MERRY CHRISTMAS

I Hope everyone has a wonderful christmas. May the new year bring you all happiness, prosperity, good health, peace and love. Enjoy the holidays!

Remembering My Dear Mother

bouguereau-wet_cupid, originally uploaded by PLOTINOS.

My mother passed away on Sunday December 19, 2004. We had her funeral the day before Christmas eve. This was by far the worst week of my life.We were not only mother and daughter, we were also best friends. We would see each other everyday. If a day went by when we couldn't see each other, we would chat on the phone at least five times that day. She had many beautiful flower gardens in her yard and an amazing vegetable garden. On those lazy summer days I remember my mom and I lounging in her gazebo, overlooking her park like yard, while sipping on some Italian red wine. At times the sound of the wind chimes that hung close by, would just lull me to sleep while laying on the wicker sofa. We would sit outside and watch all the different species of butterflies fluttering around her many beautiful flowers.
Things have changed quite tremendously for my whole family since the death of my mother on that cold snowy day I'll never forget. She is missed so much by all of us. The strangest thing happened this morning. While sitting by my Christmas tree writing the draft for this post, one of the Christmas ornaments that used to be my mom's, fell off the tree and shattered. Maybe this was her way of letting me know that she's o.k. and her love is still with me during this holiday season. She always visits me in my dreams , which proves to me that love has no boundaries.

Crock Pot Italian Tomato Sauce

A crock pot is an absolute god send for those of you who rush out of the house for work in the morning. You can continue to enjoy home cooked meals on the week nights, by cooking your dinner in a crock pot while your at work all day. It's been a few years since I've used my crock pot, because I'm now a stay at home mom, which leaves me time to cook. One sauce I used to make often before heading out to work, was a vegetarian tomato sauce. All I had to do when I returned home later, was boil up some pasta, then throw a quick salad together and slice up some fresh Italian bread from my local grocery store. This recipe is easy to follow. You can even put your sauce together the night before, store it in the refrigerator and start cooking it in the morning while getting ready for work.

Ingredients;

3 tbs olive oil

1 medium onion, sliced

5 medium cloves of garlic, minced

10 medium mushrooms, chopped

2 cans of crushed tomatoes

1/3 cup water

1 tbs basil

1/2 tbs oregano

1 tsp rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms to the pan. Saute for about ten minutes or until soft. Add chopped garlic to the pan and saute for an additional 3 minutes. Transfer the sauteed vegetables to your crock pot, then add the rest of the ingredients. Put the pot on high until sauce starts to boil. Stir occasionally. After the sauce has started to boil, reduce heat to low and cover for the rest of the day. There's nothing better than arriving home from work, and having your dinner more than half complete, as your walking through the front door.

Cinnamon Spiced Tea

cinnamon sticks, originally uploaded by cmtnset.

Old man winter is now approaching my neck of the woods. As these frigid days set in, I find that a cup of hot tea is the perfect way to soothe one's mind, body and soul.

One of my favorite teas to make during winter hibernation is "Cinnamon Spiced Tea." Many people have the ingredients for this tasty treat in their pantries already.

Ingredients;

2 tsp whole cloves

2 tsp star anise

2 tsp fennel

Cinnamon sticks

Nutmeg

In a medium pan, bring three cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer, and add 2 tsp each of whole cloves, star anise, fennel and cinnamon sticks. Let the spices simmer for 15 minutes. Use a small strainer over a mug, and pour 1/2 cup of tea into the mug. Finish it off, by filling the other half up with apple juice, then sprinkling a bit of nutmeg over the top. Sipping on this delicious tea when the snow starts to fly will warm you right up, while at the same time the spices in this mixture aid in stimulating digestion and act as a blood purifier.