NFR: Somee thinks she’s trying to tell me something.

Sorry food blog.

I’ve been neglecting you. I’ve been finding more comfort in my cupcake blog these days and I apologize. It aint right to have favorites. But its human nature and I can’t help it. But I am back now. I missed you. I did.

Although I do have a confession.

It’s not only the cupcake blog. I’ve been cheating on you with someone else. But in my defense, I didn’t even realize it until my friend, Nikki of Crazy Delicious Food, sent me an email with this attachment.

Source: www.someecards.com

Hello my name is Clara. I am addicted to Twitter.

Hello Clara… *crowd chants*

So… would this be the wrong time to ask all my readers if they twitter? (You can find my twitter link on the sidebar.) I am guessing that’s not part of my 12 step plan. Oops. Back to step one.

Thank you everyone for your sympathies on Opie’s passing. I really appreciated reading all your heartfelt comments. It’s amazing to me how Opie has not only enriched my life but also touched so many other lives too. I am still grieving but starting to embrace her beautiful memory rather than her passing. I’ll be back to my fabulous food blog form soon. Truly. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Happy Friday readers. Enjoy your weekend.

Dear Bunday Monday readers…

Dear Bunday Monday readers,

It is with a very heavy heart that I let you know that OpieBun passed away this morning. It was unexpected and I wasn’t prepared, although I don’t think any amount of preparation could mend my broken heart. Even though I know she is in a better place it doesn’t make losing her any easier. There are no words to describe how intense my sadness is right now.

Please forgive me if there is a delay answering your emails and/or comments.

Right now my heart is too heavy to do anything more than grieve.

Opie’s last picture at the Vet’s office

Rest in Peace
July 21, 2002 – February 21, 2009

Opie, You were my constant joy for the last 6 years. I will miss you immensely. I know someday we will be together again over the Rainbow.

Sincerely,
Clara

Foodie Question of the Day

Do you eat off other people’s plates?

Warning: flameworthy.

I dumped a guy b/c he use to get uppity about my “eating off his plate” habit. Sorry, but boyfriend chastising me is dump worthy. I guess I didn’t see the issue if we’ve exchanged spit before to eat off his plate you know?

I suppose it really depends on the person I am eating out with. Husband? Of course! Family? Yes. Friends? Yes. Acquaintances? Probably not. Business/work related? No.

I have an indecisive personality so when I eat out there are so many choices available that I never really know what I want to order. Then I feel pressured when the waitress is staring at me and usually pick too fast and not think of all the options. Of course when I do make a choice and see what someone else ordered, it always looks better than what I ordered.

The whole sharing concept gives me the ability to try a little of everything so ppl eating off my plate and vice versa is no biggie for me. Unless… you eat more of my food than yours. That’s when I have issues. Also a little warning, “Clara, I am coming in for a onion ring, cool?” is always nice.

PS. There’s no Indian giving either b/c that french fry I just hijacked is loooooong gone by now…

Happy Friday readers!

TWD #52: The Devil made me do it

Sorry TWD bakers.

I had all intentions of making the Devil’s Food White Out Cake but…

Friday
- Worked
- My little brother came over and we made cupcakes for his friendgirl for Valentines.

Saturday
- Had Valentines’ lunch with T’s parents
- Went shopping for some gizmo at Best Buy to help configure all of T’s techy stuff so we don’t have to unplug and replug the Wii whenever we want to play
- Went to a too-swanky-for-me Italian jazz club (crazy combo, no?) for Valentines’ dinner and then came home and played Wii the rest of the night

Sunday
- Ran around all morning doing chores (Costco, Tarjay…)
- Came home exhausted so took a nap that ended up being more of a hiberation
- Had dinner with my family since my other brother (who lives in NY) is in town

Monday
- Baked 4 varieties of cupcakes for T to bring as thank you gifts (will post about it on my cupcake blog tomorrow)
- Had lunch with my brothers at favorite sushi buffet
- Drove around looking at condo and townhouses (wishful thinking)
- Had dinner with godsons and friends (which took longer than expected b/c J was helping me transfer his music to my laptop+itunes so I could use my iPhone to its full potential. Currently listening to Apologize by One Republic on repeat. Thanks J!)

Now I ask you? When did I have time to make a 3 tier cake? LOL

I am hoping to bake up this cake soon though. Its the cover cake for goodness sakes! Dorie would want me to make it.

Please don’t let my slacking stop you from checking out Stephanie of Confessions of a City Eater for the recipe and all my fellow TWD bakers’ blogs. I am sure you’re bound to be impressed!

Bunday Monday

What’s better than my bunnies on Monday?

A crochet bunny that looks exactly like my bunnies!

Aren’t they adorable??

Do you see the resemblance? (I tried to get one of OpieBun too but she wouldn’t sit still. She did lick her crochet twin a couple times though.)

I know what you’re thinking.

Omgosh Clara, you are so talented!

While I wish I could take credit, I didn’t make them. Heck I don’t even know what the difference between crochet and knitting is. Something to do with the number of stick thingies you use right? And yes, “stick thingies” would be the technical term.

Actually it was my friend and fellow foodie blogger, Steph of Steph Chows, who made them for me after I begged, pleaded, bribed asked her after seeing a crochet turtle that she made on her blog not too long ago.

And it totally tickles me that they arrived *on* Valentines’ Day. I j’dore them.

Don’t you think she needs to open up an esty store?? *winkwink*

Thank you Steph!!

Happy Washington’s Birthday readers.

Hope you have the day off like me! Wheeeee…

POM Wonderful **WINNERS**

Congratulations to #2, #8, #9, #10, #12, #14!

I already emailed all winners. Please email me your shipping address so I can forward to POM Wonderful to send your prize.

Promise me if you make any pom recipes you have to let me know! I am always on the look out for ways to use my pom juice. Seriously make some pom molasses and swirl a little in your vanilla ice cream. Holy yum!

Thanks to everyone that left a comment. I bet you never thought you’d be writing “erectile dysfunction” in a blog comment huh? LOL

Foodie Question of the Day

Do you use a feed reader? (ie Google Reader, Bloglines etc)

If yes, what makes you add one blog and not another?
If no, why not?

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I use google reader. Its a foodie blogger’s best friend. Seriously.

I dedicated a whole post to it; how to use it complete with pictures and red arrows b/c red arrows help me focus. LOL. Why? Just doing my part to spread the google reader love.

[Note to reader: Google reader's layout has been updated since I wrote that post but the concept is still the same.]

When I first began blogging I use to add any blog but when I started getting anxious if I couldn’t read them all before the end of the day I knew it was time for some strategery [sic]. I am kinda OCD like that. My google reader must be clear by the time I go to bed. Its ok. You can say it. I am crazy. Unfortunately “mark as all read” has been used a couple times these past few months to keep my sanity.

I think its pretty easy to get in my google reader. Basically if you have a cupcake recipe that I want to make, I’ll add you. If you have alot of pictures, I’ll add you. If you make me laugh, I’ll add you. Obviously I am not a blog snob. Personally not a fan of the half feeds though. But I don’t think my standards are ridiculous. (Hear that Tastespotting?? *shaking fist*)

Hmmm… Ya think that might be the reason why I have over bazillion blogs in my reader?

TWD #51: No man is an island…

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.” ~John Donne

Amen John Donne. Amen.

(Is it just me or would that name make an awesome rock star name or action star name?)

I know I am usually pretty silly with my TWD posts but the above quote really hits me esp in these economic times. I have friends that have lost their job, lost their home, in foreclosure, struggling with their debt etc. Its enough to make a person give up and wonder why they work so hard. I guess I just want to remind everyone with the above quote that we are part of a bigger picture. Don’t isolate yourself. This is not the time for “me, myself and I” anymore. Help each other.

Can we do that?

YES WE CAN!

This week’s recipe was chosen by one of my favorite TWD bakers, Shari of Whisk: A Food Blog. You can find the recipe on her blog. Don’t forget to see how the other TWD bakers did with their islands too!

What I learned this week:
I didn’t use to like the multiple step recipes that required wait time, chill time and/or down time. But as my life gets busier, I can appreciate taking it one step at a time, one day at a time. Just makes the end product that much sweeter.

Floating Islands
Recipe adapted from Baking: From My Home To Yours, Dorie Greenspan

I only have 2% milk in my house so I substituted the whole milk for 1-1/2 cups 2% + 1/2 cup half-and-half.

Dorie says the creme anglaise takes about 10 minutes to thicken but mine took about 15 minutes. Not sure if the 2% milk affected the time. *shrugs Take time to strain. I was surprised at the amount of egg chunks at the bottom. Can you say scrambled eggs??

Attack of the vanilla amoeba!

Props to anyone that could make these “islands” look pretty. Mine didn’t.

ENJOY!

Husband rating: B+/B
He liked the creme anglaise. Reminded him of a silky pudding but said the poached meringue tasted like a soggy marshmallow. Sheesh tell me how you really feel huh?

Wifey rating: A-
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this one. I knew the creme anglaise would be yummy but I wasn’t sure on the whole poaching-the-meringue concept. This recipe surprised me though. I liked it. Not my favorite Dorie recipe but it was very tasty.

Just curious? Which picture do you like better? white or black? Hubs preferred the black and I liked the white. I think he just likes to contradict me.

Next week: Devils Food White Out Cake (cover cake!!) pages 247-249

Bunday Monday

I got a DSLR for Christmas (Thanks Santa!) and the first picture I took was not my husband or family or friends. It was of OpieBun… sleeping. Doesn’t she look so peaceful?

PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI! I know you and your bff aka tequila, already partied this weekend but here’s wishing you many birthday wishes… Love you girl.

Fotography Friday

Where the heck did this week go? Am I the only one that remembers Monday but then the rest of the week is just a blur? Trust me. I am not complaining about being Friday. Just wondering if I entered a time warp or something… because that would be cool.

Even though I am falling asleep and my head is currently on my desk not looking at the keyboard as I type (so that might explain any spelling errors), I just wanted to get up the next FF assignment.

Your assignment if you choose to accept it: APERTURE PRIORITY

Due: February 27, 2008

Hope everyone enjoyed reading about my experience with Flash last month.

For any new peeps who wanna join. Its very low stress.

1. Bust out your camera.
2. Read the manual (or if you are like me just press all the buttons on your camera and learn as you go) and concentrate on the current assignment.
3. Upload pictures to FF flickr group (optional)
3. Blog about it any (or every) Friday within the month.

No need to email me (or Jen) to participate unless you just wanna AW your blog b/c I completely understand that.

Easy peasy right?

Now if you’ll excuse me. It’s Friday night.

I need a nap. Stat.

Do I know how to party or what?

Foodie Question of the Day

Do you have any food allergies? (If yes, proceed to A. If no, proceed to B)

A. How do you accommodate them in your foodie lifestyle?
B. Do you have any non-food related allergies?

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Can you tell I was reading tax stuff? If yes, write “0″. If no, proceed to page X. Its enough to make a girl go crazy! I realize paying taxes is a necessary evil but I don’t have to like it! Hrrummph! I best get some money back… and I would prefer no IOUs, Mr. Governator. I will accept a state check with your signature (hopefully that still means something) or cold hard cash. Thanks.

Anywhoo… about my question. I am allergic to lobster but not any other shellfish. Not crab, not shrimp, not clams, not oysters. Weird huh? My body is just so complicated sometimes. HAHA. But since I’ve only had lobster once and broke out into a crazy rash that itched for days, I don’t really remember the taste and just avoid it all together. Trust me. The rash isn’t worth the 30 seconds of butter drenched lobster consumption. Eesh! I am scratching my arm right now just thinking about it. *shivers*

PS. Thanks for all the TWD comment love. I literally cackled at all references to said Simpsons episode. Remember this one?

LT Smash: And you stood in their way
Skinner: I did not! I even came in early to make orange drink!
LT Smash: Orange Drink? You live with your momma or something?
Skinner: She lives with me!

I am hoping to return the comment love and make the rounds this weekend. *smooches*

Happy Thursday readers.

TWD #50: Give Peace A Chance

You ever have those days where a line or phrase is stuck in your head?

As soon as I found out the TWD bakers were making World Peace Cookies this week, I haven’t be able to get a particular Homer Simpson quote out of my head! Man I love that donut-eating-never-gonna-win-father-of-the-year-award character.

Homer: Yvan eht nioj! You gotta love that crazy chorus.
Lisa: What does it mean?
Homer: It doesn’t mean anything. It’s like “Rama-lama-ding-dong” or “Give peace a chance”.

I tell you. The first time I watched that episode I laughed about that last line for days. You know you laughed. Ah come on… you totally laughed. What about a little snicker? Maybe a chuckle or guffaw? I remember walking around all week busting out in giggle fits when I thought of the line – at the grocery store spice aisle, at work, at the gym… Ohhhhh ok. Now I understand why people slowly moved away from me in public places.

Thanks Jessica of Cookbook Habit for making me laugh and choosing these cookies. You can find the recipe in her blog. Btw Congratulations to her. She’s having a baby! Aaawww…

What I learned this week:
Lately I’ve been slacking on my grocery store making list and I realized at the last minute that I didn’t have 3/10 ingredients. What’s a baker on a budget and time constraint to do? Improvise. Famous last word.

World Peace Cookies
Recipe from Baking: From My Home To Yours, Dorie Greenspan

I ran out of light brown sugar (Doh! I am usually so on top of my baking game) so I used dark brown sugar instead.

Dorie uses fleur de sel but I didn’t have any so I substituted 1/2 tsp kosher salt.

I use 3/4 cup of bittersweet Ghiradelli chips. They aren’t mini per the recipe so I thought about chopping it smaller but I figured if the ratio of chocolate chip to cookie was more, it couldn’t be bad thing, right? *wink*

I chilled my cookie dough overnight. Dang those suckers were hard to slice the next day! Hmmm… maybe the bigger chips weren’t such a good idea, huh? I should never second guess Dorie. (Can you see the ruler at bottom left corner? That would be evidence of my nerd-dom.)

Dorie says you get 36 cookies but I got about 30. I think towards the end I got lazy and the slices started getting thicker. HAHA

ENJOY!

Husband rating: A+
He wasn’t sure he’d like them b/c he’s not a fan of bittersweet chocolate but he said they were fabulous esp with a glass of milk! I am not sure how many he ate but I know he ate more than one (or 5).

Wifey rating: A+
At first I wasn’t sure I’d like these cookies. It seemed like chocolate overkill (I wasn’t a big fan of the Chocolate Dunkers) but BOY was I wrong! These cookies were SO freaking good. I am thinking that Obama might wanna have some handy during any peace talks between Israel and Palestine. It couldn’t hurt, right?

Next week: Floating Islands on pages 401-402

Its a POM Wonderful Life! **GIVEAWAY** (Time’s up!)

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Bunday Mondays for a… GIVEAWAY!

Lately I’ve been a walking… er… blogging advertisement for Pom Wonderful. Sweet or savory. I love it all. I knew it was only a matter of time before the POM Wonderful people would get wind of my Pom blog love and contact me. At least I hoped so…

Ok. Ok. It may not have happened like that. *I* may have conned persuaded them to give me free stuff. But hey, I am all about free stuff! Can you blame me? It’s FREE! And the best part? I get to pass on the free stuff to you!

Me?

Yes! You. My readers get some Pom love too. Just scroll down to read all the fine print. Don’t say I never did anything for you. HAHA

Btw I swirled some pom molasses in my vanilla bean ice cream the other day. Ohmygod. Can you say… heavenly? Mmmm…

Grand Prize (1 winner): a case of 8oz. 100% pomegranate juice (6 bottles per case)
First Prize (5 winners): 1 coupon for a free 16oz. bottle

Rules:
(1) Only one entry per person please.
(2) Only those who live within the US eligible to win prizes. (Sorry my international peeps!)
(3) Please make sure you have a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.

To enter leave a comment:
(To be eligible to win Grand Prize, you must answer all correctly.)
1. Pom Wonderful company is located in _____?
2. A 2005 study showed improved blood flow to the ______ in patients drinking 8oz. daily of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice for 3 months.
3. Pomegranate juice contains more polyphenol antioxidants than ____ wine.
4. Pomegranates are a great source of ______ as well as powerful antioxidants that help protect you from heart disease and cancer.
5. POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice was found to have beneficial effects on __(2 words)__, a disorder that affects 1 in 10 men worldwide and 10 to 30 million men in the United States alone.

Hint: Google is your friend.

Bonus: What would you do for a case of Pom Wonderful? (Say it like the Klondike bar jingle. LOL)

Deadline: Sunday, February 8th @ 11:59pm EST

Winners will be chosen by Mr. Random Generator.

I know that Mondays are usually dedicated to my bunnies but I figured a giveaway would let me off the hook and you all would forgive me. Don’t worry Bunday Monday fans, it will be back to its regularly scheduled time slot next week.