Butte 52: Week 6 - Red Bluff Round-Up

Ok, so the Red Bluff Round-Up is technically in Tehama County, but everyone I know in Butte County looks forward to it. It's been around since 1919. 

Refreshing Blue Ta-Ta Cocktail

Warning: drinking a Blue Ta-Ta will result in a fantastic mood!

To be honest - I'm not a huge fan of wine, I can't stand beer, but I sure do love a mixed drink. I'm a big fan of experimenting with different liquors and mixers, always in search of my new favorite cocktail. This pretty Blue Ta-Ta just happens to be the drink of the moment around here.

The Blue Ta-Ta has become extremely popular among my friends (even with the guys!). The reason behind the name shall remain a secret, but trust me, this cocktail is pure DELICIOUSNESS! It's the perfect cocktail for a hot summer's day. It's light, refreshing, and a lovely color.

Caramelized Chicken with Jalapeno Cream

It's late...and I have to be up bright and early in a couple of hours. So let's just get to it, shall we? 

This sauce is incredible! Despite being a cream sauce, it tastes somewhat light and it has a refreshingly subtle jalapeno taste (says the one with oh-so-heavy spicy hand). I paired it with spicy fried rice, but Ryan and I both agreed, it would be better with pasta next time. It's yummy...make it!

Start by pulsing fresh jalapenos, shallot, and garlic in the food processor. Try not to lean over the top, to take in it's beauty, as I did. The shallot/jalapeno fumes will punch you in the face and make your eyes water uncontrollably. You've been warned.

Butte 52: Week 5 - Almond Blossoms

I am truly enjoying my first spring here in Northern California. As beautiful as the Evergreen State could be, it was often just that...green. So when the almond orchards exploded with blossoms here, I was in awe. They were so colorful, so bee-u-tiful! 

The blooms only lasted for a couple of weeks, but while they were here, they were incredible! Unfortunately, I didn't get out to photograph them until they were almost all gone. But I was able to catch a few good shots.

Can you spot the bumble bee?

Here in Butte County, people pronounce the word almond differently. Locals, including those who actually farm the almonds themselves, pronounce it am-mind. I grew up saying all-mund.

At first, I was totally opposed to dropping the "l" in almond. It sounded ridiculous. Ryan would say to me, "Well you don't pronounce the l in salmon, do you?" Well no, but still. 

However, now that I've lived here for awhile, I find myself dropping the "l" without thinking about it. When I read it in my head, I drop the "l." My sister came to visit and heard me drop the "l." She called me a traitor.

Goodbye Sweet Patsy Cline

Yesterday, we lost our sweet Patsy Cline unexpectedly. She was part of our family and we will miss her terribly. We will miss her... running laps around the coffee table, sneaking off with our socks, curling up like a cinnamon roll on the La-Z-Boy, tap dancing every morning on the hardwood floor next to our bed, greeting us, excited-as-can-be, when we come home.

Please forgive me if I'm slow to post or respond to your comments at this time. It's so much quieter around our house now. It will take some time for me to adjust and get back into a blog routine.

Patsy was with me, when I started this blogventure (hence the name). She always managed to sneak into my shots, whenever I was shooting for a post. She was very curious about my projects, as you can see...

My Two Dollar Find

I found this little cast-iron-majig at a garage sale for 2 bucks.

It has two hanging baskets, I would assume for plants.

I gave it a pretty new coat with a some glossy teal spray paint...

Brussels Sprouts with Sriracha Honey and Lime

Don't be afraid! They're just tiny, little cabbages. 

Ryan was unsure when I first uttered the words: Brussels Sprouts. But as soon as I mentioned that I would be dousing them in Sriracha, he was more than willing to try 'em. And they turned out to be outrageously good! Now I can't wait to drizzle other veggies with this Sriracha honey lime sauce. It almost tastes like an eggroll, minus all those extra calories.

If you have non-believers-in-Brussels-sprouters in your house, try this one out on them. You just might make them believe...