“Think Outside, No Box Required” ~ Author Unknown
DIY: Those three letters conjure up excitement in some and hesitation in others. John and I are in the former group. We enjoy taking on home improvement projects together and we have long discussed the desire to have an intimate outdoor area where we can host gatherings on our beautiful Summer/Fall evenings here in Minnesota.
Continue reading Empty Nester Productions: DIY/The Outdoor Bar Project
“We all need to make time for a burger once in a while” ~ Erica Durance
In the past 2 years John and I have devoted a plethora of time to searching out as many mouth-watering Twin Cities burgers as possible. Sometimes we enjoy the company of friends and/or family on these outings, other times it’s the two of us.
“We see the beauty within and cannot say no” ~ Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Burrata cheese has a beautiful essence about it. It is a fresh Italian cheese made from water buffalo and/or cows milk mozzarella and has a center filled with a rich and silky cream. It is also my latest culinary obsession. It’s common knowledge among my family and friends that I love cheese, all types of cheese but Burrata has a metamorphic quality that I find very provocative. I cannot say no.
“Wherever you go, go with all of your heart” ~ Confucius
Traveling to Thailand was an ethereal experience. When the opportunity to meet John in Bangkok arose last summer, I jumped at it. I’ve always had a weakness for Thai cuisine and I had long hoped I would have the chance to visit and immerse myself in the magnificent and historic culture.
Continue reading Empty Nester Adventures: Our Photo Gallery of Thailand
“Drinking tequila is more about the journey than the destination”
~ Rainbow Rowell
Today is Cinco De Mayo so it only seems fitting that this post relates to the shining qualities surrounding tequila. In my younger days, tequila meant nothing more than party shots and an almost certain headache. Thank goodness I’ve evolved. While shots still have their place, there is a much higher relevance for this fascinating distilled beverage. Continue reading It’s Time For Tequila
“Adventure in life is good; consistency in coffee is even better” ~ Justine Chen, North of Beautiful
My search for the perfect cup of coffee knows no bounds. I am ardent and unapologetic regarding my caffeine infatuation. Whether it is our weekend latte treks in the Twin Cities or when traveling abroad, I am always on the hunt for the consummate coffee experience. While the quality of the java holds high significance, it is as much or more about the venue and who I’m getting caffeinated with that matters. Sipping a morning espresso alongside the locals at the Mercado De La Boqueria in Barcelona or slipping into a café near the Campo De Fiori in Rome with John are a couple of my very best café memories. Today I am sharing some of my favorite coffee occasions through photos. Enjoy and please share yours with me, I look forward to seeing your pics and hearing your cafe recommendations. Read on if you would like to learn more about the definition of espresso and the associated terms.
Continue reading Consider Me Caffeinated: A Global Espresso Art Gallery
Comfort: The definition of comfort as noted per dictionary.com is to soothe, console or reassure; bring cheer to.
The kitchen is a place of absolute comfort for me and I like to imagine that the dishes I create bring that feeling to others, which is why bread pudding is frequently on the menu at our house. It is my ultimate “comfort food”. There is something about the chunky cubes of brioche, challah or French bread soaked in custard and baked that takes me to a place of instant contentment.
