The Sweet Nest of Vence and the Magical Avignon

May 6, 2014 by Eva Marie

After our jaunt to Italy and walk through Eze, we headed to Vence, a small town near the more well-known and visited, Saint Paul de Vence. Once home to artists and writers such as Chagall, Matisse, Duffy, Soutine and D. H. Lawrence, who spent his last days in Vence, this lovely village is as the 12th-century troubadour Pierre Vidal noted, “le doux repaire” (the sweet nest) and Nostradamus said “Garden of Vence, marvel of Provence”. The streets leading up to the town […]

Categories: Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Avignon, France, Palace of the Popes, Palais des Papes, Travel, Vence

Arriving in France – Lunching in Italy, Oo La La!

April 16, 2014 by Eva Marie

I’m not sure what it is about France, perhaps I have some old bones lying here from a past life or something, but the thing is, this country really speaks to me on a soul level. The romantic language, stylish cities, gorgeous country towns, landscape and the history intrigue me, and I feel a complete sense of well-being here. We took an early flight from London to Nice, where the gorgeous coastline, palm trees swaying in the breezy sunshine and […]

Categories: Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: France, gorgeous country towns, Italy, Nice, Ventimiglia

Honey, Lime and Cumin Roasted Chicken

April 9, 2014 by Eva Marie

Four countries with one carry-on and a computer bag, that is what I packed for our whirlwind European tour. Our strategy was to keep moving so nobody would notice that we were wearing the same things day after day. No divas allowed on our trip. Our eight-hour flight was smooth as could be but neither of us could sleep so when we arrived in London, we were spacey and slightly cranky. With our few bags in hand, we sailed though […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Chicken Recipes, Honey, Knightsbridge, Lime and Cumin Roasted Chicken, London, Travel

Hearty Chilaquiles Verde

March 23, 2014 by Eva Marie

I started my day with this wonderful and hearty Mexican dish. I think every Mexican family has their own version of chilaquiles. The dish came into being as a way to use stale tortillas. I usually cook them with scrambled eggs and red sauce the way my grandmother would prepare them for me, but making them with a green sauce over a fried or poached eggs gives the dish a softer mix of flavors that is delicious. Verde Sauce 2 […]

Categories: Breakfast, Uncategorized • Tags: Chilaquilas, Egg Recipes

Butternut Squash Curry Puree With Sautéed Kale & Chickpeas

March 18, 2014 by Eva Marie

My husband and I are getting ready to head off to Europe for a couple of weeks. For a foodie like me, France, Italy and Spain are dangerous places for my waistline as I find the baked goods, pasta, desserts…well, pretty much, everything, irresistible. Part of my attempt to keep things under control is to eat super healthy and exercise like a mad woman before I go, so I can stuff my face silly while I am there. Luckily, the places […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized • Tags: Butternut Squash Recipes, Butternut Squash with Kale and chickpeas, Curry Recipes, Epicurean Eva, Eva Marie, Kale Recipes

Quick and Easy Organic Strawberry Jam

March 1, 2014 by Eva Marie

Soon after buying our house, we discovered that our home was called “The Birdhouse” by many of our neighbors. It made sense to us since the previous owners had attached funky birdhouses around the exterior of the house in an attempt to stop the birds from pecking holes into the side of the structure. At first, I wasn’t too keen on the little houses but when spring came, we realized it was too late to remove them as birds had […]

Categories: Breakfast, Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Boulder, Colorado, Fruit Preserves, Organic Jam recipe, Strawberry Jam, Things to do in Boulder

Warm Roasted Tomato Caprese

February 11, 2014 by Eva Marie

Once again, big fluffy flakes of snow were falling on my head yesterday as I walked from my car into Whole Foods. I was then met with the tease of spring when I saw the bins of bright and intensely colored flowers and I found myself craving the warmth, colors and flavors of summer. Somehow, a cold Caprese salad just wouldn’t have tasted right to me on such a cold day, but a warm, roasted tomato Caprese? Perfect. WARM ROASTED […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized • Tags: Boulder, Caprese Salad recipe, Colorado, Eva Marie, Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

Parmesan & Herb Ciabatta

February 6, 2014 by Eva Marie

Well, this has been an unbelievable winter so far in Colorado as in many areas across the country. I don’t recall seeing such drastic temperature shifts and heavy snow fall ever. Today we had a high of -2 degrees with a predicted 50 degrees next week. Needless to say, for winter sports enthusiasts it has been a season of epic proportions. We took a quick trip up to Vail and, while it was cold, the sun was shining, the sky […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized • Tags: Boulder, Colorado, Dinner Rolls, Eva Marie, Parmesan Ciabatta, Vail Resort

Super Bowl Sunday and Five Feet of Snow

February 1, 2014 by Eva Marie

With all of the snow that has dumped on Colorado this week, tomorrow will not only be Super Bowl Sunday but also an epic ski day for us. Early out onto the slopes and then we’ll head inside to cheer on our Broncos. Here are some of my favorite recipes for entertaining Super Bowl style: Have fun, be safe and may the best team win!

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized

Fresh Intention for the New Year

January 3, 2014 by Eva Marie

As the New Year draws an imaginary line in the sand of time when we reflect on the past and look forward to the future, I am not so inclined to make resolutions but I do mull over the year and consider how best to live an intentional life each day.  THE YEAR IN REVIEW Buying a new home was an important event for my husband and me in 2013. It is the first house that we have owned together. […]

Categories: Uncategorized

Meditation in Snow and Silence

December 27, 2013 by Eva Marie

I was walking through the woods, surrounded by towering pines that were covered in a thick icing of fresh powdery snow. The fluffy flakes drifted onto my exposed face as I hiked down the path deserted of all sound and humans. Other than my breath and the trickle of the stream that wound its way next to the path, it was pure silence. The kind of noiselessness that only comes under water or falling snow. There is a feeling that […]

Categories: Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Aspen Mountain, Eva Marie, Meditation

Chartreuse and Purple Cauliflower au Gratin

November 17, 2013 by Eva Marie

We had a quick weekend trip to New York to celebrate my son’s thirtieth birthday. Even though I love the serenity of our home nestled in the mountains of Colorado, I adore New York and Brooklyn. The cacophony of sights, sounds and smells is so dynamic that I can’t help but feel very alive when I am there. Beginning with the insane white-knuckle taxi ride from the airport to the hotel, to strolling lower Manhattan, shopping and sight-seeing, these little New […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized • Tags: Allswell Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Cauliflower au Gratin, Cauliflower Recipes, New York, Purple and Green Cauliflower

Like Diamonds in the Sky ~ Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

October 16, 2013 by Eva Marie

Last week I made a quick trip to Santa Fe. When I heard that the Albuquerque balloon fiesta would be going on while I was there, I knew it was something I had to see. A couple of friends joined me on the early expedition – up at 4:45 AM and out the door at 5:00AM. Blurry eyed, we made our way down the highway for the forty-five minute drive to the festival in north Albuquerque. We arrived in time […]

Categories: Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival, Bucket List, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Things to do in Albuqueque

When The Rain Doesn’t Stop

September 14, 2013 by Eva Marie

The silence was eerie after four days of pounding rain. I realized that my ears had become accustom to the sound of the raindrops hitting the roof of our house. What began as a strong concern for people of Boulder and the surrounding areas, after three days of nonstop rain, turned into terror within a couple of hours. Clouds parked themselves over our city and let loose a torrential down-pouring of epic proportions. Flood sirens began to scream out and […]

Categories: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Boulder, Boulder Flood, Colorado Flood, English Muffins, Eva Marie

Lemon & Honey Cookies

April 25, 2013 by Eva Marie

So after this third blast of snow in April, we are heading south to Texas to grab us a spot of heat. I  just need to get me a little bit of San Antonio. Hot food, warm sultry nights along the river walk… … the ever-present music and dancing, Tex-Mex style… …and a bit of time spent at our little hacienda on the hill. And here, a sweet and spicy cookie that is so delicious that you may want to […]

Categories: Dessert, Uncategorized • Tags: Lemon Cookie Recipe, Lemon Honey Cookie Recipe, Lemon Pepper Cookie

Pupusas & More Snow

April 20, 2013 by Eva Marie

Earlier this week Boulder was graced with another two to three feet of fresh powder, leaving tulips and daffodils buried beneath a cold blanket of white stuff. While a am craving the warmth of spring to arrive, we were blessed with enough moisture to get our stream running full blast and a morning vision of blue skies and snow-covered mountains and trees. Some of the ski resorts have stayed open for another week giving us one more chance to get […]

Categories: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Uncategorized • Tags: Boulder, Coleslaw, Colorado, Curtido, Eva Marie, Gluten Free, Pupusa

A Good Morning for Eggs Benedict Florentine ~ ’cause that’s all we had

April 7, 2013 by Eva Marie

We woke up to another glorious morning but had hardly a thing in the fridge. There was one homemade English muffin, some spinach, butter, a few eggs, a worn out lemon and some cilantro. Just enough to make Eggs Florentine to share with my husband along with one of his divine steamy hot lattes. The day is off to a good start! EGGS BENEDICT FLORENTINE What you will need: Fresh eggs Spinach, lightly sautéed in olive oil– about 1/4 cup cooked […]

Categories: Breakfast, Uncategorized • Tags: Eggs Benedict, Eggs Benedict Florentine, Eggs Florentine, Hollandaise Sauce, Poached Eggs

Grandpa’s Fudge Cream Pie (Big Easy: part deux)

March 17, 2013 by Eva Marie

Walking into the chilly morning bluster of sun and wind, I was on a mission to find the building that once belonged to my grandfather, the building which housed his restaurant and inn. Rounding the corner onto Lafayette Square on Saint Charles Street I spun around looking at all of the buildings when a tall and narrow red building with balconies laced with shiny black wrought iron railings caught my eye. I snapped a photo and sent it to my […]

Categories: Dessert, Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Chocolate Pie Recipe, Emeril Lagasse, Epicurean Eva, Eva Marie, Meringue Pie, New Orleans

Louisiana Fireballz in the Big Easy (part one)

March 8, 2013 by Eva Marie

New Orleans, it’s gritty, friendly and the land of amazing music, art and good eating. My husband and I both have history in this town. Ric was born here and lived here for the first four years of his life. His grandfather who lived in the French Quarter in the 1960’s was an artist who captured the soul of the local people through his intricate paintings and drawings. My grandfather also lived in New Orleans where he owned a restaurant […]

Categories: Lunch & Dinner, Meandering Thoughts, Uncategorized • Tags: Caprese Salad, Luisiana, New Orleans, Nola

Anyway you roll it

February 17, 2013 by Eva Marie

My husband and I joke about how Mexican food is just the same ingredients rolled in a tortilla a variety of ways and called something different. That is somewhat true when speaking of the basic day-to-day staples, however, there are many beautiful and complex dishes of this rich cuisine. Having said that, since we are in the midst of packing as we get ready to move into our new home in the mountains, those lovely dishes will have to wait […]

Categories: Breakfast, Uncategorized • Tags: Egg Tacos, Mexican Breakfast, Scrambled Eggs