Chin Deep

This wine is exceptonally elegant. Perfect for those special summer soirees. With a sumptuous combination of crisp Suavignon Blanc, seductive Viognier, sweet Muscat and elusive Chenin Blanc…This romantic summer wine is the equivelant of a fragrant flower market. Orchids, French lavender, lilacs, green apple and peach blossoms prevail. Crispy notes of Chinese Apple Pears and tangerines unfold.

This is FANTASTIC with my simple recipe for “Five Minute Shrimp Scampi.”

Thaw one pound of large cooked, peeled, de-veined, and frozen shrimp in ice cold water. When just thawed, dry by blotting with paper towels. Place in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Place 2 tablespoons minced garlic on top of the shrimp. Place1 generous Tablespoon real btter on top of the garlic. Microwave for one minute (just until heated through.) Sprinkle with a little cayenne pepper. Serve.

Cooking the evening meal is one of my favorite things to do. I light candles, play a soothing CD, and sip a glass of wine as I cook. I like to have a fragrant bouquet of flowers of a bowl of tangy lemons on the counter to delight my senses when I pass by. In warmer months, I open our back porch door so I can hear the birds singing and the wind chimes tinkling and smell the fresh air as I create my culinary masterpieces I like to wear comfortable, flowing cotton clothes when I cook and I always go barefoot. Naked feet are a must. I also love writing the evening’s menu on a big “bistro” board that I made out of a big blackboard and display in our dining room.

Using exotic ingredients is a simple pleasure that I indulge on a regular basis. The simple act of using cheese from Provence, wine from Italy, spices from India, chocolate from Switzerland, and unfiltered extra virgin olive oil from Spain elevates plain old cooking to a divine experience. I am also a big believer in using fresh ingredients every day. Herbs and vegetables from my kitchen garden or nearby Red Wing Farmer’s Market, baguette from our village bakery, sausages, meats and seafoods from our local butcher, and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices not only add amazing flavor, but are much better for you.

Try some or all of these ideas and turn cooking for your family into a wonderful ritual that you look forward to every day!

“There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves. ”
~Tom Wolfe

Fresh coconut gently exfoliates, and brown sugar gives your skin an even deeper exfoliating treatment without being too harsh or abrasive.

Combine:

1 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted OR 1/4 cup creme de coconut

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

10 drops coconut perfume oil

3 drops sandalwood essential oil

3 drops vanilla or almond essential oil

Standing on a towel, rub mixture all over your body. Allow to penetrate for 5 minutes. Rub mixture off with a damp hand towel. Soak in the tub or take a shower to rinse off remaining mixture.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

~Lucille Ball

Hello everyone! It’s been a couple weeks since I last wrote. The girls are now officially on summer vacation, and we are back from our week in Door County. I’m ready to do some more blogging!

Here’s the recipe for what I made tonight for dinner while chatting with my friend Chantelle on the phone This is an easy recipe, but not your usual boring Monday night fare. Enjoy.

Latin Beef Picadillo

Serves 4

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

1 pound extra lean organic ground beef or bison

1/4 cup orange juice

2 Tablespoons mild chili powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 cup raisins

3/4 cup slivered almonds

1 cup Spanish olives with pimentos, chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime

1 teaspoon “Tony Chachere’s” Original Creole Seasoning

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef/bison, stirring until onion becomes translucent (about 5 minutes.) Add juice, chili powder, cinnamon, raisins, almonds, olives and lemon/lime juice. Cook until the liquid has been reduced by half (about 2 minutes.) Season with Creole seasoning. Serve over warm brown rice, whole wheat noodles, or in whole grain pita bread.

This dish is fantastic when paired with Wyncroft Gewurztraminer.

In my book “Welcome Home-Simple Tips for Turning Your House Into a Luxurious Retreat” on page 36, I have written the instructions for creating a gossamer canopy for over your bed. This Graceful Gossamer Canopy is easy and inexpensive to make and it takes about 5 minutes.

Simply hang a wreath or pretty ring style towel hanger on the wall, centered over your bed, about 3 feet above your headboard. Drape gossamer bridal netting through the wreath (or ring) so it hangs evenly over the sides of your bed and “puddles” on the floor on both sides (buy about 7 yards.)

Recently, while paging through a magazine, I noticed someone had decorated their front porch with gossamer curtain panels that were fluttering in the breeze. What a wonderful summer look! So pretty.

This is one of my favorite quick spa “fixes” that is a piece of cake to prepare at home.

Just before you get in the shower or bath tub, combine a couple tablespoons of your favorite shower gel with a teaspoon of dry cornmeal. Pour on a loofah or exfoliating scrunchie sponge. Shower as usual. The cornmeal is a great, natural exfoliant that will leave your skin silky smooth.

This is a fun and easy recipe to add to an impromptu breakfast in bed. This recipe was first published on page 108 of my second book “Welcome Home.”

French Breakfast Croissants (called Pain Au Chocolat in France)

Simply roll some dark chocolate chips into refrigerated, pre-made, refrigerated crescent roll dough. make sure all of the chocolate chips are encased in the dough. Bake according to package directions.

“America is my country and Paris is my hometown.”

-Gertrude Stein

Here are a couple new beauty products that I discovered recently that I just LOVE. If you like skin products that add a little “sparkle” to your beauty repertoire, read on.

“Stars” eyeshadow pencil by Rimmel of London- I’m not a big eyeshadow fan. I’ve never really liked it. I think it usually takes away from looking natural and borders on Barbie doll “fake.” I DO like “Stars” by Rimmel because instead of leaving a layer of unnatural color on your eyelids it just gives you a sublte, glittery glow. This look is perfect for summer, and glitzy enough for a night out on the town.

Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer- This moisturizer smells fantastic and has a subtle skin darkening ingredient that gives you a healthy summer glow without the sun’s harmful UV rays. This is my favorite self-tanner because it doesn’t streak and it has a little bit of golden sparkle to it that accentuates your new “tan.”

Happy Summer!

Love,

Meliss

This past Sunday was a dream come true. We made a special date to get together with some of our best friends and we had great weather. This almost never happens in Minnesota. We grilled some bison burgers, had some crudite with dip and soaked in the summer sun at a local park set in a little inlet here on the St. Croix River in Red Wing.

Heather and Tom have impeccably good taste. They brought us a bottle of wine that was out of this world. Heather said it’s one of her sister’s favorites and I’m not surprised. Beth is a classy gal

This wine was moon yellow in color, had an enticingly spicy fragrance, and tasted of golden apples, dandelion greens, and anisette. This is one of the most unique Pinots we’ve had… ever! Thanks guys!

Scented linens are one of life’s most luxurious simple pleasures. These fragrant recipes were originally published in my book, Welcome Home. Indulge and breathe summer in slowly.

SCENTED LAUNDRY SOAP: Add 1 teaspoon lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon lemon verbena essential oil to a 64 oz. bottle of unscented laundry detergent. Shake well before each use.

LAVENDER LINEN SPRAY: Wonderful for sheets, jammies, linens, throw rugs and yoga mats. In a 4 oz. glass spray bottle, combine 20 drops lavender essential oil, 3 Tablespoons 100 proof vodka, and top off with distilled water. Shake well. Allow to rest for two weeks. Spray on desired linens.

DRYER SACHETS: Place 1/4 cup lavender flowers in a small muslin bag and tie securely. Add to your dryer along with wet laundry. this sachet will last for about 12 loads. Open sachet and refresh with 2 drops of essential oil as needed.

“Exactness in little things is a wonderful source of cheerfulness.” -Fredrick William Faber