This site has moved to Julieschicklit.com
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Under Construction
I feel like being on Blogger in 2012 is the same as being on Myspace in 2007. (Even though Myspace did just get a fabulous makeover.)
Anyway!
I want this blog to look and work the best for my readers. So I am switching to Wordpress and I'm also going to buy Julieschicklit.com.
You can probably tell by my pictures that I make on Paint that I am no web-guru. So expect this blog to be under construction for a few days.
But then expect gloriousness to ensue afterwards!
Follow me on Twitter and Goodreads to keep up with what is going on. Facebook and Pinterest will be coming soon.
xo
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| Lolcat from here |
I want this blog to look and work the best for my readers. So I am switching to Wordpress and I'm also going to buy Julieschicklit.com.
You can probably tell by my pictures that I make on Paint that I am no web-guru. So expect this blog to be under construction for a few days.
But then expect gloriousness to ensue afterwards!
Follow me on Twitter and Goodreads to keep up with what is going on. Facebook and Pinterest will be coming soon.
xo
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Pumpkin is the new bacon. Or so Pinterest tells me. I don't know. I don't eat bacon. But I'll take their word for it because I love pumpkin everything.
This is the pumpkin coffee cake with streusel that was super yums.
Looking for an actual coffee flavor to mix with the cake, I made this icing. It didn't add any coffee flavor, just more sugar, which wasn't needed. If I could do it over again, I would ix-nay this icing.
I'm practicing my pumpkin baking because the next cooking club is at my place and it's going to be a pumpkin brunch!
Pumpkin coffee cake from My Sweet Savannah
Crockpot pumpkin spice latte from Urban Nester
Autumn cider mimosas from Food + Words
Honeycrisp apple sangria from Nutmeg Nanny
(Are you also noticing a lot of drinks!?)
Pumpkin quinoa breakfast cookies from Sweet Treats & More
Maple pumpkin pie yogurt breakfast parfait by The Yummy Life
And of course I am open to more suggestions if you leave them in the comments! xo
This is the pumpkin coffee cake with streusel that was super yums.
 |
| Photography skills - 0 points. Flavorfulness - 1 point. Word inventivness - 5 points. |
Looking for an actual coffee flavor to mix with the cake, I made this icing. It didn't add any coffee flavor, just more sugar, which wasn't needed. If I could do it over again, I would ix-nay this icing.
I'm practicing my pumpkin baking because the next cooking club is at my place and it's going to be a pumpkin brunch!
{Pumpkin Brunch Tentative Recipe List}
Pumpkin coffee cake from My Sweet Savannah
Crockpot pumpkin spice latte from Urban Nester
Autumn cider mimosas from Food + Words
Honeycrisp apple sangria from Nutmeg Nanny
(Are you also noticing a lot of drinks!?)
Pumpkin quinoa breakfast cookies from Sweet Treats & More
Maple pumpkin pie yogurt breakfast parfait by The Yummy Life
And of course I am open to more suggestions if you leave them in the comments! xo
Monday, October 1, 2012
Two Lovers by George Eliot
{Poem of the Day}
Mary Ann Evans was an important woman writer from the Victorian era. She is mostly known as George Eliot, a male pen name so that her writing would be taken more seriously. Born in Warwickshire, the west midland region of England, this very successful chick of lit wrote poetry, short stories and novels. She was also an assistant editor and translator. Since my last {Poem of the Day} from Eliot was quite serious, here's a poem of hers that celebrates love.
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| "Starry Night Over the Rhone" by Vincent Van Gogh. Print from $28 on iCanvas Art |
"Two Lovers"
By George Eliot (1819 - 1880)
Two lovers by a moss-grown spring:
They leaned soft cheeks together there,
Mingled the dark and sunny hair,
And heard the wooing thrushes sing.
O budding time!
O love's blest prime!
Two wedded from the portal stept:
The bells made happy carolings,
The air was soft as fanning wings,
White petals on the pathway slept.
O pure-eyed bride!
O tender pride!
Two faces o'er a cradle bent:
Two hands above the head were locked:
These pressed each other while they rocked,
Those watched a life that love had sent.
O solemn hour!
O hidden power!
Two parents by the evening fire:
The red light fell about their knees
On heads that rose by slow degrees
Like buds upon the lily spire.
O patient life!
O tender strife!
The two still sat together there,
The red light shone about their knees;
But all the heads by slow degrees
Had gone and left that lonely pair.
O voyage fast!
O vanished past!
The red light shone upon the floor
And made the space between them wide;
They drew their chairs up side by side,
Their pale cheeks joined, and said, "Once more!"
O memories!
O past that is!
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| Learn more about George Eliot here |
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Funky Pieces for a Funky Reading Space
Reading spaces can define your reading experience. And you all know I love my reading forts. Here are a few home accessories that will funkify any dull reading space. Along with these unusual pieces are the books that would pair well with them.
34" Aged Gold Black Feather Plummage Lamp
$3,700
Instyle Decor
Have this lamp shed some light while you read Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner.
Wall-Climbing Sofa
Lila Jang
Dress up as the Queen of Hearts and cuddle up with Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll on this other-worldly couch.
Book Safe
$32.00
Ela's Ideas on Etsy
My precious! It is well hidden in this book of secrets. If only Frodo had this in the Lord of the Rings.
Utopian Angel/Devil Mugs
$26.00
Jonathan Adler
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy just got a jolt of style.
Eli Fort Bed
$1,399.00
Pottery Barn Kids
Pull a Jack and kick the kids out of their room to become dictator of the island! Ralph and Piggy are not allowed to this Lord of the Flies party.
34" Aged Gold Black Feather Plummage Lamp
$3,700
Instyle Decor
Have this lamp shed some light while you read Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner.
Wall-Climbing Sofa
Dress up as the Queen of Hearts and cuddle up with Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll on this other-worldly couch.
Book Safe
$32.00
Ela's Ideas on Etsy
My precious! It is well hidden in this book of secrets. If only Frodo had this in the Lord of the Rings.
Utopian Angel/Devil Mugs
$26.00
Jonathan Adler
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy just got a jolt of style.
Eli Fort Bed
$1,399.00
Pottery Barn Kids
Pull a Jack and kick the kids out of their room to become dictator of the island! Ralph and Piggy are not allowed to this Lord of the Flies party.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Recipes Inspired by In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister
As mentioned in my previous post, reading "In Need of Therapy" by Tracie Banister will make a gal want to cash in her airline miles for a trip to Miami. If you're like me and low on funds and/or miles, then bring the flavors of Florida's party capital into your house with the following recipes. All of these were mentioned in Banister's book and they just added more flavor to an already spicy story.
Get Tracie Banister's novel, "In Need of Therapy" for only $1.99 on Amazon.
{Cajun Guacamole}
2 California avocados (about 1 pound total weight)
1 tablespoon, fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup, finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup, small cherry or grape tomatoes – cut in half if large
1/4 cup, thinly sliced green onion
3 cloves, garlic – finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon, chopped fresh thyme leaves
(or substitute 1/4 rounded teaspoon, dried thyme)
1/2 teaspoon, salt
1/4 teaspoon, fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon, cayenne pepper
Coarsely mash (do not puree) the avocados. Gently but thoroughly fold in all remaining ingredients. Recipe from Melinda Lee.
{Watermelon Mojito}
4 large mint leaves
1/2 lime
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
4 ounces seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3/4 cup), plus a small wedge for garnish
2 ounces white rum
1/2 cup ice cubes
In a heavy large glass, combine mint, lime, and sugar. Using a muddler, mash together mint and lime until sugar is dissolved. Add watermelon, and muddle until broken down. Stir in rum and ice cubes. Pour into an 8-ounce serving glass and garnish with a watermelon wedge. Serve immediately.
{Sunburn Cocktail}
2 ounces Tortuga Coconut Rum
1 ounce crème de banana or banana liqueur
1 ounce Galliano
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1 ounce orange juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes & shake well. Pour with the cubes into a tall plastic traveling cup & take to pool.
{Notice there are no recipes from Tony, Pilar's blind date who was an obsessive health fanatic. These are all naughty recipes, for when you need a break from your healthy routine.}
{Papas Rellenos | Stuffed Potato Balls}
Makes 10 stuffed potatoes
Vegetable oil for frying
5 medium potatoes
¼ teaspoon salt
Meat Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped tomato
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
½ pound ground beef
Vegetable Filling
Use the same ingredients in the meat filling except the beef and add 1 cup frozen carrots and peas.
Batter
1 egg
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ cup milk
Directions
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks, put them in a medium pot and cover with water and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
2. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until fork tender about 20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and mash with a fork or masher and set aside.
4. Prepare the filling, in a large sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and add the onion, tomato, scallions, garlic, cumin, azafran, pepper and salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent, add the beef and cook stirring occasionally about 10 – 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
5. In a medium bowl place all the batter ingredients and whisk until smooth and set aside.
6. Divide the potato mash into 10 equal sized portions, about 1/3 cup each, and form each portion into a ball by rolling between the palms of your hands. Flatten into patties and place 1 ½ tablespoons of the filling in the center of each one. Shape the potato mixture with the filling into balls to enclose the filling completely.
7. Fill a large heavy pot with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat to 360° F.
8. Dip the stuffed potato into the batter and carefully place them in the hot oil and fry for about 4 minutes or until golden, turning over halfway through. Remove the potatoes from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain in a plate with paper towels. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with Ají.
For more Miami-inspired recipes and news about the South Florida restaurant scene, go to Food For Thought: A Miami Food Blog.
Get Tracie Banister's novel, "In Need of Therapy" for only $1.99 on Amazon.
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| Pic from Avocado.org |
2 California avocados (about 1 pound total weight)
1 tablespoon, fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup, finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup, small cherry or grape tomatoes – cut in half if large
1/4 cup, thinly sliced green onion
3 cloves, garlic – finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon, chopped fresh thyme leaves
(or substitute 1/4 rounded teaspoon, dried thyme)
1/2 teaspoon, salt
1/4 teaspoon, fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon, cayenne pepper
Coarsely mash (do not puree) the avocados. Gently but thoroughly fold in all remaining ingredients. Recipe from Melinda Lee.
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| Pic and recipe from my main girl Martha Stewart |
{Watermelon Mojito}
4 large mint leaves
1/2 lime
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
4 ounces seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3/4 cup), plus a small wedge for garnish
2 ounces white rum
1/2 cup ice cubes
In a heavy large glass, combine mint, lime, and sugar. Using a muddler, mash together mint and lime until sugar is dissolved. Add watermelon, and muddle until broken down. Stir in rum and ice cubes. Pour into an 8-ounce serving glass and garnish with a watermelon wedge. Serve immediately.
 |
| Pic and recipe from Tortuga Rum Cakes |
{Sunburn Cocktail}
2 ounces Tortuga Coconut Rum
1 ounce crème de banana or banana liqueur
1 ounce Galliano
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1 ounce orange juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes & shake well. Pour with the cubes into a tall plastic traveling cup & take to pool.
{Notice there are no recipes from Tony, Pilar's blind date who was an obsessive health fanatic. These are all naughty recipes, for when you need a break from your healthy routine.}
 |
| Pic and recipe from My Colombian Recipes |
Makes 10 stuffed potatoes
Vegetable oil for frying
5 medium potatoes
¼ teaspoon salt
Meat Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped tomato
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
½ pound ground beef
Vegetable Filling
Use the same ingredients in the meat filling except the beef and add 1 cup frozen carrots and peas.
Batter
1 egg
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ cup milk
Directions
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks, put them in a medium pot and cover with water and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
2. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until fork tender about 20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and mash with a fork or masher and set aside.
4. Prepare the filling, in a large sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and add the onion, tomato, scallions, garlic, cumin, azafran, pepper and salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent, add the beef and cook stirring occasionally about 10 – 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
5. In a medium bowl place all the batter ingredients and whisk until smooth and set aside.
6. Divide the potato mash into 10 equal sized portions, about 1/3 cup each, and form each portion into a ball by rolling between the palms of your hands. Flatten into patties and place 1 ½ tablespoons of the filling in the center of each one. Shape the potato mixture with the filling into balls to enclose the filling completely.
7. Fill a large heavy pot with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat to 360° F.
8. Dip the stuffed potato into the batter and carefully place them in the hot oil and fry for about 4 minutes or until golden, turning over halfway through. Remove the potatoes from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain in a plate with paper towels. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with Ají.
For more Miami-inspired recipes and news about the South Florida restaurant scene, go to Food For Thought: A Miami Food Blog.
Look What I Made
Was in an art class today and made this.
Don't you just love when you start drawing something and your art just turns into something fabulous? I want to frame this and hang it on our wall around Thanksgiving.
Next one will be made of macaroni! xo
Next one will be made of macaroni! xo
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