bloggiversary!

I just realized that today is my one year bloggiversary!  Even though I was somewhat apprehensive in the beginning, it has been so much fun!  I have met so many wonderful people.  I have learned new things, been to new places, seen wonderful photographs, shared laughter and tears.  Thank you, my bloggy friends, for a wonderful year!

Wintertime: my first post

Wintertime Beauty in Ice and Snow: my second post whose very last photo I love
RECIPES: 
Cranberry, Orange, and Pecan Scones with Sweet Chevre Spread

Raspberry Rubarb Cobbler

Artichoke Tapenade

Mango Salsa

Summer Tomatoes

Vegetable Jalousie

Chocolate Nut Brittle

CATS:

What I felt like doing most of today

The art of laziness

Hey, I'm lazy, too!

Asheville Kitty

Kitties Who Came to Play
wishing you 
a simple tip
FLOWERS:  lots, so I'll pick some favorites
the miracle of flowers
inspiration:  Mother's Day style
a flower
kindness
cactus (number 2)

The Color Purple--The Brenda Photo Challenge
Daylily:  Today's Flowers
Nigella:  Today's Flowers
LANDSCAPE:

escape

Happy Earth Day!

St Maarten (Baie Longue/Long Beach)

St Maarten (Cupecoy)

majesty

highways and byways

Pagosa Springs-SkyWatch Friday

Fish Creek Canyon, Arizona

SKY:

a birthday wish

St. Maarten (sunset)

along the Hidden Lake Trail

Glacier Skies--SkyWatch Friday

Idaho:  SkyWatch Friday

chasing rainbows:  SkyWatch Friday

Oregon:  SkyWatch Friday

St Maarten:  SkyWatch Friday

CRITTERS:

Butterflies (number one)

butterflies (number two)

St. Maarten (bird)

flower and bee (#2)

SNIPPETS (of happyment):
snippets (number 1)
snippets (number 2)
sinppets (number 3)
snippets (number 4)

COOL, INTERESTING, WEIRD STUFF:

what is one strange thing...
knitted village

and about me:

Summertime.....back in the day....

Red, White, and Blue!

my "studio"
honesly...seriously

a favorite Christmas

an incomplete retrospective

Happy Mother's Day

I leave you with a photo I love that is not in any post above:

It seems I couldn't help myself and the list of a few posts turned into more.  This list is by no means comprehensive, however it will serve as a sort of "catalog" for me.

all content and photos by me  © 2009 & 2010

PS:  HERE is the post on that cactus.

highways and byways

 off-roading from Silverton to Telluride, Colorado, USA

 Ophir Pass 11,789 ft elevation (mid September; 2 days later it was snow-covered and closed)

The Ophir Pass Road winds through a narrow valley up through tundra to a rocky summit.  It was once a wagon toll road used for transporting ore from the town of Ophir to Silverton for processing.  

The views of the mountains and valley are spectacular.  The road winds down through lush Aspen groves into the valley.  Below are a few views of the road and scenery.

The richness of the Autumn colors-greens, golds, earthy reds and browns, gray; and the sky fading from turquoise to a darker blue, makes this one of the most spectacular places on earth.

printable map here

This post is for The Brenda Photo Challenge.  Read about it HERE and HERE.
This challenge was hosted by Judy:  The Road to Here  and Through Squirrel Eyes

photos by me © 2007

Vegetable Jalousie

This recipe is so delicious! It takes time to chop and prepare the vegetables, but cooking it is a breeze.

PUFF PASTRY You can follow the directions on the package. But, this is how I did it: After thawing, I opened up each sheet, and cut into 9 squares. I placed the squares on a stone and baked for 12 minutes at 400 degrees.







VEGETABLES
4 T butter  
2 leeks, chopped
2 t fresh thyme, chopped very small  
4 t fresh rosemary, chopped very small  
4 medium cloves garlic minced or crushed  
@ 2 C green beans, chopped
2 medium green peppers, chopped  
1 medium yellow pepper, chopped  
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped  
@ 2 C asparagus, somewhat chopped  
1 pound baby bella mushrooms, sliced  
12 oz vegetable broth

In a large pan, melt the butter. Add the leeks (milder than onions) and garlic. Stir and saute for about 5 minutes on medium to low heat till slightly tender. Add green beans and cook for @ 5 minutes till they start to become tender. Now add the rest of the ingredients. Stir and cook @ 2 more minutes. (The vegetables should be softened, but still have a "bite" and retain their freshness.)



GRAVY
I made a gravy for this, but cannot give you exact proportions. It is very simple and very delicious. I never measure, and no doubt make it differently every time.

butter  
chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour  (provides the flavor that makes this gravy special)                                                                                   
water  
tamari (soy sauce)
little fresh rosemary, chopped fine (optional)

In a sauce pan, melt the butter. Add chickpea flour and whisk. It will be quite thick at this point and will pull away a bit from the pan.  Quickly start adding water little bit by little bit whisking all the while.   Add the water to desired consistency (actually a little thinner since it will thicken up).  Add a small amount of tamari (for flavor and saltiness) and the rosemary if desired.
TO SERVE: Cut the puff pastry in half horizontally. Open up and place on plate. Spoon vegetables on bottom half of pastry. Drizzle desired amount of gravy on top. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

LINK for more information about chikpea flour.
To see more food photos, go to The Brenda Photo Challenge!
photos by me © 2009