Wednesday, September 24, 2014


Autumn Chicken and Squash Risotto

 I am re-posting this as it is almost time for Cass and my "Risotto Night"..it will be easier if I can just pin this recipe and by re-posting this by itself, I will be able to pull it more quickly!  You should try it- it is an annual tradition and the dish encompasses the best flavors of fall- chicken...squash....dried cranberries...delish!

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in bite-size pieces
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - divided use
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/4 cups arborio rice
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 pound hubbard squash, peeled and chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh rosemary sprigs

Instructions:
1. Soak porcini mushrooms for about 30 minutes in 1 cup hot water; drain and chop, reserving liquid.
2. In small saucepan, place chicken stock
and heat to simmer over medium heat; keep warm.
3. In large frypan, place 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat; add chicken and cook about 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat; set aside.
4. In large saucepan, heat remaining oil over medium heat; add onion and garlic and saute about 5 minutes. Add rice; stir and cook 1 minute. Add wine, mushrooms, strained mushroom liquid, squash, zucchini and bay leaves. Stir and bring to a boil; cook until liquid is almost absorbed. Gradually add chicken stock as risotto thickens.
5. Add salt, pepper, chicken and cranberries, cooking about 10 minutes more or until rice is done. Stir in green onion and serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with rosemary.

Makes 4 servings.






Sunday, September 21, 2014

A Beautiful Beginning to Fall

Fun at Football Games....



Diana with Mimi


and with Papa Bob


Picking out our pumpkins





Daddy setting up our new "Ghosts in the Graveyard"


Pidge is "supervising"

Kate & Diana get in on the action ;)


and some of my fall touches





Today we will be decorating inside...it is raining here...and we are expecting thunder and lightening so that means no cheerleading...we have a little free time...Carpe Diem



Saturday, September 20, 2014

Insta Friday (September 19, 2014) ...yes a day late....sorry ;)

life rearranged

The last two weeks..in the life...through the i in my iPhone

Little snippets...that remind you that...Life is Beautiful.....




My drama queen stretching and posing at the bus stop


An awesome wine dinner with our friends Laurel and Tom...


My BFF took me out for my birthday..we enjoyed cocktails and apps at BWG and then she surprised me with this beautiful Alex & Ani crystal bracelet..she is one of a kind


Eva!!!  (a.k.a Pidge!)


Bedros Pals catching up at the bus stop :)


Diana's project for school....her special moments..she has already had such an exciting life!

More Fall shots of my fashion plate





Eva trying peas for the first time...she actually liked them!


It was my turn to host the "Windham Wine Girls"...my theme?
Late Summer Italian Harvest
My menu?

Harvest Caponata
Asparagus and Gruyere Tart
Linguine with White Clam Sauce
Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Fig Glaze
Arugula with Shaved Parmesan
Caprese Panzanella
Almond Torte


My business partner....and I...at Felicia's...

Greer had some girls over for dinner..she is a true gourmet chef...she spoiled us with:
Mussels in Wine Sauce, Seafood Crepes and Salad and topped it off with homemade sorbet

Last Saturday was Wolverines Jaguars Day...Diana had a BALL!  Now that we are part of the Wolverines family....it is becoming so much bigger for her..they had face painting and a dunk tank and we even tailgated like the old days...she got to march onto the field with the high school cheerleaders and the Jaguars ended up defeating Trinity...it was a great day


Mimi came to Diana's game on Sunday...she loved squeezing Pidge (while Diana wasn't looking of course)

On Sunday afternoon, some of our wine girls had signed up for a wine tasting/class up in Portsmouth...
we started with a light dinner up at Martingale Wharf first (it was fab)...notice our "Wine Coaches" Alison and Laurel, examining the legs of the wine- they kill me
We had so many laughs!!



Dave Maynard's son Matt who owns Atrezzi...he was a hoot...some will not agree with me though..ha ha! ;)


Eva's cubby at "school" ":)

Our "college boy" stopped by to visit-such a treats- the girls were so excited to see him!


Busy couple of weeks...busy all around but life is full....we are blessed!





Friday, September 19, 2014

Weekly Gratitude



I am thankful that Diana has a great teacher this year that will push her and make her the best she can be


I am thankful that Eva is such a good baby...we are truly blessed


I am thankful for the prospect of a great year, in business, in 2015


I am thankful for peace

Friday, September 5, 2014

Insta Friday (September 5, 2014)



life rearranged


A beautiful Labor Day Weekend Getaway with the Grahams






Diana's peace sign looks a bit obscene- ahhh!






Poolside with "Pidge"



We are so in trouble 

ZB off to Sophomore Year at UNH


Sad to say...first time on the bike all Summer


Thank GOD...Market Basket is back!!!  What a fascinating time it was though...it was amazing to see the employees standing up for their leader and the culture he helped to create...even more impressive was the way the customers also boycotted the chain until they fixed the issues/changed the takeover.
We will never forget this time...it was frustrating and expensive but for those of us in the business world, it was educational and I look forward to the case studies on this for years to come


The next three days of school...



Birthday treats from Jill :)



Birthday Dinner made by my love....this was the pre-cursor to our lovely steak dinner

and cupcakes from Fois...so thoughtful!


Linking up with Jeannett at Life Rearranged