cherries

Bing cherries are in season and they are divine. delish. can't

stop eating them good. go buy some today.

I am eating this right now. And it is divine. Delish. Bar none. Like no other. That is all I have to say. G'nite.

my morning

It's a lazy morning here...grandpa gates pancakes, bacon, and casi cielo in the french press. For those whose brows rose in confusion at the mention of grandpa gates pancakes, let me elaborate...the ingredients of these rather thin, salty delicacies include: buttermilk, baking soda, salt, and flour. They're best when they stay on the griddle long enough for the edges to become crispy. I put lots of butter on mine, followed by raspberry jam and finally, powdered sugar. Once they are prepared as I like them, I roll them and eat them by hand. Apparently, the recipe dates back to my great grandpa gates, my dad's mom's dad...But breakfast is finished now and the dishwasher loaded. I did delay a bit, however, as there's nothing quite like a slow Saturday morning lingering in jammies while sitting at the table amongst empty plates, sipping coffee, relishing in the notion of having nothing to do. Now, the girls are playing with moon sand, and I'm washing sheets in between blogging and more coffee sipping. I especially enjoyed reading this post this morning on a favorite blog of mine. Enjoy your Saturday.

and for dinner...

Homemade spaghetti and meatballs and this crusty loaf of French Peasant bread, bought from a local bakery. I must say, I felt rather European as I perused the open shelves of Ciabatta, Brioche, Focaccia and the like, deciding finally upon this work of art. My dinner was accompanied by candlelight, the sounds of Chris Botti, and four lovely valentines whom I love.

What's a mother to do...

without any red food coloring on Valentine's Day? Make broiled heart shaped cinnamon toast for breakfast, add a little powdered sugar frosting for definition, and finally, top it off with sprinkles. Wahlah!

Tonight's dinner

We had black beans for dinner tonight, along with brown and wild rice, salad, and these biscuits. Healthy and delish.

Black Beans
Saute 1 green pepper, 1 onion, and multiple garlic cloves in a plethora of olive oil
Add 3 small cans of black beans (or if you're not working full-time, use dry)
Add 1/4 cup of vinegar
Add salt and pepper
*sometimes, when I'm feeling really crazy, I'll add diced tomatoes and cilantro.
(recipe compliments of my mother-in-law)

Baking Powder Biscuits
1/2 Butter
2 Cups Flour (I use half whole wheat/half white)
1 Tbs Sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 milk

Using a pastry blender, blend butter into flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in milk. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times. Cut with biscuit cutter or child's yellow cup if biscuit cutter cannot be found. Bake 10 minutes at 450.

good morning

It's a bagel morning here at our house.

Four sesame.
Two everything.
Two blueberry.

There's just something about going out early on a weekend morning...quiet...peaceful. I like it.

Enjoy your day.

new year's eve

I rang in the new year with three beautiful, apron clad girls as we baked homemade chocolate chip cookies, toasted our sparkling cherry spumante filled glasses, lit sparklers, and watched the ball drop. I am thankful.