The Challenge!

I’ve been thinking about throwing down a challenge here for quite a while, and there’s no better time than birthday week (err…now that I haven’t posted for 2 weeks) month. You know “my thing” is store-bought remix so I’m asking YOU to share a time when you made something that you usually buy in a box. Leave a comment or drop off a link to a blog post.

For inspiration, check out the Bite this Book from Simple Bites. I LOVE this sentiment:

I think that the food system itself has taught us that we have no business making this stuff; we should just do the convenient thing and buy the boxes, bags, and containers they’ve prepared for us. … I always advise people to start with one or two foods that feel really exciting to them. If we start with the joy of it, and let our curiosity lead us to a few recipes, than often, those foods themselves will lead you to others, and the process happens on its own.

-Alana Chernila, The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making

We can do it!

Celebrate!

This week, I’ll mark the second birthday of this blog. Let’s celebrate!

I missed the first birthday because I didn’t realize and the date passed me by. Blog, would you like a smash cake and some striped paper straws to make up for it?

I also recently racked up another accomplishment over here…200 posts! That doesn’t seem like many since I’ve technically had this ship running for 730 days, but I didn’t post as much when I was cooking the wee one. I just wasn’t that into it, ya’ll. BUT, the fever is back now (the blogging fever, that is!). And I’m ready to put on a party hat!

I’m going to go easy on myself (in new mother fashion) and post about Everyday Celebrations this week. That’s kind of my style anyway (see resolutions: 2011 / 2012). Let’s do this!

Mmmm…Christmas Breakfast

Christmas breakfast is ever the controversy at my house. Mr. J grew up eating pie for breakfast, and I grew up eating a smorgasbord of all the best of breakfast.

You might say, “Pie for breakfast…that sounds amazing!” Or you might be like me, and say, “Give me my awesome breakfast.” Story of the pie tradition goes…two young boys didn’t want to wait for breakfast on Christmas morning because there were presents to be unwrapped and Santa stuff to go through…duh. So, “Mom, can we please, please, please have something faster…how about pie?!” Ok, so I’m probably butchering the story, but I think that’s close. I’ve been around a long time (12 years), but not quite that long.

My mom puts out the red table cloth, a centerpiece, and the fancy Christmas china, and we dig in. These aren’t efforts to really be fancy-pants; it’s more about making the morning special. The menu isn’t necessarily set in stone from year to year, but it’s always delicious. One of my favorite dishes that usually makes an appearance is garlic cheese grits. We all know grits need a little dressing up. They’re kind of like the tofu of the South. We were inspired by some delicious grits eaten at Union Station hotel on an after-Christmas trip to Nashville when I was a kid (a tradition we used to have). Some minced garlic, shredded Cheddar cheese, and heavy cream are oh so delicious. Or you can take a short cut and get a little log (packaged like bulk sausage) in the refrigerated section at the grocery store…both are good!

So who will win this breakfast battle? Who knows? We’ll probably each do what we grew up and enjoy doing…or maybe we’ll start something new.

If you’re still planning your Christmas morning menu, here are a few links to recipe round-ups that have caught my eye.
Christmas Morning Breakfast Dishes from Farm Flavor
Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Ideas from Ezra Pound Cake
Easy Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas from Plain Chicken