Monday, June 29, 2015

New Federico Jimenez Earrings

Federico Jimenez jewelry has always caught my eye in Santa Fe...maybe you have strolled through Ortegas and seen his beautiful work. We are excited to carry some of his beautiful silver handmade pieces... Unique and embellished his earrings are each a piece of art!

 With the tiniest details of pearls, turquoise, silver doves, and sterling rosettes each pair of earrings is beautiful all on it's own! Each piece also has Federico's mark stamped on the back.
Federico Jimenez, originally from the tiny village of Tututepec, Mexico resides in Southern California where he has been collecting and making jewelry for many years. Today he is a world renowned authority on Mexican silver, Pre-Columbian and Mixtec (pronounced “Mishtek”) jewelry.
He became interested in Meso-American art in his late teens when he and his father uncovered a pre-Columbian Mixtec Indian pectoral chest plate buried under their house. With the sudden ownership of the ancient pectoral, his appetite for antiquities grew, sending him scurrying from village to village in search of more.
In addition to jewelry, he also started collecting Indian costumes. His private collection includes pieces from the contemporary, colonial, and pre-Columbian periods. “I have more that 200 jewelry pieces and 190 traditional costumes. I have no idea what it’s worth, but I keep the whole thing in the Bank of America.”
Federico has organized exhibitions and acquires items for institutions such as UCLA Museum of Cultural History and the National Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. He displays many pieces of his jewelry in the Anthropological Museum in Mexico City.
Living and working in the Los Angeles area, Federico is a popular designer of the entertainment crowd. You’ll see his jewelry worn by Christie Brinkley, Elle McPherson, and once you know his style, you’ll spot his designs on a few “Soap” stars and Ali McGraw can be seen modeling many of his designs in magazines. His current offerings are traditional and elegant stories in turquoise and coral, show-stopping in their simplicity. Put these beautiful pieces with your best suit or with chambray and denim. You’ll love them.
Important collectors and Museums were costumers of his during the 25 years of his business. He and his wife amassed a big collection of Mexican jewelry: Pre Colombian, Colonial,
and Contemporary, as well as Southwest art like baskets, kachinas, Pottery, Navajo, Zuni and Hopi rugs and jewelry.
Also his activities in the cultural community continue. He was a prior trustee of the "Millicent Rogers Museum" in Taos, New Mexico and “The Southwest Indian Museum “in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently a trustee on the board of the "Autry National Center" and "La Plaza De La Cultura" in downtown Los Angeles, CA. which will open to the public in November 2010.

New Grilling Recipes For This Weekend

 Getting ready for a weekend cook out? Plan your meal by trying some of the best grilling sauces around. Our kitchen is stocked with Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce, Baby Back Rib Sauce, Honey Sriracha Barbecue Sauce, and Garlic Rosemary Citrus Sauce. Slather it on beef kabobs or pork tenderloin, pour it on racks of ribs or serve it on the side as a dip. One taste, and you'll want more!
Boozy Bacon Ribs
Serves 4-6
Recipe Tip: Also try with any of our Barbecue or Grille Sauces

Ingredients:
4 racks (approximately 4 pounds) baby back ribs
3 cans Guinness beer
1 1/2 gallons water (more if needed)
3 Tablespoons Steak Rub Seasoning (your choice)
1 bottle Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)

Directions:
In a large stock pot bring beer, water and rub to a boil and stir.
Cut each rack of ribs in half and place in boiling liquid. Be certain all ribs are submerged (add more water if necessary).
Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours partially covered.
Remove ribs onto a greased rimmed baking sheet and generously coat on both sides with 1/2 of the bottle of Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce. (You can prep to this point several hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to grill.)
Finish ribs off on a medium hot grill. Baste often while on the grill.
Ribs can also be finished off in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with extra Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce.
Fajitas
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
Baby Back Rib Sauce (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)
1 Tablespoon olive oil, plus more to heat tortillas
1 red bell pepper, cored and cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 green bell pepper, cored and cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/2 cup onion, sliced
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degree F.
Cook for 1-2 hours, or until the pork pulls apart in strings with a fork.
Shred pork. Then add additional Baby Back Rib Sauce to taste.
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Sauté until tender and slightly caramelized. Remove and set aside.
Wipe pan clean. Add olive oil to just coat the bottom of the pan. Add tortillas one at a time and cook on each side until golden brown.
Wrap pork and vegetables in each tortilla and serve.
Spicy Pork Skewers
Makes approximately 2 dozen
Ingredients:
1 pound pork tenderloin
1/4 ripe fresh pineapple, peeled and cored
1/2 cup Honey Sriracha Barbecue Sauce (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)
2 Tablespoons scallions, chopped
2 Tablespoons cashews, toasted and chopped
Directions:
Trim pork tenderloin of all fat and silver skin. Cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Pound each round until 1/8-inch thick. Cut into pieces that are about 1x2-inches.
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 10 minutes.
Thread pieces of pork onto wooden skewers. Brush each side of the pork with Honey Sriracha Barbecue Sauce.
Cut pineapple into spears about 1x3-inches each.
Preheat grill to high heat. Lightly oil grate. Grill pineapple spears approximately 2-3 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear. Remove from heat and cut into bite-size pieces.
Place pork skewers on the grill, making sure the wooden skewers are not directly exposed to the heat. Grill several minutes on each side until the pork is cooked through.
Serve pork and pineapple on a platter garnished with scallions and cashews and additional fresh Honey Sriracha Barbecue Sauce.
Garlic Rosemary Chicken SkewersIngredients:
4 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 bottle Garlic Rosemary Citrus Sauce (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)
1 box instant wild rice mix
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup apple juice
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions:
Heat Grill. Place chicken cubes on bamboo skewers and place in a shallow pan.
Pour Garlic Rosemary Citrus Sauce over the chicken and let marinate until grill reaches medium heat.
Grill skewers 8-10 minutes on each side, turning frequently so as not to burn.
Prepare rice according to package directions.
Add zucchini to the wild rice in the first half of the cooking process. This will soften up the zucchini.
Soak golden raisins in apple juice to plump.
When the rice is fully cooked, remove from heat and add the drained raisins, cherry tomatoes and toasted almonds.
Serve the grilled chicken skewers over the wild rice.
Spicy Corn Relish Stuffed Tomatoes
Makes 18 small stuffed tomatoes

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Spicy Corn Relish (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)
3 Tablespoons red bell pepper, finely diced
3 Tablespoons avocado, finely diced
1-2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1/8 teaspoon fresh grated lime zest
Salt and pepper to taste
18 small tomatoes, approximately 1 1/2-inches in diameter

Directions:
Combine Spicy Corn Relish, bell pepper, avocado, cilantro and lime zest in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Rinse tomatoes. Carefully cut a slice off the top and save to use as a cap. Scoop out and discard the pulp of the tomato using a small spoon. Turn the tomatoes upside down on paper towels to drain about 15 minutes. The tomatoes can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated at this point one day in advance.
Fill each tomato with corn relish mixture and top with cap. Serve cold or at room temperature.
7 Layer DipIngredients:
1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chilies
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 avocados, peeled and diced
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup Black Bean Salsa (pick up your jar at Bonnes Amies)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 green onions, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a greased deep pie dish, spread the refried beans and then layer the chopped green chiles on top.
For the next layer combine the sour cream and mayonnaise. Continue layering the avocados, lemon juice, salsa, and top with the two cheeses and green onions.
Bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Great Cowhide Pillows...Plain & Acid Washed


These great large pillows add a punch of brightness and interest to your home...new pillows can make a world of difference! Red, Brown, Black and White Exotic Cowhide Print Throw Pillows are fun! The acid washed cowhide pillows in red mix in well and add some interest...
 Love this short and long little kilim ottoman...the colors are perfect. We are awaiting the arrival of some great kilim ottomans in different shapes, sizes, and colors so stay tuned!
Here are the unique acid washed cowhide pillows in red...the down fillers inside make them oh so wonderful! Come check them out or take a few home to try!

Bright Multi Stone Necklaces + Sterling Silver Beads

 We just got in a freshly strung shipment of wonderful brightly colored stone sterling silver necklaces that are filled with bright blue and green turquoise, denim lapis, spiny coral, and red coral. Perfect to brighten up a silver or stone pendant for Summer! They are great prices as well.
In Love with Bug Pendants for the Summer... A beautiful and bright mix of orange spiny oyster and turquoise. Each piece is individually made by New Mexico silversmith love them all! 

Inspired by Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi cultures, these designs reflect an unexpected contemporary energy, setting creations a step ahead of tradition. Incorporating his mastery as a silversmith and talent as an artist in "stretching the Imagination of creativity...It's all about the colors of
 the stones, how they mix with metals, and nature's use of light."….Featured in the finest galleries across the southwest come in and let us show you our new pieces designed by a New Mexico
 silversmith and talented artist. 
See more below...
Also in are our wonderful sterling oxidized silver beads in the multi three strand, five strand tiny beads that are very popular right now, and a smaller sized three strand. These are a great stand by...and are loved and worn often by the people that appreciate them. Remember we have lay-away...It's an easy way to make purchases that might otherwise cramp your budget.

Summer Hobnail Candles...Uplifting & Clarifying

Our favorite candles for our homes and as a beautiful gift. This textured glass candle will fill your home with sweet scents when lit and would make a beautiful Summer gift for someone special on your list. Fill your home with a fresh, inviting, and clean scent for the new season!
Beautiful hobnail glass in many lovely colors and filled with pure vegetable wax. These candles will burn up to 100 hours as they fill your space with fragrant illumination. These glasses are handcrafted, variation in glass color may occur. What will you do with the beautiful hobnail glass container? Makeup brushes...lip glosses...or a freshly picked bouquet of summer flowers you decide...
Spanish Lime (Turquoise): Offers an effervescent blend of lime and other citrus notes creating a bright bubbly scent.

Cucumber Fin (Aqua): Fragrance is a wonderful blend of fresh cucumber and distinctive gin among other contributors to the lovely scent.

Meyer Lemon (Yellow): This crisp, soothing citrus fragrance will invigorate the senses.

Coral (Pale Pink): Decidedly cheerful, this concoction has top notes of sunny citrus, a body of rich ruby pomegranate, and is mellowed by sweet musk and vetiver.

Poppy (Coral Orange Red): A refreshing, soft blend of spring greens & wild flowers.

My favorite thing to do with the hobnail glass container after it has filled my home with wonderful goodness? Sit it on my kitchen window and place sunflowers in it that my little girl has picked perfect! They are also a great and simple gift!

Traditional Home With Eclectic Rustic Touches

A family that has worked very hard on their house and created an inviting and warm home. We have them ready for the Summer and fun times ahead. Their style is warm, whimsical, and functional for a very busy young family always on the go. A traditional style with a little eclectic rustic feel mixed in...love it!









A Beautiful Summer Home

A beautiful historical home cared and loved by a busy retired couple. They are continuously perfecting and working on projects. Their house runs from formal to a true period look that fits the style of their home. It is colorful and fun for the summer and ready for a party!




Their backyard is always inspiring for the season don't you think?...loved getting to walk through this lovely garden. Now I need to go work on my patio!





Monday, June 1, 2015

Summertime

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Spicy Corn Relish Stuffed Tomatoes


Spicy Corn Relish Stuffed Tomatoes
Makes 18 small stuffed tomatoes
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Spicy Corn Relish (pick up a jar at Bonnes Amies)
3 Tablespoons red bell pepper, finely diced
3 Tablespoons avocado, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon cilantro, chopped
1/8 teaspoon fresh grated lime zest
Salt and pepper to taste
18 small tomatoes, approximately 1 1/2-inches in diameter

Directions:
Combine Spicy Corn Relish, bell pepper, avocado, cilantro and lime zest in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Rinse tomatoes. Carefully cut a slice off the top and save to use as a cap. Scoop out and discard the pulp of the tomato using a small spoon. Turn the tomatoes upside down on paper towels to drain about 15 minutes. The tomatoes can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated at this point one day in advance.
Fill each tomato with corn relish mixture and top with cap. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Our Favorite Salsa For Summer!

 Our kitchen is stocked for the summer and our favorite black bean salsa, mango lime salsa, and spicy corn relish are perfect for grilling and entertaining. One of my favorite recipes right now is the mango lime salsa quesadillas delicious and easy! Come pick up your jar today and try it you won't be disappointed!

Beefy Bean Burritos
Ingredients:
1-1 1/4 pounds ground beef, preferably 15% fat content
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 Tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 jar Black Bean Salsa (pick up a jar at Bonnes Amies)
1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 package flour tortillas, medium size
Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, optional

Directions:
In a large sauté pan or skillet, brown the beef over medium-high heat until it is quite brown.
Remove the meat from the skillet and drain it in a colander. Set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the onion over medium heat until browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds. Do not burn the garlic, it will taste acrid.
Return the meat to the pan and stir to combine. Keep the heat on low.
Combine the drained beans and approximately 1/2 of the salsa in the bowl of a food processor.
Process until the beans are pureed. Add the rest of the salsa and pulse to combine.
Pour this mixture over the beef/onion mixture and stir to combine.
Bring this to a simmer over low heat and allow the moisture to reduce until thickened, about 20 minutes. Be sure to scrape and stir occasionally to keep the contents on the bottom of the pan from burning.
After the burrito filling has reduced and cooked for about 20 minutes, add the chopped cilantro and taste for seasoning.
If you are using the filling right away, fill the tortillas with about 1/2 cup of the mixture and top with the optional cheese. Serve with the guacamole or sour cream.
If you are planning on using the filling later, allow the filling to cool, then fill and roll the tortillas.
Wrap each burrito in plastic wrap, stack in zip-top bags and freeze for future use.
To serve, microwave loosely covered on high heat for about 5 minutes. This will vary with each microwave.

The Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine SUMMER ISSUE

 Fresh off the press and now available at Bonnes Amies…The Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine is a 95% advertisement free monthly lifestyle magazine filled with creative DIY ideas, simple recipes, captivating articles and beautiful photography of inspiring homes, vintage flea market décor and crafts, nostalgic European garden designs and flower arrangements – all in the French and Nordic country decorating style. It is currently being translated into eight different languages and distributed worldwide mainly Europe. Please see options below you can purchase and pick up at store for $16.95 or we will gladly mail to you for $18.95.

Options
 
 A sweet pick me up for a friend or just beautiful sitting on your coffee table for summer. These magazines also feature amazing and unique seasonal recipes that are all the rave! A beautiful magazine just because...