CHoCoLaTe PaNiNi???

I was watching food network the other day and came across Giada's show 'Everyday Italian'. I normally don't watch her show, although I like her cooking, but the show featured chocolate and it is my DUTY to totally pause whenever chocolate is involved.

She did a couple of chocolate recipes but the one that grabbed me the most because of it's simplicity and it's seemingly fresh taste was the Chocolate Panini with Brie. I substituted plain brie for an herb crusted brie and it was delicious. You can find the link here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_77104,00.html
This is such a unique way to have chocolate and I thoroughly enjoyed having it in a savory capacity. It was very simple and was an explosion of some of my favorite flavors in a unique combination.

PuMPKiN iCe CReaM...aS PRoMiSeD :o)

Recently I got some Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream from Yoder Dairy. I got this from the Princess Anne Farmers Market location and let me tell you...it is DELICIOUS! Worth EVERY BIT of it's slightly gourmet cost. I bought a prepacked quart and oh how *sweet* it was :o) There is something in this that even adds the crispness of a crust to the ice cream. I can definitely taste the cinnamon and other spices in this ice cream and boy was it CReaMY!!! My resident 'pumpkin-aholic' gave it a'one empty bowl' rating:o)

Here's a photo with a teaser...they have an 'apple pie' version too! Run, don't walk to your nearest Yoder Dairy :o) You may want to call your nearest location to ensure they have what you want and verify their store hours.

a PRoPeR Tea

I was invited to a quilt showing by a sweet lady I know. I am always so thrilled to see different quilts, my eyes can't get enough of colors and patterns and textures. I was not disappointed looking at all of her beautiful quilts, each stitch had been sewn with love. I can't thank her enough for sharing those treasures with me. I appreciate all craftmanship I encounter and this was no exception.

I was also treated to a beautiful tea. It was so beautiful, I was afraid to drink and eat off of her gorgeous dinnerware. She took the time to patiently explain some of the aspects of 'the tea' and just look at those beautiful folded rose napkins! That is how keen her attention to detail is. She had some fresh canteloupe along with some delicious sweet baked goods like her homemade shortbread. I have NEVER had better shortbread than hers.

Wouldn't this table make you feel special? What a gracious hostess!






Thank you so much for sharing your treasures with me. I cannot tell you how special this was and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire morning :o) You are very special and I am so happy that we met! This was my first official tea party and I hope it's the beginning of many :o)