Putting a little Spring in your step

I cannot believe I am asking this, but--- Ready for Spring??? Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog saw no shadow on February 2nd, sooooo Spring should begin two weeks later, TODAY! Februrary 16th. Officially (calendar-ically,) Spring will begin in about four/five weeks, on March 20th. Yes, there is still time.

The Proposal: J and I were engaged one year ago on the first day of Spring. I cannot believe it has only been one year! The wedding was grand, the marriage is bliss, and therefore - switching gears- I want this Spring to bring a sense of ease and comfort with myself. In 2011 my fiance is me. In these next four weeks leading up to the Spring equinox, reflect on how you would like to begin your Spring. Do you have any Spring cleaning to be done? Any forgotten resolutions to re-instill? Bikinis to buy?

For now: Sip tea and reflect.

Or MEOW-ZA!!! Take a walk on the wild hippy hollywood side and sip some apple cider vinegar. The countless benefits can be seen HERE and my favorite brand is HERE. 

Mr. Bragg, founder of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar changed the life of Jack Lalanne CLICK who I blogged about before HERE...

"Love you so much, Your Apple Cider Vinegar is my secret of all secrets." 

The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself

Happy Valentine's Day

show some love

We will be having an Italian dinner party featuring these stuffed shells.

A few easy ways to decorate last minute:

Add heart-shaped doilies or love notes to noticeable surfaces. People tend to look at mirrors and pictures when in your home... and mirrors are easy to clean!

Get Saucy Strawberry Ending: Soak strawberries in Orange Liqueur during dinner. Just before service melt 3/4 cup good quality dark chocolate with 1/2 cup heavy cream and pour over the strawberries. Serve with heart shaped lemon cookies and truffles.

paper pom pom poms

Yesterday Early Afternoon. The Inspiration

Late Afternoon. Get to work! When you see something that moves you it's best to act on it right away. These homemade tissue paper poofs took no time at all to make. I cannot believe I have never done this before! A thin stack of tissue paper is scalloped or petal shaped at the edges,  accordion folded, secured in the middle and then pulled apart and fluffed. Voila!

Hours Later. Valentine colors suspended as a unit and kept high as to not detract from the view. 

This Morning. Breakfast with the In-laws. 

Last Night. Always set the table and make all possible preparations the night before! Taking pictures helps point out faults. This photo made it clear the chairs needed covering. 

after the weekend, it's back to breathing

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

YOGAMATIC CLICK for custom yoga mats, like the one Jen Aniston gave Oprah.

Superb Bowl

Southern California Super Bowl menu:

Tri-colored bell pepper strips
and Multi-colored flaxseed tortilla chips
with Black bean dip
and Guacamole

Watermelon Margaritas and Spritzers (and beer)
Sliced Kiwis, orange wedges

Duck Tacos
slaw/ Cranberry-mango salsa/ Papaya salsa

Mini Lemon Cheesecakes*
Cherries

It is supposed to be 79 and sunny tomorrow, so I have already baked the cheesecake, sliced the peppers and gotten any prep work aside on this low-key Saturday night.

Thank you Tim at Broadleaf for the duck, and the lovely rabbit we cooked for the Chinese New Year (a traditional rabbit stew with a little coconut cream to give it a San Diego twist.)

*[Mini] Sunny Lemon Cheesecake[s]

1 1/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons Butter
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 eggs
1 (8 oz) container nonfat lemon yogurt
rind of one lemon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (175 degrees C.)

1. Mix graham crumbs and butter, press into mini-muffin tins.

 [or spring form pan or glass 9" round dish or pre-made graham crust.]

2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 

3. Beat in flour. 

4. Beat in lemon juice and eggs. 

5. Stir in yogurt and rind. 

6. Pour into crust. 

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30+ minutes, until filling is set. (60 minutes for full cake.)

8. Allow to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. 

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

The lucky year of the golden rabbit begins tomorrow, February 3rd, 2011.

...the oldest and most important event in China, the Spring Festival, more popularly known as Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a celebration of the Earth coming to life. It ushers in the beginning of the plowing and planting season.

The Chinese believe that the New Year is an opportune time for a fresh start, and so they prepare for it way ahead of time by cleaning their homes and getting rid of junk, repaying debts, having a hair cut, buying new clothes, paying respect for their departed ancestors, and offering prayers to the gods for a good and prosperous year. Chinese tradition has it that the Rabbit ushers in a year in which we can all “catch our breath and calm our nerves.” It is a time for negotiation and diplomacy. ~mb.com

 

A placid year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger. We should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all the battles of the previous year.

Good taste and refinement will shine on everything and people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat again. We will act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty.

 

A time to watch out that we do not become too indulgent. The influence of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus impair their effectiveness and sense of duty. 

 

Law and order will be lax; rules and regulations will not be rigidly enforced. No one seems very inclined to bother with these unpleasant realities. They are busy enjoying themselves, entertaining others or simply taking it easy. The scene is quiet and calm, even deteriorating to the point of somnolence. We will all have a tendency to put off disagreeable tasks as long as possible.

Money can be made without too much labor. Our life style will be languid and leisurely as we allow ourselves the luxuries we have always craved for. A temperate year with unhurried pace. For once, it may seem possible for us to be carefree and happy without too many annoyances. ~theholidayhotspot.com

People born in the year of the Rabbit are generally calm, gentle, and loving. While they may sometimes be perceived as timid, people born under this sign view themselves as wise and cautious. They are rarely known to act or jump into situation without first carefully considering all their options. At work, they are noted to excel by remaining cool and collected. They can be relied upon for extreme tact in delicate business dealings.  ~mb.com. 

 

More on the rabbit personality at the holiday spot. Click. 

More cause for celebration!! The lantern festival takes place fifteen days later on February 18th, 2011. In these next two weeks visit your favorite chinese joint, heat up some Annie Chung's at home, eat with chopsticks, decorate with hellokitty, visit your local asian market or Chinatown and crack open a few fortune cookies. 

LoVE LOve

Hello month of love!!!

Sage advice from the Susan Branch Calendar:

The Romance of Home

Look for sheets with hearts on them; have breakfast in bed. Rent Shirley Valentine, Love Actually or Shakespeare in Love. With leftover spray snow, stencil hearts on bathroom mirrors. Make champagne cocktails (drop sugar cubes soaked in bitters in a glass filled with champagne.) Paint your [toe]nails red. Sprinkle red hearts over your [children's] oatmeal. Put on a cute apron; throw some flour around; cooking smells are very romantic in a cozy home.

Astrid and Julian Kirschenbaum

The Sundeck atop Ajax Mountain at 12000 feet

Floating floral arrangements in the Little Nell Hotel's elegantly dark hued pool

by Gruau

My Blue Valentine Wishlist all from dannijo.com