photograph and illustration by Melissa Placzek ~M
Illustrated Coffee & Tea Quote 1
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
River Falls Road Trip
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
Yesterday, Nancy and I decided to take a little road trip. Destination: River Falls Wisconsin It was such a nice, sunny day, the perfect sort for a mini-escape. We visited some of the local shops. I bought some of my favorite Moon over Madagascar tea at Whole Earth Grocery. Admired the beautiful bread at Grateful…
When Spring Comes Home ~by William A. Quayle
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
photograph by Melissa Placzek My friend Cami just introduced me to a gorgeous book called “In God’s Out of Doors,” by William A. Quayle. So, so beautiful. I just ordered one of the ‘rare’ copies, and can’t wait to hold it in my hands. This is just one of the many reasons why I love…
The Mysteries of Tea ~ Tea Tasting ~ Ginger Peach Scented Tea
by Melissa • • 8 Comments
photograph by Melissa Placzek :: Tea of the Week :: Ginger Peach Tea Did you know that all teas, white, green, oolong or black, can be scented with spices, herbs, flowers or fruits? The flavorings are added at the end of the blending process. The vehicles for imparting these flavors are: essential oils, dried fruit…
Paris Bistro Potato & Leek Tart
by Melissa • • 13 Comments
photograph by Melissa Placzek ~Potato & Leek Tart~ So, I’ve been going through old magazines and selecting special recipes to make on the weekends. Oh my, there are so many. I decided to start with this savory French tart recipe that I discovered in the March 2008 issue of my favorite, Victoria Magazine. It’s kind…
spa brownies
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
~spa brownies~ My friend Jana gave me this super-easy, yummy and pretty-darn-good-for-ya recipe for spa brownies. This recipe is going to sound a little weird, but trust me. It makes a batch of ooey gooey brownies that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating. I made some last night and both Gracie and Jeff…
Date Night with Jeff ~ Sarah’s for Dinner & Jimmy’s Pub for Dessert
by Melissa • • 8 Comments
On Friday night I walked over to the Sanctuary and had a fun happy hour with friends. I took pictures but they didn’t turn out. Oh well, maybe next time. My daughter Gracie was hosting a sleep-over the same night and going to a school dance, so Jeff and I decided to have date night…
Jane Grigson’s Walnut Bread from Southern Burgundy
by Melissa • • 7 Comments
I absolutely love James Beard’s book, Beard on Bread. In my opinion, it is the definitive bread cook book. I made some of this walnut bread last week and we’re already down to the last loaf. It was wonderful with my pork chops, apples & kraut…and made a very interesting, yummy egg-in-a-hole for this morning’s…
Six Senses Saturday
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
~Seeing~ The icicles melting… ~Tasting~ egg in a hole… yummy, buttery toast made with homemade bread fried with an egg in the center… mmmmm!….. ~Hearing~ THIS LOVELY MUSIC Taller Children race you Mama’s Boy by Elizabeth & The Catapult …and hearing the tea kettle chirping… ~Smelling~ Banana Cinnamon Bread Baking I used the recipe from…
Notes from a Reluctant Bee Keeper ~ by Guest Writer Cami Funkhouser
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
I wrote the following article at the request of my friend, Babette Sicard, for inclusion in the introductory issue of her newsletter “Tending Midgard.” So, to celebrate the arrival of Springtime, I am sharing it with you!! Welcome the Sun!! I hope you enjoy it! ~Cami I became a beekeeper in the Spring of 2009.…