Summer Salad with Cherries, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Balsamico!

Our three horses in the pasture enjoying a summer day on the acreage

Every now and then I come across a recipe that is a complete and wonderful surprise!  And since lately I've been having a love affair with salads that include fresh fruit, whether that be strawberries, dried cranberries, or apples, I've just found another unexpected delicious salad.  This salad is such an epicurean delight, I wanted to make a second helping immediately upon enjoying that last bite on my plate!  I recently discovered two recipes for a fresh greens salad with sweet summer cherries peaking out and beckoning one to taste their magic!   Sam from My Carolina Kitchen and Larry from Big Dude's Eclectic Ramblings inspired the creation of this salad where I simply blended the best of both.  Sam found her recipe on Cooking Light, a resource that has never failed me either, and Larry's recipe originated from the Cooking Channel, my favorite go-to food channel.

From Sam's recipe, I used an arugula - baby spinach bedding for the salad. Following that, I also added the sliced red onions, Rainier cherries, and goat cheese. However I added slivered almonds in place of pistachios, for the simple reason that I just adore slivered almonds in my salads and always have them on hand in the pantry. From Larry's salad with cherries recipe, I added thinly sliced prosciutto and a balsamico vinaigrette.

Simple perfection.

Unbelievably complex and interesting flavors with the gentle sweetness of the cherries combined with the bite of the arugula, the tang of the balsamic, the butteriness of the goat cheese, and the velvety prosciutto.

Oh my goodness, slap me silly . . . incredible!

Sam and Larry, thanks so much for helping me find another keeper-winner recipe for my personal family cookbook. This summer salad with all of its flavorful players is amazing!

Summer Salad with Cherries, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Balsamico Vinaigrette

6 cups arugula and baby spinach blend
1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup cherries, pitted and sliced in half (do this just before serving to prevent browning)
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup slivered almonds
3 - 4 oz. prosciutto, sliced in thin ribbons
Serve with Balsamico Vinaigrette

Balsamico Vinaigrette 

1/4 cup balsamico vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. honey
1 clove garlic, minced salt and pepper to taste

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, canola and olive oils, mustard, honey, and garlic.
Season with salt and pepper.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mangia!

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Wordless Wednesday on The Acreage

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The beauty of a horse on the acreage

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Caramel Sundae with Toffee Cookie Crumble AND A Pony Named Caramel Sundae

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Caramel and praline are flavors that always grab my attention!   This little gooey creation is so simple that I made from the cinnamon-y toffee praline cookies presented in the previous post.  Whether the cookies are in the chewy stage or have dried out a bit from not being able to eat them fast enough while the're still chewy, then just scoop out a large serving of the best vanilla ice cream that you can find, crumble the cookies on top and smother the whole mound with warm caramel sauce.  Instant dessert . . . and in this case, dessert for two!

Caramel Sundae with Toffee Cookie Crumble

Cinnamon-y Toffee Praline Cookies (crumbled, recipe is in previous posts)
Vanilla Ice Cream
Caramel Sauce (purchased or home-made)

Warm up the caramel sauce (in the microwave, it takes about 45 seconds).
Scoop out the vanilla ice cream onto plates or in bowls.
Crumble the cookies on top of ice cream.
Pour the warm caramel sauce on top of everything.
Serve immediately.

Many of you know that we have horses on our little acreage.  We named our youngest and smallest horse, "Caramel Sundae" and nicknamed him "Sundae".  He is such a sweet, sweet little horse!  Isn't he beautiful?  We gave him his name because of his coloring and think it fits him just perfectly!

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Caramel Sundae With Toffee Praline Cookie Crumble Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

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.Our 4-year old grandchild, Evie, with "Carolina Luck" (Lucky), our 10-year old American Saddlebred, who is a 1,300 pound gentle giant!
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Signs of Autumn! Hello October!

Wherever you are, you're probably feeling a little chillier temps, maybe shorter daylight time (sigh!) and possibly decorating your home and gardens with autumn colors. Don't ya just love the cooler nights to sleep with the windows open! Ahhhh, the fresh air does a soul good!
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I stepped outside my classrooms and kitchen yesterday to snap a few shots of some signs of fall on the acreage. I'll cook something up later this weekend, but for now I'm just in the mood to savor the beauty and the splendor of Mother Nature's slowing down outside.
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Who doesn't love mums in the fall? This huge monster of a mum was planted last year and came back even bigger!

Hello Yellow....the blooms looks so happy and this is my favorite mum color of all!

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Next stop on the acreage, a photo of our garage turned into barn . . . we only have a stable for the horses, so our cars stay outside in the winter while the horses' hay stays dry in the garage! We have to stock up on hay to get the horses through the winter months when the grass goes dormant in the pastures.

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And lastly, some of those gorgeous tall grasses! These have a slightly "Italian" name: Adiago! Sort of close to Asiago (cheese). They are so shimmery and wispy when the breeze sweeps through them. We know that autumn is here when these plumes are displayed in the grasses.

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Well, that's my welcome post for October . . . it will only get more beautiful as the month goes on.....yes, the colors do change down here in the Carolina's....and although it may not be as vivid as the colors in the Northeast, its still pretty stunning!

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A Horse Lovin' Cat . . . and a Chocolate Cake in the Oven!

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I just had to share this . . . I know, I know, it isn't a recipe! But I've got a three layer, triple chocolate cake in the oven to give my husband tomorrow when USC beats Ohio State in order to prevent him from going into depression! He is such a loyal Buckeye fan! Sweets always make his day and counter anything negative in his day.
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So in the meantime, enjoy this shot of JOY in the simple display of animal love on the acreage on this beautiful late summer day! Try to remember: Don't get too caught up in your blog or your daily life that you forget to take a brief moment to see how beautiful life is around you! And give thanks for your blessings!
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Chat with you tomorrow with chocolate cake crumbs on my fingers! Pin It

Beautiful Nature On The Acreage . . . Not Just Cooking!

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Well, most of you who read my blog probably think that all we do around this little farm of ours is cook and eat. Not really . . . besides our teaching positions, we really spend a tremendous amount of time outdoors working on some project here or there. It's always something, as the saying goes! As my father seems to believe, "we bought ourselves a job"! But what a labor of love it is. It doesn't even seem like 'work' to us. Truthfully, more people in the USA should get off their rumps and get out and do more physical activities in the fresh air! It's so good for us!
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But other than cooking up delicious recipes, we truly love our little acreage. In the mornings and evenings when the temperatures lower back into the 70's, we spend nearly all of our time outside with the horses, the land, and our gardens. There's always something to do; we're never, ever bored. So here are a few more photos of life on La Bella Vita.
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A busy bee at work on the Echinacea, purple coneflower .

The rose trellis in full bloom with old-fashioned David Austin roses.

A luscious lemon yellow daylily with soft pink edges....sorry, I don't know the name of it!
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Spanish Lace, aka "Lacie", dirty from rolling on the ground, but stately, huh?

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This little mama bird is literally no bigger than 2 inches big . . .

but boy, is she ever guarding her eggs in the nest that she built in the horses' stable.

The early morning sunrise reflecting on this perfect pink daylily!

W.D. with our HUGE 1,300 pound American Saddlebred, Carolina Luck...."Lucky"

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Do blondes really have more fun? Miss Lacie after having her hair brushed.
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An equine prima donna in the making, I think, don't you?

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Here's little Caramel Sundae, "Sundae", a smaller horse, but beautiful & STRONG!

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I hope that your life is beautiful wherever you are today!

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The New Horses on the Acreage!

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Hello dear amici,

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Many thanks for all of you who wrote to me with so many comforting words when my Thoroughbred, Ace, died 3 months ago (see post of March 13th). As with all animals, humans need to grieve the loss. This process takes a bit of time as many of you who have lost an animal friend/companion know very well. And so I just slowed down with everything to deal with our loss. No other horse can possibly come close to the awesomeness of Ace's gentleness, riding abilities, and personality. But move on, we must all do at some point.

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So just a week or so ago, my hubbie, W.D. and I were able to find 2 sweet young Peruvians that are known for their smooth ride . . . which the older I get, the more I need to bounce around less!

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Here are a few photos of Spanish Lace, whom we are calling "Lacie". She is a palomino (light yellow body and white mane and tail).

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And here is Caramel Sundae, whom we are calling "Sundae". He is a dark caramel colored male with golden mane and tail. He is quite young and thus very small. We can't ride him yet, but we can work with him on trusting us 'on the ground'.

. .Both of these smaller horses are 'green' and so W.D. and I are just having fun working very slowly on just letting them get to know us and trust us. I have ridden Lacie, but not alone on the acreage yet. She is still pretty new at it.
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We think they are already getting very spoiled with 'the beautiful life', La Bella Vita, just like all the other critters on the place. But we love 'em, and that's what we do famously!

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Well, my fellow bloggin' buddies, I hope that you have a great day wherever you are in the world. I'm off to teach my summer classes, so I can't chat long this morning. Thanks for stopping by!

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Amore',

~ bella

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Farewell to My "Bella" Horse Friend, "Ace", Death of My Horse

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In Loving Memory of My Beautiful Thoroughbred "Ace" (1985 - 2009)

"Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider... No other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also... but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be..."

~ Stephanie M. Thorn

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When you look beyond the fenceline and see that I'm not there,

Please remember that I'll never forget how much you really cared.

I appreciate all the love you put into my soul,

Often making me feel as though I was, once again, a newborn foal.

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When you look beyond the fenceline and see an empty space

I'm hoping for thoughts of joy to replaces those tears on your face.

Although our time together was taken away too soon,

I'll always be watching over you through the sun, stars, and moon.

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When you look beyond the fenceline you should not feel all alone.

For a part of you came with me the day I went to God's home.

And although I didn't want to, so soon, to be put to rest

I assure you, dear friend, that my spirit and soul still feel the very best.

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When you look beyond the fenceline and think of me for awhile.

Remember all the fun we shared and those times I made you smile.

Remember how we'd run the fields, but never run away

I'll never forget your gentle touch on my coat of bay.

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So, when you look beyond the fenceline don't think we're far apart

For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.

~ author unknown

Buona Notte, my dear friend. You blessed my life with your gentleness, grace, majesty and beauty. I pray that I see you again in heaven.

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Amore, amore, amore,

~ bella

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Back from AZ and Spring Break: Happy and Sad Events

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Well, it has been a very emotion-filled week for me, lots of highs and lows . . . what life always brings . . . reminding me of simply 'being ALIVE'!  Visiting my mother and father in their golden years was very special; time is precious and flies so quickly by. . . every moment is precious. My father's health is very up and down, with his body being very fragile. . . the mind just as sharp as a pin, but the body just going with age.



Then something happened: I asked my parents to heat up their hot tub so I could just sit in it and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather and sunshine. Then my mother decided to get in and join me. The next day my father decided to take the plunge and join both my mother and me. My dad started to put his aching bones next to the water jets for an aquatic massage. . . the results of this simple act were, well, simply amazing!



My father was able to sleep through the night without pain; he was able to walk without pain the next morning; and he was even able to do 2 1/2 minutes on his glider-exerciser!  My parents said that they hadn't been in that hot tub for THREE YEARS! And in one 15 minute period, my father felt renewed! What a joy to find treatment for one's aches and pains, literally in their own backyard!
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My parents, Italo (Bud) and Retha (Santi) Corieri

at Pane e' Vino Ristorante, Scottsdale, AZ

During my visit I was able to sit and quilt with my mother (often frustrated with the quilting directions provided in the instructions!). And we were able to dine at 3 incredible Italian eateries in the Valley of the Sun.
Although my trip felt short, I knew that I needed to get back home early to my sweetie, W.D., and to just get back into the state of mind for teaching next week again.

The next morning after my return flight, Saturday morning, my wonderful 24 year old Thoroughbred fell extremely ill with colic, and at his age, it was not curable. We put him (Ace) to sleep last night and buried him today.

IT WAS ONE OF THE LOWEST POINTS lately in my life. I grieved and could not pull myself out of it. I'm still hurting, and I know that I will for some time. I just can't even talk or write about it, it hurts that bad.

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The Bella Vita Life

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