Hello Darlings! I’m going to go on hiatus for the holidays because, well, I will be too busy being all holly jolly with the family and shit. But don’t fret, I will still be cooking while I’m on vaycay.
But before 2011 ends and 2012 begins I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my Dinner is Served! project. I am still so surprised by all the lovely things that you have given me.
Mandi in Pittsburgh sent me my very first copper Jell-O molds, which really made a huge difference in my gelatin presentations.
Mandee in California sent me a very, very cool 1960s set of Jell-O Hostess cards. I have not yet made anything from the set but I might have to invent a reason to host the Discotheque for Teenagers party. Seriously. There is a Go-Go cage made out of streamers, for fuck’s sake.
My lovely mum has contributed lots of cookbooks from estate sales–some of which have been featured on the blog, but some are still to come.
My co-worker, Donna, brought back from a library book sale a weird, little self-published cookbook titled “Make It Now-Bake it Later! #5.” It’s from 1974 and contains ominously sounding recipes like “Unusual Appetizer” and “Chinese Stroganoff.”
Deb, a Baltimore flea market and estate sale maven, gave me a beautiful set of Pyrex stacking mixing bowls in a very groovy goldenrod shade.
Cleve’s mum surprised me a with a fabulously 1970s terrycloth apron that features all of your favorite colors: avocado green, harvest gold and coppertone brown! In addition she passed along a Corning Ware Spice o’ Life cutting board that she received at her wedding shower. I didn’t even know that they produced cutting boards!
I also recently received a real, honest to God, KitchenAid stand mixer from my friend Leah. She found it in the window of a consignment store in Dundalk. It doesn’t have the mixing bowl or beater, but that doesn’t matter–they sold it to her for a whopping four dollars. Granted, the only way to turn it off is to unplug it, and it only works at 2 speeds, but it was FOUR DOLLARS. So I just have to buy the attachments. Merry Christmas to me!
That is unbridled joy, a Canadian flag, and some snazzy NFL apparel. Also, those mixers are pretty damn heavy.
And here is another present that I got just in time for Christmas, a Liebster Blog Award nomination from the lovely Susie Mae Day!
Not only is she a sweetheart for the nomination, but she has a fab blog, too! She cooks, she bakes, she accessorizes like Nina Garcia! Seriously, her wardrobe is utterly covetable. So thank you, darling! And all of you should pop on over and show her some love.
The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.
The rules for the Liebster Blog Award are:
- Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
- Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
- Copy & paste the blog award on your blog
- Reveal your 5 blog picks.
- Let them know you chose them by posting on their blog.
Without further ado I give to you my five nominations…
- Craft Knack & Cheese Well, I must start off by saying that I know Laura and her boyfriend Trent personally. But that’s not why this blog is getting a shout out. It’s because it’s funny, the name is great, and Laura does some nifty craft projects. Like, ones that I could maybe attempt if I had a kitchen table and could bring my sewing machine down here.
- Speaking of crafty…Morgan over at It’s a Good Thing…Or Is It? is trying to live everyday as Martha Stewart would. So this means a lot of homemade wreaths, candle holders fashioned out of heads of cabbage, DIY chicken costumes, and multi-story gingerbread houses. This woman is insane. You have to see the shit she’s doing.
- The Food and Wine Hedonist I just came across John’s blog not too long ago but quickly became a fan. Mostly because he has combined cooking, booze, burritos, and professional football and tied it all up with a pretty little bow. Fun.
- Sluts & Crafts OK, this one is weird. It follows the trials and tribulations of a struggling model/crafter/foot fetish club girl and how she makes ends meet. It’s a compelling read, but I must warn you that if you don’t like nudity, sex, or the idea of old guys rubbing feet, it’s not for you. But for everyone else—check it out.
- Vintage Recipe Cards The beauty of this site is that Little Miss Surly just posts the cards and recipes. No commentary. No snark. She lets the vintage food photography speak for itself.
But the best gift of all has been you guys reading Dinner is Served! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again–I totally thought that I’d bail on this thing months ago. But thanks to your readership, comments, support, and sharing, I’ve almost been at this thing for a year and I am well on my way to finishing the whole damn thing! My wish for 2012 is that I finally find a set of the 1973 Dinner is Served! cards that start with No. 119.
Also, I want to give a shout out to Gramsy who is up in heaven somewhere enjoying a Manhattan and an overcooked steak. She is my 1970s kitchen muse.
Me, Cleve and Brian wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Jolly Kwaanza, Festive Festivus, and a fantastic New Year!
Well, maybe not Brian. He really doesn’t have the holiday spirit.
In his defense I did put the tiny sombrero on him.
He’s gonna totally try to kill me in my sleep now. But it was worth it. He looks so goddamned cute.
Hey – Thanks for the nomination. I’m a little lukewarm about the award itself, but absolutely thrilled that you chose to nominate me. I posted about the award, gave you a well-deserved shout-out, and provided a killer list of nominations. I hope I don’t get in too much trouble… http://foodandwinehedonist.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/i-won-an-award/
Just stopped back to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Oh gosh! I’m honored! These are all cool blogs, I’ll share the wealth tonight/tomorrow.
(Actually, this is a good reminder that I should be writing, even if all my current projects are Christmas presents and I can’t reveal them yet. Just you wait until you hear about my tooth adventures)
Fuck. I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts this year.
Oh, you.
Congratulations on your well deserved award. It means so much when you are given an award by your peers. I had this honor earlier in the year and I wish you well.
Dear Emily,
1) You rock! Your cooking, including the commentary is so fun to read.
2) Your passion and good taste in cooking comes through to your readers.
3) We will miss you during your holiday break, but we understand that we can’t always keep you hostage in your kitchen. That said, enjoy your holiday with the family.
4) I’m thankful for your willingness to connect with other food bloggies out there in webbie land. It can get a little lonely out there. You have been sort of like one of those people that offer water to runners during a long race. Thank you sweetie.
Happy Holidays,
Morgan
Brian does not like the sombrero, but then again there is very little he likes. Besides pork.
And bacon. Brian LOVES bacon.
$4 for a stand mixer? HELL YES.
Happy holidays 😀
Same to you, Erica! Enjoy the end of 2011!