Sweet Love and Ginger

Jessica

Visiting Friends & Tea Parties

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 Recently I was lucky
enough to be selected by Plum Deluxe to be a part of their Tea Ambassador
program. I was given a few select teas and a set of question cards to throw a tea
party. This could not be a better fit for me and my tea obsessed friends, so I
decided to actually have the tea party while Amanda and I were visiting my friend Lindsey.
We had an entire girl’s weekend, full of chick flicks, awesome
snacks, shopping, and lots of good conversation. My favorite snack of the trip
was the goat cheese wontons that Lindsey made, the night that we arrived,
though Captain Scott’s chowder was a close second.
On the first morning over a hearty and delicious breakfast
we decided to break out the Ambassador kit.  I think one of the things that I enjoyed most
about the kit was the conversation cards. Some of the questions asked sparked
long talks and helped me learn some new things about my close friends.

The rest
of the day was spent in bookstores and shops around Mystic. Unfortunately I don’t
have many pictures because it was snowing or raining most of the day, and any
that we took simply did not work out. I’m proud to say that the harsh weather
wasn’t enough to keep these tough northeast chicks in the house and we had a
great time.

To spice things up a bit I decided to make a cocktail out of
the Pacific Northwest Evergreen Mint tea. It took a few different tries to come up with this sweet and minty
cocktail, but I really think it is a great addition to any tea party. You can
bet that I will be experimenting with other tea flavors to make similar
cocktails in the future.

Champagne & Mint Iced Tea (serves 4)
16 oz of water
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
2-3 teaspoons of mint tea
16 oz of good champagne

Heat the water to a boil. Place the sugar in a tea pot or
pan and pour the boiling water over the top. Add the tea in a tea ball or bag
and allow it to steep until it becomes golden and fragrant about 5-6 minutes
(when making iced tea you want the tea to be a bit stronger than a normal).
Remove the tea and set aside, stir the combination to be sure all of the sugar
has dissolved. Fill 4 glasses with ice cubes and pour about ¼ of the hot
mixture over the top. Pour about 4 ounces of champagne into each glass. Add
more ice if needed and serve immediately.

Weekly Meal Plan 4.5.15

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One of the new series that I am trying out this year is a weekly meal plan. This is a meal plan based on the real recipes that I cook at home during the week.

Wednesday – Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup & BLT’s

Thursday – Bangers & Mash with Peas & Salad

Friday – Chicken & Broccoli Risotto

Smokey 4 Cheese Roasted Red Pepper Dip

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This Smokey 4 Cheese Roasted Red Pepper Dip is a super easy recipe for a quick and cheesy appetizer, with a hint of smokey goodness that is sure to please any crowd. 

Some things are just too amazing to even describe.

This recipe, you guys, is one of them.

I got the original recipe from here, and it was ridiculously simple. I made it a number of times for get-togethers over the last year or two and it was always a big hit.

I’m going to attribute its high marks to the smokey, sweet, and salty thing going on here. The smoked cheese with a little smoked cheese, and smoked paprika combine perfectly. The sweetness comes from the roasted red peppers and all their caramelized sugars. And finally, the combination of cheese brings the earth and salt. You really can’t ask for much more from a humble handful of ingredients.

I opted to go the smokey route because I had quite a bit of leftover smoked gouda hanging around. You remember this recipe right? Yeah it was good, I know. I’ve made it a lot recently so I bought smoked gouda in bulk (foodie problems right?) Anyway, I had an event to go to and I couldn’t help but think how good the smoked gouda would be in this dip, with the smoky red peppers and ooooo what if I add a bit more smoked paprika as well?

Sometimes my own genius surprises me. It was AH-mazing. And it wasn’t just me who thought that either.

Smoky, gooey, and cheesy with just a hint of sweetness. I mean what more do you need in a dip here people?

Smokey 4 Cheese Roasted Red Pepper Dip

  • 2 whole roasted red peppers (diced)
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup smoked gruyere cheese (shredded)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine all ingredients in an oven safe pan and mix until well blended.
  3. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes or until the top has browned and begun to bubble.
  4. Serve immediately with crackers.

Similar Recipes:

Venison Poutine
Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese
French Onion Baked Gnocchi

Recently No. 9

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This month was hard. We lost someone very precious to us in
those first few days. It’s not something I want to dwell on here, for the
privacy of our family and friends.

I went to NYC for a future leaders program through work. It
was a much needed distraction and due to a class cancellation I was able to
have some much needed self time.

I started a new crochet project influenced by Cherry Heart
and her blanket along #CHBAL. It’s been so inspiring and challenging. I am
loving this challenge and cannot wait to see the end result. I will finish this
blanket!

As part of my 12-12-12 project I did a simple print with Ink. I loved having something creative to work on in addition to the blanket this month. I feel like it was really needed to help me get through it all.

We have been looking at Houses, houses, and more houses. I’m
learning a lot and feeling every inch of that emotional rollercoaster.  Seriously does anyone else totally picture
themselves in a house before they have even gone to see it? I’m all moved in
with walls taken down, light fixtures and furniture just from the pictures. I
know I need to stop, I just can’t. It’s a problem.

I’m reading Fall of Giants by Ken
Follet. After only 2 chapters in I’m addicted. I read The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End a few
years ago and loved them. Warning these books are long, but the vividness that
Follett is able to create with his writing is astounding and when it’s finally
over you will be left reeling.

In between all of these things work kind of hit the fan, and
my life went upside down for a while, I didn’t even cook dinner most of the
month! It was really nice to end this crazy month with a girls weekend in CT.
More on that later.

How was your month? I’d love to hear about it!!!

Quarter Year Thoughts

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We are a little over a quarter of the way through the year, and I can finally see some green popping up, and smell sap boiling, which means that the change of the seasons are upon us. I can’t tell you how excited I am for spring, and the rejuvenation that comes with it. I am in a place where I really need to make some serious changes and spring is always a good time for that. Needless to say I haven’t been doing well with my one little word lately.
I spoke a bit before on how last year was what I consider to be a middle year. While nothing exceptional happened, nothing terrible happened either. In the summer and fall of last year got lazy on my fitness and the craziness that has been this New Year has only made that worse. This causes a bigger problem than just being out of shape. I have always been someone who remained physically active my entire life, and I have found in the last 6 or so months that I haven’t been that my entire life seems to be slowly falling apart. I know I’m dramatic, but hear me out.
My body is in a constant state of aches. Really how is that possible? My shoulders are tense, which causes ridiculous headaches, my calves are always sore, and my knee has started to bother me if I sit too long. Let’s not even talk about my lower back, or my feet. Oh! And  the zits, dear god the zits, they are taking over! All this I’m sure contributes to the poor mood I have been in for the last couple months, but I really think the lack of actual activity is causing
that more so. I need to feel some endorphin’s man.
I also need a salad. We do eat salad all year round, because grocery stores supply that, but man what I wouldn’t give for a nice vine ripe tomato and fresh crisp veggies! I love that we have so many veggies in our freezer but I really want to start eating fresh home grown food again. Aside from the veggies I need outdoor time. This summer we weren’t able to go camping or hiking as much as we usually do, and this winter was so incredibly cold that it stopped us from doing much of anything. I feel like I’m going crazy and I can’t wait to get out to the woods!

I guess what I’m trying to say with all this is I haven’t been happy for a while. I need to check back in with my one little word and get back on track. I’m excited that spring is here, and I’m finding the motivation I need again. Besides I have a wedding dress to fit into!
How are you doing with the your goals this year? Are you excited for spring?