Valentine's Goodies!

We are pleased to offer delicious chocolate-dipped strawberries this Valentine's Day. They make a romantic treat or thoughtful gift, and you may choose from milk, dark, or white chocolate. Berries are $15 per dozen, and will be boxed and available for pick-up on Friday, February 13th. Delivery is available for an additional charge.


Place your order by Monday, February 9th to
Jennifer at 621-7929!

Thanksgiving food and family

Yum. I just loved eating the great food prepared by myself and others today. It was so nice because this year, I actually did what I want to do every year, and had it almost all done BEFORE today. This morning I finished preparing a new dessert, and just had to cook the green beans, and the macaroni and cheese casserole I'd already put together last night. I'd made two other desserts in advance too. So, this morning, I could actually get ready leisurely, watch most of the Macy's parade with the kids, and generally enjoy the morning of Thanksgiving, instead of rushing around like a chicken, or turkey, with my head cut off. What a blessing that was!

We went to my brother's loft in B'ham for dinner, with my parents and an aunt and cousin joining us. It was such a nice, relaxed afternoon and evening. I realized not everyone can truly enjoy being with their family at holidays, or any time for that matter, and that is sad. We are very glad to like our family, not just endure holidays with them. :-D

Our menu included some great appetizers of grapes, wasabi soybeans, and brie cheese Jacob provided. Then dinner was a baked ham, fried turkey, turnip greens, green beans, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, and a tart cherry salad. Desserts were pecan pie, pumpkin/cream cheese roll, a pumpkin trifle and boiled cookies.

Here are a few photos of our bounty and sweet family.

Southern comfort

O.k., I'm pregnant. But that's not the only reason I'm blogging about food so much recently. I've just been blessed culinarily lately. I have always loved good food! Here is a snapshot of our yummy vegetable dinner, including mostly veggies from our garden. The sweet potatoes weren't homegrown, nor was the flour involved in the biscuits. :-)

The creamed corn was a new dish for me to make, and it met rave reviews and was so easy. Abi had 3 helpings! The fried green tomatoes, as well as the experimental squash/okra/onion/tomato mix, were prepared by James on the burner of our grill (so as not to mess up the stove - I detest frying anything inside), and were delicious. A light seasoned cornmeal batter by Zatarain's gives them just a little spice, and they fry up nice and crisp, very quickly. The crunchy cukes in vinegar were Isaac's favorite, and as usual, he drank the leftover sauce. We are blessed with weird kids, who LOVE a dinner of vegetables only, and we all ate till we were stuffed.

The leftover tomatoes will be zapped in the oven to re-crisp for a lunch of bacon-lettuce-fried green tomato sandwiches, a la Whole Foods Market Cafe' later this week. I can't wait!

Sweet treat

At a time in my life when lemon-filled Dunkin Donuts are a commodity in the highest demand, my precious friend Sandi came through. On a trip to Six Flags with her family, she thoughtfully picked up some for herself, me, and another friend at church who all long for our own franchise locally. The nearest location is the one she visited in GA, so when she tapped me on the shoulder during our worship service Sunday, and I spied the happy wax-covered bag in her hands, tears of joy sprang to my eyes! They have been a rationed out, refreshing dessert this week, and I'm trying to completely enjoy every flaky pastry morsel and bit of delicious lemony goo.

Her surprise gift brought to mind my pregnancy with Abigail, when I longed for the same donuts and couldn't find them. There was still a store in Huntsville then, and James enlisted a friend's help from that area who bought a dozen and overnighted them to me. Only true friends and a sweet husband would go to such extremes for a pregnant wife's craving! I froze those babies and thawed them one at a time to eat, spread out over weeks, so they'd last as long as possible. I don't think I've had one since that spring, over 5 years ago. If I have, it's been too long to remember.

Though many Southerners consider me a traitor for not preferring those other doughnuts, with the detestable shiny glaze and fried taste, I find they just can't compare with the doughy texture, dusting of sugar, and perfect consistency of Dunkin Donuts. Who wants greasy and shiny when you can have light and fluffy? Not me!

I wish you could experience the tastiness yourself, but I'm not sharing. Sorry. Instead, your mouth can water as you gaze upon the pictures of what was left when I made it home from church. :-)