"...and they ate with gladness and simplicity of heart"
It has come to my attention recently that not everyone knows how to blanch vegetables and why they should. Okay, let me help. How to blanch vegetables It’s easy, actually. The process is really quite quick and easy. First, prep your stove area by filling up a pot of water and bring it to a boil on the stove. While the water is boiling, set a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water next to the stove. That will be your ice bath. Next to the ice bath have a colander ready. I always ...
What is your favorite color? Mine is autumn. Seriously, everywhere I look my eyes are over-stimulated by the kaleidoscope of colors rocking out right now. It inspires me to incorporate earthier fall colors into my meals. For instance, last night was crock-pot chicken with a side of beets and roasted vegetables. All I needed to do was throw in a cozy fire in the fireplace and my evening became a Hallmark-channel movie (without some crazy plot, thankfully). Every Thanksgiving meal I like to ...
It must be the leaves turning their vibrant colors and swirling to the ground. It just puts me in the mood. Oh fall, I love you so. Acorns dropping. Leaves piling up. Pumpkins. Sweet potatoes. Caramelized sweet onions. How does delicious mashed sweet potatoes with sweet onions sound right about now? Get the recipe for my delicious mashed sweet potatoes with sweet onion from last month's TasteArkansas post (sponsored). It is one of the most simple and ...
Once the official beginning of autumn started a few weeks ago, did you notice how quickly the days instantly shortened? That means that the seasonal window for taking pictures after work in the beautiful daylight is dwindling down. Which means my photos will start looking all yellow-ey again, no matter how much I try to “fix” it in editing. Which means it was finally time to hire an assistant. Friends, meet my new assistant, the Lowel Ego tabletop lamp. He comes highly ...
Right at this very moment, Northwest Arkansas is hosting Bikes, Blues, and BBQ. All I have to do is sit on my back deck to hear the rumble of bikers off in the distance or to hop in my car for a quick errand to observe that this area has completely transformed itself into one of leather, smoke, and blues. Personally, I try to steer clear of the congestion during this time yet it is hard not to notice all the pop-up barbecue food trucks. Some are fancy while most are not. The ...
After viewing countless videos of your ice-bucket-challenges, holding my breath with anticipation to see that moment of ice shower shock, I came to a realization. America, you seriously need to update your ice bucket collection. These little dandies will do just the trick. 1. Crate and Barrel. This beautifully designed and curvaceous ice bucket is the newest edition to the Carter Collection. Classic in style yet trendy enough to leave out on the ...
Even though Vanzants Farm stopped selling seasonal peaches does not mean that I stopped wanting to eat them. Nope. I still want them in.my.belly. Hopefully you were able to stock up and canned some while they were still bursting with rich summertime flavor. Or, at very least I hope that you were able to score some fresh-off-the-tree beauties. This summer I played more with my peaches. That just sounds silly. Usually I keep it simple and eat them fresh, can them fresh, and ...
Where were you five years ago? A lot can happen in five years, and a lot can stay the same. It is a marvel to me to think back on all that has happened since 2009 and try to imagine what the next five will bring. Ups and down, for sure. Trials make us stronger and build character and lovely joys keep us floating in hopefulness and delight. I vote for both in our lives. This blog just turned five. Five! Reminiscing how this little space was born cracks me up, still to ...
Panel session from #AWBU #foodiefriday2012 Ever thought about becoming a food blogger? Have you been kicking around the idea of starting your own blog but not sure where to start? Have you been thinking, “hey, I’m a really good cook/baker/reviewer/foodie/eater and I should share what I know with others?” Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay, your first step is to surround yourself with seasoned food and lifestyle bloggers and jump-start your idea. One way to get started is to attend a ...
Hello friends! Today is the day I get to share my absolute favorite annual post… the top 10 list of local food bloggers that I think you should be reading. Some make my list every year and are a constant source of inspiration. I am happy to say that this year there are three new ones that were not on my radar screen a year ago and I am glad to get to know them and make the introduction. Drum roll…. 1. Our Everyday Dinners. Amy is one of my tried-and-true food blogger ...
In late late late spring, I planted sorrel. Actually, it was more like early summer. One Friday afternoon before closing time, I quickly popped into Bogles Garden City in Bentonville to see what herbs they had left. You see, I had an empty planter without anything in it as well as a lushly vibrant pile of fresh compost obviously wanting me to come dig in it one more time. At Bogles, the herbs were all picked over except for a smattering of mint and a few sorrel plants. Sorrel ...
My little niece Jocelyn started kindergarten today and so begins her academic journey. It thrilled me to see that instead of an elsya-princess-sophia-tangled-or-pink backpack, she chose a full-sized camo one. Her simple reason was “because it’s nature and I like nature.” You go, girl. Needless to say, school is on my mind even though I don’t have any kiddos heading to class soon. I can still get giddy about a lunchbox. Why should kids have all the fun? 1. Vintage ...
Seriously. What happens to it? Does it get moldy-er? Stinky-er? Does the smell get strong-er? My latest blue cheese addiction is of the Danish variety. It has a sweetness to it that is really working for me right now. Don’t get me wrong. Throw Stilton in front of me with a nice tawny Port and I am going to drop that Dane lickity-split and pledge my undying devotion to Mr. Stilty. However, until that little scenario swoons me off my feet, my fridge is still sporting ...
Hi there, friend. Whatcha’ been up to lately? I have been running around and slowing down, if that is even possible. Something inside of me is blossoming, begging me to open up my eyes wider and marvel more. Sometimes that means doing nothing other than savoring the moment while other times it means exploring. I have been exploring a lot more lately. Have you? We’ve been taking the long way to everywhere. Determining how long we can go without having to go ...
I feel good… about supporting local. I feel good… about spreading the word about supporting local. I feel good… knowing that you support local, too. I feel good… that Arkansas has a great resource for finding local gems called Arkansas Grown. I feel good… that I got a chance to hear all about it at the Farm2Home event at P. Allen Smith’s farm on Tuesday. I feel good… about showing you this video where our fabulous local Northwest Arkansas bloggers and other fantabulous Arkansas ...
I never considered myself a foodie until one day an acquaintance of mine made the statement to me, “I never knew you were such a foodie, Lyndi.” He had been following me on twitter on my old handle, @lakebrittany, where there were an obsessive-compulsive amount of tweets related to dinner making, hungry statements, and lustful retweets of foods that made me talk about dinner making and hungry statements. A few days before he said that, I attended a mommy blogger conference for work and was ...
Poor Bella Vista. It sorely lacks dining establishment choices. It always makes me scratch my head trying to understand why there aren’t more options. You see, there are over 26,000 residents in the town, yet retail and dining choices can almost be counted on one hand. Okay, make that several hands. Dairy Queen, Sonic, China Buffet, Las Fajitas… you get the picture. Okay, local food lovers, our wait is over. If you are the foodie who is constantly searching for a good ...
