Hello, hello!
Well, the time has finally come – my first live cooking demo is tonight at the Iowa Beer, Wine & Food Expo here in Des Moines! If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be doing a live cooking demo in front of a crowd of people, as I am THE biggest introvert, I would have (gingerly) thrown rocks at you. That said, I’m not sure why I’m not more nervous right now.
Possibly because I’ll be on-stage with an awesome women-for-beer advocate, Ginger Johnson, who does demos like it’s her job (well, it kind of is her job,) but also because I’ve made the Butternut Squash Gnocchi Two Ways, which I’ll be featuring tonight, about 20 times over the past two weeks.
If my skin has a slightly orange tint to it tonight, you’ll know why… ;)
Anyways, besides demos, the expo’s got dozens of craft beers, wines, and food to try, so purchase your discounted tickets (both general admission, and beer & wine tasting ticket levels include the demos,) and come see me tonight then stay to sip and sample your heart out. I’ll be cooking from 6:15 to 7:15pm, and seats in the 40 person theater are first come, first serve. I hope to see some of you there!!!
Click here for discounted tickets >
In the meantime, I hope you have an awesome weekend (supposed to be 74 here tomorrow!) and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in today’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite woah: Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting. Ha. BaHA! OMG! If you think the buttercream frosting is impressive, wait ’til you see the inside of these cupcakes!
Favorite project: Holiday Woodland Wrapping. Not only is this a super cute way to wrap holiday packages, but I also think it’d be really cool to “wrap” different sized shoe box lids or cheap frames then prop them on the mantel for the holidays.
Favorite indulge: Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese. I’ve seen tons of BNS M&C recipes floating around the interwebs, but this is one of the creamiest, and most decadent sounding. Totally worth it!
Favorite place: Barcelona, Spain. My brother got to go to Barcelona in high school, and I’ve always been a little jealous. I love the mix of old and new in the beautiful city.
Favorite wake-up: Coconut Chai Coffee Cake. I have a serious soft spot in my heart for any and all types of coffee cake. I love the warm chai spices, and hint of coconut in this unique take on the breakfast treat.
Favorite pop: J Crew Bubble Earrings. Isn’t this pop of dreamy turquoise the best?! These babies come in lots of different colors too.
Favorite homemade: Peppermint Whipped Cream. After eating 130 Peaches ‘n’ Cream Cupcakes earlier this summer, I can confidently confirm that homemade whipped cream is one of the most life-changing foods on the planet. I cannot wait to dollop a big ol’ scoop of this homemade holiday-flavored whipped cream onto a mug of hot cocoa this winter.
Favorite sip: The Bourbon Bomber. These remind me of the Ginger & Apple & Bourbon cocktails I enjoyed allthetime last fall and winter, except they’ve got a few more fresh ingredients to liven things up.
Favorite furball. Do you understand that if this were my dog, I would never be able to leave her, EVER?
Favorite combo: Brussels Sprout Mac & Cheese. Two of my very favorite things – roasted brussels sprouts and mac & cheese – in one!
Favorite DIY: Gold Painted Jars. What a gorgeous accent vase for a party or event!
Favorite bite: Oreo Funfetti Cake with Oreo Cheesecake Filling. Cookies. Cream. Funfetti. ‘Nuf said.
Favorite party. Gorgeous combo of gold and sparkles in this girly arm party. :)
Favorite mouthful: Green Chili Cheeseburgers. Oooo I wish I still had some Sam’s No. 3 Kickin’ Green Chili to smother down over a juicy cheeseburger! This looks SO awesome!
Favorite snuggle. This WILL become my winter weekend uniform. Just need that vest!
Favorite cozy: Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate. This is soooo happening the next time Ben declares a fire day.
Check out past Friday Favorites >
Have a great weekend, you! :D
Good luck tonight! Wish I was closer and I would definitely be going. I love everything about your Fall fashion fave!
OMG, the coconut chai coffee cake!?! Who read my diary and made up a recipe using all of my favorite things in the world?!
Congrats on the demo. How exciting!
Everytime you do Friday Favourites I have like 10 tabs open at the top of my screen lol, ooops!
That holiday wrapping looks fabulous, as does the brussel sprouts mac & cheese..what a yummy combo! I am also loving the outfit..very much my style!
Your comment about your skin being slightly orange totally made me laugh. My mom always told me that when I was a baby my skin developed an orange tint to it from eating too much carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes baby food. And to this day I am still obsessed with these vegetables! Hopefully somebody will tell me if my skin starts to turn orange again ;).
Good luck at your demo! I am sure you will do great!
I am so excited to see you cook tonight! Hopefully there’s standing room in the theater…I won’t be able to get there until 6:30!
I could not get to the Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate – but this is the link found:
http://www.sugarhero.com/2012/02/cinnamon-bun-white-hot-chocolate/
Strange! Can you clear your cache, try again, and let me know if it works (if you want!) :)
It worked it worked! I thought I saw that puddly cat!
Good luck with the demo! Your butternut squash gnocchi is the bomb! You will rock it girl!
I bet all your family needs to do is go through your friday favorites for Christmas presents for you!!! Those earrings are cute!
Iowa has mountains? Haha I don’t remember seeing any mountains when I lived there! Oh yes and that watch – to die for!
And if Iowa does have these mountains, tell me where! It’s a lot closer of a drive than Colorado. :)
Haha, I meant since Iowa is the furthest thing away from being a mountain state, I could at least get the feeling from having a stone wall. :)
Haha I think you could live anywhere in that house and feel like you’re in the mountains. It’s amazing!
Good luck tonight at your demo! So wish I could be there – I’m sure you’ll be fantastic! And butternut squash mac n’cheese? OMG!
I just have to officially say: I LOVE this blog. :) Especially your Friday favorites. I’ve really been wanting to try brussel sprouts because I’ve never made them before, and I think that mac n cheese might just be the ticket. Also, I can totally relate to being introverted… you’re going to do an awesome job at your demo.
Oh goodness, I’m all over these recipes! Brussels sprout mac and cheese, YES PLEASE! Have a great weekend hun!
Lauren! This is serendipity, right? :) I think the brussels sprouts mac n cheese might be my perfect intro to brussels sprouts. Then, of course, I’ll have to graduate to your yummy brussels sprouts, sausage, feta dish.
Good luck at your cooking demo!! The expo sounds like so much fun.
Also, wwhhyyy did you have to post the link to that cinnamon bun white hot chocolate?! omg – looks.so.good.