Maison Tranquille Blog

Our friends, Jay and Mary, came over Saturday.  We shared lunch and had a most enjoyable visit.  Mary brought vegetarian Hominy Chili and some crackers she made from won ton wrappers.  I served raw Veggie Fajitas, Salsa, Nut Cheeses (sour cream and cheddar sauce), Avocado, Romaine Lettuce leaves, and Walnut Coconut Fudge.  We splurged and opened a bottle of red wine and made a pot of organic Assam Estate tea and a pot of coffee. Travis, Jay and Mary sitting around the table.   Salsa 3 tomatoes 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 chili pepper 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp. lime juice (I used lemon juice) Stir together.  Chill. Salsa Sour Cream Nut Cheese 3/4 cup raw cashews 3/4 cup finely shredded coconut 1/2 cup water Juice of one lemon 1/4 tsp salt  Blend all in high speed blender until creamy.  You can add more water if necessary to get the consistency you want. Sour Cream Nut Cheese Cheddar Sauce Nut Cheese 1 red bell pepper...

It's a cold winter day...30 degrees outside.  That's too cold for me to want to get outside and walk.  Instead, I stayed inside and worked on the garden plan some more. We are having friends over for lunch on Saturday.  The dessert will be Walnut Coconut Fudge,  I've shared this simple recipe before, but here it is again.  It is so quick and easy and delicious.  It's definitely not Ninja eating.  But it's a treat. Walnut Coconut Fudge 3 cups walnuts 2 cups coconut 1/2 cup carob or cacao powder 5/8 cup agave nectar. Mix all together in the food processor.  Spread in pan and refrigerate...(or not)...I did not refrigerate mine. Here I am making the walnut coconut fudge. Walnut Coconut Fudge - The finished product. Travis made our green smoothies with arugula, apples, bananas, lemon juice, dates, passion fruit, and water. Lunch was green smoothie, orange, avocado, and goody ball. Friday is farmer's market day here.  We bought a p...

Sleep is the normal process of life.  It's a time of construction and building.  It represents recuperation.  The good of all exercise is developed in rest.  Rest and stuffing do not go together.  Rest and fasting or a low diet are complimentary to each other.  - From The Quintessence of Natural Living by Keki Sidhwa The book "How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavers has inspired me to do some garden planning.  Victory Seeds on line says our average last frost date here in Arkansas is April 8.  According to this book, we should sow seeds in flats around Feb 27.  It tells how many seeds to sow to practice biointensive agriculture on tiny acreage.  In my case, I will sow on Feb 27, 8 broccoli seeds, 8 brussels sprouts, 16 cabbages, 4 cauliflower, 48 celery, 28 head lettuce, 48 leaf lettuce, 8 parsley, and 18 tomato seeds.  How exciting! The Thursday meeting of the minds took place at our house yesterday.  Travis and his fr...

Wednesday was a rainy day, and I was still not feeling very good from Tuesday evening's tummy ache.  It would have been a good day to stay in the pajamas, but I didn't.   Since it was too rainy to walk, I spent the morning doing domestic chores.  I stripped my bed, washed the comforter, and changed the sheets.  Cleaning out clutter in the master bedroom is where the focus is this week, including some books from the bookshelves.  Some books got listed to sell.   Others went into the garage to sell at a garage sale. Travis made us green smoothies for lunch.  Lunch was Green Smoothies (arugula, grapes, bananas, lemon juice, passion fruit and water);  Melon (watermelon for me, honeydew for Travis); Organic Orange;  Avocado; Avocado. The afternoon was study time.  I am studying the skin in the anatomy lesson of the course I study.  I practiced the flute.  I am working so hard to learn the flute ensemble music as well as working ...