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Setting out for morning errands. These beautiful swaths of green are so rare and wonderful. They transform our normally brown high desert landscape, if only for a few weeks. We are so lucky to live here. I never forget that. Then again we are lucky to live, aren’t we. Happy Saturday to you all, and blessings.
#rancholazaca #morningdrive #oaksavanna #oaksavannavineyard #iwanttopaintit #iwanttopaintthis #santaynezvalley #santaynez #santa barbarawinecountry #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #landscape

The potato is the culinary Kate Moss. Unadorned it is beautiful but plain, But with just the right embellishment–not too much–it is GORGEOUS. From California Cooking and Southern Style, our Pan Fried Potatoes with Lemon and Parsley are gorgeous potatoes. Try them this weekend with any meat, fish, veggie, or a salad. Recipe on blog, via link in profile. I wouldn’t be above crumbling a little bacon on that salad, too. Just saying. Photo @DeborahLlewellyn @chefstephanievalentine⁠
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#potatoes #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #comfortfood potatoeswithlemonandparsley #chefstephanievalentine #flashesofdelight #everydayliving #bhghome

A rare and beautiful frosty morning in our Valley.
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#santaynezvalley #frostymorning #solvang

TBT! I ran across this ca 1986 photo recently of my darlin’ uncle and me, with our family, around the campfire in Botswana. A tented camp, not the fancy like they have now. I look like i have on kabuki face but is just my usual pallor and a pitiless camera-flash-weird-light-thing. It was my first safari, and I was hooked on the bush before I ever arrived. My aunt and uncle had been going since the 60s….Africa, hunting, safari, and tourism have all changed so much over the years, but what will never change is the vastness, the majesty, and the beauty of Africa—as long as we all take care of her. A shout to my sisters of @empowersafrica too, a great cause to follow if you love Mother Africa
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#tbt #throwbackthursday #motherafrica #aroundthecampfire #uncledubba #onsafari

Remembering last week’s desert retreat, but also glad to be home, sitting here before the fire and watching the embers glow…

Three little centerpieces for this weekend’s table and jolly times around them. Am always happy when the Lenten roses start coming in. Cant beat #purpleandgreen in my book and hellebores wrote the book! The gorgeous antique roses and green parrot tulips were an emergency fill-in and thank goodness for @forageflorals , new to our #santaynez ‘hood and much welcomed! Go by and see her fab shop, stopping also at the fab new @santaynezgeneral right around the corner, and then you’ll have everything you need for next weekend’s dinner party, including the inspiration! Btw our menu was Chapter 8 from California Cooking and Southern Style substituting the corn and crab soup with the more seasonal cauliflower soup. Order book via link in profile, or Amazon, or anywhere ☺️
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#hellebores #lentenroses #tulips #antiqueroses #hypericum #hydrangea #centerpiece #rancholazaca #californiacookingandsouthernstyle

What makes a cozy winter eve better than a gorgeous pot of simmering, savory stew? People always ask about my favorite recipes in California Cooking and Southern Style. As if! But I do confess to a few perennial go-to’s, and this Lamb and White Bean Stew with Pistou (oh, the pistou!) is one of ‘em. I loved it so much in my last cookbook (Atlanta at Table) that we had to put it in this one. A simple green salad and great bread, and you and yours are happy happy. Freezes well too. Swipe for the recipe, and link in my profile to order book, also available Amazon et al! Enjoy! Photo @deborahllewellyn .
#californiacookingandsouthernstyle
Recipes by @chefstephvalentine
#californiacooking #lambstew #savorystew #rancholazaca #whatsforsupper #cookingforacrowd #makeitahead #cozy

Swipe for view-painting-view. Quick watercolor sketches from my quick desert retreat. Nothing to frame, but fun. Goodbye dear desert, thank you for your quiet cold (yes!), beauty and peace. .
#watercolorsketch #sonorandesert #desertscape #tuscon #arizona #enpleinair

No community should have to live in fear. Today and everyday we must stand against hate in general and anti-semitism jn particular. Today and everyday we must stand in compassion for those whose fear and pain create this hate and do what we can to dispel it. I am not Jewish, but today and everyday I stand with all those who are #jewishandproud. Graphic via @stmarksinthevalley

So where was this guy when I was in the 7th grade?! He would have been the only one taller than I. I mean I was in the 7th grade, new school, new town, knew no one, and giving “awkward” new meaning. I mean I made Olive Oil look voluptuous, srsly. … Loving a quick getaway to the desert and meeting Olive Oil the cactus. I dont think I would live here permanently (though where we live in Calif is “high desert”), but Ive always found it healing. Do you have those places, where you just kind of know they are good for you?
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#desert #healingdesert #saguaro #tuscon

Using this week for inspiration and re-aligning, reinforcing intentions to let go hearing the noise that does not serve me so I can hear the voice of my soul, however subtle or eruptive. I want to let go of whatever gets in the way of that, starting with my meddlesome ego. What are you letting go?
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Another jewel from @caroline.myss #carolinemyss #carolinemyssquotes #befearlessinthepursuitofwhatsetsyoursoulonfire #justlisten #listentoyourheart #hearyourheartsong

Mantra for the New Year, present and future ☺️ I wrote it in my morning pages some weeks ago, inspired by my study and reading of theology and spirituality, and in particular the writings of @caroline.myss on the power of prayer. Grace is a powerful form of gentleness, to me encompassing compassion, healing, humility, wisdom, and a kind of poise and elegance that comes with acceptance of yourself and others as they are.