outstanding in the field

Almost as we speak, I am booking a flight to Austin.  My dear sister suggested that we try one of the seasonal farm dinners put on by Outstanding in the Field.  They have taken farm to table yet another step by travelling all around the U.S. & Canada, partnering with local chefs and farms...then they do this:

outstanding in the field

The dinner we are attending is being hosted by Erin Flynn & Skip Connett of Green Gate Farms.  They have restored this historic farm in East Austin, "transforming a rundown spot in a once-blighted area into a beautiful place for the community to gather and grow good things." Chef Todd Duplechan of Lenoir in Austin will be preparing dinner. 

Lenoir, Austin

This is how the team from OITF gets around.

Some loot from a farm share at Green Gate

Have a great day!!

face it

Okay, it's time to face facts.  Even though it is still 90 degrees outside summer is really over.  School is in full swing.  The holidays are starting to lurk.  I actually really love the holidays.  A lot. And like any good girl scout, I find that I enjoy things most when I am well prepared.  For me, being prepared for the holidays begins with the bar.  A lovely bar sets a great mood, is well & creatively stocked, and is ready when friends pop over. 

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Try the bar checklists here and here. 



Have a great day!!

My Hero

We eat a lot of sandwiches around here.  I could write endlessly about my favorite sandwiches (the great salami sandwich of '08 anyone?).  In classic American fashion, we will almost literally put anything between 2 slices of some sort of baked good and have at it.  My children have learned to expect sandwiches at any meal.  I dislike cooking every night in the summer and sandwiches are a delicious option.  We especially love a baguette or those little Hawaiian sweet rolls.  Please.  I could probably scribble down a haiku right now about those little sweet rolls. 

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PBS even aired a documentary called "Sandwiches that you will like."  Then entire documentary is available here.  I didn't want to push my luck with you, so an excerpt is below.

Have a great day!



Ode to the Bloody

Since our return from St. Louis last week, I have been somewhat on the wagon.  For good reason.  Those people in The Lou know how to make delicious food and celebrate.  We ate at great restaurant after great restaurant.  I've even been researching a dessert I ate that was a very simple yet mysterious creation involving bruleed bananas and bourbon.  I'm hoping to share more on that another day.  My sister knows how I can obsess about certain items made at certain restaurants.  We still talk about 'the sandwich' in Williamsburg, VA. 

This week, though, my thoughts have been on a certain bloody mary.  I had the perfect bloody in New Orleans last fall.  Literally, perfect.  From the spices to the salad.  Perfection.  There's apparently a lot of debate about the best mix (as if), vodka, and the veggies.  I've personally spent countless hours researching this subject. 

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If you want to create a classic bloody, "The Preppy Handbook" recipe (below) is very Muffy.

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Garden and Gun takes it to another level by recommending a bloody mary bar at your next get together.  Things like bacon-infused vodka, pickled okra, and steamed oysters at the bar would be pretty irresistible. The mix is a whole other conversation.  As any bloody lover knows, this is super controversial and like politics and religion, should not be discussed in polite company. However, if you must betray Mrs. T's, try Fat and Juicy or Brandon's Bloody Mary Mix.

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Have a great day!



Cookies & Milk

My obsession with Ina Garten is very borderline. How good do these cookies look? These cookies are perfection. Poems have been written (maybe) in praise of these miracles.  So when I picked up Peanut, Twink and friend from 'dance camp' and all Twink could talk about was cookies.  No one has to ask twice around here to get cookies.  You can get Ina's recipe here.

Summer Birthday

So sorry for being M.I.A. the past few days, but we were off doing something very special.  Today is our Peanut's 9th birthday.  She is such an amazing, sweet, special soul.  We love her dearly.

Here are some of my favorite birthday party ideas, courtesy of Pinterest.  Follow me on Pinterest to view even more ideas. Doesn't this cowgirl party look fun?

Can't have a party without a proper candy bar.

These look so cute and delicious.  My homemade version wouldn't look like this. At. All.  

Have a great day!