I hope that you are all having a great holiday season. When we think of Christmas and New Years, our thoughts always turn to food.....particularly, baking. Baking Christmas cookies is a big part of many people's holiday list. As a surprise, my dear husband bought me a professional gas stove not too long ago. I had been eyeing a particular stove and he totally surprised me by buying it.
One of the goals I have for 2012 is to expand and improve my cooking skills. Now that it is in print, I am bound to it! :) I promise that in 2012 there will be some occasional food photos and recipes added to my blog along with the regular journal and photo entries. Towards this goal, I have been searching online for some great food blogs to inspire me.
(The next photo is my kitchen Christmas tree. It is filled with ornaments like my little blue willow teapot, gingerbread man, Santa chef, and various other ornaments including some from Starbucks. Gotta include them...we are in the Seattle area, ya'll :) I also have some photo ornaments on this tree that are special to me. The photo in the frame was the last Christmas photo of our family together celebrating my parents' anniversary December 22, 2007. Happy Anniversary to my parents...Today is December 22, 2011....Miss you both!)
Last night, I discovered a wonderful blog called, "Joy the Baker." I love this blog so much that I wanted to share it with you on my own blog, Bluebirds and Butterflies. I love her recipes and her cute personality and, obviously, so do a lot of other folks as she has been featured in several magazines and food lists recommending her blog. I found Joy's delightful blog in a Forbes list of the top ten food blogs. If you visit her blog and feel a connection, too, you might want to purchase her book which will be coming out in February. I can't wait to own it myself. To introduce those who have not discovered Joy and her blog, "Joy the Baker," I have linked to her blog. If you visit her site and click on "Meet Joy," it will take you to her video which is so cute.... It features a song I have on my ipod and "love, love, love" and shows the sweet connection and love she has for her Dad who got her started with baking. After viewing the video, I think you will fall in love with Joy and want to add her blog to your list of daily visits, too.
There are many great food blogs out there and I will be recommending more. I also want to add that I don't receive any money from Joy for recommending her blog or letting you know about her book. I am just adding this posting to my list of "My Favorite Things." Hope you enjoy the video.... Happy Baking!
Today's posting is dedicated to my parents....Lil and James Thompson...who went to Heaven in 2008. Today is their wedding anniversary. The photo I mentioned above was taken on this day in 2007....the last anniversary they celebrated and our last Christmas together. My Mother, Lil, was a wonderful cook. Everyone lovingly called her kitchen, "Big Lil's Diner" which was always open. This posting is dedicated to you and Dad, Mom. Miss you both! Happy Anniversary!!! (link to Joy's blog follows...)
Click here to visit Joy's blog: Joy the Baker Thanks for visiting me and have a great day! xoxo Kim
Hi Kim,
Woohoo! Love this posting and your kitchen is gorgeous! Girl, I think we really are in sync! I was just telling Dave that we need a new recipe book. We both are interested in honing our cooking and baking skills. Dave is looking for some cooking classes.
We both love natural herbs and we're going to create a section in my garden devoted to fresh herbs next season. Love, your stove! Can we get a close-up please. Dave and I began looking for stoves but haven't found one to our liking yet. Since our cabinets are standard sized we need to find something that will fit. I'm hoping for a slide in but we may have to move our gas line so it will slide all the way back!
I'm at work now but will head on over to check out the blog you suggested later tonight. I just knew that I would love your kitchen and the blue and white canisters are divine!
I want to tell ya, that your photography is getting really good......your lemons are beginning to look like a masterpiece just like Kimberly McColes! Can't wait to hear about all the new recipes you'll be trying and sharing!
Your husband is the best! What a great surprise!
Love and hugs,
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 06:17 AM
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for your nice comments. You are tooooo sweet! Comparing my photo to Kim McCole's is the ultimate compliment! She is an awesome photographer....as well as a very, very sweet person, as you know. I just love her. Glad you like my spice and seasoning canisters. I bought them at a little shop that I love in Houston called Berings Hardware. (I have shopped at this store for many years...especially when I lived there) The name says hardware, but they carry some great fine china, gifts and all kinds of wonderful things. They also have some great coffee that has flavors like...creme brulee, snickerdoodle, ahhhhh so good! They ship, so check it out. When you get your coffee, it is wrapped in white paper and in a white box with a ribbon around it. They do things up right! I will be posting some photos of my kitchen in more detail after the holidays. Have some new paint in mind for it. Your own kitchen is coming along great with your redo! Looking good! Hope you enjoy Joy the Baker's blog. I have another one I want to share, too, which I will feature in another posting. Merry Christmas to you, your loving husband and sweet little dog, Kayla. xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Kim,
Jess will be happy to hear that you will be adding a few recipes to your blog, as she loves to bake. Your Kitchen Christmas tree is so pretty with all the whimsical ornaments on it. Happy Anniversary to your mom and dad. What a wonderful time to be married around Christmas. I know you are missing them dearly. I hope you have a Merry Merry Christmas, dear Kim, and my wish for you is a beautiful year ahead.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 07:33 PM