Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Ahhhh......Morels

I recently got my hands on some of these beauties, and made the following recipe with them.
A total thumbs up!

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Roll-ups with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

16 cremini caps, (I used my morels) cleaned with a damp towel and finely chopped in food processor
1 small yellow-skinned onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry

Salt and pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or the equivalent of freshly grated

2 cups part skim ricotta

8 curly edge lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente

1 cup fat free chicken broth

8 ounces Gorgonzola, crumbled

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

In a medium skillet over moderate heat, saute mushrooms, chopped onions, and garlic in oil until mushrooms give off their juices and darken and onions are tender, about 7 or 8 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper; the salt will help draw water out of the vegetables as they cook.
Add dry chopped spinach to the pan and heat through for 1 minute.
Adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and a little nutmeg.

Add ricotta and stir into mixture to heat cheese through, 1 minute longer.
Remove pan from heat but leave in the warm skillet.

Heat broth in a small pan over moderate heat.
Melt Gorgonzola into broth and bring liquid to a bubble.
Stir in cream and thicken sauce 2 minutes.

Place cooked lasagna noodles on a large work surface or cutting board. Spread lasagna noodles with a layer of spinach-mushroom filling.
Roll up pasta and arrange the 8 bundles in a shallow casserole dish.

Pour warm sauce over roll-ups and top with mozzarella.
Place casserole under broiler to melt cheese.
*In my case I made this up ahead of time, and warmed it in the oven with loosely wrapped tin foil over the top.
Picture above is from Food TV

Monday, May 5, 2008

Private Label - Springcart

I am honored and pleased to work with Myisha from Springcart. Together with her help, her vision for her new line of candle tins has become a reality. Inspired by gemstones, each candle reflects the personality of materials Myisha works with in creating her beautiful one of a kind jewelry.







You can purchase her candles separately, or in a lovely cigar box gift set along with her awesome jewelry and other lush goodies in her Runaway Cart.


I wish Myisha much success. Please visit Springcart at http://springcart.com/ for gorgeous one of a kind jewelry, candles, jewelry catchers, and more.

For more information on having your own candle line, please contact Karyn at Moodwax Candle. Email moodwaxcandle@msn.com

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Featured Writer Red

My featured writer is Red. She writes about her real life and her journey through it. If you would like to read more about Red, please visit her blog for more personal thoughts and insights.

Red's Blog

Red Writes.....

Everything That I Am

For I am that which I know, and that which I've seen. I am all of this life from which I glean. Take me as I am and know that I am true. Know that I am still learning... about life, about love, about you.

Accept me despite my flaws. Celebrate me with out cause.

Unconditional love is forever and with out due. Such is the love, sent from me to you.

I bring to you honesty and admiration. I surrender all of me to all of you and offer you confirmation.

You won't always know what I'm thinking or why. There will be so much about me you don't understand and I won't always be able to explain myself no matter how I try. But you will always know that I love you and that I put you above the rest. You will always know that I offer you my very best.

Take me for who and what I am, tarnish and all. Trust that your heart knows me and welcome the fall.

I am my past, as I have been yours as well. I am all that you see, and everything for which you fell. You know all that you need to know. You have everything that I can give... and it's yours even if you go.

Friday, April 18, 2008

If....




If you were to pick the one thing that always makes you smile, what would it be?

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Red Writes.....

I'm sitting here thinking... thinking... thinking. I've thumbed through all my notebooks that I can find thinking perhaps I will post an old poem. Nope- nothing I feel like sharing for some reason. Think think think.... listen to music... sing along... think think think. Change music. Think some more. Sing along.

I've got it! I just need to turn the music off. Then I will be able to concentrate.

But wait... I love this song.

Listen to music. Stare at blank screen. Stare at blank screen some more. Start to think about what to write...sing along to music.

It's worse than reality tv... what's coming up next??? Don't turn it off before you see what's next... wouldn't want to miss anything good right?

Then my husband says to me... "What music is that? Is that playing on AOL?' I say, 'No, it's my Playlist.' He says, 'Go to BBC Imusic" (or something along those lines) He says, "They have 80's, World... you name it. All kinds of stuff. You will find something new.' I say, "But dear... I don't want anything 'new'. I like what's on my play list. That is why it is on my playlist.' He says, 'Don't you like to listen to new stuff?'

"No."

'No?'

'No."

"You don't like to just listen to learn about new music you might like?'

I say, 'I'm not adverse to new music, but when I like something... I kind of want to hear it. I search out an artist or a song that I like and read all the lyrics on the albums, listen to clips, etc. I have plenty 'new' exposure. I watch videos. I exchange CD's with family... but I like what I like and don't see the need to waste very much of my time LOOKING for what I MIGHT like. Simple.'

Seems pretty logical to me. But apparently I'm a bit simplistic for his sophisticated music repertoire.

Am I wrong for only wanting to spend my music listening time on the good stuff? How do you feel about the exploration of music vs. the old faithful, memorable and sentimental favorites?

It's all part of the reason why he hates taking me to Subway. I order a tuna sandwich every time. And I savor how wonderful it is, every time. We go to a restaurant- I order a Patty Melt. I always enjoy my dinner. The same can't always be said for him. We order Pizza- he gets all kinds of toppings trying to build up on the flavors and get the most out of it. He even asks for it to be heavy on the pizza sauce. I order a very basic type- no Sausage, no Salami, no Pineapple, no Tomato, no Green Pepper. You know... just ground beef, maybe pepperoni, onion, olive, mushroom, maybe JalapeƱo. It's pretty much the same every time, and EVERYONE'S favorite everytime too. Where as, he is the only one who eats his(as well as mine). I always enjoy mine. Now I ask you... who is smarter?

Which makes most sense? New and unusual- but also unproven- or - faithful standby that always gives enjoyment?

Red's Blog

Thursday, April 10, 2008

A Walk Down the Isle - Interview with Madeline Bea Soap Co.

Today I am featuring a creative and talented member of the Etsy Wedding Team. Medeline Bea Soap Co. has created a line of bath and body products that are perfect for any bride to be. Her wedding speacialty is personalized bridal shower and wedding soap favors. She also created a lavish "bea blissful" welcome basket, perfect for bridesmaids, out of town guests, or any bride that would love some extra pampering!

1. Where are you from?
I am from the beautiful mountains of Northeast PA. I live in the same town I grew up in.

2. What special things do you create for weddings?
I make handmade soap favors whose labels and wrappings can be customized and personalized specifically for the bride and groom. I also can put together gift baskets for bridesmaids, out-of-town guests, flower girls, etc.

3. Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful little girls. I married my high school sweetheart and he's the best husband and dad I could ever imagine. We live a pretty simple life full of laughs, love, and family.

4. What or Who got you started doing what you do?
I started exploring how to make soap out of a desire to make frugal Christmas presents. The craft was way more involved than I thought but the more I learned about it, the more I really wanted to do it! So I bought a couple books and did a ton of online research and taught myself the craft of soapmaking. Once I started, there was so much I wanted to do; new soaps, scrubs, lip balms. It was so addicting. And even now there's way more that I want to do then I have time to do.

5. What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Soapmaking is a big chemical reaction. Measurements of oils, water, and lye have to be very precise (to a tenth of an ounce) or the whole batch could flop.

6. If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
I would have to say Martha Stewart because you know that everything she would have at her wedding would be the most charming, best things you could have.

7. If you are married, what's one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn't?
My soap for favors, of course! Oh yeah, and a sober DJ!


8. What's your favorite wedding song?
I'm going to have to say my own: "All I Need To Know" by Kenny Chesney. It simply says that "In a world where most things come and go, I'll always have you to hold, And that's all I need to know." It most definately captures the essence of marriage. If you're marrying for any other reason then you'll probably be dissapointed.

9. Can you give any advice to all the brides to be getting married this year?
Make the day truely about you and your groom-to-be. So many weddings are carbon copies of each other. I love weddings that are unique and speak volumes about the couple. You and your guests are more likely to enjoy the day when it feels like YOUR wedding and not like the same wedding they went to last month. Oh yeah, and please keep your perspective. It is ONE DAY!!!! It will be over as quickly as yesterday. But your marriage is what all the work is for!

10. Perfect honeymoon spot.
I wouldn't know!

11. If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
One of my Body Scrubs. Her skin would be glowing on her special day (just like her smile!)

12. Links where we can find out more about your work.

http://www.madelinebea.com/
http://www.mbeasoap.etsy.com/
http://www.madelinebea.blogspot.com/