Monday Mashup: cronuts, the sushi nazi, showers and salt.

Monday, Monday! (she sings Mamas and the Papas) How's everyone doing?  I just finished shoving two lemons and rosemary sprigs in the cavity of a chicken and rubbed it down with butter. How's that vision to start your day?  Did I mention I hate bone-in chicken?  Gross. But I committed to make the Pioneer Woman Cooks Roasted Chicken recipe for Cookbook Club tonight in an effort to get over my phobia of cooking a whole chicken.  We'll see how this goes. (Turned out pretty good, I'd say!)

Rolling with it.

I spent ALL DAY yesterday making Ree Drummond's Cinnamon Rolls and Orange Marmalade Rolls to take to Cookbook Club, too. My kitchen looked like a natural disaster had hit.  The rolls are as-big-as-my-hand huge and beautiful and delicious, but I can't say I would make these things more than once a year.  For real.  All day. Seriously? Check out my Instagram page for photos of the experience.

Cronuts?

Yes, I finally found a cronut to stuff in my face.  LeGrand Bakery in Greenville is making their version of the famed Cronut, originally conceived and trademarked by chef Dominique Ansel of Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City.  My friend Ruta has been raving about the LeGrand version, so I had to get out and try one for the class. They are freaking incredible. I tried to share with my friend, but she, like every one else I know, is on a diet! Arg. I ate it myself.  Layers of buttery croissant goodness in the shape of a doughnut with the occasional custard mingled in then sprinkled with powdered sugar. Delish. You gotta go get one of these... or four.

No sushi for you! #sushinazi 

Everyone has been talking about this place called Purple (aka Purple International Bistro and Sushi) in Greenville. Best sushi in town, I was told.  And guess what?  The buzz was pretty dead on.  I met my buddy Josie and my new friend Karen Hammons of Everyday Orange there for lunch last week.  We were presented with a beautiful, plate of assorted sushi: Shrimp Tempura with Cherry Blossom Salt (lovely!), Bagel Roll, Cherry Blossom Leaf Sushi (amazing), Yellow Tail Sushi, and something I've never eaten before, Hako sushi, a pressed sushi (think layered sushi then sliced like a roll).  It was all really good, but here's the deal, the waitress basically berated us for even the thought of using soy sauce on their sushi. Dude!  You make your own soy sauce IN HOUSE!  Why would I not use it?! Her persistence was a little shocking. I love to get a good smear of wasbi on my sushi and then give it a quick dip in soy sauce.  It's the best!  Yes, it might cover up the subtle flavors of fresh fish, but it's tasty.  (So I'm not a sushi snob. I'm just now getting used to eating raw.) She was borderline mean.  Not sure I want to deal with that again.  Maybe sushi to go next time, so I can eat without shame.

Babies, babies everywhere!

One of my biggest fans, Erica, had a baby shower this weekend.  A very rocked out baby shower in anticipation of baby Emerson.  I am so jealous that my major life events fell outside the days of Pinterest! My sister just happens to be Erica's bff and totally scoured Pins and Boards to make sure it was a shower Erica would remember. I swear there were a dozen babies there under the age of one. Amid the bouncing and cooing and occasional crying,  I sat absolutely amazed watching the gifts being opened.  How many times can someone reinvent the wheel?  A grass counter top drying rack complete with a tree for hanging pacifiers and bottle miscellaneous. My baby days are so over, but I think I could find a purpose for this thing. Oooh! It would make a fantastic wine glass drying rack! 

Salt of the South.

Bulls Bay Saltworks Sea Salt is one of my new favorite things.  This South Carolina company is reviving an industry long since forgotten in our state's history.  Did you know that South Carolina made its own salt during the Civil War era?  I had no clue. According to their website, Bulls Bay Saltworks is the first operational salt works in South Carolina since February 25, 1865.  Go here for more history. As soon as I discovered the product, I called the company to find out a little about their salt.  Since, it has become one of our most prized commodities in the Livengood household.  We used the Smoked Sea Salt on our steak before grilling this weekend.  And I just sprinkled Carolina Flake all over a chicken. I know that Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery carries the salt in Greenville, but for a store near you, go here or you can order online.

That's all I've got folks.  I'm busy working on the new GapCreekGourmet.com to be launched soon.  So exciting.

Happy Monday!

Bad snow, news from Facebook and a Crawl update.

I am breaking up with snow. I was her friend.  I even drove hours away to play with her. But now?  No.  Last week we got major snow storm in the south and she completely showed her butt, and then totally caused me to miss out on some really awesome opportunities (like my long anticipated breakfast with the Amateur Gourmet).  She and I are no longer speaking.  Spring.  Spring is my new best friend.

Happy 10 Years to Facebook.

Have you seen the new Facebook Paper?  It's a free app delivering your Facebook news feed along with other trending articles in other topics you enjoy (like headlines, food, entertainment) right to your palm. I was wondering what the next big thing from the folks at Facebook would be. Man, wouldn't it be cool if they actually printed your weekly Facebook feed and delivered to your doorstep and it was like 10 lb?   Remember the Sunday paper when you were a kid?  HUGE!  I loved it.  Sigh. (Remembering the good ole days.) For now, the Facebook Paper is only available to iPhone users.  I imagine if the Android people complain loud enough, they'll soon get it too.

Let's talk Starbuck's stars.  The Starbuck's app on your phone has this dandy little section called Rewards.  When you register your Starbuck's gift cards and use them to purchase coffee, you earn stars.  When you get 30 gold stars, you get a Gold Starbucks Card (what?!) mailed to you AND free product once and a while.  I'm a HUGE Starbucks girl.  I want that dang gold card.  I was so close.  Like two weeks close one day when I opened up the app to pay for my coffee and suddenly all of my stars flew out of my cup right before my eyes.  I almost stroked out. I emailed the company. Seriously.  I am serious about my stars.  Come to find out, you have to earn your 30 stars in one calendar year.  So now, I use my phone religiously to check out at Starbucks.  And I WILL get my gold card.  My Greenville Small Plate Crawl partner, Laura, says she's gonna start giving me gold stars since I get so excited about them.  Hmmmm... not a bad idea.  I always was a sticker girl.

Greenville Small Plate Crawl is absolutely on fire! More than 20 of Greenville's hottest restaurants are participating!  If it's not on your calendar, it really should be.  This is a super awesome way to try out new places in Greenville, or check out a new menu item at one of your regular places.  

How does this thing work?  You go to www.greenvillesmallplatecrawl.com (or go to our official free app, iOnGreenville and click on our icon), as the menus come in you can check out the menus, pick your favorites, then go to our interactive map and plot your path, print your passport and crawl.  At each restaurant you will be handed a special menu of 5-7 items ranging from $3-$8 (a lot of the restaurants will also have drink specials).  You order some small plates, order some drinks, eat some food, chat it up with your friends, then get your passport stamped when you pay and you're off to the next stop on your crawl. 

Crawlers turn in their passports at the last restaurant visited and if you go to more than five places, you are registered for prizes, including $25 gift cards to restaurants on the crawl.  Go to more than 15 places?  You could win one of our grand prizes including overnight packages at the Hyatt or Hotel Domestique. Simple as that.  And so fun, so be sure Monday, March 24 - Wednesday, March 26 (lunch and dinner) are blocked off for Crawling.

Alright, have a good Tuesday!

Squeak on. 

A little Saturday Dis and Dat

What's up my friends?  Can you believe fall is on it's way?  I seriously turned my car around in the middle of the road to head back to Starbuck's today when I heard Pumpkin Spiced Lattes are back. Like NOW.

Never mind I'm on gallbladder enforced dietary lock down until they yank the thing out. I had to get my fix.  Ahhhh.  The smell reminds me of warm fuzzy socks and orange leaves and cinnamon on EVERYTHING.  Oh, and long sleeve t-shirts, God's gift especially to me.  I heart them.

It's fig season and we went to our friends' house last night so it was imperative that I brought a Fig and Gorgonzola pizza for pre-dinner nosh. I ran to Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery for fresh figs and fig preserves and then to Trader Joe's yesterday for their most awesome Gorgonzola cheese and arugula. Leave it to me to drive all over town for one little recipe. I snagged a few other goodies at TJ's including Short Stack Syrup (my husband is making waffles as I type) and Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows.  

I am completely in love with Marshmallows at the moment.  They are bits of fluffy goodness.  A culinary cloud.  My obsession started when we were at the beach at the end of July, actually. Well before digestive hell.  The Sullivan's Island Coop had Haypenny s'mores, then I was in Piggly Wiggly on Mount Pleasant and snagged a bag of Campfire Lemon Meringue Mallow Bursts, which taste exactly like lemon pie.  (Sigh.  I miss them. I haven't found them here, but if you see them in Greenville, give me a shout!)

Oh, I also popped into Dapper Ink yesterday to check out their t-shirts.  I wear my green "love Greenville" shirt all the time. I've worn it out.  I grabbed a few of their newer t's for my rotation (only ten bucks each) and found out they are coming out with a brand new line of products to be debuted at Indie Craft Parade next weekend, Sept. 7-8,  in downtown Greenville.  It's a freaking amazing indie craft fair.  Go check it out.

Confessional: I have never seen a single episode of How I Met Your Mother.  My aunt raves.  My mom raves. I totally dig Neil Patrick Harris. I stalk him online.  I love seeing pictures of him, his partner and his twins. Yes, I am one of those people.  I will eventually have to get the show on Netflix or something, I guess.  Anyone else out there watching?

Hashtags.  I don't understand.  I'm totally blowing up Instagram these days, by the way.  I may not be blogging as much at the moment, but you absolutely  must follow me on Instagram to keep up with the business of being me. @gapcreekgourmet. My favorite follow on Instagram? Lena Dunham from HBO's Girls.  She is way cool. Anyway, I get that you can use hashtags to search for similar posts, etc.  But people sure do come up with some craziness. Someone teach me the ways of tagging, please.

#thingsyouwanttocraminyourface

I have made these popcorn cookies a bazillion times since I first told you about them.  You really have to try them. No kidding.

If you live in the Travelers Rest/Greenville area, the Travelers Rest Cookbook Book Club is looking for new members!  We meet the second Monday of each month at Upcountry Provisions and cook from a new cookbook every quarter.  We have an amazing spread of food at every meeting. Let me know if you'd like to join us!

I am in love with the new song "Royals" by Lorde (she's a cutie pie), but does anyone else thing the woman sounds like Poe?

Happy Saturday!
Ta.

The week wind down.

1. On Thursday night I was swimming in a sea of suits at THAT party thrown by Greenville CVB. This marvelous city of ours is changing it's tourism brand to include a happy little g as a logo and the tagline "Yeah, that Greenville" to set us apart from the other Greenvilles in the big ole US.  A new visitgreenvillesc.com website is launching in June that looks WAY cool. The folks at Brains on Fire handled the makeover so you you know it's gonna be off the chain.   At any rate, I think they invited me to check out the food. (Smiles.) There were little fried green tomatoes piled high with pimento cheese, bite size portobello pizzas, and pieces of fried chicken on tiny biscuits. I tried a one bite deconstructed bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich that was a tiny bit greasy but sweet and tasty.  And I snagged one of these awesome cookies. My favorite kind! And being the horrible parent that I am, I didn't take one home to my child as everyone else seemed to be doing.  I gobbled it up right then with my Chardonnay.  Women were smuggling cookies in napkins out of that place in their purses like a bunch of grannies.  It tickled me.

2. Afterward, my buddies and I went to check out Roost at Noma Square on North Main Street.  I hadn't heard good things, so far so I was wary, but vowed to give it a fair shake.  There was much anticipation around town for the place that boasts fare sourced within 300 miles of Greenville... very farm to table focused.  The inside of the place was very cool.  Huge tables, beautiful pottery-like table ware, a huge open kitchen where you can watch the bustle...

Prepare yourself. Let me say that rarely have I sat down to a restaurant and NOT found something inspiring on the menu, but I seriously had that problem.  Nothing looked good.  The food passing our table looked okay, but nothing looked fantastic. I settled for a Garden Flat Bread with blue cheese and candied walnuts just to satiate the hunger.  It came out greasy and just..well, there.  There was nothing awesome about any of the food at our table.  I didn't even bother with pictures.  I think the restaurant payed a little more attention to concept than actual execution.  It might be an okay place for drinks, but I won't be going back for food anytime soon. Sorry guys.

3. Don't judge me, but I am obsessed with these Healthy Choice Top Chef meals.  Seriously.  On Friday I had Honey Glazed Turkey and Sweet Potatoes.  It was terrifically yum and quite frankly, kept me from raiding the kitchen for a PB and J at lunch time.  I'm so uninspired at noon, and on writing days can't bother with an hour round trip for any sort of food out, so it's cool to be able to reach into the freezer for something that actually somewhat looks like restaurant food.

Speaking of Top Chef, Kristen won.  How do I feel about this?  Um, well, she was kicked off. And came back via Last Chance Kitchen to push out my girl, Brooke.  I was so bummed.

Did anyone see this article on The Braiser of the 11 Winningest Top Chef Contestants?

4. I am in serious House of Cards withdrawal.  I blew through all 13 episodes on Netflix and now have to wait for the next season.  Rationing might have been a good plan.  I got my husband hooked during our beach vacation, but because our internet is crap, we can't watch at home. (Down side of living in the sticks.) I guess we'll have to wait until we are on vaca again for him to catch up.  I've resorted to watching Downton Abbey while walking. There's been a crazy amount of hype over that TV show, but for me, the jury is still out.

5. I am seriously addicted to scrapbooking again.  I haven't been this into it since I was in the last leg of my pregnancy with my daughter.  My husband would leave for work and I'd be at the table scrapbooking and when he got home I would be in the same spot, only to have moved for nourishment and bathroom breaks.  I was a crazy woman, and too uncomfortable to really do anything else.  I haven't reached that level of production yet, but I do love to sneak away to my table for a little glue stick therapy. I'm slowly scrapbooking my foodie adventures.

6. A new song for ya. I love this group.

7. One last thing.  "Is Greenville the next big food city of the South?"  A nod to Greenville in Esquire.  Check it out. I love this city.

Snow and doughnuts

My March Saveur Mag came in the mail Friday with a feature on doughnuts and a list of the 50 Finest Donut Shops in America.  I can't believe out of the entire state of South Carolina they don't think we have a single noteworthy doughnut shop.  What about Glazed, which scored a mention on this month's Food Network Mag?  What about Diggity Doughnuts? What about Joey's Bag a Donuts? Did they even visit our state? We have some amazing doughnuts! At any rate, the sight of doughnuts sent us on a downward spiral of cravings, so my daughter and I pulled out our mini doughnut maker and whipped up a batch of these today.

While we were baking, it started snowing.  Finally, a good snow in the Valley.  It might not be ankle deep like I had hoped, but it is pretty.

Springy day, trader joe's loot and the DVR roll.

I totally sprang my child out of school early this afternoon. It was way too sunny in South Carolina to sit in a class room. I nabbed her and we went to the barn to enjoy the weather and some time with the horses.  I still haven't gotten on one yet, but enjoyed the sunshine and some blogging time while she rode around.

Prior to sealing my place for mother of the year today, I popped into Kitchen Arts and Pottery in downtown Greenville to interview the owner, Liz, for a story.  The place is chock full of odd and end kitchen supplies and high end ingredients - stuff you just can't find at the grocery store.  I scored some Italian lemon pasta to make for dinner.  Add a little butter, a little garlic... yum!

Oh, and I went to Trader Joe's.  I came away with a huge bag of goodies (and wine) including the new Crunchy Cookie Butter (which is the bomb), Sweet Potato Chips, Kona Coffee Shortbread Cookies (which are heaven in a cookie sprinkled with coffee) and PBandJ chocolate bar (made with their Raspberry jelly, which I LOVE).

Yep, it was a healthy trip.  I would like to point out that my family suffers so on the food front.  Too bad I'm not as good at cleaning house as I am scouting out goodies.

I have yet to catch up on DVR recordings enough to see Smash.  We are, however, caught up on The Following.  I love this show.  Totally hooked.  It's a nail biter each episode and it's Keven Bacon, people!   (Hmmmm.... bacon.  I should have grabbed some today while I was out.)

We are also digging Banshee (Antony Starr is a bad ass) and The Americans (Felicity is just SO serious these days and she kicks butt).

That's all I got.  Just checking in.  Stay tuned for another ChefQ6 coming your way!

Chicken and Biscuits

After watching Bravo's Top Chef contestants battle it out for the best fried chicken this week, I was on a mission to try some of my own.  Food shows can be trouble.  They cause cravings.  I hit the internet to find something easy.  Who has a day to soak chicken in buttermilk?  I'm too impatient. Turns out I didn't find a recipe that suited me so as I find myself doing often, I winged it.

I cranked up the old school country music and got to cookin. I seasoned chicken liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Lawry's seasoning salt then soaked it in buttermilk for about an hour. I mixed the same seasonings in the flour too.  I dipped the chicken in the flour and fried it in peanut oil (which I've never used before shockingly) in a skillet. Some of the super thick pieces like breasts and thighs took a good frying and a little while in the oven on 350 to get the internal temp right.  Did I mention with cooking and cleaning this was a four hour undertaking?  Well, the chicken AND the biscuits.

I Googled Southern biscuit recipe as an afterthought while standing in the middle of the grocery store this morning.  I have never made a single scratch made biscuit in my life.  My grandmother used to make little puck sized discs that were hard on the outside and super flaky inside. I'd sit and watch her measure out flour and mix the ingredients with her hands.  It would get all over her rings. I have always thought they looked complicated. But guess what?  They aren't!  Maybe it is the recipe, but I swear to you I whipped out two batches back to back of perfectly tall and flaky biscuits.  I fed a bunch of boys who had been out shooting all morning and they were all smiles chomping into chicken and biscuits with honey.

For the so easy you can't screw this up recipe, go here.  If you want to muck with it a little, which I did on batch 2, you can used salted butter instead of unsalted, and add a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar.  They could not have been more perfect.

Monday chatter: Golden Globes, painting critters and a few new tunes

I've been cooking a bit lately.  I successfully made an Italian sausage deep dish pizza last week that got raves around the table.  The crust came from this site and was really quick and easy.  I much prefer a homemade crust to the store bought these days, but don't always have the time or inclination.  I've marked that one for a go-to recipe in the future. (I don't own a deep dish pan, so I used a cast iron skillet instead.)

Did anyone watch the Golden Globes last night?  I was laid up on the bed like a queen munching on Godiva Truffles  I would have had champagne too, if had not been for the over-exuberant birthday celebration during the weekend. The dresses were awesome, as usual, accept for Kate Hudson and that lady from Desperate Housewives who was trying to pull of an Angelina - a total fail.  HBO's Girls racked up. I was squealing with excitement when Lena Dunham won, but could she have looked any less dignified waddling up to the stage on way-to-high heals?  Twice. That's the EXACT reason I don't wear heals. Because my mother says they make me walk like I have something wrong with my bum. She should have just kicked those puppies off under the table and run for the stage in pure joy.   That's what I would have done!

So I tried Caviar for the first time.  Maybe the last time. I'm not a fan.  I tried it twice, so I can at least say I gave it a fair shake. I just can't deal with the salty, briny little boogers. Blahk! I can deal with capers, but these things were a bit too much.

This weekend I went to Columbia to spend some time with one of my oldest friends in the universe.  We celebrate our birthdays together every year and she surprised me by taking me to one of those drink wine and paint places in Cola called Grapes and Gallery.  We painted our dogs, cute, eh?  I haven't picked up a paint brush in years, but it was stupendously fun.  When we got there, the guy had our dogs outlined on a piece of canvas like a coloring book page and he walked us through mixing colors and layering to get these little masterpieces.  We were sipping on coke instead of wine.  I have no idea what this would have turned out like with a bottle of wine in me!

Hey, Justin Timberlake has a new song out called Suit and Tie featuring Jay Z.  It's reminiscent of a good ole old school romantical R&B song. Think Marvin Gaye.

Speaking of music. Have you heard Blackberry Smoke?  If you love Zac Brown, you're gonna like these guys.  (They are actually on Zac Brown's label). Go take a listen.

Someone recommended a new blog to me, too.  It's called People I Want to Punch in the Throat.   It's written by a witty mom I'd totally be friends with. You should check it out.  It will give you a good chuckle.

I think that's it for now.  It's gonna be a busy eating out week so I'll have some new restaurants for ya shortly.

Happy Monday!

Wrapping Christmas and holiday loot.

Well Christmas has wrapped at the Livengood household and the new year is on our doorstep. I'm still celebrating. I refuse to take down my trees and presents are still scattered around the den. My mother rips Christmas down the very next day while she watches Gone with the Wind, but I'm in no hurry to make it all disappear. When I finally get in the mood, I'll pull out Bridget Jones's Diary, Something's Gotta Give and The Holiday. Those are my packing it up tradition.

There are leftovers bursting out of the fridge from our Christmas day feast: cinnamon buns, honey ham, potato salad with bacon and cheese, sugary and goey pies, pickles and olives... we'll be eating on these until we can't stand one more bite. And today I'm making ham bone soup. We always cook for an invisible army.

The present giving this year was off the chain.  I thought I'd take you on a tour of the loot and share some of my favorite family pics from our celebrations.  I hope you and yours have a great New Years Eve and day.  I can't wait to share my New Years resolutions with you and to get these Southern Egg Rolls made again!  You must click on the link and check them out.  They are the best part of the new year!

Santa filled our stockings with all sorts of goodies.  I discovered these Guinness and Bourbon Marshmallows from Wondermade.com. We haven't cracked them open yet, but I'm pacing waiting on him to offer me a bite!

I found these under the tree just for me.  A holiday selection from Seattle Chocolates.  

I've had these on my Pinterest wish list for a while now.  

My sister got me this t'shirt that is totally, absolutely, 100% me.  

If I had a team shirt, this would be it. I love it!  

AND she got me GREEN!!! Converse.  She rocks. 

I'm not the only one racking up at Christmas!  Look at my child's haul!  Her highlights were a first computer, Littlest Petshop and Monster High dolls.  I think we sort of went overboard, but it may be her last Christmas that she actually asks for toys.

Another online find that found its way into the husband's stocking.  We are stoked about trying it!

A super cool etsy find from my parents.

Other highlights:

Jewelry by my favorite metal artist, Molly Dingledine.

 Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton, which I immediately tore into and read in three days.  I swear the book was fantastic but actually put me into a frustrated and angry mood. When you read the book, you'll understand.  Her life is just frustrating! 

A new satellite radio system for my kitchen.  Mine was archaic. I've programmed in all of my favorite channels: 40's on 4, The Pulse, Alternative Nation, Margaritaville, Coffee House, The Blend. Gotta have my tunes while I cook.

Comfy jammy pants, fiesta ware...a jersey duvet cover which I have been dying for for years and years and it is pure heaven. 

Oh! And Secrets of the Best Chefs, Adam Roberts's new cookbook.

A nativity from my dear friend. She gave me Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus last year and added the Wise Men this year.

Yes, I am a spoiled brat.

Happy New Year (if you don't hear from me before then)!

My dream spatula, meal sharing, and spreading holiday cheer

I bought Sweeteeth chocolate for a friend for Christmas.  It is staring at me.  Is it wrong to eat someone's present?  

I am so in love with this Gir Spatula.  I want to shout from the rooftops how happy I am that someone finally made a spatula without a seam for food and crud to get stuck in! It's probably too late to tell Santa, but it's definitely on the birthday list.

In all other things in life I am not, but for some reason when it comes to cooking (utensils,pots,pans, etc.) I am a minimalist. It's like I'm stuck in my college years dicing onions with a steak knife.  (Yep, I still do that.) I just haven't acquired the nicer things most cooks treasure.  I make do. As I melted chocolate in the microwave in a Tupperware bowl this evening (chefs everywhere are cringing), it dawned on me how absurd it is that I don't own a good set of glass bowls.  How did I make it this long without glass bowls?! New Years Resolution #1: update kitchen ware. 

I love this blog post by Kate Connor about a stereotypical writing day.   If you ever wonder what it's like to be a writer, this will answer your question. At least for me. The last line is priceless: And that is why writers are fat.  Amen sister. 

There is a new website you'll be interested in.  It's MealSharing.org, a social networking site that allows you to share home cooked meals with people around the world.  Say you're traveling across the US or to another county.  The site hooks you up with a home cook!  You can sign up to share a meal in someone's kitchen or sign up to host travelers in your home or meet up with people to share a meal. Super interesting, right? 

I've spent the entire day in my kitchen baking for the holidays.  I've made mocha cookies, oatmeal butterscotch cookies, coconut cookies, fudge and pretzel peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. Tomorrow is another day of the same.  It's hard work spreading holiday cheer!

 

Trader Joes holiday goodie bliss, eggnog and the end of Audrey

Back in the saddle again... (Tis the season for the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, right?).  Okay, so I'm not really back in a saddle, just back in the swing of things somewhat after a week of hibernation. It's about time!  I can't afford to take the week of Thanksgiving off, now, can I?   There are pumpkin rolls and cheesecakes to be made, Turkeys to be purchased for brining, cranberry sauce to be purchased from the Fresh Market. Then next week it's TREE TIME!!!! (She squeals like a little kid.)

Yesterday while I was out running errands, my mother-in-law dropped these fried apple donuts from Skytop Orchard off on my back porch.  What a very cool surprise.  They are quite possibly the best fried donuts in the world. 

I spent the day running all over town for Christmas craft supplies.  I'm making these little guys thanks to a little Pinterest inspiration.  I'm putting my own spin on them, of course, but aren't they cute little boogers?

And I squeezed in a trip to Trader Joe's amid the fa-la-la for a little holiday goody bliss.  My aunt used to send these to me way before we had a Traders.  

The Dark Chocolate Minty Mallows are melt in your mouth holy-moly goodness. Your eyes will roll back into your head at first bite.  It's a promise.

It's also eggnog season. Every year I try to hold out til after Thanksgiving for the first sip but fail miserably. I caved and got an Eggnog milkshake from Jack in the Box.  

I love these things.  Hell, I love eggnog period: eggnog cookies, ice cream, cakes, cheesecakes... big fan.  I even love it in my morning coffee.  I can't even begin to guess what kind of horribleness it contains. 

So last night was the last episode of the little YouTube miniseries I've been watching called Audrey.  It's like Sex and the City meets foodie world.  I was hooked after the first couple of minutes and then six episodes later, I was holding my head in my hands moaning in sadness that it had to end. What a tease. I hate miniseries.  

Speaking of Television, some genius posted the 2012 Holiday TV Schedule on their blog which in turn was posted on Pinterest.  I think I love this person. Okay, so it's not comprehensive.  I mean, where is Die Hard? But it's a good start and I definitely  wrote a few of these on my calendar for family time.

Have a good Saturday folks.  Until next week...