We're back.  The drive is really not far and we'd return to Charleston for a visit in the future. 

In addition to our walking tour of Charleston on Monday we went to the Charleston Museum.  That was a good visit too.  Just didn't want to forget anything we did.  I got to see clothes, silver and quilts there and enjoyed the visit. 

Wednesday we headed out to Cypress Gardens and Mepkin Abbey.  We started at the gardens and were able to get on the list for the 12:00 guided boat ride in the swamp.  Yes, they have boats that you can take by yourself, I thought we should wait for the tour since the guide would have more information.  While waiting we went in the butterfly house and walked a little. 

The tour was excellent.  We had 8 in our boat and the tour took about 45 minutes.  Our guide gave us historical information and showed us turtles and even a couple alligators.  Very exciting!  And beautiful.  The water is black because of the cypress oil and has good reflections.  Of course after the boat tour we had to walk the grounds for a couple of hours and saw several turtles and our own alligator. 

We headed off to the abbey but got there just as a bus was pulling in so we could not take the church tour.  It was overbooked with the bus.  We did walk the grounds and enjoyed the beauty.  There were some carvings from trees that had fallen and this is the burial place of Clare Booth Luce and Henry Luce. 

After that we were pretty hungry and decided to go for very casual food in Monck's Corner at Gilligan's Seafood.  Good fried shrimp, okra and iced tea.  A perfect meal right on the water. 

Thursday we had scheduled a Culinary Walking Tour.  This was a great tour and would be good at the beginning of a trip to Charleston.  Susan was our guide and once we met at the tour place we headed out.  There were 6 of us on the tour so it was a nice small group.  We started at the Dixie Restaurant where we sampled grits and pumpkin cornbread.  Very good.

We moved on to several places - Belgian chocolates, several restaurants, Charleston Cooks store.  Susan told us about the restaurants, the menus, we tasted chocolate and we walked.  Pretty fast, but there was lots to learn.

We headed to River Street Sweets where we watched the peanut brittle making and sampled many things - peanut brittle, pralines, pumpkin fudge, glazed nuts, sugared nuts.  Again good.  We each got a huge praline for later.  I snapped a couple pictures of the peanut brittle process.

We also went to Teavanna and learned about teas, and ended with barbecue and collard greens.  Excellent.  The tour was about 3 hours, we went over some I believe.  It is a little pricy but worth it. 

The tour finished about 12:30 so we still had a good part of the day to be tourists. We were not hungry and wanted to try and see the tea plantation so off we went.  Not too far and very interesting. 

We got there just in time for a trolley tour so off we went.  Our guide explained the process and the plants.  The plants are related to camellias and some were beginning to bloom.  The fields look like fields of shrubs.  Every 18 or so days the new growth is sheared to be used to make tea.  The plants are evergreen and will be going dormant soon. 

Old growth fields                                                            New plants

Ready to be trimmed                                                   

After the tea plantation we snapped a few pictures of the Angel tree and headed to a winery for tastings.  They make wine with muscadine grapes and they also make a Sweet Tea Vodka.  I'll get back to you on that.  I've heard it is wonderful but powerful.   

Thursday night we ate at the Hominy Grill and it was excellent.  I had cornmeal crusted grouper, turnip greens and macaroni and cheese.  For dessert a cranberry upside down cake with orange sauce.  Perfect!  We went back for breakfast Friday morning.

Friday the plan was to visit the aquarium and we purchased the optional sea turtle hospital tour.  We arrived in time for the river otter breakfast feeding and then toured the aquarium.  Out turtle tour was at 1:00 and if you ever go to Charleston, go to the hospital.  The director told us about the program, about the turtles, what they do and what we would see before we went in.  Once in we could see all the turtle patients, ask questions, watch some feeding and learn all about everyone.  Very casual, very unrushed, very good. 

The hospital was full with 8 turtles ranging from 70 pounds to over 300 pounds.  They had various problems - run ins with boats, pnuemonia, fish hook injuries, etc.  They are beautiful.  The aquarium is non profit and relies on donations for the turtle program.  Check out the website and blog.  One woman on the tour had rescued one of the turtles a year ago.  She was there visiting her.  Since they have such slow metabolisms they are slow to heal.  Here are a few pictures, but you have to go.

We ended our day with dinner at Cru Cafe and again an excellent meal.  Now we're home and I'll be serving chicken noodle soup!  

The wedding expo that seemed so far away is almost here.  The date to remember is October 19th and the place is the Mansell House.   If you are in the North Metro area and planning a wedding, you need to attend.  There will be about 60 vendors covering cakes, hotels, catering, limos, carriages, music, dancing lessons, gift baskets and me.  A personal chef service is a wonderful gift. 

I had some time today luckily and spent it getting things ready for my table.  I have signs, brochures and I think all I will need.  I am slightly decorating impaired and not good with crafts involving glue guns so I have tried to keep things simple. 

I've also just gathered all my materials for teaching tomorrow and Thursday.  I'll be teaching for the Culinary Business Academy for people who want to be personal chefs.  The days are always fun. 

Last night I finally tried Curry Simple Sauce for dinner.  I bought it at Cook's Warehouse while I was there teaching on Saturday.  I sauteed some chicken breast added some red bell pepper, spinach, zucchini, carrot shreds and green onions and served it over rice.  It was tasty and easy.  I used the green curry last night and it was spicy but not overly fiery.  It's supposed to be the spiciest and I'll compare when I try the red that I also bought. 

Tonight is "whatever" for dinner and I have no idea.  I am leaning to Amy's Organic Cheese Pizza though.  I have severe carb needs. 

I got a nice surprise in the mail today.  Last October in the Halloween kid's class we had a guest photographer who took pictures for a story that came out this year.  The writer sent me some copies of the magazine and the article is very nice.  If you want to check it out and get the recipes and you are not one of the EMC members that receive the magazine you can look here. 

I have to go now and pick up my printing at Office Depot.  When I called to ask if it was ready they asked if it was the "chef stuff".  I'm hoping that they remembered the chef materials because they were so much fun and so easy to do.    

This week I am apparently having a major potato craving, I think they are in every recipe for the week!  It does seem that I focus on one thing, luckily I like lots of things and will move on. 

The chicken curry we had on Sunday was wonderful.  I made half the amount so I have enough spice left for another meal.  It was very good.  As I said, I met the owner of the company at the Metro Cooking Show and she was very nice.  The company is Modern Day Masala, we tried the butter chicken.  I used canned tomatoes when I made it and it was very easy to make following the directions on the package of spices.

I haven't made much Indian food or used curry spices much but made a new recipe on Monday using the slow cooker and Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker cookbook.  The meal was good as with all of the other recipes I've made from this book, but was a little more work than I like when using a slow cooker.  The dish was a beef and potato curry so first I had to brown the meat and place it over the carrots and potatoes in the slow cooker where it cooked for 7 hours.  That's nice, letting it go on it's own, but at the end I needed to make a roux, in another pan with flour, oil and the curry spice and then add that to the slow cooker. I had to use too many pots and pans even though I don't clean up after dinner, that's my husband's job.   I used Penzey's Hot Curry Spice and it was good, not overly spicy. 

I like coming home from Jazzercise and having dinner ready.  Tonight in keeping with the potato theme I'm making Potato, Leek and Spinach soup in the slow cooker.  Another new recipe so we'll see how good it is.  We also have leftover beef curry. 

I cooked for a customer yesterday, one of my favorite customers although all of my customers are very nice.  I've been cooking for them for about 3 years now and have been with them with the death of their first cat, the new kitten and the new baby who is now almost 18 months old.  Yesterday was a fairly quick cooking day,  I made some greens, some chicken, a southwestern pork dish with sweet potatoes, some soup, a chicken and pasta dish and left a salad for a treat.

My exciting news for this week is that I was on the radio!  I was asked by Chef Jae Gruber who is Executive Sous Chef/Evening Dean/Chef Instructor at Le Cordon Bleu.  I met Jae through Women Chefs and Restauratuers a few years ago and she hosts a weekly radio show about cooking, restaurants and more.  She asked me to talk about personal cheffing for the show so I did that on Tuesday.  If you'd like to listen to my show or any of the other topics, it was Radio Sandy Springs.  It was a lot of fun and very relaxing, just sitting around the table chatting with friends. 

Today I have designated as "Finish the Kid's Cooking Series Course Work" day.  The first session is the first week of June and I need to get the materials to Cook's Warehouse for copying and making into books.  I have secured my judges for the first week so that's all set.  I just need class materials and we're set.  I have been working on things, I just need to make sure I'm done.  

The class will be lots of fun I'm sure.  We'll be cooking a menu from different star chefs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the kids will be using those recipes for a starting point for Thursday and adapting them as they like for the judges and Friday we'll be cooking for friends and family. 

I know, I know, I have to get the course materials done!  Now.  Well maybe after I have some cereal. 

This week has gone by quickly again.  I've been fighting a cold and so far I am winning the battle!  I have been going to bed pretty early, taking aspirin, Zicam and Korean citron tea.  I feel pretty good today.  I don't like to be sick and there really isn't time for that now.  I find if I can rest and take care of myself, I'm usually okay.

Today is haircut day and quilt class.  It's been a couple weeks since class, the thought was we'd have time to work on our projects, and I have!  I have 5 rows of the quilt done.  I may even have enough squares made to finish the rows.  I am enjoying the process of the colors and the rows. 

I have not been cooking much.  One night this week we had wonderful strip steaks on the grill.  Last night we kind of snacked.  I had Trader Joe's Three Layer Hummus, pita chips and some brie with Korean tea.  My husband had chicken salad loaded with mayo, crackers and hummus.

Speaking of Trader Joe's, I do recommend the Three Layer Hummus.  The layers are cilantro, plain and roasted red pepper hummus.  It's pretty and tasty.  Also I recommend the Almond Snowman Cookies.  Beware though, they are really good.  We don't have any right now.  They are cute and very, very crisp and tasty. 

My husband likes the Sea Salt Brownies, but they are not my favorite.  They should be with the combo of salt and chocolate, but I would rather leave them alone.  We've also tried the potato pancakes and they were good.  See, no cooking. 

Tonight it's forage for yourself since I have quilt class. 

I am almost done with my shopping.  I have to go to the Dollar Store today and to BJ's.  I know, not very elegant places to shop.  But useful.  I also need a gift card from Lowe's.  Not today though.

This weekend I'll be at the Decatur Cook's Warehouse making pasta with the KitchenAid mixer and attachment.  If you'd like to see it, stop by from 3 to 5.  Also there is a KitchenAid rebate of 25% on the attachments, so good price for them.

Sunday we have a Christmas party to attend which should be fun.  And there will be good food.

I have to go make a shopping list and menu plan for next week now.  We need something other than snacks maybe.  Maybe not, it will depend on the week!

Well we are finished with the main meal.  We'll have dessert a little later.  Our meal was fantastic! 

I got the turkey at Trader Joe's and I got a fresh kosher turkey.  It was just over 12 pounds. I followed the recipe for Roast Turkey in the America's Test Kitchen Cookbook and it was perfect.  Moist and tasty and easy.  I also used the cookbook for the gravy and it was delicious. 

Since there were only the 2 of us I had a simple meal.  I made bread stuffing (bread, sausage, celery, onions, fresh parsley, fresh sage, butter), mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, opened the can of jellied cranberry sauce and sliced it (husband's favorite) and I had fresh cranberry sauce from Trader Joe's (yes, I added Gran Marnier to it).  All was good.

We haven't had dessert yet, just a little full.  I made a pumpkin pie and an apple pie last night using the America's Test Kitchen cookbook, both look good.

For breakfast this morning I made graham pancakes from my new favorite cookbook (Test Kitchen) and they were very tasty.  

Just relaxing now and looking forward to an entire relaxing evening.  No knitting tonight, I had wine with dinner and that is not a good combo for me, it always leads to unknitting!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

I know the pictures are loading much more slowly.  I did try and resize them as I do at home, apparently that is beyond my technical abilities on the road on the laptop.

After we left Footsteps we went back to Rhode Island to Casey Farms.  Good news the rain had slowed down, bad news the wind had picked up, way up.  As we strolled the farm, we were freezing and couldn't use umbrellas because of the wind.

This farm is on historic New England land and they raise organic produce, chickens and usually turkeys.   No turkeys this year because coyotes got 26 of 28 turkeys.  They run as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and people buy shares in the future crop.  They have a waiting list and a good farmers market on site.  We did some walking around but truly it was freezing.  Very beautiful though.

After Casey Farm, we moved on to the Watson Farm.  This is next door to Casey and kind of a sister farm.  They raise bigger animals than Casey does.  They have sheep, pigs and cattle.  And also beautiful draft horses that work on the farm.  We were freezing so Don and Blue the border collie got on the bus.  Don said we could ride in the bus for the tour which did not excite the driver, but he was outnumbered so off we went.  Blue went down the aisle to make sure we were all herded together for the tour.

All of the farmers are very passionate about what they do.  And they work hard.  Each time I attend conferences I come home with something I learned and need to change.  That's how I got started buying beef from Bill Hodge.  I'm going to be looking for some more farmers in my area and looking into pork, chickens and joining a CSA.  You assume the risk with the farmer and work as partners.  I'm realizing that I may not get beef in November because the drought hasn't been good for grass growing which is what Bill's cows eat.

After we made it around the higher pasture and back on the main farm road, the bus driver was very happy, we headed back to the hotel.  The rain had almost stopped but the winds were very strong.  We actually did move sideways on the bridge back which is not the normal way to go.  Our driver was great though and we made it safely back to the Hyatt.

Since my feet were already ice blocks and I was wet and freezing, I decided to go to the back of the hotel and get some pictures of the water and waves.  Yes, I got sprayed more with salt water.  The hotel is on Goat Island which is the only structure here.  There is a little lighthouse on the back side.

 Then it was time for relaxing, a cocktail party, a dinner out and then bed for me.  I am not a late night person so did not linger after dinner. 

My classes today were wonderful.  The service class reinforced my belief that service is key.  The wine class also great.  We tasted 7 different Italian dessert wines with 6 different desserts.  I know, this is a tough conference but I do it to gain knowledge.

Tonight is another cocktail reception and the awards banquet.  It should be fantastic.  Tomorrow I have classes: Artisanal Products:Inspire Your Menus with Change and So You Want to Write a Book?.  There is also a general session on Heritage Breed Farming and a Traditional New England Clambake in the evening.  It's hard work so I have to go rest now before heading back to learn!

Well the day dawned wet and windy but the tour was still a go.  Luckily I did have an umbrella and my coat was rain resistant so off we went on our bus.  There were about 20 of us braving the day.  There was one mention of "I hope the Newport Bridge stays open" as we left but we ignored that.

We drove to Connecticut to Footsteps Farm first.  Farmer Craig was ready to go and the animals live outside so we set off in our strudy shoes, umbrellas, garbage bags, hats, etc.  Craig did tell us that when we got to the bull there would be no umbrellas allowed.  Apparently he hates umbrellas and the week before there was an incident with a photographer, the bull and an umbrella. 

There is still some color in the trees and this tree was pretty on the farm. 

We saw the momma pigs and piglets first.  The piglets stay with the moms until they are about 40 days old and then they are weaned.  These little guys are just at 40 days old and ready to go from mom.

Once they leave mom, they go to the woods and can live in the pig houses you can see in the picture above.  They roam free and can root and dig and forage like pigs are supposed to do.  They live very happy lives until the day they need to be harvested and that is done humanely by Craig.  He is very proud of being certified as humane and loves his animals.  He names all of them.

He works very hard on the farm with little help and is very passionate about his heritage breeds and the taste of his food.  He also has turkeys, cattle, chickens and ducks although he says he has a hard time killing the ducks because they look at him.  He says his wife has noticed that the duck population is growing.

We loaded back onto the warm, dry bus and were on to the next stop.  I'll have to stop for now and get ready for the day.  Breakfast is at 7:30, then general session: Why Local Food...and How?, and my classes: Service Starved, Heaven in the Glass and on the Plate, with snacks, lunch and networking in between.

I'll try and be back later, but I know I'll have a lot of eating, talking and learning to do today. 

Last night I attended a sake class and sake tasting.  It was wonderful!  I learned a lot about sake and now need to start trying some.  Our teacher for the evening was Kiyo and he was assisted by Taki.  Some of you might know Taki from Cook's Warehouse classes.

Last night I tasted very little since I was driving home and I was working today.  I had a couple sips of each kind and then used the cup to dump the rest. This is what we tasted:

• Way of Sake
• White Sun
• Drake
• Mighty Peak
• Fragrant Water
• Six Circles
• Flower Petals
• True Beauty - not sake but shochu which is distilled and this had cherry essence also

I learned that sake means alcohol, so like in the south when you ask for a coke and someone asks what kind you want, if you ask for sake that could mean any kind of alcohol.

I also learned that sake is fermented, not distilled and that water and rice are very important.  Where the sake is produced can determine if it should be served hot or cold.  Generally if it is produced in the north where it is cold it should be served chilled.

Sake also pairs with food much like wine.  When I first tasted the Six Circles I didn't like it at all.  After I tasted some sushi with it, it smoothed and evened out.  Sake doesn't just pair well with Asian foods though.  One of samples matched perfectly with roasted red peppers and basil, another with cheese. 

Kiyo was very knowledgeable and fun and does private classes if anyone is interested in hosting a sake class with a bunch of friends.  Let me know and I'll get you contact info for him.

Today I worked and this is it for a while.  Tomorrow I leave for Rhode Island and the WCR conference.  The hotel looks great, is on the water and I have some restaurant referrals.  I will have a computer with me and should be able to blog, but in case that doesn't work out due to technical difficulties, I'll be back.  My tech support will be staying home to go to work and care for the animals.

I'm taking a mix of classes both business and food related so I should have new things to pass on.  I have to go think about dinner now, pork roast and macaroni and cheese from the freezer.  I planned leftovers so tech support/husband will be able to forage for food while I'm gone.  I also have to think about packing. 

A fast week.  I can't believe it is Friday and I haven't written all week! 

Monday started with issues.  I am teaching for Culinary Business Academy next week, we have a full class and the space where we had class last month was closed by some person in authority in Decatur.  I'm not in charge, but my friend Cathy is so I was helping her find a place where we could have cooking class and also lecture for the 8 students who will arrive Sunday.  Crisis averted, Cook's Warehouse in Decatur has graciously allowed us to use the kitchen there!

Monday I also had a conference call with a chef in another state.  She has agreed to do a kid's cooking camp this summer and she had some questions for me as a veteran of kid's cooking.  I have never met her, I think she is in Michigan, not sure.  We had a good talk and she said she feels more comfortable.  I love being a part of an association where I can meet so many people, give help and get help. 

Monday I also made and delivered a meal to a neighbor.  I don't know many of our neighbors since years of corporate work left me little time to go outside of our house and meet others.  I'm starting to get to know some now thanks to another neighbor Rycca who is in Jazzercise and also has a daughter Katie who sells Girl Scout cookies and cat sits.

Tuesday I finished up my class info for the kid's series of summer cooking that starts June 18th.  I delivered that to Cook's Warehouse in Midtown so they can copy and binder and have it ready for the kids.  We're doing Food Network as the theme this year with Thursday being Iron Chef Day so I also had to finalize judges for Thursday.  There are many wonderful people willing to help with kids!  My judges for the first week will be Virginia Willis and Elisa Gambino. 

I've heard of Virginia for several years since she also teaches at Cook's Warehouse but our paths had never really crossed.  I got to know her better at the last Women Chefs and Restaurateur conference last year in Atlanta.  I am so glad that I am getting to know her. 

I met Elisa several years ago on a tip from a kid's class mom.  The mom told me about the best pasta she had ever had so I had to try it.  It is wonderful, my favorite is the braised leek but it all is good.  I met Elisa at her shop and again she's the nicest person.  You have to try the pasta.  It is quick and simple for summer.  Really anytime, but it's summer now!

Wednesday was cleaning day.  I had no excuse that I could use to avoid it.  I also made a great dinner on the grill.  It was simple but had great flavor.  I used some lemon oil and Greek seasoning on chicken breasts, grilled some foccacia bread from DeKalb Farmer's market and made Cheese Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers.   So good!

Cheese Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers from Pillsbury

• 3 large red bell peppers
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 slices (1/4 inch thick) fresh mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1. Heat grill.  When ready to grill, place bell peppers on gas grill over medium-high heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-high coals.  Cook 10 to 13 minutes or until all sides are blistered and charred, turnign every 3 to 4 minutes. (I have a charcoal grill, so I just charred the peppers over my stove flame while I unloaded the dishwasher)
2. Place peppers in brown paper bag; fold down top.  Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Carefully peel as much skin from peppers as possible.  Cut in half lengthwise; remove stems, seeds and ribs.  Sprinkle with salt.
4. Place 1 slice of cheese in each pepper half; drizzle with oil.  Return pepper halves to grill; cook an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Sprinkle with basil.  Cut each pepper in half again.  Serves 12.
5. I did put my peppers on the grill and let the cheese melt while I grilled the chicken.  I had pounded the chicken pretty thin so it only took about 2 minutes per side. 

Thursday I actually worked!  I had a cooking day and it was much easier than the rest of the week.  I cooked for the client that won the bid at the Big Brother/Big Sister Fund Raising Gala.  I cooked dinner for us also, a pasta recipe with tomatoes, a little cream, prosciutto, garlic, parsley, very good.  I didn't follow the recipe, so I have to write down what I really did in case I want to have it again.

Today of course is knitting class day.  I finished my navy blue sweater!  I finished sewing it Wednesday night.  Back to the socks.  The socks are getting close to being called "dreaded socks".  I'm stubborn now and want to finish them because they've tormented me so much. 

Also it looks like rain.  I really hope we get it all day.  Tomorrow I am attending the World Tea Expo and taking some classes.  Should be fun.   

So far we're through Friday.  Saturday we were invited to see my niece's new house.  She and her boyfriend were at dinner Friday night.  It started out as brunch, but then Cristine decided that brunch happened way too early in the day and it was switched to lunch with Cristine cooking.  Very nice invitation but Cristine can't cook.

The menu decided on Friday night was Beer Bread and Dip made by my sister, Chicken with Lemon and Soy, salad left from Friday with dressing left from Friday, my niece said she had some "big honkin potatoes" that I could do something with, we had dessert left from Friday.  So far it didn't look like Cristine was cooking much, she did turn the chicken. 

Ryan and Bartee                                                              Cristine turning chicken

Cristine and Ryan have a very nice, new home though.  Being optimistic, my husband and I gave her some spice sets from Penzey's, a grill set and a baking set.  She may get better.  We hung out for a few hours and then went back to my sister's house to play with the puppies.  My husband and I went to dinner at an Italian restaurant because I needed zucchini slices.  Excellent!

Sunday the plan was to go to Phipps Conservatory and the day was perfect!  I've been going to Phipps since I was a child and love it there.  We were lucky to see some of the Chihuly exihibit that was just beginning to be set up. 

Family Picture!

We had a great trip.  When I sent my niece an email telling her we would like to stay with her at her new house, just a joke, she wrote: