ESQUIRE

♥ THIS IS A REPOST BUT TODAY IS SPECIAL ♥ 

 

People come into our lives……some leave way to soon!!  Such a person was Hugo, the most intelligent, interesting person I have ever met!  We met through mutual friends and on our very first date, he asked me to marry him!  I laugh about it now because at the time, I thought it to be totally crazy but,  needless to say, 3 months after that day, we tied the knot!

Hugo was a role model and a very strong influence in my life.  He taught me about character, the tough lessons in life that some people learn too late or not at all. He taught me the value to stand up for yourself,  to take the initiative to learn how to handle situations in life. His motto towards life was that there is a “right way” and “wrong way” to do everything, the value of hard work…perseverance and to maximize one’s talents. He was never afraid to state his opinion, even when it was not consistent with the current wisdom.  I always admired his ability to think outside the box. 

He “taught” me that if you don’t know what to order at a restaurant…order it ALL!!:)  He taught me that dessert is just as important as the food you had.  He taught me to see that there is beauty in everything, to appreciate classical music, a love for the theater. He taught me that if you can’t help others, you can’t help yourself, even if it’s just to hold the door for someone or some simple gesture.  He taught me that life is a choice we make and it is how you handle all the pitfalls along the way.  You can be better or bitter – it’s up to you!

There is an old slogan that says “ordinary people can do extraordinary things”…..Mr. H, there is not a day that go by without me not thinking about you. One day we will meet again, somewhere on a cloud!  Until then.

Today would have been our Anniversary. I celebrate you Esquire oxo

 

Right here….waiting

 

 

 

a secret lies within

infinite body of love

two souls entwined

immersing our spirit

of fulfilment and love

this rush of emotions

our labyrinth of ardor

froze in this moment

every beat of our heart

come fly with me darling

like there is no tomorrow

for dreams do come true

 

I LOVE YOU

 

©AvdL 2010

Chicken Breast with Pumpkin and Orange Butter

I once believed Pumpkins only came out on a Halloween night and with a glowing candle shimmering through the holes of its scary cut out face. Now I couldn’t imagine life without it, I love Pumpkin…..it is so easy to cook with, it cooks quickly, and has to be the most versatile vegetable of all!!  This recipe’s easy to make, absolutely juicy and tender and goes perfect on a bed of pumpkin.  Try it, you’ll love it!!

INGREDIENTS

Finely grated rind of 1 orange
1 bunch tarragon, finely chopped
30g unsalted butter, softened
1 chicken breast, skin on
2 tablespoons olive oil
400g butternut pumpkin, diced
30g tablespoons butter
1 onion, thinly sliced
Juice of 1 orange
2 tablespoons honey
100g green beans, steamed to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 220’C.

2 Combine orange rind, tarragon and butter in a small bowl until well combined. Gently pull skin away from the chicken breast and stuff with 2 tablespoons of orange butter, reserving the remaining mix. Place in a baking paper-lined roasting dish, drizzle with olive oil and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Remove chicken from pan and allow to rest. Reserve pan juices.

3. Cook pumpkin in a medium saucepan half filled with boiling water for 7-10 minutes or until tender. Drain well, return to saucepan and mash. Add butter, season with salt and pepper and mix to combine.

4. Heat a medium frying pan over a medium heat, add pan juices and onion and panfry until golden. Add orange juice and honey and reduce by a quarter. Add remaining orange butter and stir until butter has melted.

5. To serve, arrange a spoonful of pumpkin mash in the centre of a serving plate, top with chicken and drizzle with orange sauce. Serve with green beans on the side.

Ever After

 

 

 

Oh Soul of Radiance
Friend of the stars
You fill the dark sky
Oh light of my life
Fight your wars with your head held high
May your renown spread upwards to the sky
I call to you
Please come to me
To hold me close
Your voice in a chant
Raise your sword to those cruel and vile
Slay the monsters, go employ your guile
I will sing this song
To your loving soul
For to lift your heart
And keep you from fear
Lift your bow and may the arrow release
Manoeuver your dagger with deft and ease
There is no danger
A lantern to steer
To show you the way
And let in the light
And while you are gone, I await your return
You defend your pride, as I sit here and burn

 

©Kavita & AvdL 2010

 

The beautiful and talented Kavita and I have entered into a dual poetry challenge that we wrote for Monday Potluck.

It is quite easy to identify who wrote what lines!!  If you’re familiar with my style, you’ll know that I don’t write long lines.  

It was so much fun writing this with you girlfriend…one of many more to follow!!  Thanks so much ♥

We have written this for Monday Potluck at Jingle Poetry.

Please do visit these sites to read the other amazing creative offerings.

 

 

ANCIENT VOICES (Monday Potluck)

 

 

the soft snow
falls without sound
as footprints are etched
upon ancient ground
where lovers once met
their vows here to make
and swear that love
never to forsake

listen

to myriad voices
of ages gone by
telling secrets of old
to those who come nigh
sweet whispers of love
soft moans of tragedy
fleeting moments of joy
of lovers in effigy
buried together
beneath scarlet snow
in eternal embrace
and death’s pale glow

 ©TLH and AvdL 2010

Tracy Lee Harris –  Tracysays  and I have entered into a duel poetry challenge and this is the resulting poem.  

It has been a privilege working with such creative talent. Thanks Tracy ♥

We have written this for Monday Potluck at Jingle Poetry.

Please do visit these sites to read the other amazing creative offerings.

DARE TO DREAM

 

 

Let nothing hold you back from
exploring your wildest fantasies,
wishes, and aspirations.
Don’t be afraid to dream big
and to follow your dreams
wherever they may lead you.
Open your eyes to their beauty;
open your mind to their magic;
open your heart to their possibilities. 

Dare to dream.
Whether they are in color
or in black and white,
whether they are big or small,
easily attainable or almost impossible,
look to your dreams,
and make them become reality.
Wishes and hopes are nothing
until you take the first step
towards making them something! 

Dare to dream,
Because only by dreaming,
will you ever discover
who you are, what you want,
and what you can do.
Don’t be afraid to take risks,
to become involved,
to make commitment.
Do whatever it takes to make
your dreams come true.
Always believe in miracles 

and always believe in you! 

~ Julie Anne Ford ~

 

 

 

RIVER OF LIFE

 

 

Numb to the pain

and the rain

in my soul

to the strain

to maintain

just a bit of control

in my mind

where I find

nowhere to hide

a place to unwind

a place that’s still kind

a place for me to hide

but my heart

torn apart

wants to bleed

 

Every poem has a special meaning…this one has more.

 

IN MY HEART

 

  

 

Sadness fills my soul

often a silent weep

abundance of wishes

if only you were here

flickering of the candle

 shadows on the wall

desolate lonely surge

as fervent as the flame

burning with desire

so infinite and divine

always and forever

imagine you and me

eternity and beyond

as long as I can dream

 

©AvdL 2010

 

YESTERDAY

 

  

In the distance

a song

of bygones

entire of

woe’s

and time passes 

still the clouded

melody

pounds in the

serenity of my

solo heart

 

©AvdL 2010

 

Pumpkin and Walnut Damper by Yvette

Today I am honored to introduce you to my Australian girlfriend (now living in beautiful Italy).  Yvette has so much passion for cooking and creates the most interesting and mouth-watering culinary delights. Please visit her here   yvettesblogs.com and share in her stories about their vineyard, her love for roses and recipes.

 Each and every season has its colour palate and Autumn is no exception. Vivacious oranges and reds, yellows and burnt ambers…

 With all these wonderful warming hues, I couldn’t resist buying some fresh butternut pumpkin and making this recipe of pumpkin and walnut damper.

This recipe is one of our favourites, piping hot with a little melted butter. The original recipe is for a covered barbecue but works well in a hot conventional oven.

Recipe: Pumpkin and Walnut Damper 

3 cups self raising flour

50g butter

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 cups mashed pumpkin (about 600g pumpkin)

1/3 cup natural yogurt (approximately)

Line a 20cm round cake pan with oven proof paper. Place in a mixing bowl,sifted flour and rub in butter.Sir in nuts, pumpkin and enough yogurt to mix to a soft ,sticky dough.

Turn dough onto floured surface,knead until smooth.Place into prepared pan and cook in high oven for about 30 minutes or until damper sounds hollow when tapped.

The outside layer should be crusty.

This damper isn’t bread so the texture isn’t light, but delicious the same.Serve on it’s own or a great compliment with cheeses, dried fruits and nuts.Tasty-!

Have a look  at A Beautiful  Mess, pizza it is…and Beauty and Bedlam. who host Tasty Tuesday’s a great way to  bloghop, and catch up with some of the recipes and favourites around  our world.

Enjoy! Have a great Tuesday…

Yvette…x

yvettesblogs.com

Thanks Yvette 🙂 xxx