Author: MS

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pesto, Asparagus, ricotta, prosciutto pasta on the spicy side

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Love a spicy kick to my meals and this pasta is going to be made for dinner tonight – with a bottle of my favorite chilled white Merlot wine. INGREDIENTS 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto 1 pound long cut pasta 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and chopped 1 cup basil pesto, homemade or store bought 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired, and chopped 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese zest and juice of 1 lemon kosher salt and pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives grated parmesan, for serving {more}

Lifestyle: How Do You Handle Pressure?

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Just when I think the dust is settling on a few glitches in life, another set of issues have come up, where I am under pressure to make a decision either this way or that. What’s funny is, those who know me enough, wonder how it is I manage to remain so cool and collected while juggling what life is dishing out. Little do they know that on the inside, I am in turmoil, like everyone else, over the choices or the decisions I am making and whether they are the right ones.  Especially when I get the gut feeling either way I decide, it isn’t really going to be the best.  This time however, I decided to go online and see if there is anything helpful or can validate what I believe to be the best of the decisions. Or perhaps help me in making sure I understand there is no right or wrong in a decision, only what I am hoping is the right one at the time I am deciding. And so …

Travel: A Need For A Quiet Week or Two

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I can’t believe it’s already April and Easter has passed. Soon everyone will be busy with Mother’s day or graduations and weddings and well, we all know the rest. And I realized last night while wide awake, tossing and turning, that I need a break. From life, and all things real and simply go somewhere quiet and simply exist. I mean have you seen the film A Good Year?  If so you will understand. If not, please rent it, stream it and see what I am talking about. With that said, I am longing for two weeks in this amazing little cottage in France with all the necessary amenities and some left out – which is perfectly fine with me.    

Food: Cupcakes for All Special Occasions

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Easter, bridal showers, mother’s day, baby showers, mother’s day and even a graduation celebration for anyone with a whimsical style – these cupcakes are the coolest. INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup canola oil 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 large eggs 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup grated carrots MASCARPONE FROSTING 8 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese, softened 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, softened 2-3 cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries, ground until a fine powder {more}