judged.

yes. it's true.  ashley and i were blessed with the opportunity to be two of the home preservation judges in the north carolina state fair. 

what does this entail? well it's pretty straightforward, just a few hours of tasting dozens of jams, jellies, syrups, juices, pickles. and of course, picking the winners. 

it was lovely. everything i've ever wanted. and of course, i was on a bit of a sugar high after...

Favorites include delicious garlic pickled asparagus, amazing pineapple jelly, and jalapeno raspberry jam with the perfect amount of bite. 

Oh, yes, that would be 21 bread and butter pickles to judge:

Really people, i've found my calling. 

Now, how do i go about becoming a professional food judge?

xoxo

debate party recap

As previously posted, I hosted some debate watch parties, complete with drinking games for the playing.

They were very successful, especially with the addition of some tasty chocolate and funfetti cupcakes, as well as other party snacks, like cheese dip of course. 

But what was really special about all this? 

Oh yes, it was Ashbash's very first funfetti experience!!!

A victory for all.

Go vote. now. 

You can, early vote for your country!

xoxo

canada day, a little late

So, we have a canadian, Yuna, who we love.  And we needed to show her a little canada love, so Ashley hosted a (very) belated canada day party. 

What made it canadian? 

ketchup chips (the spicy variety)

canadian beer

a canadian! 

and maple cookies

and yes, evan is using his shoe as a drink holder...

America + Canada = Love 

Period.

xoxo

biden vs. ryan

The vp debate is sure to make some headlines tonight, or at least, here's hoping. 

So to celebrate the next debate, 

the next drinking game to go along with the fun:

Print your own for your watch party here!

And remember, 

joe biden doesn't drink, so feel free to throw back those diet cokes literally...

xoxo

an afternoon in the kitchen

there really is no better place to be, so i was happy to get to spend a few hours cooking up a bunch of food last week.

Food like,

Mema's Cereal Mix:

Shelling Crowder Peas from the CSA:

Fresh Tomato Sauce Base: 

(pureed tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, all in the processor)

Oh and some cooked then shelled edamame too

 And large lima beans, in the slow cooker with a hot pepper, 1/2 an onion, and some stock.

One hour on high, then six on low

 

I love the transition from summer to fall cooking!

xoxo

soup is in the air

i mean fall, and rain, so soup is in the kitchen!

mema's vegetable soup actually:

start with a good pot, a small amount of oil, and a couple of cloves of garlic

(by the way as a note, i had the regular seasonings every time i add something new to the pot: salt, peper, red peper, garlic and onion powder)

then a small onion

meanwhile, puree a bunch of tomatoes in the food processor, i think i used six medium ones

back to to the pot,  after the onion begins to cook down add about a tablespoon of tomato paste, and one of spicy mustard, continue to saute for another minute and then add about a teaspoon or two of worcestershire sauce and cook until you have some good brown bits on the bottom

then add the pureed tomatoes and cook for a minute to mix it all together. next, pull out my favorite tool, the immersion blender and give it a whirl. 

so it looks something like this

then add some veggies, you can use fresh or frozen, whichever you have, i threw in a mixed veggie bag plus lima beans and okra. Also, add some veggie stock, about a carton.

let simmer for about twenty minutes.  

I cook mine in advance to freeze so I have it on hand for cold nights and then add some small elbow pasta to it when i'm heating it back up.

stay warm!

xoxo

food lately

life post core exam - pre field exam is a little strange as i try to find balance between work and study and life. so the food is also strange. especially with all the funky weather. the south has a problem where it can never decide what weather to have, let alone, stick to the same type two days in a row.

so:

really good trail mix from some coffee shop -- dried apples, oats, chocolate covered coffee beans, peanuts, and some other unidentifiables. 

oh, cheesecake topped brownies. yeah i did that. sorry arteries. 

fried pickles and peppers. again sorry arteries.

milk and pb apple toast, just like the good-old-elementary school days.

green bean pasta bake, because the csa was a little crazy with the green beans.

french toast at ashley's.

tea party at ashley's, because we are old ladies, and proud of it.

and the biggest cinnamon bun from bread and butter, because it was a tuesday.

xoxo