I have been sitting here, with my computer on my lap, for the past two hours trying to think of what to write about. For two hours, I have been sitting here and nothing even remotely related to food has crossed my mind. Instead my mind has been wandering to far off places, thinking of things that really aren’t helpful at all when trying to write a post for a food blog.
- Random Non-Food Related Thought #1 – I’ve been contemplating buying a Dyson vacuum but am hesitant to plunk down that much change for a vacuum cleaner. According to my contacts over at Twitter, a Dyson is well worth the investment. What do you think? Experiences?
- Random Non-Food Related Thought #2 – I turn 35 in less than 2 weeks. Why is it that as a teenager I had perfect skin, but now that I am in my mid-30’s I am having massive breakouts? Bring on the Noxzema.
- Random Non-Food Related Thought #3 – I wonder if people who are auditioning for American Idol play the American Idol Wii game. I’ve actually won the game and have become the next American Wii Idol… thinking it may give those people considering auditioning a little more confidence than they should have to audition.
- Random Non-Food Related Thought #4 – I really need to find a good blog designer for another blog I’m working on. If Jules with Everyday Design is not available, I need to get someone else in place pronto! Do you know of anyone you can refer?
- Random Non-Food Related Thought #5 – My husband doesn’t read this blog or our family blog, and I think that is starting to irk me a bit. Seriously… if he wrote a blog (which will never happen) but still…if he wrote a blog I would hang on every word and would love to have that glimpse into his life. Do your loved ones read your blog?
My thoughts are now getting a bit too random to even continue. I do have to share this recipe with you that I tried out last week. You may have remembered seeing it on our menu. I followed the recipe exactly, but added some chicken breast pieces sauteed in rosemary and garlic. Delicious!
Penne with Pumpkin Cream Sauce from Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine
1 pound penne pasta
2T butter
1 onion, chopped
salt & pepper
1 15-oz. can pure pumpkin puree
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for topping
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.
In the same pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion and season with salt and pepper; cook, stirring until softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin and heavy cream and bring to a boil. Return the pasta to the pot, along with the reserved pasta water, and toss. Stir in the parmesan; season with salt & pepper.
Top pasta with parsley and more parmesan to serve.
I know that so many people have such a love/hate relationship with Rachael Ray. I admit, I don’t watch her shows, but I do like a lot of her recipes. Other food bloggers do too! Check out some of these food blog tried and true Rachael Ray recipes:
- Gigi’s Apple Cake from Culinarily Obsessed
- Garlicky Bean and Chicken Enchiladas from Taste and Tell
- Spanish Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers from I’m Running to Eat
- Cheddar Cheese and Macaroni from Family, Friends and Food
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My DH doesn’t read my blog at all.
Alicias last blog post..A Long Time Coming
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Matt
Hello~
1. I have wood floors in the majority of the house and a cleaning lady that brings her vacuum for the rooms that have carpet. I do have one of those cordless sweeper vacs, love it!
2. I’ve never had a problem with acne but I will get one, maybe two when it’s nearing THAT time of the month.
3. No Wii in my household but we’re tossing around the idea for one as a “family” Christmas gift. I want that Wii fit, Mama needs to work off those extra pounds!
4. Sorry, can’t help you here.
5. Nobody but my Mom reads my blog and only after I remind her. I need to do like Susan does….”ifa you no reada da blog you no geta da food”!
RR’s recipe sounds good but I think my children would like some protein in it. As for RR I’ve yet to try anything of hers though I do have her first 2 cookbooks. She has some oddball combinations.
~ingrid
you’ve just changed my impression towards RR. I think I’ve already told you I’m not a big fan of RR at all. But the recipes you’ve posted really impressed me.
lululus last blog post..Thai Vermicelli Salad
NOOOO! My husband does not read my blog! He barely looks at the Christmas cards (featuring out children’s adorable mugs) that I design each year! I get compliments from others husbands but not from him.
My mom and sisters don’t read my blog either. I guess my mom has looked at it from time to time.
If you are interested, you can look at the designer who did my stationery page but it may be too expensive for a blog… I don’t know. http://quirky-bird.com/
Nicoles last blog post..Olives in Ojai
my husband doesn’t read my blog either (maybe if I had a family blog it might be different…huh?), as he sees it as my personal “space” and he respect it and stays out of it.
I think RR sets out some good guidlines, this pasta looks truely yummy!
gattinas last blog post..Olive paste chicken rolls with pomegranate dressing
I love your random thoughts-
DH and I have thought about a Dyson but testdrove one the other day and weren’t that impressed for the money- but people love them so what do we know?
I never had breakouts as a teenager but for the last ten or so years I get them in my temple area all the time- I’m 45 when will it end ;0
You’d think the Wii would be good practise- I can’t sing on auditions- I can sing if I’m in the chorus but my voice goes away when I audition -wierd huh?
I could use a good web designer too – I just use the free Wordpress themes but I would like an overhaul- is it pricey?
Dh reads my blog- not everyday but he catches up about once a week. My feelings do get a little hurt that other friends and fam don’t seem to care- but i had my blog for about 8 months when my Mum suddenly got really in to it and was calling me everytday to say she’d cooked something off it – too funny
Well your pasta looks scrumptious- sorry for such a long comment!
xo
Gabis last blog post..Becky’s Boyfriend’s Mom’s Peach Pie
I so want a Dyson, just because I think it looks so cool! lol! My better half reads my blog, but most the time he just looks to see what pics I posted!
The pasta looks delicious, by the way.
LyBs last blog post..Tuesdays With Dorie – Dimply Plum Cake
Blogs are about writing what we think and feel. Sure, this one may not be food related, but it does let us know more about you
I’ve made a very similar sauce to that except mine used cream cheese instead of heavy cream.
I am not married nor taken, so my loved ones would be my parents (and I suppose my brother haha). I haven’t told them about my blog because they are parents and will probably go eek personal info on the internet! My friends know and they visit sometimes.
Carlas last blog post..Tuesdays With Dorie – Dimply Plum Cake
I am SO bad at that American Idol game b/c I don’t know any of the songs!!!
claires last blog post..Three Chips a Charm?
LOL, I love your random thoughts! I don’t call this entertaining post writers block, it’s just genius. Sometimes even foodies need a break from food talk!
And the recipe sounds just delicious!
Hot Garlics last blog post..Weekend Away and a Side Salad
I completely understand what you are going through. I’m a food writer for a Viet Newspaper and sometimes I just sit and stare at the wall for hours (in agony) trying to figure out what to write. That’s why when I’m motivated and full of ideas, I write it all out at that moment, even if I don’t get sleep. Surges of ideas and inspiration don’t happen everyday, so I take full advantage of it when I can. When it’s times like you’re going through, I have something to fall back on.
I agree with you about Rachael Ray too. She might not be the most easy person to watch, but she certainly inspires millions to understand the concept that good food can be achieved at home, simply and deliciously. She might not be liked most foodies (especially the snobby ones), but I know for a fact that she gets millions out there to cook, where they would not otherwise. I have many clients who would normally feed their kids take out, now are cooking home meals for their families because of RR. That’s one step to better food, health and awareness. Not everyone is on the Thomas Keller level of food understanding, it takes time.
Go for the Dyson, I have heard great things!
1, 2, 4. Can’t help in these departments. I had to google Dyson!! *Hang head down with shame*
It sure looks powerful!
3. I want to get myself Guitar Hero!! Not sure about American Idol, because that automatically means I’ll have to listen to my significant other singing. Love him to death, but he just can’t carry out a single tune.
5. My husband reads my blog. I don’t know how I feel about it though. It’s weird sometimes. He was the one actually pushed me to blog – my first blog when I sat around in hospital for a month, 2 months at home and I was about to lose my mind!!
On the food related note, pumpkin cream sauce on pasta sounds interesting. I have always used pumpkin on sweet dish but have been giving it lots of thoughts of using it on savory and this dish sounds like a good start for me.
Cecils last blog post..Roti Jala & Kari Kambing / Laced Crepe with Goat Curry
I’m going to sneak the pumpkin recipe in as a side dish to try it out, announcing pumpkin for dinner is too high risk, but it looks divine.
Buy a Dyson – be happy!
Gollys last blog post..Pinot Grigio Superiore 2007 Cantina Breganze
I do a lot of freelance design work and, in exchange for a few food-blogging tips, I’d be happy to lend a hand
I enjoyed reading this post. I laughed when you said that your husband did not read your blog. I think my kids read more that my husband also. Sometimes we are out of words when we write a food blog. I’m with you on this one.
Hélènes last blog post..How to create your own blog and enter Martha’s blog contest
I like the Wii Fit for yoga and running too!
As far as I know, my husband doesn’t read my blog, and that’s just fine with me – he’s supportive about my writing and cooking in other ways. But sometimes I’ll tease him or the kids, “Be careful – I may blog about that,” especially if they’re complaining about something I’ve made for dinner.
My sister reads my blog faithfully, and both she and my husband talk it up, so I’m grateful for their encouragement.
Sandy Ss last blog post..TWD: Creme Brulee
Hi Kristen
I just happened to stumble upon your blog today and you have a lot of nice recipes, I will be visiting your blog more often. I have a question about the Penne with Pumpkin. In your notes you mention you added some chicken to the recipe. How much chicken breasts did you use and how much seasoning did you use on the chicken. Also when you sauteed the chicken how much oil did you use and what kind of oil did use.
Forgive me for being late, my computer has been in repair. However I had perfect skin until about a year ago, and the thing that helped me most was this http://www.walgreens.com/search/search_results.jsp?term=terminator+10
The name is stupid, and I feel silly buying it (I’m 24 so it doesn’t look like it is for my kid) but it worked overnight for me. It does dry my skin if I use too much, but I hope it helps if you haven’t already found something that works for you.
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