Good Morning Darlings!
Sometimes I receive things in the mail that are a surprise. This little package was one of those days.
This is the fun stuff!
Good Morning Darlings!
Sometimes I receive things in the mail that are a surprise. This little package was one of those days.
This is the fun stuff!
Good Morning Darlings!
My life is truly wonderful. I have an amazing husband, two adorable dogs, friends that fill my heart, a lovely, cozy home and a soft bed on which to lay my sleepy head each night.
Wait, you do, too? How marvelous! But it’s not something we think about each day, is it? I have never had much adversity to overcome, my middle class upbringing was pretty much like living in Mayberry and my loving parents kept me safe and warm, buying me anything I needed, including cute clothes and the newest styles of shoes. I received a car at 16, went to college and never pondered where my next meal is coming from. I married a man who loves me without fail and always shows it.
It’s astonishing to think that my reality is someone else’s dream. A dream that has been thwarted again and again by abuse, by poverty, by unrealized ambition.
Good Morning Darlings!
Our good buddy, Caren West, just let me in on a super event for all you bacon lovers.
Can you smell the excitement?
Good Morning Darlings!
Hope you all had a fine Valentine’s Day – no matter who you spent it with. Ours was swell. Lets recap the menu:
Crab Cakes
Creamy Pasta
Fresh Green Salad
Lemon Souffle
It was all so good. The souffle was delicious, but needs some work. I thought it was pretty good for a first try. An oven thermometer would probably help to make sure it’s calibrated correctly.
Some photos?
Eric whipped up the cream sauce with the most spectacular oregano and gorgeous Greek olive oil by Frixa, that was just sent by lovely Miss Leigh in St. Simons Island. The Chryssaidis family owns a restaurant, Athena, in St. Augustine, where they go through 20 liters of this elixir each day. Can you imagine? And you can buy both the olive oil and oregano online. Yum.
The sauce goes like this (thanks, Honey!): Melt 2 tbsp butter and add 2 tsp Frixa oregano, infuse with low heat while the pasta cooks. When the pasta is al dente, strain and quickly beat together 2 eggs, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup parmesan with a little pasta water. Dress the pasta in the sauce and drizzle with the butter to serve. (cooks note: boom done).
Eric’s crab cakes were essentially crab, a bit of mayo to bind and panko for coating. Perfect.
I dressed the table with three large pillar candles, red beaded placemats from Mexico, silver napkin holders, hammered silver flatware and red champagne flutes. Although I believe I forgot to shoot the table because I was so excited about dinner. Sorry, Darlings.
Here’s a peek at the souffle.
And into our bellies! Nom nom nom. And having an excuse to practice my souffle skills is a delicious reason for dessert, yes?
But, Eric and I both agreed, the really special treat came this morning inside the delicate confines of four very fresh eggs, gifted to us by our oh-so-sweet friends Stephanie and Reeves, who raise chickens just a few blocks away from us. They taste nothing like what you buy from the grocery store. No, these are much more piquant, with a richness that betrays its supermarket brethren, and puts them to shame. And look, Stephanie puts the date each one, so you know exactly what day it was gathered.
We didn’t say too much during breakfast – we were too busy trying to savor every bite of those pristine eggs. Thanks Stephanie and Reeves!
Oh, and my Sweeties – I am giving away two tickets for The Wedding Experience tomorrow. You just need to comment here on this blog post. You don’t have to be a bride, you might have a friend who is getting married and could benefit from this – so get your comments in!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Nat King Cole – Love
Good Morning Darlings!
How are you feeling? Did you over indulge last night? Never fear, Caren West is here – with a great suggestion on where to drag your weary bones for a nourishing breakfast to start 2011 with.
BREAKFAST ALL DAY AT DIESEL FILLING STATION ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
Beginning at 11 a.m. on January 1, 2011, Diners Can Enjoy an Expanded Menu of Lunch and Brunch Items Day and Night
Begin 2011 with a hearty brunch at Diesel Filling Station in the Virginia-Highlands all day and night. On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2011, starting at 11 a.m. Diesel will serve a special “breakfast all day” menu featuring a diverse selection of its signature brunch and lunch items. The expanded menu includes the new Benedict Explosion – a bacon explosion topped with cream cheese on an english muffin, drizzled with honey and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise; and, favorites like the vegetarian biscuits and gravy made with veggie sausage; the popular Death Muffin; filet and eggs; french toast; make-your-own omelets and much more. Couples can also enjoy brunch for two for $25, which includes two brunch entrees and a choice of a Bloody Mary or mimosa pitcher or a bucket of tall boy beers. For diners in need of a little hair of the dog, Diesel will offer a variety of Bloody Marys including its signature Bloody Mary that is made using a secret recipe only owner Justin Haynie knows. Diesel’s New Year’s Day brunch menu is below.
Good Morning, Darlings!
Have you ever met folks and just knew you all would be great friends? My new friend Victor is one of those folks. Victor is an image consultant and just the loveliest person. Our mutual friend Elizabeth introduced us and on Sunday we all met at Victor’s house for brunch. His house is one of those wonderful places you immediately feel at ease and could stay for hours.
And the food was delish, too!
Good Morning, Darlings!
I have quite the treat for you today. My guest blogger is none other than my perfect husband, Eric! Take it away, Honey!
Good morning, and hello, everyone. I’m lucky enough that I get to eat what you read about here – or most of it, anyway. Patti is a wonderful cook and a joy to cook with, but I also like to cook for her. When it comes to what to cook, I like to keep my recipes simple, tasty, and if I may admit, pretty big — well, not too big. Good-sized. On weekends I love to cook breakfast, and every lady loves breakfast in bed, which is a lovely start to Valentine’s Day.
Surprise your favorite this Sunday with an easy and yummy breakfast of an omelette , hash browns, english muffin, and juice. It goes together quick and sticks to your ribs till dinner. All the info is below the fold.