Thanksgiving is here in four days. I want to make sure you have everything you need. Grocery stores aren’t usually open on Turkey Day, so lets get cracking.
I just found the coolest website called To Do Softlist.com which has lists for everything. For a list junkie like me, this is heaven. But if you are not, I will not subject you to my list proclivity. Except for this one Thanksgiving list. It is so fab. I have just altered it a bit to fit our needs.
Click to continue »
Eric and I are so lucky that our friends are our family. Last night was a prime example.
Each year, Crystal and Teague host a Pre-Thanksgiving dinner that celebrates all the wonderful friends and neighbors we have. Everyone gets to cook what they would like for Thanksgiving as opposed to what they might be forced to endure annually with their blood kin on the 4th Thursday of November. My dear friends really know how to throw a bash. This year the guest list totaled 30 people – wow! Not only did Teague fry a turkey, but grilled two pork butts as well. Crystal was kept busy making not one – but two – dressings. One was an old family recipe with raisins and apples and the other was an oyster dressing. Yum yum yum. Click to continue »
Planet Shark, Now At The GA Aquarium
Getting together with brilliant friend, Tami at Running With Tweezers, is always an adventure. Yesterday was certainly no exception.
What started out as a simple lunch followed by a blogger’s day at the Georgia Aquarium for the new Planet Shark exhibit, turned into what could have been worthy of reality television.
First, lunch. We decided to meet up at Social, a darling little bistro in downtown Atlanta. We walk in and there is no one to greet us. Tami and I wait around for a few minutes and decide to take a table upstairs. We choose a corner nook so our food photography will not bother the other diners. Finally, our waitress comes to the table, totally flustered and telling us that someone called in sick and she was the only one there. Now, I feel for this girl, but this is not exactly setting the tone for a relaxing meal. I tell her we have tons of time and not to worry. In retrospect, that might have been a mistake. She seems relieved by this piece of news and scampers off. Click to continue »
Well, Darlings…I had a super cool post ready for you but was told that what we were doing couldn’t be shared – yet. So, I’m a little bummed, and a little unprepared for today.
But what I made in the AOADP kitchen yesterday was very interesting. So I can tell you this – I cooked something with someone for another thing. Not very detailed, is it? LOL. As soon as I get the green light, you will have all the deets. Pinky swear.
When lunch rolled around though, we were hungry. Really hungry. Eric came in the kitchen and whipped up these fabulous chicken biscuits with the leftovers from Popeyes. Ohh, it was so good. So here is idea #1 on what to do with your wine pairing leftovers.
Crunchy, Salty, Chicken-y Good!
And today I am dining at Social for lunch with dear friend, Tami, who just returned from the gingerbread competition in Asheville. I am so excited to hear all about it. Then we are attending Blogger’s Day at the Aquarium.
I promise to have a much more thought out post for tomorrow. And this weekend. The next three days are filled with food related fun that I will be able to share with you.
Hope you all are ready for a fab weekend!
xoxo, Patti
Our Tasting Crew
When Hardy Wallace of Dirty South Wine and Murphy-Goode Winery’s winner of “A Very Goode Job”, tells you he is organizing a wine and fast food pairing, people listen. They may giggle at the thought, but they listen all the same.
If you have ever met Hardy you would know that the party is wherever he is. He is the party. His bubbly optimism gets everybody fired up, me included. So I was all for having friends come by for some Popeyes Fried Chicken and wine.
Eric called in our order (two orders of the Tailgater, which meant 48 pieces of chicken). When he arrived to pick up the food, he was told by the manager that ours was the third big call-in order of the night – what’s going on? Eric told him of the wine pairings going on all over the country – the folks at Popeyes had no idea, but they were tickled by the thought. And the business.
More Food Than I Thought We Could Consume. I Was Wrong.
How Do I Look?? I feel like my site looks like Cinderella, thanks to my Fairy Godmother, Brooke, over at Tongue-N-Cheeky, who designed the header as a surprise for me. Isn’t she the cat’s pajamas?
As I move forward in this blogging journey, I continue to meet the coolest people ever. My life is a dream!!
Today, I will be getting ready for tonight’s wine pairing with Popeye’s Chicken in conjunction with Hardy Wallace, the dynamo over at Dirty South Wines, who is just bubbling over with great ideas and joie de vivre. We are expecting around 12 friends, but I will let you know all the details tomorrow.
Hugs and kisses!! (go visit Brooke’s site!!!)
Patti
Eric and I are celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary today. My life is a dream because of my wonderful husband and I could not be more grateful for his love.
At our anniversary breakfast of biscuits and gravy this morning, we mused over what we thought have been some of our most memorable meals. There have been great fine dining experiences, but I would say that most of our favorite meals have even surprised us. They were not planned for the most part, they just sort of morphed.
Like the time in Negril, Jamaica, when we meandered off the property at Swept Away and met the rastafarian who was cooking lobsters on the beach in a campfire. For $20, Eric and I sat in the crook of a tree, watching the sun set as our new friend rinsed the lobsters in the clear Caribbean waters, roasted them and served them to us on a paper plate with corn on the cob, a slice of white bread and a Red Stripe. The peace we felt that night was priceless.
That same trip produced another unexpected meal. After walking the length of Negril’s Seven Mile Beach and coming to the end, Eric informed me that we either had to walk 7 miles back in the sand or go through the fishing village and try to find a cab. As one who is not fond of physical exertion, neither one of these options made me feel very optimistic, but I opted for the fishing village. Being in a foreign country and tramping through the brush to the fishing village is not my idea of a good time. I like sightseeing, not adventure. When we finally reached a clearing, we were met by spear-wielding, painted-faced savages…no, not really, but I got you going for a second, didn’t I? We met some really cool locals who taught us how to drink the milk from a coconut and fixed us a plate of fresh tuna served with rice and peas (that’s beans to you, kids) and of course, a Red Stripe. We discussed politics and the economy of Jamaica and we both left feeling like we had a very special experience.
Eric and I honeymooned in Italy and the meal that stood out for me was during our last night in Milan. The place I had found for us in my guidebook was closed so we just walked and ducked into this tiny restaurant for dinner. There, I had the most remarkable dinner that I have yet to try to replicate at home for fear of ruining my memory. It was a simple dish of octopus and potatoes cooked in butter and garlic. I had heard that when cooking octopus or squid you must prepare it one of two ways – 1. Flash cook it or 2. Cook it in a pot for an hour with a wine cork (the cork apparently tenderizes the fish). We loved the dish so much that we asked to speak to the chef, who spoke as much English as we did Italian. Trying to ask him about the octopus and the cork resulted in a hilarious exchange. But it seemed as if Chef used the cork method…I think. Anyhoo, it was a divine end to the perfect honeymoon.
After we had lived in Santa Monica for a year, we couldn’t stand it one minute longer and had to come back to our beloved Atlanta for a visit. It’s a long 5 hour flight and we were exhilarated and starving. We picked up the rental car and headed to Crystal and Teague’s. Seeing our dear friends after a year was soul soothing. What awaited us in their backyard was something out of a movie. They had worked so hard on their backyard and it was amazing. A huge pergola with twinkling lights greeted us. It was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. The steaks with rosemary and roasted potatoes our friends grilled for our dinner was the best meal I had had in a year. Nothing beats great friends mixed with fantastic food. We left for our hotel late that night smiling so hard I thought our faces would crack.
Another time with Crystal and Teague at their lake house resulted in one great meal. We all bundled up and set out for Three Sisters Winery, owned by my old friends, Doug and Sharon Paul. We enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting and returned to the lake house to the aroma of pork cooking in mojo sauce. It was yummy, hot and cozy by the fire. A fitting end to a great day with friends.
There are so many more great meals to recall. The muffaletta in New Orleans, ballpark tacos in Isla Mujeres, arepas at a street fair in Manhattan, cheap beer and hot dogs in Vegas as well as a six course tasting menu at Picasso at the Bellagio, fried whole rounds of provolone in Buenos Aires, beef wellington at John and Danny’s, the 10 course tasting menu at Moto in Chicago where the sushi is served wrapped in paper printed with pictures of sushi and the cocktails are made with freshly squeezed juices, all thrilled our taste buds. There have been burgers at Ann’s Snack Bar, fresh oysters at Eddy Teach’s in St. George Island, steamed king crab legs at Castaway’s (now Whiskey Joe’s) in Clearwater, Florida, the six course tasting menu at Restaurant Eugene where we savored the foie gras so slowly that the staff watched us through the entire meal and then realized that it wasn’t that we didn’t like the foie gras – we LOVED it and didn’t want it to end.
The first thing Eric ever cooked for me were scrambled eggs – the best eggs ever and the first meal I cooked for him was veal medallions in a mustard sauce. He claims that because of me he is a much better cook.
I claim that because of him I am a much better person.
I love you, Eric! Happy Anniversary, Honey.
xoxo, Patti
I missed you yesterday, Darlings! Crystal and I were out enjoying the incredible weather here in Atlanta – 76F Sunday! Crazy!
But time to discuss Thanksgiving again. This time it’s about table settings. For me, this comes second only after the food. I only allow myself to enjoy setting the table after I have done everything else. It’s like dessert for me.
This turkey will find about six (so far!) of us gathering around. I decided to go for cute instead of elegant. Here’s the inspiration from Martha for my table.
My Table is the Big Kids' Table!
I have a huge pewter boat that I use for hors d’ouevres that would work perfectly for this. Hmmm, but what to put in the boat to hold the cute sign? Mashed potatoes? That might work.
And, I know this is another of Martha’s ideas, but how many chickens do you need to eat before you have enough wishbones? But it sure is cute. You collect and wash all your leftover poultry wishbones (maybe from the time you gave that medieval feast for 100?) and paint them chrome. Then, you tie the ends together (wrapped six times and sacrifice a kewpie doll…wait, wrong recipe…) and voila! You have napkins rings. Looks like I’ll be saving my wishbones from now til next Thanksgiving. I am wild for this idea. However insane it is.
Take All Your Wishbones Just Laying Around The House.....
Here’s one that would be easy and crafty, too, from Blissfully Domestic! I don’t know if it’s my style, but I like how festive it feels.
Don't Pass the Turkey Over With This Setting - You Could Get Singed!
Even if you don’t have the budget for decorations, you can still spruce up your table for free. How about taking a glass bowl or vase and filling it with fallen leaves found while taking a walk? You could also take one of your favorite scarves and use it as a table runner (first make sure it’s washable before someone spills the gravy). Fresh apples or any type of fruit could adorn the center of the table, too. Set apples and/or pears/persimmons/whatever is around and scatter them down the center of the table, perhaps on more of those fallen leaves (be super careful with your candles, if you have dried leaves on the table – votives might be the answer here.) Another solution would be to take all your fruit and pile it up on a cake stand in the middle of the table – maybe stick a few leaves into it or the turkey art the kids brought home from school. Even having the kids make those paper traced turkey hands as placecards would be super cute.
I also liked this idea, which reminds us of why we are at dinner this day. Take strips of paper, write what you are thankful for, and attach with double sided tape and read aloud at dinner. Easy, but it could start a special tradition.
I'm Thankful For You!
And how cute is this little placecard? Take those nasty things that fall from trees and turn it into something memorable. And easy. I love pretty and easy.
Gum Tree Spurs - Now For The Table!
And for the easiest centerpiece yet – got a candle? a glass holder for it? some popcorn? You have a centerpiece.
Corny, but Cute!
The fine folks at HGTV came up with this beauty. Really, this is the time to break out all your prettiest tableware and make it work. I’m inspired by this because bff, Vickie, gave me some beautiful gold glass vases and these are now going on the table. Along with my boat.
Ohhh, Gold!
if you have the time and inclination, you could visit your local Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware or Pier 1 for lots of inspiration. But I like to use my imagination (and the imagination of style mavens like Martha) to create something that you can’t buy out of a catalogue.
Next Monday we’ll discuss the last minute prep. Don’t panic – it’s just dinner, Darlings!
xoxo, Patti
Happy Saturday, Darlings! Yesterday (and today) have been just gorgeous outside. Perfect for an alfresco date with girlfriends.
Sweet friend Laura, the Weary Publicist, Patricia, Miss Diane, new friends Angela and Thomas (not a gf – but a bonus friend!) met up at the Highland Bakery for a Friday lunch made just for catching up on each other’s lives.
Much ado has been made about the Highland Bakery’s White Chicken Chili. So it seemed appropos to order said chili. Hmmm…maybe Thomas and I spent too much time rearranging the chili for its photo op, but I just couldn’t get on board with everyone else’s opinion. It seemed to lack much chicken and was mostly beans. The jalapeno foccacia served alongside the chili, however, was terrific. Miss Diane really enjoyed her burger and I have to admit, it looked delectable.
White Chicken Chili
Miss Diane's Burger
But it was a great time to catch up with friends. The weather was so gorgeous that Miss Diane and I took a stroll around the neighborhood to walk off the calories we had just consumed. The sun was shining and the leaves were changing.
It’s not always about the food. Although that coconut cupcake sure looked yummy….
xoxo, Patti
Happy Friday, Darlings! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Here in Atlanta the sun is shining and the temp is a brisk 44F (Uggs weather!)
And although this week’s posts might lead you to believe I have not been cooking this week, I have. It just seemed like each meal was not very exciting by itself. But as a week’s worth of food – that would be much better. Let me share what’s been happening in my kitchen the week of November 9-13, 2009.
Monday – We are still craving comfort food, so tonight it was meatloaf, green beans and mashed sweet potatoes. In our house, Eric has come up with a cool way for the meatloaf to stay moist while baking. After forming the loaf and placing it in the pan, we take a can of green beans (or two) and pour the whole thing (liquid and all) over the meatloaf. Not only does the meatloaf stay tender, but the green beans taste much better as well. Try it next time and see what the family thinks. I also whipped up some bread dough from the book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes. Here’s a site that gives you all the details. The dough is sitting in my fridge and I bet I will get around to baking some up this weekend. It is the handiest recipe ever. Now for photos of Monday’s offerings:
Dough Waiting to Become Bread
Cozy Meatloaf Supper
Tuesday – If you are in the Atlanta area, you will know that Tuesday brought torrential rains and many areas were flooded. Not the day for going anywhere. Even Karen came back immediately after jumping the fence. What’s for supper? More comfort food, of course! I stood gazing into my fridge, trying to decide what to cook. I had a big bunch of chicken breasts, so I poached them and used the two biggest for chicken and yellow rice and the others for dilled chicken salad for lunches. The leftover chicken and rice will be used later in the weekend for fried rice. I also used this rainy day to organize my pantry. I picked up these cool containers on sale at Target that would keep potential mice from making a meal out of the staples in my pantry come winter (sorry little mice!) All the laundry got done, too. A successful day for housework.
Yellow Rice Goodness!
Wednesday was Veterans Day and that means a day off for the state, which means a day off for both Crystal and Teague, who were total sweeties and invited Eric and me for supper. No cooking for me tonight! Whoo hoo! What a wonderful feast she and Teague prepared for us. Teague made his fabulous apple, roquefort, bacon pie – as a side dish! I wish I could serve you a slice from the computer – it truly is amazing. Crystal was making kitchen magic with a perfectly prepared pork tenderloin (a huge pork tenderloin, I might add), roasted with parsnips and sweet potatoes, accompanied by pan fried cabbage (Teague is the Cabbage King, after all…). I baked up some blondies for dessert. Ohhhh, we all ate well. And Crystal set a beautiful Autumn table, also! And Crystal’s gift to me was homemade pork fat (I am going to have Crystal explain the technique in an upcoming post) and a giant chunk of the tenderloin, which I will slice super thin and use on cuban sandwiches this weekend. Golly, I love a cuban sandwich.
Teague's Fancy Schmancy Yummy Pie
The Prettiest Table Setting - Martha Should Be Worried...
Nom, Nom, Pork!
Thursday was bittersweet. I got the greatest news that Morgan, the niece of my very bff, Vickie, would be stopping in this weekend on her way back from Tennessee with a carload of her buddies and having dinner here with us. I can’t wait! It was also Miss DeVore’s night. Miss DeVore has had a weird week, after being bit by her dog, Lenerd, and saying goodbye to CNN. I went into super comfort food mode for this night. Burritos made with the leftover meatloaf and fresh made guacamole, along with the most beautiful Cinammon Bread gleaned from a recipe posted by the most talented Kate at Framed. Go check out her blog – everything looks so good! I loved this cake recipe because it tastes like cinammon rolls (a serious weakness of mine) and it goes together in no time flat. Special note if you decide to make this pan of deliciousness – DO NOT PREHEAT THE OVEN. IT GOES INTO A COLD OVEN. I wasn’t paying attention and had to turn off the oven and let it cool down before I could put the cake in and start all over. But let me tell you, this is going into my permanent recipe file. We gobbled it up like…yes, you guessed it – wild, hungry badgers. Go to Kate’s post to see how it should look and I’ll show you how mine looked.
Entire Cake Before Demolishing
One Perfect Piece of Cinammon Heaven
Burrito Before Rolling Up
There’s my wrap up for the week, Darlings. Today brings some fun culinary treats that I look forward to sharing with you tomorrow.
Use this weekend to pay it forward. The kindness will return to you threefold.
xoxo, Patti