Dec 17, 2012 |
A friend recently mailed me an old magazine clipping for a basic popover recipe. It came about as I’d commented that I’d seen popover recipes on other blogs and was tempted to try my hand at making some.
I’ve seen recipes that run the gamut from simply delicious to decadently glamorous. So let’s be honest… what kind of cook am I if I don’t experiment in the kitchen now and then? I can fill cupcakes… why not fill popovers?
And so, as you can surmise from the title of this post, I have a new project. My Popover Project. At least one time each month in the coming year, I plan to make popovers and share them with you. Well, at least share photos and the recipe. The actual popovers will be reserved for those in-town family and friends.
From January’s New Beginnings when I’ll try my hand at the basic popovers, through holidays and special events and ending next December with some festive delight. And if I get really good at it, maybe I’ll work my way up to two recipes a month.
Pretty sure the family would like that, yah?
What’s your favorite way to eat popovers?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 16, 2012 |
I didn’t post yesterday. Did you notice?
I did. You know what I noticed? I noticed the earth didn’t implode. I didn’t die of spontaneous combustion, and Dot didn’t turn into a gremlin.
I just didn’t post.
That’s not to say I didn’t write. I did. But not for yesterday. With this being the week before Christmas, there’s a lot happening at Bedford Manor. And even more so than usual. That’s the part I can’t really write about just now.
Megan and I are working out a schedule for the New Year. I have a new Meal Memo in a Jar plan for January. And I have until December 31st to finish Assignment No. 4 for the Institute of Children’s Literature.
Trust me when I say, Not posting is not the same as not writing.
I think yesterday was me testing the veracity of my vacation post; to see whether or not I could actually abstain from the Blog.
I’m so very thankful I had more to do than normal to keep me busy. I made two batches of Doo-Dads. Ate dinner at Mom’s. Helped Dot with some paperwork processing. Oh, and we cleaned. We cleaned a lot. And closed off half the house so it doesn’t turn to Catford Manor for a few days.
And get this… I actually planned out my entire wardrobe for the entire workweek. No more standing in front of a disorganized closet nearly spilling my coffee in a panic with only three minutes left to get dressed.
I think it’s going to be a really great week.
Don’t get me wrong. This post may seem a little “nothing” to the reader. But that’s only because this isn’t the time or place to get into how I feel about the shooting in Connecticut or the upcoming Fiscal Cliff. I have plenty to say, and will say it when the time is right.
This isn’t that moment. This moment is MoJo and Family.
So. What’s on your plate?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 14, 2012 |
I’ve been promoting my Kickstarter Campaign in various formats on various platforms. And I have to say, while it doesn’t look like I’ll reach my goal [although never-say-never; there’s over two weeks left (nudge, nudge!)], I’ve been having fun drafting the “commercial” and creating some photo art to help spread the word.
From a purely creative standpoint, I’m rather proud of the following efforts:
*I created a Facebook Event for my personal friends to check status updates.
*My YouTube video will be a basic commercial that I can use even after the Kickstarter Campaign ends.
*I’m discovering how to use social media to my benefit, without drowning my Friends and Followers in a barrage of BUYTHIS marketing.
*I pinned the Campaign to Pinterest with many hashtags. This was the creative result of realizing my most popular post resulted from a Pin. It was for a Wilton’s contest many months ago. But just in the past week it has blazed like a wildflower. I thought, if a Pin can do that for chocolate, it can do that for my Pre-Orders!
Mostly, I had fun putting this together:
Instagram Advertising
I like keeping my social media social. But every now and then, just for the Muse in me that’s screaming to get noticed… I gotta give my Inner Cook a shout-out.
We now return you to your regular scheduled program.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 13, 2012 |
I know. This is my buzzillionth post about the Mission Inn in Riverside. But seriously… you can’t possibly be tired of hearing how stunningly magical it is. My Most Favorite Place is all lit up for the holidays.
It’s always beautiful. Especially this time of year. From the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in January, The Mission Inn hosts its Festival of Lights. As over 3,600,000 lights light up the block-sized Resort, the sidewalks fill with a crowd that would challenge New York City during Rush Hour. Street venders peddle their wares. The aromas of roasted chestnuts, kettle corn and hot chocolate waft on the light breeze. Neon everything illuminates the surroundings. Performers serenade the immense crowd with guitars and voices.
And if you want to really partake in the Festival of Lights extravaganza, you have to get in line. Way down there. No, keep going. That’s it. There. Around the building. Down the block. Yup. There ya’ go. It takes about an hour to navigate the winding around, into, and out of the Lobby where Santa awaits and the tall Tree is displayed. It’s worth it.
But if long lines aren’t your cup of tea, stop in at Casey’s Cupcakes for a cupcake instead. Or wait two hours to be seated at the Bella Trattoria next door.
The best view of the Festival of Lights is from opposite sidewalks. There’s nothing quite like the scene lighting up against the night sky, with the clip-clop sounds of passing Cinderella carriages and wagons.
You can see as much or as little as you like; and do as much or as little. Stroll in the crowds and hum Christmas Caroles. Sit on a bench and enjoy people-watching. Revel in the flavors and noises of being thrown into another World. A World where history and celebration combine to bring Festivity to all to enjoy.
These are just a sampling of the Merriment you’ll find at
The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights
Lobby Tree
Glamorous Gingerbread Cupcake and Gingerbread Coffee
Main Entrance
Around the Block
The Bella Trattoria
Sidewalk Lights
Stories Tall
Horse-Drawn Carriage
Fairy Tale Atmosphere
Gifts of Light
Festival of Lights
3500 Market Street. I just love this photo.
Fallen Leaves to Play In.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
My Personal History of Coffee (and a Keurig Review)
Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Destination: Mission Inn [“Tell ‘Em Tony Sent Ya”]
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Dear Casey’s Cupcakes… Thanks For Being So Sweet!
Dec 12, 2012 |
My Word this week is “Better”. I opted to trade in my frustrations and instead look for ways to make things Better.
I can’t change other people: their actions, reactions, lack of action… but I can take what’s at my control and manage my life Better. Sometimes people need a nudge in the right direction… or a push out the door.
I can’t be sad when things don’t work out. If there’s one thing I’ve learned lately, it’s that things work out with or without my interference. The best that I can do is to make any situation Better.
Yesterday I was cold. So today I wore socks and my Tall Boots to work. You know what? I felt better!
My eczema has flared up. Oatmeal baths and lotion are starting to do the trick.
I needed to hear from a friend. So I reached out.
I had a question at work and the Boss wasn’t it yet. I called our Home Office and discovered it was a system glitch and not something I missed!
Maybe my Word should be “proactive”.
Nah. I like “Better”, better.
What’s your Word this week?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
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So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
