A Package Full of Spices

I just had to steal this picture from Capri K (http://caprik.wordpress.com/)  Her husband who does a lot of the cooking just received this order from Penzeys Spice Catalog.  Don't you just love the looks of it all?  This is once catalog I have to get.  I'm thinking they MUST have a web site.  Going to check into that!  Meanwhile enjoy the picture and dream!

Here is the website:  http://www.penzeys.com/

Rosemary

My favorite herb is Rosemary. I love the smell and taste and my mother's name is Rosemary.  In southern climates it grows into a big shrub and does not die in the winter.  When we were in Scotland there was a huge hedge along the drive of the B and B where we were staying.  I loved it!  Rosemary is fine in Michigan until it goes below 20 degrees and then it could die.  Bringing it inside is hard because you have to keep it the right moisture.  It dries out very quickly with the heat on.  Last year I winter-overed a plant up against the house and when it got too cold for that, I put it in the garage and it kind of went dormant. I brought it back out in the spring and it is still growing.  I think it is the first time I wintered-over a Rosemary plant.  I love making herb butter with Rosemary in it.  It is very good on fresh baked bread.

Herb Butter

1 stick of butter
2 TBL chopped chives
1 TBL chopped parsley
2 TBL chopped Rosemary leaves
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Soften the butter
Mix all ingredients in
Put in bowl you are going to serve it in
Make a design on the top
Add a little piece of fresh Rosemary to decorate the top
Serve slightly chilled

What You Need......

This is good for whatever ails you. 

 Seriously though, I saw a cooking show the other night with Donaldo and the woman chef was cutting her lettuce on a cutting board with her super sharp knife.  She said she likes her salad cut in bite-sized pieces.   I usually rip my lettuce apart and  the pieces are usually too big which I don't like.  So tonight I was making Taco Salad with Romaine lettuce and I used the cutting board and and super duper Cutco@ knife and it made nice bite-sized pieces of lettuce.  I decided I like it much better that way. 

                                                                       

Potent Quotable

         
                                 

"How long does getting thin take?" asked Pooh anxiously.
A.A. Milne

24 Hours

                         
After an all-day visit to the ER and 24 hours without eating; I think they are closer to fixing the problem; which isn't life-threatening.  I will know more when I go to the GI doctor next Monday. Going in the spa for the first time yesterday and today is helping my neck, my headache and my stomachache.  There is something about water that is so relaxing.  I hadn't gone swimming for two days, but we went this morning and then made a fast trip to the N.V. Farmer's Market for some fresh veggies and plums.  I just love plums.  I buy these little yellow ones that are so good and you can eat several.  Got a basket of yellow cherry tomatoes that are very yummy and some baby squash to grill-which are better than grilled asparagus! 

Dolphin

                        
I found out today that the gals in the river walk have names for everyone and mine is dolphin.  It is because I walk and dive underwater and all they can see then is a little back-end part of me.  I am all for giving people other names; I do it all the time at the pool in Florida :) I have gone swimming 10 days in a row.  I did not feel like going this morning but ole Donaldo got me up and at 'em.  As usual, I am glad I went.

Potent Quotable

"Achievement seems to be connected
with action. Successful men and
women keep moving. They make
mistakes, but they don't quit." - Conrad Hilton