Monday, March 22, 2010

Farmers Market

**There are 3 new posts - so make sure you take a look at all of them!***


One thing I love about LA are the Farmers Markets.

You can find one every day of the week somewhere in the Los Angeles area 365 days a year! How wonderful it is to have 4 growing seasons a year as opposed to just 1 !

Fresh organic fruits and vegetables at low prices while supporting local farmers - What more could you ask for!?!

Which brings me to my next point...what to do with all this fresh produce? How about some good home cooking!?! We recently signed up for Relish Relish ($20 for 3 months...I think it's a bit pricey but oh so convenient & worth it to me!)

www.relishrelish.com

Every Thursday, a new menu of approximately 15 - 20 recipes is posted. Each one is completed in 30 minutes and comes with a complimenting side dish. Every week there is a theme that is discussed and featured in a handful of the recipes: Parsnips, Things to do with a Bundt Cake pan, SuperFoods (antioxidant rich).
There are also several categories to choose from - Simple Gourmet, Kid Friendly, Budget, Crockpot, Vegetarian, Low Calorie

After going through the menus, you drag them over to your shopping list. Then you simply click how many people you will be serving (awesome for any family that needs less than or more than the traditional 4 servings!) and VOILA! your shopping list is printed out containing exactly what you need for the week along with the recipes (cooking temp and quantities) adjusted for the amount of people you will be serving.

Recently, we've had:
Braised Chicken w. Button Mushrooms and Creamy Polenta
California chopped salad and Parmesan Parsley Biscuits
Slow Cooker Rosemary Stew with Roasted Asparagus

All absolutely delicious and SO easy to make!

Check it out...It's a wonderful way to branch out and try some new recipes!




Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes. A sweet and unique flavor



$1.00 Artichokes! Pass the butter!

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Santa Barbara Wineries

***Disclaimer***
These photos were uploaded in the wrong order - so they start a night's end after WAY too much drinking! They will become less blurry and less embarrassing the further down you go!



Santa Barbara is beautiful. It is about a 90 minute drive northwest of LA.

Once we arrived at the wineries, we purchased a 'tasting'. $10 for a glass with the logo of the vineyard (which we get to keep). Micah and I split a tasting since he was the designated driver and didn't want to drink too much.

We were then served anywhere from 7 - 11 wines (about 1 - 2 ounces each taste). We did the swirling, the sniffing, the tasting - very sophisticated!

We also had a wonderful picnic compliments of Jode: cheeses (lots of cheeses!), meats, breads, grapes, veggies, etc...And of course, a bottle of merlot!











More Family Photos...this time with Kiddos!

Hey Logan, how cool is your Uncle Micah & Auntie Kim?









Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Quick Catch-Up!

Sorry it's been so long. Without consistent internet, uploading photos is a big ole' pain! Hopefully this will get you caught up a bit!

Our trip to Denver to FINALLY meet our nephew and niece.


One word- BURRRR!!! Our California blood is NOT used to that kind of weather! And of course, we were not prepared. Had I to do it over again I would have brought -
A 'REAL' winter coat
Boots
something other than jeans and sweatpants
a HEAVY moisturizer!









Yep..That's layers upon layers and I was still NUMB!




Mike & Nicole's Quilt - Nautical Themed. I love the back...Vintage bobbers and crabs!



Dear Dear Friends Lindsey and DLee. Lindsey has one of the BEST blogs...check it out at LindseyBurwell.blogspot.com



Watching the Viking Game before they disappointed! Oh Well, there's always next year!