through my lens and a giveaway

2010 through my lens

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

A little giveaway for 2011

One Coeur de La calendar will be given away on January 8th.

To enter: leave a comment telling me your New Year's Resolution or a resolution you made that did not stick by January 7th.

My new years resolution: to start an herb garden and buy milk at our local farmers' market.

I have found if I keep my resolutions simple ... they actually stick. We will see!

Sending you much love for the New Year!

Bisous!

*these photos will not be in the calendar

ringing in the new year and the art of making bread

2010 was the year that I found BALANCE,

from trying to eat more seasonally and locally,

adding running and yoga into my daily routine,

baking and dabbling with new recipes to keep me content,

and finding time to cherish in the little things

like

...

a conversation with my grandma,

breakfast with my dad,

a walk with my mom,

coffee with my sister

and

dinners at home with Marc.

This blog too gives me balance

...

your comments,

your blogs,

and

the dialogue that evolves through blogging

is something I cherish.

So,

rather than list off all the things I have done in 2011

I would simply like to say thank you to each and every one of you!

...

You have brightened my mornings, afternoons and evenings,

and with that

helped me find balance.

It is quite fitting for me to end 2010 by making bread.

In January 2010 making bread would have seemed daunting

and

I would have been discouraged.

....

However,

what I have learned is that

...

The art of bread making is a metaphor for my year

...

one must be patient while making bread,

bread making shouldn't be rushed,

just like life.

So,

may 2011 bring you patience,

happiness

and

a book full of recipes that you are waiting to create!!

Bonne Année!

Bisous.

tamales and traditions

my mom's signature heart ornaments

admiring

sparkles

green peppers and butternut squash

the husks

the masa

learning from the best (my grandma)

she learned at seven years old

filling in the tops

a holiday tradition

family

Highlights from Christmas

Making tamales with my grandma ... she told me stories from her childhood in Mexico as she taught me how to make tamales. I made vegetarian tamales that were filled with green peppers, butternut squash, gruyere and monterey jack cheese. They were incredible.

Spending time at my mom's ... she decorates every corner of her house

A Christmas Eve Run

Watching Elf with my family

Making Arroz con Leche - a traditional sweet rice dish. I substituted the milk and used

coconut milk ... mmm delicious

Seeing all of my family

Enjoying fresh cups of coffee with bourbon whipped cream ... my cousin Ashley never ceases to surprise me with her love for good food

A late night sleepover at my aunt and uncle's ... I stayed up with family watching Iron Chef till 2am

Spending time with family

The holidays left me inspired, thankful and blessed!!

Tonight,

Marc and I enjoyed some quiet time at home

where we enjoyed sage cheddar crostinis, chilled white wine, scallops in a dijon mustard sauce over

a bed of wild rice,

roasted carrots and parsnips

and

for dessert

carob dipped figs with sea salt and pistachios alongside cups of a tropical green tea

....

my heart is filled to the brim with love.

How was your holiday? And, how are you?

Bisous!

boxes of goodness

peanut butter balls

dipped in chocolate

peppermint bark

and toffee bark

dark chocolate ganache for truffles

dark chocolate truffles

dinner while baking: french onion soup made by Marc

caramel apple cider

chocolate decadence

my all time favorite cookie

making meringues

before the oven

three hours later

Bon Appetit

boxes of goodness

Happy Holidays

So,

this year I decided to make boxes of goodness for friends and family.

And,

on Sunday I was up till 3am baking away

....

HEAVEN!

This year,

with the help of my friend Lacey and my sister

we made

...

Chocolate Decadence Peppermint Patty Cookies,

meringues,

dark chocolate peanut butter balls,

peppermint bark and toffee bark,

and

last but not least,

dark chocolate truffles.

I adorned my smaller boxes with a Bon Appetit ribbon

and

for the larger boxes

I filled each one with parchment paper

and

tied red and white baker's twine around the boxes.

...

I love paying attention to details.

I will have to proudly say

I was able to control myself while baking and only enjoyed a small tasting of each sweet.

But,

last night was a different story.

I had some of my friends over for spiced ciders and we gladly indulged in each and every sweet!

Good thing for Bikram tonight.

Balance.

I wish I could ship all of you a box of goodness

but for now

...

I hope these pictures will due.

Happy Holidays!!

Bisous!