Snuggle up with these- Part 2

If this has posted on Jan.30th, I am here to say that I LOVE BLOGGER!

I have 3 more books that I think you will enjoy reading.

The first is Joie De Vivre- Simple French Style for Everyday Living by Robert Arbor and Katherine Whiteside.

The recipes are the real deal and the pictures..... You will learn so much by the time you finish the book, you'll be almost French (another really great book by Sarah Turnbull)


The next book is A Goose in Toulouse and other Culinary Adventures in France by Mort Rosenblum.
I seem to have a theme going here-hehe.
If you love food and love all things French, pick it up. You will not regret it.
It is like taking a mini vacation without the price tag.


I have to warn you about the last book. I was reading this in a waiting room and started laughing so hard I had to leave the room. It is a hoot!

It is called The Reluctant Tuscan- How I discovered my inner Italian by Phil Doran.
I laughed until I cried but the story also made me cry.
Trust me on this and just read it.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Snuggle up with these

I am trusting that the post options with blogger truly do work.
This week is filled with Dr appointments (not for me, for my son) so I thought I would write a couple of quick posts while I had the chance. If you are reading this on Jan. 28th, it worked. Yay!


There is nothing better than sitting down with a good book. O.k, I can think of a few things but.....won't go there!

I have enjoyed every book that Frances Mayes has written.
A Year in the World is exceptional.
If you love travel and reading about getting off the beaten path, this one is for you.
If only I could visit all the marvelous places she has had the pleasure of seeing!


Mediterranean Summer by David Shalleck with Erol Muntz is a must read.
The story is not only entertaining but there are MANY recipes.
The forward was written by MARIO BATALI (love him).
Imagine sailing around the Mediterranean as a chef on a yacht.
What an adventure.

Too Much Tuscan Sun (confessions of a Chianti tour guide) by Dario Castagno with Robert Rodi,
is charming and very funny.
After reading this, I am ready to take a tour with Dario.
If you are in a bookstore soon, take a look at the back cover. He is a cutie!

I hope everyone is having a good week. I'm hoping to visit soon.

Do you fondue?

We do! I have been a huge fan of fondue since the early 70's.
The pot is old- the color says it all-hehe.

I always think of fondue as a fun meal. When my boys were younger, we would have it occasionally (minus the alcohol).
With the weather so cold throughout the country, this is a perfect way to warm up.

Ladies, tradition says the man of the house prepares it (so I was told by a lovely Swiss man years ago). At this stage of my life, fondue has turned into a romantic meal. Nothing better than that!

While this recipe calls for white wine and Kirsch, it can easily be made without these ingredients.


Ingredient list

10 oz Gruyere cheese
10 oz Emmental cheese (Swiss cheese in the U.S.)
1 clove garlic
10 oz dry white wine
juice of 1 lemon
grated nutmeg
2 tsp cornstarch
4 oz of Kirsch
black pepper to taste

lots of very crusty bread torn (or you can cube it) into pieces


Grate the cheese and put into the fondue pot with the garlic, wine, lemon juice and nutmeg.
Mix together the cornstarch and Kirsch and add to your pot. While stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Simmer gently for several minutes.
Add pepper to taste.

You can add a simple salad but the fondue is very filling.

Bring the fondue pot to your table, light those candles and let the romance begin.

I'm thinking Valentines Day!

I have been busy adding items to my shop
Lots of little pretties for Valentines Day.

I just love crowns!


I hope everyone has a truly blessed week.

Been doggone tired!

The picture is of my granddog Cash (as in Johnny).

His face pretty much sums up how I have been feeling. I have just been dog tired.
Unfortunately, visiting blogs and posting was at the bottom of my list.
I know many of you can relate to that. Just when I would sit down and think I could catch up, something would come up that needed to be taken care of asap.

I have missed visiting you but plan on making my way around this weekend.

Cash and I have just one more thing to say "GO CARDINALS".