That was a question that I asked myself recently. By “Him” I mean GOD of course, and my reasons were many. Most of us who are Christians are trained and taught to pray and for the most part...
When was the last time you dropped HIM a line?
Living Your Sweet Life just got a Big Calling
You know I spend a lot of time with little people. My littles don’t read this column and some can’t even read yet at all. After being their photographer from birth throughout their childhoods it’s not really a shoot when they see me…it’s a visit where they get to spend quality time with their...
Auntie A’s Humming Bird Nectar
Hummingbirds are beautiful to watch and if you’ll keep a feeder filled and clean in a shady place you’ll see plenty of them in your yard this month! You’ll need: 1 cup of sugar 4 cups of water ...
An unlikely connection and a lifelong friend Aacovic Rodriguez at Zoetry Villa Rolandi at the beautiful Isla Mujeres
The day my Nana died was a good day as ever there could be… she lived to 102 and was as they say “done.” A few hours earlier I had been summoned by sister to get here quickly… but in reality she wasn’t going anywhere .. that is until I arrived. She was a...
Top Ten Things to do in August
It’s time to harvest the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes and dry them and store in a dry place for planting seedling next spring. Also It’s time to can or pickle all the cucumbers and beans in the garden and prepare the stocked pantry for the winter months. This late summer task makes me...
Top Ten Things to do in October
In the garden….it’s time to till the beds and add fresh mulch prior to planting the fall flowers. What looks nice for quite some time and pairs well with our Houston climate are mums. I even have some that made it through the hot summer and are fix’in to bloom yet again! At the...
Top Ten things to do in November
In the garden it is time to plant cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, lavender and rosemary. Start your leeks and garlic so they will be ready early spring. If you want some blooms going for the holidays you’ll need to choose Crocus, alliums, ranunculus bulbs. Put your tulip bulbs in the refrigerator and on January...
Alisa Murray’s Tasty Tempura Prawns with Mixed Vegetables
One of the hardest decisions we face when we go to a sushi restaurant is whether to also order the tempura. It is so tasty and for years I was a little hesitant to try to make it at home. I discovered that it’s so easy to do and I make it regularly as...
Artist’s Palate Restaurant Review featuring Fernando’s in Sugarland Texas
The Artist’s Palate by Alisa Murray Sugarland has a few hidden treasures and Fernando’s located at 14135 Southwest Fwy is one of them. Fernando, originally from Ecuador began as a teen in the food world and worked his way up from every position to now owner and chef. I visited with him in his...
Auntie A’s Aunt Lona’s Lemon cake with a Blueberry Twist!
Each summer as a child I would spend many weeks with my Granny and my Aunt Lona. Perhaps aside from her Carmel candy her lemon cake stands out and every time I make it I am taken back to those times together in the North Carolina mountains. With blueberries being so plump and juicy...
Alisa Murray’s Top Ten for JUNE
In the garden keep weeds under control and get outside and tend to those in the morning before it gets too hot and steamy to manage for very long. Harvesting of tomatoes and cucumbers will be at times overwhelming, especially if you planted a multitude of seeds and plants. These will need a...
Making Love Nests
Ladies and gentlemen it’s June again and just in time for our wedding issue at the Focus. The styles we have in wooing one another could not be more diverse. Some are attracted to shiny castles and presents while others are content as can be with a simple hand held. What turns us “on”...
Top Ten Things to do in May
In the garden you’ll want to plant okra, cucumbers, garlic, chives, basil and sunflowers from seeds. Keep an eye out for weeds and pull often so that does not get away from you. Keep nurturing those tomatoes and strawberries and fertilize as needed. In the herb garden you’ll want to clip mint back and...
Music gets a stage of it’s own
Music has always been a large part of my life. Growing up in North Carolina we never left for a vacation without packing my Daddy’s guitar, a mandolin and a harmonica. We would head to the mountains and sit on the porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway and set about to makin’ music, mostly...
Auntie Alisa’s Naked Beefy Corn and Poblano Tamales
You’ll need: 2 cups of shredded leftover roast 2 cups of Manseca1/3 cup of water1/2 cup of Manteca 1/2 cup of fresh cut and chopped cilantro1 container of cream corn ( I like HEB Central Market in the refrigerated section but a shelf stable can would also work fine) 1 red onion finely chopped1 poblano pepper finely chopped2...
Top Ten Things to do in April
In the garden plant seeds that attract butterflies and bees, transplant the seedlings you started back in late February to the outdoor garden. Begin propagating your basil by trimming it regularly placing it in water and once roots form take that back to the garden. With your closet you can open up your own...
Raising A Young Man
Teaching Teens “Intentions” Each of us as parents are faced with many challenges. For some it is a child born to us that has from the very moment of his or her existence a determination to explore and refusal to listen. Others still have the task of facing learning and other challenges. I have...
Asparagus & Lobster Custard
2 cups of chopped asparagus RESERVE you’re tips cause you’ll need them later)6 eggs1 cup of bone chicken broth1/2 cup of milk1/2 cup of cream1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice2 tablespoons of lemon zest1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese2 cups of chopped and cooked lobster Preheat that oven to 325Place in the blender the asparagus,...
Top Ten Things to do in JULY
1. Go greener and feel better about yourself by taking a tiny step and turning off your lights this summer! Conserve energy and water as both are such an important part of our sustainability and are often carelessly used and wasted. 2. Plan a backyard camping staycation with the children. Roast marshmallows by...
Korean Beef and Rice Bowls with Chia Seeds and Swiss Chard
1 lb ground beef 1/2 red onion diced very fine 2 tsp minced garlic 1tbsp vegetable oil 1/4 cup soy sauce (I use gluten free) 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp sesame seed oil 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp ground ginger chopped lettuce, chopped red peppers,...