I'm BACK

Well, its fall and haven't been blogging much.  Life keeps getting in the way of my sitting at the computer and sharing what is going on.  Well business is booming and would love to share my willowhouse website with you as well as my facebook and twitter sites.  I have a new recipe that I want to share with all of you!  It's a really easy pasta recipe that Rachel Ray taught me.  I think you will really enjoy it especially for lunch...its easy peasy!
Ingredients

Salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
5 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1 pound penne pasta
1/2 cup shredded basil
Freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound fresh salted mozzarella, sliced or cubed
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Put a large pot of salted water on for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute or less. Add the tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they begin to release some of their juice.

Cook the pasta in the pot of salted boiling water for 12 to 13 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and basil to the pan with the tomatoes and toss. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Serve the pasta in bowls, equally distribute the fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan between the bowls. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bowls of pasta and serve immediately.

Easter Dinner

Okay...so its been a long while since I wrote anything...but I took some pictures from Easter and I wanted to share.....my leg of lamb in my GP Alfresco Server...its a must have! This Lamb marinated for 24 hours than cooked for 3 hours at 300. I think the secret ingredient was dill! It was wonderful Easter!

Vidalia Onion side dish

Prep: 5 min., Cook: 10 min.
Yield
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
2 medium onions
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 tablespoon butter
Preparation
Peel 2 medium onions, and cut a thin slice from bottom and top of each one. Scoop out a 1-inch-deep hole from the top of each onion. Place onions, top sides up, in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish with a lid. Add 1 beef bouillon cube and 1/2 Tbsp. butter to shallow hole in each onion; cover with lid. Microwave, covered, at HIGH for 8 to 10 minutes or until onion is tender. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley sprig and pepper, if desired.
We recommend only Vidalia or Texas Sweets for this recipe.
Be sure to use a microwave-safe lid only; plastic wrap will melt.
If you'd rather grill, wrap each filled-and-topped onion in heavy-duty aluminum foil (or a double layer of regular aluminum foil). Grill over high heat (400° to 450°) 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Let stand 10 minutes.

A Salad of Flowers and Herbs

One head red leaf lettuce, cleaned and torn
1 cup mixed herbs, picked over and cleaned
1 cup petals, daylilies, roses and nasturtiums
Dressing:
1/2 cup verjus (tart juice from an early
pressing of grapes)
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 turns freshly ground black pepper
Grated zest of one orange
1/2 cup canola oil
* Toss together in a large bowl the lettuce,
herbs and flowers.
* Combine all the dressing ingredients but the
oil in a 12-ounce jar with a lid. Cover and
shake. Allow to sit for about 15 minutes then
pour in the oil. Shake well again. Store chilled.
* Stream 1/4 cup dressing around the edge of
the bowl and toss to coat.
* Source: Kerry Downey Romaniello

Convention 2009

Hi Everyone,

Back from Texas and am so ready to take my business to the next level. Okay, so I have been a SLAH consultant for a little over 2 years now and have had some pretty intense training! Well, last week in Texas some of it finally stuck! The training was outstanding! Sponsoring training was key to building my business and the key is the list! I have been told this over and over and over again...but I have always struggled with where to go for the list! I now know...I have been told before, but somehow...it finally sunk in! So, onwards and upwards...and to the Bahamas I go..next year with Duncan.

Beergarita

24 oz. Beer (Corona)
8 oz. Tequila, white
1 can Frozen Limeade Concentrate
8 wedges Lime
1/2 Cup Salt
15 cubes Ice

Okay, I don't have a picture, but this is my drink of choice for summertime parties! It puts a smile on everyones face! Have it with some chips and guac.....and PARTY ON DUDES!!!!

Convention 2009

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been here in a while, but I am here with a whole new energy! Our new catalogue is coming on August 1st, and the new product is so great! I can't wait for everyone to see what Southern Living at Home has brought to us for the fall! Here are some pictures of our product showcase. The people at SLAH show us how to change a room from simple to simply fabulous. August 1st my new catalogue will be available to view online, but here is a preview of the new things I got to see in "action".