A Question for the Masses!

We are having a fundraiser bake sale for the American Heart Association at work.  Lots of people have offered to bring in cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.  Which leaves me to wonder what to bring in myself - turtle topped rice krispie treats?  Banana bread? 

What is your favorite thing to bring or eat at a bake sale?

Progression

 This is what I like to call....................Progression.

I've really been having a hard time with blogger lately, anyone else?  I can't format and it's hard just to type a post and have it lined up right.  Then to highlight some words is a beast in and of itself.  

I'm going to get this sorted out, and when I do I have a wonderful oatmeal raisin chew recipe for you.  Even non Oatmeal raisin cookie lovers enjoy this cookie!

Charleston

Last week I was in the mood to go out and take some pictures with the nikon.  I have never taken any classes or lessons or even read a manual on taking photos.  I don't change the settings on the camera and all I know how to do is zoom in/zoom out!!  AND forget photoshop.  And so now I share a few untouched unsophisticated shots from around my city!

Pasta Aglio E Olio

 

Pasta Aglio E Olio

recipe from food.com

• 1 lb spaghetti, pasta (uncooked)
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 tablespoons fresh minced garlic, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and black pepper

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

1. Bring about 5 quarts of water to a boil with 3 teaspoons salt; add in the spaghetti and cook only until firm-tender; drain but RESERVE 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Start this when you are boiling the pasta; Heat about 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat in a skillet.
3. Add in 3 tablespoons garlic and about 1/2 teaspoon salt with black pepper to taste; saute stirring often until the garlic is light brown (about 6-8 minutes) remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, lemon juice and about 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water; mix to combine.
4. Transfer the drained pasta to a large serving bowl; toss with remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining reserved cooking water.
5. Add in the garlic mixture; toss well to combine.
6. Season with more black pepper and salt to taste if desired.
7. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/pasta-with-garlic-and-oil-aglio-e-olio-159894#ixzz1ReIdfoTk

I'm having one heck of a time with blogger, I think it's rebelling against me because of too much time off!

Pasta Aglio E Olio - with garlic and oil.  So simple yet I searched high and low for the perfect recipe.  This one from food.com maybe the winner!  I enjoy the addition of the lemon juice and red pepper flakes - gives it a really nice kick.

Independence Day

I hope everyone has a fun, safe 4th of July!

Beach Tablescape

I was just "gently reminded" that I forgot to post pictures of my tablescape that I blogged about a short while ago.  Sorry!  The heat, and blah blah excuses excuses!

I was going with a beach theme, and buying the deocrations from afar, here in Charleston, and the party was in Indiana.  Clearly, I didn't think that one through well enough, because I had to bring all those breakables and bulk on the plane with me.  I've never been much of a bag checker when traveling, but I was forced to because I had to bring 2 bags to carry everything.  I didn't want the bottles to break, so my decorations were carry on and my clothes went to the depths of the plane somewhere...and luckily arrived safely with me in Chicago.

One thing about buying decorations from afar, I didn't realize how big the table was.  It ended up being much much muchier than I imagined, so everything got spread out on the table and it didn't turn out like I thought it would in my head...but it still turned out pretty good I'd say.

I bought a fishing net, sand colored tablecloth, along with some marshall's finds - the blue bottles, near the sea sign and sand dollar.  A little Target representing in the flowers, and then got the sea glass and shells from a craft store.  (I'll have to do an update later on where I got the fishing net and little anchor decorations, because I'm blanking right now!)

The tales of a terrible blogger

I did it again.  Almost said - Oops, I did it again.  But that's a little overused and a little too Britney eh?  Yes is the answer to that question.

I took a month long hiatus from blogger and the reason is threefold.

1- New job -- HOLLA!!  I also started a steady workout plan, finally!  I wake up at 5:30am every morning, head to the gym to swim, and then into my new job.  I used to work just 3 days a week, so to jump to 5 and throw in morning workouts..I've been exhausted!  But happy.  When I swim, and first start out, I think so much about what I'm doing and how I'm hurting.  Then when I reach the break through moment, it's like I just go - I don't think about it and my mind wanders.  I wanted to get to that point in both swimming and the new job before trying to figure out things to write about.

2- Took a trip to Chicago/Indiana.  I went to see the fam in between jobs.  I did not much of anything for a week and it was fabulous!

This picture was taken with my iphone, toy camera app, at the parents house.

3- Is not as fun as 1 and 2.  It's actually quite sad.  We have no air conditioning at home!  It is HOT right now, high 90s, same on the inside of my house.  We put a wall unit in the bedroom to make it bearable to sleep, so I don't much leave that room when I'm home.  The computer is in the hot part of the house, which I haven't braved for blogging sake.

These are the facts, just the facts.

I had a blogging project I thought about taking on.  It will depend on if I can make it work, but I've been thinking - I'd really like to start going out to a restaurant, maybe once a week, then I'll do a post featuring the restaurant and what I ate.  The next post I will try to recreate the recipe at home, maybe making it healthier.  Or just recreating it to the best I can.  I am kind of excited about trying this out, although with the lack of a/c it may have to wait until fall.  But I am excited enough to maybe try it out now.  Stay tuned!

Thanks for sticking with me during that little hiatus...I am going to do my best to be a better blogger from henceforward!

Now!  I'm going to go catch up on all of YOUR blogs!