Ree Drummond book signing 2mrw!

I've been SO excited about Dec. 1st for about 3 months now! Food, farm, & photography blogger Ree Drummond, AKA, The Pioneer Woman, will be in Dallas signing her 1st cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

You may recognize her name from this blog, as I've mentioned her several times & linked her recipes. I also have her listed to the right there, under my fave blogs. If you haven't checked her out yet, do it! Please? :o)

I am so pumped, & in the spirit of the season, I made Ree a gift basket full of "my faaavorite things" (sing w/ me now). All foodie related, & all fabulous. Oh, I can't wait to meet her!

Turkey Day

I went home to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving & didn't have to cook this year thanks to my Aunt Kay. I did however take my famous ham ball & crackers (I'll blog that soon). As you can see by my plate, there was plenty to eat - wonderful country cookin' & homemade bread to boot!

And the dessert table was glorious! Frankie even got in on the festivities w/ her t-shirt (Old Navy, $5)!

Jimmy's Food Store in Dallas

If you live in the Dallas area & haven't yet been to this Dallas institution of all things Italian & tasty (@ Bryan & Fitzhugh), then skadaddle (sp?) on over because you're missin' out!

I took Mark & David there when they came 4 a visit, & we had the best time eating muffaletta & meatball sandwiches, cannoli's, fresh olives, and sesame & fig cookies-washing it all down w/ wine, of course! OH, & did I mention the market? I will forever be going here for all of my pasta, canned tomato, olive oil, & all Italian needs! :o)

Cute canvas.

I was in Garden Ridge a few weeks ago with sandy, & this cute screen printed canvas caught my eye...I really liked it, but stuck 2 my budget for my Christmas tree only. But I keep thinking about it...hmm, maybe I can dig up a coupon for GR? Do I need 2 pick up a paper, or can I go online 4 their coupons? If anyone knows, I'd appreciate the feedback. Because as most of U know about me, I don't pay full price 4 nothin'! Lol

Zuppa Tuscana the healthy way!

If you've had this wonderful, tasty, & hearty soup @ Olive Garden in the past, then U know how truly rewarding it is! But not w/ all the cream & butter they use, not to mention the fatty sausage!

So, I swiped the recipe from the Internet, & made these substitutions: Italian turkey sausage, turkey bacon, & fat free cream (or 1/2 and 1/2 works too). And where it calls for water and chicken bouillon cubes, I simply used 1 quart of chicken stock. And let me tell you, I tested it out on folks & they all agreed it tastes exactly the same!

Rosemary roasted potatoes and balsamic carrots with brussel sprouts

Okay, the rosemary roasted potatoes are another Pioneer Woman recipe, & the carrots & brussel sprouts I simply toss in EVOO, balsamic vinegar, & a lil' kosher salt & pepper, & roast @ 375 for about 25-35 minutes. These are 2 recipes where simplicity really speaks volumes. :o)

(Picture taken before roasting.)

The Lost Post

Okay, I know I posted when I made this, b/c I remem it was a pain in the butt b/c I had step-by-step pictures. And for those of you that blog w/ blogger, you know it's a pain in the butt b/c the pics don't post where your cursor is & you're constantly shuffling pics around your post (so annoying)!

At annnny rate, these are def post-worthy, as they are fabulous recipes I made from The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond's blog.

I give you:

Chicken Parmigiana


















and...
Sweet-Roasted Rosemary Acorn Squash Wedges


They were both FANTASTIC, and approved by all parties who partook. :)