What I know for sure

I am an avid reader .. I love to read ... books magazines , cookbooks , blogs , newsletters.. really anything I can get my hands on .. I love to be lost in a novel .. in a far away place .. in someone else adventure or life... I love to be inspired by stories and motivated by articles.

The rooms in my home are overflowing with books in every corner .. sometimes I read 2 or 3 books at a time .. a novel .. a self help book and a cookbook !

In magazines I have a favorite column .. I look for that each time a new monthly magazine comes out .. one of my favorite is Oprah's " What I Know For Sure " .. usually on the last page of her magazine .

During my reflective quiet time in the early morning hours .. I usually get up between 5 & 6 .. just to have a cup of coffee and write .. I came up of my list for "Things I know for sure "
I encourage you to do this too ! it will make you realize what is truly important in your life .. what really matters to you .. aside for our daily routine and things we have to do .. this will show you what is in your heart ! and in life you should follow your heart ! it never lies !

What I know for sure I need daily

my quiet time
salad
a nap
good food
good wine
lovin'
a walk
to listen to the sounds of birds
exercise
flowers
kisses from my grand babies
day dreaming
goals
kisses from Clint
writing my morning pages
solitude
laughter
a nice hot shower
candlelight
gratitude

Make some time in your life to see what really matters to you.. make a list .. set some goals ...incorporate what is meaningful in your life to your daily activities ..you will be surprised at how happy it will make you !
What do YOU know for sure ???

Cocktails on the Veranda

Whether you have a deck, porch or back step .. Summer is a wonderful time to relax with friends and a delicious summertime drink ..It is a gathering place for relaxation & conversation . Fireflies in the dark .. shooting stars.. a full and brilliant moon . the laughter of friendship and the quiet solitude of dreaming ... grab a frosty glass and sit outside and enjoy the moment that is summer !

Peach Margarita
1 cup frozen or fresh peaches pureed
1 cup tequila
1/2 cup peach snaps
1/2 cup lime juice
4 TBS superfine sugar
crushed ice

White Wine Fizz
1.5 liter white wine
1 apple sliced thin
1 lemon sliced thin
1 orange sliced thin
2 cups sparkling water

Watermelon -tini
6 cups fresh seedless watermelon
1 cup vodka
1 cup lemonade
combine in a blender ,serve over ice.

My Mother & Michael Jackson

My mother is 80 years old .. she lives 1/2 block from me and I see and talk to her regularly .. but never so much as these days !
It started with a innocent statement"Michael Jackson's kids are not his"and went on from there ... "did you know his casket will be blue & gold ? "
"his mother is really pretty "
"she doesn't live with the father "
"he is $500 million dollars in debt"
"his estate is worth ... " and on & on ......... to say that my 80 year old mother is obsessed with Michael Jackson would be an understatement!
I am receiving a daily account of the life and death of Michael Jackson .. last night while having a light summer dinner at my house she said~
" what will I do after he is buried ??? "
Now that is a scary thought... at home with my dad ( he sleeps alot) my mother watches TV .. she does do some reading but lately she has been glued to the TV with the sights and spectacle that is Michael Jackson .. the king of Pop.
"he only weighed 112 lbs !"
"they towed his doctors' car away"
"his doctor made $150,000 a month! "
"they have his last video "
"he loved his kids "
"the dermatologist was the Father!"
"the sisters are there for the money "
"he was paid in cash for all his concerts "
"his maids all wore black & white uniforms '
As I write this I think you, too, will know as much as I do about Michael!~he has become one of the family ... an everyday subject..
What will we do when he is buried !??!

Vibrant ,Colorful Summery Foods

Summer is here ....a time to eat light .. a time to enjoy the bounty of the garden .. here are some great ,light , fun salads to make for entertaining or for dinner .They can be made ahead just don't put the dressing on until you are ready to serve ..... Enjoy !

COLORFUL CORN SALAD

4 cups frozen corn defrosted
1 large red pepper diced
1/2 cup scallion chopped
1/2 cup red onion diced
2 stalks celery diced
1 TBSP chopped flat leaf parsley
1 ~15 can black beans rinsed & drained

Dressing
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 red wine vinegar
2 TBSP lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
salt & pepper
dash hot sauce (optional )
~combine ingredients for dressing and toss with remaining ingredients


GREEN BEAN & RED PEPPER SALAD

2 LBS String beans cleaned & cooked till tender

2 red peppers sliced thin
1 large onion sliced
1/2 cup olive oil
salt& pepper
2 TBSP chopped parsley

~cook peppers & onion in oil until soft and caramelized.. season with salt & pepper and toss with cooked green beans .. serve room temp


Italian Potato Salad

3 LBS potatoes cooked until just tender, drain
6 TBS olive oil
salt & Pepper
3 TBSP Italian flat leaf parsley
~combine all ingredients & serve room temp

Orange Salad with Feta & Honey Dressing

6 navel oranges peeled & sliced
1 red onion sliced very thin
3/4 cup Feta Crumbles
1/2 cup imported black olives

Dressing

1 TBSP honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TBSP Red Vinegar
salt & pepper
~whisk & drizzle over oranges& red onion sprinkle with feta & olives


Fresh Fruit with Lemoncello & vodka

4 cups assorted berries
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup lemoncello
Sugar if needed

Combine & serve

IT'S NOW OR NEVER

Funny how quickly time passes by .. when we are busy with the every-day stuff of life.. going to work ... doing chores... cooking .. dealing with family and friends .. we don't think about time .. but if a slow minute comes upon us .. when things quiet down .. we have time to pause and look at our life .. then we can see that time just goes on it's merry way .. ticking by we get older ... our life gets shorter .. the things we want to do or plans we may have day dreamed about get pushed towards the back burner ....

How many times have you heard the expression " Life is not a dress rehearsal ".. if you stop to think about that saying you will realize that it rings true ...

Hey ! it's now or never ! take a look at your life .. your dreams .. your passion .. where did they go .. are you making time in your life for what you really want ? do you know what it is that you really want ?

Those answers don't come too easily .. you need to make space for your dreams .. you need to think about them plan them take steps towards them ..
you need to DO something !

I once overheard a conversation in a quiet little restaurant on the coast of Oregon .. a gentleman and his companion were sitting behind .. out of sight but not out of earshot .. they were talking about INTENTION & ACTION .. all of us at some point in our lives have INTENTION .. good intentions but do we always take action on those thoughts? .. if we don't .. if we don't make a effort to take a step towards our intention .. take some ACTION .. our intention becomes nothing .. just a dream .. never a reality
We can't sit and wait for a present to drop in our lap .. we need to start to make it happen .. show the universe and our selves that we are serious about what it is that we want in our life .
That is how things happen .. first you dream, then you think, then you do something and guess what .. then it happens ..
Our thoughts are real .. what we think of manifests itself in our lives ..
think good thoughts... think about what you want .. take the time to day dream in your daily life .. make plans .. then take steps to make those plans become a reality
the time is now .. your life is right now .. it's now or never .. make your life the best it can be .. everyday.. every minute ..
Be happy .. don't worry .. all good things will come to you !

"Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."
Ronald Reagan
(1911-2004)

SUMMMER IS HERE

Well it's July ... how did that happen ? I know time goes by fast but sometimes it still amazes me just how quickly my life is going !

My Spring & Summer season of classes& day trips have come to an end .

Last night was "Be Good To Yourself Class" I cooked lots of fresh vegetables .. the food was vibrant and colorful .. Marilyn Firchow , a personal trainer came and did a presentation on simple things you could do to make your body stronger , healthier and incorporate fitness in you daily life .

It was a great class and it got me to thinking back on this season of classes and trips ... we have been to Chester County tasting the abundance that is at our doorstep .. we ventured into South Philadelphia on a Day "Shopping with Susan" tasting our way through family owned businesses and stocking our kitchens with all the good food to prepare a wonderful meal .. we went to Chinatown on a whirlwind tour .. learning the culture and enjoying the fascinating sights & sounds of Downtown Chinatown . We cooked our way through Tuscany with hands on classes and enjoyed the company of women at the Mother's Day Luncheon . We learned how to incorporate the Art of Fung Shui in our daily life adding passion & abundance and just plain good common sense to make our lives flow more smoothly.

It was a very busy , fun & informative season full of laughter and learning and meeting new Friends and spending time with others who have a passion for food and life!

The summer months of July & August are quieter as everyone is in a summer mood of relaxation and vacation .. but for me it is a time to start planning my fall & winter season .
I have lots of new ideas for the upcoming Autumn .. it is a favorite time of year for me .. a time for renewal and learning .. a time for entertaining and being with family & friends and a great time to go back to school .. so I hope you will check the web site & join me a an upcoming class or local adventure !

Have a great Summer !

Gavin Nicholas Martino

Great Grand~ Pop Armando
Dom & Carrie (Momma & Papa)
Nonna & Pop Pop


The baby was all smiles ... dressed in a beautiful Irish Linen Christening Gown and ready for the big day .
We arrived bearing food for the party afterwords .. some great antipasti and a few items for nibbling.. .the Prosecco was chilling as so apparently was Gavin... not a peep out of him as we passed him around for hugs and kisses and lots of pictures. His big brother Finn was very excited too ! lots of people in his house and a big party was in the making !
We drove to the beautiful church of St. Thomas in Glen Mills and gathered around Father Pete as he talked and joked with us .. it was a wonderful ceremony ... a ceremony that celebrated a new life and a new beginning . As Father Pete held up the baby and sang .. little Gavin smiled .. not one bit afraid !
We were all so proud & happy to be together for this very special day !