Marionberry Jammers

I've been wanting to try this recipe for quite some time but never had the opportunity. Saturday my parents came over and I knew I could quickly whip these up before they arrived. Served warm from the oven they were crazy good. The recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks titled The Grand Central Baking Book. Almost all the recipes call for buttermilk which I never seem to have. So I tried the 'make your own' recipe I've seen a million times of adding 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk ... it worked!

Steak Salad

We're about to build an ark. It's been raining for close to 48 hours ... non stop. There is nothing appealing about leaving the house ... not even food could temp us to leave. This salad was composed of items I had on hand and it turned out to be one of the best salads I've ever made.





I sauteed green beans, mushroom and sun dried tomatoes. This warm mixture wilted the mixed baby greens ever so slightly. Topped with seasoned flank steak and shavings of ricotta salata cheese. I tossed the greens with one of my all time favorite dressings:

1 shallot
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
1/4 t. curry powder
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. rice wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. canola oil

Mix in blender

Pumpkin Scones

I love Sunday mornings and they tend to be the day that I indulge in baking a breakfast treat. I don't make these very often ... mainly because I end up eating the entire batch ... albeit not in one sitting! They are the perfect combo of moist and delicate. I added a maple glaze that was the perfect touch.

Winter

I have had these two huge pots flanking our garage doors for at least seven years. They were a bear to get home and feel lucky they have lasted as long as they have ... The Northwest is not exactly terra cotta weather conditions. We'll have to figure out what to do until Costco starts carrying their glazed pots in the spring. Yet another reason to be sooooo over Winter!

National Championship

SO PROUD OF OUR DUCKS! They fought hard!!!

Bring it!

GO DUCKS!!!

Go Ducks!

These photos were from the 2010 Rose Bowl. This year we're playing for the big one baby ... National Championship on January 10! woot woot! Sadly, with ticket prices hovering around $800.00 - $1,200.00 (and higher!), we'll be rooting from home. I'm pretty sure they'll hear us in Glendale.

Winter Centerpiece

I found a new blog that I am loving. Jennifer's designs are so inspiring and creative that I spent the better part of a day mesmerized. When I spied this centerpiece, I knew I had all the supplies to create my own ... something new without spending a dime.

Happy New Year!

I'm a little behind schedule since we've been sick around here.

We celebrated with:



And had a lovely dinner:



See those little votive candles? I just picked them up at Crate and Barrel and love them. I've always thought fake candles were a little cheesy until I spied these ... I think they look more realistic with the little burned off wick. Their true purpose is for my built in cabinets where I can't burn real candles and so far visitors are fooled!