A Small Feast...

Yesterday I was inspired by some simple ingredients to invite people over and cook a dinner...

first there was this amazing olive oil that my sister, girlies and I discovered in Gustine.  If you are there please go into The Olive Branch and do some tasting.  The owner is so friendly and the olive oils and vinegars are delicious! We learned a lot and I can't wait to go back and get some of the other flavors.  For locals they are also at the Merced Thursday Night Farmer's Market...and for those of you out of the area...you can order online!

This fresh tasting oil made me want to create something light and healthy...capellini pasta seemed just right - not too heavy...and some fresh sugar snap peas.

We blanched the peas...so they were still nice and crispy...added the zest of one lemon...threw in the cooked pasta, some of our precious lemon olive oil and salt to taste...Viola! Fresh and light and yummy!

I love cauliflower and got a tasty recipe from my good buddy....

butter, spices and some roasting and another wonderful dish is born.

Here is the recipe - so simple, but the flavor is amazing.

Look at all that goodness just waiting to be roasted.

Fresh mango is always a treat....I just cut them away from the pit then score each half with a knife and flip them inside out.  It's easy from there to cut off the little cubes and toss them into a bowl.

Brian had roasted a pork (in tons of garlic - which turned out to be fantastic) so we served that cold and added a caprese salad using some of our fresh basil.  Instead of drizzling our caprese with olive oil we use balsamic and some sea salt.

I added some funky table decorations, set the places with my fiestaware (assorted colours of course!) and we all enjoyed a fresh, healthy dinner made with simple ingredients and a lot of love!

So, go to The Olive Branch and get some olive oil, put a few leaves in your table and call some people that love to eat and see what you can come up with!

Don't forget the tapioca for dessert!

xoxo      Elizabeth

Trunk Show!?

I decided to shake things up a bit with the last boutique that I had at my house...why not call it something cute..something a little different...maybe it could be a Trunk Show.  You know, everyone brings their things in a trunk...and sets them out to sell...

Brian even got into the spirit when he designed the invitation - very clever!

And...instead of just me and my trunks I invited some other people to bring their trunks and set things up to sell!

Clutch with matching Wallet

My sister couldn't make it, but she sent her wares! She makes the most wonderful purses, clutches, shopping bags, lunch sacks, garden aprons, laptop and ipad holders and even tiny little purses to fit inside of purses!

Garden Apron

Jennifer has a knack for finding just the right piece of vintage fabric, the cutest piece of new fabric, the funkiest button or a great piece of trim to use...always a little something extra!

I invited a new friend to join us....Elizabeth Buenrostro from Applesauce Designs.

Elizabeth makes these beautiful dolls...

cute, funny rabbits....

and adorable children's clothing!

And...I had a wonderful old (as in I've known her all my life) friend join us...

Purses, wall hangings, table runners

Baby sets

Geneva is a quilter and her work is just amazing. She makes everything from bed sized quilts to bibs!

Then of course I opened my trunks (literally - well suitcases anyway!) and set out my wares...

Headbands and Hairclips

Bookmarks

Satin ribbons with felt flower to tie in your hair

Summer Rings

Felt mice

Of course there were treats, we made lemon squares, and a little something to drink!  The sun was shining, there was a wonderful breeze, and there was a lot of visiting!  What a charming way to spend a Saturday in June.   Next time you will have to join us!

xoxo       Elizabeth

Food Lane!!!!

This is another edition of the Proud Mama series!!! Now I am going to brag on my youngest!

  

This beautiful girlie has been cooking for us since she was about 7....and we haven't had to spit anything out yet!

Lane likes trying new techniques...

she has even tackled meringue...

she has no fear (I even caught her using the candy thermometer the other day!) and a great sense of adventure...

last year she announced that she was going to enter a cake making contest!? And she did!!! And she did it well - of course knowing her like we do - we knew that if she was going to do it she would do it well!  Lane jumped right in and taught herself to make fondant and ganache - two things that, rather like the candy thermometer, scare the stuffing out of me!

The year before last we spent almost every Monday of the school year cooking with our good friends. Lane learned about yeast breads, making donuts, wontons, soups and focaccia bread to name a few.

So...what I am trying to tell you is....this girlie can cook! And...she is going to let us all join her in her cooking travels with her new blog Food Lane!

Don't miss a post!  Hurry over to Food Lane right now and start enjoying the adventure of cooking with Lane!

You are in for a treat!

Lane...enjoy your journey into the blog world...can't wait to see where it takes you!

I love you bunches!!!


xoxo       Elizabeth - the chef's Mama

Milestone Moments

Just recently we had a Milestone around here...

this little cutie pie... did this...

and she did it with all of these...

Ok, so that is a bit of a proud Mama moment there - but I am not taking it back! 

Being proud and happy for her we decided to throw her a little party...

We crafted ourselves silly and then went to the pool and BBQed pizza!  So much fun!

First thing we did was put down a funky tablecloth, some napkins and some sharpies..everyone left notes and doodles and now Madison has a special tablecloth and napkins of her very own!

Our theme for the party was X's and O's .... I wanted to display photos of Madison so I made some cubes and added her pics and some custom X's and O's.

We had everyone leave love notes for Madison...

and we made tic tac toe game keepsakes for our guests! (Because of the x's and o's of course!)

There was a lot of fun going on at our "photo booth"...

Can you see the xo garlands in the background?

At times it seems that just a moment ago this girlie was tiny and in my arms, but then I realize that there have been many wonderful years of memories and growing that brought us to this spot.  Madison, you have grown into a young woman that we admire, respect and love to the moon and back...it will be a pleasure to continue to watch your journey.

With all the love of a Mama's heart - Happy Graduation to You!


xoxo         Elizabeth