Qlookies

Over the holidays I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a dear friend from high school. It had been almost nine years since we had seen each other. I mean, we keep in touch via email, facebook, phone and such, but it’s just not the same as a face to face, good ol’ fashioned get-together.

He told me he would be in town for the holidays and we nailed down all the details. He was stopping by for a visit, but he had another little surprise up his sleeve.

Amid his fast-paced LA life, he’s found the time to start a little side business making and selling his delicious Qlookies. These cookies used to be reserved as gifts for friends and family, but they were such a hit, he decided to take his recipe to the bank.

And he asked little ol’ me to take the photos of his marvelous concoctions. I was quite flattered. Wait… this means I have to take pictures of other people’s food? And they might want the pictures to turn out half decent? Quick Aunt Pittypat, pass me my smelling salts, I think I’m gonna faint!

Well, I didn’t faint. It was actually a lot of fun. He came over, we baked, we laughed, we caught up and then we devoured some killer cookies {and took a pic or two}.

Words can’t describe how hard it was to take these photos. The cookies were just calling my name. They smelled so good. Why couldn’t he have baked brussels sprout cookies? Then I wouldn’t be nearly as tempted.

Operation Restraint: {fail}

Photos by: KHJ

Marquise – I had a blast with you and your amazing Qlookies. Thanks so much for considering me and my little camera, thanks for continuing to follow this crazy blogging adventure, and thanks for so patiently waiting on this date 9 years in the making. Best of luck to you!

Posted 1/6/11, Topic: Eats

Parlez-vous francais?

I’m well aware that dreams don’t come true over night. For the most part, they take work, preparation and lots of baby steps. Well, you’d be happy to know, Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I have a baby step in the mail.

Rosetta Stone Levels 1 through 5! Whew, what a challenge. Here’s Levels 1-5 in a nutshell…

“The complete French set will enable you to fully express your ideas and opinions in French and master the conversational skills required to plan adventures, care for your health, and move abroad.”

Pretty nifty, huh? Now, I realize that some of you will be thrilled to hear to this new and others will just huff and say, “What a waste”, “Why would you want to learn French?” blah, blah, blah. Just know that my brain and my heart are not accepting negative attitudes at the moment. So if you are excited, if you are intrigued, please read on. Here are my top reasons for taking this baby step.

I want to learn French…

… so I can communicate with my new friend in France.

Emily at Rue de France

… because I don’t want France to just be a fleeting memory, I haven’t had enough yet.

Historic Village of Crillon le Brave, by CMJ

… because it exercises my brain.

Layers of Paint, Chateauneuf du Pape, by KHJ

… because it’s romantic.

St. Remy de Provence, by KHJ

… because I like new challenges.

Alley in Arles, by KHJ

… because hearing the language makes my heart beat faster and sometimes cry.

Arles Saturday Market, by KHJ

… because I want to know what she’s saying.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRuLFR91e4?fs=1]

… because I am tired of “talking” about the things I want to do in life, I’m ready for action.

Arles Amphitheater, by CMJ

I want to learn French…

… so when I go here,

Crillon le Brave at nightfall, by KHJ

I will be able to tell them how much I’m in love with this place.

… because when I go here,

Vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, by CMJ

I want to be able to talk intelligently with the locals about their wine.

… because when I look at him,

I want to be able to tell him how much I love him in the language of my soul.

So do you? Parlez-vous francais?

Posted 1/5/11, Topic: Blog

Today

Clockwise 1, 2, 3

It’s the start of a new year, back to the daily grind. I could be all grumpy and mopey about having to go back to work, but this year I am trying to remember that happiness is a decision. If you don’t like something, it’s up to you to change it. I really admire those “glass half full” type of people.

This weekend my Grandfather received an email from one of his employees saying that he was 99% sure he was not going to be able to make it into work this morning. He and some others in his family had unfortunately came down with the flu. My littlest sister (12), who was sitting at the table listening to all the talk, said, “Well, there is still a 1% chance that he will make it.”

Oh, the optimism of youth. May we all try to approach our lives in that way this year.

Posted 1/4/11, Topic: Blog

Gift Idea for the New Year

It’s the beginning of the new year and as you can see I’ve got peas on the brain. After making Black Eyed Pea Hummus, I had lots of dried peas leftover and decided to wrap some up as gifts for friends and family on New Year’s Day.

Simply drop a handful of peas into a small paper bag, fold the bag around the peas and adorn with festive twine and tags. An easy, “peasy” way to wish everyone good luck in 2011.

Photos by: KHJ

This precious packaging was inspired by the Queen of Peas – Christy Annis. She has a lovely organization called Peas for Prosperity. They were kind enough to include bags of neatly wrapped peas in our gift bags at lavish! as a way of promoting their wonderful mission. Peas for Prosperity actually sells their bags of peas to raise money for charity. While I didn’t have time to purchase my peas from her this year, I thought you guys would like to keep this unique organization in mind for next year’s holiday season. Be sure to check out their site and read more about Christy’s leap of faith into the pea business. Such an inspiring story to kick off the new year.

Posted 1/2/11, Topic: Blog

Black Eyed Pea Hummus

Here’s a fun alternative to the traditional New Year’s Day black eyed peas – Black Eyed Pea Hummus. And may I add, hummus is not very photogenic, but what it lacks in photographic ability, it makes up for in taste. It’s bold and robust flavor is a great way to welcome the new year.