my favorite choice when dining with friends as well!

And last but not least make sure the food is great!  Whether hot dogs on the grill or or slow roasted leg of lamb... just do it right! Even grilled pizza can celebrate the flavors of summer!

With these ingredients in place, dinner in your backyard has never tasted so good!

Bon Appetit!

Farm to Table Fresh!

                 





 The fruits of summer are in full bloom! How wonderful that the warm weather months bring a bounty of  great foods to enjoy! Ever notice how fragrant the local markets become this time of year? The air is literally perfumed with the aromas of fresh ripe fruits! What's your favorite? Cherries, Plums, watermelons, nectarines???  We recommend them all! For your next summertime gathering try our favorite pick!

Mama Z's Golden southern poundcake (found only at www.lebakeryboutique.com) served with glazed fresh peaches!   The buttery goodness of the cake is complimented by the slightly crisp texture of a perfectly ripened and oh so juicy peach!  This is Southern Goodness at it's best!

P.S. For a complete list of what’s in season in your area any month of the year check out  
Peak-Season Map at Epicurious.com http://epi.us/jw354

Enjoy!!

Dreamin.....

I woke up this morning feeling very "hormonal"...... Which is girl-speak for "emotional". Just the mention of these words would make most hubbies (mine included) run for the hills!









I don't think we girls like it too much either! It's an overload, too too much.... something!  What's the fix??? A good cry, a nice nap,  "lets just be good to me"  time....


Sooooo, I'm dreamin....   Dreamin of my feet in some soft white sand and clear blue waters (I think an antedote for almost anything)....









  Dreamin of a great massage and a totally flat tummy no matter how many french fries or Chicago style pizza I eat!

Dreamin I  can eat lobster anytime I want.....








and that a tall stack of Blueberry Pancakes have zero calories!   

Ahhhhhh....   

Startled!
My snoring woke me up!

What's a girl to do???



Until Nextime,
Sweet Dreams! (and Bon Appetit!)

My top 5 "go-to" snack foods! What Are Yours? (response to Designs by Gollum)

My top 5 "go-to" snack foods! What are yours????
                                                                                        

My oh so inspirational blogger friend (Designs by Gollum) has posted a question I must reply to!  What are your top 5 "go-to snacks?" This is so great because we all have them! Everyone on the planet is united in this way! And for us food bloggers, our common thread is even stronger because we share the stress of writing a food blog!

I love it!

Now for most of us we have a silent debate inside our heads that goes something like   "I want this but it's too fattening so I'll settle for this".  When that doesn't work we forget all rational thinking and head straight for the indulgence..... temporarily silencing the thoughts of restraint.  In order to avoid the "guilty" conversation after, I really do try  to create some balance in my choices.


So here we go..... For all the world to know!  My top 5 picks are: Watermelon, Coca Cola (original), Minute Made frozen lemonade cups, sugar free jello pudding cups and grapes!  If I'm being reeeally good I'll do jello 10 calorie cups but I can't even remember the last time I chose this! If I'm being reeeally bad I'll add Nacho Cheese Doritos to my Coca Cola indulgence!


Thanks "Designs by Gollum" for sharing the same struggles as we all do and being such an inspirational blogger!  I feel better having expressed this.

Going to get my Coke now!!!!

Mmmmmm.........

Bon Appetit!

Introducing Franks Kitchen Colorado!

Gotta love a great story! Especially one about really great people and a happy ending..... involving great food of course!  The story I'm referring to is about "Franks Kitchen Colorado"!  Franks' is The newest "hot spot" opening in NE Denver specializing in regional comfort food.  The people, are Frank and Dina Berta. Salt of the earth folks! Valuing each other, their family and reeeally great flavors as they live out a "faith filled" journey.

I don't think there is anyone who can't relate to the innocence of a young persons diary. What a throw back it is to see the "cursive writing" of Frank as an elementary school aged child and to hear his excitement about fried chicken and orange juice! Now just imagine someone who was moved by such simple pleasures as a child is now inspired to bring Denver the flavors of his dreams.  Foods like Jerk chicken, coconut rice and fried plantains. And succulent Beef Brisket served on a rustic baguette.... or my personal favorite "The Puerto Rican"  a  sumptuous marinated rib eye steak, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion  and house made garlic mayo ..... simply divine! Franks is also serving breakfast! Make sure to try one of their buttery croissants  filled with eggs and your choice of an awesome array of veggies and meats! 

 I'm so excited about the goodies being birthed out of Frank and Dinas' passion for over the top great food that I had to extend a personal "welcome to the neighborhood" to this fantastic eatery! Try Franks' Kitchen today! It is truly "A Dream Come True!"

Bon Appetit!

LAS BRISAS TV SHOOT

Sassy Girl Pies and More!

You're next cake has gotta come from Sassy Girl Pies and More! I saw this masterpiece and I had to give a shout out! This is SO impressive! See for yourself! Check out SassyGirlPies.Com and prepare to be "awed"!