Azoresgal~Life on an Island

I can hardly believe, it is already my 100th post ! How quick was that. I have had so much fun writing this blog, and all of you have been so kind, to take the time out of your day to stop in, and leave lovely comments. Thanks for all your visits. I hope so far, I have not bored you to bits, with , my rants of daily life, and my cooking. Today to celebrate, I made a strawberry pie, if you get a chance, do give it a try, it is so very good. here,if you wish you can add red food coloring Crumb Crust 2 cups cookie crumbs ( I use Maria tea cookies) 1/2 cup melted butter 1/3 cup sugar Process cookies, to make crumbs, in a bowl, add the melted butter,sugar and crumbs, Mix all together and press into a pie plate. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes @180º/350º. Let cool before filling Strawberry Filling 3/4 cup sugar 3 Tablespoons cornstarch 1 1/2 cups water 1 small package strawberry gelatin/jello 3 cups sliced strawberries whipped cream ...

Just because, today it's warm and sunny out, just because I am wearing my favorite Havaianas, and  just because I had some limes in the fridge waiting to be used, I made this Brazilian Lemonade. Try it, you will not regret it :) Brazilian Lemonade 3 cups very cold water 2 limes ( washed, ends removed, and sliced up) 1/3 cup sugar 4 Tablespoons of condensed milk Add everything into the blender, blend it all up. Next pour everything through a strainer, into a large mouth pitcher. Serve with ice and enjoy. xo, Diana

I baked these this afternoon, for a friend's birthday BBQ. Any excuse to bake cupcakes, works for me, I just think they make the world a much happier place. They just make me smile :) xo,Diana

The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth. ~Dorothy Frances Gurney,   xoxo Diana

In our backyard, we have a very big garden area, where we grow our own veggies. Last year we decided to put in a strawberry patch. It has been amazing to see how many strawberries grow from each little plant. We have been picking strawberries, since April, every day a couple handfuls, get brought into the kitchen. I started freezing them, I hull them, quarter them, lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze them, the next day I pack them away in freezer bags. I have been doing this, so that I can make some strawberry jam. Our youngest son, Simon, kept asking me to make  strawberry smoothies. So for after school snack, I made some.    Strawberry Smoothie 2 cups frozen strawberry halves 2 cups milk ( I use skim) 1/4 cup icing sugar ( honey may be used) 1 teaspoon vanilla Put everything into a blend. Blend until smooth. Serve & enjoy Have a fantastic weekend friends, xo Diana

This salad dressing is one of our favorites, here at our home. It's easy to make, with simple ingredients, and is mixed up in an empty jar, so no extra dishes for washing up.  Serve with salad and croutons  Russian Salad Dressing 1/2 cup of oil 1/2 cup of ketchup 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce (or soy) 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper In a screw top jar combine all ingredients,cover and shake well. Store in fridge. Enjoy ,Diana

I love appetizers, I could make a whole meal out of them. Now that summer is almost here, these are perfect for a snack at the end of the day, they are easy to prepare, and the mixture can actually be made ahead, and kept in the fridge. So here goes.....               1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 2 -3 tomatoes, diced, to taste ( I add olives) 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon basil 1 minced garlic cloves, to taste 1 baguette or sliced bread of choice Directions Cut bread in 1 inch slices , drizzle with olive oil, lightly bake Mix the rest of the ingredients together. Put spoonful of mixture on each slice and place on baking pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until melted and the bread is crispy. Serve immediately. Enjoy, Diana

I have lost track of how many cook books I have, I stopped counting after 100. I am not ashamed to admit that my bed side table has cook books on it, they make for some great reading, but tend to leave me hungry before I fall asleep ;)  Two of my most cherished recipes, my grandmother's recipe for Alcatra, we spent one morning together, at her house, in her kitchen, she made the Alcatra, and I took notes. The other recipe, belongs to my mom, it's for Orange Squares, it is one of my earliest memories of Christmas. I asked her for the recipe over the phone, the first Christmas I was married and living on the island already. Some how if I baked her squares, it would be like being home. Diana :)

One of my very favorite books, is Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott. I think I was 10 or 11 the first time I read it. I fell in love with Jo and her sisters instantly. In chapter 5, Jo goes next door to visit Laurie, her neighbour. She takes him Blancmange, that her sister Meg makes : “Here I am, bag and baggage,” she said briskly. “Mother sent her love, and was glad if I could do anything for you. Meg wanted me to bring some of her blanc-mange; she makes it very nicely, and Beth thought her cats would be comforting.” “That looks too pretty to eat,” he said, smiling with pleasure, as Jo uncovered the dish, and showed the blanc-mange, surrounded by a garland of green leaves, and the scarlet flowers of Amy’s pet geranium. “It isn’t anything, only they all felt kindly, and wanted to show it. Tell the girl to put it away for your tea; it’s so simple, you can eat it; and being soft, it will slip down without hurting your sore throat…” I was intrigued to find out what Blan...

Dear friends, I have strep throat, and have been ordered to stay in bed, I will be back as soon as I can.

Today our beautiful daughter, Sara turns 9. I cannot believe, how fast she is growing. She is smart, funny, brave, sweet , caring, and so much more. She is a blessing to our family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA !!