A Weekend Recipe for You

(making the batter)

(A Red Velvet Heart for You)

RED VELVET PANCAKES: heaven

(mid afternoon brunch)

(mmmm!!)

So, the other day while reading a post from one of my favorite blogs.... La Petite Choue... I was caught off guard with a new discovery... she went to brunch and had RED VELVET PANCAKES!!! Yes, you heard it Red Velvet Pancakes... I immediately knew I wanted to try this out and quickly found a recipe online. I made Red Velvet Pancakes this afternoon for brunch for Marc and I. They turned out amazing and everything is straight from scratch... so... even better. We paired them with golden potatoes and had fresh orange juice.  I am in love with Red Velvet Pancakes... need I say more.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday and are any of you making anything yummy this weekend??? Oh, and Congratulations to Anna from Little Reminders of Love who won the Heart measuring cups and spoons!! And, being that Valentine's Day is right around the corner... I will have another giveaway for all of you!! Much Love!! 

Caroline

Red Velvet Pancake Recipe from The Kitchy Kitchen

RED VELVET PANCAKES 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 buttermilk

1/4 cup creme fraiche or sour cream

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

For the Mascarpone Spread:

4 oz softened mascarpone

2 oz creme fraiche

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

 In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and creme fraiche/sour cream,melted butter, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Add them together and whisk just until combined. A little lumpy is fine. Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium high heat. When hot add butter or oil to grease, followed by a small scoop of the batter. Wait for the pancakes to bubble (2-3 minutes), flip and cook for a minute or two more. Meanwhile, mix all of the ingredients in the mascarpone spread together, and use to garnish the pancakes with some maple syrup. Enjoy!

* I found the the Mascarpone Spread is amazingly rich... and I actually enjoyed the pancakes with butter and maple syrup  a bit more, however, it is up to the individual to decide!! Happy Baking!!

Favorites

(Sundried tomato Crepes and Butternut Squash Bisque)

(Yoga makes my soul happy)

(A little sunshine in my step)

(Abuelita's sweets)

Greta: I am her god mother :)

Being that it's Friday

 and

 I am oh so happy that it is

... 

I thought I would share some of my favorite things with you!!!

  I hope all of you have a weekend filled with love,

 good company,

 good health, 

and

 honest to goodness

... SIMPLE GOODNESS!!!

  If you haven't already,

 make sure to enter my giveaway for the heart measuring spoons and cups, 

so far

 there are 16 entries so you have a great chance to win them!!! 

I might have to enter... can I do that??!! 

Just kidding, I would never:)!!! 

Sending you much love this weekend!!

xo

I am stuck on Grilled Cheese

(my favorite Grilled Cheese)

(a heavenly dessert)

Lately, all I've been craving is grilled cheese. And, not just any grilled cheese but a grilled cheese like the one I got from Tartine a couple of weeks ago. Marc and I, took a trip up to San Francisco, grabbed lunch at Tartine and had a mid winter picnic with our grilled cheese sandwiches. 

I believe this is where my addiction started!!! 

What makes grilled cheese even more accessible is our panini press... I swear by this little machine because it adds so much simple goodness to my mornings, afternoons and evenings. 

My favorite grilled cheese goes like this: 

GRUYèRE CHEESE and FRESH SOURDOUGH BREAD and wahlllah, perfection. 

I even have a little dessert grilled cheese to share... I've made this two nights in a row for dessert.

A NUTELLA and BRIE GRILLED CHEESE (you could also call it a panini but I like saying Grilled Cheese)

Fresh Sourdough bread

Nutella, add copious amounts to the sourdough

slice Brie cheese and place on one side of the sandwich, I prefer the Nutella side

Cook, or place in Panini press

and there you have possibly the best dessert ever (please give credit to me, Oprah , or Giada if you decide to make this) :)

Enjoy your day, and make sure to enter my giveaway... I've loved reading your favorite posts... such a fun way to get to know all of you!!! 

BISOU

p.s my favorite posts are some of my very first posts... I love the one about Sutter Creek, or my post about Mont Blanc

Giveaway: something to help you cook or bake

Here is what you will be winning in the latest giveaway.... 

these lovely heart measuring spoons and cups!!! 

I found it quite fitting that they are hearts 

and 

that they can help you in your baking and cooking adventures. 

I could not resist buying them when I was in San Luis Obispo 

and knew immediately I wanted one lucky reader to win them. 

Giveaway details: 

Leave up to two comments telling me one of your favorite posts on your blog, 

I know you might have more than one but tell me one you 

enjoy, 

love, 

or one that makes you laugh. 

You have until this Saturday, January 30 when one lucky reader will be picked at random,

 so 

Bonne Chance!!! 

I hope everyone is having a lovely day!!

 xo

p.s ... I almost forgot this is my 200th post :)

100 and now 101

100 and now 101... 

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am that this little blog has 101 followers

and not just followers 

but people who inspire me, motivate me and share stories with me daily. 

When I initially started blogging I was looking for a creative outlet to put my adventures, travels and recipes, however, it has turned into a place I LOVE. 

Everyday I look forward to reading your comments,

  reading your blogs, 

and offering each other Love!! 

Coeur de La wouldn't be Coeur de La without all of you 

... so I would like to say Merci 101 times

 and 

I am offering another giveaway!! 

My 200th post is 1 post away so it's time to celebrate and what better way than to give away some goodies. 

I will post what I will be giving away tomorrow in honor of my 200th post 

so for now, 

here are the GIVEAWAY details:

Leave up to two comments

Tell me one of your favorite posts on your blog, 

one that you go back to and read, one that makes you smile, or one that others love

I can't wait to hear what you have in store 

plus I get to go read all of your favorite posts

1 person will be picked randomly on Saturday, January 30th

Good Luck !!!

Much, Much Love to all of you!!

xo

a weekend at Petit Soleil

(what we had waiting for us)

(my necklace from Laura)

(the gum wall in San Luis Obispo...its icky and sticky but I love all the colors)

(having brunch and taking a break with  Dianne)

(We love Petit Soleil)

Marc and I have been going to Petit Soleil for 4 years now, and absolutely love it. Petit Soleil is not like your typical B&B... first I fell in love with the name, then in love with the staff: incredibly personable and they really make you feel special. 

Each room is decorated in different French themes... we stayed in Herbes de Provence, which happens to be the first room we ever stayed in. During our one night stay, Dianne and John (the owners) made us feel like family!!! We walked into our room with a sweet note from Dianne and a had a bottle of French wine waiting for us!!!

 After we took a walk downtown and I found some lovely treasures at my favorite gallery, Hands. We came back just in time for Petit's yummy appetizer and wine hour. Riley, one of the lovelies that works at Petit, was absolutely wonderful. After we freshened up, I put on my favorite necklace from the oh so talented Laura (if you haven't seen her creations check out her etsy) and then walked to our favorite restaurant Novo... I will post more about that later this week. 

Marc and I had a tough week... so to spend time together chatting and laughing.... was something we both needed. The food was amazing but our conversations even better. 

The next morning we woke up to brunch at Petit, the aromas literally trickled into our room and  we were pleasantly surprised when Dianne and John were both there. 

Brunch is served downstairs with other guests and it's a great way to get to chat with the staff, and share stories with Dianne and John.  

They are truly two of the nicest people and I feel so lucky to consider them our friends!!! 

We Loved our weekend and Love our dear Petit Soleil!! 

Do you have a place that you love to visit... if so do share?? Wishing you a lovely Monday... it's funny how life works because now that I am back at home... I have an icky cold... thank goodness for tea!!

xo

Plaid Boots and Surprises... and the winner is

I hope everyone is staying dry today and enjoying the wee bits of sunshine. So, for all of you that guessed that my boots were the plaid ones... you were right!!! However, I do love all of the boots I photographed but would love, love to own a pair of Red Hunter Boots ahhh... now that would be lovely!! Ok, without further ado... 

the winner of my sweet little giveaway is....

Kelly from Just a Girl in a City.... CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Kelly if you can email me with your address so I can send you your surprise next week :)

For all of you that entered and told me your favorite surprises THANK YOU... I loved reading about all of them!!!

Also, I have another surprise for you... being that Valentine's Day is right around the corner and my blog is all about simple goodness... well, I have another giveaway in store!!! More on that later. 

Sending you much love this weekend and thank you to all of my lovely readers... there wouldn't be Coeur de La without you. I am off on a small little getaway this weekend with the hubs, so until Monday... xo!!!

Rain Boots

It has been raining for a week now... 

And, instead of getting discouraged because I miss the sun ... 

I decided to add sunshine into my rainy day by photographing all the pretty rain boots around campus. 

Rain boots have been around FOREVER 

but 

it seems like just now people have caught on to the fact that

.... a rainy day isn't so bad with rain boots!! 

Do you have a pair of rain boots and if so what do they look like?? 

What do you love about rain boots? 

Also, can you guess which rain boots are mine?

P.S Don't forget to enter my giveaway...  one follower of Coeur de La will be picked at random tomorrow to receive a surprise!!

A Surprise from a Banana Slug

So,

Look what I ran into on campus last week

Yes,

A BANANA SLUG

Supposedly, they are good luck

and 

I did win the honey over at the Southern Hostesses Blog

and 

a lovely gift from Chloe

so,

Without further ado 

I am giving back!!!

This weekend, the hubs and I are headed to our favorite Bed and Breakfast in San Luis Obispo.

That being said... I am going to pick one person at random to receive a souvenir from my trip

hint... it will be something from one of my favorite stores

and 

you won't know what it is 

until you receive it :) 

SURPRISES are my favorite

Ok the rules...

you can leave up to two comments

tell me your favorite memory of being surprised

I would love to open this up to everyone but I love my followers dearly and this little surprise is only open to followers

Maybe this Banana Slug will offer you

 luck 

if not, it could potentially gross you out, 

but look at him, he is such a gorgeous yellow

Ok... Good Luck loves,

 one person will be picked at random on Friday, January 22 

xo

A weekend filled with Love

(Brunch with Marc's family)

(I love Brunch)

(My grandma making her famous Mexican Hot Chocolate)

(Lunch with dad at his favorite Greek Restaurant)

(Tartine: Dessert for Breakfast)

This weekend was filled with so much love!!! 

My husband and I went to our hometown to visit with friends and family. 

We had brunch with his parents, 

went out to lunch with my dad and his fiance at a very tasty

  Greek restaurant, 

grabbed drinks with his brother and our good friend, 

and as if our stomachs weren't already filled to the brim... 

we had a traditional Mexican meal of Menudo that my Grandma made for dinner 

 followed by Mexican Hot Chocolate. 

Did I mention... we grabbed pastries at Tartine to bring to brunch 

and 

while waiting had an oh so yummy Chocolate Pudding for breakfast.... 

ahh I may need to go running :)  

How was everyone's weekend?? 

I had today off and was elated when I found out I had won a giveaway on the oh so inspiring Chloe's blog... I can't wait to get it in the mail and if that wasn't enough I was given an award by the delightful Selma. 

All in all... this weekend and today were filled with tons of love!! 

Thank you to all of you for brightening my days, inspiring me and following Coeur de La... 

your comments mean the world to me. 

Enjoy your evening!! 

Wishing you much Love!!

I was Tagged

(7 things about me)

I love a good game of tag and the lovely, oh so witty Lauren  tagged me to share 7 things about myself... hmm, here we go:

1. I, at one time was a TA for my anatomy class and then moved onto dissecting... yes put two and two together... just call me House :)

2. One of my favorite towns is Columbia... when I was in fourth grade I was obsessed with California History, actually I still am. If you get the chance check out the Candy Kitchen in downtown Columbia, they make the best Candy!!!

3. My dad is Irish and my mom is Mexican... :)

4. I love folding warm clothes that come straight from the dryer

5. I dropped my first and all time favorite camera to the jungle floor in Costa Rica... and it survived!!!

6. At one time, I could eat spaghetti for every meal

7. My husband and I met at a summer job... we were lifeguards 

8. I am addicted to Trader Joe's Cornichons... if you don't know what these are go out and get some. They will change how you snack!!

9. I was listening to Bob Marley's Greatest Hits in Third Grade

10. I love inner tube Water polo

I added three extra... this was too fun and nostalgic!!! 

Ok, so I think I've covered everything... if you would like to know anything else send me an email and I will be happy to answer!! So, I am now going to tag

Kelly from Just a Girl in a City

Lily from Big Bang Studio

Alexandra from HRH's Collection

Gracie from Gracie Bella Butterfly

xo, xo!!

A Year at a Glance

Here is my first photo from my project I started called A Year at a Glance... 

I am sure some of you have heard of Project 365 where you take a photo a day for a whole year... well, I am doing one of my own and will occasionally share a photo on this here blog

If anyone wants to join me... let me know and we can swap photos, inspire each other and chat about our photo adventures!!! I snapped this photo in the city on Sunday and loved that I found a blooming blue flower in January!! 

I hope all of you had a lovely Wednesday!! Check out these blogs... each one added cheer to my day and I hope they brighten your evening

Words of Wisdom to Live By

This Animal Warms My Heart

Deliciously Tasty

A Recipe to Try

Always Delightful

Love

 

xo

Nice to meet you Strawberry Rhubarb

I would like to say after many years (too many)... I have finally been introduced to...

 Strawberry Rhubarb. 

When I was younger, quite frankly, strawberry rhubarb scared me 

BUT thank goodness our taste buds become refined as we age and I am elated to say... Strawberry Rhubarb, I am sorry for judging you!!!

 My husband and I had a coffee date on Friday at one of my favorite coffee shops in Santa Cruz... Lulu Carpenters. 

We ordered two coffees and one slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie... mmm AMAZING!! 

My New Year's Resolution that I am now solidifying by writing it here is... 

try new FOODS and VEGETABLES, and say no to nothing that looks appealing :) ... 

and of course, go on plenty of long runs in the afternoon. 

But, 

my main resolution is... to make coffee at home during the week and after one week I succeeded!!! It did help that my good friend gave me a bunch of Kona Coffee but still... 

my wallet is swelling. 

So, I did what any over ecstatic one week survivor of no coffee out during the week would do... 

I went on a coffee date and had my husband treat!!! 

Enjoy your Monday and what kind of resolutions are you working on??

Fond for Fondue

If... I could have one meal for the rest of my life it would be: FONDUE

We (my husband and I) make any excuse to make this family staple

 The first time I had Fondue was in the mountain tops of

La Vallee Verte

France

We love making this dish for friends, family, and

Yes, ourselves

We made Fondue last weekend with our friends

in celebration of the New Year and

their new baby!!!

 If you would like the recipe for

Le Dahlberg Fondue

please email me and I would

be happy to share!!!

(Our favorite Fondue Pot... we gave it to our dear friends)

(rub the pot with garlic and let the white wine simmer)

(add the fromage (cheese) very slowly bit by bit)

(ask me about our secret ingredient...  it hasn't failed...ENJOY)

Have an oh so tasty weekend!!

xo

A New Place

Hey there Lovelies

So,

I thought you might enjoy some photos from my first couple days

at

UCSC

Some of the students are rather hairy and they even have horns

(deer)

Walking around is more like Hiking

and 

I need to get some better shoes

The campus is beautiful

and tomorrow will make day 

 three

(the view from where I park)

(my furry friend... not all students look like this.. he is lucky)

(walking to the library)

(Where I walk: Campus)

Hope your day was lovely!!! 

xo

Bundt Cakes

This weekend I was introduced to something fantastic.....

Bundt Cakes

Ok... I say introduced because the only Bundts I have previously enjoyed were...

BAD!!! (dry and horrible)

And, the Bundt I had this weekend was AMAZING!!! (fluffy, soft and moist)

I chose the Red Velvet Bundt Cake and was swept away on a velvety carpet.

Do any of you have a solid, tried and true Bundt cake recipe??

If you do, would love for you to share!!

I have a new little obsession...

BUNDT CAKES!!!

Holiday Recap

I can't believe my vacation is almost over... it flew by. I have much planned for 2010 and I am anticipating a year filled with adventure (a trip to France in June), new beginnings (hello UCSC... Lit Major here I come), Good Food (making new recipes and in search of local goodness), activities (hikes, walks, rock climbing, and running), and learning more about photography with my new friend (the Canon Rebel). What do you have planned for this next year? Here are a couple of photos from my vacation. I have one more day left and it's back into the swing of things but for now, I will be reading as much as I can, cooking a yummy dish... Halibut Bercy aux Champignons and RELAXING!! Enjoy your weekend!! xo