Peering in to the Crystal Ball

I know I am posting this diy gift idea just as the holiday season is coming to a close (had to make sure gift recipients didn't catch wind of this surprise via the web!), but if you plan ahead like me, you'll want to keep this idea in your back pocket when the 2013 wedding season begins.

Giving Tuesdays

First there was Black Friday, then along came Cyber Monday, and this year I learned about a new concept - Giving Tuesday - my favorite one yet.  While these terms apply to the days following Thanksgiving, I chalk up the fact that Christmas fell on a Tuesday this year to more than coincidence.  (Also, for the past several years, I have been volunteering on Tuesday evenings...the stars are aligning, I tell ya!)

Steel-Cut Oats for Slowpokes

I am Big Cereal's worst enemy.  Every other city I go, I weave breakfast into the conversation so I can spread the word about steel-cut oats, an actual wholesome and satisfying way to start your day, not just one that claims to be (ooh, take that Big C).  I even offer demos...which, courtesy of open minds, have yet to be passed up (uhh and seriously, who is going to pass up an offer to have breaky made for them!?  not me, ever).  This time I took my talents to South Beach Tampa to continue the journey of bringing real breakfast back.

The Festive Colors of Clean Food

Plating by Meera; Photography by Preetham; Consultation by Spouses

Sometimes I look at sleep as merely the time that passes between dinner and breakfast.  Haha kidding, I do love my slumber dearly.  But I can't lie and say that I wasn't dreaming of coffee, eggs and fruit as soon as dinner was over.  Morning couldn't arrive fast enough.

A Meal Fit for a Chef

Last night I cooked for a chef. It was time to bring my A-Game. 

Perfectly Plated by Chef Meera

The planning began on Wednesday night because everything would need to be prepared on Thursday night since I wouldn't be back home until 8:00 on Friday night. Make sense? Ok, good. Now, I wanted to experiment with some new items but also whip up something tried and true in case the newbies failed. Then again, the advantage of having a chef friend is that she can wave her magic wand hand and repair my blunders! So ahead I went...

Kids Say...

If we ever meet in person, you will surely hear about my three nieces within the first five minutes of our conversation.  In all likelihood, I will recount something really cute they said or did based on the daily newsfeed I get from my sister.  I just adore how genuinely they say "the darndest things."  And this little girl reminded me so much of them.  I don't know how it is that I never came across this video before, but it has got me and hubby laughing over and over again...what a cutie pie!

Simple Smoked Salmon Sandwich

Oh, do you know the sandwich man,

The sandwich man, the sandwich man...

Yep, that's right.  Muffin man was so (18)80's...now that we know muffins aren't really all that good for you, it's time to upgrade this jingle for modern day tastes.  Enter, my husband, future proprietor of sandwich shop using fresh, local ingredients.  This is his dream in life.  On our wedding website, in describing ourselves and our favorite things, he started by listing sandwiches.  My mother-in-law was less than pleased that this is what her son wanted to broadcast over the world wide web; she kindly requested that he reorder his list.  But it stayed at the top...and this, ladies & gents, is how his legacy began.

***

While hubs is a computer geek by week, he quickly sheds his pocket protector, dons a chef hat and transforms into a world-class sandwich maker by weekend.  In other words, 

Perfect Preetham from Pittsburgh makes superb Simple Smoked Salmon Sandwiches on Saturdays & Sundays.

Ooooh snap, is that some awesome alliteration or what!?  (due credit goes to sis for the first part)  Ok, now you try it!  The alliteration, sandwich or both :-)