In the kitchen

Or what I should have titled, “What I’m coveting for my kitchen”…

It’s probably not much of a secret, but I spend my evenings sitting in front of my computer. Most nights I’m trying to catch up on all my friends’ blogs. (For the full list, please look to your right and then when you’re done with that, click on Link Love ♥.) That might explain why the flooring in my house is coated in dog fur. Thinking I should give up one night of internet reading for running the vacuum cleaner. But one of the other time sucks in my life is soaking in all of the food blogs out there.

Reading about photography tips from Helen from Tartelette.

Wondering if I’m brave enough to attempt some recipes.

Questioning if I’m silly for even thinking I belong in this food blogging world.

But more than anything, I spend the time drooling over food bloggers’ props.

So during my lunch break, I headed straight for Anthropologie because really and truly, there’s no better source for adorable kitchen props.

And these, my friends, are stinking adorable.
Kind of like this pie dish my friend, Christina, gave me. Just so happens that it, too, is from Anthropologie.

Lis(z)tomania – what I’m loving…at the moment

Seems that lists are all the rage nowadays. Everyone’s doing them. And because even though I’m in my mid 30s, I still want to be like all the cool kids. So here I am, on a Friday, writing out a list of what I’m loving…at the moment.

food blogs.
{photo courtesy of the boogie blog}
At last count I think there are about 4 gazillion of them currently being maintained on-line. And yes, I am one of those 4 gazillions. But unlike mine, these food bloggers can cook…and bake. Two tasks that I pretend to do on a daily basis.
My afternoon recommendations are:
three baking sheets to the wind
the boogie blog

double ovens.

Because I need them,and don’t have them.
Instead, I’m working with an oven that’s almost as old as I am and a microwave that was used (by the previous home owners) as a bread box.

photos of kids and dogs.

It’s something my alter ego has thoroughly enjoyed doing lately. That is, taking pictures of kids and dogs.

The Elastic Waistband Club.

It’s a bit of a running joke here at yawyeor that due to the nature of this blog, I’m going to have to resort to wearing only elastic waistband pants. Kinda funny, but unfortunately true. Becki D, a faithful commenter, created this little number the other day and I had to incorporate it into this blog.
It. Is. Brilliant.

Long holiday weekends.
It’s Friday. Monday is a holiday. That means I have a 3 day weekend.
I’m happy.

Lisztomania.

See what I did there?

Now it’s your turn. What are you dying over these days?

kitchen accessories

So, I have a confession.
I love kitchen accessories. I do. Shoot me.
Luckily, I’m not one of those hoarder types. I can stop myself from buying useless crap for my kitchen.
Okay, so not always. I did buy a tiny ladle once. Couldn’t even tell you why. It was cute I guess. And I was in Charleston. And you’re supposed to buy things when you’re on vacation.

So anyway, I like cool little kitchen accessories. I love plates, and glasses, and dish towels, and aprons, and mugs. God do I love coffee mugs. If I had the room, I’d buy up every pretty little one my grubby fingers touched. I’d even have my mom make a few for me (she’s really into that All Fired Up! pottery painting stuff).

It should come as no surprise that when I came across this website last night, I knew, the moment I saw it, that I had to have it.

Are you kidding me?
I’d use this mug until it (or I) died. Because this mug is not only humorous, it’s honest.
Brutally honest.

But it doesn’t stop there…because the website told me if I liked that mug, then I would also like these plates.

And you know what?
I do.
I really, really do.

And if you’re wondering what that last plate has written all over it…
Enjoy:
“It’s hard to be around you when you eat like this. Please stop eating, we’re worried about you. For the love of God stop eating. Do you really need that second helping?”

You can go ahead and mark those off your Christmas shopping list.
You’re welcome.

I Smell A Giveaway!

And doesn’t it smell good?

There’s no real reason for this giveaway other than the sudden urge I got to have one the second I spotted these lovelies.

Well, that and because giveaways are pretty awesome.

So let’s make this easy…

To enter, just answer this one question:
What is your favorite comfort food?

No entries after 11p Saturday, August 21st.

One entry per person and sadly, open to US residents only.

Winner will be selected at random and announced Sunday, 8/22.

Good luck!  And bring on the comfort food madness!

Recipes

Ever since I started this blog, I’ve become obsessed with recipes.  To the point where I buy magazines for the pretty foods on the front cover. I have yet to actually attempt to make any of these recipes, but I still like to look at them.

I’m simple like that.

Don’t judge me.

And over this past year (and some odd months) I’ve come to love a few favorites…

This one is tried and true. And I secretly thank my mom everyday for hooking me up with what seems to be a lifelong subscription. {Thanks mom!}

And oddly enough, the Williams Sonoma catalog, if you really pay attention, has quite a few recipes…
As a matter of fact, just last night I tore out some stellar recipes for apple-blackberry cobbler, pork ragu, and Tuscan frittat affogata.

Wonder if I’ll make any of these…hmm.

Shocking, I know, but I do love Cooking Light. A good friend was kind enough to give me a few of the Cooking Light Annual Recipes and I’ve been hooked ever since.

But the magazine I am officially slobbering over is one I only discovered last week!

Taste of Home. Seriously. Where have you been all my life?

Guys- if you’re looking for recipes, this magazine is the mecca for all things awesome.
You want healthy?  They give you healthy.
You want weeknight meals? They give you weeknight meals.
You want potluck? Guess what? They give you potluck.

But what I love most about it is this magazine is comprised of real recipes from real home cooks.
Not chefs, but cooks.  Like you. And me.

So…where do you make your recipe discoveries?

Do you obsess over magazines like me? The thumbing through, the ripping out?
Is it online only for you?
Or are you a slave to good old fashion cookbooks?

Another Atlanta Spot…Highland Bakery

Of course, being me, I’m a little late to most everything. The first time I checked out Highland Bakery wasn’t until I did the Sugar Coma tour a few months back.  Yet, the restaurant has been around since 2003.  Kind of pathetic, right?

So, I went back for a real sit down visit a few weeks back.  And now I’m kicking myself that it took me so long to get there.  It’s yet another fabulously tasty spot in Atlanta.  I tell ya, we’ve got a few.

Anyway, Highland Bakery is obviously known for well, their bakery, but the breakfast, brunch, lunch selection is equally as good.

Okay, so the wait to be seated can be a bit lengthy…
But the food, my friends, is worth it.

I’m still not sure why I’m such a slacker at trying new places. Especially when the food looks like this.

So tell me…
Do you get stuck in a restaurant rut?
What new places are you dying to try in your city?

Stumble It!

It’s Independence Day

 

And that means it’s time to light up your sparklers, go watch some fireworks, and eat your faces off. And although I’m totally lame and have zero plans for this holiday weekend, I have a nice idea of what I would like to do, eat, and drink. Maybe one day I’ll be uber cool and actually host this holiday party. 

Menu:
bacon wrapped jalapenos
hamburgers
potato salad
blackberry pie
firefly vodka/lemonade

 

And although I’m no planner, I could at least pretend for a hot minute because I would totally decorate it to the nines.

courtesy of ikea

courtesy of pottery barn

Stick around kids. This may actually happen. One day.  Don’t worry, I’ll let you know if and when it ever does.

Happy 4th of July my friends!

dishes and ramekins and bowls, oh my!

While I spent the weekend at my parents’ house…home alone…with nothing to do, I decided to really check out my mom’s kitchenware inventory.  {I was bored, sue me.}

I knew the lady had a serious stash of dishes, but I didn’t realize she had a full on addiction.

No, for real. The woman is addicted.

She has dinner plates, and ramekins, and bowls, and serving trays, and serving bowls, and soup bowls, and pitchers, and oh my lord she’s got everything! And in every color of the rainbow.

Here I’m only showing you one plate of each set. That means that we’re potentially talking about a minimum of 28 dishes. And that my friends is merely a fraction of what she’s got stored away in that kitchen.

Now if only I could figure out how they all fit in the cabinets.
Trust me, I’ve been in that kitchen, it’s not as big as these dishes might have you think.

I probably should have snagged a few of them for myself. I mean, it’s not like she’s going to notice anything missing, right?

Top 5 Local Restaurants – #3

Let me just say, I get easily distracted.  It just dawned on me that it’s been at least 5 days since I posted my last favorite local restaurant.  I’m sorry.  I kinda suck sometimes.

To make it up to you, I might, just might be having a giveaway sometime soon. {hint hint}

(See, I can be nice.)

So today, I have to share with you my #3 most favorite Atlanta restaurant.  This time we’re not talking about diners or burger joints. Nope, not today kids. Today it’s all about Bacchanalia.

photo courtesy of zagat courtesy of the restaurant itself

According to Zagat, Bacchanalia is considered the Top Food in Atlanta as well as the Most Popular restaurant. 

But don’t just take their word for it.  You can take mine too. (…or my huband’s word, or my in-laws’…)

Bacchanalia is hands down one of the most amazing dining experiences you’ll ever have in Atlanta.  As the restaurant offers a four course prix fixe menu comprised of an appetizer, a main entree, a cheese course, and a dessert, the restaurant always stands apart from the crowd.  The food is consistently delicious and the service is impeccable.  And it’s one of those places where you only get the rare opportunity to visit when it’s on someone else’s dime.

And if I were so lucky, this is exactly what I would select for my dining experience:

Appetizer:  Blue Crab Fritter, Citrus Thai Pepper Essence

Main: Local Berkshire Pork Loin, White Grits, Andouille Sausage, Pot Likker Jus

Cheese: Pecorino Romano, Fava Beans, Artichokes, Young Fennel, Marcona Almonds

Dessert: Lime Parfait, Gingersnap Crumble, Toasted Meringue

Now if you don’t mind, I need to conjure up an excuse for my husband to take me there.

Top 5 Local Restaurants – #4

Coming in at #4 of my top 5 local restaurants is…

The Silver Skillet.

I love this place.

It’s a dive.

And it’s freaking awesome.

And I may have already done a little write up on it here. But once, is never enough.

And I’m not the only one who adores this place. Just ask Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. (I told you it was good.)

The food is nothing short of perfect diner fare. With a menu that offers everything from red-eye gravy and chicken noodle soup to banana pudding and lemon meringue pie.

But the food isn’t the only reason to enjoy this place. The people watching is pretty spectacular too.

So, if you’re ever in Atlanta, make it a point to make a pit stop here. If you happen to visit for breakfast I recommend the French Toast with a side of bacon. If you hit them up at lunch, you most certainly cannot go wrong with a good old fashion cheeseburger.

Just be sure to be polite to your waitress (especially the one who wears the dickie) and make sure you tip well.