5 Feb 2011

Super Bowl 45 Food

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I heard the other day that the Super Bowl really is just a food holiday.  While I am too big of a football fan to really agree with that statement, I do believe there can be some good food enjoyed on behalf of the two top teams in the NFL.  Tomorrow: the Packers and the Steelers.  (Just for the record, I am pulling for the Steelers even though I couldn’t care less about who wins.)  It really is a sad day because the world’s greatest sport ends tomorrow.  (At least golf is starting!)

I read many food blogs so I have compiled some of my favorite mentions here for a list of super bowl foods you can make!  And enjoy. 

Do you need a vegetarian pizza for the game and like mushrooms?  Here is a pan pizza for you.

Jenna, one of my fave bloggers, gives us heath bar blondies.  Every football game has to have a bar of some kind 🙂

Bennigans.  I remember my first trip ever to Bennigans with my Dad in Tallahassee in middle school.  They have the best potato skins.  Here are some sausage potato skins: potato, cheese, sausage – can it get any better?

Most Super Bowl parties have an abundance of two things: meat and finger food.  These meatball sliders would be perfect for any party.

Michelle comes through with these amazing appetizers.  I seriously wish I was going to be home so I could have these piping hot out of the oven. 

If you want to really impress your guest by making your own crackers, and have time to do other foods as well, make these cheddar crackers from Jenna.  They are simple!

Its Girl Scout Cookie time and since the price of Girl Scout cookies keeps going up (and they support some organizations I would rather not give my money to), why don’t you make your own Tagalongs.  Chocolate and peanut butter – always goes good with football.

This is one of my favorite appetizer recipes that I made a few years ago.  So delicious! 🙂 

Those should keep you busy for the big game.  Whatever you do: enjoy the evening.

3 Feb 2011

Book 4 of 52: Big Sur Bakery Cookbook

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Today is one of those days when I wish I was independently wealthy and didn’t have a job.  If I were – I would purchase a ticket to the closest airport to Big Sur I could possibly find, maybe even tomorrow, and dine at the Big Sur Bakery along the Californian Coast.  Honestly, I wouldn’t go today – because its January and they may or may not be open – but maybe the first week of June.

The Big Sur Bakery was recommended to me by Jenna or Eat Live Run who lives in the area of the Bakery now and loves this cookbook as well.  I really was skeptical of how good a cookbook could really be.  This sets the bar.  A new plumb line for cookbooks.

Honest.  Ingredients.  Journal-type writing.  Amazing breathtaking, simply want to make you run to whole foods and make everything recipes, and beautiful mouth-watering pictures – the type I only dream to one-day take. 

They care about their friends and family, their local ingredients, and specializing in their craft.  And don’t let the term “bakery” in the restaurant’s name fool you.  They are about craftful baking, but they love their meat and potatoes as well.  They even have a pork and beer night once a year, complete with fake pig snouts.  Vegans not apply (that’s why I can’t go for  eleven months).

So…do you need a good read by a fire-place?  Pick this up.  I may not have a fire going at this moment, but this has been an amazing 3 hour journey into the lives of the owners and lovers of the Big Sur Bakery.

Tax return money, pleae come quickly, so I can buy my own copy.

31 Jan 2011

Much & Link Love – January 31

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One month of 2011 down, 11 more to go.  This next month is going to be busy for me in town – not much out of town.

1.  I may breathe in May, on a cruise ship, to Alaska.

2.  Vegetarianism is going pretty good.  I’m thankful for a paycheck now so I can buy good veggies – and more peanut butter!

3.  Long drives and sits at different coffee shops make me think, and there are always things I need to change in my life.

4.  Hope.  Hope is a strange thing when placed in the wrong place it is detrimental to your faith.  That is sin.  When placed in the right Person – God is faithful to fulfill it.  I’ve experienced the wrong place this past week, and now am back on the right Person.  He is good.

5.  Sometimes I watch online dating commercials, and want to try it.  But, then I go back to #4.

February: speaking in Roxboro, eating some good meals with friends, writing, working on food photography, baby shower for a dear friend, and writing – while I’m at it – I might as well do some more writing.  Self-imposed deadlines, gotta love them! 

Link Love:

1.  Love D. A. Carson – and this is a great message.

2.  Jewelry designer Jess is also a home designer – her studio makes me want to move to Chicago, or at least move to a studio and have great new stuff!  Or design more of my own!

3.  Does anyone need a chocolate cake recipe?  I so have a craving to make this.

4.  This is my spring craft project.

30 Jan 2011

Book 3 of 52: a platter of figs (David Tanis)

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Reading cookbooks.  Such a delight.  Really – there is so much more to do with a cookbook other than to cook by it.  Read it.  Laugh at it.  Savor the pictures.  This will occur if it is a well-written cookbook.

I learned the art of reading cookbooks by reading Jenna’s blog.  Many of the cookbooks she recommends are now on my Amazon wishlist (linked here in case anyone wants to buy one from themselves, or me).  This one, a platter of figs, wasn’t on it – but it was at my local library.  I checked it out, read it, took notes, and added it to my wishlist.

David Tanis, of Chez Panisse fame, has a delightful approach to his recipes and his writing: fresh, simple, gorgeous, local ingredients.

There are four I want to try: fava bean salad, spinach cake, pears and parm, and avocado mozzerella quesadillas.  His recipes are divided into seasons – which is really the only way a good fresh, seasonal recipe book should be organized.  Perfect and helpful.

Here are two quotes that will stick with me:

“I was drawn to the idea that the experience of dining is an end in itself.”

“What a strange idea: comfort food. Isn’t every food comforting in its own way! Why are certain foods disqualified? Can’t fancy food be soothing in the same way as granny food?”

Enjoy a platter of figs.

27 Jan 2011

Taste and Heard in Durham: Beyu Caffe

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I don’t know really how you say it, but I pronounce it: good eats.

On the side of Five Points in the downtown district of the Bull City, sits a gem.  Jazz, spinach gruyere dip, vegan and vegetarian choices on a full menu, wines and coffees, luscious desserts, and wifi – really – need I say more.

We walked in with only about 35 minutes for dinner.  I stated that to our waiter and he was on it.  Thankful for the service! 

I think I may have had the best spinach dip I’ve ever had: spinach and gruyere cheese – that’s all (well, the two main ingredients) – baked in my own little ramekin so I could devour it all to myself (I did share a bite, and saved some for leftovers).  No artichokes – I think I like it that way.

The sauce that I tried from my friend’s choice: chorizo quesadillas: guacamole mayo – splendid.  That would go good on just about anything – but maybe perfect on a BLT.  Yum.

The dude singing – perfect, not too loud, we could still carry on a conversation.  Must. Go. Back. for more.

27 Jan 2011

Heart.

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Real.  On this blog, you get differing depths of me depending on the post.  This is going to be deeper post.

My days off are seldom like I think they are going to be.  Most of the time they are better than I even thought they could be.  This is one of those.  I brought many books with me when I headed West on 40 last night and only one of those books has been opened.

Last night I had delicious food at Beyu Caffe in Durham.  Delicious spinach dip with warm pita, hmmmmmmm.  And found a place I would love to go back to with my laptop and just sit for hours with a cup of coffee and listen to the life music (maybe eat a dessert, or some more spinach dip).

Then heard a great run through of Calvin’s thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer.  Very needed in my life at that moment and I’m very glad to have heard it.  Saw some sweet friends there and then more talking.  Rode home with younguns that knew some sweet Southern Seminary folks, and I thought of their goodness and transparency and faithfulness.

Then went back to my friend’s house: ate leftovers, talked, both on laptops, read some D.A. Carson and called it a night.  Didn’t sleep very well and I didn’t know how that was going to bode for today.  It has boded very well.

Started this morning with 4 hours at my favorite hangout spot in Durham: Foster’s Market.  That is no surprise to anyone!  Had a delightful conversation with a friend.  Oh, so good.  Then drove to have lunch and talk about photography: see people, that was good.  Hear what God is doing.

Then headed to Starbucks and had a 2 hour conversation with a wise woman and mom and wife and pastor’s wife whom I had only met once and she was so gracious to let me in on her precious time.

Now I’m sitting at MadHatter’s…thinking, blogging, reading.  So, here we go:

1.  My ideal evening: sitting with a dear friend or new friend or anyone I just have a desire to be real with over a lovely dinner (cheap, not cheap), and a glass.  For hours. No end in conversation.  Breathing.  Being real.  Talking about life, not perfection.

2.  What I don’t like: Fake.  I’m not a fake person.  I have said some things in 2 recent conversations that I never thought would come out of my mouth to people.  Hearing those things come out of my mouth make me realize: I love those friends and I can be real with them, and God is still doing work in my heart to make it conformed to Christ.

3.  I’d rather have deep meaningful conversations with people, or intentional conversations, then shooting the breeze with folks in a large group. 

4.  Colossians 3:16 is what happens when life is pressing. In one conversation today, I was able to take Scripture and say how it has been real in my life and how God has used it to shape me.  When life is pressing: I want Scripture to come out because that shows my faith and hope are in Christ.

5.  Christ is my hope.  I tend to get my hopes up about one thing or another.  And I get disappointed.  But, when my hope is in Christ: which is where it always should be, He never disappoints.  As I spoke this truth to a friend last night I knew I was preaching to myself to.  As Lloyd-Jones and Bridges and Mahaney all say: preach the gospel to yourself everyday.  I need to do more preaching and more listening and more applying and let the Spirit do more sanctifying.

6.  I have to believe in the Gospel.  If not, my life would be so meaningless.  I would have no hope for ever changing, for ever being who I needed to be.  I can’t do this life on my own.  Christ is my grace and my sufficiency.  I need to remember this in all areas of my life: work, “fun writing”, friendships, relationships, photography, traveling, reading, health, you name it.  I need Christ.  He is the good gospel.

7.  I’m not there.  Some of those real thoughts that came out today show that I am hopelessly man centered when it comes to areas of approval in my life.  Blame it on being a woman: no.  Blame it on SIN.  Yes.  Those two women couldn’t believe that would come out of my mouth?  Do I really put on such an air of have-it-together-ness that I could never be that insecure?  Do people really think I have it altogether.  Folks: disclaimer: I don’t have it all together.  God is still at work for His glory (See Philippians 1 and 2).

8.  If my life on FB seems like I have it altogether, please don’t believe it.  What I put on statuses that are Scripture and quotes are: I am preaching to myself.  These are the things that I have read that God has used right then to sanctify me and make me more into the image of His Son.  That is His desire.  My happiness is wrapped up in Him (or that is where it should be).  Its not totally there yet, never will be.  Looking forward to the return of Christ! 

9.  I get disappointed and I get sad over sin (mine and others) and I love being by myself.  I also love conversations with people that will allow me to be real and not be judged.  Not confronted or held accountable for my sin: I crave that – but not judged.  I want the truth to be spoken into my life.  Yes, that is hard to hear, but I need it.  You need it.  We all need it.

10.  God is good.  The verse I left a conversation with today: The Lord God is a Sun and Shield, He will not withhold anything good from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11).  I also love Romans 2:4 (Do you presume, or do you know that the kindness of God was to lead you to repentance) and also Romans 8:32: How will God, who gave us Jesus, not also graciously give us all things in Him. 

Those are my refuges.  Those are where I lay my hat at night.  That is where I turn when I am disappointed or elated.  When there is joy.  When there is let downs.  God is good.  I love Him.  He loves me.  I stand in that.

Thank you: Leah, Heather, Clarissa, Brittany, Sherri, Wendy, Christi, Mollie.  And an advance thank you to: Sarah, Christina, and Rachael.  You are being used in my life and I am grateful for you!

27 Jan 2011

TriRestaurant Week: Vivace

by | posted in: food, restaurants, vegetarian | 2

Unpretentious.  Good food.  Hopefully go back for the good wine.  Good price.  Good friend.  What more could you ask for?

A friend and I celebrated hump day by taking advantage of Triangle Restaurant Week and went to a new place for us both, Vivace in North Hills.  I will definitely pay a return (or two or three) visit!

They brought out delicious simple crusty bread slices with a white bean hummus type dip.  Good, simple.

We both ordered the salad: spinach, dried apricots, slivered almonds, and a prosecco vinaigrette.  Loved the attention of the dressing of the salad with the light vinaigrette and the sweetness (but not overwhelming) dried apricots.  Maybe the hand was heavy on the pecorino cheese, just a bit salty.

I ordered the pizza, minus the chicken since I’m going meatless.  The presentation was flawless, brought out on a wooden cutting board.  Thin crispy-edged pizza with olive oil, goat cheese, roasted garlic, pear, and red onion.  Simple.  Mastered.  I took one bought, slouched back on my cushioned-seat, and sighed.  Good food.  Such a pleasure.

My friend got the mussels in white wine sauce and linguini.  I tasted a mussel and tried some of the sauce.  Splendid.  And both meals provided us leftovers.

Dessert: cappuccino panna cotta with raspberry puree (dotted with 3 chocolate covered espresso beans) and biscotti.  Everything was good, nothing oh my goodness stellar (like the pizza).  I enjoyed it.  Brown colored desserts are not easy to photograph. But, neither of us (my friend nor I)  are HUGE coffee fans and we both enjoyed it!

So.  My plan: return for a visit.  Go late at night with a friend who wants to split a pizza, a glass of something, and sit there and talk, oh for hours.

And we had attentive wait staff and an enjoyable time!  Thank you Vivace.  Enjoy the photos.

27 Jan 2011

Taste of Durham: Amelia Cafe

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In the middle of the Brightleaf Square corridor sits a little cafe that serves desserts and real food.

I spend 4 hours there on Sunday, taking pictures, talking w a dear friend, and sipping on an espresso macchiato. 

The cake we chose was moist, texture-perfect, and delicious.  I could have easily eaten the entire cylindrical – goodness, but I shared, like a good girl.  We chose the coconut tres leche cake and the toasted coconut on the outside was supreme.  The filling of the tres leche cake was rich and pale yellow taste-bud delight with every bite. 

They serve many other beautiful creations and then have a full menu as well.  You can sit there for hours and have no one bother you.  And they have refills on their coffee – serve your own.  So, I’ll definitely be heading back there, especially when it gets warmer and I can sit outside.

Finds like Amelia’s are what makes Durham a great place to eat!

Only negative: their photos both on their website and menu need help.  Hey folks at Amelia’s: I’m available.  Contact me!

24 Jan 2011

Much and Link Love: January 24

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1.  Naps do a world of good – but not for your to-do list

2.  Enjoy.  Who do you enjoy?  (Notice I didn’t say what…but who?)  Is your life filled with people you enjoy being around, with, in their company?

3.  Durham is a place of solace for me.  I heart it.  It used to be home.  In many ways it still is.  I would rather be in Durham than almost anywhere else (St. Augustine is a close second).  I’m glad Durham is so close to Raleigh.  I can be there in 10 minutes.  Its slightly smaller and less hectic than Raleigh – I think that is one of the reasons I like it.  I think it has more character than Raleigh.  Not saying anything bad about Raleigh, just like Durham better.

4.  Some dreams are happening.  Dreams are hard.

5.  I eagerly (and sometimes bitterly) pray with hope.  Jesus is better. I heart the book of Hebrews.

Link Love:

1.  Maybe John Piper should run for president?  Good pre-rebuttal to Obama’s speech today.

2.  Such a great post by Mark Altrogge.  Needed.

3.  I heart this.  You really can learn a lot about me by reading this each week.

4.  These might be the first thing I make when I get a paycheck! 

5.  My friend Thomas White breaks into the biblical manhood discussion.  Let me tell you: he lives out what he preaches.  Thankful for his example the past 11 years.  He was my first boss at SEBTS.  He and his wife, Joy, are good friends, and am excited about how God is blessing them with their daughter Rachel and a new baby in May!

6.  Well, it is now set Sports Fans.  Steelers and the Packers.  Only reason I’m cheering for the Steelers is I think most of my friends here in RDU would disown me if I pulled against them.

Happy Monday everyone.

23 Jan 2011

Book 2 of 52: Death by Love (Mark Driscoll)

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This is a strong statement: Death by Love will always be in my top 3 books about the cross of Christ.  There: I said it.  If a non-believer asked me for a book to read: I would offer this.  Powerful, applicable, doctrinally sound, passionate & empathetic.  Gospel.

Mark, in only a way he can, writes profound letters to people he has had conversations with over the years in ministry, telling them how the Cross of Christ covered and remedied their need for a Savior.  Ransom, revelation, redemption, righteousness, reconciliation – and more.  He doesn’t gloss over their sin, he doesn’t make the cross warm and fuzzy.  He inserts the cross of Christ where God did: into the mess of our lives.

He not only writes letters, but then he also gives doctrinally-sound answers to many of the questions raised about the cross.  And he gives books at the end that will help further your understanding about these truths on the cross.

“You can only overcome sin by an ongoing trust in Jesus and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit.” – 59

“The heart of repentance is changing your mind about who is god in your life.  You must stop trying to manage your sin but put it to death before it puts you to death” – 65, 66

This statement brings to mind my favorite part of Genesis.  Chapter 15.

“Furthermore, every covenant has a head, and that person is primarily responsible to ensure that the terms of the covenant are kept.” – 82

Please. Read. This. Book.