I’ve been a bad blogger. I’ve been cooking. And I’ve been taking photos. But that’s only 2/3’s of the food blogging equation. That final step, the writing, has not been happening. So I’m going to take the month of January to relax and recharge. Hopefully when I emerge from this hibernation in February my head will be full of stories to share.
Until then, I’ll be highlighting old posts from Exit 51 for you to get your regular BAH fix. I’ll still be flapping my wings over on Twitter, skimming the blogs in my Google Reader, and responding to comments here.
According to the True Random Number Generator at Random.org, Missmobtown is the winner of my Cookwise give away. I don’t know if she’ll be getting the Pyrex bowls she spotted on Etsy, but I know she will be making the acquaintance of one Shirley Corriher.
The following originally appeared on 8/19/08 at Exit 51.
Busting At The Seams
No, not those seams. I mean my Frigidaire.
This is what happens when you go on South Beach. Your refrigerator fills up with all kinds of food to the point that you can’t cram another thing in it. You just have to eat your way out. Continue reading “Flashback Friday – Busting At The Seams”→
At what point is it ok to decide that something you thought would be a perfect gift really wasn’t? Here it is, nearly 365 days after I received Cookwise for Christmas and honestly, that book is collecting some serious dust on my bookshelf. I don’t get it. I always enjoyed it when Shirley Corriher made a cameo appearance on Good Eats and I was certain that Cookwise would open a whole new understanding of food science to me. So I read it cover to cover. And none of it clicked for me. None. Nothing. Nada. I’m convinced this has nothing to do with Miss Shirley and everything to do with me. Wow, I never thought I’d use the “it’s not you it’s me” line to break up with a cookbook.
So in the spirit of giving, I’d like to find a new home for Miss Shirley. One where she is appreciated and her knowledge of food science is regularly called upon. Or at least called on more than once a year. Want to win my copy of Cookwise? Just leave me a comment below with the one thing at the top of your holiday gift list this year. One commenter will be chosen via Random.org at noon on December 20th to receive an little extra holiday cheer.
The give away is open to residents of the US and Canada and the book will ship via USPS Media Mail.
My thanks to the Red Hot Chili Peppers for providing the soundtrack to my high school and college years as well as the title of this post. Anthony and the boys are in no way associated with this bloggyness or any giveaway activity.
The following originally appeared on 8/12/08 at Exit 51.
BFF
Despite my love of kitchen gadgets, I don’t subscribe to the idea that you have to have expensive specialized tools to have a well equiped kitchen. For one, that would cost a fortune. And, it would require vast amounts of storage space. I have neither. Continue reading “Flashback Friday – BFF”→
According to random.org, commenter #15 was selected as the winner of the This Charming Candy giveaway. Congratulations Jenna. I’ll be emailing you with more details.
Thanks to everyone who entered. I’ve got another give away coming up before the end of the year…stay tuned.
When was the last time you had a lollipop? Think about it. When you’re a kid, people hand you lollipops left and right. You get them at the bank and the doctor’s office. I even ran across something online recently where a dentist was giving out lollies to the kids. I guess that’s one way to ensure job security. But after you’re no longer cute by virtue of being young and precocious, the supply of lollies coming your way dries up.
My last real encounter with lollipops was in high school when the cheerleaders struck upon the idea of selling blowpops for a fundraiser. It was genius really. Those girls walked the halls with the bulk boxes of blowpops and we all flocked to them for the chance to exchange two quarters for a chunk of gum wrapped in a lollie shell. I think they had the entire student body of Elkton High School hooked on their sugary stash. But after that, lollipops and I pretty much went our separate ways. I would occasionally score a DumDum on my way out of the vet but they were never as good as I remembered them being from my days as a young, precocious thing. And then this summer the Universe took me to Seattle, home of This Charming Candy, and I rediscovered the joy of lollipops.
Run by Susan and Kate, This Charming Candy produces handmade lollipops. Can you believe that? Small batch, artisan lollipops. Here’s what it says on their Etsy Profile Page, “Susan made her first lollipops as part of a science project, believe it or not. She loved watching the syrup boil, learning how to handle it, playing around with pretty food coloring and coming up with new ways to combine familiar flavors. She started bringing lollipops to gatherings with friends around New Years 2009. Soon she was totally hooked on making lollipops. All the positive reinforcement from her sugar-loving friends sure didn’t hurt either.“
I am all for doing what you love. I’m also all for things that taste good. So having been tipped off about This Charming Candy before my trip to Seattle, I pestered Susan via email into meeting me and selling me some of her Salted Caramel lollie love. She could not have been more gracious or generous with her time during my visit. And let me tell you, she totally delivered a sophisticated, adult lollipop that made me sing with delight.
The future may look back and dub Salted Caramel the sundried tomato of 2010 but I insist that it is timeless perfection. Imagine salty and sweet happiness on a stick. Despite such intriguing flavors as Birthday Cake, Teaberry, Nutmeg Creme, Maple Sugar, Blueberry Muffin, and a Twilight themed collection of Blood Sucker, Sweetheart, and Lickanthrope, I am steadfastly loyal to the Salted Caramel.
As we move into the gift giving season, I know some people for whom artisan lollipops would make the perfect holiday gift. Maybe you do too? And I imagine Santa wouldn’t mind finding a lollipop instead of cookies at your house as he burns the midnight oil on Christmas Eve. Or maybe you want to treat yourself to a small indulgence. Whatever the reason, This Charming Candy makes it easy for you to rediscover the love of lollipops.
I love the lollies that This Charming Candy produces and I believe in supporting people taking a chance on doing what they love, so I’m giving one Bon Appetit Hon reader the chance to discover This Charming Candy for free. No strings attached. All you have to do is check out This Charming Candy’s blog or Etsy shop for all the fantastic flavors Susan and Kate are offering up and leave me a comment saying which flavor you find most interesting.
Want an extra chance to win? Then head on over to Twitter and/or Facebook and post the following:
Enter to win @charmingcandy handmade lollipops from @bonappetithon http://wp.me/pAING-Sh
Leave me a separate comment saying where you posted for each additional entry (one entry each for Twitter and Facebook for a maximum of two additional entries).
All comments must be received by midnight on Thursday, November 26th and the giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only.
The commenter randomly selected as the winner will receive $20 worth of shopping plus shipping in This Charming Candy’s Etsy shop. You will be contacted by email if you are the winner so be sure to include your email address in the comment form (will not be published with your comments).
Now for the disclaimers:
This Charming Candy is a licensed food handler and processor in the state of Washington, and they make their candy in a licensed commercial catering kitchen. This kitchen processes foods to which some customers may be allergic, including milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans.
This giveaway is being sponsored by me personally. I have not received anything in consideration for this post. I just wanted to thank you with some lollie love for following my adventures here at BAH.
***Overlooked Disclaimer #1: I usually respond to every comment here at BAH but in order to keep things nice and tidy for the giveaway, I won’t be posting any responses. Feel free to chat with me about your lollie love on Twitter @bonappetithon ****
The following originally appeared on 8/4/08 at Exit 51
Topsey Turvey
Topsey Turvey.
Prickly.
Disjointed.
Take your pick. They all seem to apply right now. Maybe it’s because it’s August and it’s hot. Maybe it’s because we’re starting down a new path to hopefully better life choices. Maybe cosmic forces are conspiring against me. Who knows? But things that should be easy, they just aren’t. And the things that are never easy, they are harder than ever.
So I remind myself to add a generous scoop of patience to anything and everything. Truth be told, I would prefer it to be a spoonful of sugar disguised as my lunchtime can of coke.
While the blues and reds battle it out across party lines, I invite you to participate in a different election. Bon Appetit Hon has been nominated as one of Maryland’s Outstanding Blogs in the Baltimore Sun’s Mobbies 2010 and voting has begun.
Anyone can vote so please take a moment to click over here to cast your ballot for favorite blog each day between November 2nd and November 12th. Bon Appetit Hon is listed under the Foodie category. Campaign disclosure: you will need to register on the site but I have never gotten an email or spam from Baltimore Sun. It’s quick and painless.
Here are my campaign promises:
I promise that I will not robocall your house asking for your vote.
I promise that I will not run negative campaign ads about my competitors.
I promise that I will not misuse gift cards solicited on behalf of the needy.
I will bring you new stories and recipes each week.
I will continue my Food Memories series featuring your stories and recipes.
Let your voice be heard!
I am Wendi from Bon Appetit Hon and I approve this message.
The following originally appeared on 7/22/08 at Exit 51
Staycation
Tilghman Island
What do you do when you’ve maxed out your vacation for the rest of the year but you want to get away? Why, you take a staycation. Despite all the current buzz, the concept is not new. It’s being a tourist in your own town, city, state, etc. Continue reading “Flashback Friday – Staycation”→
Bon Appetit Hon 