My Newest Obsession

I am head over heals in love with the BLUES in blue and white porcelain.

I am spending my free time on the computer googling urns after spying the simplest, most gorgeous pair at a friend's house this past week. Paired with a simple round mirror, her mantel was classic and crisp. Urns, urns, where can I find some? Patience is a virtue. Or I will drink too much wine and order some online. Maybe Chris will find some today?

I am even contemplating painting our front door a nice cobalt blue. Our home is an orangy brick. Not my favorite tone of brick, but blue is the complement to orange on the color wheel. It would be a bold risk, but then again it is just paint. If I keep the hue deep and not too bright it could be just the pop our house needs.

Also, blue looks great with yellows and I picture planters over-flowing with yellow verbena and a wreathe of forsythia in the Spring. Orange pumpkins will pop against a blue backdrop. A simple boxwood wreath at Christmas against the cobalt blue wooden door. Sounds cheery.

I am gravitating to Batik. Don't you just LOVE the names of paint colors? Now that would be a fun job.

So...what do you think?

Spicy Egg Sort-ta Frittata

I love Sunday mornings. PJs til noon. Cold cups of coffee. Cuddling on the couch with cartoons. I have a few more years before Lily will attend Sunday school and until then...Sunday mornings are slow paced, relaxed, and spent at home.

Chris slipped out early to head to an auction in North Carolina. Our house was quiet and I was hungry. I wanted a simple, easy recipe that I could enjoy later in the day too.

I raided the freezer. Nothing. I checked the pantry. Hmmmm. I needed beans for another recipe. No beans. I checked the fridge. Eggs. Cheese. Veggies. Yum. Eggs are such a staple and the base for so many recipes.

Spicy Egg Sort-ta Frittata

Ingredients:
olive oil
6 eggs
splash of milk
handful cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium onion, halved and sliced thin
1 small jalapeno, diced
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
dash Kosher salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease a 9" ceramic or glass pie pan or dish with olive oil
3. In a saute pan, coat bottom with olive oil and heat. Add onions, tomatoes, jalapeno, and garlic. Dash of Kosher salt. Saute til caramelized and slightly browned.
4. In a large bowl, crack the 6 eggs and beat with a splash of milk.
5. Pour the egg mixture into the greased dish and top with sauteed veggies.
6. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
7. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes til fluffy and firm.
8. Let cool slightly.
9. Slice into wedges and serve.

Shop Worth Repeating - Before I Buy Everything

Back in May 2011, Chris and I took over ownership of Worth Repeating in West Columbia. It is a high-end antique and furniture consignment store - more or less. However, since we took over, we have decided to shake it up a bit. While the regular customers can still expect the same great, high quality pieces, we have really focused on bringing in new designers, tons of new items, and freshening it up! If you have been, please stop by again. If you haven't....this is the time to check it out. Enough about that...

I have been on a job hiatus this past month and technically start my new job on Monday. yikes. I have gotten pretty comfortable with my pseudo-stay-at-home-mom role. I wish I could say that I have spent the last month dropping Lily off at school, hitting the gym for a morning Spin class, laying out by the pool, staying up too late, and sleeping in. Chris cracks a mean whip. I have been getting Worth Repeating into the 21st century. We have QuickBooks, a POS tagging system, and a new web site. Long hours, lots of blood, sweat, and even some tears. But it has been worth it. No pun intended.

Well....while I have been spending soooo much time at the shop it is hard for a shopper and bargain hunter like myself to not find a FEW items that would look good in our home. Maybe freshen IT up a bit! If any of you know Chris...he likes things to stay the same. Boring. He could re-stage the shop everyday of the week, but our own home is another story. However, I have been a frustrated designer my whole life - lugging my full-sized bed from wall to wall in my childhood bedroom and using some scissors, glue and the stylish Sears catalog to design homes for mock-clients as a young girl. Decorating is in my blood. As is shopping.

The other night Chris made the mistake of slipping out early handing me over the keys to close the shop. He was heading to an auction and was not going to be home for a few hours. Here was my opportunity. All of the fun items that I had my eye on made their way into some large cardboard boxes and into my truck. Twinkle-y things, pink things, bright things, shiny things. I was a kid in a candy store. You see...I love our house. It just felt too formal. Too monochromatic and it needed...something. I made a list of the items I took and gleefully headed home with my treasures. What pleased me more was the bargain that I found. At Worth Repeating we have a lot of amazing designers that rent booth space and devoted consignors. So...we don't technically own all of the products. I added up my items and the price tag was less than $200. Pretty good if you ask me! I also snuck in a few of our finds that have been hanging around the shop. Shhhhh.

I am a big believer in re-styling your home in pieces you already own. Sometimes just by moving the drapes from one room to the other or by replacing the dark, Oriental rug with a lighter seagrass one, it can make all of the difference. I also find comfort and an eye-pleasing quality in symmetry and balance. Then you need a touch of whimsy. Well....I moved around lamps. Tried different paintings. Placed bowls here. Placed them there. I thought it looked pretty good. Then Chris came home with some of his auction finds. Another thing that I am bad about is wanting to keep everything he find for ourselves. But we DO have a business to run....right?

Well....check out my before and afters and let me know what you think. It is still a work in process, but I wanted to show how a few small items and not a very large price tag can make a big difference!

My treasures!

I still need to find a place for the sconces!

Living Room - BEFORE

Beautiful chest. Yet Boring.

Piano. So frustrated what to do with it. Nothing looks good over it.

The collection of photographs looks lost.

A hodge-podge in my dining room. Anyone for an antique ice box?

The joys of living with a picker.

Living room - AFTER.

A great idea from Gretchen Opgenorth with the Collected Home. Display photos in a fun container. It allows your guests the informality to flip though your life without the stuffiness of a picture album. Heck...I am lucky if I actually print them! I love the way they look in this milk glass compote from Worth Repeating!

Aren't these carnival glass lamps fun! An inexpensive auction find! I will have to post the original shades later! Also, Sir Rooster will be in our "Man Room" when we finish the attic space. I better hurry up and paint something in art class. Fast.

Dining Room - AFTER
The wall of paintings should be complete soon. With plaster walls I have to be pretty confident with where I want to hang things or we end up with a big mess.

I took these bamboo arm chairs our of the attic and added these bright pillows. Dining rooms crave fabric with all that wood. I love blue hydrangeas reflecting in the plateau mirror and silver plate compote (the Two Brits at WR! Excellent prices. It was only $12!!!!). Also, the blue and white planter on top of the corner cabinet repeats the cobalt blue color. A touch of whimsy with the vintage globe. Another find at WR from The Collected Home.

Collected pieces look good grouped together and do not have to be expensive, just tell a story. This one says that we like bourbon and South Carolina. Just kidding.

Thanks for checking it out!

To Wet Your Palate

Here Are The Top Posts From My Previous Life with Blonde Appetit:

1. The Five Points Special

2. mmm. mmm. good.

3. My Savory Dinner For One

4. Girls' Night In

5. Morocco, A Seat By The Window Please

6. A Hunter Has No Trouble Loving The Women Powerful Enough To Make Him Come Home

As a special treat and because football season is right around the corner and I LOVE my Gamecocks...

1. Mr. Friendly's Tailgating Grub

Enjoy!

Welcome BACK ya'll!

Welcome BACK ya'll! I am a forever food-loving gal down in South Carolina. I love food and drink. I love everything about it. The sound of the sprinklers going off in the produce section of the local grocery. The tarty taste of fresh squeezed lemonade from the State Fair. The subtle hint of salt and pepper on a juicy, just-picked garden tomato. The sugary frosting on a child's birthday cake. Ordering a fine bottle of champagne on girls' night out. Drinking tequila with hand's messy from all-you-can-eat crab legs. And I am absolutely over the moon for cheese. So, grab a knife and a fork, and a bottle and a cork...

Well...that was then and this is now. 2011 - We now have an almost two year old daughter named Lily. We are also the proud new owners of a high-end antique shop in West Columbia. To top it off, we are in an on-going process of renovating our older home. Whew!

Blonde Appetit will be more than just food and entertaining. It will include healthy recipes for children, fun party ideas for kids, stories from our adventures "picking" the best antiques, and exhausted cries for help about how to balance it all! Nonetheless, I still love cooking and enjoy a glass of wine more than I should. So, you can expect the content to remain the same as before...only enhanced due to the exciting additions and changes in lifestyle.

Kick back, relax, and enjoy reading:

-creative, simple, posh, casual, elegant ways to entertain

-decorating, designing, and re-designing

-tales from the Shop

-recipes - for adults and children

-and check out all the hotspots we visit on this adventure!

Mmmmmmm. Now I need a chocolate milk...this time it is in a sippy cup.

That's Amore!

When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine

That's amore

Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling

And you'll sing "Vita bella"

Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay

Like a gay tarantella
When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool

That's amore!

Good morning morning yall. I hope that you had a fabulously romantic Valentine's Day. I think that the closer we are getting to completion with our new kitchen, the more I am finding myself falling back into love with food. I received the sweetest Valentine's card from Chris. I think that it is always special when people write personal messages inside. Chris commented how he can't wait to get our little family back into our house to enjoy our kitchen and proposed the question: What will our first meal be?

Ever since we attended a festive Valentine's Party at our friend Geno and Tony's house in Mill Pond, my mouth has been watering over the briny green olives that they served on the antipasto tray. They were stuffed with feta and tossed with red pepper flakes and olive oil. More info to come about these olives, because I have to get my hands on them again. It was a wonderful celebration with good friends, GREAT food and lots of bubbly! Geno and Tony really outdid themselves...once again! The food presentation was perfect and what a special touch by hiring a bartender. So fun!

I googled Red Pepper, Feta, and Olives and while I was doing a little research I stumbled upon this foodie blog and had to share it with you.

Choosy Beggars

You have to check out their recipe for Pasta with Olives and Feta in a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. Who's watching carbs? Also look for the Roasted Red Pepper, Walnut and Feta Dip. I am definately going to be trying that one!

Geno and Tony had a large amount a heavy hors d'œuvres: from shrimp cocktail with a killer sauce (so retro...I love it!), stuffed mushrooms, asparagus, chicken salad, tenderloin, and that to die for antipasto bar. I could nibble on that all day, every day. Just give me a big ole glass of red wine and some spicy meats, rich cheeses, sinful olives and hot peppers. Heaven.

One simple dish that took center stage were their Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Here is the homemade recipe, courtsey of Geno, but don't let him take the cake for it....it is Tony's recipe!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Toss brussel sprouts with olive oil sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper. 400 degrees for 30 minutes shaking every 5-7 minutes. Also try it with bacon crumbles and chopped onion while roasting.

Now that's amore to me. Back to my original thought: What do you think our first meal in the new kitchen should be?

Guilty as charged....

Well. Here it goes. I am guilty of neglecting you my dear readers. I have been one busy bee with my new job. While the traveling around the globe, both for training and in my new giant territory, have been exciting, I have had little time for myself. And therefore for you. Will you ever forgive me?

I promise to come back. While I may not be able to make daily contributions, I will be sure to get the goods out! I love my little blog. It helps get my creative juices flowing.

Another thing that I have been guilty of is not cooking. Ever. Can you imagine? I have been great at the old adage: making reservations. Or better put...eating at Casa Linda and picking up premade food from Publix. Also, my fridge is on the flux. Oh brother. I could put together a collection of recipes on how to raid your pantry and come up with some sort of meal. But I too, have been coming short on time to do that!

Here is a quick list for food when you are on the run:
1. Apples. High fiber. Need no refrigeration. And no waste. You don't even need to feel bad about throwing the core out your car window on I-95. But for some reason I still do.
2. Publix. Tonight I had the Parmesan and broccoli stuffed chicken breast (40 min in oven!)and feta bowtie pasta with a fruit cup for dessert. Pretty well rounded and under $10.
3. Granola Bars. breakfast. snack. dessert. Special K makes one with raspberries and chocolate. Just bought Fiber One's newest...mocha. yum!
4. Kashi oatmeal. Apples and Cinnamon drizzled with honey.
5. Sleepy time tea. Take me away. Really.
6. LaCroix h20. It is on sale right now. Get some!
7. Papa Johns. Dinner does double duty as breakfast.
8. Let yourself have a #two cheeseburger meal from Mickey Ds every now and then.
9. Soup. yes. boring. I know.
10. Two words. Room Service.

Bacon Makes Everything Better

click here.
enough said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/28bacon.html

What's going on between my ears and in my mouth...

Do you ever have random thoughts?

Of course you do...

Here are few that are spinning around my head right now:

1. Are these girls on the Bachelor serious?

2. Mmmmm. Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuit Crackers are so addicting!

3. Don't girls realize that needy is NOT attractive?.

4. Speaking of needy, there is a Jennifer Aniston Special on E!.

5. Sometimes when your life is spinning out of control, a nice, helpful person is a lifesaver.

6. As is a friendly person. So be nice, helpful, and friendly. Maybe someone else is having their bad day.

7. Cheese is my weakness. Tonight I am making my traditional single gals dinner. Portabellos topped with yummy goodness. Tonight it is a little olive oil and Horseradish Cheddar Cheese from Boar's Head. Broil on low for about 10min. Then top with cheese until it melts.

8. Publix has the BEST fresh food. From the salad, to dips, to hmmmmm...cheese!

9. Paula Deen hits the nail on the head with her house mix. Toss veggies in olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. That's all you need.

10. LaCroix sparkling water makes you feel fancy.

11. My pink UGGs. Ugly, yes. But too comfy to give up! Even in public.

12. Pothos make the best house plants. They always perk up with a little h2o and sunshine. They've got the right idea!

Who knew a night home and $12.71 spent at Publix could make one so happy?

Ahhhh. The simple pleasures.

Super Bowl Sunday 101

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Kick off the New Year with a fabulous Super Bowl bash at your pad. Oh course YOU can tackle this simple event, darling. Follow these simple steps and you will win cheers from the crowd!

Perfect Hostess Outfit:

Finally, a football jersey made to fit our feminine curves. Shop http://www.nflshop.com/ and show your team spirit in official women’s pro-gear.

Food and Drink:

PIMENTO CHEESE
One 3 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons chopped pimentos
In a medium sized bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth and blended. Makes about 3 cups. Serve with French Rounds from the Fresh Market.

WHITE BEAN CHILI serves about 8-10ppl
2 14oz. cans of navy beans, rinsed and drained
1 14oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
3 14oz. cans of chicken stock, soup size cans
4 tablespoons of butter, one stick
1 tbl. Minced garlic
1 medium onion, diced
2 small cans green chilies
1 14oz. can corn, white if you can find it, drained
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, finely chopped
2 tbls ground cumin
1 tbl dried oregano
1 tbl black pepper
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, in produce section

In a stock pot, boil water and add chicken breast. Season water to your liking, optional. Cook thoroughly, at least 20 minutes. Let chicken cool, or put in fridge. Dice into rough, small pieces. In a saucepan, heat butter and sauté garlic, onion, and chilies for about 5 minutes. In a large stock pot, combine chicken stock, beans, corn, all of the spices, and then add the garlic/onions/chilies. Add the chopped cilantro. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 2 hours. If chili is too watery, then ladle some of the liquid off of the top. Top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream. Serve with Corn bread.

MAC AND CHEESE
4 cups cooked elbow macaroni
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 sm. can sweetened condensed milk
1 sm. can evaporate milk
Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease a 9X13 pan. Mix the above ingredients together and pour into dish. Salt and pepper. Top with extra cheese. Bake 40 min.

THE KICK-OFF COCKTAIL (SERVES 12)
Combine 1 ½ cups tequila, ¾ cup triple sec, 7 ½ cups fresh orange juice and 6 tbsp fresh lime juice. To serve, add ice to pitcher and pour into glasses with course salt. Garnish with lime wheels.

Party Etiquette 101:
Do you have limited football knowledge? Try a book such as “Putting on the Blitz” for some Football 101.
Buy one, get one free. Stock your pantry with chips, salsas, and nuts when on sale.
For an easy, retro dessert, serve ice cream sandwiches. Finger lickin’ good!
Are you single in the city? This is a great event to meet a date…just don’t stand in front of the TV!
Not into sports, the commercials can be more entertaining than the game!
Organize a football pool and have guests chip in a dollar or more!
And remember to always RSVP!
Eat, drink, and be Jolie!

courtesy: Jolie, Jan. 2008, RSVP, Lisa Hockenberry

Off to the Big Apple!

Blonde Appetit will be heading to New York

for training next week!

Wish me luck
and
Happy Eating!

New York Cheesecake
courtesy: http://allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly coat a 10 inch springform pan with spray oil. Note: You could use a 9x13 inch pan instead.
To make the crust: Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg and 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Spread to the edges of the pan. Prick all over with a fork, then bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Allow to cool.
Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 3/4 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, 5 eggs and the yolks and mix thoroughly. Add cream and mix only enough to blend.
Pour filling over crust and bake for 10 minutes at 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Reduce temperature to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C) and continue to bake for one hour. Turn oven off, but leave cake in for another hour. Don't worry if it looks a little jiggly in the center.
Chill overnight. This is imperative! If desired, top with your favorite fruit or serve plain.

Video of the Week: Rachael Ray

The New England Clam Chowda' Challenge

Happy New Year!

This year has already been a busy one for me! If you do not already know, by day I sell drugs (the legal kind....) and recently landed myself a new diagnostic sales position. I am leaving behind my baby, Cymbalta, for a new venture. As of December 15th, I have been studying up on fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I leave for New York next week for training and then back to South Carolina, only to leave again for San Diego. Busy. I hope that your new year is full of exciting changes as well!

I have to say that I was so over-come with positive feedback about my blog over the holidays that it really warmed my heart. You like me, you really like me! A big thank you to all the ladies that shared their views with me at the Holiday Market and another special thanks to Flip and Ben. Send me your recipes! Muah! xoxo

I don't know if any of your are familiar with Twitter, but it is another social network that let's you update what you are up to. I recently posted that I was going back to my roots with some New England Clam Chowder. I have to admit. I did not make it myself. However, I did grow up enjoying its creamy deliciousness. This weekend I was approached about posting a recipe. My buddy Flip informed me that he has tried many recipes and has yet to find one he really enjoys. Well Flip...you put me up to a challenge. While Food Network had many typical recipes, I wanted to find an authentic New England recipe. After debating about a few recipes, I stumbled upon this one. I am going to try my hand at this recipe and I urge you to as well.

This New England Clam Chowder recipe comes from The Cliff House in coastal Maine. As a young girl, I grew up vacationing in Maine every year. My father is one of eight children and his mother has a house and two cabins in Wells, Maine. All the brothers and sisters would take turns over the summer with their families. I have oodles of memories of Maine and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. We would always go to the Cliff House for brunch when we were there. The restaurant sits, as described, on a rugged cliff looking over the ocean. It is also a great place to explore. The rocky coast is worn smooth from the crashing waves and you can climb over the rocks and enjoy the spectacular views. The Cliff House has expanded in the years since I have last visited and now includes a posh spa and more.

The Cliff House Resort and Spa is a must do when you are in the Kennebunkport area of coastal Maine. The food is devine as is the atmosphere.

The Cliff House Clam Chowder from The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine

Ingredients:
1 slice hickory-smoked bacon, minced
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 cup onion, minced
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon The Cliff House Spice Blend (see below)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 can clams (6-1/2 ounces)
1 cup bottled clam juice
1-1/2 cups Half and Half
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled and diced

Preparation:

To Create The Cliff House Spice Blend, blend 4 tsps oregano, 4 tsps dried parsley, 2 tsps marjoram, 2 tsps dill, 4 tsps thyme, 4 tsps basil, 1 tsp sage, 4 tsps rosemary, 2 tsps tarragon, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, crushing in a mortar if possible. Store in a resealable plastic bag to refrigerate.

In a heavy-bottomed, 4-pint soup kettle, sauté bacon, butter, onion, garlic and The Cliff House Spice Blend over low heat. Do not allow to brown. Drain clams and set aside, reserving the juice. Slowly stir the flour and clam juices in the sauté mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add Half and Half and simmer 20 minutes. Add white pepper, potatoes and clams. Heat to serving temperature. Do not allow to boil, as this toughens the clams. Serve at once with crackers and warm cornbread.

New Years Predictions 2009

Okay! I was tagged by Anne from The Daily Digress ,with a fun and inspirational idea. You see, she was tagged by Blog O' Beth, whom she is quite fond of and decided to carry on the tradition. We were all challenged to document our own News Years Predictions. We are to choose 5 predictions and then tag at least 3 others to do the same. I feel like I am doing an adult version of a silly children's game. And therefore, I kinda like it. Youth is wasted on the young. Ha! What an old lady expression! I really don't feel that way considering I am amazed at how childish I actually am in this adult body. Yikes. Am I really an adult? No way. It's the kids table for me, baby.

Okay! Here we go...

1. I predict that my gal pals and I will have a glorious time in Vegas this April, and an even more rockin' time seeing Elton John. It will bond us together, with glorious memories and such. Even though I am a novice gambler, I will channel the high-rollin' spirit of my daddy-o and will win big!!! Move over Moneymaker! And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! Shhhhhhh. For an article for a local magazine, I recently interviewed a psychotherapist who informed me that a study showed that what makes people most happy is spending quality, intimate time with people of your same sex. Girl's Night Out anyone?


2. I predict, uggghhhhhhhhhhh, why do I do this to myself: The Gamecocks will have a better season this year than last. *thump* *thump* *thump* that's me banging my head against the wall.

3. I predict that my new job with be a great new experience for me. A big challenge, yet I will persevere and become the Rookie of the Year! oh....and I will finally finish my book.

4. I predict that after reading up on food trends for 2009, I am confident these three will hit big: Luxury for Less - meaning simple, yet elegant dinner parties over extravagant events, affordable cuisine selections vs over-priced, froo-froo entrees, Peruvian is the new Thai: Peruvian cooking is influenced by a melting pot of countries and cultures, and look for a trend towards Tea: green, antioxidants, organic, ginger, the possibilities are limitless.

5. I predict that this is the year of the comeback: Britney will rock it. Jennifer Aniston will finally stop whining and come into her own personally and professionally, Oprah will re-embrace living the good life and get skinny again, and most importantly...the USA will actually have an influential political leader. And bo-ho chic will be big again. Peace. It's a beautiful thing. ohhh.....I also think that platinum blonds will be big in 2009. Where's that peroxide?

I am going to tag the following: Hey ladies...I hope that you try and document your 2009 predictions: Angie with Oh My Goff, Hayley with Buff Chickpea, and Dee with Texas to Mexico. Happy New Year ladies and Good luck! I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Lemon-Ginger Iced Tea with Berry Cubes (remember what I said about tea!)
Ellie Krieger

Ingredients
1 cup (4 ounces) raspberries, rinsed
Water for ice cube trays, plus 8 cups water, divided
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup (2 ounces) coarsely chopped fresh ginger
6 white tea bags
3 lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
Lemon slices
Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions
Place about 4 raspberries in each compartment of an ice cube tray, 6 hours before serving iced tea. Fill with water and freeze.
Place honey, 2 cups water and ginger in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let mixture steep for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, then strain out solids.
In a pitcher combine strained liquid with 6 cups water and lemon juice. Chill in refrigerator.
To serve, place 3 ice cubes in a tall glass and pour iced tea over cubes. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

p.s. I hear it is good with vodka. hmmmm. and cheers!

Too pooped to pop...any more champagne!

Happy New Year To All My Blonde Appetit Readers!!!!

I am sitting at Jr's house....super sleepy from last night's festivities. I hope that you all had a joyous New Years Eve. There is always something refreshing about beginning a new year. 2009 is a clean slate and there are 364 more days to be filled up with unexpected happenings. I just returned home from watching Marley and Me with my bestest gal pal. Awwwww. It is great, but a real tear jerker. One theme that resonated with me was the element of surprise. How life can surprise you , no matter how well you plan it out. Also, how you can surprise yourself with what you want, what you become, and the moments that truly make you happy. I think that 2009 is going to be full of surprises for me. Full of unknowns. Truthfully, it makes me feel both excited and scared. So, raise your champagne glasses, and toast with me to 2009. May we all surprise ourselves.

Today, we made a feast of ham, greens and beans (ps. Southerners...black eyed peas are not really peas but beans...fyi. Just saying). A Southern New Years Day tradition! Here's to a prosperous New Years!!! $$$

Virgin Collard Greens (my first attempt)

1 bunch fresh collards, washed and trimmed

1/2 cup brown sugar, or so, plus more to taste

1/4 cup or so salt

3 pats butter

1 ham hock

Vinegar would be a great addition, but someone doesn't care for it too much. hmmm.

Bring a stock pot full of salted water to a boil. Cut the collards into skinny strips. Add 2/3s to the boiling water. Add the ham hock, brown sugar, and butter to the water. In a steamer over the pot, add the remaining 1/3 collards and sprinkle with more brown sugar. Put the lid on the pot and turn heat to low. Let set for 3+ hours. Before serving, add the steamed collards to the pot. When ready to serve, strain the water, leaving the ham in the pot. So simple yet, full of flavor!!!

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Lisa Hockenberry
Jolie – RSVP – December 2008 – White Elephant Gift Exchange

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a popular party game that is played during the holiday season! There are many names for this type of party, such as Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap, however the rules remain the same. The term “white elephant” refers to a gift whose cost exceeds its usefulness. As with many holiday parties, everyone arrives with a gift and leaves with a gift, however it is what happens in between that sets this game apart. Gifts are usually humorous and it is a light-heart way to have fun with your supper club, best gals, or even colleagues.

THE RULES:
1. On your invitation, state that everyone must bring a wrapped present. Often, hosts set a price limit per gift.
2. When guests arrive, have them set their gifts under the tree, on a table, or other designated spot.
3. Then, when it time to play the game, pass around a hat with numbered pieces of paper (one number per gift). Have each guest draw a slip of paper.
4. This designates the order in which the guests choose the gifts. The guest that draws the “1” gets to choose the first gift and opens it for all to see.
5. Then it's the turn of the person who drew "2." She can choose to steal the first person's gift or pick another gift from the pile, and open it. If the second person chooses to steal the first person’s gift, the first person gets to choose another gift from the pile.
6. The person who drew "3" goes next, and must choose between stealing one of the first two gifts or choosing a new gift from the pile.
7. The game continues in this manner until everyone has a gift. Often a rule is set in the beginning of the game that a gift may only be traded 2-3 times.

GIFT IDEAS:
If there are both men and women exchanging gifts, guests can bring a gift that matches their gender and then swap with like guests. Some ideas may be wine or liquor with a silly name, a Styrofoam cooler filled with inexpensive beer, or gift certificates to local restaurants. I once attended a party with a large percentage of Gamecock fans and one guest brought in a Clemson house flag! Sure enough the biggest USC fan ended up with that prize! Another gag gift is to take a toilet seat, paint it gold, and decoupage it with jewels and rhinestones – the ultimate throne fit for a king or queen!
If you are exchanging gifts with your girlfriends, many quite helpful gifts can be found with humorous names, such as Takeouts Silicon Bra Inserts – The Better Boob Job, or Rich Girl Hand Cream from the Lippmann Collection! Any sassy mama loves fancy toiletries to help with beautification!
If it is a mixed crowd of spouses, colleagues, and even (Yikes!) your boss, more subdued gifts may be appropriate. For example, a fabulous winter scarf or chic colorful boots to assist in braving the cold weather that following Monday at work! An interactive game that can get the crowd mingling is another useful idea!

HELPFUL HINTS:
This time of year is stressful enough! Have a casual gathering and serve a soup and salad combo.
Set up a bar and let your guests help themselves to beer and wine. Consider serving a signature cocktail, such as a pomegranate martini.
Don’t go overboard with flowers and such. Let your holiday decorations serve their purpose. Play festive music.
Remember, when wrapping your gifts, the best and most elaborately wrapped gifts get chosen first. Get creative with your wrapping!

Turkey Cheesesteaks with Cranberry Mayo
Courtesy: Mr. Friendly’s, owner Ricky Mollohan

Ingredients (for two big sandwiches)
1 cup chopped leftover turkey

1 green bell pepper, cut into long strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into long strips

½ white onion, cut into long strips

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp olive oil

¼ cup sundried cranberries or other leftover cranberry mixture

2 slices provolone cheese

2 hoagie buns

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp sour cream

Salt and pepper

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Slice open the hoagie buns and place them in the oven for 5 minutes to toast.
Meanwhile, in large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil and onions. Season with salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add green and red bell peppers, and reseason with salt and pepper. Continue to cook until onions turn light brown and are caramelized.
Add chopped turkey meat to the onion-pepper mixture and toss in pan. Season it all with Cajun seasoning, garlic and dried thyme. Continue to cook and stir until turkey is hot. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix well as to blend mayo and sour cream together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and mix again.
Spread the cranberry mayo on both sides of bun. Load up the bottom bun with turkey-onion-pepper mixture and top with provolone cheese. Now, put the other piece of the bun on top and you've got a great sandwich!

Heading to a Holiday Party and Need a Unique Dish?

Try this:

Green Apple & Peanut Butter Enchiladas

courtesy: Brent Dampier

2 - 8 oz. cans of crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
4 green apples, peeled, seeded, and sliced
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup peanut butter
12 ounces Mountain Dew

Preheat oven to 350° F. Melt butter over medium-low heat in medium saucepan. Add sugar and cinnamon and blend well. Unroll crescent rolls and place a generous dab of peanut butter topped with green apple slice(s) on each. Roll from large end to small end. Place in 13”x 9” baking dish. Pour butter mixture over each, and then pour the Mountain Dew over the top of dish. Bake at 350° F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 6-8 servings

Cook’s Notes: For softer more savory apples, add apple slices to the butter mixture and simmer while preparing crescent rolls. Remove apples making sure to return as much butter mixture to the saucepan as possible.


Brent is so thoughtful to share his one-of-a-kind recipes with Blonde Appetit! He vouches for this recipe and even states that it receives rave reviews even when...I quote, "he is not behind the wheel."


Can you think of a creative title for this recipe? Brent is working on his own cookbook and may enter this recipe in a famous contest. Your name could go down in history. Blonde Appetit has her thinking cap on!!!!!!!!

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Monopoly Lilly Pulitzer Edition

America's oldest game gets a pink and green facelift! Every last detail is customized in true Lilly Pulitzer fashion. This limited edition Monopoly game features a wildly printed game board and tokens such as Via Totes and Classic Shifts. The Vias of Palm Beach replace the railroads and the "Get Out of Jail Free" card reads: "Swap your jail stripes for Lilly brights!"

$50

www.lillypulitzer.com

or

Belk at Columbiana Mall

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Smoked Salmon Trio
Ideal for entertaining or gift giving, our assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. Farm-raised in Scotland, the salmon is brined and smoked for us by the Browne Trading Co., a family-run smokehouse on the Maine coast, using techniques passed down through generations of fishermen. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax. Each fillet is fully trimmed and hand-cut into thin slices for serving. 1 1/2 lb. total.

http://williamssonoma.com

The Five Points Special

Alas, towns change. Stores open. Then they close. Big business comes to Five Points in spite of hurting the mom and pop local pubs, coffee shops and retail locations. Sometimes it can be a good thing, but many times it has long time residents lingering with the memories of "the way it was..."

When I was a Sophomore in college I lived with two roommates on the top floor of an old, brick professor's apartment building on Blossom St., until the 3rd girl moved off the Hall and into the eaves of our wall...a mere storage space that we coined "the Nook." I bounced checks at Wachovia, rented disco boots at OEO, shopped at Luna when all they really carried was Free People, ate gelati and drank coffee at Adriana's, and bought gifts at Joyful Alternative. I can smell the patchouli scented candles now. We did our laundy at Soaps (the Good Time laundy!) and drank Mr. Pibb. We sunned ourselves and ate Fla-vo-Ice at the park on Blossom. We were a little young for the bar scene, but once in a while snuck into Sharkey's and drank Midori Sours - as if that did not give away our age! I got busted for underage drinking at Tammeny Hall during a fraternity event and cringed as everyone watched me get my ticket from above. Another thing I learned was not to trust men with green hair and blinking buttons on St. Patty's day, for they are police that will take you to Kenny's Auto Supply and take your ID. However, the Asian liquor store down Harden will still sell to you. I dreamed of being old enough to drink outside at Rough Draft. That was the coolest.

My friends and I worked odd jobs: I sold beer to the box seats at Bombers Stadium and never learned the table numbers as a hostess as CBC and Harpers (we were required to heavy starch our shirts so I took aerisole hairspray and ironed them.) My girlfriends (poorly) slung salsa at Monterrey Jacks*, worked the baby room at The Firm, or served drinks to "old people" at Willy's. We went to class in overalls and baseball caps and took our dogs to the river. We cut a hole in the fence between Blossom and Harden so we could sneak up the hill to class. I still drove and received a merciful amount of parking tickets. So much so that my car was towed.

One thing we did not do much is cook. Other than Rago with chicken (?!!) in which we rarely did the dishes...many a plate, pot, or cup was thrown away. Sorry Mom and Dad! We did sometimes eat. If it wasn't at our place of work (I was allowed one hot dog per game but I got in good with all the stands and would sometimes have three!!!), we hit up cheap local dives.

For late night food it was Franks Hot Dog stand. The burger with the works, corndogs with ketchup and mustard, and the fried mushrooms rocked. How we did not get arrested for pulling our car up curbside beats me!? Our all time favorite place to eat was New York Bagel. For under $4 would would get a yummy sandwich and drink and read up on the Crime Blotter, etc in the Free Times. Blonde Appetit hearts NYBagel. I remember there were all those over-used pictures of men sitting on newly constructed high rises and panoramic views of NYC. I loved the sandwich that consisted of an everything bagel with chive cream cheese and turkey. We also loved the Gamecock, which I recall being a hot sandwich with turkey, roast beef, and provolone cheese. Those were the days when bagels were low fat and no-one counted carbs. Did we really even care?

Goodbye old Five Points...I will remember you fondly.**

*The Five Points Special was my all-time favorite sandwich and it was served at Monterrey Jacks. It was similar to many of the Turkey/Roast Beef "Original" Sandwiches found at restaurants in Five Points, but with a twist. It was served on a hoagie roll with cheese and real bacon, and seasoned fries. It had the best dipping sauce, a spicy ranch. And they served Mr. Pibb. We had a thing for Mr. Pibb. I once had the crummiest day and rushed home to eat my leftover Five Points Special. I came through the back door and saw my two roomies sitting on the couch. I shared with them the whoas of my day and how all that would make it better was my yummy sandwich. I dismissed their blank expressions and walked over to the fridge. Empty. I had made it home minutes after two thieves had inhaled my precious goodness. Where was my sandwich you ask? The world will never know.

**I stand corrected: The STP from Groucho's was a staple breakfast/lunch/dinner choice. A secret to a better STP: ask for "real" bacon under the cheese. So glad they bottled the 45 sauce. Although I let it remain a guilty pleasure for only when I dine in. I know the recipe is secret, but I also know it is so bad for you, it's good. p.s. two words: ball ice.