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We Cook Baked Brie

baked brie pecan maple syrup

September 9, 2015

 WE COOK Baked Brie

This will be your Go To appetizer for the fall!  It is so easy and so delicious and everyone LOVES it!

Ingredients

  • 1  wheel of Brie or Camembert (about 14 ounces)
  • 1 cup pecan pieces
  • 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 TBSP Bourbon (optional)
  • crackers for serving

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix pecan pieces, maple syrup, and bourbon together in a bowl.

Thinly slice the top rind off of the brie.  Place the brie on a rimmed baking sheet or in a pie plate; bake until softened, 10-15 minutes.

Remove from oven, pour pecan mixture into center of cheese, letting the pecans pile in the center and the syrup mixture drizzle over the sides.

Return to the oven and bake another 20-30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes.  Serve with crackers.

PS Buy an extra wheel of Brie. You’ll want to make this again right away!

Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom
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Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom

Do you volunteer some of your time?  Whether it’s helping kids, homeless, hungry, church, or family, it’s likely that you have a few commitments meant to help the world in one way or another.  I have always volunteered.  My mom used to tell me, “Do something for your family, do something for your church, and do something for your community.”  I’ve attempted to follow that.  Sometimes I might be an over achiever when it comes wanting to do it all!  I insist that you refer to my post “All Plates are NOT Created Equal.”

Be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it,  take yourself out of it.

I think the approaching fall is a great time to examine how you want to commit yourself for the rest of the year.  Somehow the fade of summer allows me to take a look at what’s ahead.  It gives me a chance to breathe in the goodness from the past and breathe out what’s not working anymore.  I exhale a long goodbye. Continue reading →

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WE EAT RIBOLLITA SOUP

 

Ribollita Soup

RIBOLLITA SOUP

This is a SIMPLE Italian veggie soup that I always have the ingredients in stock.  I haven’t met a person yet who didn’t rave about it! 

Ingredients

2 cans white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini
Kosher salt
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for serving
1/4 pound large diced pancetta or smoked bacon (optional)
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
1 1/2 cup chopped carrots (5 carrots)

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A DEFINING MOMENT
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A DEFINING MOMENT

Heart Flame

A defining moment can come at any time.  My moment came in the early morning hours while a gentle snow fell from a dark sky.  Oversized Chair. Warm Fire. Cozy Blanket. Bold Coffee. And Max Lucado’s book, Come Thirsty.

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How to Have a Happier Marriage — Without Changing a Thing

I love following this blog. I’m frequently forwarding it to my family!

Speaking of Marriage

imageJanuary 1st. The day of fresh starts and new beginnings. The day we vow to eat more green vegetables, actually use our gym membership, and try, once again, to lose those hard to lose pounds.

As we look to the new year, we often focus on ways to be “better” — resolving to do more of what’s good for us and less of what’s not. To (at least most of the time) come from our best.

For a good many of us, finding ways to have a more satisfying marriage is high on our list.

But in our rush for improvement, we overlook this key fact: Much of what makes marriage challenging is the stuff that’s not easily changed. The stuff that’s more about who we are and what we value. The stuff that can, unfortunately, drive us totally nuts.

A spouse’s need for order or solitude, another’s call…

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The Hardest Part of a Workout

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Jaime & me on October 27, 2012 after the Healdsburg Half Marathon in Sonoma County celebrating my 50th Birthday!

Hands Down, most difficult part of a workout for me is just putting on my shoes….

I absolutely love it when I’m actually working out!  I love the feeling of making my body tired, and more than that I love the feeling of being able to walk, run, hike as many miles as I want to.  I love meeting a goal.  I love the euphoric feeling that running can bring.  My family all works out.  From running to lifting weights to playing organized sports to yoga.  We all participate in something.  I’m happy that Aldo & I were able to set an example of the importance of taking care of your body.  Even if it’s some hard work in the yard and garden!!

You’d think I’d never quit working out, would you?  Ha!  I love meeting a goal and once the goal is over, I tend to stop.  I can still do active fun but not like when I’m training.  I lose my motivation and I can’t seem to put my running shoes on to go outside or go downstairs to the treadmill.

I have come up with ways in the past to solve the lack of shoes on my feet.

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