I got this recipe from my friend Laura “Corona” DeDona. She has been posting these awesomely laugh out loud Quarantine videos, from the containment zone, that have really kept me going for the past 5 weeks!! You HAVE to check them out on her INSTAGRAM. So, the other day she made this awesome soup for her adorable son Miles. It looked so good that I had to make it myself. Honestly, it was one of the best soups that I have ever made!!!! You have to try it. I did not use the pepper and used low fat milk instead of the cream but other than that, I followed Laura’s exact recipe. This was just too good to keep to myself!!! You are going to flip over it!! Bon Appetit!!!!!
Makes approx. 4 servings:
2-3 large Zucchini
1 bunch scallions
1 red pepper
1 medium onion
1/2 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 pint marinara sauce
1/2 cup seasoned croutons or breadcrumbs
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup light cream (optional)
1/2 cup chicken stock
Parmesan and Romano cheese to taste
1/2 stick of butter
Cut Zucchini in half and toss in olive oil..Top with breadcrumbs and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350.
Melt the butter in a heavy bottom soup pan. Dice the scallions, pepper, onions and tomato (in larger pieces). Add to soup pan and cook at medium heat for 15-20 min. Turn off heat.
Add Zucchini to vegetables and marinara sauce, light cream (if using), chicken stock .
Once it has cooled, blend with a hand blender until desired constancy. Garnish with as much cheese to your taste.
I have noticed a trend lately……Front Doors painted in unexpected colors. A bright colored front door gives your home instant curb appeal. This design concept is very popular in Charleston and Palm Springs but has been recently popping up in neighborhoods all over the US. With people spending time home more these days, a front door makeover is an easy quick, relatively inexpensive one to do with a HUGE impact.
If you are going to undertake this project, start with samples and really see the color in all elements of natural light, throughout the day.
Buy the proper outdoor paint so your door will not peel or fade….latex exterior seems to work well. Your paint store can help you choose. Also, High Gloss is nice but it will show every blemish in the door so you might opt for Semi High Gloss, which is more forgiving.
White trim seems to work the best but you can choose a contrasting color like the grey used below. And lastly, do not forget the accessories…the jewelry for the door. An interesting door knocker or door handle with a new finish (matte black seems to be all the rage these days) will do just the trick to finish off your new project perfectly.
OMG!!!! How fun are these Party Pajamas? Perfect for your glam nights on the zoom!!!! Unfortunately, I searched the web for them and they are pretty pricey…soooooooo…Who’s up for a DIY? I found THESE pajamas and many different colored BOAS. I used a GLUE GUN to attach the feathers to each of the sleeves and each pant leg. One boa was enough to do one pair of pajamas. The first photo is the pair that I finished over the weekend. I have seen people wear the top with jeans or the pants with a dressy flared sleeve black top or the top and bottoms together with cute heels to a wedding or Holiday party. When our quarantine is over, I am going to send mine out to have the feathers sewn on (but I’m sure a lot of you can do it yourself)!!! I just love this look!!!!!
Let’s focus on some happy things…Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy: A Journal was recommended to me and I love it!!! Try it and add a little sunshine to your life:
Each day presents an opportunity to find delight, whether in your surroundings, your work, your relationships, your insights, or your actions. This journal will guide you to look inside and outside yourself to discover and appreciate what makes you happiest.
With prompts and exercises, the wise words of writers, musicians, philosophers, and leaders will help you reflect on what fills you with joy. You’ll measure your happiness at the outset and along the way; after a year’s worth of delight, your smile will be bigger than ever. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE
Another week down!!!!! I wonder how many more to go? A reader sent me a message that she was sick of baking and wanted to know if I had any suggestions for something else to pass the time. I partnered with Target and found some really cool, really different crafts that everyone in the family might like. They are all under $15 and should arrive within a few days!!! Bon Weekend!! (click the image below to see the products)
I love this lip balm kit…everyone can use a new lip balm, right?!!!
How about buying a few of these and designing your own dessert or salad plates!!!!
If you love the MoMA like me….
I just thought this sun catcher was so cute…..makes me look forward to the summer!!!
Another favorite….an at home spa kit….we all could us this right about now….for sure
Such a great idea…a Terrarium!!!! This is just what we need with the lack of flowers around our homes these days!!!!
This has got to be one of my favorite things……a signature scent perfume kit!!!!!
For the reader that told me her 3 girls LOVE slime..I had to included it…
I saw this kit in a store in Greenwich a couple of months ago and I almost bought it then…these slippers are adorable…a great way to pass a few hours!!
I thought candle making might be a lot of fun!!!
This is not technically a craft but I bought these for me and my girls to try…and OMG they are awesome..for $5.00 they are super easy to apply and look great!!!!
The question used to be where are you going for Easter Sunday but now it is what are you cooking for Easter Sunday!!!!!????!!! So many of my friends are planing their Easter menus. I am going back and forth about what I should serve my family. Some friends are doing a big brunch, others are attempting a lamb dish. I am doing a combination of some take out and some cooking. I always love to try new side dishes. I found this rice recipe online the other day. It really looks good. How can you go wrong with butter, parmesan and mozzarella cheese? Bon Appetit!!!
1 cup rice, 2/3 stick butter, 2 cups milk, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large brick mozzarella (cut up into 1/4 inch cubes), 1 egg (beaten)
Cook rice in salted water (I use a rice cooker).
Add butter and milk gradually to the HOT rice. (If it appears to dry, add more milk but make sure it is not soupy).
Add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and egg.
Grease a pyrex dish, add rice, dot the top with butter.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.