{N}osh…The Little Ones Eat: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Feeding the Little Ones today is much more exciting than yesteryear!   Today we allow the Little Ones to get in there,  roll up their sleeves and unleash their creative juices.  One thing for sure,  if you want to keep the ‘picki-ness’ and the prickly food attitudes at bay,  get those young chefs engaged and involved!

You know, they’ll never turn their

faces up at their creations.

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Instead,  they’ll be nosh-ing everything in sight!

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 In all fairness to the years gone by, there wasn’t the amazing social media outlets that virtually puts cooking with children on autopilot.  Perhaps if there were,  we would have the likes of these nutritious delights:

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Do you have a Little  One who loves to create yummy meals to nosh?

Do tell……

Next. The Letter {O}

{I}nfusion: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Infusion is the process and the result of, steeping an aromatic substance into a liquid – hot or cold – until the liquid has absorbed the added ingredient’s flavor .

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The beauty of infusion is that,  not only do the flavor(s) being extracted from foods infiltrate the liquid, the flavors of the liquid is transferred into the food.  Think of it  as one hand washing the other!

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Flavored vinegars and oils, milk, and tea leaves and  herb and spices – lavender comes to mind – are common ingredients used in the infusion process.

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One of the most common and well-known types of infusion is used in the process of preserving food.  The berries and fruit are placed in alcohol or vinegar allowing them to be stored, without spoiling.

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Now,  you’re always ready for that unexpected houseguest!

Don’t think that you’ve used this technique?   Have you added fruit to your water?  How about lemons slices?  Cucumbers slices? Mint leaves? Thyme? Rosemary?

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Infusions are all around us!  There are endless ways to create them!  Today’s infusions techniques helps me turn, what can be, a multi-day/month process, into a few hours work.

When it comes to infusions,  you are only limited by your creativity!  Have fun!

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What have you infused lately?

Do tell…

Next.  The Letter {J}

{B}ourbon: #AtoZChallenge 2016

Hey Luv-lies

Day Two of the #AtoZChallenge. And yes, the party is heating up!   *Woot! Woot!*

So I’m watching one of my favorite food shows – you know,  the one with the hip young dyed-blonde haired chef that visits “Triple D’s” in a fire-engine red sports car.   Yep.  That show.  One of the Triple D’s that he dropped in on was serving up a plate of chicken that had me drooling! *grabbing a napkin*

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You know sometimes I wonder why I temp myself watching these shows.   All of the amazing food has me adding to a list of  ‘places to eat if I’m in _________ town’ *fill in the blank*. I just know that my list is going to come in handy….. I just know it! 

I wait,  pen in hand, for the segment where they name the ingredients and was surprised to learn that the secret ingredient of all of this deliciousness is {B}ourbon!  Who’d of thunk it!

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The smokey caramel & vanilla flavors enhances the distinct flavors of,  both,  sweet and savory dishes.  That makes it BFFs with sugar, pecans, chocolate *umm hmmm- chocolate*, mint,  peaches, apples and pork.  With so many flavor pairings, bourbon is great in marinades,  sauces, glazes, brines, cakes,  pies, cookies AND of course,  chicken!

Bourbon whiskey, which gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, is distilled from a grain mash that’s at least 51% corn (but usually 65% to 80%) and may also contain barley, rye, and sometimes wheat (as in Maker’s Mark brand). The distilled liquor is then aged in new charred oak barrels from which it gets its color and smoky, caramel undertones.

Save the Top Shelf stuff (Blanton’s & Eagle Rare ) for sipping and toasting. For cooking up  bourbon-infused yumminess, the simple stuff (Jim Beam, Wild Turkey,  Old Crow,  or Heaven’s Hill) will do just fine.  *Wink* *Wink*

Have you used bourbon in any of your #Yumlicious dishes?

Do tell. …

Next….. the Letter {C}

 

{M}iniature Garden…. #AtoZChallenge2014

Here’s to Day #14 of the #AtoZChallenge2014

…. The Letter {M}!

…. Is for {M}iniature Garden …

… and sew it is…

Luv-lines in a shell

 

 {M}iniature succulence

I want to sit here

… a luv-lie little fairy tale… in {M}iniature

What {M}iniature delights do you covet?

Do Tell ….

Tomorrow.

The Letter ‘N’

The {L}BD……#AtoZChallenge2014

Here’s to Day #12  of the #AtoZChallenge2014

…. The Letter  {L}!

and a Salute to THE {L}ittle Black Dress

aka The {L}BD

Irresistable!
The {L}BD

… with a little .Pink

CLASSIC LBD

Growing up, it was ingrained in my psyche what every young woman needed to be prepared for that unexpected invitation – a pair of elegant heels and aThe “{L}ittle Black Dress”  or {L}BD. The The “{L}ittle Black Dress” was, and still is, considered essential to a complete wardrobe. Many women and fashion observers believe it a “rule of fashion” that every woman should own a simple, but elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Every woman I know has an {L}BD that can be worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more elaborate jewelry, fancy shoes and accessories for an evening affair.

… ala CASUAL

The “{L}ittle Black Dress” is also worn as a sign of belonging and as a sign of individuality, as a way to conceal and as a way to be noticeable. It is the most trusted staple in a woman’s closet.

Sometimes theThe “{L}ittle Black Dress”  has a function other than evening elegance or the daytime boardroom. It has been known to be used by many a femme fatale for the sole purpose of seducing men. And of course, most women have at least one of those in their closets.

{Hello} Audrey …

Now according to the urban dictionary,The “{L}ittle Black Dress”  is the dress that is just a little too short. Just a little too tight. One that hugs curves you never knew you had. One that looks as if it was made for your body; and your body only. One that makes you feel sexy the second you put it on.

…just a {L}ittle Black Something Something

{L}BD with a {L}ittle Fringe….
Yep!.

It has to be simple. All black, no buttons, no ornamentation. Plain black. The exhibition of this The “{L}ittle Black Dress” is only used for one reason and the woman wearing it knows its full potency by the stare of her target.

Ohhhh LaLa

Still, every young woman should own one elegant  “{L}ittle Black Dress”.  The kind that will take you to the boardroom and not someone’s bedroom.

… That’s Right! Luv! The LBD!!!

You know that you have one!

Post a pic of  you sporting your  “{L}ittle Black Dress” in the Comment Section…

Do Tell…..

‘Nuf Said!!!

Tomorrow.

The Letter ‘M’

{H}ump Day {H}aPpiNesS!!!… #AtoZChallenge2014

Guess What Day it is?

Day #8  of the #AtoZChallenge2014

*Oh Yes!!!  ….. it’s {H}uuuump Daaaaay!*

THE LETTER ‘H’  

The first word that came to mind when I thought about today’s challenge letter is

The Word….

{H}appiness is an easy enough concept to grasp, but a truly elusive state to sustain.

{H}appiness is: {H}opeful.  {H}onest.  {H}uge. {H}ealthy.

{H}eartfelt.  {H}onor.  {H}umble.  {H}ospitable. {H}ypnotic.

Personal.

 

  Remember THIS  {H}appy Song!!

 

I hope that you fill your days with {H}appy.

Because I’ve……

 

Just a little {H}appy for Your Soul……

 

 

Find Your {H}aPpY and Don’t let go!!!

Tomorrow. The Letter ‘I’

{F}arm to Table …. Supporting {F}armers, {F}amilies & Communities through {F}ood…. #AtoZChallenge2014

Hello Luv-lies,  How was everyone’s weekend?

The weather was pretty nice

Day #6  of the #AtoZChallenge2014

The Letter ‘F’

{F}arm to Table

The general concept and mission of {F}arm to Table  is to help local farms thrive, link {F}armers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local {F}ood. The mission can/is achieved through (but not limited to) providing support and training to area {F}armers, connecting {F}armers to area chefs and foodservice buyers and spearheading local food campaigns.

The premise is based on the idea that, “when communities pay closer attention to where their {F}ood is grown and how it reaches their table, and,  people re-discover the “localness” of all that’s around them, {F}ood suddenly has a sense of place.  {F}arms and restaurants build close relationships, strengthening their local economies and forging new cultural identities for their communities … all based on {F}ood …”

 

What’s your {F}arm to Table experience?

…. do Tell ….

Tomorrow … The Letter ‘G’