LoveFeast Table

There are a few foods that scream, “Summer is here!”  Snowballs, hamburgers on the grill, blueberries and S’mores!

A few days ago, this package came to me in the mail.

Momzshare friend,  (we met because of a mutual love for Brunello) Laura from Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom and Amy, (Bloggy Bootcamp-resource- giver extraordinaire!)  Resourceful Mommy stalked (our own version) Hersey’s chocolate, for a little love.  Somehow, these ladies  thought it would be a lot of fun to put together a train ride bound to BlogHer ’10.  Really, who could argue with that logic?  Chocolate and train ride to New York?  Who are we to rock the boat…or the train for that matter?

The logic was so sound, that Hersey’s and Kraft signed on…breathed their dust…and dished out tickets for a bunch of bloggers to hop on the train!  In preparation for the trip, Hersey’s wanted to make sure we were happy!  They sent us a box of sheer joy!*

The day the package was delivered, it was 102 degrees in Baltimore with “free perm”, humidity levels!    The chocolate was liquid by the time I got it!

Never one to be deterred by a set back, I actually was inspired!  S’more fondue!

Devon and I concocted and brainstormed and new recipe!

Campfire Mexican S’More Fondue!

We broke it out on our son’s 13 birthday!  We gathered the kids, armed them with really cool retractable S’more sticks (thanks to Hersey’s) and got them ready for a snackativity! (ie…experiement!)

We combined 4 Hersey’s bars with 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne and a 3/4 Cup of Kahlua into a sturdy pan.

We stirred the mixture over our fire pit until the chocolate was melted.

Meanwhile the kids toasted their marshmallows.  Some were golden

…some a little crispy.

Once they were ready, they dipped the marshmallows into the chocolate and sandwiched them between two graham crackers.

Some added a slice or two of strawberry!

The Mexican S”more was amazing!  Just enough sweet, a hint of coffee and a little heat at the back of the throat.

We enjoyed every drip

and every bite!

This  fun snackativity made this kid’s birthday,

the best ever! (His words, not mine!)

*“As part of the S’mores Road Trip to BlogHer I received a round trip ticket on Amtrak to the convention and Hershey branded items. Any views expressed in this post are my own.”

“There are always two people in every picture:  the photographer and the viewer.” ~Ansel Adams

This was one of my favorite photographs from the I Heart Faces Photo Walk Across America that I participated in last Saturday.  Although its not of a face…it’s a little about a walk…or maybe perhaps, a journey.  It’s a theme I write about off and on.  I like the idea and the experience of paths in general.  It’s a little peak about the excitement of the future.  It’s when you start walking and you wander a bit, but you still enjoy the view and the experience as you go.  I like the idea of seeing a glimpse of the future but not really knowing how the path will take me there.  It’s probably because I like to plan and dream.  But, I also like the adventure of the unknown and maybe a little of the dips and dangers as well.

Part of our LoveFeast Table journey is to continue to learn about blogging, photography and networking as we develop our blog.  A blogging event like this I Heart Faces walk is a great place to meet other bloggers and hone photography skills all at the same time.

Our walk here in Minnesota was led by an energetic photographer and personality, Molly Durkin, a Minneapolis/St. Paul based photographer who specializes in senior portraits and families.  Bill Hickey was also assisting in this walk that was held at the Oak Ridge Conference Center, in Chaska, MN.

Before we began, Molly pointed out that a good photograph is “about right here” …or if you will, your eye…how you see things.

Clearly I was going to have to see things differently on this photo-walk as I was surrounded by expert photographers and professionals who knew how to click all the dials on their cameras.  Kristin and I both have new cameras and lenses this year so we have lots to learn.  Molly pointed out the journey of learning never ends and that even she is still learning as well.   One of the things I learned on my photo-walk is that this blog, LoveFeast Table currently may be the only blog in America that does not tweak their photos in Photo-shop!

To begin the photo-walk we broke into groups and spread out over the grounds of the conference center.  Exactly, as one might have suspected the photo-walk looked like this.

Using our own group as models…Molly demonstrated how to reflect light using someone’s white polar fleece jacket towards the face.

We took turns modeling for each other.

Kristin, my friend from High Heels And A Hammer, took her turn.

Kristin chatted with a new bloggy friend, Amanda, from the baking blog, i am baker.

Amanda had us rolling with her humor.

Pictures were taken and results were shared.

We all worked hard despite the rain to get some good shots.

We had a model for this event too.  A friend of Molly’s posed for us.  He wasn’t professional but he sure fooled me.  When they call it, “I Heart Faces” they’re not kidding around.

Do you have a good campfire recipe or story?  If you do, please share it in the comments section with us!  We are looking for some yummy treats to cook over a fire!  This post was originally posted almost exactly a year ago, May 25, 2009.  It’s a “blast from the past”.

What’s in your fire?  Hopefully, hot melted Banana Boats!  You can see ours above, wrapped in tinfoil,  baking in the warmth of the coals.  Here is a treat you can make today.  This is what you need:

Bananas, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and a professional hand model.  (We chose one from across the street, but you’ll have to get what where you can.)  Only a professional hand model can remove hot bananas from hot burning coals.  If you don’t have one.  Don’t make this dessert.  And, stop reading this post now, because you’ll just be jealous.  If you have access to a professional hand model, gather your ingredients, make your fire, and continue reading.

This is our professional hand model’s daughter’s hands below.  She is in training.   She is not yet allowed to place her hand into the fire to retrieve her hot Banana Boat.  But, one day, just like her mother she will grow into this skill and be very useful.   Here you can see her filling the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows within the carefully opened banana.  Just one slit down the middle.  Observe.

Then, after that the bananas are wrapped up in tinfoil and placed  in the coals of the fire and cooked  until the ingredients are melted and little caramelized.  In other words; hot, rich, and gooey.  It is very normal at this point for anyone waiting around for their bananas, to feel like stuffing their face with the extra marshmallow ingredients.

Again, make sure you have a roaring fire.

Then, have your sequestered hand model remove the fiercely hot molten bananas from the fire like so.

Our professional hand model was also a girl scout leader.  It doesn’t hurt to get a model with a fire badge of some sort.  Check your hand model’s credentials.

This is the outcome.  A fireside feast of sweetness.

We think peanut butter would also be good thing to add.  What else?  Let your imagination run wild!  Report back to us.

Our Baltimore Urban Party Peacock is here to announce the winner of our 2nd Ace of Cakes book GiftAway!

The winner is Cyndy N!!  Congratulations Cyndy!

The drawing was held by Random.org and our book was provided by the publisher!!  OK, hon?

Snow, snow, snow.  And, now you see just why I had to go on my little “research trip”.  What destination is on your mind?  Love snow? Or, gotta’ go!!  What’s your Fancy?

My kitchen is my favorite room in my house.  It is full of things that make me happy.  Like a little hand painted bowl my mom brought back from Spain.

A hand made flower that I received in the mail from a friend (Chris Ann to be exact!)  Hand painted tiles from my daughter.

A beautiful dish our friend from Morocco gave to us.  We shared a lamb and cous cous dish, his mother prepared for us, off of this plate.

My knobs!

A vintage plaque that reminds me to give thanks for all things.  A little ornament I found in Florence.

A vintage creamer that cost $1.19.

My drawer of coffee mugs that all tell a story.

Containers that are are full of possibilities.

My daily inspiration…Americano served in my mug and espresso served in his!

The kitchen aid, that really is a member of the family.

Even my dish washing station, is a happy place.

The colors on this plate, the staining around the edges…ahhh…let’s just say, it’s my favorite.

My paintbrushes just waiting to be picked up!  My Anthropologie dishtowels turned curtains.

A medicine cabinet pretending to be a spice rack.  My olive oil jar from Tuscany.

Hand made and well worn, pot holders.  They make me smile every time I use them.

Flea market finds.

The people in my life.

What is your favorite room?

It was about a year ago.  Chris Ann was in Baltimore for a visit.  She had just come out of a dreary Minnesota winter.  I planned a day of “art-inspiration-creativity-fun stops and shops”!  We went to ArHaus and were quickly inspired by the vignettes and even had a great conversation with the artist/installer there.  I saw Chris Ann take a deep, refreshing breath…she even smiled!  We then went to Clipper Mill to scope out the artists and Woodberry Kitchen.  We walked around and watched glass artists, iron artists and had a great conversation with a mobile maker.  At this point, there was a bounce in Chris Ann’s step…the creative juice was coming back.  We then headed to one of my favorite stores, Red Tree.  She walked around touching fabrics, picking up dishes…we began to daydream about running a store like this (it’s been an ongoing dream of ours!).  When we were done there (about an hour later)…we headed to get some lunch.  A quick stop in Shine Collective, and a purple skirt later we finally made our way to The Golden West Cafe.  After a day of visual creative inspiration (really we were on a high at this point) and with a plate of sweet potato fries and a glass of cold beer,  we had an epiphany.  I guess that’s what you’d call it!

Let me quick set the stage.  Chris Ann and I have known each other for 15 years.  We are both artists…have both owned businesses…are married to entrepreneurial husbands…and have often brainstormed crazy business ideas!  Everything from restaurants, to retail decorating stores, to art workshops for women…and even in one disillusion moment, “Hubcap Hotties”.  Even though, every one of our ideas (Hubcap Hotties excluded) was brilliant, we had never landed on a concept that embodied all of our passions and skills.  Until we were enlightened, inspired and sparked at The Golden West Cafe.

It was here that LoveFeast Table was born. This is the start of walking out our dream and we have The Golden West Cafe to thank for our humble beginnings!

So, when Chris Ann came for a visit this summer, The Golden West Cafe was on the “Must Do” list.  Now, over this past year, I came to find out, my neighbor, Samantha is part owner of The Golden West Cafe.  Chris Ann and I had many reasons to make it here for lunch!

We took our girls and the baby and made our way to The Golden West Cafe for another plate of sweet potato fries!  When we entered in, I saw my neighbor Carol, who was there with friends!  Ahh…it’s like a neighborhood joint!  I know when I walked in, saw the freshly clean restaurant and new paint and touches around the room…last year’s juice began to come back!  I don’t know if it’s the lime green wall with the moose head, or the cowgirl mural (Pioneer Woman would be proud) in the lounge area, or the hanging lanterns that got me.  I think it’s all of it!  Really it’s a room of inspiration!

The host escorted us to our seats.  We started with sweet potato fries!  They were hot and delicious.  Chris Ann’s daughter ordered a burger that came with garlic fries…I have to say, this time, the garlic fries did it for us!  The burger was made with organic, grass fed beef from Springfield Farms.  It was juicy and in CA’s daughter’s words, “It was so good!  It was like a bite of heaven!”  My daughter, wanted breakfast, so she ordered French Toast.  It was hot and gooey and thoroughly enjoyed!

Chris Ann and I ordered a veggie burrito to split (we weren’t incredibly hungry) and mojitos.  In the past, my culinary experience here had not always been good.  I have in my mind, mushy food soaked in too much sauce.  But, when I took one bite of this burrito, I was hooked.  The grilled vegetables of zucchini, peppers, plantains and onions, were crunchy, flavorful and hot!  Really, they tasted like they had been picked that morning.  (I found out from owner Samantha in an interview, that their vegetables come from local farms.  Even one of her employees owns a garden that they use…stay tuned for interview in another post!)  We devoured that burrito!  Oh, and can I just say, the plates they brought for us to use, were straight out of grandmom’s corner hutch!  They made us smile!

The mojitos were cold and refreshing and we finished our visit with tasters of their homemade banana cupcakes.  These little jewels melt in your mouth!  Really, if you are ever in Hampden, and need to hit a sweet spot, pop in, order one…or half a dozen…of these confectioner’s delights and I promise your need will be met!  Not to mention, their purple sparkles will bring a smile to your face!

Our service was attentive and not overbearing.  I think our server’s name was Ryan and he was helpful and on top of our needs.

As we sat there, looking around, we realized it was a perfect place for LoveFeast to be inspired!  So, if you are in need of inspiration or just some juice to walk out a dream you have, go to The Golden West Cafe in Hampden, order a plate of sweet potato fries or a banana cupcake and be ready to have your creative self be served!

They are open seven days a week and feature live music on the weekend nights.  It’s a great place to bring the family, go on a date, or pop in for a banana cupcake!

Thank you crew at The Golden West Cafe for starting us out on our Golden Adventure!

Love,

Kristin and Chris Ann

The humor will come.   That’s what I keep telling myself…. There are certain bloggers out there that are witty and clever.   Very witty and clever.  And I’m happy for them.  Really.  It’s just that–  do they have four to five kids, dishes to do, shoes to pick up, piles of laundry, cakes to bake, beds to make, school parties to attend, baths to be drawn and so on?  I think not!  I think these clever witty food bloggers are lounging around in their pjs today, sipping tea, and reforming their paragraphs at leisure, updating their twitter feeds every HALF HOUR……they’re driving me nuts!!!  Tonight they have dinner plans at upscale restaurants that they are going to review on URBAN SPOON! Just about the time I will be picking up spoons, that have been dropped, with crumbs and napkins under my table.   But, at the moment, I have little wit or cleverness, perhaps my vacuum sucked it up.  But, that’s ok, a New Year is coming around the bend, and I will repeat like Peter Pan, “oh, the cleverness of me!” five times daily–if that’s what it takes.  And, to the rest of you brilliantly wonderful bloggers-you inspire me.

We make muffin runs to the Red Canoe!  The muffins at this local joint is the unique element that sets the Red Canoe apart.  We have hunted high and low for jus the right muffin in Baltimore.  They are usually too sweet or over processed.  Not at the Red Canoe!  My personal favorite has chunks of mango holding the muffin together…moist and fresh…best slightly heated up and enjoyed with a black cup of Zeke’s coffee!

This past Friday, we went with three other couples to Ryan’s Daughter to celebrate my friend’s birthday.  We had been through a huge list of restaurants, trying to find the perfect atmosphere for the special evening…not too stuffy, can wear jeans, good food and good beer.  We made a good pick!  The night was fun!  The fish and chips were a hit!  And my black and tan went down smooth!