Monday Musings No. 42

Monday Musings No. 42, what I read, watched, and found this weekend.

Good Monday morning musings friends. How was your weekend? For the first time in what seems like forever our weekend was all fun and no work. Typically on the weekend it is a mix of household chores, catching up on work with a sprinkle of fun. Not this weekend.

Weekend Recap

Friday we had friends over for champagne margaritas, and tacos. I made Korean beef and my husband made carne asada. And we all made our own tortillas.

Bill made the dough ahead of time but we each pressed and cooked our own tortillas. It is an easy and fun activity to get your guest involved while you are getting the rest of the fixings ready for the tacos.

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday we went to the Holly arts Festival, to lunch with my niece and sister in law at the Carolina Hotel. Then took a walk around the village before heading to buy oysters. After that we went to the farmers market, for flowers, cheese, apples and sweet potatoes. Then to a few antique stores and then home to relax.

Sunday after a brisk walk, my husband made homemade baquettes ,while I made brownies and chicken salad for a picnic.

We met family in the village and had a picnic lunch of fresh shucked oysters, chicken salad, charcuterie, bread, brownies and champagne.

It was a fun filled relaxing weekend and now I am ready for a busy week.

For those of you that asked, here is a recipe for the corn tortillas that we made. We have also made flour tortillas in the past and used this recipe.

How to Make Homemade Corn Tortillas

The corn tortillas are easy to make, just three ingredients,  masa harina, water and salt!

Ingredients and Instructions

2 cups of masa harina

11/2-2 cups water

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

In a large bowl whisk together the masa and the sea salt. Then slowly add 11/2 cups of water, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until it comes together. Then knead the dough for 2-3 minutes. The dough should be smooth and springy. If it is too sticky add a little more flour, too dry add a tablespoon or two of flour.

Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel or kitchen bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon portion out 2 tablespoons then roll into a ball.

Place the ball between 2 pieces of parchment paper on your tortilla press. Gently press the lever until the dough forms a 4-6 inch circle.

Remove from the press and cook in a hot skillet or a comal for 60 seconds on each side.

That is is, corn tortillas are easy to make at home and are delicious filled with all of your favorite toppings. If you do not have a tortilla press you can always roll out the Doug with a rolling pin and cook it on the skillet, it still tastes the same.

Ok, now onto 5 things!

+5 Things

1.Watched

Mao’s Last Dancer

Based on the book (same name), a fascinating memoir of Li Cuxin, taken from his family at the age of 11 to train to be a ballet dancer, his rise to success in the world of Chinese ballet, his dramatic defection at age eighteen in the United States, and his new life in the West.

2. Reading

Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

3. Weekend Links

A short history of French and Dijon Mustard

7 Great But Notoriously Hard to finish Books

How Truffles Took Root Around the World

Mad for plaid? Me too, plaid poncho and  this plaid jacket caught my eye. And I have these plaid slippers in my cart.

‘Some Things Never Leave You’: On Poverty’s Indelible Marks

Loved The Empress? You can now stay in the Bavarian palace from the Netflix series

How to Nuture and Grow a Personal Library

Easy Fall Foraged Arrangement

If you love HomeGoods, and who doesn’t, they are now running a bookable vacation home!

If you are searching for a tree collar, yes a Christmas tree collar this one is beautiful and it is only $40.00!

I LOVE this embroidered sweater from Alex Mill.

4. Spotlight H&M

H&M has some great seasonal piece you might like for yourself or to gift at the holidays.

This snowflake sweater is a great piece to add color and fun to your winter wardrobe.

Want to add a little sparkle to your holiday look, this shirt, this dress  and this shirt can help you with that.

Holiday socks are a whimsical addition to your wardrobe and perfect stocking stuffers too!

They have cute toys and outfits for kids too! This rabbit, this adorable giraffe,  and this baby elephant are just a few of my favorites. Many of the toys are under $7.00 at that price you could create your own stuffed zoo under the tree.

5. In Case You Missed Weekend Meanderings

Saturday I joined Juliet and Kim for our weekly series, weekend meanderings. I shared vintage brooches, the Barefoot Contessa, Oprahs’ favorite brownie and more.

UNTIL TOMORROW

I hope that you had a lovely weekend and that you found something on Monday Musings that piqued your interest.

Take care and thank you for spending part of your day with me. You can also follow me on  Instagram and Facebook to see daily stories and life at home with my pups who make frequent appearances.

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