Beet Chips with Kosher Salt and Rosemary

The temperature was -4 early this morning, with a very thin, fine powder of new snow over all. The garden is buried, with my popcorn and cranberry garland from the holidays swinging forlornly from some branches out back. Sweet juncos, a chickadee or two, and flickers will soon be flitting about in spite of the frigid…

Two Lovely Shortbread Cookies: Glazed Lavender + Toasted Hazelnut Clementine

One holiday tradition I always look forward to is baking. Yesterday it was my recipe for the absolutely delectable, intriguing – and beguiling! – glazed lavender shortbread, first notably served at a winter solstice party (2007, the year the tradition began) to raves and immediate requests for the recipe. The shortbread is buttery and offers the mellow, unexpected…

Prayers to Pachamama

Pachamama….. Earth Mother ….Mother Earth…. in grateful silence, I breathe with you. I pray…then, through your ears, I am listening,  listening….to pigeon coo and wind…. whistling through dry leaves…. to sandstone, re-forming. I seek to merge with the Love, the Knowledge that you are. Breathe it in. The pathways through the expanded heart we are,…

First Snow of the Season …. and Gingerbread Waffles

I drove home last night down and off the mesa in a snowstorm, huge flakes in massive flowing patterns in front of the head lights. This morning, I loved waking early and pulling up the blinds. The first snow of the season always gives me a burst of excitement. Then, the sun returned, light snow…

Pumpkin Dal…and the North Fork Valley International Food Club

Last year a group of foodie friends in the Paonia area created the North Fork Valley International Food Club, a monthly gathering featuring cuisines of the world, selected by the whim of a dial spun on a roulette board of a couple dozen different countries. From Thai, to German, French, Moroccan, Brazilian, Japanese and many more, the chosen Saturday…

Buckwheat Elderberry Muffins with Lemon and Ginger ~ November Tea Time

November remembers…..ahhhh….. June in the garden: ….and the months flew by…. right into the last elderberries of the season. I first created this recipe last year, and wanted to pull it out again. If you don’t have access to elderberries, try dried currants, or chopped dried cranberries. Actually, these muffins would be great with a mix…

The Magic of Looking Closely

I stepped out of my warm dry house early this morning and encountered Love. We have many dwellings – and one Earth home.  Whom is, in so many places, still exquisitely beautiful. Like here – Stepping out into the wet morning today was a flooding into all my senses. The incredible layers of scents and smells…

Listening

Listening: In a lyricists’ words of early morning embraced by the rustle of dry leaves all around me, – black sky, crescent moon, and the reassuring stars of comrade Orion on the right – during this time of reflection inward riding upon my souls’ ripples, waves to crests, my spirit asked me to release all…

A Sunny October Day – and GF Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti

Loving the light this October day, especially with a freshly made chocolate dipped biscotti in hand, sitting under this tree in my backyard. under an October sky – cool and crisp – with Biscotti to eat! Discovering, baking and revising gluten free recipes, then basking in the afterglow of finished goods such as this fresh…

Amaretto Pear Preserves

Pears and almonds go together like childhood friends. It’s true! This pear preserves recipe has a wonderful depth added by flavoring with a little Amaretto (Italian almond liqueur), fresh nutmeg, and honey. So easy, and lushly delicious, like these pears it was made from this afternoon. Assembling ingredients for a recipe like this brings a smile….

the sweet fall harvests

Each day at this point in the garden season is a treasure. Be-jeweled. I feel it. Looking about this plot of ground, October 4th in the afternoon, I feel the gift big time. It makes poignant, clear sense, to truly be present in the moment these days of twirling, fleeting gold and changing season. And I do my best. Looking for beauty, and…