Gail's Great Escapes

My dear friend Gail is a bit of a 'celeb' today. There is an article about her in the Sunday edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The article is Why I Love My Job ~ and who wouldn't when your job is leading groups to Italy?

Her business is called Gail's Great Escapes . She and her husband John invite small groups to stay in a villa in Tuscany.

"She leads weeklong, small-group tours to a villa in a mountain village in Tuscany, the part of central Italy near Florence. She is the hostess for up to 16 people who can tour the region, visit wineries and restaurants, taste local wine and cheese, take art and cooking classes, relax with yoga and meditation instruction, or just sit back and enjoy the countryside."

Gail and John do this with a touch of southern hospitality- in Montisi.

It is the perfect blend; the security of a tour, with the freedom to do what ever and where ever your heart leads. Meals in the evening at the villa, art lessons, cooking lessons, tours of wineries, or just relaxing under a Tuscan sunset.

We are lucky enough to already have our room reserved!

If y'all have ever wanted to see Italy~ check out Gail's Great Escapes.

Ciao y'all,

Sandi

Precious

Uncle Bubbie and SandiHoHo had a fun evening.





We were babysitters and entertainers for MJ.


Actually, we were the ones entertained!

I had forgotten what it was like to have a busy little girl in the house.

Look at her handle that phone~ she is on her way to those teenage years...

Thank you for my valentine.

Precious!

Sandi

And the winners are...

We ended up having 177 comments on our One world One heart giveaway. We chose two random numbers.... Which means two new friends in fun aprons!

#79 ArtGirlAtl

#147 Molly Jean at Creative Life and Times

I found out that I was lucky enough to win some fanciful fabric from Quilt Diva Julie, I see some new aprons in the making!

I also have a new crystal braclet from Rob who has a CreativSpirit...lucky me!

The idea of this event was that we could all bring our hearts together, to become a closer community, through blogging. What an amazing idea. Thank you to Lisa for all of the work she put into it.

I am excited about the new friendship that have been formed. I look forward to visiting each of you and I hope y'all will stop in the cafe occasionally.

Hearts to Everyone involved!

Thanks y'all

Sandi

Chocolate!

Since it is Valentine's Day everyone is posting on Chocolate.
I will join in!
This is a different way to use cocoa~
and a left over cup of coffee.
Chocolate Beef Tenderloin
1/2 cup strong coffee
2Tbs olive oil
2# beef
2 Tbs flour
2 cups beef stock
2 Tbs tomato paste
2 Tbs cocoa powder
1tsp basil &oregano
pinch allspice
fresh thyme
1cup carrots
1cup pearl onions
1cup greenbeans
Slice beef into cubes, marinade in ziplock bag with coffee (I added a splash of WhistleStop Marinade) Heat olive oil in a large shallow pan. Brown beef quickly and remove. Add flour to pan and stir until brown. Slowly add broth and the coffee marinade stirring until blended. Stir in tomato paste and spices. Return meat to the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add carrots and cook until tender. Uncover, add onions and green beans. Simmer. The sauce will thicken as the veggies become tender.

I serve it over garlic mashed potatoes.
Now that is a different way to eat chocolate!
Y'all enjoy!
Sandi

Centerpieces

With all of the excitement of the One World One Heart giveaway I almost let the centerpiece of the month slip by.

This is just to prove that I don't always have a vase of fantastic flowers on the table.

But if my 'honey pie' knows what is 'good 4 you'...

Y'all will see a picture of flowers soon!

Sandi

It's Good to be Me!

I was recently tagged by my friend Just a BeachKat to post why It's Good To Be Me. She used a quote that I love.

"A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we lived!"

I so agree! It is the moments in life that we remember.

So... I'll show you why It's Good To Be Me!I love to travel. I enjoy learning and experiencing new places. I like trying new foods, and new languages. It must be the fact I grew up as an Air Force brat~ the next move is always an adventure.I always have a project in the works... It drives Bill nuts. Sometimes my projects will overlap, but I am a get-it-done kind of a person. I may even verge on obsessed until I move on to a new project.

We have 2 wonderful children. Bill inherited them as teenagers~ not always the easiest time even for parents who love them and raise them up. They have grown into wonderful adults. We love it now when they come visit and fill the house with chatter- and the sounds of drumming. We both come from wonderful families and that is a big part of 'me'.

Marrying into the WhistleStop family changed my life. I have gone from a fairly private person to a part of a nationally recognised name. I am even published in a cookbook! The next cookbook is a part of my current obsession... stay tuned.
We have a princess in our home. Not Me ~:D The princess of the house is Fancy Freckles. She is getting older, and is deaf from those cocker spaniel ear infections. She can still sniff out a cookie though!

My goal in life is simple... to one day be able to do nothing but this~

If you haven't done this yet~ tell us why It's good to be you!

Sandi

BreakFAST Cookies

This is a great breakfast cookie~ filling and nutritious. It looks like a lot of ingredients, but it is quick and easy to make.
They are quick 'out the door' on Monday morning!
I always keep some on hand. Today is the perfect day to make a batch for this busy week.BreakFAST Cookies
4 Tbs butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup carrot baby food
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup bran flakes
1/3 cup grated carrots
1/3 cup crasins
1/3 cup chopped almonds

Combine the softened butter and sugars, cream baby food and other wet ingredients. Blend until smooth. Add dry ingredients, stirring until well combined. Stir in oats and cereal. Finally add fruits and nuts. Stir this thick and chunky batter until well blended. Scoop rounded mounds onto a cookie sheet- they will not rise or spread.
Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Store in an air tight container to keep them moist.
Approximately 190 calories in each cookie.

Y'all don't forget to check out the aprons in our One World One Heart giveaway!
Sandi

One World One Heart

Have you heard about the One World One Heart give away? It is a global blog event where bloggers everywhere are offering a little sumpin'sumpin for the asking. It is a way to pass on the Love and this is the second annual event. Everyone will have something unique to share. The give away is Valentine's Day.

I am going to offer up one of our Hot Aprons for the giveaway.

All you have to do is leave a comment. We will draw from a hat on Valentine's Day and announce the winner. It is as simple as that!

If you are a lurker and don't unusally leave a 'hey y'all' , this is your chance.

As I said this is an International Event. There are hundreds of entries. Check them out and sign up for a give away.

Good Luck Y'all!

Sandi

This is crazy! Since we are so close to 100, I will add a second apron. Drawing will be Feb 14th. Thanks y'all~ Sandi

~Tuesday

Super Tuesday and Fat Tuesday all in one day.

Get out and vote...
then have a party!

Happy Tuesday y'all,

Sandi

Best Commercial~

Now that is funny!
Sandi

Centerpiece of the Month~Roundup

It is time for the roundup of the Centerpieces of the Month for January. We had some great entries. I think Nature is the name of the month.

A bowl of satin white roses from the Nature Trail. You have to take a walk with Nature Girl. Her photography is amazing~ she has an eye for nature.

DebraK from The Bunnies Bungalow sent in this elegant centerpiece for January. The picture copied small, but it is red pears in a glass jar~ perfect!

Myrium at Once Upon A Tart sent in a photo of the promise of spring. A hyacinth that has brightened her table with its strong sweet scent in this dreary rainy month. So simple, and so perfect!

I do hope she hasn't baked up any escargot recently~

Holley sent this display of oranges. She says she has lots on her trees this time of year~ lucky girl. I love that she included the curley willow to recognize that it is winter everywhere else. Visit her at her Windy Corner USA.

We had a vote last month to see if we should do a winner every month. I think the consensus was that a button to place on the entries blog would be a good idea. So here it is...

Congrats to all the 'winners'!

Y'all show me your centerpiece for February.

Sandi

Go Red!

Today is Go Red For Women day.
The idea is that we are all wearing red today in support and awarness of women's heart health.

Red shoes...

Even Barbie could be seen around town wearing red!

Wearing red is only a part of the challenge.

If all women will Take Action what a difference we can make.
*Cook heart healthy.
*Be heart happy.
* Shop with heart.
*Move and exercise your heart.
*Share your heart with others.
*Have a heart check up.

How is your heart today?
Y'all wear RED today!
Sandi

Hands

This was voted a favorite picture for 2007 at http://www.whatatop.com/.
Check and see what else is tops!
A presto y'all,
Sandi

A Love Affair

I am a new mom~ of sorts.

Last month I adopted a new blogger. The idea was for old bloggers to share with new bloggers. Pam at Sidewalk Shoes is my 'baby'. The only thing is... her blog is fantastic, and she needs to be teaching me. Her photography is bright and clear. I have lessons to learn from her!

Anyway, Pam pointed me in the direction of a Love Affair going on in blogland right here in time for Valentine's Day. Well Seasoned Cook is hosting a Legume Love Affair. Here is my heart happy entry.

Tuscan Bean Soup

1 cup dried cannellini

1/2 head savoy cabbage, chopped

1 leek, chopped

1 red onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 Tbs olive oil

fresh rosemary, basil, and oregano

1 bay leaf

2 large cans diced tomatoes

chicken broth as desired
Soak the beans overnight, drain water and rinse. In a large pot brown onions, celery, garlic in olive oil. Add cabbage, leeks, and carrots and cook until soft. Add herbs and tomatoes. Cover and cook over low heat, Thin with chicken broth like you like it. Simmer over several hours to blend flavors.

Traditionally this bean soup will simmer on the stove and carry over from one meal to another. Serve with crusty bread. Any left over bread can be stirred in to thicken the soup the next day.

That is how it is called Ribollita~ reboiled soup

Now some may argue with the idea of mixing legumes with love... For those (and you know who you are)keep the beano on hand.

Buon appetito y'all!

Sandi

Red Hot!

We have some new aprons at the WhistleStop Country Store. The ones we had been selling are great quality aprons... but not very girlie. They are still available of course!I have talked Bill into trying some girlie aprons. Aren't they precious?

They remind me of vintage aprons like Big Momma used to wear~ with a little spice.

Wouldn't these make the perfect Valentines gift?

Some have 'Give me some sugar' on the pocket. Another has red hot hearts all over.

Check them out at A Pinch of Dis and a Pinch of Dat our little country store.

E-mail us with your order.
You know y'all want one.

Sandi