2011 Superlatives

Well, I feel as though my idea for a top whatever was stole right underneath me. But since Elle has been blogging better than I, I will forgive.

Here some memorable events of 2011, cheers!

Best purchase: Zorro (or D'Angelo if you prefer) hands down. I can not tell you how much I love love love waking up to an espresso bar in my house. It has triggered my inner coffee-snob-ness.

Most blog-worthy meal that didn't make it to the blog: Daniel's Thai Pork and Noodle Soup. It was so good, and could be adapted to veggie friendly. If you don't know, I had a New Year's resolution last year to make one new meal a week. As far as New Year's resolutions, I did pretty good (faltered in June, right after school was out). I am lucky enough that I have a wonderful husband who likes to (and is good at) cook. He took up my yoke and continued on with the

goal.

Roast Beefyist: Kelly's Roast Beef in Revere (just ride Daniel's favorite blue line train)

Worst overall (in the everything category): My garden which produced such a weak harvest that it seemed that the only thing I could grow this year was albino carrots.

Most likely to take a snakey lick: Atticus salivating over Ellen's breakfast in July.

Best food product that I didn't' know I was missing out on: Fluff

There you have it...that was my year in a nut shell.

And in case you were wondering, I did make a resolution for this year. My goal is to become less wasteful in all aspects of my life, but particularly with food. I already recycle everything that could possibly be recycled, but I noticed that we have a hard time finishing produce, fruit, etc. before it goes bad. So this year I will try to purchase only what I need, and then eat/cook/freeze/dry the leftovers. "Precycle" if you will. Hold me to it Charders.

Anyone else have any superlatives to share? Resolutions?

The First Official Blog Contest!

The Longoria family has invested in a new kitchen appliance...or should I say a new family member. Ironically, I was not the catalyst in decision: Operation Espresso Machine. Daniel, the naysayer of all things coffee-for as long as I have known him, decided that as an alternative to his morning chocolate milk he would like a mocha instead. Thus, the search commenced. After chatting it up with a Sur La Table employee for a lengthy amount of time he concluded that the Breville was for us. He (she?) arrived last week and we have been LOVING it! Seriously, words can not express my excitement when I wake up and have a cafe' latte' (as Kramer would say it) within seconds of walking into the kitchen.

To share our good fortune I am hosting the first LoTC contest! All you have to do is think of a clever name that we can call our new family-errr, I mean-kitchen appliance. Post your best idea in the comment section and feel free to enter as many clever names as you can think of. To the reader who posts our favorite name, I will be awarding a complementary coffee card to the Longoria coffee cart (good only at one local)-your pick of drink.

Daniel and I will consider all entries and post the winner next week!

P.S. Sugar detox is over tomorrow! I will be providing a recap of my sugar free weeks shortly.

Meet my new friend Calvin

Please say hello to the newest member of the Longoria family, Calvin the counter top composter. I have been lusting after one of these beauts for a couple of months now: I am very good about composting in the summer, but in the winter I am lazy (too many excuses: I am wearing slippers, it is snowy, it is raining, the mountain dog will jump on me with his muddy paws, etc.). I figured I would wait and just ask for one for my birthday. But then...I spotted Calvin at TJ Maxx for only $14.99. As the fates had it, I happened to have $16 buckaroos in my wallet courtesy of book buyback money (let's not mention how much that book cost me in the first place or the fact that I literally did NOT open it this entire quarter...sigh). Anyway, Calvin accompanied me home and got right to work. To test the "stinkyness" level, I have used him for about a week without emptying the contents into the backyard composter. So far so good, the charcoal filters have been doing their job. No smell from the egg shells, potato skins, suspect slimy lettuce leaves, or coffee grinds have been detected. Calvin is here to stay!