Beauty in the Ordinary

This is not about being brilliant, or extraordinary, it's not about wanting to be famous, or making headlines, or trying to impress...this about sharing a 'gift' each day with the world...to lift the spirit of people when they read this blog, to show them the beauty in the ordinary.
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." Raold Dahl

Monday, February 28, 2011

Just home...

It's been a long day...

lots of work...

but that's okay...actually it's good.


Home now and I've made this for dinner

yum! even if I do say so myself!

Rotini pasta (one big handful per person)


cooked al dente.

I elegant red pepper, slice ever-so thin


I yellow, orange (any colour but green) pepper sliced like its red kin.


100 gr (approximately) casalinga salami

100 gr (approximately) soppresata salami

(or whatever salami takes your fancy)


bunch of spring onions, thinly sliced



any other cooked vegetable that you care to add
(I put in cucumber because it was in the fridge).

Mix this lovingly together.

Dressing:
good olive oil - 2/3





vinegar - 1/3





salt,




pepper,






 basil,






 oregano,






 garlic


big handfuls of grated parmesan cheese,


all served with warmed baguette and



a glass of your favourite cabernet or sauvignon blanc...mmmmm heaven
bon apetito
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Saturday, February 26, 2011

?

Does anyone know where


is?


I seem to remember (vaguely)
that she was closing 
Beautiful Things To Share
and going somewhere else.

But I can't remember where.
And I miss her.

As sister V. has pointed out before,
this was the first blog she ever visited (and then sent me to)
and was the inspiration for us to begin.

I really would like to find her if she is still blogging...so if anyone knows where
she is, or Charmaine, should you happen to read this yourself...
send us a link...please!


Friday, February 25, 2011

Friday Photo Challenge

is hosting the Friday Photo Challenge once again.

Actually it began last week
(but I couldn't get my act together in time).

So here I am, day-late-dollar-short me,
with my submission for this weeks challenge...

PEOPLE


I love to take photos of people.

This beautiful mother and daughter were participants
in our local Christmas Parade this past year.

I love the contrasts of their age,
their cultural heritage,
their height positioning,
the direction in which they are looking,
the fact that mother is lower,
daughter is higher.

I always feel a little guilty when
I take a candid photo of someone.

I feel there is a huge responsibility to treat their image with
the utmost respect.
To only represent them in truth and beauty...
and never to mock or abuse the privilege one has because you happen 
to be holding a camera in your hands.

Thank you Chania...it's nice to be back!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Going Out On A Limb...

I LOVE AMERICAN IDOL

Call me weird...I don't understand it myself,
but I love this raw talent.

I love watching these early stages,
hearing these angels sing...
unaccompanied, no training,
unconstrained ambition.

I find it so inspiring.

So here is my prediction for
America's Idol 2011



Casey Abrams
Man, can this boy sing!



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

V.


If she could, she would...

I know V. has been 
absent of late.

Not because she doesn't care
(NOBODY cares more!)

She's been taking care of me.
Sorry people...but I come first!




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Silky Cauliflower Soup


I know I've posted this soup before, 
but this time I'm including the recipe:


Silky Cauliflower Soup:
1 head cauliflower
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 quart low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove the leaves and thick core from the cauliflower, coarsely chop, and reserve. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the cauliflower is very soft and falling apart, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and, using a hand held immersion blender, puree the soup, or puree in small batches in a blender and return it to the pot. Add the Parmesan and stir until smooth. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
p.s.  I always add a generous pinch of nutmeg when I add the broth.

I'll add some kind of protein and a warm
crusty baguette and this will be dinner tonight.

We are still in the grips of winter here with
snow on the ground and temperatures below freezing.

So this is comfort food
for body and soul.

Monday, February 21, 2011

What Do You Do?

Okay...right now, life is difficult...
but,  in the past 24 hours I have heard some horror stories.




If I thought my lot in life was difficult???

I just heard a story at the pub?  from a young man?  who looked like life was okay??

and it was so NOT!!!


What am I thinking?   How bad can things be?


I am healthy.

I am capable.

I have a partner who is healthy, capable and who loves me.

I have a family, a house, a car, a purpose.

What is going on here?

Okay God...I'm listening!

You have my attention!

What is going on?



Sunday, February 20, 2011

Another 10cm!

The weatherman is calling for another 10 cm of snow tomorrow


so, I have decided to totally ignore
anything he has to say
and just hang around some of these
pretty pictures instead.

These are generally our first harbingers of spring...


happy, sunny, yellow forsythia



and luxuriant, elegant crocuses.


Then along come the robins to feast on the fat earthworms
slowly beginning their job of waking up the soil.


Grass turns from pale grey to lush green,




trees begin to bud, and before you know it



there's warmth in the sunshine again!
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