Monthly Archives: May 2010

We Made It–Blogathon 2010 is officially Over

I didn’t really think I’d keep it up. Not sure why, but…well, I am surprised. First I want to thank everyone who came, even if you only stopped by once. I sure hope a few of you will become regular visitors, and I hope I can always keep improving my blog.

More than a few of us are doing what we learned, and I think it’s the most appropriate finishing post for the month.

  • I learned that I could blog every day. Sounds simplistic, but as I said, I think I doubted myself.
  • I learned I like writing every day. Some days freelance writing can get too…well, let’s say some days I find myself far too easily distracted. I let everything else take the priority list. Writing is good for me. It’s good for my soul, even if no one reads the particular post I make that day. And the blog is more of a creative outlet than anything else in my world right now, and for that I am grateful.
  • I learned that the more I blogged, the more ideas I had to blog about. As with all things, the ideas are all around us. It just takes us to pause a  moment in this whirlwind called life and notice those ideas.
  • I especially learned of a few new blogs that I intend to visit regularly. No names now, but in days to come, I’ll definitely be mentioning them one place or another. They are too good not to share with the world.
  • I hope I find myself–now that I don’t feel I MUST post–taking time to write more essays here…food inspired or not. That’s writing I love to read, and that’s writing I would love to write.
  • I learned that most bloggers are incredibly giving of their time–I asked a group of food writers if they would answer a few questions for my Thursday posts, and I was overwhelmed with the contributions my fellow writers, writers I consider friends even if we’ve never met, made to Babette Feasts just by answering those questions. 

Thanks again, everyone for visiting day after day. I appreciate you all.

We Made It–Blogathon 2010 is officially Over

I didn’t really think I’d keep it up. Not sure why, but…well, I am surprised. First I want to thank everyone who came, even if you only stopped by once. I sure hope a few of you will become regular visitors, and I hope I can always keep improving my blog.

More than a few of us are doing what we learned, and I think it’s the most appropriate finishing post for the month.

  • I learned that I could blog every day. Sounds simplistic, but as I said, I think I doubted myself.
  • I learned I like writing every day. Some days freelance writing can get too…well, let’s say some days I find myself far too easily distracted. I let everything else take the priority list. Writing is good for me. It’s good for my soul, even if no one reads the particular post I make that day. And the blog is more of a creative outlet than anything else in my world right now, and for that I am grateful.
  • I learned that the more I blogged, the more ideas I had to blog about. As with all things, the ideas are all around us. It just takes us to pause a  moment in this whirlwind called life and notice those ideas.
  • I especially learned of a few new blogs that I intend to visit regularly. No names now, but in days to come, I’ll definitely be mentioning them one place or another. They are too good not to share with the world.
  • I hope I find myself–now that I don’t feel I MUST post–taking time to write more essays here…food inspired or not. That’s writing I love to read, and that’s writing I would love to write.
  • I learned that most bloggers are incredibly giving of their time–I asked a group of food writers if they would answer a few questions for my Thursday posts, and I was overwhelmed with the contributions my fellow writers, writers I consider friends even if we’ve never met, made to Babette Feasts just by answering those questions. 

Thanks again, everyone for visiting day after day. I appreciate you all.

Photo Sunday: The Curious Bees

 I had the immense pleasure of spending some time with the Mecklenburg (NC) Beekeepers Association recently. I was invited to field day at Bee School, a winter time course where experienced beekeepers teach and mentor wannbe beekeepers…when spring comes, the course ends with field day they get to work the hives of their mentors…

Jimmy Odom let me tag along and watch as he examined each frame in his supers (the boxes where bees actually make the hone). I helped by being the one to find the queen bee (they like to keep track of the queen in each hive)…Jimmy “works” his bees often and says they know him. They certainly were gentle…at one point, all these bees just lined up and were watching Jimmy. He was tickled and pointed it out to me–I crouched down and got this shot of the bees watching Jimmy, who was, by this point, watching them…

This may have been enough for me to want to try my hand at beekeeping. I’ve become quite the honey lover as I’ve written stories, including this one for VisitFlorida.com. The next story about bees comes out in Edible Piedmont sometime (I believe) in June…

In the meantime? I love this photo…

Photo Sunday: The Curious Bees

 I had the immense pleasure of spending some time with the Mecklenburg (NC) Beekeepers Association recently. I was invited to field day at Bee School, a winter time course where experienced beekeepers teach and mentor wannbe beekeepers…when spring comes, the course ends with field day they get to work the hives of their mentors…

Jimmy Odom let me tag along and watch as he examined each frame in his supers (the boxes where bees actually make the hone). I helped by being the one to find the queen bee (they like to keep track of the queen in each hive)…Jimmy “works” his bees often and says they know him. They certainly were gentle…at one point, all these bees just lined up and were watching Jimmy. He was tickled and pointed it out to me–I crouched down and got this shot of the bees watching Jimmy, who was, by this point, watching them…

This may have been enough for me to want to try my hand at beekeeping. I’ve become quite the honey lover as I’ve written stories, including this one for VisitFlorida.com. The next story about bees comes out in Edible Piedmont sometime (I believe) in June…

In the meantime? I love this photo…

Picnic Plans…or not..

A picnic always sounds nice on Memorial Day weekend, right? Eh, maybe, maybe not. Me? I’ve never been a huge fan of eating out of doors unless the weather is perfect–65 degrees. Zero humidity. A light breeze…no ants. I don’t mind a hike and sitting down for a sandwich and water on the way–but for me that’s about the hike and not the meal.

So I don’t think we’ll be picnicking this weekend. But we might be headed to a street fair…where I declare fried foods good for one day. Real french fries…maybe a bite of a funnel cakes (those don’t do it for me..)…those real lemonades? Those are so good I make real lemonade at home…who needs fake?

I think I don’t have much to say today, Saturday, the final Saturday of the blogathon. I guess I’m worn out..Tomorrow, it’s another Photo Sunday…and Monday will be my wrap-up–things I’ve learned by blogging every day.

And if you’ve read this far, tell me: do you picnic? Why? Don’t those ants bug you?

Picnic Plans…or not..

A picnic always sounds nice on Memorial Day weekend, right? Eh, maybe, maybe not. Me? I’ve never been a huge fan of eating out of doors unless the weather is perfect–65 degrees. Zero humidity. A light breeze…no ants. I don’t mind a hike and sitting down for a sandwich and water on the way–but for me that’s about the hike and not the meal.

So I don’t think we’ll be picnicking this weekend. But we might be headed to a street fair…where I declare fried foods good for one day. Real french fries…maybe a bite of a funnel cakes (those don’t do it for me..)…those real lemonades? Those are so good I make real lemonade at home…who needs fake?

I think I don’t have much to say today, Saturday, the final Saturday of the blogathon. I guess I’m worn out..Tomorrow, it’s another Photo Sunday…and Monday will be my wrap-up–things I’ve learned by blogging every day.

And if you’ve read this far, tell me: do you picnic? Why? Don’t those ants bug you?

MY Secrets…

As the blogathon winds down (how can that be?), I’ve decided to share some dirty secrets with you, my dear readers, that mark me as occasionally having extremely, and I do mean extremely, pedestrian tastes in some cases…so, in no particular order, things that I choose to share with you…

1. For a few years, one of the staples in my 3-kid, 20-activities household was a Banquet Chicken and Dumplings slow-cooker meal (from the freezer case). I put the stuff in. Maybe I added milk? (can’t remember) and turned it on..it was simple. And beyond lazy. And my kids LOVED it…

2. I harbor fantasies of moving to some other country to work, cook, write, cook, have friends over, cook for friends, eat, shop for food, cook more. A lot of countries qualify for this…No one has done a food book from Argentina, right? Sign me up.

3. I like hot dogs. But I like GOOD hot dogs (Bests. Nathan’s.)..and if you are worried about cooking for me, fear not…most cooks/chefs I know just LOVE it when someone cooks for them.

4. I like Rachael Ray. I wish I WERE Rachael Ray. There, I said it. At least she’s not faking it.

5. If Martha Stewart offered me a job tomorrow (hint hint, Ms S.), I would chuck it all and be on the next plane to NYC…

6. Ditto Gourmet. Oh, wait. Someone thought that wasn’t worthy…WTF?

7. I have some happy places. Dean and Deluca. Sur La Table. Wms. Sonoma. Okay, any kitchen goods store, even the commercial ones…HARDWARE STORES–amazing things found there!

8. I think I could eat eggs for breakfast every day of the week.

9. I am always on the lookout for great CHEAP bottles of wine. And I’m not offended by the screwtop (although I prefer the romance of the REAL cork…)

10. My family is made up of a few picky eaters, Mr. Babette especially, and it drives. me. nuts. Bones in chicken? Hard work, getting that chicken off those bones… Anything but white meat? No thanks, I’m not hungry…Grass fed beef? Tastes weird, says he…

11. I LOVE…love, love, love McD’s hash browns. There. I said it. Starch. Grease. Salt. Crunch. (what’s a trifecta with four things? A quadfecta? Then that is what this is for me…)…No, I don’t get them, but if someone offers me a bite? I’m not saying no.

12. I hate fake flavors–grape? Blech. Fake banana? Double blech. But. I LOVE Jolly Ranchers Fake Watermelon-Flavored hard candies..

Okay, I’ve asked my visiting bloggers about their secrets…some love candy. Some didn’t share…but now it’s your turn…go on, I’ll keep it between you and me…

MY Secrets…

As the blogathon winds down (how can that be?), I’ve decided to share some dirty secrets with you, my dear readers, that mark me as occasionally having extremely, and I do mean extremely, pedestrian tastes in some cases…so, in no particular order, things that I choose to share with you…

1. For a few years, one of the staples in my 3-kid, 20-activities household was a Banquet Chicken and Dumplings slow-cooker meal (from the freezer case). I put the stuff in. Maybe I added milk? (can’t remember) and turned it on..it was simple. And beyond lazy. And my kids LOVED it…

2. I harbor fantasies of moving to some other country to work, cook, write, cook, have friends over, cook for friends, eat, shop for food, cook more. A lot of countries qualify for this…No one has done a food book from Argentina, right? Sign me up.

3. I like hot dogs. But I like GOOD hot dogs (Bests. Nathan’s.)..and if you are worried about cooking for me, fear not…most cooks/chefs I know just LOVE it when someone cooks for them.

4. I like Rachael Ray. I wish I WERE Rachael Ray. There, I said it. At least she’s not faking it.

5. If Martha Stewart offered me a job tomorrow (hint hint, Ms S.), I would chuck it all and be on the next plane to NYC…

6. Ditto Gourmet. Oh, wait. Someone thought that wasn’t worthy…WTF?

7. I have some happy places. Dean and Deluca. Sur La Table. Wms. Sonoma. Okay, any kitchen goods store, even the commercial ones…HARDWARE STORES–amazing things found there!

8. I think I could eat eggs for breakfast every day of the week.

9. I am always on the lookout for great CHEAP bottles of wine. And I’m not offended by the screwtop (although I prefer the romance of the REAL cork…)

10. My family is made up of a few picky eaters, Mr. Babette especially, and it drives. me. nuts. Bones in chicken? Hard work, getting that chicken off those bones… Anything but white meat? No thanks, I’m not hungry…Grass fed beef? Tastes weird, says he…

11. I LOVE…love, love, love McD’s hash browns. There. I said it. Starch. Grease. Salt. Crunch. (what’s a trifecta with four things? A quadfecta? Then that is what this is for me…)…No, I don’t get them, but if someone offers me a bite? I’m not saying no.

12. I hate fake flavors–grape? Blech. Fake banana? Double blech. But. I LOVE Jolly Ranchers Fake Watermelon-Flavored hard candies..

Okay, I’ve asked my visiting bloggers about their secrets…some love candy. Some didn’t share…but now it’s your turn…go on, I’ll keep it between you and me…

Day 27/May 27: TWD Make Up: Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie

See why I got kicked out of TWD? (Oh, okay, they don’t “kick” anyone out, but you just quietly roll off the list if you don’t make the 2x per month posts…I wasn’t even close!)…Anyway, welcome to Thursday with Dorie!

There is quite sad news about the Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie. I didn’t like it. I think I should have thought harder about making this, because I’m the one who doesn’t like banana splits. I love love LOVE the crust–melt butter, add coconut and crushed shortbread cookies then freeze. Trust me, you’ll see that somewhere soon.

But the overwhelming banana flavor (umm. What did I THINK it would taste like?) just smacked me in the face…I love banana straight up. I love it in a peanut butter/honey/banana sandwich. I love half of a banana blended up with fruit and yogurt if I’m making a smoothie, but this just didn’t …go.

That said, I think there are legions who would LOVE this pie…can you come over? I’ve got some leftovers.

Head over to Tuesdays With Dorie to check out the blog roll and see how others felt about the pie; you can find the recipe reprinted (with Dorie’s permission!!) at Spike Bakes. She agrees that the crust is the star and she did amazing things with her pie (maybe I would have liked it better with chocolate/peanut butter cup ice cream)…and points out that there’s no baking involved here, making this THE perfect hot-weather dessert. And to top it all off? She got GREAT photos, and you know how I love a food photo!

Day 27/May 27: TWD Make Up: Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie

See why I got kicked out of TWD? (Oh, okay, they don’t “kick” anyone out, but you just quietly roll off the list if you don’t make the 2x per month posts…I wasn’t even close!)…Anyway, welcome to Thursday with Dorie!

There is quite sad news about the Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie. I didn’t like it. I think I should have thought harder about making this, because I’m the one who doesn’t like banana splits. I love love LOVE the crust–melt butter, add coconut and crushed shortbread cookies then freeze. Trust me, you’ll see that somewhere soon.

But the overwhelming banana flavor (umm. What did I THINK it would taste like?) just smacked me in the face…I love banana straight up. I love it in a peanut butter/honey/banana sandwich. I love half of a banana blended up with fruit and yogurt if I’m making a smoothie, but this just didn’t …go.

That said, I think there are legions who would LOVE this pie…can you come over? I’ve got some leftovers.

Head over to Tuesdays With Dorie to check out the blog roll and see how others felt about the pie; you can find the recipe reprinted (with Dorie’s permission!!) at Spike Bakes. She agrees that the crust is the star and she did amazing things with her pie (maybe I would have liked it better with chocolate/peanut butter cup ice cream)…and points out that there’s no baking involved here, making this THE perfect hot-weather dessert. And to top it all off? She got GREAT photos, and you know how I love a food photo!