Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Saturday, February 28, 2015

PhotoHunt ~ Brush

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Brush'
I am thinking of Paint Brushes ~

Our favorite artists in Positano are always glad to see us when we wander by (or should I say . . . wander BUY)

They really are Amazing artists. I have one of Dominoco's paintings on my wall and we have a pair of Andrea's framed as well.

They are actually doing the artwork themselves . . . not the reproductions that you see so many 'artists' dabbing paint on and calling it original.

These guys are fun to watch, and are always in the center of the action.

It's no wonder their work is so bright and vibrant . . . They just paint what they see everyday.

I can't wait to go back ~

The thought of spingtime in Positano carries me through the winter.

Check for all the other Brush Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, February 23, 2015

Traveling to California Wine Country

Y'all know I have spent a lot of time in Wine Country . . . But this was a new adventure for me.
I actually flew out to meet friends in Los Alamos ~ California wine country!


You could almost see the Hollywood sign as we flew into LAX.

The drive up the pacific coast hiway in my rented convertible (ok... not really!) was amazing. Those beaches are so different for 'our' white sandy beaches.
This area north of Santa Barbara is such a beautiful area. There Lovely vineyards and rolling hills.
Of course I had to get my GPS to direct me to the nearest Trader Joe's to pick up my share of appetizers and snackies.

We stayed at the Skyview Motel. . . a real throw back to the roadside motels that we remember growing up.
Our first stop was at Zuca Mesa Winery, then right down the road fun and funky Martian Vineyard. The scenery was Beautiful, and the local growers were so proud of their nice wines.

Our last stop of the day was Frequency Wines in Los Alamos, another very good boutique winery. I liked the glass so much I had to bring one home.
Most fun of all . . . Sharing it all, sharing fun memories with long time Slow Traveling friends.



I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, February 21, 2015

PhotoHunt ~ Wheels

The PhotoHunt for today is 'wheels'
I am a bit obsessive about taking pictures of vespa's in Italy.

These little 'wheels' are for more than just transportation . . .
They make a great little gathering point.

it's the Italian way of life ~

Check for all the other Photos of Wheels on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Saturday, February 14, 2015

PhotoHunt ~Cherished

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Cherished'

This photo is about 25 years old. My dad 'The Col.' back in the day when he loved the beach and my sister who still loves the beach.
We are still going to the very same beaches these days.

The more it changes . . .

The more it stays the same.

Many, Many years of cherished memories.
Check for all the other Cherished Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, February 09, 2015

A Cali~Cauli Cookoff ?

This past week I was lucky enough to join my traveling friends in Los Alamos for a SlowBowl. These are long time friends from around the country, who love to travel.
And Love to Eat.
One of the dishes we had was the cauliflower gratin from Full of Life Pizza . . . we all agree'd it was To.Die.For  and left us wanting more.

The search was on ~ my friend Barb found a couple of similar recipes. I tweeked it a bit and came up with my own gluten free version.

Anything that starts with Butter and ends with heavy Cream, has this southern girl's heart.

Cauliflower & Fennel Gratin
1/4 cup butter
1 head cauliflower
1 large fennel
1 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbs gluten free flour blend
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp fennel pollen (if you can find it)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Havarti cheese
3 Tbs shredded Parmigiano
preheat oven to 450

Break the cauliflower into pieces. Dice the fennel into chunks. Saute both in 1/4 cup butter, add minced garlic.  Cook until the fennel and the cauliflower is softened and browned.



Shred cheese. Toss with gluten free flour blend (I used King Arthur), salt, and freshly grated nutmeg. Mince some of the fennel fronds. Toss with the browned cauliflower.

Spoon into a baking dish. Top with parmigiano, cover with cream.
Bake @450 for 20 minutes. Until it is thick and creamy and melty with cheese.
To.Die.For

This is actually better than the original (if I may say so myself)
There is talk of a Cali- Cauli Cookoff . . . I've got it won.

Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner.

Bring on the Cali-Cauli Cookoff.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Saturday, February 07, 2015

PhotoHunt ~ Plaid

The PhotoHunt today is Plaid . . .
That seems easy enough doesn't it?
Good Gravy!

I finally found some bar stools that I painted eons ago ~ with a plaid design.

I am still using them too.

Check for all the other Plaid Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Cooking Light ~ A Night at the Oscars

For Our Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club this month, we are celebrating A Night at the Oscar's.
First we were to pick a movie ~ then a dish to share 'virtually' with the supper club.
The movie I picked is 'Eat Pray Love' . . . because those are my favorite things in the world.
My dish is a Fontal Polenta with a Mushroom Saute.
This video on Cooking Light (Yes! A video. Isn't that appropriate for the Night at the Oscars?) will run you through the process of making this easy dish.
Basically, you will make a thick polenta with milk and broth. Stir until it is creamy. Add grated Fontina cheese and stir.
Pour this creamy polenta into individual gratin dishes. Top with more cheese and melt.
Meanwhile, back at the stove . . . Saute the blend of mushrooms for 3-4 minutes, until soft and flavorful. Top each dish with the saute'd mushrooms and serve.


 

Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Oscar Movie and a Supper.
Jerry has been watching 'Into The Woods' ~ and has made a Bean Soup
Val is making a Cranberry Orange Trifle ~ in tribute to the movie 'The Queen'
Sara has been watching 'The Hundred Foot Journey' and is making Pigonau Fermier Roti aux Epices Douces.
Shelby is bringing Pimento Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi
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