Weekly Oasis: 3 years later

I can't believe its been so long and so much has changed, in so many ways! I don't know what made
me want to blog again but I decided that I would write about the first stumble and I came across this photo. You know what it makes me think of? How we look at that sky and after 3 years none of the noticeable stars are gone right? We see the same sky every night yet everything changes so rapidly where we are standing. It's crazy.

So I have been busy for the last year with my own nail polish company. I started from scratch and i am still hustling to get it going. It is such a fun and creative outlet but as my friend was telling me yesterday, its just not fun any more when a hobby becomes a business. Although my line, Envy Lacquer, didn't start as a hobby I feel like I am losing steam creatively. After you get in there are see just how many people are creating nail polish its crazy! There are over 700 nail polish makers. That's a lot to choose from. I felt the need to start the blog back up so that I can think creatively again. Also I miss stumbling. In this world of pinterest I feel like I have lost touch with peoples blogs. Seeing their sites and getting to know them. Now its just about a pin and you keep it till you need it. With stumbleupon it takes you to their site. You tend to meander around and check out their stories. I hope you're meandering around here too ;)

Well I am off to stumble and find a project to do for the blog! See you soon!

Shakshuka

As I have probably mentioned, posted and broadcasted many times, I went to Israel for the first time this passed winter. I had an amazing time making new friends and seeing a lot of family. One thing I was excited about in my travels was food. Trying new things and trying the authentic version of foods as well. Here is my version of shakshuka as well as a few stories of my food experiences in Israel. Many thanks to Susie for asking for the recipe and inspiring this post!

Kookoo Sabzi

I made this a very long time ago and just never posted it. This is an easy recipe that is vegetarian and very tasty! Its an herb filled frittata type dish that all Persian mothers know how to make.  But as you know there's always a story to my posts. This one is not a happy one but it gives you a little insight to the Persian culture.

Weekly Oasis: Everything takes time

I've been overloaded with this list that I've made in my head of things to do. Like find a job, make the jams that my grandfather gave me citrus for, clean my room, unpack my last bag, return a bunch of things I bought for my trip and didn't use, clean my car, organize the garage, exercise more, blog more projects that have been done for months, make things for people I told them I would make for them by the end of last year etc etc. I could go on forever. I am starting to realize that I am not super woman and instead of appreciating my accomplishments I am burdening myself with things that take time.

Weekly Oasis: Dare to Dream

I know its been a while! This is a first in many ways. First post for 2013, first post since my trip, first time I'm being productive since I got back from my trip! I was just going through my trip photos (none of which I have posted except for the ones from birthright) and I saw this picture from Venice. I thought it would be a good story for a weekly oasis.

Spiced holiday puppy chow

One of my go to home made sweets is puppy chow. It's called puppy chow because it kinda looks like dog food and if you like it as much as me you'll tell people it is to keep their paws off it! It's a great snack and so easy (and fun) to make you'll wonder why you haven't made it before.

Tangerine Cranberry Sauce

                       



So I offered to do a thanksgiving lunch at my job. Instead of buying everything premade I'm making it all from scratch. Everybody at work thinks I'm crazy but I just love cooking.

Preserved Lemons

  So I'm just glancing through photos on the computer and I realize there are a lot of blogs I planned and never did. Since my last post I went to PR, NY, started the haunt season and still working at the insurance company. Trust me in the middle of all that I kept thinking "I probably should post something". Well here I am :) This is a really REALLY easy recipe for preserved lemons. This adds a lot of flavor to food really easily and effortlessly. Especially if you like the essence of lemons but hate the thought of using a microplane for ten minutes for some flavor. You can also add herb or other flavors in to change it up. Hope you enjoy it! 

Weekly Oasis: It's not my imagination anymore

Where do I start?! I haven't posted in MONTHS. Honestly? I kind of lost myself. I went from a job that I absolutely loved (doing make up fast paced on my feet) to sitting behind a desk for 8 hours, my grandmother passed away :( and moved in with my grandpa for two and a half months, I quit smoking (yay me!!!!) but I packed on the pounds because of it (boo me!!) Soooo you can see where I kind of lost myself BUT I think I'm back.

Weekly Oasis: Head in the clouds

This week flew by so quickly that I forgot to post my weekly oasis. Its been too long since I've actually had a life. Working two days a week, three days a week at the haunt, and having things to do and people to see on my days off. It feels good. No actually it feels great. The main reason is because I'm learning so much from the haunt. Getting to explore all these techniques and applications! My only gripe is every ones reaction when they hear I don't get paid. I get a twinge when I think about the gas I spend getting out there (roughly $35 a weekend) but its gone the second I get there. I love the kids and they're amazing when it comes to me messing around with make up. They drive me nuts but I get them back by ripping out half their beards with liquid latex :) See I can't even keep on topic about not getting paid. I just love every minute of being there. What keeps me going is the fact that I know if my dad was here he would ask me three questions like always:

1.Does it make you happy? Do you truly enjoy the experience?

2.Are you learning something from all of your work?

3.You're going to have to spend that money on something someday right?

YES to all three. I'm not losing anything by going out there, only gaining friendships, experience and knowledge that will be with me for the rest of my life. I know my dad might not be here but his lessons always will.

Hope you all had as an insightful week as I did and wishing you all a great week ahead of you!

Weekly Oasis: Some extra sleep?

It was most definitely a long week. I work for a CPA so there was a huge deadline this week. Then we had the grand opening of our haunted house on Friday night which was amazing! So I'm really happy that things are on the up and up. I just wish I could get a little more sleep. I guess a week of being up at 8am put my body in a routine. The last few times I tried to sleep in I was wide awake by 8:30. Which I guess its a good thing. Too much sleep can make me sluggish also. I would love to have one of these bales of cotton to pass out on during my break though! Does that not look absolutely comfy?! I hope you all are doing well and had just as a fulfilling week as I did! Im hoping to have a new blog post (other than the weekly oasis) up soon!

Weekly Oasis: Just a little get away

This week was a stressful week. Ups downs. But sat night was a good night. It picked up and it lifted my spirits. So you know what I dont care about what happened. Honestly I'm at a bar drinking the week away with two amazing ladies. Margaritas are flowing and so is the banter. So grab a drink close your eyes and get away. Before you know it next weekend will be upon us and we'll be in another exotic location together ready to take on the week ahead.

Weekly Oasis: JUST GET ME OUT OF HERE

Labor day weekend! The last true weekend of the summer. The weekend of roadtrips, bbqs, beaches, parties and the greatest farewell to the summer! I hope that's the way it went for you because I can't say the same. My weekend consisted of rushing around, my car being towed, a huge wedding that took a day and a half to get ready for, painting and glittering walls through a horrible hangover and a multitude of other obstacles life wanted to give me a huge middle finger with. I can say today was a huge turnaround. Went out with the family on a mini road trip and got away for a minute. But even with such a great ending to a weekend I can't help but ache to be in a secluded place like this for just a few days. I haven't had a minute to stop and relax (aka breathe) since Friday night. This is why I have the weekly oasis. We all know we can't stop the week that's barreling towards us. We can take a minute and clear our minds though. So throw on Pandora's nature radio and imagine walking around your private villa on it's tiny island. I know that's what I'm going to bed thinking about ;) Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and have a great week ahead of you!

My dad, Mike Perillo and peanut butter pie.

Where do I start? Well a few weeks ago I was going through foodgawker because I like to torture myself with good looking food. As I was "gawking" I noticed A LOT of recipes for peanut butter pie. I thought it was one of the challenges that random websites had. All I saw in common was #apieformikey posted in each headline. When I searched that hash tag and read Jennifer Perillo's story, a very familiar pain went through my heart.

Weekly Oasis: Fishing by the waterfalls

When I first started stumbling I came across the most amazing pictures. Photos that made me want to travel, create, laugh, think, and sometimes cry. Well I thought why not have my weekly oasis. We all need a moment to relax and decompress. Especially before a Monday. So the reason I chose this picture was I had the biggest urge to go fishing today. We went out to long beach to celebrate my uncles birthday and being by the docks made me want to get on a boat and fish. I also thought of this photo. What better way to go fishing?! The sound of the waterfall while relaxing and fishing? I'd love to spend a weekend here. So take a moment and relax before your busy week begins. Feel the cool mist on your face and let the sound of rushing water fill your head. Oh and don't forget the drink in your hand and your toes in the water ;) Hope you all have a good week!

Rainbow Cake

 

Every time I bake this cake I get the same question, "how did you do that?!" It's so Simple and SO FUN. I love this cake because even the people that say they don't eat sweets just have to  have a little slice of this colorful cake! I think its worth making a little more of a mess than usual to make this rainbow cake. Cupcakes would be even more fun! 

Lavashak (Fruit Leather or Fruit roll ups)

Every summer we would go through the same thing. My mom wanted to eat the plums green off the tree, my dad would say leave them for lavashak. Me and my brother would eat the plums juicy and ripe just because we had them, my dad would say leave them for lavashak. The plums would get heavy and fall to the ground and we would think they're no good and try to throw them away. Of course there was my dad "those are the BEST for lavashak". If I could go to that plum tree every year and take those plums off the ground I would. I've never tasted a plum like that ever again. 

Sholeh Zard (Persian Rice pudding)

Among the next few post will be some traditional Persian foods. These are what I call "debatable" recipes. Between my paternal and maternal grandparents alone you can come up with 85 varieties. I always wondered why these recipes are so special and I figured out the hard way. By the time you decide which recipe your going to go with, which family member your going to let down, and finally figure it out on your own, it really becomes your own recipe. Let's take this recipe for instance, Sholeh Zard. One of my favorites! 

Steak with mushroom cream sauce and baked sweet potatoes

So I sometimes get a crazy idea for a recipe and try my best to put it on a plate. I only have one issue, I NEVER write down what I did. A few weeks go by and my brother walks into the kitchen and goes "Can you make that steak and mushroom thingy with the sweet potatoes?" That only gets him the puzzled look of "I wish I knew how I had made that" Well I tried this recipe again and it came out perfect. Well kinda. Ill explain later.  

Up-cycled Pallet Planter

First of all I'd like to dedicate this first tutorial to my father. Today, June 1st, was the four year anniversary of his passing. I wouldn't be sitting at this computer now writing this blog if it weren't for him. I will always follow my dreams, no matter how intangible they may seem at times, because of him. I know he will laugh when I fall and push me back up when I need it. So in his memory here is a beautiful and fun tutorial on how to brighten up your back yard, patio or any other outdoor area.