Brunch to Celebrate the Women in Your Life

May 8

Not all the women in your life may have children.   However along the way of their journey I am sure they have nurtured a friend during times babbling "mother inspired" sayings, baby sat, had a sibling or even a pet or two.  Yes, motherhood takes on many forms and hats... If you are like me your Mom is now your angel ever present in your journey.

As I listen to one of  my favorite bluegrass artist, Sarah Jaroz, I thought I would be berry inspired for a fun celebration brunch

Celebrate !  Just Celebrate the Life of Your Women Friends, Daughters, Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, Co-workers, Neighbors...just Celebrate!!

Gift Ideals

Small nosegays of picked or purchased flowers
A coupon for a picnic lunch
A coupon for a "Mom's Day" out
Lotions, creams, bath bombs, cleansers made by you with natural products * more on recipes on another blog soon
Movie or movie tickets
Dinner preparations for two or four
Bottle of wine with chocolate
Crafted gifts made by the grandchildren
Live Music Outing
Museum or Wildflower Center visit

The thought in the gift is what truly is measured.  Be as simple as your want or extravagant but make sure that the gift is a reflection of the recipient .

Now about those recipes

Berrylicious Sangria
Yield 8 to 10 6 oz glasses

1  to 2 bottles of Sparkling Fruit Flavored Water or Fruit based bottled Italian Soda*** you may use a ginger infused italian soda or lemon infused to bring more flavor to the sparkling water
1 to 2  Bottles of Savignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
1/2 cup of simple syrup* be sure to taste first then add as needed for sweetness
Berries of your choice * 10 to 12
Fresh Lemon wedges
Ice Cubes with berries and lemons

Serve in an 6 oz wine glass

Decadent French Toast
Yield:  6 to 8 servings

2  loaves of orange/white chocolate bread, orange bread, cherry bread, lemon bread or challah.  Ask if your bakery can slice on 16 or cut into thick slices
Variety of berries, mango  slices or chunks * I use frozen which are very delicious, grilled peaches
 1 - 1 1/2 cups of Chocolate ganache or rich chocolate topping sauce
Powder sugar
Whip Cream or Creme Fraiche
Toasted Almonds

Now let's build!

Brush lightly with butter to pan toast bread.  Mix berries and fruit with sugar to sweeten or agave,  Place a tablespoon on toast to spread to ends, then add fruit mixture on slice of bread, sprinkle with a little powdered sugar,  put 2nd  slice of toasted bread on top.  Add whip cream or creme fraiche with a spoon drizzle of chocolate topped with more powder sugar.  Top with a sprinkle of toasted almonds.

For heartier appetites you can include turkey bacon, apple cured bacon or links to serve along side
Mini quiches

Coffee Bar

Fresh brewed Coffee
Whip Cream
Flavored Cream
Cinnamon
Mocha or chocolate powder
Nutmeg
Caramel

Fresh Juice Bar
Mango
Pineapple
Guava


Now I do not have pictures as I write without cooking the dish at the time.  So..here is the closest picture..

Celebrate!  Celebrate!  Celebrate!

I am a Gypsy..a wild free spirit

May 8

I am a gypsy..I am a free spirit..a wild woman wanderess.. I live life with glass half full.. I live my life in no regrets for being present in the moment brings unfathomable joy on your journey.

In my formative years I never conformed to the typical lifestyle of shaping my life to mimic others or to strive to be the most popular, most beautiful or most admired.. no none of those labels could be applied to me then nor now.  I would look about my surroundings,  at even my youngest age,  to be welcoming to all, accepting of all to embrace them for who they truly were with no harsh judgement as  I was forever inquisitive in my nature to understand all that crossed my journey.

As my father and my sissi stated "I love to push the envelope".  This must have been extremely challenging to my parents to discipline me with a fairness, strong teaching of right, wrong and love most of all.  I think that my parents did a decent job in their approach in raising me.  I do not fault them for anything that happened in my life.  I simply know that they as people, individuals who had their opinions and ideals with the role given to them as my parents gave me the foundation of love and  to be who I wanted to be.

My mother, aunts, maternal and paternal grandmothers, cousins and sister were and are strong women.  Creative, fun loving, sense of humor, great cooks, farmers, strong willed, tenacious, brilliant, sparkling, survivors...these few descriptive words are just a tip of the strength and gifts they gave to me as a young child.  They were molding me to become the strong woman that I am today!

I am a wild boho child/woman on a journey of discovery of learning something new each day.  I run after the richness of the earth, the stars illuminating my path, the incandescent orb of the moon around me  to engage with  Mother Earth , with her friends of nature to enrich my journey.  I am faith based as a tenacious spirituality enriches my soul.

She is free in her wilderness, she is a wanderess, a drop of water.  She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs.  "Time" isn't something for her to fight against. Her life flows clean, with  passion, like fresh water. 

Roman Payne  

On my journey I connect with others who echo my simple beliefs.  I am richer for their friendships, their knowledge shared with me, and their journey that has entwined with mine.  I am thankful for my sissi who understands me, encourages me to be the gypsy soul that lives deep within me and unconditional love.








The Gypsy's Table is abundant with stories, love, beliefs, creativity, great moveable feast, great conversations with friends and family.  What does your table hold?

Peace