One Versatile Blogger's Lovely Blog ... Awwww, Shucks!

Kristin, the tremendously talented force behind Kuppy Kakes by Kristin, gave me an award -- I'm so excited!!! She is passing along the "One Lovely Blog Award," and I am honored to accept it. It's always good to have an occasion for buying a new dress, after all.

The rules are simple; here's how Kristin put it --

"To the winners: Thank, Link, 7 things about you, then 9 lucky winners ...
It's that easy!"

I think that was succinct enough that it goes beyond being the Cliff's Notes version and veers right into being Twitter-worthy! Ah, youth ... :)

Then yesterday, I also received a lovely comment from the fabulous cook who makes my favorite -- Indian food! -- at Simply.Food. She referred me to her site telling me that there was an award waiting for me; and, lo and behold, there was "The Versatile Blogger" award, given "to any blogger that visits" the site, which I love to do. The rules are very similar to those of the previous award:

"... as they say nothing comes free and the deal is that I have to reveal 7 things about myself and pass the award to some other unsuspecting blogger friends."

So, let's get started!

Thank.

Kristin, I love reading about your adventures with sugar cookies, with cupcakes and with your children. So I am giddy at having received this award from you -- many, many thanks!!! And Indian food -- parathas, potato curry, sweets ... oh, my! Simply.Food just makes me drool and inspires me to cook, so I am immensely grateful for the recognition from someone whose site I so enjoy!!!

Link.

Did it above, but I will happily do it again: Kuppy Kakes by Kristin.


And Simply.Food.


7 Things About Me.

Is there anything I haven't disclosed yet??? Hmmmm .... We're gettin' to either the frivolous and irrelevant, or into the realm of "A lady doesn't kiss and tell." Let's see if there's anything left in between these extremes ... and tidbits that are food-related, too, in keeping with the title-induced obvious theme of this here blog ....

1. Work is very stressful right now -- it's our busy season, and I'm mired in many projects (many of which can't be completed because others have taken vacation at this most inopportune time ... grumble, grouse, groan). Most people would rely upon take-out at that point; not moi. Cooking and baking are a stress release for me, and I commented the other day that I need to start my annual Therapy Cooking Sessions soon. My co-worker Beth replied, "Yes, you do!" I made apricot jam on Sunday night while Jeremy's pre-camping trip dinner request of fish sticks and tater tots baked in the oven; it might find its way into thumbprint cookies.

2. I love languages (and not just because they help me to read menus at ethnic restaurants!). I was once fluent in French, but haven't used it in 20 years so it's seeping out of the sieve that is my brain. I studied Latin for 2 years in high school, took a year each of Russian and Italian, and can read Biblical Hebrew though I have virtually no idea what I'm reading. I'd like to study the grammar, vocabulary, etc., but that aforementioned sieve-like brain makes it difficult to retain such things anymore ... sigh.

3. Tom and I found Masala Naan at Trader Joe's on Sunday. Curry-scented bread -- OMG!!! I adore Indian food, as regular readers already know. (Didn't I just say that above???) To have this bread as an accompaniment, or to make a sandwich with it??? OMG!!!

4. I was in good form on Friday morning, after baking Blueberry Streusel Muffins and making Mushroom, Onion and Tomato Quesadillas before work -- the former for breakfast, the latter for lunch. Any day that involves cooking and baking is a good one for me!

5. I can take almost any kind of leftover and turn it into something new. I found some cannoli shell crumbs that I'd saved in the freezer for repurposing, and mixed them with brown sugar and cinnamon for the streusel topping on my aforementioned blueberry muffins. I once took some bits of cucumber, red onion and an insufficient quantity of leftover salmon to serve even one person, cooked up some barley, and made a salad; I used the last spoonful of some yogurt, mixed it with a bit of curry powder, and made a dressing. That was actually a memorable lunch ....

6. I am terrified, petrified and horrified by the thought of flying. However, I dream of traveling to Morocco and drinking gallons of mint tea as I eat couscous, varieties of tagines, fresh vegetables, an abundance of spices, and finish off meals with lots of dates and sweets and pastries. I also need to get lost in the marketplaces surrounded by colors and fragrances. I hope there's a ship that will take me there some day ....

7. I have no favorite flavor of ice cream -- how can anyone settle on only one??? Sometimes I want purity and simplicity; other times I want lots of crunchy, crumbly stuff mixed in. Sometimes -- okay, many times -- I want chocolate; other times, a perfect vanilla or coffee can satisfy. There is no way to have only one flavor at the top of the list!

And now, without further ado, here are ... 9 Lucky Winners.

All Home Cooking. All Year Long.

Beth: A Work in Progress

Ethnically Ambiguous

I Made It Through the Rain

It's Just Me ... Heidi-D

Jenn's Food Journey

Reforming U

The Thoughts and Travels of Rachel Cotterill

Your Daily Dose

Here's a hearty Mazal Tov to all of you!!! Have a fabulous week!