I'm Speaking at FoodBlogSouth 2013, Ya'll!

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 "whirlwind of culinary wonderfulness!" 

I'll be speaking on a panel along with Paula Jones (bell’alimento), Susan Whetzel (DoughMessTic), and Lindsay Landis (Love & Olive Oil) about how to keep a blog going.  The name of our session is:  "Make It Happen! Experienced Bloggers Share Day-to-Day Strategies & Secrets for Keeping a Blog Going."

Hurry...There's still time to register, before it sells out!  CLICK HERE for all the details.

RIP Our Sweet Hannah

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 sure did love her to pieces, and losing her has been tough...I mean TOUGH.  Unless you've ever really loved a dog like that, it's hard to understand.  She wasn't just "a dog" to us...She was a huge part of our family.  And as such, it's been like losing a family member. 

Coming home to an empty, quiet house isn't easy.  We lost her so suddenly and unexpectedly, which compounds our sadness that much more.  She was only 8 years old.  Losing a beloved dog suddenly like that is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.  We lost our cocker spaniel, Lady, less than a year ago.  That was terribly difficult as well, but we're fortunate that she lived a long, happy life.  Hannah was just taken from us way too soon.  She was right by our sides when it happened, and for that, I am grateful.

So friends, if you are a dog owner, go give your pup a huge hug and belly rub for me.  I'd do anything for one more "Hannah Hug".

Here are a few more photos of our beautiful girl:

Hannah LOVED going on walks every night around the neighborhood.  She looked forward to her nightly walk with us all day long (and so did Brad and I).  We had to actually spell the word "W-A-L-K" when she was around, because if she heard us say it, she'd go into an excited, happy frenzy.  Here she is on a hike...one of her favorite things ever.

Me and my sweet pup

This sofa was definitely "hers".

She never missed anything...always attentive!

This video always puts a smile on my face:

Break 'n Bread Food & Wine Festival 2012

This weekend marks one of the top food events in the state of Alabama - The Break 'n Bread Food & Wine Festival, and I am super duper excited to go this year.  The Birmingham Originals is an organization of our city's finest restaurants, and they are going big this year by hosting what promises to be the best BNB festival yet.

For those of you that live close to Birmingham, AL and are interested in attending, here are the details:

WHAT:  Break 'n Bread Food & Wine Festival
WHEN:  Sunday, October 14th
TIME:  1:00PM - 5:00PM
WHERE:  Railroad Park
TICKETS:   $35 for regular, $75 for VIP and children under 12 years old get in free

Break 'n Bread happens to be the signature experience for the Alabama Tourism Board's Year of Alabama Food campaign, and will feature an array of amazing food from nearly 40 Birmingham Originals restaurants.  A sampling of the restaurants include:

Ocean
Ted’s Restaurant
Slice
The FishMarket
Little Savannah
Daniel George
Mafiaoza’s
Nabeel’s
Hot and Hot FishClub
Satterfield’s

A wide selection of wine and beer will also be available from Birmingham's own Good People Brewery, International Wines, Pinnacle Imports, Royal Cup and more.

Here's some additional information about the event, straight from the source:

Since 2003, the Birmingham Originals have organized this grand fundraising event to not only celebrate the South’s talented chefs and local farmers, but to give back to the community that has supported them over the years. In an effort to continue pushing the envelope and delighting the crowds, Break ’n Bread will once again play host to four multi-award-winning chefs from out of the state. Chef Adolfo Garcia of RioMar, La Boca and a Mano; Executive Chef Brian Landry of Borgne Restaurant; and Chefs Alison and Slade Rushing of MiLa will helm the VIP area, serving up Big Easy-inspired dishes with Big Easy attitude.

While food enthusiasts gather at the tasting tents, just a few steps away will be a dedicated children’s area featuring face painting with clowns from the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, petting corner and entertainment from the Birmingham Zoo, healthy kids cooking demonstrations, Desert Island Supply Company writing workshop and a pumpkin decorating station. Local farmer’s market vendors will also be stationed in and around the park, offering a variety of fresh produce and artisan products.

Tickets for Break ’n Bread and additional information are available at www.birminghamoriginals.org and on the Birmingham Originals Facebook page.  Prices are $35 for regular, $75 for VIP and children under 12 years old get in free.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Make-a-Wish Foundation, Camp Smile-a-Mile and United Way’s Healthy Communities.

I hope to see you there!!  :)

***All photos are courtesy of Birmingham Originals***

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

We love Mexican food around our house.  It's delicious, inexpensive, and seems to always hit the spot.   So, in honor of Cinco de Mayo this year, what do you say we celebrate with one of the following Mexican-inspired recipes?  These are all favorites that I've previously blogged about and enjoyed.  Gosh...I'm getting hungry just writing this post!

Now, go get those margarita glasses ready and have some fun!

Mexican Lasagne

Nacho Spuds

Chicken Fajitas & Homemade Flour Tortillas 

Fresh Pico de Gallo with Homemade Tortilla Chips

Authentic Beef Enchiladas 

Emeril's Shredded Chicken Nachos

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The International Boston Seafood Show is Right Around the Corner

There are some pretty exciting  food-related conferences and festivals happening within the next few months.  The Charleston Food + Wine Festival was this weekend, and the Atlanta Food + Wine Festival is in May.  The International Biscuit Festival and corresponding Southern Food Writing Conference are also to be held in Knoxville, TN in May 2012.  And I'm already looking forward to Food Blog South 2013!

One conference I was excited to hear about recently is the International Boston Seafood Show, which is right around the corner...on March 11 - 13th.  It's the largest seafood event in North America and is a very important conference for those involved in the seafood industry.  Plus, rows upon rows of seafood vendors sampling their delicious wares sounds like my sort of event!  If only I lived closer to Boston.  The Passionate Foodie wrote an excellent post about the 2011 show, which you can see HERE.

Photo courtesy of PR Newswire

 Photo courtesy of Eating the Week

The following is brought to you by Emerse Ltd.: 

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Here you will find the newest products, solutions and industry connections that will keep your business growing. This, along with an extensive education program will leave you more knowledgeable, connected and prepared to meet your customer needs.

International Boston Seafood Show & Seafood Processing America has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 30 years. Take advantage of this experience and expertise and join us this year in Boston – March 11th - 13th!

International Boston Seafood Show

A Delicious Adventure in Helen, GA

This past weekend, Brad and I took a quick vacation getaway to one of our favorite little mountain towns - Helen, GA.  We fell in love with the German charm and easy-going atmosphere of this quaint community during our first visit there last year (see my post HERE) and have been wanting to go back ever since.  Sometimes, all you need is a few days of rest, relaxation and a tad bit of mountain adventure to recharge your batteries!  We had a TON of fun!

And you know what?  As it turns out, Helen, GA is a great place for a foodie to explore.  I love traveling to different places and checking out the local specialties, and there's no shortage in Helen.  Between the old-time general stores (the Old Sautee Store was my favorite!), farmers markets, fudge shoppes, Hofer's German Bakery, Jumpin' Goat Coffee Roasters, Nacoochee Grill, Nacoochee Village Tavern, and the Nora Mill Granary, there's delicious food around every turn...literally.

It's funny how my idea of a perfect souvenir has changed over the years.  Practically every souvenir we bought was somehow food-related, of course!  While there, we picked up:

• White Speckled Grits from Nora Mill Granary
• Yellow Cornmeal from Nora Mill Granary
• Local Wildflower Honey
• Tupelo Honey
• Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans from Jumpin' Goat
• A really cool Burlap Coffee Sack from Jumpin' Goat
• Wine from Habersham Winery
• Fresh Mississippi Mud & Almond Joy Fudge
• Assorted pastries from Hofer's Bakery (Two Words:  Apple Fritters!)
• "Farmer's Cheese" from the Old Sautee Store

Here are some more pics from the weekend (all taken with my trusty little iPhone):

Boiled peanuts in the making at a rustic farmers market

Fresh honey

An old barn we discovered on a walk through the woods with our dog, Hannah...

 

A little comic relief on that same walk through the woods.  It's hard to get Brad to pose for a picture without being silly in at LEAST one!

Antlers in a window

Goodies at Hofer's Bakery...If you ever go, you absolutely MUST try their Apple Fritters.  They alone are worth the drive to Helen...no kidding, folks.

That night back at the cabin, we built a cozy fire.  And, no fire would be complete without s'mores!  :)

While there, we hiked around a lake, which was beautiful.  I think Hannah had even more fun on this vacation than Brad and me!

Hiking around the lake...

 

Jumpin' Goat Coffee Roasters is a great coffee shop, with lots of fun things to browse through.  I found a really cool burlap coffee sack, and their chocolate covered coffee beans are quite addictive.  This is where I found the Tupelo honey...aka "liquid gold."

This must be the jumping goat!

Next door to Jumpin' Goat, the Nora Mill Granary offers so many wonderful products...White and yellow grits, cornmeal, whole wheat bread flour, poppy seeds, flax seeds, biscuit mixes, assorted preserves, honey, buckwheat flour, rye flour, porridge, kitchen toys, cookware, the list goes on and on...

Inside the granary...

Oak barrels inside Habersham Winery...

The Nacoochee Grill and Nacoochee Village Tavern both offer delicious food.  The Nacoochee Grill was our favorite restaurant on our trip last year, so we were excited to visit again this time around.  While the food was still great, the service was painfully slow when we ate there for lunch.  It took close to an hour to get our food!  However, we decided to give them one last shot and ate there again the next night for dinner.  This second visit was MUCH better.  Our food arrived quickly and the service was excellent.  Perhaps they were just having an off-day?  I had the Chicken Pot Pie and Brad chose the Shrimp and Grits. Yum!

The Nacoochee Village Tavern was wonderful!  This was our first visit to the Tavern, and they served up a DELISH pizza piled high with all the trimmings. 

The staff at Nacoochee Village Tavern was also wonderful.  Sean (on the left) and Chase (on the right) even posed for a quick picture in between all that pizza-making.

In conclusion, if you ever have the chance to visit Helen, GA, I highly recommend it.  I'm sure that Brad and I will return...hopefully sooner rather than later!

Bon Appetit, my friends!