Author: Ang Anderson

Favorite Things

Posted on by Ang Anderson

favorite things

Each night at bedtime, my son and I have a very important ritual that we partake in.

It goes something like this:

Easton: “Mama will you lay by me?”

Me: “Of course.” (Crawls in bed with him)

Easton: “Will you rub my back? On the inside?”

Me: “What was your favorite thing you did today?” (Rubbing his back. On the inside.)

I get various answers ranging from an amusement park adventure we had last summer (to which I say, “That wasn’t today” and he replies, “I know but it was my favorite thing!”) to spending time at Grandpa and Grandma’s or watching a movie. The answers I love best are the simplest ones. The ones I don’t think of. I love the days he surprises me with something I would not have expected.

Of course, it is rarely actually a “thing” that is the favorite. It is an activity, event, or moment in our day. ‘Favorite Things’ always makes me think of Oprah and her amazing give-aways. We are certainly not competing with Oprah in our favorite things each night. (Last time I checked, we hadn’t made the Forbes Top Anything List.) However, the riches that we receive in our daily lives completely humble me. They illustrate that the favorite and blessed moments that bring the most joy rarely cost a thing.

I now have a confession to make. I started this post a long time ago.

I found it in my drafts and dusted if off.

*clears cobwebs*

*coughs*

So, now you know. I start things and don’t finish them.

I said it. I admit it. It’s true.

What can I say?

I’m here now, aren’t I?

*smiles*

So, while the draft included Easton, I would like to include Eva in this story as well. She is now talking and walking and after all, nearly four. Our ritual was never really the same because she is daddy’s girl to the core. But I now ask my daughter this question too. Being a girl, she usually proceeds to give a bulging synopsis of the days activities. Her answer is lengthy, detailed and extremely descriptive. Totally a girl thing. (Did you know women typically use twice as many words as men throughout the day?) It’s probably best that she bonds with daddy at bedtime. If it was her and I, we’d be awake until well after midnight.

I cherish the dialogue at bedtime with each child. It closes the day in a sweet, loving way to hear their precious thoughts. I love asking my children this question (among others) each night and also try to remind myself of my favorite things as I head to sleep too.

Counting Blessings –

Oreo Truffles

Posted on by Ang Anderson

My Friday morning was filled with the making of wonderful and glorious Oreo Truffles.

Then, I had a very exciting photo shoot with the lovely sweet creations.

First, I have to tell you why it was so exciting.

Since my last post, I had the pleasure of taking part in the Capture Yours workshop offered by Gretchen Ennis Photography & Design and Lisa Sherwood Photography.  I am pleased/thrilled/ecstatic/elated/over-the-moon to report that I was able to take all of my pics in manual mode.  It’s a big deal, folks.  At least for this girl.  A big thank you to Gretchen and Lisa for giving me the final pieces and confidence to raise my camera skills to the next level.

Okay, on to the photos.

First, there were the sugars, sprinkles, jimmies, and nonpareil that would adorn the truffles.

sprinkles

Then, there was the melting of almond bark and dipping of truffles.

No pics of that as it was somewhat tedious and messy.

But once these babies were ready for their shoot – man, did we have a good time.

Pinch me!  Because not only am I of Irish descent, but I love taking pictures of food.  Weird, huh?

(I think it’s weird.)  In my defense, the subjects are amicable and rarely tire out.

As a nod to wee leprechauns and pots of gold, vanilla-coated versions with rainbow sprinkles.

vanilla truffles

These are chocolate dipped with a bit of green icing, in honor of good ol’ St. Patty’s Day.

chocolate truffles

I love the contrast of the vanilla dipped and topped with chocolate jimmies and/or chocolate icing…

More Vanilla

A gorgeous group shot with sea salt topped truffles headlining at the front.

Group Shot

Oh, and maybe you’d like the Oreo Truffles recipe?  Click here for the printable version.

I also strongly believe a close up of the chocolate group never hurt anyone.

chocolate close-up

Of course, with 64 truffles in the house, I felt an incredible need to share.  So, I managed to find some treat bags that were somewhat worthy of the holiday and packaged up these delightful babes to gift.  I had so many because I made a double batch, one with Chocolate Oreo Cookies and one with Golden Oreo Cookies.

If you look really close, you can see a horse-shoe shaped sprinkle that magically transpired during the truffle development.  Hmmm…

truffle gifts

Here’s hoping you had a bit of magic and luck on St. Patty’s Day too –

Cheers!  (or I should say Sláinte!)

Panetini, Fig & Cheese

Posted on by Ang Anderson

Trio

Have you ever felt a deep desire to acquire some snacks that would delight your palate and joyfully meld with a bottle of wine? My dearest friend Mo was coming for a visit last fall and I felt the need to gather the appropriate sustenance for an evening of laughs and good conversation. My perusing at the local grocer led me to these three very delightful guests to join our little soiree.

Panetini
The first new friend is this delightful toast – Panetini. Oven Baked Italian Toast. Baked twice in the tradition of Old World Italy. This is all noted on the package. Having traveled to Italy on our honeymoon, I get just a wee bit nostalgic about anything Italian-related. Seriously. What’s not to love about Italy or Italian food? I honestly can’t think of anything.

Garlic? Parmesan? Yes! Yes! I like those too..

Fig Spread

The second guest is this Fig Spread. Oh the JOY! Fig! Sweet. Perfect. Delicious.

Did I mention the JOY?

No particular connotation of country here.

Except for the fact that it was made in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Dubliner
The third to make its acquaintance is this delicious Dubliner cheese. Imported straight from Ireland. Ahh…Ireland. Mo and I had been for a visit back in 2001. She’s been to Italy too. Not with me the little bugger but I guess sometimes husbands trump best friends. Sometimes.

All three together. OH. MY. Oh me! Oh my! I could die. It tastes like a bit of heaven.

{and please accept my apologies for the slight Dr.Seuss-ian excursion above}

This trio speaks to my soul. They say “Ang, we are good together.” And so, I am forced to put them in my belly. (After all, if food talks to you, you should listen to it.)

bottle12_pinot_grigio

For the celebration with Mo, we enjoyed the Rosso & Bianco Pinot Grigio from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. It was a perfect choice to accompany the Panetini, Fig and Cheese. Please click here for tasting profile and winemaker’s notes.

NVEVO-2012-transparent

On my most recent Panetini, Fig & Cheese adventure I engaged this very lovely Evolution white.

I’ll admit it. I am a sucker for pretty packaging. This bottle drew me in. Then, it sucked me in. Then it told me, solely based on its looks, that it would taste good. So I bought it.

Great work on the marketing, my friends at Sokol Blosser Winery.

Just look at the cork.

evolution cork

They included life-saving directions! *smiles* *winks* *bursts with admiration at the ingenuity*

I am also happy to report my affirmation of cracker, sweet preserves and cheese as a winning combination were confirmed when we had dinner at our neighbors a few weeks ago. Jan graciously served crackers with pear preserves and cheese. I could barely contain my excitement. My insides were shouting with infinite glee.

If you need a little pick me up, or you need to pick up something to share with a friend, I can just hear the Panetini, Fig Spread and Dubliner cheese saying “Pick Me!”.

Enjoy!