Melissa

a beautiful wine trio for your weekend

When we had lunch at the Nelson Creamery last weekend I tried a few amazing wines, and I wrote down the names of them so I could share the experience with you. These are all very, very good! So, now you have some great wines to try…just in time for the weekend! Have you tried…

quilting and dinner with clare

Here are some scenes from the last creativity evening with my friend Clare. I decided on the pattern I want to use for my wooly quilt and started cutting the pieces out on Tuesday. Very excited about this project! This weekend I’ll be felting a bunch of wool sweaters and making some felted mittens and…

four seasons fruit salad with polka dot dressing

~four seasons fruit salad ~ A lovely, delicious salad that you can make any time of the year. This is a great “use what you have” sort of a recipe. Feel free to substitute a can of drained fruit cocktail, canned peaches, or canned pineapple if you don’t have a bunch of fresh fruit on…

chantelle hat

~ chantelle hat ~ I’ve been having so much fun writing, testing recipes and working on illustrations for my tea book. Other than that, I’ve been knitting and crocheting like crazy! And now that there’s (finally!) snow in this Mississippi river valley town, the urge to snuggle in under a quilt by the fire and…

kitchen sink cake bars

~ kitchen sink cake bars ~ I was craving a certain treat that I had enjoyed when Jeff and I were vacationing in Chicago. There’s this little coffee shop in the Water Tower Place Mall called “Sacred Grounds” that makes these huge cookies called “Kitchen Sink Cookies.” I remember they were chock full of chewy,…

six senses… (ahem) sunday

tasting :: some of the best pizza we’ve ever eaten at the Nelson Creamery. I had the Mediterranean, Jeff and Gracie had the pepperoni. Thin, crunchy, perfect crust, Nelson Creamery cheese…just enough tangy tomato sauce. OH MY!…and for dessert…rum cherry ice cream! also…wonderful vino at the Creamery and Kate & Gracie’s in Alma. smelling ::…

wee three & mee

I usually do a “Six Senses Saturday” post on Saturdays, and I was all excited to head back to the Nelson Creamery today with my little fam so we could try their amazing pizza that has gotten so many rave reviews! But, alas, Gracie isn’t feeling well. So instead we’re laying low, drinking tea and…

winter vegetable tagine

~ winter vegetable tagine ~ A dish inspired by Moroccan cuisine. I love this with olive oil, Parmesan cous cous and drizzled with Charmoula. Lovely with a cold, green salad and grilled salmon! 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large sweet onion, peeled and coarse chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin…

romantic dinner ~ chicken parmesan paillard

~ chicken parmesan ~ ” The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again.” ~George Miller This is a recipe that Jeff and I came up with together. It’s really good, and takes a little planning, but the end result is worth it. for the chicken: 4 large,…