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Showing posts with label winter recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter recipes. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Warming Winter Cocktails for Cold Nights

It took awhile for winter to get here, but now that it's here, its not letting up any. We're getting more rain here in Georgia, with another cold front, and the weatherman is even talking about snow again...Ugh!

Arctic polar fronts, rain, sleet, ice, and snow....I've had enough! No, this Cali girl could never live in Michigan or Canada. I really don't know how y'all do it up north.

This is how I've been feeling...enough already winter!

So to help keep you warm this winter, I'm sharing these warm cocktail recipes for a cold winter's night from FIX. These cocktails will help you forget how cold it is outside while making you feel all warm and cuddly.

Luckily, winter doesn't last forever (although it seems to sometimes) and it's only 25 more days until Spring, with Summer following close behind.

So raise your glass with me to warmer, sunny days and sandy beaches.


Source: Fix.com

*If you aren't able to view all of the ingredients on my page, visit original source here.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

French Hot Chocolate


Have you ever had one of those days where you get this intense, crazy craving for something? I had one of those days earlier this week, where I could not get my fill of chocolate.

Funny thing, chocolate is the only thing that gives me these crazy, intense cravings. One bite, and I can't get enough of this dark, luscious treat.

Lucky for me (and my waistline), I've finally found a match for my chocolate cravings in this French Hot Chocolate.


French hot chocolate, also known as Chocolat Chaud, is a rich and silky smooth Parisian style hot chocolate.

This is not the hot chocolate from your childhood or for those of you who dabble with milk chocolate.

Nope, this is for the true chocolate lover, the one who loves dark chocolate, the one who has chocolate treats in her purse, the one who can eat chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and not think it’s too rich of a combination.

This hot chocolate is for the truest of true chocolate lovers.


This hot chocolate is thick and decadent, yet oh so silky smooth with a rich chocolate flavor and a hint of sweetness.

Not for the faint of heart who dislike creamy, chocolatey drinks. This hot chocolate is sure to put a stop to all your chocolate cravings and keep you warm on cold days.

Or maybe just anytime you're craving a silky smooth cup of hot chocolate.

You can also add a splash of espresso or Starbucks instant coffee granules for a different twist to it. Or maybe a sprinkling of cinnamon or pinch of cayenne to intensify the chocolate flavors.

You can drink it plain or top with marshmallows or fresh whipped cream.

However you choose to drink this hot chocolate, it will become your new cuddle up drink under a big fluffy blanket.


You're welcome!


French Hot Chocolate

Recipe by Julie Murphy @ Sweet and Spicy Monkey
A rich and silky smooth cup of Parisian-style hot chocolate.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large cup or 2 small cups (dematisse)
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cashew milk (unsweetened vanilla)
  • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 5 to 8 squares bittersweet chocolate, small pieces or shavings
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • marshmallows or fresh whipped cream for topping
Cooking Directions
  1. In a small saucepan, add cashew milk and cocoa powder. Whisk together vigorously until powder is mixed with milk. The cocoa powder will start off on top of the milk and with vigorous whisking, it will start mixing in with it. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
  2. Stirring with a wooden spoon over low to medium heat, add in honey and chocolate shavings. Continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. If milk starts to boil, turn heat down and continue stirring. If you prefer a thicker hot chocolate, you can let it boil for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  4. Pour into cup and top with marshmallows or fresh whipped cream.

*Helpful Hints*

- If possible, make this hot chocolate ahead of time, allowing it to sit and cool down. Rewarm and serve immediately. As the flavors improve over time.

All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Slow Cooker Potato and Corn Soup



We have a "wintery mix" in the forecast. Which means the weatherman pretty much doesn't know if it's going to snow, ice, sleet, rain, or a little of all. Really?

I know weather is unpredictable because Mother Nature likes to change her mind, after all, she is a woman. But with all the technology we have available today, you would think they could figure out if it was going to rain, sleet, ice, or snow.

All I know is, it's cold outside. Not just cold, but bitter cold where it rips through your clothes no matter how many layers you've bundled on. I'm so bundled up, I feel like the little brother in the movie, "A Christmas Story". You know the scene where his mom is getting him dressed for school and his arms stick straight out. That's what I've been feeling like.

That's not really bacon, its my vegan version of bacon. Hopefully, recipe coming soon!

So what's a Cali girl to do when an Arctic Polar front is headed towards the South? That's right, start making a soup to help warm me up from the inside out.

And for some reason, this Potato and Corn Soup was calling my name. Maybe it's because I've been eating a lot of potatoes here lately or maybe it just sounded good. It really does sound good, doesn't it? Whatever the reason, I made it!

As usual, I added my own little twist by using coconut milk instead of half and half or heavy cream. I also used yellow potatoes instead of Russet potatoes because they work better in soups and chowders.

Just look how yummy this soup is!

Talking about chowders, this soup isn’t going to be thick like a chowder and it’s not going to be thin like a bouillon based soup. It’s somewhere in between. The results, a creamy potato and corn soup that not only satisfies your hunger, but warms you up from the inside out.

Just what I've been needing!

Loaded version with shredded cheese, sour cream, & (vegan) bacon.

So whether you're in an area that will be getting rain, sleet, ice, or snow this Monday, this Potato and Corn Soup will be your new best friend to snuggle up with.


Slow Cooker Potato and Corn Soup

Recipe by Julie Murphy @ Sweet and Spicy Monkey
An easy, slow cooker Potato & Corn soup to help warm you up on cold winter days.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours
Total time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Yield: A whole lotta soup
Ingredients
  • 5 yellow potatoes, cut into bite size cubes
  • 3-12 ounces frozen sweet corn
  • 1 medium sweet yellow onion, diced
  • 4 stalks celery, diced
  • 6 to 8 garlic cloves, mashed
  • 32 ounces vegetable broth
  • 32 ounces chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 16 ounces full fat coconut milk
  • sea salt & pepper to taste
Cooking Directions
  1. Add all ingredients into slow cooker EXCEPT coconut milk.
  2. Cook on Low setting for 8 to 10 hours or High setting for 6 hours.
  3. After potatoes have softened, place half the soup into a bowl and let cool to room temperature. For a blender, let contents cool before blending to prevent your blender from exploding the contents. Follow your blenders instructions for blending hot liquids. If you have an immersion blender, you can puree while soup is hot.
  4. Pour pureed soup back into crockpot and continue cooking.
  5. About 20 minutes before cooking time is up, stir in coconut milk and continue cooking for remaining 20 minutes.
  6. Salt & pepper to taste.
  7. Can serve topped with shredded cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, and/or bacon.

Inspired by: April at Momma Loves Food.

All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Slow Cooker Turkey Fajita Soup


As the holidays wind down, so does the year 2015.

Many people like to take this time to reflect on this last year and see if they can make any changes to improve themselves in the upcoming new year. While others look back at the lessons learned and how to prevent something like that again.

S-C-R-E-E-C-H ............HALT.

Not me.

I'm kicking this year to the curb and getting ready to soar higher into the new year with a new pair of wings. You can't change the past and last I looked, the world isn't stopping.

You have to step off that curb and adapt and overcome because only the strong survive and I'm not going to get trampled.

I can start this post by looking back on my recipes from 2015 like everyone else, but I'm forging a different path and I'm moving forward because you can easily look at my top four recipes located in the right hand side bar of this page. ----------------------------->

So today, on the last day of 2015, I’m sharing a new recipe with y'all, so we can end this year with a bang!

Well, not really a bang, but something with a little spice to help warm you up during these cooler months, Slow Cooker Turkey Fajita Soup.

It's full of good for you stuff like beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers. Not to mention, you can toss everything in before you go to work and have a warm, delicious meal when you get back home.


Now that's my kind of meal!

Serve with chips and salsa and top with cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocados, jalapenos, or tomatoes. And if you're feeling really motivated, whip up some cornbread to serve on the side.

This slow cooker Turkey Fajita Soup will warm you up from the inside out and what better way to start a new year than that!


How do you look back on the old year? Do you like to reflect on things or move forward?
What New Year’s resolutions do you have for 2016? Do you have any?

Slow Cooker Turkey Fajita Soup

Recipe by Julie Murphy
An easy and delicious one-pot meal that's perfect for the cold winter nights.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 4 to 6 hours
Total time: 5 to 7 hours
Yield: 4 to 6
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. turkey meat, boneless, skinless breast or strips
  • 1 Family Size can (22.6 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup fresh salsa
  • 12 ounces (1 package) frozen corn
  • 1-15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1-16 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1-14.5 ounce can diced organic tomatoes
  • 1-7 ounce can diced green chiles
  • 1 green pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Cooking Directions
  1. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil into slow cooker and using a paper towel, wipe inside of slow cooker, bottom and sides.
  2. Place turkey on bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. Stir together.
  3. Cover and cook on Low setting for 4 to 6 hours.
  4. Remove turkey meat and shred using 2 forks. Add back into slow cooker, mixing together.
  5. Continue cooking on Low setting for another 30 to 45 minutes, covered.
  6. Serve in individual bowls topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, diced avocado, salsa, diced jalapenos, and tortilla chips or cornbread.

Inspired by ~ Alyssa at The Recipe Critic.
 
All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Vegan Chile


I know, I know, it's about time I made a vegetarian chile. After all, I've made Chicken Chile, Pumpkin Turkey Chile, White Chicken Chile, so it was only a matter of time that I make a vegan chile.

Especially since I rarely eat meat anymore. I still eat chicken and sometimes I have seafood but I don't eat beef or pork. I've been beef and pork clean for three years now.

It's a choice for me not to eat beef or pork. I don't try to push my ways on anybody, which is why I always let you know when beef can also be substituted instead of chicken in recipes.


Yes, there are times I've thrown around the idea of going completely vegan, entirely meat-free, but then I remember how much I love chicken wings and turkey. How can I give up wings during football season or Thanksgiving turkey?

Instead I only eat meat about once a month now. My last time was when I made my Engagement Chicken.

Which brings me back to this vegan chile. It's so hearty and full of flavor, you'll never miss the meat. This chile is so thick, you can stand a spoon up in it!


I use four different types of beans: black, red kidney, pinto, and small red beans, along with quinoa and barley to give this chile its heartiness.

For flavor, I used a different seasoning I've never used in chile before, cocoa powder. Yes, cocoa, as in chocolate!

Now don't be shaking your head until you try it because cocoa in chile really is a game changer. The cocoa powder gives this chile its deep, rich flavor.


But don't take my word for it, you have to try it yourself and let me know what you think. I'm pretty sure cocoa powder in chile is going to become a must for you from now on. I know it will be for me!

Vegan Chile

Recipe by Julie Murphy
A vegan chile so hearty & full of flavor you'll never miss the meat.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: max 10 hours
Total time: 10 hours and 15 minutes (maximum time)
Yield: A whole lotta chile
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dried red kidney beans
  • 1 cup dried black beans
  • 1 cup dried pinto beans
  • 1 cup dried small red beans
  • 2-32 ounces vegetable broth
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 1/2 cup barley, uncooked
  • 1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1-14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1-7 ounce can diced green chilies
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, diced
  • 2 teaspoons homemade taco seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 3 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1-2 whole bay leaves
  • Sea salt & ground black pepper to taste
Cooking Directions
  1. Prepare dried beans the night before by placing them into a large bowl, adding water approximately 1 to 2 inches above beans. If you have it available, add in 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Cover and let soak overnight. Doing this helps to remove some of the sugars in dried beans that cause flatulence.
  2. After soaking beans overnight, pour beans into a colander and rinse well with water. Sifting and removing any rocks.
  3. Prepare crockpot by lightly wiping sides and bottom with olive oil. I find this helps prevent food sticking to inside of crockpot, making for easier cleanup.
  4. Pour beans into a large crockpot.
  5. Add remaining ingredients, stir together and place cover on top. Place on High setting for 6 to 7 hours or Low setting for 8 to 10 hours. If you're home while cooking chile, stir every few hours.
  6. Beans will be soft when chile is ready.
  7. Serve warm with cornbread or tortilla chips.
  8. Top with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, diced onions or jalapenos, diced tomatoes or avocados.

All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
Follow Julie's board Sweet and Spicy Monkey on Pinterest.

Shared with: Savoring Saturdays

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Ribollita ~ Tuscan Soup


I know, it’s spring, but the chill of winter is still lurking around, along with all this rain. And what better time to take advantage of all the fresh vegetables in the store right now than with this delicious Tuscan inspired Ribollita soup, also known as cabbage and white bean winter soup.


It's chocked full of good things like cabbage, kale, leeks, potatoes, carrots, turnips, onion, rosemary, thyme, and cannellini beans. It's a meal in itself!

Of course, I suggest serving some garlic cheese bread with it to help bring out the flavors of this soup, but that idea is totally up to you.


The best part about this soup? You can put all the veggies in your crockpot and let them cook all day to come home and find a delicious hot meal waiting for you!


I just love crockpot dishes! ❤
----------------------------------------------------------
Ribollita ~ Tuscan Soup
Recipe by Julie Murphy
Cold weather cabbage and white bean soup adapted from Mario Batali.
Cook time: 8 hours
Yield: a whole lotta soup

Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs. Baby Dutch yellow potatoes
  • 1.5 lbs. carrots - washed, rinsed, peeled, and diced into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 head cabbage - rinsed and quartered
  • 1 small bushel kale - rinsed and coarsely chopped
  • 2 Leeks - only the white and light green parts, rinsed and sliced thinly
  • 3 turnips - washed and rinsed, cut into quarters
  • 3 garlic cloves - sliced thin
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 - 15.5 ounce cans Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6-8 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dalmatian sage
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 loaf French or Sourdough bread
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Cooking Directions
  1. Prepare crockpot by generously wiping inside, bottom and sides, with olive oil.
  2. Add potatoes, carrots, kale, cabbage, leeks, broth, and bay leaf into prepared crockpot and cover. If you don't have enough room for all listed ingredients, set cabbage quarters aside until other ingredients cook down, approximately 4 hours. Then add cabbage. Crockpot will be full.
  3. Cook on High setting for 4 hours.
  4. After 4 hours, place 1/2 cup warm broth (NOT hot), garlic, onion, rosemary leaves, and thyme leaves into a blender. Puree all ingredients together. If needed, add a little more broth or water to keep it liquefied. Pour into crockpot.
  5. Pour in prepared Cannellini beans. If needed, add in more broth.
  6. Add Dalmatian sage.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix all ingredients together. Place lid back on crockpot.
  8. Cook for another 3-4 hours on High setting. Vegetables should be tender before serving.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and grate fresh parmesan over the top.
  10. Serve with toasted French or Sourdough bread.

  11. All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Wassail


Another arctic front is moving through this week and I have just the drink to help you warm up, wassail. What's a wassail, you ask? Wassail dates back to the 1400's and is an Old English tradition.

Wassail comes from "waes Hael" and means to "be well" or to "be healthy". At the beginning of the year, the lord of a manor would yell out "waes Hael", a crowd would soon gather and reply with "drinc Hael" which means "drink and be healthy". As years went by, people carried on this tradition by going to the neighboring homes around Christmas time, with well wishes and carrying with them a hot, spiced ale drink which came to be known as wassail. The tradition of going around to neighboring homes and wishing well became known as wassailing.

Wassailing is also performed in the Fall in the hopes that it would scare away evil spirits in the apple trees and make for a better apple harvest in the following year.

January 17th or around this time is the traditional date for wassailing.


The original Old English recipe for wassail has eggs and cream listed as ingredients but the recipes differ depending on what part of the country you are from.

The main ingredients of wassail includes a blend of spices such as ginger, cloves, and cinnamon mixed with apple cider or apple juice and simmered for a few hours so the flavors can blend together nicely. Other juices like cranberry and orange juice can also be added along with orange, lemon, or lime slices.

You can drink this like it is or make it a little more festive and add your favorite bourbon, brandy, wine, or rum to it.

The result is a robust, spiced juice drink that warms you up from the inside out.


I hope you find this drink as flavorful as I do and make it your favorite during these cold, winter months.

Wassail

Ingredients

3 cups cranberry juice

3 cups Apple cider

1 cup orange juice

3 cinnamon sticks

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 Tablespoon whole cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/3 to 1/2 cup honey, sweeten to your taste

1 lemon, seeded and sliced

1 orange, seeded and sliced

1 lime, seeded and sliced

1 cup fresh cranberries

your favorite bourbon, brandy, wine, or rum *(optional)

Directions

Add all ingredients into a crockpot and cook on Low setting for 4-6 hours.

Strain fruit and spices if desired.

If serving with alcohol, pour in your favorite bourbon, brandy, wine, or rum into the cup before serving.

Garnish with cinnamon stick, cranberries, and/or orange slice.

Meant to be served hot.

*Helpful Hints*

- I served this wassail with my old time favorite, Southern Comfort, and the result was delicious!

- Can refrigerate leftovers and warm up before serving.

Recipe inspired by ~ The Sassy Slow Cooker

History of Wassailing obtained from: The History of Wassailing and Mumming
 
All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
Follow Julie's board Sweet and Spicy Monkey on Pinterest.

Shared with: Sweet and Savoury Sundays #95, Savoring Saturdays

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Moroccan Stew


I love trying new recipes from different cultures. I say new because they're new to me. I didn't make this stew exactly how it was written the first time I made it, as I like to add my own creative touch to it by adding or deleting ingredients.

It’s very seldom that I make a recipe exactly how it was written and I usually don’t write down what I add the first time I make it as I toss in a little bit of this and a little bit of that until I get the results I’m looking for. So the next time I make it, it changes, often times for the better.


That’s what happened the first time I made this stew last year and again this year by adding different spices that I thought would make this stew even more delicious. Lucky for you, I wrote down what I added this year so now I can share with you!

Whenever I hear of stew, it always reminds me of the classic beef stew that my mom would make with beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. In this Moroccan version, the flavors are like something you've never had before in a stew, an intriguingly exotic flavor that is simply delicious. 

And to make this an authentic Moroccan meal, I also made Kohbz bread, a Moroccan bread. This bread was easy peasy, especially with a KitchenAid mixer. No more kneading dough for hours as it’s done kneading the dough in minutes. I really do love my KitchenAid mixer {smile}.


Kohbz bread before baking

The bread was surprisingly light in texture, not too heavy like some breads can be, and had a deliciously crisp crust, which I love. The only problem I had with making this bread happened when I placed the prepared cookie sheet with bread dough on it in the oven to be cooked.

It seems the olive oil and cornmeal mix that I used to prepare the pan with, became very hot in the oven and smoked up, not only my oven, but my entire house. 

After re-reading the original recipe again, I found my mistake as I was supposed to oil the center of the cookie sheets OR dust them with cornmeal mix. I think I will try preparing my cookie sheets with just one or the other next time. See, I do make mistakes in the kitchen {smile}.


Kohbz Bread - despite smoking up my oven and house, it turned out beautifully

Other than that, the bread made a delicious pairing with this Moroccan stew.


An exotic taste from the classic beef stew your mom used to make, to help warm you up on a cold winter’s day.

Moroccan Stew

Ingredients

1 lb. white great northern beans, rinsed, soaked overnight, and drained

¼ cup olive oil

3 cups vegetable broth

3 cups turkey stock

3 and ½ tomatoes, diced

1 small sweet onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 Tablespoons fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

4 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons cumin

1 and ½ teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon turmeric

1/8 teaspoon yellow curry powder

Salt & pepper to taste, if needed

Directions

Put all ingredients into a large crockpot, cover, and cook on Low setting for 7 to 8 hours.

Best served with Moroccan Kohbz bread.

To make Kohbz bread for this meal, visit Christine Benlafquih’s site for the recipe.

*Helpful Hints*

- You can also use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock.

- I usually add 1-2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water when I soak my beans overnight.

Inspired by ~ Moroccan Stewed White Beans Recipe by Christine Benlafquih

All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
Follow Julie's board Sweet and Spicy Monkey on Pinterest.

Shared with: Simple Supper Tuesday #94, My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Link Party #1, Savoring Saturdays , Wine'd Down Wednesday 69, On Display Thursday #26, Sweet and Savoury Sunday #96