Blackberry Pearl almost gives me away.

I love taking shots of ridiculous people and things and sending them to friends. Like this one. C'mon, now. I wonder how much fun this guy is at a party?


Or the Pretzel dude that I adore. He always makes me smile with his roundhouse kicks, and Michael Jackson spins. You can always find him on the side of 202 South, guiding carb-craving speed demons into the Pretzel Factory! I hope he doesn't meet his fate one day on that road...


Do you do this too? Have you ever been caught totally red-handed taking a shot of someone?

I had to stop myself in the doc's office the other day when I saw a toolbox walk in wearing Tevas and socks. I almost took his pic, but he was too close to me, and he'd hear the shutter sound on my Pearl, which cannot be turned off!! WTH, Blackberry?! You're ruining my fun.

So, since I couldn't get his pic, I'll post this one with one question: WHY?

First herb garden!

Look at the babies!

Chives...

Basil...

Parsley...

You have no idea how I can be the kiss of death for all things green, so this is quite an accomplishment.

Call to duty, and sheer embarrassment.

Philabundance was more rewarding than I expected. There's something to say about teamwork, I tell ya!

When I finally got there (what a drive into Philly!), I was met by my team in the parking lot and we walked in together. We were met by a lovely lady who brought us to a training room, and showed us a video about Philabundance, what it stands for, and how it operates. Pretty interesting stuff. Then she told us that the CEO was in the building and wanted to say a few words when the video ended.

So in walks Bill Clark, a dapper fella. He said a few words of appreciation, and wanted us to know how HE knew we were going to be there...

"Who's Kimmie? Is Kimmie here?"

Surely he didn't mean ME. I'm looking around for another "Kimmie", and everyone is looking at me, so I raised my hand - beet red now. He said, "Well, Kimmie...I knew you'd all be here because of your blog!" Who knew that he had an alert that shows him all things "Philabundance"?

I like to keep a pretty low profile, so this was pretty embarrassing.

After I recovered, I learned that we'd be stuffing food kits for senior citizens that cannot afford to buy food. What I did learn, was that this organization caters mostly to the working poor. Those people who make too much to apply for food stamps, but too little to make ends meet so they can put food on the table.

We boxed up 800 kits that day, and the odds were against us, since the morning crew didn't show up. The morning crew is responsible for making boxes, so we had to make our own.

What a fun day! I'd love to do it again soon.

Our finished kit:

My job: the Rice Krispies

The line!

Philabundance!

I'm volunteering my muscles, sweat, and time tomorrow for those less fortunate. My employer is sponsoring our trip to Philabundance, complete with a cool red shirt to wear, photo op, and a bag lunch. I'm under the impression that we will be packing up food kits, but I could be dead wrong. As long as I'm not cleaning toilets, it's all good.

I should really do things like this more often, giving is so much better than receiving. It does the heart good!

Have you done your good deed today?

Lasagna Mexicana

I borrowed this recipe from Pam (actually, this is Pam's daughter's creation!) and it was so wonderful. Loads of flavors popping in your mouth. I followed her recipe, and made the following adjustments:

• Used Chihuahua cheese mixed in with the cheddar (had this left over from the Chile Verde)
• Layered in some mexican rice (also leftover from the Chile Verde)
• Used a round casserole dish, to fit the size of the tortillas I was using.
• Cut into pie slices.

I have to compliment the balance of spices here. In the past, I would have typically used a taco seasoning packet from the Mexican aisle for something like this. But the blend that Pam used is a dead-on match, maybe even better. I was very happy that we weren't getting the MSG that comes with the packet. Who needs that crap?

I even made the guacamole that she recommends. What a great recipe! I made so much that I gave some to the neighbors because I hated the idea of it spoiling or going brown.

Anyway, as you can see, PAM ROCKS.

Almond Toffee Tart

I borrowed this recipe from Our Best Bites - it was really easy. I haven't tasted it yet, but I will let you know when I do!

Buttermilk Pancakes

I made these babies with the buttermilk that was left over from making butter yesterday! I had to use it fast before it spoiled. What a yummy treat, you could really taste the difference. Served with my homemade butter and real maple syrup. Mmm!

Here a recipe for real buttermilk pancakes. Yields enough for 2-3 people.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• pinch baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 eggs
• 1 TB butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.

Heat a frying pan over medium high heat.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir.

Add butter to skillet, enough to fry the pancake.

Pour the batter onto the pan, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with maple syrup and butter.

Homemade butter!!

Well, I broke down and bought a Kitchen Aid mixer because I'm going to TRY to spread my wings with baking. My very first project was inspired by Marichelle from Heart Homecooked: Homemade Butter!

Lilly made this in class this year, and I remember thinking how cool that was, and just never looked into how to make it. But I follow Marichelle, and I was reminded that I HAVE to try this!

Can I tell you how EASY this was?? I may never buy it again. Ever.

• 1 quart of heavy cream
• teaspoon salt

I added the cream to the mixer straight out of the fridge. I used the splash guard - YOU WILL NEED IT when it turns to butter, or you will get a buttermilk shower. Kinky.

All in all, I mixed for about 9 minutes, and watched the various stages take place. In the end, the buttermilk separates from the butter (and fast!) and voila - you have butter:

Strain the buttermilk into a bowl for use in pancakes or waffles!

Mmmm Buttermilk!

Clump the butter together with a spatula. I squeezed the excess water off the butter. with cheesecloth and added it to a crock.

I even went a step further and created a herb butter log that I froze for those nights I have fish, chicken, or steak.

to the butter you just made, add:

• 1 TB chopped basil (fresh)
• 1 garlic clove - mashed to a paste
• pinch of salt

Mix in mixer until blended. Place on a sheet of parchment paper, and roll into a log, twisting the ends. Freeze for later use.

Here's a video I made for the different steps of texture! Note that my stupid camera card was full and it cut off the very end of the video when it turned to butter. DANG!! But You get the idea.

Summer Slimdown Meal #7 - Spinach and Tomato Egg White Omelette

Served with TJ's tuscan pane bread and raspberry preserves. Mmm!

Whole Wheat Penne & Shrimp in a Gruyere Cheese Sauce

This was one tasty dish. And despite the fabulous flavor, I consider this a "fail", and I'll tell you why...

I originally saw the recipe on The Recipe Girl's site, and it looked really good, and it was a non-fat version. Bonus. I had all the ingredients, except I had frozen shrimp (she used fresh). Here's where things fell apart...

I didn't take into account how much liquid is produced when you cook frozen shrimp in a skillet. If I used frozen again, I'd do this step separately, then add the cooked shrimp to the butter/garlic/wine mixture.

Hers looked much creamier than mine, and I missed that, but the taste was still sensational!

I'd try it again, for sure. Thanks to Recipe Girl for a great recipe.

Semi-healthy breakfast: Eggs with Tomato and Bacon

I had the time this week, so I made myself some b-fast. I usually watch my yolk intake, but one ended up slipping into the batch here. Whoops! The end result was 2 eggwhites and 1 yolk. Not terrible!

The bacon is a stretch, but I love me some swine!

Tomatoes are great for you, so all the bad stuff just cancels out. That's my mathematical/nonsensical rationale. What?

Stimulate the Economy! Own a piece of Dr. Zibbs.

I'm usually not this selfish, but times are tough. Zibbs gets all the glory, but what's in it for me? More importantly, what's in it for YOU?

Luckily for us, Zibbs gave me his business card with his real name, real phone number, among other things. Of course I had to use the smudge tool to camoflage all the confidential info, for this post. But I assure you...this is guaranteed, bona fide ZIBBS. Complete with a certificate of authenticity.

I'm thinking this could be the auction of ALL eBay auctions. You feel me? Can you imagine the money that can be made here? My kid's tuition could possibly be paid free and clear!

Better still, think of the joy that would come from owning this treasure, complete with the oils from TBY's own grimy fingers. Think of the pranks that could be played with this sought after, highly guarded information! Endless possibilities, I tell you!

Brush with Fame: A chance meeting with Dr. Zibbs!

Well, it wasn't really chance. I mean, we were bound to meet at some point, we live in the same town for cripes' sakes. I have to say it was long overdue...Zibbs should have introduced himself at least a few times before:

• when he saw me scarfing down Lobster Bisque at Iron Hill with my daughter...
• the WC Chili Cookoff (I was there, he just didn't know it, so I'll let him slide.)...
• the day he was going to take a pic of my building and email it to me to be humorous (but "not stalker-ish")...
• the night he met JDizzle and Smoochie at the Note (Bogus!! Why wasn't I there?!)

I could go on. But I'm bitter no more because Dr. Zibbs reached out to me in a drunken stupor kindness last night when he was having many a Sam Adams beer(s) at a local pub.

You must first understand how this almost didn't happen. I left work that same day because of severe back pain. The kind that brings you to tears, for reals. I suspect this is all due to this accident I had back in August. But back to Zibbs, because that's how he'd want it...

For some reason, I checked Twitter and saw that he was in town getting ripped rewarding himself for a long day of being awesome or something. Then an email came in, inviting me to come meet him for a beer. My first thought was "oh. my god. my. back. and I just left work because I'm in pain." My second thought was this:

My third thought (which should have been my first, but whatevs) was:

"I am NOT passing up THIS opportunity!"

So, I quick changed out of my sweats and into the Custo Barcelona shirt that came in from eBay that day. Oh, and I even brushed my teeth. I started to walk to Barnaby's where he was, and my mind was aswirl with thoughts...

• How am I even going to know who he is?
• Will I have to ask the bartender, only to be sent on a wild goose chase? Only Zibbs would do this to me...
• Do I look for a short, round-faced, curly-haired Jewish man in a bad suit?
• Maybe he'll be wearing a yak mask?
• I'll look for a really cruddy maroon car with "gay pride" written in its filth...

Well, turns out I didn't have to worry for long. I walked in and looked to my left (nothing but young college bucks there) and then to my right (glancing RIGHT OVER Zibbs - because you'd just NEVER guess this person was him!) and then out of the corner of my eye, I see a big ol' grin and there he is. We hugged, we cracked up laughing, and I for one had to absorb the moment because I would have NEVER guessed this person was the Dr. Zibbs. I'll leave it at that - to respect the mystery that is...Zibbs.

We had a great time talking about the facets of blogging world, our kids, Velveeta, and more. He did allow me to take a pic - but only of our toasting hands. The first one showed his ENTIRE hand, which he found to be way too revealing for his blog fans to see, so we had to retake another - this one - with his hand obscurely masked with a bar napkin. There are some things that just can't be seen, ya know?

Truth be told, Zibbs was a delight. Even a handsome man. Not short, or weird, no bad suit, and a full head of hair! Did you have a doubt? I could go on, but I cannot say much more, you understand. The mystique and all.

You can read Zibbs' version of the high profile encounter here.

Cheers, Zibbs! Let's do it again soon :)

Summer Slimdown Meal #6 - Mahi Mahi over Jasmine Rice, topped with Sauteed Spinach

Another summer slimdown dish, but this is anything but boring! The spinach is packed with flavor, and so is the fish (thanks TJ's)!

Another recession-friendly meal (can you say 6 fillets for 5 bucks?) from TJ's. Frozen marinated mahi mahi (about 4 minutes on the Forman Grill (don't be knockin' George), and their frozen Thai Jasmine Rice (3 mins in the mic). I had some fresh baby spinach from the Amish, and I sauteed that in some EVOO, lemon juice, salt, pepper.

Yum.

And if that was boring to you, then stay tuned for my next update - I had a brush with fame! That's right. Dr. Zibbs. In the flesh.

Rerun meals :)

If I've had a totally scrumptious meal, sometimes I can't wait to make it again. This is true for the Chile Verde and my French Toast made with cracked wheat bread.

I couldn't help myself, plus friends (Doug & Berry aka Dug'n Berry) gave me a good reason to make Chile Verde. Doug broke his ankle, and Berry had been eyeing up this dish on my blog.

So I made them a takeout bag! They were more than grateful, and I didn't suffer chile verde burnout. Win-win!

Look at all this green goodness right before the blend!

And the french toast is hard to resist on a Sunday! Especially after being good all week!