Food Blog?

Wednesday September 26, 2007

Guys, I just really love cooking! Even more so, I love to take care of people and one of the best ways for me to show people I love them is by cooking. I am thinking I need to start a separate blog about my kitchen adventures. The idea comes from my aunt who will begin her Open Mouth, Insert Fork blog after the last chapter of Cancer Banter. I will be a regular commentor for sure! For now, it's much a part of Team Mathews, so I think I'll just share here. I really think the Strother family has the most adventurous taste buds. My Dad enjoys fun and unique dining experiences, as well.

So the topic is on my mind today because I had some willing subjects for my culinary experiments over at the house this morning-play group Moms! I decided to do a brunch for us. In cooking for a group, I always go with the rule of three: something fatty, something sweet, and something light. I also tried to keep in mind that Moms usually eat with one hand and in a hurry :) So, we had breakfast casserole (fatty), Aunt Mable's cheesy grits (um, maybe just one more fatty. I got this recipe from the Ansley Inn in Atlanta), Sour Cream Coffee Cake (sweet, and yes an Ina recipe), fresh fruit (something light), coffee, and non-alcoholic mimosas. Ok, let me say in advance that I take no credit for how these turn out. I just follow a recipe. So that makes it ok for me to tell you how disgustingly good the grits were. How could they not be? Half-and-half, cream cheese, AND cheddar cheese?

No, I'm not kidding you.

I played in the floor as I ate and couldn't keep 8 month-old Riley's hands off of my plate. "Dude, get your own grits" I murmered as I made my way to the dining room :)

I take no pleasure in trying to make things "low fat" for other people. When cooking for just Jesse and me, I definitely cook light. But not for other people. Call me inconsiderate but I don't think it's fair to skimp on flavor for your guests.

First Tooth

Sunday September 23, 2007

Yesterday I had the suspicion that Will might be getting a tooth (fussy, woke twice the night before, etc.). I felt around but couldn't tell if it was a tooth or a piece of his gum that sticks up a little. There was definitely a little bump there. When I tried to take a peak, he stuck his tongue out or shook his head so I couldn't get a good look. I told my Grandmother and she advised me to tap his gums with a spoon. Hm, good idea. This morning we went straight down stairs to grab a spoon. Tap, tap, tap. Sure enough, it clanked :)

My Favorite Food Network Star

Saturday September 22, 2007

Some nights, after I put Will to bed and I have some time to myself, one of my favorite things to do is bake. I get the urge after being inspired by my favorite Food Network Chef, I*na G*arten. She hosts the show Bare*foot Cont*essa on the Food Net*work channel. It's a toss up between her simple and elegant recipes and her fabulous East Hamptons lifestyle that has me suckered in to the television (almost) every day at 12:00 or 5:00. Let me set the scene: Her husband, Jeffrey, works away during the week at Yale and returns on Friday nights for roast chicken with Ina. She drives her BMW convertible to the local bakery to pick up a few meringues that she will later fill with fresh whipped cream and raspberries. She emphasizes using "good" but simple ingredients; "good extra virgin olive oil," "good mayonnaise," "good chocolate." She seems to add "just a little heavy cream" to top off most dishes and a "How bad can that be?!"

So tonight was one of those nights. I got the urge to bake Ina's Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Yum. As if these weren't decadent enough, I think she made ice cream sandwiches out of them on the show. And she was right, you have to bake them for exactly 15 minutes. They are divine yet so easy to make.

If you ever come over for dinner, you can be sure it will be a dish from I*na's recipe box :)

"We Love Eachother!"

Wednesday September 19, 2007

This is me with our friend, Amber. She came to visit today and I was so glad she did. My Mom thinks she's really special, too. They worked at Due Maternity together and talked all about me before I got here! I'm happy we got to see eachother today, I've been missing her. We love you Amber!

Big Boy Car Seat

Tuesday September 18, 2007

Well guys, I'm growing out of my infant seat. My big car seat came in the mail today. I'm growing up!

A visit with the Harris Fam

Saturday September 15, 2007

We took a family road trip to Cleveland on Saturday. We spent the day and night with the Harris family. We had tons of fun with them!

"Emily? Can I hug him?" Abby was just so sweet and motherly to Will.

We went to dinner at P. F. Chang's in Chattanooga with Scott and Jenny while Will stayed home with the big kids and his first babysitter, Rachel.

I was curious to see how he would do going to sleep for her. He did exactly as I predicted; went to bed at 7:45, woke at 8:45 crying and wondering where he was. It turned out fine, he stayed up a little later with Rachel and we put him to bed when we got home from dinner. Jesse and I were elated to have some fun adult time. We haven't had anyone keep Will yet in Atlanta so this was a treat for us!

Speaking of treats, we capped off our evening with some delicious desserts at DQ. I thoroughly enjoyed our ice cream buffet. Our sampling included: Cappucciono Georgia Mud Fudge Brownie Blizzard, Banana Cream Pie Blizzard, Caramel Moolatte, Brownie Earthquake Sundae, and ice cream with peanut butter sauce and chocolate pieces. It has a name but who cares! It was yummy! As they say in the south, "So good it'll make you slap your Momma." We've simply shortened it to "slap your momma." I think everyone should pay a visit to the DQ in Cleveland, TN. But only the one on Paul Huff! And make sure and tell the owners Team Mathews sent you! ; )

Sunday morning at the Harris household. I love how Abby is looking at Will in this picture. It's so cute. And the only picture we managed to snap with Paul...picking his nose :) What a boy!

Shout out to the Harris family! We had so much fun with you guys and can't wait to get together again soon!

"What are you wearing under your kilt?"

The most popular question of a Piper. There is talk that Pipers go "regimental" under their kilts. With Will, there is no guessing :) See here for video. (Couldn't get it uploaded to blogger)

Salute to Piper Grandpa

Saturday September 8, 2007

I just wanted to say Congratulations to my Grandpa S. who got 3rd place with his Piobaireachd tune, "Struan Robertson's Salute" in only his second bagpipe competition! In honor of him, I had my mom dress me up in my kilt. Congratulations Grandpa, we're proud of you!

This is me playing Peek-A-Boo with my kilt :)

Maybe Peek-A-Boo and Maybe Daddy?

Friday September 7, 2007

En route to Washington, we think Will started playing peek-a-boo. He would hold his blanket over his face and pull it down and giggle. He would continue doing it when we said, "Where's Will?" Whether he's actually playing the game isn't clear, but he is having fun doing whatever he's doing! Also, today he used his first consonant, "Daa." He was very good at all the vowels but never used any consonants. I was repeating, "Da-ddy" to him over and over and a couple minutes later he looked at me and said, "Daa" Again, not sure he was saying Daddy but it was his first time saying something other than "aaaahhhhh."

:)

Will and Dash

Our Washington Trip

August 30-September 4, 2007

Ok all you Team Mathews fans, I was sure to upload a ton of pics from our trip to Washington because we did a bunch of stuff! We really had a great time with Poppa, Granny, Uncle Andy, Auntie Leah, and my cousins Dash and Kaeden. We miss them already!

We're off! We left our house at 5:45 am and headed for the Atlanta airport. The flight attendant asked if she could take our picture. How nice. I did really great on the plane.

Here's me with my Granny and my cousin, Dashal. I like to call him Dashy.

Here's me early in the morning (ps. I woke up at 4:30 Pacific time!) with my cousin Kaeden. I like to call him Kaed.

Here's Dash and me playing with Poppa. I think the three of us go to the same hair stylist.

My first time sitting in the grass. (What would my mom do without a camera?!)

Here's me with my Granny. We are both wearing our Harley Davidson doo rags!

My parents went on a double date with Uncle Andy and Aunt Leah. I wasn't around for this picture because I stayed with Granny and Poppa.

Here's me being dedicated at church. That's my Granny, Mom, Dad holding me, and Poppa. For those who are wondering, you can read about a baby dedication here.

My family is praying for me as I check out everyone. My Poppa said he likes my "support hose." Oh yeah, and as you can see MOM WON!

This is Dash with his family. We were dedicated on the same day.

Here's me with Dash. We are just being crazy. My mom got us matching bibs.

We went to Longview, WA on Monday to see my Dad's grandma (Grandma the Great). Here's a picture of Mt. Ranier. Also, that's my Poppa and Auntie Leah on the motorcycle!

Here's us with Grandma the Great. Before I left, Poppa gave me a little speech. I listened intently as he advised me that I should call him if my parents ever enrolled me in a ballet class. I don't know what that was about?