Sugar & Spice by Celeste

I'm currently working on a fun project, that I'm so excited about...I'm photographing a cookbook all about fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, and I can't wait to see the finished book.  It's going to be filled with awesome recipes and everything you need to know about all the different species of fish found in the Gulf.  And I don't know about you, but it's pretty hard to beat a plate full of fresh, yummy seafood! This recipe is a family favorite around our house and is easy, delicious and incredibly comforting.   Fresh, sauteed bay scallops are the star of this dish, which will make an appearance in the upcoming book.      The creamy orzo pairs perfectly with the satisfying crunch of the asparagus, and the addition of grated Parmesan cheese rounds it out wonderfully.  In fact, this recipe is a new version of THIS DISH that you might remember from an earlier post.  That recipe has become such a big hit with you guys, that I decided to add a

Folks, this just might be the most decadent, mouth-wateringly rich, sinfully delicious cake that I've ever made...seriously. Brad wanted a chocolate-peanut butter cake for his birthday this year, and you know how it goes - Ask, and you shall receive!  I wanted to make my awesome hubby an extra-awesome cake this year.  I came across this recipe over at Smells Like Home, and I stopped in my web-searching tracks the minute I saw it. It was perfect looking - Three rich, extra chocolately layers of cake were surrounded by a creamy, peanut-buttery icing.  And if THAT wasn't enough to get your mouth-watering, it was all topped off with a gorgeous layer of chocolate ganache, artfully dripping down the sides of the cake. Seriously!? You'd think that this cake would take hours upon hours in the kitchen to skillfully create.  The truth?  It's easy.  I promise.  Trust me! This cake is absolutely worth every single calorie that is hiding inside of it.  The icing.

So, I've got some pretty exciting news...I'll be speaking at the upcoming FoodBlogSouth 2013 Conference in Birmingham, AL on Saturday, 1/26!  If you're a food blogger and haven't heard about FoodBlogSouth, you're missing out.  It's an awesome event, and with speakers like J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, Virginia Willis, Marti Duncan, Cynthia Graubart, Helene Dujardin and Tami Hardeman, it's definitely not one you'll want to miss out on. FoodBlogSouth is what you get when you combine 200 foodies and bloggers, amazing cookbook authors, incredibly talented food photographers and food stylists, and wonderful chefs all in one building!  I attended for the first time last year, and absolutely had a blast.  It's a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with other bloggers, and you'll leave with great ideas on how to make your blog even more fabulous.  I wrote a recap of the event last year, which you can see HERE , in which I described it as a "

Friends, it's with an incredibly heavy heart that I write this post tonight.  Last Wednesday, our beloved Hannah passed away from what we think was a heart condition.  One minute she was having the time of her life, and the next she was gone.  To say that we're heartbroken is an understatement.  Hannah was an exceptional dog and very, very special to us in every single way.   She was constantly by our side, with tail wagging, and a happy expression on her face.  She had the most remarkable personality and the most sincere eyes you've ever seen on a dog.  Sometimes I was convinced she was more "human" than some humans.  :)  She gave the best puppy hugs and if I so much as sniffled, she rushed to my side to make sure everything was okay. I sure do miss my sweet girl. English Springer Spaniels are known for their companionship and loyalty to their owners.  They are simply incredible as a breed, and Hannah was a "field bred" springer.  Brad and I su