hello august

Gadzooks, this year is flying by. I have a few things to mention, the most important of which is that there's only one more week for you to submit your entry for "Beat the Heat." I've gotten some pretty stellar contributions already, but I want more! (I'm needy like that.)


Now for some other items that you need to know:
1. Our beloved Sam is engaged. Sigh.


2. Do you have an extra $1395 laying around? If so, you should go to the New York Culinary Experience and rub elbows with some pretty amazing chefs (such as Eric Ripert and Johnny Iuzzini, both of whom I've named at random and not because they make me swoon...). Or alternatively, you could give the money to me so I can go.


3. I've received a couple of awards, which always makes my day. Bunny from Bunny's Warm Oven has passed the Yummy Blog award (her very first, and much deserved) on to me! Bunny makes some pretty incredible concoctions in that warm oven. Keep it up!

The second award--the E for Excellence Award--came from cookinpanda of Flexitarian Menu. Truthfully, every post on this amazing blog has piqued my interest. Some things are new to me and everything else is just too appetizing to pass up.

Thanks, you two!


4. One last thing, I promise. I was tagged by Dorothy of Dessert Obsessed (awesome blog name--apparently Dorothy and I have a lot in common...) for the Six Random Things meme. Yes, I've already done it, but I decided I might as well throw some more information out there.


a. My hair was stick straight until I was about 14 or 15, and since then, it's gotten curlier and curlier (and also frizzier and frizzier). I hated it at first and insisted on blow-drying it straight, but it's definitely beginning to grow on me (no pun intended).

b. In addition to basketball, I also ran track throughout high school and in college. My main event? Hurdles. For someone who hates any obstacle in her path, this seems like an odd favorite, but I loved 'em.


c. I've only been to two concerts in my life, and Hoobastank performed at both. Whatever happened to The Stank?

d. I have my BS in Chemistry and my MS in Food Science & Technology. Yep, I'm a nerd, and proud of it.


(from xkcd, a fantastically sharp site)(click to enlarge if you can't read it)

e. I just had one of the best burgers I've ever wrapped my lips around (which was a feat in itself), and get this--it was only $10 and from a chain. Red Robin, to be specific. This particular burger was adorned with the following: crispy tortilla strips, caramelized onions, roasted poblano peppers, pepper jack cheese, and guacamole. After a mega-squirt of ketchup, it was perfection on a plate.

f. Although I had the biggest crush in the world on Jimmy Fallon for, oh, about two months back in college and find him quite clever, I don't think there's any way he can fill the shoes of Conan O'Brien as the host of Late Night. Conan is one of the wittiest, quickest, most hilarious people I've ever seen in my life.


Still with me? Bless your heart, and have a great day.