AWESOME GUACAMOLE!!!!

3 avocados, mashed or chunked (depending on the texture you like)
1 lime, juiced
1 t. salt
1/3 cup small diced onion
3 T. chopped fresh cilantro (personally, I put ALOT more than this!) =)
1 tomatoe, small diced
1 t. minced garlic
a pinch of your favorite pepper if you like heat

In a bowl, mix together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic.This is the point where you add the optional pepper. I reccomend chilling for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can mingle for a little a little while, but you can serve immediatly!
Enjoy!

Chickn Sanora Soup- (An Orig. David Recipe)

3 chicken breast,1/2 in dice
2 ears of corn,shucked
1 -12ounce  can black beans
½ c diced celery
½ c diced onion
1 tbl oregano
1 tsp cumin,ground
1tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried,crushed coriander
1 sm can chipotles
3 qts chicken stock
1 med tomato,diced
Fresh avacado
Fresh cilantro
2 tbl olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh queso or pepperjack cheese

1. In a large stock pot over medium high heat,add the oil, chicken,celery and onion and cook for 6-7 minute.  
2. 1. If you like it hot, add it all.
   2. Cook for 30 minutes. Add the oregano, coriander, cumin, paprika and chili powder and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes to release the essential oils.
   3. Add the stock, beans and corn and corn cobbs and bring to a boil.
   4. Add ½ of the can of chipotleRemov e corn cobbs and discard.
   5.  Adjust with salt and pepper to taste
   In a serving bowl, place 1-2 ounces of cheese, ¼ of the avacado diced and 1 heaping tablespoon of fresh chopped cilantro and serve.



CLOSING FACEBOOK

BARE WITH ME WHILE I MOVE THE STUFF FROM FB OVER HERE.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE FB, AND I HAVE HAD MOVE PEOPLE APPROACHING ME TO MAINTAIN A BLOG.
So, in light of the fact that I wear so many hats: mom, wife, teacher, business owner, chauffeur, house keep, chief bottle cleaner and general crazy person, I am down-sizing to one media output of my ramblings.
I have chosen this blog to carry the cross, so it will have duplicates from the FB page for the next couple entries.
This kinda my New Years Resolution to get my organized.
So here goes nothing!
Happy New Year,
Laura

WASABI SESAME SEEDS- FRONT PAGE FEATURE

">

The ArtOfJoy(username) on Etsy, posted a treasury featuring our WASABI SESAME SEEDS!

Of course the treasury itself was very appealing as it is kitchen themed. YUMMY!

Check it out!!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d06f643b0c56d9121bec6c7/from-the-kitchen-of

Om Nom Nom, Yummy,Yummy Pork!

My husband is a HUGE pork fan and I just stumbled upon this fun little shop on Etsy.

I got him this for Christmas, it will go great in our kitchen!

Etsy has such WONDERFUL finds for everyone.

Reatilers Are Listening!

With all the work put in lately, I decided to do a little relaxation shopping!

I stumbled across a great bath and body product that gives you more product for less money!

I can't wait to get it in to try "http://www.artfire.com/users/HiatusBathandBody">HiatusBathandBody


There's no preservatives either. I love this idea! I think it is wonderful that more retailers are understanding what the the public wants. Natural, healthy products!

This year is closing out with a bang!
Willow Spice Co. did very good this year AND we decided to start The Rusty Wing!
In addition, I started homeschooling our two kids!

It is no wonder this year has flown by!
We have been blessed beyond measure. As the year come to an end, we are looking forward to what the next year holds!

I am going to work on this "blog-thing" and get back on track here. Wish me luck luck!

http://http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cfcf5e0ce9c6d91c12774bd/chandeliers

Our sister store's THE RUSTY WING's CHANDELIER COASTERS were featured in a treasury!

All these items are making me think of Christmas gifts...for myself!!! LOL!

Food Inc Movie

Did you miss FOOD INC. in the movie theater? You have another opportunity to see the academy award nominated documentary on April 21 on PBS at 9 p.m.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

When buying lavender to EAT be sure you go to a dealer that specialises in EDIBLE lavender.

This lavender has been grown without chemicals and preserving agents.

Use of this herb is only as limited as your imagination! Add a little, then add more as needed.Use care, because if you add too much, you will give your dish a perfume flavor!

From simple recipes of LAVENDER SUGAR(1T.lavender,2c.sugar), to more fanciful LAVENDER PISTACHIO CRUSTED LAMB CHOPS, this herb runs the gambit from sweet to savory.

Sprinkle it along with your other herbs in just about anything! Oatmeal, biscuits, butter, ice cream, ice cream sauce, lavender lemonade, cream cheese, potatoes(any way you slice 'em!),tea and coffee cakes, shortbread, cookies...I think you get the idea.

If a recipe calls for ROSEWATER or you can use LAVENDER in it's place. ROSEMARY can also be substituted with LAVENDER, it just takes a bit more to reach the potency.

People had forgotten that lavender is an herb as well a beautiful plant to have in the landscape. But in recent years there has been a resurgence of popularity. I know it's one of our top sellers.

I believe it's the awe factor. Most people don't use lavender just to use it. It's still considered quite decadent. They use it to impress.

"Oh, companies coming! Let me grab the lavender!" Because the simple truth is, lavender is easy to use. It has the WOW FACTOR that accompanies it.

Despite it's increasing culinary following and the successful lavender farms popping up in the U.S.(many of which are producing as fine a product as in Europe), it's not an everyday herb. Maybe it's flavor is one that you have to acquire. Or maybe it's something that if you were raised with you would be more likely to treat yourself.

So, it might be that our children are the ones to see to it that it makes it way to the grocery shelf.

I can see it now... I say,"In our day Lavender was considered exotic, we pulled it out right along with the fine china!"

My daughter just smiles as I stare in amazement.

I have a confession.

My husband and I are in a middle of a full-blown SMOKED SALT obsession.

Bum,Bum,Bum!!!

Yes, I know salt isn't supposed to be good for you, they say. Use in moderation. But the truth of the matter is, only a small portion of the population has such a sensitivity to it!

So, when we found out this tabboo we desire was longer forbidden...well, let's just say...

A lowly baked potatoe soars to a new dimention with a LIGHT dusting! My favorite application, is on a steak. It melts in your mouth! Rub it in with a TOUCH of dry hickory smoke, it will MELT IN YOUR MOUTH!!!

Now, I know we sell the fancy HALEN MON GOLD, exotic BAMBOO LEAF SALT, unusual TURKISH BLACK PYRAMID SALT, pretty ANDES MOUNTAIN ROSE SALT, purifying ALEA VOLCANIC SEA SALT, but KAUAI GUAVA SMOKED SALT may soon be out of stock if my husband and I can't learn to control the urge to grab it off the self!!!

Bad Breath!!!

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100233946

As we interact and gather with others there are certain things we are aware of ...or should be!

One of these things? Our breath!

With the seasons changing and allergies kicking in.
We go in search of the bad breathe aide.

Here to kick off the season are some reminders and tips!


The section, "SPICE IT UP"
Was interesting, the herbs they had listed I had never used for this purpose. Although I am not sure I would care to chew on anise, I am not opposed to chomping away on some fennel!

BAN BEVERAGES
No whiskey...OK!
No coffee...sorry, bring on that fennel!!!

Cant see myself CARRYING A TOOTHBRUSH, but thanks for the suggestion all the same!

CREATE YOUR OWN GARGLE
Hmmm...although I LIKE the idea of homemade and trying new things. I just don't think THIS one is for me.
I think I will stick with my current mouthwash that feels like it is stripping layer after layer in mouth, while my eyes are watering, and I'm struggling with everything within me NOT to spit it out before the 3 minutes is up.
SURELY no bacteria can live after that?!

EAT YOUR PARSLEY
It works. Simple.

CHEW A MINT OR GUM
I do this frequently! Ho,ho! There might be some hope for me yet!

EASE UP ON THE CHEESE
WWWAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

(writer will be back after uncurling from a ball on the floor and removing thumb from mouth)

The "Dunk" Coffee Marinade

The "Dunk" Coffee Marinade

Here is an article my husband did awhile back. It really is good!

I'm going to throw this tip in as well- If you need a cheap, easy way to polish silverware, use a clean COFFEE FILTER!
It works like a charm! No mess. No extra storage. Talk about a dual purpose, multi-tasker!

Facebook | Willow Spice Co Notes

Facebook Willow Spice Co Notes: "Chocolate Butterscotch DropsShare
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 9:36am Edit Note Delete
This was my grandfathers recipe. And like the masters, he did not measure! Hehehehe!
Growing up we always made these at the holidays.
They are easy, fun, and delicious!

2 bag semi-sweet choc. morsels
1 bag butterscotch morsels

your choice:
puffed rice cereal
or
unsalted peanuts

Line baking sheet with wax paper.(for this amount you'll probably be lining your counters too ;) )

In the top a simmering double boiler, melt choc. and butterscotch chips, stirring until smooth consistancy.

Remove from heat.
Stir in your choice of either puffed cereal or peanuts until pieces are completely coated.

Drop by spoonfuls on the prepared wax paper. Let cool at room temp.

When varying your recipe just keep in mind, that the butterscotch is always half the amount of the chocolate."

I have been trying to figure this whole blog thing out. Apparently there is a whole BLOG SOCIETY!

So bare with me while I muddle through!

I had a set-back this past week that I have been working on.

I ordered a new, smaller tin size. The problem? The lids NO NOT stay on! You grab them and it slides right off!!!

To say I am frustrated is an understatement. It has finally take the company A WEEK to get back to me!

I will be returning these. When they get these, they will send me the 1 oz. round screw-top tins. More of a CHEF'S SAMPLER size.

I am looking forward to beginning!

Welcome to the BLOG!

http://willowspiceco.com/ http://willowspiceco.etsy.com http://willowspiceco.ecrater.com

WE are going to use this as a place to better archive RECIPES and TIPS and HELP HINTS.

You can find us on etsy, eCrater, and of our own .com !

Our line is growing and growing...THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!