Six Senses Saturday

~Seeing~ Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the little DVD player in the kitchen We watched while we cooked we sipped pinot… A relaxing Friday evening and a sweet date night   photographs by Melissa Placzek ~Smelling~ This coffee brewing in the French press… Thanks Jana! ~Tasting~ This… ~Chop Salad~ 4 large handfuls fresh spinach, chopped 3…

Latin Beef Picadillo

Hello everyone! This is a re-post of one of my favorite “spa cuisine” recipes. Tonight I added a little extra chili powder, substituted chopped pecans for the almonds, and topped my whole wheat tortilla with some sour cream and Sriracha. Have you noticed? I like Sriracha on almost everything. The perfect zingy accoutrament. Oh, and…

mercury rising

photograph by Melissa Placzek The weather has finally taken a turn for the better in Minnesota. We’ve been grilling out every chance we get, and will probably be out on the deck again this evening. I was just thinking about all the things we’re looking forward to this spring and summer and decided to make…

some of my favorite authors ~ books I collect

Hello! A few of you have written, asking me about my book collection. I really appreciate the interest. Thanks! First, you should know I have a ton of antique and vintage books. I collect the classics, children’s books and cookbooks (in general) and the following authors’ works (in particular.) My hope is that the list…

Teatime Tuesday ~ Strawberry Almond Scones

photograph by Melissa Placzek Hello friends! I decided to try something new this week, instead of the usual “Mysteries of Tea” entry where I feature different kinds of tea, I’ll be changing it up once in awhile and doing Teatime Tuesday. Teatime Tuesday entries will include a recent tea experience and/or recipe for a tea-related…