Spaghetti with Lemony Grass-Fed Meat Sauce

So I have to say when I first read this recipe from Rachael Ray I was a little sceptical.......but WOW what an amazing dish.  The combination of the red wine, chicken broth and mint is scrumptious.......and OH the lemon peel literally melts into the sauce to create this lemony sauce.  If you like to step outside of your cooking box try this one!!!

Here is how you make it........

2 1/2 tablespoons of butter

2 leeks, green parts discarded, white parts sliced and cleaned

Salt and pepper

 

Once you slice your leeks crosswise soak them in a large bowl of water so all of the grit that likes to hide in the folds of the leek will release and fall to the bottom.  Then just scoop them out with your hands and saute them in the butter and salt and pepper until tender..about 5 minutes.

1 1/2 pounds of ground grass fed beef

Add the beef to the sauteed leeks until the beef is cooked all the way through.

1/2 cup of robust red wine

1 1/2 cups of chicken broth

Let the red wine and chicken broth simmer until half of the liquid has evaporated.

Peel of one lemon, cut into 2 inch strips with a vegetable peeler.  

1/2 cup of heavy cream

1 pound of whole wheat spaghetti 

Add both to the beef mixture and let simmer until the lemon peel is soft.  About 20 minutes.

Salt and boil the water for you spaghetti and cook.

Once your lemon peel is soft add 1/2 cup of chopped mint and let absorb into the sauce for 5 minutes.  

Combine your spaghetti and grass fed meat sauce and you are ready to serve!!!!!!!!  Enjoy

Oreo Stuffed Cup Cakes

I made these cupcakes for all of my special Valentine's.  There was a hidden surprise in the middle........oreo's

Here is how you make them:

One box of Ducan Hines Devil's Food Cake Mix

8 oz of cream cheese

1 egg

2 tbls of sugar

Duncan Hines cream cheese frosting

food coloring

mini oreos

Make your cake mix according to box directions.

Mix the cream cheese, egg and sugar together in a separate bowl with a mixer.

Fill paper cupcake holders half way with cake mix.  Spoon a dollop of cream cheese mixture and place a mini oreo cookie on top of cream cheese.  Then fill holders with cake mix.

Bake cupcakes according to box directions.

Once cooled mix a can of frosting with food coloring to desired color.  Fill a plastic bag with frosting and snip end corner off.  Pipe your frosting on cupcake and decorate according to your celebraton.

PS-at Christmas I filled the center with candy canes-they were YUMMY!!!!! 

Martha Stewart and Acadia National Park Hikes

Martha Stewart has always been an inspiration for me because she was a single Mom and she never gave up on her dreams. Her clean and fresh look from her interiors to the way she cooks has helped me to learn to simplify my life. When I was a young Mom I would watch her show and read her magazine to help me become a better cook and gardener. She inspired me to plant an English rose garden in the backyard for my home in South Carolina. They were beautiful!!!!!
My family has had a home in Maine for over 30 years and I have enjoyed Acadia National Park since I was 14! It is so nice to read about Martha's home there and her adventure in this beautiful Park.
Check out her article at http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/marthas-maine-travel-guide

              This is a picture from climbing Gorham Mountain. This is our favorite hike in Acadia.


I feel so blessed to be able to share so many memories of a place that I call my paradise! Martha maybe one day we can share some memories together eating off my lobster platter!!!!

Pop's Lobsters

Pop's Lobsters 19' Large Oval Platter

This pattern is inspired by all of the loving memories I have from my family’s summer home in Maine.  “Pop,” the endearing name we call my father, loves to cook lobsters in a big pot on the porch, while our whole family gathers around and partakes in the joy and laughter of each other’s company.  Pop is the center of our family, and summers spent at the cabin are filled with skiing on the lake, hiking Beehive Mountain and making delicious blueberry pies. 

Pop's Lobsters Bowl

With the bright bold colors of red and cobalt blue these platters and bowls will be a welcomed addition for all of your entertaining needs.  These pieces are hand painted, glazed, fired and signed by me. They should be hand-washed and handled with care. All piece are available in the following sizes and shapes: Large Bowl, Medium Bowl, Large Oval Platter, and Medium Oval Platter.

Palmetto Tree

Palmetto Tree Platter

I found inspiration for this print while lounging on my hammock in my backyard. I remember lazily swaying back and forth, watching the sun filter through the palm fronds, and feeling so relaxed and at peace.  The palmetto tree is native to the south, and has always been a constant part of my natural surroundings.  It stirs feelings of comfort and calm, and reminds me of warm summer nights . 

Palmetto Tree Large Bowl

The playful colors of red, green and a black and white check border makes this a whimsical element to your everyday entertaining.  These pieces are hand painted, glazed, fired and signed by me. They should be hand-washed with care. 

Inspired by Nature, Created with Passion

Me sitting by the May River @ The Bluffton Oyster Factory in Bluffton, SC-where it all began!

It seems that my life has always been surrounded with art and design.  Growing up my Mom was always involved in art projects.  She started to throw pottery when I was in pre-school and I watched her fire-up the kiln and create beautiful pieces.  I started taking private art lessons in 3^rd grade and stayed with the same teacher throughout 12^th grade.  I can remember wanting to quit but my Mom kept me going and I thank her for that every day.  That art desire turned into a life of creativity and inspiration.

This company began from a Father’s Day gift for my Dad.  I painted him a lobster platter (as I call it “Pop’s Lobsters") for his beloved summer home in Maine.  Who would have thought that one platter could inspire a company.  Next thing I knew I owned two kilns and was painting night and day.  I lived in South Carolina at the time the company started.  I was painting my patterns for the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston; I sold my dinnerware to numerous stores in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort and Charleston; I painted for brides-to-be and even offered a bridal registry.  One of the biggest accomplishments was painting 450 coffee mugs for the Westin Resort on Hilton Head. 

As things happen, life gets in the way sometimes.  In 2003 I moved back to Winter Park, Florida to be with my family and raise my daughter, Bridget.  I continued painting for many family and friends as I worked on my sales career.  During this time I created a successful career bringing in over a million dollars in sales.  I have learned so much about the business world that I can now incorporate into my company.   There has always been this pull and support from the ones I love to continue the dream of creating my dinnerware business.  I am now taking the steps to continue with this journey. I have been very blessed to have created so many products that have shared so many dinner tables.  I am looking forward to sharing my new collections and building a strong, lasting business.