Summer colors & visitors

 Even though we have had a lot of rainfall this summer, a record amount this past Sunday, It hasn't hindered the vibrant colors of summer. I was able to grab some shots outside before the rain started too fall Sunday evening. My Morning Glories are starting to climb and blossom. My second set of Heirloom Dahlias are just amazing, these beauties have just taken my breath away with there vibrant color. It's almost like a shock they are so bright they almost glow! We also have had our first backyard visit this summer from the wild turkeys and their babes...so cute but, do not get to close, I have been chased by momma and it is not pleasant. Though, I wish someone could of recorded it cause it was bust your gut laughing funny!!
My daughter and her friend decided to make Lemon Mascrapone French Macaroons on Sunday...UNBELIEVABLE they were!!! Why she doesn't go to school to be a pastry chef I'll never know... I decided to make a Peach Blueberry Crumble as well. Lets just say our waistlines are not shrinking here but, hey IT'S SUMMER I can't let these flavorful colors slip away! If you are interested with the crumble recipe it's here from my Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble just switch fruits.
Speaking of color ...I cast on this beautiful yarn from Lorna's Laces a few weeks ago. I joined Andi and a bunch of wonderful knitters and crocheters in the MySistersKnitter Kal/Cal on Ravelry. This is one of the four projects I am hoping to get it done...I am using this pattern I will post soon about all that I have on needles and hooks. Plus I havent forgot about the post of essential yoga poses for Crafters . I just have to get the guts up to video myself...It isn't pretty. If you were a fan of the show Friends, remember the episode with Ross & Rachel about "The one with the video tape" which explains how she got pregnant and Ross by accident had it taped. Well watch their reactions to seeing themselves on video. I had a very similar experience :-0!!!

And btw ... Where did July go ???? I promised one more Christmas in July giveaway ...oops ... I guess it will be a Christmad in the first week of August giveaway . Check back In Monday for the details. 

Have a great weekend !

Ming

 ( I'm actually finishing this post while in the car on our way to visit the family in upstate NY and had to rip out multiple rows on my knitting project :-( .. 

Royal Booty...

I am completely infatuated with the Royal family well, in fact anything Royal and steeped in history. I Love King Arthur stories, The Tudors, Queen Victoria, you get it the gist. I have loved and admired Princess Diana nd her boys. Her compassion was just so immense for those less fortunate . I feel that she was a true pioneer. Especially when it came to updating the Royals and bringing them into the modern day. You can easily see how much she has instilled this into her sons William and Harry whom I adore. And then there is Kate..... Beauty, Grace , Intelligence, and a real person and this does not seem to be a facade.
I remember when Diana died and immediately felt for her sons as I too had lost my father in my teens to a tragic accident.  I can also connect with not having my father ever knowing my children and them knowing him and feeling his wonderful charisma and love. However, I do believe her beauty and grace  will shine through this new beautiful being.
So, when I woke up in the morning and heard that the Duchess was in labor  I thought it would be fun to have a down day, curl up on the couch and design a baby booty in honor of the new royal while I waited for their arrival. It was a fun day, I even got my little guy into it!! Now, the yarn, Lorna's Laces and Jimmy Beans wool does this fun thing where they make commemorative yarns. Last year I purchased the 2012 Olympic yarn and the Downton Abbey yarn. Back in June they introduced the Royal baby yarn . One colorway for a boy and one for a girl. Of course I had to have both. For some reason I picked the boy yarn Snips & Snails and well I guess I made the right choice being that Prince George of Cambridge mad his entrance! I will make another pair in Sugar and Spice which was the colorway for the girl. I yed their Shepard Sport yarn. It is a dream to work with too! I am writing out the pattern and am hoping to figure out how to do a PDF for it. On a another note, we still have rain going on here and summer is swiftly moving forward. I just love the summer squash and zucchini, I could eat it every day!! These are from my friends garden. We both love fried zucchini. While making it the other day. She told me instead of breading it with regular bread crumbs she used cornmeal and a bit of flour. It sticks to the squash much better and gives it a delicious crust. When i made it I then added freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano cheese and a seasoned salt. I don't have a picture of it cause we devoured all it before i got a shot but here is the recipe:
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour,
1/4 cup grated cheese,
Salt and pepper or seasoned salt.
Mix together. Slice the squash about 1/2 in thick ..beat 2 eggs. Heat a frying pan with olive oil , enough that it covers the pan about 1/8 inch up. Dip squash in egg them cornmeal mix. Fry on each side till golden brown and drain on paper towels . Serve immediately with some summer marinara sauce.
Enjoy!

Well, I need to get back to house work as I have been glued to the TV for the past week waiting for any new news on the little prince!
Have a great day,
Donna







Hugh Jackman as Wolverine...discuss

Shedding Light...a day to honor

Have you ever used the term "That sheds a new light on things" or "The light bulb just went on" or that "aha moment" . They refer to an opening of  the mind that changes your perspective on a situation or subject. Its about clarity of the mind. It's about the Guru.
Today is a very auspicious day of the year ...a yoga holiday if you will but, i think we could all relate to it . It is Guru Purnima. The word "Guru" means "the one who brings us from darkness into light"  Guru Purnima is a day to honor all of our teachers in life who have had opening our eyes and taught us something...no matter how big or small and brought us into light. It is as well a moment to honor our "Sat Guru " or inner Guru. The teacher that resides in us. This day falls on the full moon  during the June/July months( according to the Indian Calender) So the energies are very strong cosmically.

Guru's could be anyone ... our first guru..our mothers, family, teachers, friends, fellow bloggers...someone you may meet for a brief moment but had the chance to broaden your view. I remember my beauty school teacher Mrs Gail Mattei 's words " You can learn something anywhere from anyone , you will always take away something" This was when we would complain about her taking us to workshops taught by elderly beauticians on how to do pin curls and use a Marcel iron. We wanted the savvy new stylist. well she was right! I learned more form the elderly stylist than I ever learned from the savvy ones AND their knowledge was longer lasting!!

I feel very fortunate to have had many teachers in my life...they have all been heaven sent and I  am always truly humbled.

So today I honor my Mother , Mother in law, dearest friends, teachers, new blogger friends,

my fellow yogis who I have had the honor to practice with for the past 10 years and our beloved teacher, her teacher's and her teacher's teacher..and so on and so on....

Take a moment today to honor all those who have taught you in the past, present and future who ever t may be. Most of all take a moment to honor the teacher within you !

 here are some of my Guru's ...I wish oi had pictures of all of them!

mothers & daughters

mother in law

 my teacher in Italy

With love,
Ming

Royal baby Boy or Girl??...I say Boy!

Off the/da' Hook and a Winner!

Well, I think we can all agree that this heat which is plaguing the country is what my older kids would jokingly refer to as "Off da' Hook" hot ! We went from rainy and dark days to scorching heat! It's what they refer to on India food menus as "India Hot"! OK, maybe I'm exaggerating but it is pretty damn hot here in NJ. Let's face it ...it is Summer. My poor kitty above is finding whatever shade she can ...the butterflies seem to be fluttering everywhere...and my portulaca's seem to love the heat!

Speaking of "Off the Hook" the crochet hook that is... I finished "Dirk the Dragon" for my son . I think it is a winner with him! This adorable crocheted dragon is from Lalylala on Etsy. These patterns are extremely well written and a lot of fun to do. Of course we had to do the Dragon as we are huge Game Of Thrones fans. I have read all the books and am eagerly waiting for the next book. Come on who doesn't love the Dragon Queen. She is so Bad A*$! Ok lets get back on topic as I could talk all day this ;-). My next doll to make is the "Loni the Lion" for my oldest daughter and my younger daughter needs to pick one out to. You know at 20 & 16 you still need dolls made by mommy!

Back to the real business ...We have a winner of the Christmas in July giveaway...Congratulations ...

Susie ....

"Your flower pictures are so pretty! But I really love your crocheted pansies! They are so delicate. I have made Gingerbread men for a bunting, and a gingerbread mug rug so far. It was hard to get started but then I began to really enjoy doing it... with no deadlines! Lovely giveaway!! "

I applaud your Christmas in July work ethic! Send me your info so I can get it right out to you. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I really do love hearing form all of you !

The recipe above is a knock off by me from a favorite spot in Philly Le Pain Quotidien's Avocado tartine. Mine is sans the tartine.  Combine canned chick peas(rinsed), chopped avocado, radish,watercress, good quality olive oil and a splash of lemon juice or your favorite vinegar and S&P . You will have a very light and refreshing dish!

Thank you everyone for commenting...I will have another giveaway for Christmas in July next week.

Stay safe and cool!
Ming

legato1958 said...

Your flower pictures are so pretty!
But I really love your crocheted pansies! They are so delicate.

I have made Gingerbread men for a bunting, and a gingerbread mug rug so far. It was hard to get started but then I began to really enjoy doing it... with no deadlines!

Lovely giveaway!!

Susie

- See more at: http://allthingsming.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-giveaway-recipe-few-blooms.html?showComment=1373748387464#c5010610295242087516

legato1958 said...

Your flower pictures are so pretty!
But I really love your crocheted pansies! They are so delicate.

I have made Gingerbread men for a bunting, and a gingerbread mug rug so far. It was hard to get started but then I began to really enjoy doing it... with no deadlines!

Lovely giveaway!!

Susie

- See more at: http://allthingsming.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-giveaway-recipe-few-blooms.html?showComment=1373748387464#c5010610295242087516

legato1958 said...

Your flower pictures are so pretty!
But I really love your crocheted pansies! They are so delicate.

I have made Gingerbread men for a bunting, and a gingerbread mug rug so far. It was hard to get started but then I began to really enjoy doing it... with no deadlines!

Lovely giveaway!!

Susie

- See more at: http://allthingsming.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-giveaway-recipe-few-blooms.html?showComment=1373748387464#c50106102952420875

 How cute is Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle!!
Jay: Well, this is fate! She's divorced, we don't want to redo the cabinets, and you need a wife. What do they call it when everything intersects?
Sam Baldwin: The Bermuda Triangle.

legato1958 said...

Your flower pictures are so pretty!
But I really love your crocheted pansies! They are so delicate.

I have made Gingerbread men for a bunting, and a gingerbread mug rug so far. It was hard to get started but then I began to really enjoy doing it... with no deadlines!

Lovely giveaway!!

Susie

- See more at: http://allthingsming.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-giveaway-recipe-few-blooms.html?showComment=1373748387464#c5010610295242087516

A Giveaway, A Recipe & a few Blooms

 Another Heriloom Dahlia blossomed today...and some Dill too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new recipe too...Vegetable Quesadilla 

Saute 1 onion , 2 Zucchini, 2-3 Peppers, in a wok with some Safflower oil. When veggies begin to soften add 1/4 tsp.cumin, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and juice of one lime. You can adjust the seasonings as you like adding more or less. S&P as you like .

Serve with Avocado, Sour cream and shredded cheese. I used a blend of cheddar/jack/cojita. You can also add chicken to this but marinade it first in the lime juice and seasonings( add a tsp. of sugar in the raw) for a half an hour. Then saute the chicken first , remove from pan then saute veggies.

And finally here is the Christmas in July Give away!!!  I apologize for the horrible pictures but

we have been completely drenched with rain and dark skies today. I had to take pictures today in my workroom in the basement. I have to admit I am not a big Christmhas in July fan. I cant even think about holidays during the summer. I applaud all the Bloggers/Crafters out there that do! It takes a discipline that I just don't have. Yet, I thought it could join in along the fun with a giveaway.

Leave me a comment about your feelings on working on Holiday projects in the summer. I will choose a winner of this fun snowflake fabric and Swarovski crystal snowflake ornament on Wednesday July 17th. I apologize again these pictures just aren't doing the items any justice.

 

The crocheted Pansies will be in my Etsy store this weekend or whenever the skies clear for better pics. They will be custom ordered and are made with vintage threads.

Well, I need to get going as it is 9pm here and we are having a yard sale tomorrow and I'm not quiet ready ..Uh-Oh!

Have  a great weekend and be well!

Ming

P.S. I am going to start a random statement/question at the end of each blog as my kids are  always telling me how "Random" I am! I think it may be fun! So here goes...

Helen Mirren in a bikini WOW! ...

Summer Scenes & Recipe trial & Opinion

What our summer is looking like...

A lot of rain and heat here in NJ... but hey it is Summer right? We went to upstate Ny to visit with the family . It is usually an escape from the heat but not this trip. We did however have my Mother in law's gorgeous pond to cool off by. We visited with my husbands brother and his family who is moving to the west coast. It was a great weekend ...i forgot my camera ! The wild flowers on our mountain were beautiful. We also spent the the 3rd of July on our friends vineyard to watch fireworks. Yeah i forgot my camera then too.

I do have photos though of my new summer love ...My heirloom dahlias. Isn't she a beauty! Along with some other shots of my Heliotrope, Hydrangea  and some other friendly flowers.

I tried that one pot pasta recipe that you have been seeing all over Pintrest. My opinion is as follows... It is very quick and easy. However, I did saute my onions and tomatoes first in very high quality olive oil for a few minutes and added a touch of tomato paste. I would recommend to use a longer cooking pasta so it doesn't get to mushy. I used thin spaghetti which cooks in like 5 minutes. Be sure to salt and pepper the water too. Definitely worth making for a super quick meal. Add a bit of fresh Parmigiana Reggiano before serving. You can really experiment with this recipe with additions too.

We were trying to catch fire flies this evening... one of my favorite summertime pastimes, as well as being able to go outside in your jammies too! My boy loves his muck boots!

What is your favorite summertime pastime or "thing"?

Happy Summer,
Donna

P.S. Have you seen all the Christmas in July themes going around in Blogland?? Check back Friday I'm going to have a Christmas in July giveaway.