Forgive me?

I know...this blog has fallen a bit to the wayside...it won't be forever, I promise.  I really have a good reason for the lack of posting!  Beyond being in a cooking slump (hey, everyone has highs and lows in the kitchen, right?), I have recently been going through a stage where NOTHING sounds good to eat.  The reason behind all of this...

So, there you have it.  I have been cooking up a tiny little "turkey" of our own, to arrive a couple days after Thanksgiving!!!!  We are thrilled, but please be patient, I'm sure my lack in motivation and my tiredness will subside and I will get back in the kitchen soon!

More posts soon!

Sorry, the posts to Daily Deliciousness have been few and far between, sporadic posts here and there.  I've been trying my hand at menu planning and some heavy duty budgeting...sitting, crunching the numbers, writing the grocery list, figuring the most bang for the buck...and I'm getting pretty dang good at it!  Stretching resources hasn't been very easy for me, but I'm getting much better at it and it's been fun to see how to stretch our finances and still enjoy tasty meals.  I'll be trying to fit in some more creative meals, but so far, the only ones have been pretty plain dishes that don't require recipes or ones I've already posted on here.

I have been daydreaming about ways to also stretch the space in our home's kitchen and dining area....should there be an extension on our counter top and room for counter stools?  Should the dining room table be smaller to give the illusion of more space?  Could I rearrange my kitchen to give me more useful space?  (I have a few organizational items  (I have high hopes for the plate cradles that hold my dishes vertically!) that I will be trying out very soon to see what works best...)...  We'll see where this daydreaming leads.

My husband loves me...

I often post things like "My husband loves my cooking..." or that he's just an awesome person in general...but the other day, I came home from work and he surprised me with this:

Meaning, he listens to me, he knows what I like, he knows that it's the little things in life that make me extremely happy and he knows exactly how to cheer me up after any bumps in the road.  Thanks sweetie, you're the best!

Cleveland Fabulous Food Show

My mom and I were so excited to learn that the Fabulous Food Show was coming to Cleveland this year (somehow we've missed it the last 4 years!) but this year, we weren't going to miss it.  The 3.5 hour drive was totally worth it to us and my dad graciously offered to chauffeur us there, since he knew how excited we were to go!

Upon arrival, we took a moment to look around the I-X Center, happy to see that the show had been significantly increased in size from the one we attended 5 years ago.  There was much more space to move between the vendors (over 250 of them!) and the shows/demonstrations. 

Our first mission was to get in line to obtain Guy Fieri's autograph...we were first and second in line!  We figured, better to wait in line for 2 hours than take the chance of not getting an autograph, then we could move along to seeing all the booths and other shows.  Being first in line was a good plan, but when he came out, we were rushed through the line so fast and Guy was busy coordinating with his photographer that it wasn't probably the best plan, since he didn't even say hello.  Autographs in hand, we were off to see the other vendors and then Guy's show.

Guy's show was awesome, he did more talking than cooking, but that's most of his shows and his personality, so that definitely came through.  We had great seats 5 rows back on the end, so we could see everything great.  We were nicely surprised when a little way into the show, we saw someone walk out and stand not even 5 feet from us...Michael Symon!

He went onto the stage and talked with Guy a bit and had some laughs.

 We did some browsing and shopping after that...laughing a lot and spending too much.  :)  I also got to go get my copy of Ratio signed and meet Michael Ruhlman...my mom didn't know who he was, but I was pretty excited about this one.  He walked in to the book area and my mom said "Maybe this is him???" and he looked over and said "Hello, yes, it is me!" which was pretty funny and he was so nice about signing my book taking a picture with me.

The next day, we came back to see Bobby Flay's show before heading back to Michigan.  His show was outstanding, over an hour of him cooking and preparing a delicious meal of steamed halibut, creamy mushroom polenta and chocolate hazelnut banana crepes with a brown butter orange sauce.

Our trip was fantastic, it was great to spend time with my mom and I know she enjoyed it as well.  We are already looking forward to next year! 

It's that time of year again...

GO RED WINGS!!!!!!

Grocery store egg challenge...

We get eggs at our local Meijers, never thinking twice about it....always getting organic or free range "Jumbo" eggs.

My parents came over yesterday to visit and brought us some surprises, like some fresh goat cheese, Parmesan and Jumbo Jumbo Eggs from their local Farmer's Market "egg guy"...they go to their Farmer's Market 1-2 times each week now that my dad has free time on his retired hands. :) I guess they go enough to have their own "egg guy", "cheese guy" and "turkey guy"...oh wait, the "meat guy" too!

Paul's reaction to these farm-fresh eggs was "HOLY..." and this morning when he was making breakfast, he brought one of our eggs vs. a farm egg out for my inspection and this is what I saw:

**Grocery store on the left - farmer's market on the right**

You judge...are the grocery store "Jumbo" eggs any comparison to farm-fresh from the "egg guy" at the Farmer's Market?

I think not.

A VERY Good Cause

Not food related, but I wanted to share this blog with all of you who read my posts.

My dear friend Dawn and her husband Lee are in the process of adopting their beautiful children from China and Haiti. They started this project called the "Flip Flop Fleet" where they send flip flops over to Haiti and other countries where new shoes are very much a luxury. They have sent over 1600 pairs so far!! You can see pictures where the children, teenagers and adults are very excited to get a new pair of flip flops!!! So I encourage you to check out her blog here, Flip Flop Fleet and please consider donating any flip flops you may see on sale near you!!!!

My biggest fans...

My parents know how much I love cooking and blogging, they read this all the time (HI MOM & DAD!) and always are encouraging and supportive of my endeavors.

Today, I got this email from my Dad, bragging about the wonderful meal that my mom had just made...with the following pictures attached. It's so cute! I'll definitely have to try this recipe and I know it will turn out great! Thanks for the recommendation!

Tin-foil tip courtesy of Mom

Did you know that the ends of tin foil boxes (or plastic wrap, etc...) have little tabs to hold the roll in the box? I DIDN'T!!! How did I not know this? My mom showed me...and now you know too!

Breakfast at my parents...

It's always an enjoyable experience. Now that my dad has been retired for a while and is loving cooking, cleaning and domestic endeavors, I get breakfasts that look like these...

No recipes to mention, can't divulge Dad's culinary secrets. :)

A major award!!!!

I was visiting my favorite blogs this evening and I was so surprised and delighted to see that Karen over at Lovestoeat Weblog nominated me for a Lemonade Award, refreshing like lemonade!!! Her blog, recipes, photography and her personality are all wonderful, so you must check out her blog NOW! Thank you so much Karen!

Here are the "rules":
- Add the logo in your blog.
- Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
- Nominate 10 other (refreshing…like lemonade) blogs of your choice (or as many as you'd like).
- Don’t forget to add links to those blogs in yours.
- Also leave a message for your nominees in their blogs, informing them about the award.

And the nominees are.......*insert drum roll sound here*

Stephanie over at Macaroni and Cheesecake
Ashley at Senora Espanola
Maci at My Yummy Goodness
Tina over at Mommy's Kitchen
Laure at Vintage Victuals

Sorry...

I apologize for the missing pictures on some of my blog posts....totally my fault and a complete accident. I will replace them and fix them, it will just take some time though! Thank goodness I have all my food pictures saved! :) Please be patient with me...

I'm a married woman!

An apology

I just wanted to say I apologize for the lack of posts lately! I've been so incredibly busy (and stressed) AND GETTING MARRIED THIS SATURDAY!!!! Along with that, my camera broke and I just got another one. So, after I cross over to the other side with the other wives, expect me to get back to my regularly-scheduled postings! (if not MORE posts utilizing all our wonderful shower gifts and China!)

Hope all my readers are doing well and I'll be back soon!

~Shawna

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

No, not Christmas, sillies......it's HOCKEY SEASON!!!! All I have to say is "GO WINGS!"

Meet my little friend...

CHARLIE CHEESE...isn't he adorable? My parents brought us this little visitor from Whole Foods. He's too cute to eat!!...ok, maybe not. But I had to post a picture before this little guy got chopped up. :)

Thanks to Melissa at Delicious Melicious!

The lovely Melissa at Delicious Melicious blog (check it out, it's awesome!), has given Daily Deliciousness the "E for Excellence" blog award! What a wonderful surprise to this Monday afternoon!!! Now it's my turn to bestow this award on some blogs well worth reading!

*drumroll please....*

Lauren over at Lauren's Kitchen. Perfect everyday recipes and outstanding photography!

Tina at Mommy's Kitchen. Wonderful meals & desserts and she's a real sweetheart too!!!

Amber from Amber's Delectable Delights. The pumpkin roll picture alone makes me drool.

Rachel at Culinary Kicks. Simple, clean layout and delicious recipes!!

LivingInsanity's Loving Food - Colorful, fun, and wonderful food...what could be better?

Annie of Annie's Eats - Easy, scrumptious food and outstanding photography...love it!

Now ladies, it's your turn:

Please find at least 10 more blogs, of any kind that you love to read. Write a post about the blogs you picked, linking back to me and to them. Once you’ve posted, return here to let me know your post done and be sure to let them know too!!! (If you don't come up with 10, that's fine too!)

Omnivore's 100

I have seen this on several blogs I read regularly and decided to post as well...I'm a food wuss, so probably a lot of these I wouldn't even consider trying...but we shall see....read on!

This is my code - I'm veering off the course of the instructions below.
Red - HaveEaten
Black - Will NOT eat
Purple - Want to eat or would at least try

From Very Good Taste Omnivore’s Hundred:

“Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognize everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.”

If you want to join in, here are the rules:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black Pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie Gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Head Cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried Goat
42. Whole Insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whiskey from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea Urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin - can't even find what this is!
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frog Legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe Beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam - if I had to
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

New cooking goodies!!!

Paul and I had our first wedding shower yesterday, it was absolutely amazing and we were so overwhelmed at everyone's generosity. Words cannot describe how much we loved every second of the day, despite the pouring rain outside!!! Here are some pictures of our new cooking toys...ok, the first one is totally for ME!!!

From my absolutely wonderful mother & grandmother, who totally overwhelmed me with this beautiful machine and matching cover!!!!

Paul's adorable Grandma and Aunt bought us all our china place settings. That is beyond generous!!!

Our hand-blender - I cannot wait to make soups and anything else with this!!

Our huge, digital griddle! It is awesome!

Our beautiful spice rack from my future Mother-in-Law, she is wonderful!

Ok, this one isn't cooking related - but can you tell I was SHOCKED???

First harvest!

Look at these beauts...dark green, medium sized, and DEFINITELY packing the heat, according to my fiancee...after chugging milk because he popped a slice in his mouth not thinking that Jalapenos would be hot...I knew better, stayed clear and made extra sure I wore gloves when handling those babies! I chopped them finely for some kick-butt nachos I made for dinner.