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Cinnamon Mornings and Chocolate Dreams

Whether you're hosting a formal get-together or need a quick brunch idea, this book will spark your imagination and your appetite.

April Celebrations and Recipes

April 2011

S pring is arriving once again, and after a long few weeks of showers here on the West coast, the sunshine could not feel more welcome! The much needed rain seems to be coming to an end, and a case of Spring Fever looms, which has been perpetuated by up and coming designs that celebrate spring. Another reason to celebrate is the quickly approaching Easter holiday - a time traditionally spent with family and friends. I cannot wait for Easter this year, and as the bright colors, reverent attitude, and joyous celebration approaches, I find myself anticipating the traditional treats, Easter Egg hunts, and family togetherness this holiday allows as we usher in the fresh and rejuvenating spring time!

I've been testing the waters for design trends - here's what I'm seeing. A return to the energy of bright colors, but in offbeat shades and nothing too primary. Think milk chocolate and peach, turquoise and coral, magenta and lime as accents and upholstery colors. Lush animal prints in velvet are roaring onto the scene and make fabulous upholstery for a side chair bottom or pillows for anywhere. Shades of white, beige, rose and cream singly and together always look elegant. Have you discovered some wonderful paint in those shades? If so we'd love to hear about them and what special qualities they bring to a room. I'm also seeing some refreshing use of the grassy shades of summer, such as Pebblestone from Pratt & Lambert, Sienna Laurel from Benjamin Moore and Beach Grass by Martha Stewart Living. These go great in a dining room or a guest room with their calming tones. They look especially well with a white ceiling or muted neutral accents.

Spring, especially around Easter, is also a time when I enjoy breaking out some favorite recipes, and enjoying a zesty treat or flavorful entree. Find a new twist on an old classic recipe with a Suzani Spring Quiche. Suzani or Spring flowers are all the rage on everything from carpets to pottery and textiles. This is my all natural culinary take on it and modification of a Quiche lorrine. Here I have to admit that I often use a purchased fresh or frozen pie crust, and actually usually have several in my freezer. Very simply it's because I have a life, and spending extra time in the kitchen for minimum reward (that's because I think most commercial crust are almost as good as my homemade and sometimes even better) meanwhile the filling for a quiche come together very quickly as do most other pies.

Pamela's Suzani Spring Quiche

You will need:

6 to 8 broccoli spears
1 1/2 cups of milk ( I use low fat)
1/2 cup cubed ham
1 cup grated cheese, I prefer Swiss in this dish, but most others would work
3 eggs
1 teaspoon Worchester sauce
6 Asparagus spears
Sprinkle of paprika

Place crust in pan and sprinkle bottom with 1/2 cup ham followed by 1/2 cup cheese. Beat milk, eggs, sauce together, pour over rest. Take wilted asparagus spears in patter. Point 6 stems towards the center, as seen in picture. Leave a space in the very center of the pie which you will sprinkle with paprika to form the center of the flower. Bake for 50 to 65 minutes on 350 degrees being careful not to let the pie crust edges burn. Cover with aluminum foil if need be towards the end of baking. Quiche is done when crack appear about 1 inch in and the center starts to look golden brown, but still jiggly. Remove and cool, and serve at room temperature.

Another oh-so-Springy and simple and festive cake is the one I made the other day, literally in 10 minutes, using a yellow Jiffy cake mix, with a little added vanilla. I then baked it in a glass pie plate, covered the top with an even layer of Blueberries, baked for 20 minutes and cut it into wedges. I served it warm with a dollop of whipped cream and a dollop of lemon curd. This was a big hit, and looked lovely after I sprinkled the top with a little powdered sugar.

I have also recently been enjoying multiple trips to go and speak at Bed and Breakfast conferences around the US. Many thanks and well wishes to all those who made my recent trips to Kentucky, Illinois, and Maries time at the Mid-Atlantic Conference very special and quite enjoyable!

Finally, please see a few more of our Guests Greatest Picks for 2011 below. What a fantastic crop we have this year, I'm always losing myself in their great listings when picking them out to feature!

Best Wishes,

Pamela