"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. "
~Plato
So 2009 has officially kicked off and with the new year as usual many things in life seem repetitive... especially the infamous attempt of one's New Year's resolutions, which seem to last a few weeks then get tossed away and forgotten with the melting of the winter snow on that first spring day.
To me, I toss that old calendar aside; actually more like throw it with a simple AHHH and sigh of relief. 2009 will be different and bring with it even more adventures .... hmm perhaps new recipes, new books, new travels maybe even new home decor
...thoughts flood my head, filling me with excitement, wonder, anxiety and curiosity...
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
And days of long ago !
hmmmm...mmmmm...mmmmm...mmmm
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My fellow bookworms - my library of masterpieces for 2009 ...
"Agatha Christe is captivating as ever,suspenseful until the very last page"
"Philippa Gregory once again outdoes herself with this mesmerizing account
of two of the many wives and conspiracies
of Henry VIII"
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TUNE IN..... GOSSIP GIRL
What will happen on the next Gossip Girl? Did Blaire sleep with Chuck's Uncle? Will Serena and Dan continue to date, even though they both have a stepbrother out there in the world? 
Is Jenny's fashion career really over? Where did Nate and Vanessa go? I know where I will be next Monday at 8pm!
Is Jenny's fashion career really over? Where did Nate and Vanessa go? I know where I will be next Monday at 8pm!My Faves...
Aside from the clothing on these gals (Serena is wearing Heidi earrings from Kimberly Baker...which can be purchased at La Vie En Rose Boutique)
Check out some of the show's music too - always dishing out the newest up-in-coming bands!
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YUM for the TUM...
Putzing around the kitchen on this cold winter day I was craving something hearty and yummy.. So, I whipped out my Jamie Oliver cookbook and turned to my absolute favorite soup!Minestrone d'inizio autunno
7 0z cannellini or borlotti beans
1/2 head of fennel, chopped
1 bay leaf
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tomato, squashed
A small bunch basil leaves and stems
1 small potato, peeled
2 14-oz cans plum tomatoes
sea salt and ground pepper
2 small zuchini quatered and sliced
olive oil
a glass of red wine
4 slices pancetta or bacon, chopped
1/2 lb chard or spinach, washed/sliced
2 small red onions, chopped
2 cups of chicken stock, or veggie stock
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 oz dried pasta
2 celery sticks, trimmed & chopped
extra virgin olive oil
parmesean cheese
Add your beans to a pan of water with the bay leaf, squashed tomato and potato. Cook until tender - check by tasting. Drain reserving half the cooking water. Discard the bay leaf, tomato and potato (I usually keep them) Season with salt & pepper
While the beans are cooking make a soffrito. Heat a splash of olive oil in a pot, and add chopped pancetta/bacon, onions, carrots, celery, fennel, garlic, sliced basil stems. Sweat slowly for about 15-20 min. on low heat, until soft not brown. Add the tomatoes, zucchini and red wine and simmer for another 15 min.
Add the chard/spinach, stock and beans. Put the dried pasta in a bag, gently break the past in pieces by using a rolling pin or squeezing it. (Be sure to let the air out or the bag will pop and you will have a huge mess). Stir and simmer until pasta is cooked.
If soup is too thick add the reserved cooking water or more stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Served with torn basil leaves and some extra virgin olive oil drizzled over the top! Don't forget the parmesean cheese for the table!
Enjoy and Thank you Jamie Oliver!
I recommend all of his cookbooks!
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