Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rain, Harvest Moon Salad & The Vintage Pearl

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"Rain showers my spirit
and waters my soul."
~Terri Guillemets
I love days like this.
It is so moody and hypnotic with this drizzle of rain ~
splashes of blue fighting to stay noticed as the clouds keep rollin in
overtaking everything in its smokey path...
I wish u all could see it!
or, maybe some of you can and are
sitting under the same sky right now as I type
I'd like to think so.....


I'm reflecting on "change" this morning -
both on the seasons around me
and in the seasons of my own life.

I love watching the trees turn this time of year,
each leaf set free...one by one...
at it's appointed time....
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I find myself pulling out sweaters...
cozy-ing up on the chaise lounge...
clutching soothing mugs of herbal tea....
hibernating....
discovering....
contemplating...

Life can just be so messy, can't it?

The questions get so loud that you can't hear yourself think...

But then you remind yourself of how blessed you truly are,

and the person you are becoming,

and of the process along the way...

priceless.


Such a beautiful thing when a soul begins to ripen...isn't it?
~~~~~~~~~
And with that Sweet Bellas,
I have a special treat to warm up your day.

Make that TWO special treats...
Treat #1:
Harvest Moon Salad with Cranberry Lime Vinaigrette
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My recipe for a cozy salad that is layered with such texture & flavor, it just may make you bark at the moon!

2 cups of spring mix lettuce
1 small cooked chicken breast, shredded (turkey is a lovely substitute)
1 small cooked sweet potato, shredded (I microwaved mine before shredding!)
1 Hard Boiled Egg, peeled and sliced
2 Tbsp of diced purple onion
3 asparagus spears, lightly sauteed in olive oil
1 small gala apple, sliced
6 Feta Cheese Chunks, battered and fried in olive oil
(I used the large pieces from a container of crumbled feta, dipped in egg, then flour, then egg, then fried until golden on each side)
salt and pepper to taste

Assemble the first seven ingredients as shown, then make the vinaigrette (recipe below), and then fry the feta cheese so it will be warm and fresh and melt in your mouth.
Lastly, drizzle the vinaigrette on top and salt/pepper to taste.

Cranberry Lime Vinaigrette
3 tbsp of lime juice

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2-3 tbsp of whole cranberry sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of olive oil.

In a blender, add first 4 ingredients, blend for 4 to 5 seconds, take lid off and add 1 cup of olive oil while blending appx 10 seconds more, pour over salad.
Mangia!
Treat #2:
In Honor of "Birthday Week"
I am absolutely delighted
to share some spoils with YOU!

The Sweet Bellas of
have graciously offered a $25 gift certificate
to one of my lucky readers (*details below),
and I couldn't be more thrilled to
introduce their incredible gifts and talents to each of you.
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I was privileged to place a very special order of birthday gifts for some very special bellas in my life recently,
and I cannot express to you enough how very pleased I was with
the customer service,
the ease of ordering,
the timely delivery,
and the quality of product.

If you are pondering a unique customizable gift for a very special person in your life
than look no further!
is just what you are looking for...
click this link above and visit their website today!

Here's how to win:
simply leave me a comment below, winner will be chosen at random
using random.org
deadline to enter is this Sunday, October 24th, Midnight EST
(winner will be announced in the next post, and will have 3 days to respond via email)

18 comments:

  1. I would love to win the gift certificate! I just checked out their site and they have so many unique pieces!

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  2. Gorgeous! I totally want to win Treat #2 and eat Treat #1!

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  3. Wow, I love that salad...such an interesting mix of flavors and textures...pretty too :)
    And such a lovely give away...Beautiful

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  4. I love the way you described the leaves being "kissed by love, beginning to blush, one at a time", (and your analogy..."each one set free, released in it's due time)". Such eloquent words, as always, Bella!

    And what a lovely Autumn salad! I'll look forward to trying it! It's so pretty too!
    The Vintage Pearl looks like a wonderful gift...I'm looking forward to visiting their site! xo

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  5. First of all, this was a beautiful post! You've got such a way with words! :)

    Those Vintage Pearl goodies look wonderful!!

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  6. Lovely words! Your salad and the cranberry vinaigrette looks lovely. I have all the ingredients for the vinaigrette, perfect for my weekend treat!

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  7. Oh my are those leaves real, I am so jealous we never get leaves like that here. And love those necklaces, reminds me of the necklaces I bought my bridemaids!

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  8. Happy Birthday, Week. Once I truly acknowledge summer to be over, I do love the fall for all the things you mentioned, but I want hot chocolate rather than tea.

    LisaDay

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  9. I would LOVE to win this gift certificate! My girl loves necklaces like this!

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  10. Oh your blog is great girl! Thanks so much for stopping by for my sits day! I really appreciate it and so glad to have you! I am following you back because your blog is wonderful! Love the poem above! Have a fabulous day! XOXO Jessica

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  11. Jaime,
    As usual, I'm lost in the beauty of your blog and sweetness of your work. I would love to win your great giveaway. By the way, I just have to ask how you won your well deserved beautiful blog award?
    Hugs and hope,
    Shannon

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  12. As usual, beautiful writing! You carried me away on a autumnal escape...then I realized it's still hot as heck here and not fall-ish. but for a moment I was there, via you post. Thank you dahling.

    That salad looks so good. I'm always in need of some creative takes on salad. They can get so boring. Sweet potato? Awesome! Love it girl, you always wow me.

    I love those necklaces! how sweet! this mama would love to have one of those!

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  13. Wow! How did you find them? Those are very beautiful Miss J!See you soon~

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  14. Hey Bella,
    Thank you so much for the amazing Vintage Pearl Necklace. Unique and Beautiful, I have not taken it off since I received it!

    Love your new post and after this haunfest is over I will indulge into this recipe!
    You are a Blessing to me...and I cherish you...

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  15. What a wonderful giveaway. Those necklaces are just stunning, which doesn't surprise me considering who recommended them! Everything you touch just springs forth with life and beauty! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. You are one wise and thoughtful soul. And thank you so much for the encouragement you left on my blog this afternoon. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

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  16. Awesome! Finally made some time to catch up on your posts, and I am so glad I did. You are so amazing sweetie. I Love you so much and I enjoyed every bit of our wonderful yesterday at the PATCH!!! I Can't wait for the next post.

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  17. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you."

    Beautiful my friend, beautiful.

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  18. WOW!! Very inspiring, I love the pictures and the treats! I am glad chef Dennis introduced you to us.

    Will stay around to look at other goodies in your blog.
    Have a great weekend,
    Mari

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