Where has Liesl gone?

Sorry ... I have been sooo extremely busy over the last two months. So much is going on in my life and my blog has definitely taken the back seat. My sister is getting married in about two weeks and hopefully after that, my life will somewhat quiet down a bit and I can get back to some MAJOR BLOGGING!!! I do have lots of great recipes and I can't wait to start sharing them again! And I also can't wait to tell you all about my surprise trip to Disneyworld that the hubs planned for my birthday!!!

Please Pray for Nashville

I want to take a moment, away from food, away from things not as important as this, to make you aware of something very serious that has happened to my city. On May 1, 2010 we had a horrible rain storm come through Nashville, TN. The weather continued and got worse on into May 2, 2010. We stayed under a constant threat of Tornado's, and the rain maintained steady as a terenchal downpour. On Sunday May 2nd, we all saw, as the rain just continued to pour down, that our city was in a horrible state, and in desperate need of relief from all the rain. But it kept coming and the waters continued to rise. Drowning my city, my fellow Nashvillians, people's homes and cars, changing the lives of so many. As I sit here an type this, I am getting emotional just thinking about it all. Nashville needs your help...

I took this picture Monday May 3rd, looking towards Nashville. The sun is shining, but the city is not. The Cumberland River that flows through downtown, flooded much of the city.

Most of you probably don't know what has happened, as the news coverage is very slim. No ones seems to want to take time to cover it. And we NEED them to. This is a MAJOR catastrophe, with MAJOR devastation. There was nothing that could have been done to stop this rain storm, nor could we have ever known the true aftermath that this storm was going to cause. NO ONE saw this coming.

Again, taken May 3rd looking over at LP Field (where our Tennessee Titan's play), which also suffered flooding. The area in front is 1st and 2nd avenue...all under water.

I took time yesterday (as I am out of work until further notice due to flooding) to go around and help out where I could. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones who survived this storm pretty much untouched. My garden was destroyed, but I will gladly take that. Yesterday, May 4th, I went to homes that lost everything. Water completely destroyed their homes, and lives as they once knew them. The second person I helped yesterday was so unfortunate. My heart just broke for them. Every time someone showed up at her doorstep, she lost it. It was a very humbling experience.

Sadly, that was one home, and only one person. There are soo many more going through the same thing that need help. I am going out again today to do what I can. One person can do so much, so if you are sitting at home reading this from the comfort of a warm safe place, please take a moment to see what is happening to my city. Say a prayer for us. If you can, make a donation to the Nashville Red Cross, all donations help ONLY Middle Tennessee. You can also donate on Hands on Nashville's website. If you are nearby, VOLUNTEER.

Looking down 2nd avenue, on May 3rd. So many businesses completely destroyed.

I also want to share an article that is "floating" around Nashville. It is a very well written article, from a Nashville Blogger, like myself...

"We Are Nashville"

The Cumberland River had not even crested at this point on May 3rd. Water was still continuing to rise. This is looking down 1st avenue. The green rooftops, was were our train station was.

The pictures on this site are mine. Property of Liesl's Confection Dissection. I posted them so I could share just some of the devastation with you. I will probably be taking a little break from blogging as there are bigger, more important things going on. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope that you can help in some way. If nothing else, please spread the word on what has happend to Nashville, TN. We need help so badly. Take the time to tell your loved ones you love them. Cherish what you have, because you truly never know how long you are going to have it. Like I said, no one could have prepared for this catastrophe. The damage is unbelievable and there is more to come as the water recedes.

Take care,

Liesl

Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest for the ice cream maker! I got a lot of great responses for flavors!

The winner is......

11 -
Valen said...
I would love to make mint chocolate chip ice cream, my favorite!

Please contact me within 48 hrs (or a new winner will be selected) at lieslsconfectiondissection@gmail.com with your shipping information.

Congratulations! Let me know how the ice cream turns out!

Spring is in the air...how about a giveaway!?!?

I have been so absent, please forgive me. How about a giveaway to help you forgive me! Deal!?! ;o)


Spring is now here, finally! It feels like it has taken FOREVER to get here, anyone else feel that way?? It is so nice to have the warmer temperatures and all the flowers starting to come up. Spring always brings the sense of happiness, which is definitely what I need right now. I love being able to go for walks on my lunch break and drive on my way home for work and still see daylight. Simple things like that just brighten my day even more!


How about I brighten your day now!?!?


I feel so honored to have been approached to do a cookware giveaway! CSN Stores is a great resource. They have everything your shopping heart desires - from kids beds, to fitness equipment, to furniture, to cookware...the list goes on and on. Go on check it out, I'll wait!


La de da...la de da...what's that, you are still wanting to know about the giveaway!?!? LOL I don't blame you, it's a GREAT ONE!


CSN Stores has been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway for drum roll please.....


A Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker!!!!


Cue applause now!!! ;o)

That's right you heard me, AN ICE CREAM MAKER!! I am super excited about this giveaway for many reasons: 1 - I LOVE ICE CREAM! 2 - My sister is giving me an Ice Cream maker (which I will finally get this weekend), so we can make ice cream together!! and 3 - 'Tis the season for ice cream!!! (although, is there really a season for ice cream...nah...it's year round for me!)

So here's how to enter:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already) and let me know that you have in your comment. Also in your comment, let me know the first flavor of ice cream you would make (should you win this Ice Cream Maker). If you want, include a link - I'm always looking for new exciting flavors to try out myself! Please be sure and include your email address too, so I can contact you if you win.

Details:

The giveaway will end on April 5 at 6pm central time. A winner will be selected by Random.org, and I will notify you by email. US residents ONLY please.

***Disclaimer: I was not paid to do this giveaway, nor did I receive any compensation. I was simply contacted regarding the opportunity to provide my lovely readers with a wonderful giveaway. ***

Auf Wiedersehen!

I know it's been awhile, but I am here to share it's going to be a while longer! I am off to spend my holidays in Germany and the Czech Republic! It's a must needed - long dreamed about - trip of my life! I can't wait to share all the stories with you. I am so backed up with recipes. We have had so much going on and I have neglected my blogging. But have no fear, the new year is bring many exciting things your way! Stay tuned for LOTS of new and fun recipes AND some exciting news....now aren't you glad I left you on that note! ;o)

AND NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!!! LOL

"Through My Lens" Contest

I am so excited to write and share this post with you all! I have been following the Culinary Snapshot blog for quite some time now. The blog is dedicated to food photography. You basically submit your before and after photos with descriptions of how you photographed your food, with what camera, props, etc. It is a great learning tool. I love reading what people do to make their food look great! I especially love reading the tips people share about what things they do in photoshop to make the pictures even more eye catching.

About a month ago, I saw they were doing a contest called "Through My Lens". It basically is a contest that was started where you are given a subject to photograph creatively for that month. You then submit the photos and winners are selected. I wanted to enter the first one (the subject was chocolate chip cookies), but I ran out of time. I was so mad that I missed it. Soon enough the second one was announced...the subject being Peanut Butter and Jelly!

I was so excited about doing this project. I knew that photographing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be difficult, but I wanted to do it. I actually insisted that my friend Kristen (Through Kristen's Viewfinder) did it with me. (Since I have a crappy camera, but really wanted to submit something.) She gladly accepted the challenge and we got to planning!

I didn't just want to photograph a "sandwich", so we started tossing around ideas. We had some great ideas, but it actually wasn't until we started getting ready to shoot that we decided on the "A" "B" "C" idea! (I had these cookie cutters packed away in one of my cabinets...sadly this was the first time I had used them, but it won't be the last!) I loved the way it turned out though. I think it was a great way to showcase the classic PB&J in a different and creative way!

So keep your fingers crossed...we are hoping to win! :o) And be sure to check out Culinary Shapshot for the next contest!

County Fair with good friends and GREAT FOOD!

Once a year, the hubs and I get together with my good friend and her family at the county fair.  It is always a blast.  We mainly go to eat ourselves sick to laugh and have a great time together.  Our county fair is seriously THE BEST FAIR!  I know that is saying a lot, but it really is.  And yes, the food is really freaking good!  Every year we are happy to see the vendors we love so much come back.  We sadly have our regular "must-eat-this-while-at-the-fair-and-from-this-certian-vendor" places....everything from corndogs to dessert we have found the best! 

My friend, Shaunda, and I had to take this picture in front of this booth for old times sake.  I have to share a story with all of you regarding this picture.  You see, Shaunda took me to the fair in her hometown several years ago.  All I had heard about was how I had to eat what was called "The Frito Bandito" (yes this is as bad as it sounds!).  It is basically a taco in a bag...a bag of Frito's that is!  After it was explained to me, sadly, it sounded kinda good and I got excited about tasting this food that was so treasured by my friend and her family. 

So sure enough we get to the fair, I pull out my cash and pay for this lovely "Frito Bandito".  First bite in, good.  Second bite....GREAT...it seemed to get better and better with every bite!  Seriously!  I could honestly see why they were raving about this.  And then before I knew it my bag was empty and my stomach was starting to churn! 

Of course we then had to ride the rides!  Well, not such a great idea for myself...especially after eating this Frito Bandito.  Needless to say, the Frito Bandito didn't stay in my stomach too long, which was probably a good thing.  It went down the side of some twirly, windy, spinning, whirl wind of a ride!  YUCK!  What an experience it was...one that will never be forgotten!  And for the record...I will NEVER eat another "taco in a bag" no matter what you call it!  haha

There were certianly plenty of other options to eat, and boy did we eat!  The hubs and I like to at least split things so we can try a bite of everything but not eat so much!  So we had ... drum roll please:

A cheeseburger

A footlong corndog (which by the way is NOT a footlong, how disappointing!  It was two regular 

                                  hot dogs on a stick!)

Cheesecake (two kinds - carrot cake and turtle sundae) THE BEST CHEESECAKE ON THE

                        PLANET

Corn on the Cob

Italian Sausage with the works of course

Sweet Tea (this is the best part...you buy a cup at $3.50 and then you get refills for $1!  We

                     spent $9 on tea...you do the math!  lol)

And my favorite part - the french fries...................

Every year I go searching for my french fry booth.  (last year I waited an hour for these fries!)  It is actually a little asian family, but the only vendor in the WHOLE fair that does fresh cut french fries.  This means not from the bag frozen, the whole potato cut and then put in the fryer!  The only way to eat a fair fry in my opinion!  Of course you have to top it with cheese and jalepenos too!  They are soo yummy and so fresh!

I really have no explainatin for this photo...apparently it's the "new" way to get your ketchup and mustard!  I however, am just going to plead the fifth on this one! 

Of course we do take breaks in between all the eating...we watch barrel racing, mule shows, go through all the exhibits (food, fruit and veggies, chickens, photography, etc.).  We got a kick out of the boys watching the barrel racing...standing the same way, moving their heads in time!  They didn't even know I took this picture! 

We always end our evening watching the tractor pulls...

And with that I leave you with one last image....

This was my view watching the tractor pulls...you see it all at the fair!  We were guessing that they were trying to save some money by sharing jeans...as for the mullet, well I have no comment other than welcome to Tennessee my friends!  :o)

I am now off to burn some much needed calories! 

Rootbeer Float Cupcake - A Gigi's Cupcake Review

Down here in Nashville, specialty cupcakes are becoming all the rage! All sorts of places are popping up:

Gigi's Cucpakes

The Painted Cupcake

The Pink Cupcake

The Cupcake Collection

Sweet 16th

If you know of any others let me know...

This particular post is dedicated to Gigi's Cucpakes! I love their cupcakes, mainly because of the mound of frosting they put on each of their hand-made-with-love cupcakes! It is good stuff let me tell you! It opened a while ago (maybe a couple of years ago) and I immediately fell in love :o) Gigi's has a menu posted on their website, that changes daily. They didn't start out with as many flavors as they have today, but the flavors just keep growing. Everything from Carrot Cake, Midnight Magic Chocolate Chip, Miss Princess, Orange Dreamsicle, Peanut Butter Cup, Strawberry Short Cake, Texas Milk Chocolate, Wedding Cake, Tiramisu, White Midnight Magic Chocolate Chip, Bailey's Irish Cream, Coconut Snowball, Lemon Dream Supreme, Hunka Chunka Banana Love, Scarlett's Velvet, Pink Lemonade....the list goes on and on! Which bring me to ... DRUM ROLL PLEASE .......

The Suspect: The Rootbeer Float Cupcake

Root beer flavored yellow cake,

with root beer flavored butter cream frosting,

drizzled with marshmallow cream

and topped with straw and gummie cola bottle.

HELLO ROOTBEER LOVERS!! (Myself included) Out of all the flavors they have featured, I was most excited to see this one! First of all look how cute!!! (ok my pictures suck below, but it was so cute in person!) Secondly, WHAT A GREAT IDEA for a flavor! And let me tell you, this cupcake was amazing...one of the best ones I have had in a long time...that is when it comes to specialty cupcakes outside of New York City's CRUMBS! (If you go to NYC be sure and check CRUMBS out!) I couldn't believe how much it DID actually taste like a Rootbeer Float! Man I want another one right now! :o)

I actually got two of these one cupcake for the recent birthday girl ... the one I made the Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcakes for! She is a Rootbeer lover like myself, so I knew she would appreciate it, and she did!

So if you are every in Nashville, be sure and check Gigi's out...it will not disappoint!

**disclaimer - you may want to bring a friend (or an appetite) as the cupcake is enough to share with someone...but only one more!**

Fruits (and Vegetables) of my labor!

Every since we got a house I have begged and begged for a garden. The hubs is obsessive about his yard, so it has been difficult for me to try to talk him into digging up and destroying some of his hard labored grass...he actually won yard of the month last year! Finally, last year, he said yes! So we plotted it out and came up with a space small enough to please him, but big enough to give me a nice garden. Turns out the hubs enjoyed having a garden so much he let me expand it this year (twice its size!)...and even more excited, we both agreed it is STILL not big enough so next year we are going EVEN BIGGER! :o)

I love having a garden in my backyard, so do my neighbors! It's so nice to be able to pick fresh veggies and herbs knowing that I grew them myself and that they don't have crappy pesticides all over them. I wanted to share some of what I picked this weekend with yall. I can't believe I am still getting strawberries...those berries are the best berries, nothing like what you buy in the store!

So what all did I plant you ask? Well here is the rundown:

Basil
Thyme
Cilantro
Parsley
Dill
Romaine Lettuce
Red Onions
Garlic :o)
Green Peppers
Tomatoes (several types)
Cucumbers
I tried Zucchini, but it didn't make it. It needed more space. So next year for sure.


I had to share this cucumber with yall because it is seriously the biggest cucumber ever!! (I actually gave it to the neighbors to enjoy!) It was probably a foot and a half long and at its thickest point maybe three inches wide!

I actually have no recipe to share with you today, but wanted to share the "fruits (and veggies) of my labor"! I spent all day Sunday making my homemade spaghetti sauce using veggies from the garden. It's a recipe I have worked hard at mastering and I usually make HUGE batches of it to freeze.

Here are a few pictures of my actual garden. As you can see it is VERY crowded! And my stupid cucumbers are out of control!! I keep having to go out and trim them and tie them up. If you are wondering why I have flowers in my garden here is a tip:

Plant Marigolds in your garden around the perimeter. They help keep bunnies out! I also put Moth Balls around the perimeter to help keep things out. Haven't had any problems in the two years I have had a garden. I don't use any pesticides either.

I told you my cucumbers were out of control! The hubs keeps mowing over them because they are starting to take over the yard! LOL

Absent

So I wanted to say sorry for being gone so long! Man it's been forever! I actually have recipes stored that I can't wait to share with you! It's been a crazy couple of weeks. My husband was out of town and while he was gone I was hard core planning his big 30th birthday surprise. I had decided way back last year that I was going to take him to New York for his 30th. We love NY! It's one of our favorite places to go! We try to go as much as we can...if nothing else just to eat (and shop!). But for his birthday I wanted to make it extra special and was able to get his family in on the big surprise! They flew to NY before us and were waiting at the hotel to surprise Lee when we got there! He was thrilled when he found out we were going to NY, but couldn't believe his eyes when we got to the hotel and his mom, gram, sister and dad were there waiting! It was a great trip and I am glad his family was there to help us celebrate!

Here are just a few treats we enjoyed while in NY!

This was the birthday dinner...it was amazing! Look at the layers in that lasagna!

YUM! I got the trio...

it came with Fettuccine, Lasagna and a Veal Ravioli!

Tiramisu :o)

My favorite Pizza place in Brooklyn! I never can eat enough of it when we go!

CRUMBS!!! The best cupcakes on the face of this planet!

I am back, and soon to be posting some great recipes! So stay tuned...

Back from Vacation, but not quite ready to hit the kitchen!

Look at all that Mango! Seriously, how often can you go on vacation, ask for some Mango and get a huge plate full!! It's a no wonder I gained weight!!!

I just got back from a much needed vacation to the Mexican Riviera. We went on a cruise, NCL's Star, for 7 days! We stopped at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. It was very relaxing, however having been on 12 cruises prior (this being my first NCL) I found myself saying that I would never cruise NCL again! But all in all it was good, and I got to eat LOTS and I mean LOTS of food. Let's just say I came back 6 lbs. heavier than I was!! LOL So diet time starts tomorrow, that means no sweets for awhile and definitely heading back to the gym! I wanted to post a couple of pictures from my trip for your enjoyment! I probably won't be posting much this week as I will still be getting settled and going through food withdrawls! Nothing like eating nearly every 2 hours!!! haha Hope to be posting more delicious recipes soon!

First time in the Pacific Ocean!

Our Boat

The happy *TAN* couple!! :o)

Blog Awards!

I was recently given my first awards from Stephanie of Macaroni and Cheesecake! The lemonade one for being a refreshing blog and the other for just being fabulous!! Thanks Stephanie! I feel so honored!

I am passing these awards along to:

Erin of Erin's Food Files

Dani of Sweet Treats

Julie of Peanut Butter and Julie

Leslie of The Hungry Housewife

Natalie of Snooky Doodle Cakes

Here are the rules…

- Add the logo in your blog.
- Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
- Nominate other (refreshing…like lemonade and fabulous) blogs of your choice.
- Don’t forget to add links to those blogs in yours.
- Also leave a message for your nominees in their blogs, informing them about the award.

I've Been Tagged!

Stephanie from Macaroni and Cheesecake tagged me in her blog to share 7 interesting facts about myself. I don't usually do these things, but I thought this was a fun way to share things with my readers...so here it goes!

1. I think my love for cooking started with my Easy Bake Oven when I was a kid. Actually, as embarrassing as this is to share, my sister (who is younger than me) enjoyed the Easy Bake Oven just as much a I did. So I was able to play with it well into my late teens!!! Sometimes having a younger sister has its perks!!!

2. My name comes from The Sound Of Music. I seriously could watch this movie over and over and it would never get old to me! Many people say that I actually resemble Charmian Carr (the character who played Liesl).

3. Growing up, I always had a strong passion for computers. I know boring right!! I actually thought I was going to go into Computer Programming for the longest time. In high school, I got involved in Theater and pursued trying to learn as much backstage technical knowledge as I could. That inspired me and I began to get a passion for Theater/Television and learning all the details that go into making a Production/Show happen. Today I am a Video Editor and love being a part of what goes on Television!!

4. I studied Sign Language in High School and on into College. I hold a special place in my heart for the deaf community. They are amazing people!

5. My husband and I love to travel. We make it a point to plan at least one trip a year to somewhere new and exciting! We love exploring new places and cultures! Especially the food! I swear in my next life I will be a Travel Agent! I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I plan a pretty mean trip! I work really hard to find places that make me feel like a local...not a tourist!! If you ever need tips let me know!!

6. One of my favorite things to eat (when it comes to dessert at least) in this world is S'mores!!! I love them!!! There is nothing better than sitting in front of a fire with a warm S'more in my hand!!

7. I really enjoy drinking wine! I am not really a drinker, but when it comes to wine, I can't resist. My passion started when I was in College...I took a Wine Tasting course (and yes I got credit for getting tipsy!). It was great because it taught me how to appreciate wine. I knew at a young age how to pair things and what to look for in a good bottle of wine!

And now comes the part where I get to tag other people! I can't imagine all of you will do it, but I enjoyed sharing my facts so maybe you will too!

1. Erin of Erin's Food Files
2. Julie of Peanut Butter and Julie
3. Nicole of Baking Bites
4. Marcie of America's Little Germany
5. Leslie of The Hungry Housewife
6. Nicole of Pinch My Salt
7. Dani of Sweet Treats