Vintage Water Pitcher Makes Perfect Vase for Sweet Potato Vine

I love this 1950's water pitcher, which was my grandmothers. Growing up as a kid, it always had KoolAid in it! I wanted to display it (not use it for fear of it getting broken) so came up with this idea.

I got the idea from my mother-in-law. Her mother used to always have a sweet potato vine growing in the kitchen. All you have to do is have the sweet potato half in the water (use can use toothpicks to support it if the opening of your vase is too wide.)

I found the water pitcher was perfect width to hold the potato half in/out. This is so low maintenance anyone can do it - even if you routinely kill every house plant you've ever tried to grow. Just keep it filled with water (refresh with completely new water 1-2 a week) and it will thrive!!!

What Chilly Weather Drink Are You?

Waking up to chilly weather this morning, makes me love my loose teas even more. I only drink the Elmwood Inn brand from Bruce Richardson's line. I've been a fan of Bruce's teas for well over 10 years now, and I've tried something from each of his categories, which he has 10 categories to choose from. Who would have thought there were so many different varietals of tea? Bruce truly has something for every one's taste, and he travels the world looking for specialty teas as well and is considered an expert in the tea field. So, you can't go wrong with his offerings!

Elmwood Inn - fine teas, cookbooks, and more!

My personal favorites are his Jasmine Green - his Jasmine Phoenix Pearls are simply divine too. I live on the  Lung Ching China Green, Sencha Japanese Superior Green, and the Ti Kwan Yin China Superior Oolong. Also, his Serene Green has a sacred place in my cabinet, as it was one of the very first I tried over 10 years ago and got me hooked on tea. It is still my absolute favorite to snuggle up with as it has such a soothing effect. 

I love any of his Rose teas, and his English Grey Lavender when I'm in a more "girlie mood" and want something with a floral aromatic touch. The Ginger-Orange Caffeine Free has a wonderful fragrance as well, and is wonderful to have with Asian foods, as it has a hint of Lemongrass that is really unique.

When I need a good kick-in-the-pants to get me going, I adore his Tippy Assam Black Tea, his Duchess Earl Grey and his special Kentucky Blend. They all have a wonderful robust flavor.

So, whatever your tea needs are, I encourage you to check out Bruce's line - he truly has the World's Greatest Collection since he travels the world-wide hunting for tea-treasures. Enjoy!

Outrageous Pecan Pie

I just ate my very last piece of Gaido's Seafood Restaurant Pecan Pie which was sent to me by a friend. It is by far the BEST I've ever tasted, and being a native southern my entire life, that's saying a lot!

It doesn't have a traditional pie crust - it's all about the pecans and the filling!

Put it on your list for holiday meals - you can order it via their website. Or, if you live in the Galveston, TX area just drop by and pick one up. No, this isn't a blatant advert for Gaido's Seafood Restaurant....just the Best Dang Pecan Pie ever!

Lest We Forget Haiti...

One of our own, Roger Conner who is a Vice President and Publishing Consultant at my parent company FRP, recently went on a trip to Haiti along with his son, Dylan, and other men from his church with a plan to help build in the devastated areas.

I had a really really bad weekend this past, and the timing of Roger sending out this video email this morning, pulled me up short, and made me realize how very blessed I am even with all the challenges I face on all sides.

Thank you Roger for reminding me and for all the hard work you, Dylan and the rest of the group of men did in Haiti.

Too Hot in the Kitchen - Awesome French Toast a Real Crowd Pleaser!

The last weekend before my youngest, Demi, went back to USM (University of Southern Miss) she had some gal-pals over for a last "fling" before they all parted ways back to schools all across the country.

It was a festive and super-crazy-fun night. I knew it was going to go very late (I got to bed at 5:00am!)  - so I had prepared a make-ahead brunch dish from Holly Clegg's newest cookbook, Holly Clegg's trim&TERRIFIC Too Hot in the Kitchen.  The recipe is given below and I must say the girls all loved it! There was just a bit left over after they left - surprised but thankful as I found that it was just as good reheated as when it came right out of the oven!

This one gets a 4-Star rating from me with a notation in the front of the cookbook to be made in the future. That's what I do in all my cookbooks - I write in the front inside cover only the 4-star recipes along with their page number. Makes for a quick reference when trying to locate recipes later on.

Enjoy!

ONE DISH OVEN BAKED FRENCH TOAST

Makes 10 servings

1 large loaf French Bread, cut into 1-inch thick squares (whole wheat my be used)
1 (10 oz) jar seedless all natural blackberry fruit spread
1 (8 oz) package reduced-fat cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup skim milk
2 eggs
4 egg whites
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 cups fat-free half-and-half
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Coat 13x9x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray

Place half of French bread squares in prepared baking pan. In microwave-safe dish, heat fruit spread until melted, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over bread.

In bowl, beat together cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and milk until smooth. Drop over bread mixture and cover with remaining French squares.

In large bow, whisk together eggs, egg whites, brown sugar, half-and-half, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour mixture evenly over bread. Gently press bread into liquid mixture, cover, and refrigerate as time permits, preferably overnight.

Preheat over 325 degrees. Bake, covered, 30-35 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more or until bread is golden.

Now...more then EVER...Cookbooks Sales Remain Solid

In a tough economy, the comfort of home cooking always rises - see related article.
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20100818/ARTICLES/308189996/1004?Title=No-stopping-cookbook-sales

Bene Toffee – Charleston Receipts (46/60)

Bene Toffee – Charleston Receipts (46/60)