Hello Sunshine

For some strange reason I know I have used the title before,

 but today I want to share the work of a creative and lovely acquaintance 

Victoria Pearson. 

These are her photos and she now has a wonderful new cookbook devoted to the subject of Citrus....

which you can purchase here

Vickie has been a longtime photographer/contributor to Martha Stewart and there is a nice feature and some of the recipes included in Martha Stewart Living this month.

I had the pleasure of working with Vickie when she photographed

 our home in Ojai for Country Living

It was really interesting to see how she sets up for a shot and what the end result becomes.  I usually can spot her work in a magazine before I check the credits.

Her photos are always very etherial and light filled 

which I love.

Vickie has a true love for Ojai and she relishes her time at her home on the east end,

 surround by...you guessed it...citrus trees! 

After reading these recipes I'm convinced she is a wonderful cook too.  

She co-wrote the book with her friend Valerie Aikman-Smith

If you are at the farmers market this month it is brimming with citrus, especially tangerines and odd oranges like Cara Cara and Blood oranges. 

Cara Cara's are really good.  

Not as sweet as a valencia with a bright salmon-isn pink-ish interior. 

And Blood oranges are bitter and sort of peppery but very tasty. 

And of course you know my fave is the Meyer.....here's my best vinaigrette ever

The book is full of recipes that are not the usual 

but very 

creative, simple and delicious 

with out all the hype....

which is so needed right now. 

rant allert!

 I'm so sick of slick "food network" celebrity chefs that appear to spend the majority of their time attending Food and Wine festivals, creating silly television and inundating book stores with uninteresting, unusable cookbooks.  

The fact is that most of us (even those new to cooking) understand good food and the enjoyment of creating a wonderful meal for your family and friends. 

It has absolutely nothing to do with throw downs, shopping cart races or using odd ball ingredients like freeze dried Nutella.

 come on....will someone please call the food network and the cooking police and tell them to please stop already!

ok I'm better....back to the good stuff

This time of year it is pretty easy to get stuck in the comfort food rut because the weather is chilly.

Because citrus is available all year,  any of these recipes will work for you right now

And if you're really in a winter rut you can break out the blender and whip up some 

home made Margaritas for Sunday football!!!

Stay warm and cozy 

and squeeze a little sunshine into your day

xxx's

kelley