Frosty Santas

We have had some pretty cold weather here and Jack Frost has visited! I took photos of our windows and did a little photoshop magic and put my favorites from my santa collection in front of the windows. Enjoy!

Give Away Day

This is just a quick post to let you know that today is Sew Mama Sew's big giveaway day. Go to their site and you will find three lists of blogs that are hosting giveaways. The list categories are; Sewing and Knitting Supplies, Handcrafted Items and Supplies and Handcrafted Items. I have participated in this before but this year I am just going to spend my time checking out blogs and maybe sign up for a few giveaways. Have fun!

House of Yum

If I had any little ones to buy holiday gifts for the fabulous felt food at House of Yum would be tops on my list. My friend Beth White and her friend Danielle Miller have come up with amazingly creative felt play food. Their moniker is "Feed your childs imagination!" In addition to feeding the imagination the food also might get your child to try some different items on their real plate! I'm not going to say much more because the images of the tasty treats say what words can't describe. Go to their blog and order up some tasty shrimp lo mein, tea and cookies, pizza, bacon and eggs and fortune cookies.

New Work

This is the newest-old piece I have been working on. The four large panels were made several years ago and I didn't know exactly what to do with them. I had them pinned together to form a sort of pyramid that stood (kind of) and I was thinking they might make a sculpture or doll skirt. When I came upon them a few weeks ago I wanted to reconfigure the pieces so you could see them all at once. I took them apart and instantly was filled with ideas of where to take them. I made a central piece that echoes the stars and points on the bigger pieces. I seem to always incorporate leaf images so made the skinny strips with leaves. I'm now working on smaller pointed pieces to go between the long and large pieces. They will have birds and shisha mirrors. All of this is hand stitched which I realize is a bit insane...but there it is. This is a piece about personal symbolism, birds, leaves, hands, spirals hearts and eyes often show up in my work and have meaning for me. So, now I have to go and thread a needle and get some more stitching done!

Tabula Rosa

About a year and a half ago I was asked to join an art doll round robin along with 8 other women from all over the U.S and several from Canada. I happily joined but a month into the process I realized I would have a difficult time continuing. Most of my supplies and materials were in storage and working space was at a minimum so with sincere apologies I asked that my doll be sent back. Well, these wonderful, giving and creative women said they were going to keep her and work on her even in my absence. What returned to me a few weeks ago was amazing. Tabula Rosa, the name I had given her, and her journal are works of art. I am so grateful for the kindness, caring, time and creativity these women put into this piece. The pictures only give you a glimpse of the good energy Tabby brought back to me! Thanks again everyone!

Little Birdies

I made this little bird for a friend and it turned out so well I made one for myself. Then I had to get some things made for a local holiday art show so I turned out ten more! I've been bird crazy! The main body is made of silk dupioni and the breast and tail feathers is made of a silk stripe. The wings are embroidered and the crest on her head is beaded.

While this one is made of silk, I have made them in felt, cotton and just about anything else that isn't stretchy. I made this pattern up in two sizes, this one is the tiny one which is about three inches long and the larger is about five. I'd really like to post this so you could go to a link and download the pattern, however, I'm not sure exactly how to do that. So, two things here...if you want the pattern, just leave a comment with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you as an attachment. The second thing, if you know how I could put it on here as a link, please let me know how it's done!

Finding Balance

As you may have noticed my blog posts have been in short supply of late and I was, at first, thinking the title of this post would be "To Blog or Not To Blog?" but to rewrite Hamlet a bit, that is not the question. I have been realizing that in a lot of areas of my life I either go all out or I quit.

Then I started going to the local Y and adding regular exercise into my life and I really wanted to commit. With a membership you can get several sessions with a trainer and I thought it would be a good idea to help me get past that time when I want to quit. When I started to get overwhelmed with exercise cutting into my studio time, Seth, the trainer, a very wise young man, made me come up with alternative ways to think and act. Maybe only go three or four days a week, go on alternative days and times, don't stay as long, etc. Then he grilled me on thinking differently about my eating habits and it has actually worked.

So what does that have to do with blogging? When I first started blogging it was for fun, a friend talked me into it and I really enjoyed reading comments from new and old friends. Then I decided to really try to get new readers and blog everyday. It took over my day, which meant less studio time and so true to my habits, I set it aside. So, back to my Hamlet quote. The question "To blog or not to blog?" is answered by balance. I will be blogging a few times a week, not daily and not leaving three or four weeks between posts, at least that is my goal. I will try to read and comment on others blogs as often as I can and am inspired to. I really need to exercise, create, cook, do laundry and manage my life and I want to do it in a balanced happy way. It only took me 52 years to figure this out, but better late than never!

The image at the top is another little garland I made, some crocheted fall leaves. Just so you know, I have been creating!

Beef Bourguignon

After I posted the Brunswick Stew recipe a friend asked me if I had a good beef stew recipe. At the time I didn't, but I took it as a challenge. I immediately thought of using a slow cooker because the longer a stew cooks, the flavors become richer and deeper. I found a recipe for Beef Bourguignon in The Slow Cooker Ready and Waiting Cookbook by Rick Rodgers. He maintains that you can't just throw a bunch of ingredients into a slow cooker and expect it to taste good. Rather the cook should treat the ingredients just as you would if you were going to put them in the oven. Hence, there is a lot of sauteing and searing before you put the ingredients in the pot. The preparation is longer but the result is fantastic. So here is the recipe for Beef Bourguignon.

Bistro Beef Bourguignon

1 pound baby carrots, peeled

1 pound small boiling onions, peeled

4 ounces slab bacon cut into 2 inch pieces

2 pounds boneless beef bottom round, cut into two inch pieces and well trimmed

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

10 ounces fresh mushrooms, quartered

4 shallots or scallions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/4 cup double-strength beef broth, canned or homemade

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1. Place the baby carrots and boiling onions in a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the bacon and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook for 2 minutes. Drain well, rinse under cold running water, and pat dry with paper towels.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips, turning often, until crisp and browned, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain.

4. Increase the heat to medium high. Add the beef, in batches without crowding, to the fat remaining in the pan and cook, turning often, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker, add the bacon and season with the salt and pepper. Mix well, but leave the carrots and onions undisturbed.

5. Add the vegetable oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and shallots and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and are beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker. Add the red wine, broth, parsley, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf to the skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring to blend in the tomato paste and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Add to the slow cooker.

6. Cover and slow-cook until the beef is tender, 7 to 8 hours on low (200 degrees F). With a slotted spoon, transfer the beef and vegetables to a serving bowl, discarding the bay leaf, and cover with foil to keep warm. Skim the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid.

7. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, without browning, for 1 minute. Whisk in the cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking often, until thickened and reduced to about 1 1/4 cups, about 10 minutes. Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables, mix gently, and serve immediately.

Brunswick Stew

The first time I had Brunswick Stew was at the Virginia State Fair at the Brunswick County Fire Department Booth. I immediately knew I wanted to know how to make it and fortunately for me they had kindly printed out copies of the recipe free for the taking. It is the perfect stew for a rainy day when you want to stay home and nest. This stew takes awhile to make and if you think you could scrimp on the cooking time, don't. I've tried that. The flavors just don't blend and it is really pretty terrible. If you have the time to simmer it for a full five hours, do it. It only gets better!

Brunswick Stew

2 1/2 - 3 pound chicken

2 pieces celery

1 small onion

2 quarts tomatoes, fresh or canned

1 cup chopped onion

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 quart green butter beans or lima beans (I use frozen limas)

1 quart whole kernel corn (again, I use frozen)

5 Tbsp sugar

Salt to taste

Red and black pepper to taste

Place chicken, celery and small onion in a large kettle. Add water to cover chicken. Simmer until meat is tender or begins to loosen from bones. Lift chicken from broth. Cool the broth and discard the celery. Remove meat from bones and cut into small pieces.

Add tomatoes, chopped onions and potatoes to broth. Continue cooking over medium heat until potatoes are tender. Add cut-up chicken, butter or lima beans, corn and sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a boil while stirring. Cover, lower heat and simmer slowly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 3 to 5 hour or until tomatoes have cooked to pieces.

Makes about 6 quarts.

Gettin' Witchy

One of my favorite blogs the adventures of bluegirl xo has a great tutorial for making a little witchy-poo. She has several examples of different ways to embellish and construct them. Julie puts up a new tutorial almost every Thursday and they are always something I would like to make or have. You really should check out her blog.

Wild Geese

Not too long ago a friend of mine sent me a poem by Mary Oliver via e-mail, then a week or so later another friend posted the same poem on her facebook page. A week after that I opened the newsletter from our local food co-op and the poem was printed on the back page. I do not believe in coincidences and so I have read this poem a few times to see what it has to say to me. It is really a lovely poem and with out further adieu I am passing it on to you along with an image of the beautiful Wisconsin River, which is just a few blocks from my home.

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to yo like the wild geese, harsh and exciting-

over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

--Mary Oliver

Fish

I have been thinking of making a fabric fish for sometime now and finally got around to doing it. I used a technique I learned from Susan Shie (Lucky) when I went to her Turtle Moon Art Camp quite a few years ago. It involves a lot of hand sewing but I love the texture. I live in an area where everyone seems to fish and I was inspired by the simple shape a fish can have. I embellished it with some shisha mirrors and beads as well as a very crude applique on the tail. I tend to use more subtle colors, so I was pleased that I broke out of my usual and tried some bright colors.

Lemon Tea

I found myself with an abundance of lemon verbena and lemon balm growing in my garden and an offer to borrow my brother's food dehydrator. I read in one of my herb books that those herbs are great in potpourri so I decided to dry them. Somewhere along the way I thought that mixing these two herbs might make a nice tea and then decided to make it really lemony I would dry some organic lemons to add to it. It has turned out to be delicious, expecially with a nice dab of honey. I am thinking that if any colds come along this winter this will be my go-to tea. It also would be nice with a slice of fresh ginger.

Memoriam

I like to keep my blog posts upbeat and positive, but today I am feeling a deep sadness. A man that I went to high school with died last Friday by his own hand. I hadn't seen him for about 25 years but my memory of him is as vivid as if it were yesterday. He was one of those people you can't forget because fun followed him where ever he went. In reading the memories of others on a memorial page on facebook, every person expressed the same memories. Tim was a fun, wild and crazy guy. Behind all of the laughter was clearly pain. He had recently experienced some personal setbacks and disappointments but there were so many people that loved him and would have moved heaven and earth to help him. If there is someone in your life having struggles, please, today, let them know you care and that there is professional help out there no matter what the circumstance.

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce

Yesterday I turned some of my garden produce into a summery treat to be eaten in the dead of winter. The roasted vegetable pasta sauce filled the house with a deliciously rich aroma all day long. The recipe comes from The Complete Book of Year Round Small Batch Preserving, which I mentioned before when I made bread and butter pickles. The thing I like about this book, aside from the delicious recipes is you don't have to have 40 pounds of anything, although it is quite easy to multiply the recipes up in case your garden is wildly prolific. You can make just a few jars at a time and my husband loves it because he doesn't get called in to heave-ho any heavy pots of boiling liquid. Here is the recipe:

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce

2 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, unpeeled

4 cloves garlic, unpeeled

2 onions, unpeeled

1 sweet red pepper

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried

1tsp granulated sugar

1tsp salt

Prepare jars for canning by boiling them in a canner for about 10 minutes. Also boil both parts of the lids in a separate pan. This sterilizes the jars and lids. Leave them in canner until you are ready to fill them.

Place tomatoes, garlic, onions (I halve them) and red pepper on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Roast in a 450 degree oven for 45 minutes, removing the garlic after 12-15 minutes or when soft. Remove remaining vegetables when they are soft and the skins blistered. Let stand until cool enough to handle.

Peel tomatoes, being careful to catch all the juice. Squeeze garlic and onions to remove soft centers. Peel and seed pepper. Place all vegetables in a food processor, process until smooth.

Place vegetable puree in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Add vinegar, oregano, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover and boil for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove hot jars from canner and ladle sauce into jars to within 1/2 inch of rim. Put lids on jars. Process 35 minutes for pint jars and 40 minutes for quart jars.

*I have found that this recipe makes two pint jars and every pound and a quarter of tomatoes you add you will get another pint. Of course if you increase the tomatoes you must also increase the other ingredients proportionally.

After making this sauce for a few years in the heat of my kitchen I decided to try freezing it instead.  It works wonderfully!  I freeze it in quart containers which is enough for four servings.  Enough sweating already!!!!

Home Canning Help

I have been quite busy this August with friends and relatives visiting and a couple trips to see my parents. While I was socializing and traveling it seems the tomatoes and zucchini kept right on growing and ripening. I found myself with a counter full of them this morning. It is really too hot to make the tomato sauce I have planned for them because our house doesn't have A/C, so I'll be doing that tomorrow morning when it is cooler.

While I was visiting my family I snagged my brother's dehydrator for a couple weeks and am also planning on drying the herbs that are abundant in my garden. I took it without any instructions so went to the internet and found this site that you might be interested in, The National Center for Home Food Preservation. You will find directions for safely canning, freezing, dehydrating, salting and pickling food. I love to can but if it isn't done correctly you really can have unsafe food, so check out this site and happy preserving!

Inspiration vs. Focus

I named this blog Threads of Inspiration and now I'm wondering if I should have left off the -s in Threads. It seems I have had a lot of inspiration lately and now I'm needing some focus. I thought I would show you some of the works in progress that are staring at me in my studio. I'm hoping that making them public will get a few of them completed.

The turquoise and white fabric is a skirt I am making to wear to a picnic next Thursday...this one has a deadline so I'm guessing the waistband and hem will get finished by then. The green fabric is a doll body and I am stitching a separate embroidery (not shown) as a decorative element for the bottom. I could stuff the body while I am waiting for the embroidery, but hey, I should just work on the embroidery.

This little box with wooden balls in it is the beginnings of another doll. I thought I would use this as the torso and attach legs, arms and head to the sides of the box. It is screaming for some vintage colors...I picked up a few color samples at the paint store but they were a little too garish, so I need to do a little research for this.

This embroidery is one I began at the beginning of the summer and I clearly haven't gotten very far on it, but I love the image and I think it will be beautiful when it is finished. I'm debating about what elements to do in stumpwork (a bunch of techniques that give the work a three dimensional aspect). I think the birds in the tree and some leaves in the tree will work well with these techniques. I also plan to put some foliage in the grassy area that is already embroidered, so basically what you see completed will most likely be covered with other elements. That's my plan anyway.

Lastly, is this doll which is mostly completed. The wild heap of illusion you see at her feet is really a tutu that I have to put on her, but I don't want to do that until I figure out what kind of hair or headpiece she will have. So, now you see why I must end this post and get to the studio!!!!

Blessings Dropping

Two days ago I was walking my dog on one of our usual routes. We were about half a block away from a yard that has an apple tree that spreads out over the sidewalk. I wondered what those apples tasted like. There are always apples on the ground but are well past their eating time and I didn't want to pull an apple off of a stranger's tree. I let the thought go and continued on. Just as I got under the tree three apples fell to the ground right in front of me. An offering from the universe! With the first bite of the crisp, sun warmed apple came memories of being a kid eating sour/sweet apples right off the tree. I ate the whole apple and tossed the core into some tall weeds for the animals and insects to feast on. The event reminded me of a quote...

Listen to me.

For one moment quit being sad.

Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.

--Rumi

Back in a Routine

After my last post I got the house cleaned and the cooking done and people started arriving. First my entire family for a Sunday picnic and then a few days later My father in law and cousin Cate stayed for a few days. The day they left our good friend Swasti came for two days. Between the heat and the company I was wiped out when they left!

After that my dad let me know that my mom had been having some difficult days. She is struggling with a hard disease, Lewy Body Dimentia, which is a combination of Alzheimer's and Parkinsons all thrown into one but with a few twists of its own. I went to stay with them for a few days and help with her care and be supportive for my dad.

I'm back now, and although I really enjoyed all of the visiting and was glad I'm living close enough to be able to help my parents, I'm really glad to get back into my routines. I'm planning on spending a lot of time in the studio so you can expect some work-in-progress photos. For now I'll leave you with a photo of a couple of my dolls who are telling me to get in my studio and make stuff!

Cleaning or Gardening?

We have family coming to visit both this weekend and next followed by an old friend. I have put off cleaning for as long as I can, so that is my task today. Since there is really not much of a story line or photos I'd want to share on the topic of cleaning I'm going to leave you today with some images of the flowers, herbs and a nice zucchini from my gardens.

My herb garden with Tia keeping out the rabbit.

Batchelor buttons, one of my favorites

Zinnias from seeds my friend Joan gave me.


Pumpkin blossoms! I'm hoping for 23 pumpkins!

We found this rose in the front buried between ferns getting no sun. We moved it and were gifted with five beautiful flowers.

Last but not least, tonights dinner!

Bread and Butter Pickles

I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and cucumbers were everywhere. It is pickle season!!!! I bought two pails and made some dill pickles and bread and butter pickles. I remember my mom making bread and butter pickles when I was a kid. The distinct smell of warm vinegar and spices filled the air. I didn't much care for the smell when I was a kid but my sense of smell seems to have matured and now I love it. Here is the recipe I used from The Complete Book of Year Round Small-Batch Preserving by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard. It is a nice book with all sorts of recipes for jams, chutneys, relishes and pickles that use, as the title suggests, small amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Best Bread and Butter Pickles

4lb small pickling cucmbers

4 small onions, thinly sliced

1 sweet green pepper, cut in thin strips

1 sweet red pepper, cut in thin strips

2 Tbsp pickling salt

4 cups cider vinegar

3 cups granulated sugar

2 Tbsp mustard seeds

1 tsp celery seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Cut a thin slice from the ends of each cucumber and cut into medioum thick slices, about 3/16 inch. Place cucumbers, onions and peppers in a non-reactive container, sprinkle with salt and let stand for 3 hours; drain. Rinse twice and drain thoroughly.

Combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric and cloves in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add vegetables and return to a boil for 30 seconds or just until cucumbers are no longer bright green.

Remove hot jars from canner. Remove vegetables from liquid with a slotted spoon; pack into jars. Pour liquid over vegetables to within 1/2 inch of rim. Process 10 minutes for pint jars and 15 minutes for quart jars.

Renate Hiller - "On Handwork"

As an artist I have bumped up against the some negative thoughts about why I make things. Does it even matter if I am a maker? What good does it do the world if I create these little dolls, embroideries, food or even this blog? Who even cares?

As you might expect, thoughts like these paralyze me and nothing gets created. I have cut myself off from the inspiration that drives creation.

If you too have had this experience I suggest you watch this video. Renate Hiller, Co-Founder of the Fiber Craft Studio, talks about the importance and meaning of creating, not just for yourself but the greater world. It may help you get your intentions back in alignment and the understanding to know that using your hands for creation is for the greater good.

Comfort Doll Project

"Serve the needs of others, and all your needs will be fulfilled." I just read this quote by Wayne Dyer and it helped me to decide what to blog about today.

The Comfort Doll Project was started by Pat Winters with the purpose of reaching out to women in domestic abuse shelters to let them know they are powerful and not alone. The blog and the project is now run by Brenda Hutchings but its purpose remains the same. People make small dolls (6 inches or less) and mail them to Brenda. A small card with a lovely message is attatched to them and they are mailed to women's shelters around the country.

Please go to their blog here, see the dolls that have been sent out, read the loving message and find out more. Maybe you would like to help with the project. Anyone can join in. I plan on being part of it.

Make Your Own Minion!

While I have not seen the movie Despicable Me, I think the Minions are pretty cute. If you are a knitter (and if you're not, this could be the nudge to get you to learn) go to Kat Knits for the pattern. She has very detailed instructions and they are just darling. How can you resist?

And the Winner Is....

Yvonne!

Congratulations!!!!

I'll be popping your garland in the mail and you should recieve it soon.

Thank you to everyone who left comments, followed and linked this post! I loved reading your comments!

100th Post Giveaway

I can't believe this is my one hundredth post!!!

I have decided to mark the occasion with a giveaway. As you know, awhile back I was making star garlands and posted the directions. Well, I continue to be enamoured with garlands and so will be giving away this multi-colored floral garland. It is about 49 inches long and has small loops at each end to help with hanging. I think it would be fantastic to hang at a birthday party or in a little girls bedroom window!

Now, how to win...leave a comment on this post for one chance to win, follow me and I will put your name in the hat twice, link me and it will go in three times! Your comment must be posted by midnight central time on Wednesday and I will draw a name on Thursday. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you (blog link or e-mail address). Good luck and thanks for reading! It is the comments and interactions with readers that make blogging so much fun!

Mud

Last night we got wave after wave of storms and a lot of rain fell. It is beautiful today, sunny, no humidity and a lovely breeze. I was out in the garden and noticed a tomato stalk had fallen over so I walked in to tie it back up. I sunk about eight inches into the mud! I couldn't pull my feet out and I was wearing my favorite flip flops and was afraid the strap would break. The only way out was to sit down and scoop the mud away with my hands and pull my feet out. I had to go back in the muck and rescue my shoes. What a mess!!! I have never really understood how quicksand worked...I'm pretty clear on that now! Me and my shoes are all hosed off, thanks to my husband. It made for a pretty big laugh!

His comment was, "If I'd fallen in the mud you would have made me sit there til you went and got your camera so you could blog about it." I'd thought about asking him to get my camera but really wanted to rescue my flip flops. So here is a photo of my clean toes!

Ooooh, and one more thing, this is my 99th post to this blog, so my next one will be 100!!! I am planning a give-away so come back and find out how to enter!

Arugula

I planted arugula for one reason, a salad I had over 13 years ago while on vacation in St. John, US Virgin Islands. I had never had it before but after trying it I, occasionally, would re-create the salad. It was a very simple salad of arugula, toasted walnuts, goat cheese and a very mild vinaigrette. I have been enjoying this salad for a good while this summer, but last night I found myself without goat cheese (woe is me!) in the house, but I had a mango. So I made the exact same salad and sliced the mango into it. I actually think it is better than the original. The spicy arugula, tart and salty vinaigrette, earthy walnuts and sweet mango was an amazing combination. While I haven't measured exactly the ingredients, here is the recipe. Be sure to taste the vinaigrette as you make it so it suits your taste.

Arugula, Mango and Walnut Salad

large bunch of arugula, washed

handful of walnuts, toasted

1 mango sliced

1 clove garlic

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp mustard

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil or more to taste

salt and pepper

To toast the walnuts put them in a small pan over medium high heat and leave for about 3-5 minutes stirring often making sure they dont burn. When they start to brown and you can smell a nice toasted nutty smell they are done. Remove from pan and set aside.

To make viniagrette mash together the salt and garlic clove to make a paste. Add the garlic paste to the mustard, vinegar and stir. Slowly pour olive oil into vinegar mixture all the while whisking. This will form a nice emulsion. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Put it all together. Put arugula walnuts and mango in a bowl and drizzle enough vinaigrette to coat but not drown salad. Toss. Serve immediately

Variation To make the original salad substitute crumbled goat cheese for the mango.

What's your favorite arugula recipe? As you can see, I have a lot in my garden!