Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Mast Brothers Chocolate

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I have kind of have a thing for obsessed people -- who manage to raise whatever they do to an art. This is exactly why I love the Mast Brothers and I bet their chocolate is amazing, with flavors like hispaniola, dried cranberry, and almond sea salt..yum!!
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Mast Brothers Chocolate, located in New York, with brothers Rick and Michael, who turn hand-sourced beans from small farms in Madagascar, Venezuela and Ecuador into beautiful, deeply complex chocolate bars.

Check out the video and you'll see what I'm talking about. ;)




Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Little Sunshine

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I have recently been mulling over the idea that I should say farewell to my blog - Barefoot in the Orchard - for many reasons (daily chores, playdates, horseback riding lessons, swim lessons, dance lessons, time with extended family, time with my favorite guy, time alone, and the list goes on...). I have found it more and more difficult to get to my blog on a regular basis. Then - a sign - my wonderful friend over at "Content in a Cottage" (thank you ♥ Rosemary) gave me "The Sunshine Award" and told me I should pass it along. Of course, I immediately began thinking of who I would pass it along to, since many of the people I blog with have become special friends over the years (btw - I would love to have lunch with any of you girls if you are ever in my neck of the woods). So... I have decided that I will continue to blog as much as life allows and hope to spread a little bit of sunshine anywhere I can.
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P.S. xxoo's to all my bloggy buddies!!
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Here is the short list of people who blog and spread a little sunshine along the way - in no particular order.
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♥ Content In A Cottage (Rosemary, your blog has always been a favorite!)
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♥ Five Months Until Paris (Cindy, you are just the best!! See you on SL.)
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♥ Honeygo Beasley (Cindy, you got in here twice but technically it's Chole's blog so...)
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♥ Wild Child (Meg, I wouldn't make a list like this without you on it!)
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♥ Reverie Daydream (Mel, your blog & tweets inspire me daily!)
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♥ Paper Schmaper (Krissy, you are just awesome!)
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♥ Momma Chae (one cool momma!)
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Photos Courtesy Of Jupiter Images

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Things To Do Today - Make Ginger Tea (with honey)

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Step 1 Remove the skin from an inch of fresh ginger using a paring knife (I just use a spoon). Chop the ginger and measure a tablespoon per cup of tea.
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Step 2 Add ginger to a saucepan with water, 8oz. per cup. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Pour into a teapot.
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Step 3 Remove the strainer from the teapot and discard the ginger. Add honey if desired(yes!). Tea can be refrigerated for up to a day; warm to serve.
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(Above Photos Courtesy Of Jupiter Images)

Monday, May 17, 2010

One Fresh Chef & Restaurant - Getting It Right

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At "Primo" - a world-class restaurant inside a restored Victorian home in coastal Maine - fresh is the vital relationship between the kitchen and the gardens that surround it. It is the morning communication that occurs between the chef and the head grower, coordinating the perfect harvest to fit that nights menu, and the perfect menu to fit that days harvest.
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Co-owned by Executive Chef Melissa Kelly and Baker/Pastry Chef Price and located in mid-coast Maine. "Darn, a little too far away to travel for dinner - about 3000 miles - but if I lived anywhere this restaurant, I know it would be a favorite!" After working at several restaurants, including Alice Waters' Chez Panisse and The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company (where she won the James Beard award in 1999), she opened Primo. "This amazing chef also makes use of every part of the animal (oink to tail) that they serve on the menu. I hope to see more chefs like this in the future and more restaurants that subscribe to these practices!!"
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More Info:
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One and a half of the four acres on the property make up the restaurant’s kitchen gardens. Farming practices at Primo make use of a variety of growing methods including organic, biodynamic and biological – nutritional agriculture.
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The main production gardens are up the hill behind the restaurant. With more than thirty types of heirloom tomatoes are grown in the main gardens, along with an exciting variety of vegetables and fruits: purple cauliflower, fava beans, cardoons, celeriac, white alpine strawberries, and squash blossoms are just a few. Root crops, such as carrots, turnips, and beets, are replanted in these beds throughout the seasons, offering a continuous supply of tender, baby roots at peak quality. Lettuces and salad greens are also planted in the main gardens this way, with plant varieties changing seasonally, encouraging the seasonal diversity that keeps the chef and cooks inspired.
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The gardens immediately surrounding the restaurant are host to edible flowers, herbs, and additional varieties of vegetables and fruits. These beds are designed to be as functional as they are beautiful - a place where the Primo cooks can slip out of the kitchen to cut the herbs or garnish that they need. Teas and tisanes are created out of a special tea section of these gardens. Raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, and husk cherries are carefully selected from them to grace desserts.
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All of the Primo gardens provide for the restaurant in other ways, too. Beautiful old apple trees can be found throughout the property. In the fall, the apples they drop are carted to a local press, where they are made into cider. Unique seasonal decorations in the restaurant - bundled corn stalks, decorative pots of rye grass, and distinctive tree branches all come from the property itself, as do the dizzying array of cut flowers that they compliment.
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The true stars of the Primo garden, however, are not plants at all: they’re the pigs! Each year, the restaurant raises Tamworth pigs, a heritage breed from England. Tamworth pigs are a beautiful copper color and are renowned for their good temperament. The Primo Tamworths dine on restaurant scraps and a cultivated cover crop of pea tendrils and rye grass throughout the summer and early fall, recycling Primo’s leftovers into delicious, healthy pork. In late fall, the pigs provide the restaurant with a delicious variety of Italian cured meats; House made prosciutto, sopressata, guanciale, salumi, pancetta and lardo are ready by winter and are served on antipasti, pizzas from the wood oven, and other creations.
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Just up the hill are the Italian honeybees. The bees are quiet workers, busy pollinating the diversely planted four acres. They produce up to six gallons of honey, harvested each fall, which will sweeten desserts and teas and compliment Primo cheese platters.
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(Photos Courtesy of Primo's Website)

Monday, May 10, 2010

My Mother's Day

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One breakfast in bed (salmon omelet & cafe mocha w/ whipped cream). Many homemade cards & gifts. Lots of hugs and kisses. One long relaxing bubble bath. An abundance of sunshine, rain, sunshine, & rain. One "Real Simple" magazine. One large terra cotta pot (for my lemon tree). Several yellow & pink roses from the garden. More coffee and food at Cafe Noto's (in Windsor) with my sister & two nieces. A few more gifts (notebook and mood ring). One song and tap dance by the fountain outside Noto's - courtesy of Andy (my 9 year old son). A delicious hamburger (grass-fed beef) with caramelized onions (yummm!!). One long phone call with my mother - laughing, talking, & laughing some more (xo's mom & see you next week). One sweet & dedicated husband who made it all possible, and one happy mom on Mother's Day.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Tub Time

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Many, many years back when I joined the Army Reserves (for extra college money) and I headed off to Basic Training -- I did not know that one of the things I would miss so terribly was my bathtub! I will never forget that when I finally had leave to go off Post for the weekend I headed for the nearest hotel and a long soak, in a warm bubble bath. :)
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FYI - there are many health benefits to a good, long, hot bath. It relaxes muscles, calms your mind, detoxifies, moisturize, and stimulates circulation. Not to mention the psychological benefits of taking time to relax and unwind!! And while your at it light a few candles and make yourself a cup of herbal tea. I sometimes even watch a movie. ;)
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Try -
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Above Information via Martha Stewart Whole Living and the photos are courtesy of Jupiter Images.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday's Photos - Beyond Gorgeous!

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Desireé Ashworth owns and designed this unbelievably gorgeous home in Provo, UT. As far as I'm concerned it's nothing short of perfection! She also has a blog - Décor de Provence - pop over and check it out.
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Once again the photographer behind these images is Ashlee Raubach (love, love, love her work). I just couldn't resist featuring her skills with a camera one more time.
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Happy Friday!! :)
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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Solar Chic

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I'm over the moon or should I say "sun" for this solar lantern . The Soji Modern solar lantern ($40) turns itself on at dusk to cast a golden glow at night. It’s equipped with two high-powered amber LED lights, solar panel, AAA rechargeable battery, and stainless steel hardware. It’s 9-inches round, and available in pure white, pearl motif (white with white floral pattern) and mineral motif (white with grey floral pattern). Fabulous!!
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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Time For Some Herbal Tea

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Interesting Fact- Herbal tea is not really a tea at all. It's an herbal infusion, also called a tisane but who is going to say, "Time for a cup of herbal infusion." I'll have a cup of herbal tea, thank you.
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Herbal infusion is the brewing of a medicinal herbs in water. Plants produce a wide range of chemicals in the normal course of their metabolic activities. These chemicals serve different functions for the plant. Some of these chemicals are beneficial to humans. When herbal tea is being brewed, it is these chemicals in the herbs that are released into water.
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I love the way herbal tea smells and tastes - and of course I'll take all the health benefits I can get. As long as it's organic and fair trade. ;) Below are a few of my favorite teas from Mountain Rose Herbs.
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Dream Tea
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This infusion blend is based on an ancient formula said to evoke powerful and colourful dreams. It is especially blended for the dreamer, stimulating vivid and easily recalled dreams. A light, minty yet, rich flavor. Very enjoyable after a rich or large dinner. Contains: Organic Peppermint, organic Mugwort, organic Damiana leaf, organic Chamomile flower, organic Gotu Kola leaf, organic Rosemary, organic Rose petals and a pinch of organic Stevia.
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Firefly Chai
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A warm, piquant, and delightful herbal Chai made form 100% certified organic materials. A great alternative for those who are seeking a caffeine free Chai and one with a slightly smoother flavor. An exotic beverage that is sure to tickle your taste buds while leaving a semi-sweet linger to the palate!Contains: Organic Ginger root, organic Cinnamon, organic Cloves, organic Cardamom, organic Nutmeg, organic Red Rooibos, and organic Vanilla bean.
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Peace Tea
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This is a gentle and calming nervine blend; a chance for reflection while providing an opportunity to imagine a peaceful world. Takes the stress out of life for a while. A wonderful infusion drink for meditation and quiet moments. Contains: Organic Chamomile flowers, organic Spearmint, organic Passionflower herb, organic Rose petals, organic Lavender flowers and organic Cinnamon bark.
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Now - it's time for some tea!!
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(Photos Courtesy Of Jupiter Images)
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