tUESDAY tUNES: SABOR A Mí

 Mellowing out with this tUESDAY tUNES - SABOR A MI  by Saúl Castro and his lovely instrumental

SABOR A MI

But it was the following rendition my Dad played on our record player by none other than

EYDIE GORME

(English translation too)

 Enjoy!

FOTO FRIDAY: THE BIGGEST RAINBOW EVER

FOTO FRIDAY:THE BIGGEST RAINBOW EVER  greeted my Delta flight descent into Little Rock. This was even zoomed from the opposite side of the plane. Incredible.

            What a welcome home!

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was:WHAT A BOUNTY

    

LATE MIDWEEK MUSINGS: THE WORLD OF TEA

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS  are a bit delayed, but it's always time for tea. This just didn't get posted due to Bubbe fatigue. I just had way too much fun Halloweening in San Francisco.  Actually, it wasn't the partying you might assume. It was because I was spending time with a 2 1/2 yr old grand, and we were very busy.

So what a nice welcome home to my last World of Tea class, where today we could learn about the benefits of matcha tea, how it is grown, harvested, processed, and prepared, in addition to sampling. :)

Tea making is an art that very few people have mastered. But it doesn't mean we can't still enjoy it.

Here are some photos, videos, and recipe. 

Unfortunately, the fall LifeQuest quarter has ended, but you should definitely sign up when it's offered again/ go to your local tea shop in your area. 

Shelley Green, our instructor and proprietor of The Green Corner Store in SoMa here in downtown Little Rock made sure our class learned a lot about the World of Tea. 

It was delish with our bean paste desserts too!

TBT: TURKEY MONTH

 TBT:TURKEY MONTH brings with it many memories.

You know the friends who have been part of your life, at least since I was a newlywed in 1976 in Charleston. I was to be Missee's matron of honor...

Yet this 2010 (?) pic was taken in Madison while she was visiting her eldest daughter, whose hubby was doing his residency there. The serendipity of this child's move enabled us to meet up a couple of times, even later welcoming a grandson.

Since I moved South, Missee visited last November to be introduced to Little Rock and she will return this Turkey Day again for new adventures. 

It's going to be a great month of reunions as my Wisconsin Tuscany travel partner arrives this week. 

I know art, food and a good time awaits... because old friends just pick up where they left off.

-

tUESDAY tUNES : MAN IN THE MIRROR

tUESDAY tUNES today has special significance as we all need to exercise our right to vote, turning out in unforeseen numbers. We need to show the future generation that complacency is not in anybody's interest.

With today being an important day to cast your vote if you haven't! listen to the advice of this14-year-old ,

Jaukeem Fortson who 'caught the spirit 'in Man in the Mirror on the semifinals of the Voice...

MAN IN THE MIRROR

MONDAY MUSINGS:THE GIFT OF THE HARVEST

MONDAY MUSINGS: My daughter-in-law gave me a very lovely gift during my visit this past weekend as she let me help harvest the fruits of her labor and she has quite a green thumb.

It has been no easy feat fending off critters from destroying her efforts.  Whether it's insects/ bigger vermin... California squirrels are very bold. I think the presence of a hawk has helped curtail their palate a bit.

Tomatoes in abundance-

Early Girls that were late girls...

sweeeeeet... sunny gold 

Chili peppers are still flowering,

and the persimmons which weigh down their branches ...

                                   Aren't they all so beautiful?

MONDAY MUSINGS;APPETIZER ANYONE?

MONDAY MUSINGS : APPRETIZER,ANYONE? It's been forever since I shared a recipe so enjoy this one as it's a good one. Think of me when your guests want the recipe.

Time to share a new appetizer. This one reminds me of my New Orleans dining adventures. This is an easy one and will be part of my Turkey Day celebration this year.

FRENCH QUARTER CHEESE SPREAD

Ingredients

1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 T grated sweet onion (from 1 small [4 oz.] onion)

1/2 t. grated fresh garlic (from 1 med clove)

1/4 c (2 oz.) unsalted butter, cut into cubes

2 T light brown sugar

1 T. tap water

1 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 t Creole mustard

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 c chopped, toasted pecans

• Buttery crackers, for serving (such as Ritz)

• Directions"

  1. Combine cream cheese, onion, and garlic:

     Whisk cream cheese in medium bowl until smooth. Stir in onion and garlic.

  2. Spread mixture evenly onto serving plate. Chill, uncovered, in frig until firm ~ 1 hour.

  3. Let mixture warm slightly:

     Remove cream cheese mixture from refrigerator and let stand until softened slightly, about 15 minutes.

  4. Make pecan topping:

     Meanwhile, combine butter, brown sugar, water, Worcestershire sauce, Creole mustard, and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan. Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly, 5 to 6 minutes.

  5. Remove from heat; stir in pecans. Let stand until cooled slightly, about 5 minutes.

  6. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Serve with buttery crackers.

  7. ENJOY.