Comfort: Part 3

flowersIf you have been following my blog over the past two weeks, you must have known I would get around to this topic eventually– Yes, Comfort: Part 3 is FOOD! I am fairly certain that just about everyone would have a different response if asked which food provides comfort to them, but I hope to find common ground… For instance, close your eyes and imagine a creemee from your local stand on a warm July evening, or a steaming cup of cocoa on a pre-Christmas afternoon, or a bowl of fresh picked strawberries late spring, all of these would bring comfort and a bit of joy, right?

But for the sake of choosing one food, I’ve narrowed comfort down to one recipe for one sweet treat, bound to bring a grinning smile and delicious satisfaction after each little nibble: follow the simple directions below to produce a party-size chocolate bar!

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Yes, Shaken, not Stirred

drinkphotoFrom the pages of Ian Fleming’s classic James Bond straight to your celebration, these three words are worth following to master the perfect martini: shaken, not stirred. Oh, and make sure it’s a vodka martini too for that smooth iconic perfection… And may I suggest a black shimmering dress for you and a tailored tux for your date?

Well Casino Royal aside, nothing feels quite as festive as the following two simple martini recipes: one dirty and the other (well some might call it girly but the fellows like them equally well) has a splash of fruit syrup. It’s all about taste you know. Follow either religiously and I can guarantee an easy transition right into 2013!

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Harvest Market

Summer is over… No sense denying it as we face October… So I’ve taken my beach blanket and spare bathing suit out of the car, packed away my sleeveless sundresses, and am treasuring the hours of delicious but dwindling daylight. Happily, there is still a great abundance of wonderful produce at my local farm stand and farmers’ market to brighten my kitchen! In fact, flowers are still blooming, food is still growing, as fields in Vermont overflow with pumpkins and gourds and squashes …

Driving over the mountain pass to the Stowe Farmers’ Market I am not disappointed by all the fresh food just waiting for me…

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