Six Sentence Sunday - Crow Magic

Smooth tanned skin rippled as his rigid muscles flexed. His eyes radiated intensity, gold flecks mingling in the black irises. Raven hair hung over his broad shoulders as he moved. He gazed at her with desire until the reality of her situation sank in. She’d just experienced the appetizer and the time had come for the main course. Bring it on!

Taken from CROW MAGIC

BUY NOW

When Life Gives You Lemons, Put Them in Wine

In some cultures, the lemon is sometimes considered the symbol of friendship and love, purity and longevity. 

My mom was fond of pairing wine with dinner and I find myself doing the same. When you are having a romantic moment with food and your honey, it's nice to have a wine that compliments the mood. 

I found a nice white wine to pair with fish. 

Prophecy Wines supplies a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand's Marlborough region. 

(I know... it's not a local wine, but sometimes I have to brag about finding a good pairing.)

I selected a 2016 vintage of the High Priestess.

Flavors of grapefruit, lychee and Meyer lemon offer crisp, citrus flavor that is compliment with aromas of fresh cut grass and cool sea air. Serve this chilled wine with baked lemon pepper whitefish to create a perfect match.

Yeah... I know... there isn't much wine in the bottle featured.

What can I say? It was very good!

Want more lemon?

Add a thin slice of lemon to your glass of wine.

Cheers!

Lavender Vodka and a Good Book

The guys are building a new bonfire pit so I ran to the market for some fresh bratwurst to grill. Found some Lavender Vodka and if you fidnt know, I love lavender in my beverages.

I added a shot to a glass of iced tonic water and a slice of lemon. Not bad but I think next time I'll add it to a bit of lemonade.  

Now, it's time to relax and read a couple chapters before the guys get hungry. 

I'm currently reading "The Last Second Chance" Blue Moon book 3 by Lucy Stone.  Totally loving this small town romance series. Lucy writes with a romantic comedy style I really enjoy. I'm hooked.

Tea For Two - Friendship and Romance

"A cup of tea shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent" - Anonymous

I've always enjoyed tea. Perhaps, more so after I spent a few weeks with family friends in England when I was a teen. Girlfriends and I would rush home when school let out to grab a cup of tea and watch General Hospital. We loved trying new flavors and blends of teas.

"A cup of tea is like friendship, a special blend of you and me."

Now I enjoy more herbal blends, especially those locally made. I drink "Cassie With a Twist" to ease my fibromyalgia pain. Herbal blends with lavender are very relaxing and often help me sleep. Enjoying cinnamon rose tea on the porch is heavenly.

A gift of tea is always heartwarming and can be romantic. My fly-boy hubby travels the world and brings special blends home to me. I picture him smelling and maybe tasting various teas. It gives me warm fuzzies knowing he is thinking of me when he's thousands of miles away.

Enjoying tea with a special someone can be a romantic moment as well. Specialty teas are made, often with vanilla, rose, chocolate and spices to inspire romance.

Teas can be very healing, both physically and mentally. Those Nature People is a Michigan shop that provides many natural and hand made items. They create wonderful hand-selected blends such as my "Cassie With a Twist" and others for whatever may ail you. Other teas are perfect for meditation or simply enjoyment. Delightful caffeine-free teas with names such as "Sunrise Bliss", "Passionate Kisses", and one of my favorites to enjoy on the porch is "Grandma's Garden". 

CLICK to check out their teas!

Yogi Tea is one of my favorite commercial tea companies. When I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2007, my doctor discussed healthy living and an Ayurveda diet with me. Yogi Teas are blended with purpose and inspired by the Ayurveda philosophy. Visit the Yogi Tea Talk Blog for recipes and tips on wellness. The teas are flavorful and comforting. I love the little tags with words of wisdom and comfort.  

Today's Yogi Tea tag is...

"Experience will give you the power and confidence to be you."

So – tea!

When you are feeling sad and blue
And have no clue what to do
Sit down and have a cup of tea
And a hug, one or two or maybe three
Feel those troubles melt away
And start you on a better day…(Anonymous)

Tasty Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite comfort food. But if you're like me, I'm tired of making the same-old-same-old. Quarantine 2020 is providing many opportunities for experimental baking. Since my sons are all around, I have plenty of willing taste testers.

During this time, I recommend having some fun in the kitchen with your honey.  Pour each of you a glass of wine. Wear matching aprons. Feel free to get a little silly... remember when you first were living together?

I found this unique recipe and didn't tell son #2 about the cream cheese, (he hates the stuff). The addition of cream cheese gives these chocolate chip cookies a rich, dense, cake-like texture. 

Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 ounces butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips

Preparation:

·         Heat oven to 350°. Grease a cookie sheet, or spray with nonstick cooking spray, or line with silicone liner.

·         In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Slowly beat in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.

·         Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet(s), leaving about 1 inch between cookies. These cookies spread very little. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly browned around the edges.

·         Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.