Lavender-Lemon Shortbread cookies

Happy Fri-Yay! This week has been a blissful autumn week. It's finally cooled down here, and really starting to feel like Fall. On Wednesday it rained and was cloudy all day, I think the high was 77F, and I was freezing, but it was much needed and felt so refreshing.

There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting on the porch, watching the rain, sipping a hot cup of tea, with something sweet to savor!

One herb I have never cooked with let alone bake with, is lavender. I've been tempted a time or two, to buy Lavender Sugar, but keep thinking to myself, I could make my own. Then while one weekend, we were up in Prescott, I bought some lavender buds to try my hand at cooking with them. Should I make Lavender salt, or sugar, oh no, I must make cookies, and what better guinea pig do I have for Lavender cookies than my husband.

He loves a good shortbread! He came home from work, just in time to have the first batch of shortbread that had cooled off. If I didn't stop him, he would have gobbled them all up!

Aren't these cookies lovely? The flavor of these delicate buttery, shortbread cookies is delightful fragrant, that is not only calming from the lavender, but the fresh burst of citrus, really enhances them.

At first, I was planning on glazing them, but after one bite, they were perfectly sweet enough.

Lavender-Lemon Shortbread Cookies (adapted from Food and Wine)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup of  all-purpose flour

a pinch of salt

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. dried lavender buds (culinary)

the zest from one lemon

Granulated sugar, or you could use coarse sugar or even Raw Sugar

Directions:

1.) In stand up mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the lemon zest, the lavender, the pinch of salt and the vanilla extract. On low speed, add the flour slowly. When the dough forms a soft ball, transfer it to plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.

2.) Preheat oven to 350F. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and then placing them on parchment paper. Bake cookies for 10 minutes, checking to see the slightest golden brown. 

3.) Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

Until next time!

xo Christine

Sharing at these Parties!

Random 5

Happy Weekend! What a gorgeous week, we've had! It may be in the high 90Fs, but when winter comes we'll be enjoying 70-80F weather. It's been absolute bliss in the early morning or night time, sitting on the front or back porch, drinking my coffee or tea, enjoying finally some fresh air. I can take the heat of the Summers, rather than the bitter cold in the Winter!

Here are Five Things that caught my attention this week

With Summer coming to an end, while I love Pumpkin anything, but

 I still want to taste one last Peach recipe, and

 this bundt cake had me dreaming of the past long Summer days.

Peach and Lavender bundt cake

Flower arrangements for me are more attractive when combined with all things grown in the garden, especially gorgeous Kale, and lovely artichokes.

Autumn Florals by Maria Maxit

With my first paint project, DIY Faux Patina Flower pot, I've been looking for something new to paint. I am in love with metallic, especially Copper and Rose Gold. I have some milk paint leftover and these would look lovely filled with fresh herbs.

 Copper or Rose Gold via Etsy

When I was younger growing up my mother had this gigantic, gorgeous Blue Hydrangea bush in our back yard, and when our German Shepard was a puppy, when ever he was naughty, he'd run under the bush to hide from my mother. The Sunflowers, remind me of my oldest daughter. With my grandparents moving, it has made me a little nostalgic for the sunflowers that grew wild at the front of her driveway. When my daughter was not even two, we took some fun pictures together, that remind me of an Indian Summer. Now, where we live after the monsoons, the wild Sunflowers are growing rampant on the side of the roads, remind me of my daughter, or any time I see Sunflowers in the floral department. I absolutely love the combination of the two.

Hydrangeas and SunFlowers via Pinterest

It's curious to me that I can count on my fingers the times I have eaten Eggplant. One of my aunts makes an amazing Eggplant Parmesan, but I honestly have never cooked eggplant myself. In the September issue of Victoria, one of the articles highlighted chef Carolyn Robb who cooked for Princess Diana, and one of the recipes she shared was a stuffed Aubergine with Tomato and Goat-Cheese. It looked so comforting and something I would not only enjoy cooking but eating as well.

Here is a recipe from House Beautiful for Stuffed Eggplant.

The Royal Touch: Simply Stunning Home Cooking from a Royal Chef by Carolyn Robb (affiliate link)

Thank you for visiting me! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Until next time!

xo, 

And Please Be Sure to Check Out my 1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway going on now until 9/24!

 

Weekend Randomness

The weekend slowly snuck up on me.

I've had my coffee, and now I'm enjoying an ice cold glass of sweet tea,

still waiting for the monsoon storm that we are expecting this weekend.

via

During the Summer, the weekends just melt in with the rest of the days of the week!
Today is an exception, it's a busy day over here, I've got my daughter's dresser I'm working on,

back to school items to cross off my list, a little mid-summer gardening, and I'm adding learning to sew to the mix!

Luxurious Spa Master Bath

Photo By Emily Minton Redfield; emrphotography.com

This is the master bath I've been dreaming of.
Calm and elegant, a master bath that I could transform into a spa getaway!
Leaving my cares behind, as I relax in this large soaking tub.
One thing I've been considering in investing, is transforming
our master bath into a spa bath!
Complete with crystal chandelier and fluffly robes and towels.

Here are some amazing ways to turn your bathroom into a weekend spa getaway,
without breaking the bank!

Summer Garden party alfresco

via Pinterest / Glitter Guide

Aside from the extreme heat of the day living here in Arizona,
there is something magical that happens around dusk.
As the sun goes down, the night comes alive.
Dining al fresco doesn't have to be too much of a challenge living
here in the desert.
It's the perfect time to get out and enjoy the fresh air and entertain
with family and friends.

A couple of my favorite things, fresh flowers, citrus flavored drinks,
 crusty French bread, cheese and a glass of wine!

The color Turquoise

Lilikoijoy.com

I began to wonder if it wasn't at all a coincidence that the
meaning of turquoise is calm and cooling
recharges energy and restores balance;
since living in a place that can be hot as hell
for 4 months out of the year, and that it
is mined in dry climates.
This gorgeous color just so happens to be my favorite color, and
I am swooning over this dresser.

Coral

If you are needing a good laugh, you really need to stop in
and visit my dear friend Benita. It's this post from her, that I think
of when I saw this.

I love all things coastal I absolutely love this faux coral,
 and so now I am on a mission to find some
Sticks!!

via

Blackberries

What I love about blackberries, are that they perfectly sweet, 

without being overly sweet!

They are a Summertime treat, not just to snack on,

but a treat to harvest.

Over even better yet still,

snacking on them while you are picking them!

For breakfast, I enjoyed a serving of my Blackberry-Cinnamon Cobbler,

with my cup of coffee.

After all, they are full of antioxidants and fiber .

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Until next time,

Follow Friday #25: Summer Getaway

Happy beautiful Friday!! What a whirlwind of a week it was here; which included one trip to urgent care, two trips to the pharmacy, and two birthday parties, and one small luncheon. My mom is coming this weekend, for my brother's birthday, (I'm just serving a small lunch), and my nephew's first birthday party this weekend. I was hoping to take a road trip this weekend, but it looks like plans changed, and we will be headed some where, destinations known, just not sure in which way we are headed for next weekend!

For Follow Fridays from now on, I will be featuring 4 different blogs, one cooking/baking, one gardening, one décor/style, and one crafting.

Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker cookies by Handle the Heat

Oh my, how yummy do these look! I need a big class of tall and very cold milk to go with them!

Twitter     Facebook      Pinterest     Instagram    

Coconut and Lime

Looking for Tropical bohemian decorating inspiration, I love all the bright colors, patterns and all the lush, green tropical foilage; the colored bottles, and the gallery art. Very fun home tour!

Pinterest     Instagram

Francoise et Moi

When I found this blog looking up DIY projects for Shibori, I came back to her blog, and was absolutely amazed at her lovely and creative DIY projects.

Twitter     Facebook     Instagram      Pinterest     g+     bloglovin

Green Tapestry

If you are having a one of those days, where nothing seems to be running smoothly, or I like to call it 'Organized Chaos'...when I first started reading this blog, and reading her posts, it was almost as I was transported to this lush, green garden, where I could meander down pathways, relaxing and calming me with every step. She also has some gorgeous flower arrangements.

Twitter



Hope you all have a great day!

Until next time!

xo Christine

 



Summer Reading Cookbooks: Part 1

Good morning! How was your weekend? Mine was too short! Even being on Summer vacation, it just zipped by. This coming weekend is going to be even busier. It's a birthday weekend, times two, for both my brother and my father in law. Every other year, my sister in law and I take turns hosting, and this year it's mine. I promise to share more, there is just so much to do this week!

As it happens, last week, I borrowed several books from the library, (I am always browsing for inspiration), which is turning out to be the perfect way to come up with a menu for the party! As is this wonderful entity, known as the blogging community!

While I may not be from the South, I am from Southern California, and I have had Grits once, with only butter and salt, (next time I am putting lots, and lots of cheese). I grew up more on Cream of Wheat. I am sure you will find this post from Chasing Quaintness a fun read, "Kiss My Grits".
The recipe that caught my attention in The Coastal Living Cookbook (affiliate link) is for Creamy Shrimp and Grits from Chef Christopher Hastings, owner of the Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama.

A couple of Summers ago, I enjoyed my first glass of Peach Sangria. Since I love being random, don't you just love it when a song gets stuck in your head. My husband the last couple of days keeps coming home and singing the song 'Sangria' by Blake Shelton. It was sweet the first day, even the second, but we are now going on day 5, and it's bordering on the ever so slightly annoying, just a little! Not getting off the subject, but I really want to try for this party to make a Sangria, like the one I just saw at Susan's.

This past weekend, my husband also surprised me, by bringing home a smoker. It reminded me of the times my uncle would fish off the coast, and as a young child, got my very first taste of smoked fish. Most likely it was mackerel, it could have been yellow fin tuna, this was almost 40 years ago, but I do remember the salty, smoky taste, and how delicious it was. My mother in law must have remembered the exact same taste, because that was the first thing she mentioned to me, is that we should smoke some fish. Her grandfather was a fisherman who worked the docks at Newport Beach, California. I don't think my husband would be smoking any fish soon, but my brother in law smokes a mean brisket. For Mother's Day, his brisket was the best I'd ever tasted, it was so tender, and juicy.

I first saw Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto (affiliate link) , when I signed up for Blogging for Books. A month ago, I had no idea, my husband would bring a smoker home, since then I've already signed up for two other books, and by now, I am sure all of the review copies have been spoken for. Imagine how surprised and excited I was when I saw that it was at the library, a brand new cook book, just released. This cookbook is very detailed and thorough, covering every aspect of smoking, even how to build your own smoker; to what to serve at a barbecue; the sides, and what beers. This book is an all in one entertaining book, and resource, that I will definitely be adding to my library! Several recipes I can't wait to make are the Brisket and Beef Rib Rub, and the Espresso Barbecue sauce for when my husband attempts to make his very first brisket.

My question for you is, have you ever smoked meat for a barbecue?

Hope you have all have a fabulous week!

Until next time!

xo Christine

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Twenty Dinners by Ithai Schori, Chris Taylor with Rachel Holtzman

Happy Day before Friday!
 Today , I am excited to share with you this awe-inspiring cookbook,"Twenty Dinners".

Is the style of your entertaining one, where you want your guests to feel relaxed; that they can step through your door, leave the busyness of the world, to unwind and slow down; where you like to sip a drink, savor a great meal, while enjoying the company of dearest family and friends?

 

That is the focus of this wonderful cookbook; to not only cook for company, but with them. This is what caught my attention. The writers of this cookbook, one; a member of an Indie rockband 'Grizzly Bear', who learned his cooking techniques from his mother, the other a photographer, who is an ex-chef, that worked in high end restaurants.  With the help of their friends, they put together this cookbook, to evoke the feeling of enjoying the simpler things in life! What could be more simple, than great tasting food and our dear loved ones.

 

I couldn't wait for the book to arrive, and as I opened it up, I loved it, from the gorgeous photographs, to my favorite thing in the world, is the attaching of a personal story to a recipe. This is what connects a reader and pulls you in, and helps you to feel a part of the author's world.  

 

Twenty Dinners

 

Authors: Ithai Schori and Chris Taylor

 

Hardcover: 272 pages

 

Book size: 8.2 x 1 x 10.3 inches

 

 

3 Things I like about this book:

 

• If you are like me, and are a more visual person, then the gorgeous photographs will not only make you fall in love with the cookbook, but will really make you feel like you are actually a dinner guest, enjoying the meals before you; from a simple meal like spaghetti and meatballs, and egg framed toast, to comfort food like PorkChops and Charred Applesauce, to meals that sound a little more complicated like Crisp Brick Chicken, but with their techniques, turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.
• Does this happen to you? What do I serve with this and what time of year is the best for this? This book is amazing, because it not only provides full course menus from appetizers to desserts and either with a drink recipe or a wine pairing, but it is divided into the four seasons; for example there is an excellent Summertime grilling menu, with potato salad, hamburgers, and cabbage slaw. Again, simple things, given a great taste.
• Ok, here's a combo of two things, only because they are both important to me. The recipes, themselves have personal stories attached to them; stories that remind you of home, a comforting meal and of simpler times. I am planning on making, one of the desserts in the book *wink* it's a surprise! Then in the back of the book there is a great resource section of cooking techniques, a list of some favorite cooking tools, how to shop for fresh ingredients, and how to simplify your pantry. Which would it surprise you that I have 4 Pumpkin Spice containers??

To read more reviews about this book, Twenty Dinners at Amazon via the picture link below.

 

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Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this honest review.