Rewarding Awards

Hi guys!

Before I get any further, I need to take a moment and show my greatest appreciation for being awarded the Kreative Blogger Award by the lovely Mara of What's For Dinner?

I'll admit, staying creative everyday can be challenging and I am sure that some days are a lot more mundane than others, but none the less, I still am completely honored that Mara was kind enough to think of me for this one.

Okay so now I must reveal to you 7 things that you don't know about me:

1. I never follow a recipe. It's true! I love to look and recipes and I get most of my inspiration by browsing many different cooking methods and ingredient combinations, but when it comes to the actual cooking part, I can never seem to methodically follow a step by step process. This probably explains my inability to bake.
2. I don't like bananas. Okay let me rephrase that, I don't prefer to eat a banana in its actual form. It's just not my favorite fruit; however, I love banana flavored things and I adore overripe bananas that are mashed on toast and in oatmeal. But give me a big yellow nanner, and I'll probably pass it up for the next available fruit.
3. I have no peripheral vision. This is due to a bit of optic never damage that I have developed over the years. So, if you see me rotating my entire body as I am trying to merge onto a highway, you will know why.
4. I can't spell to save my life. Funny, because most people assume that having an English and Writing degree constitutes your impeccable spelling skills; however, I grew up in the age of spell check and tech talk. Also, I think that when it comes to writing, I feel so passionate to get out my words before I loose them, that I really just don't have the time to think about how they are spelled.
5. I wanted to be a singer when I was younger. I even wrote a song at one point in my life that I can still recite the words to. Ask me sometime and I just might sing it for you. ;)
6. I have horrible patience. Really, I can't stand to wait for more than 30 seconds for anything. This is such an unsightly quality, my husband would agree!
7. I hate cats. After years of horrific experiences with these creatures, I have developed a great loath against all feline animals. It's not even so much a hate as it is a considerable fear. Sorry all you cat lovers out there.

Okay, so there you have it. Seven things you probably didn't know about me.

Now, to pass this along, I must choose 5 lovely individuals whom I believe deserve this noteworthy award as well?.

1. Jen of It's A Wonderful Life
2. Katharina of Katharina's Food Adventures
3. Andrea of Off Her Cork
4. Whit of Whit's Getting Fit
5. Bobbi of N Her Shoes

Work today was fun. We had our annual Halloween Festivities which is highly encouraged my place of employment. Not really sure why, but our CEO has a pretty strong obsession with this holiday so every year, each department must choose and theme and decorate. Then, every department is judged and there are prizes awarded.

We did 60's!

There were even "special brownies" that were made along with some "Munchie" chex mix. Our Senior Managment Staff seemed to get a kick out of our little inuendos. ;)

Well, it's that time of the week once again. I know that you are all awaiting in complete and utter anticipation for this week's Wednesday Night BFD creation. And, you're in luck, because it's a new one!

So, here it is?.

Baked Eggs with Sautéed Mushrooms and Spinach

1 egg
½ cup of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of baby spinach
2 T of balsamic vinegar
1 T of Dijon
2 T of crumbled Goat Cheese
Smoked Paprika

First, I sautéed the mushrooms with some salt, pepper and rosemary in a small skillet. After about 5 min, I added the vinegar and the spinach and let this cook down.



I placed the mushroom mixture in a small ramekin sprayed with cooking spray and spread the Dijon over top and then the goat cheese.



I cracked the egg carefully in the ramekin and sprinkled the top with some smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Into the oven at 375 for about 10 min.The eggs will continue to cook after you take them out, so keep that in mind.


Now, mind you, I am not the biggest egg aficionada; however, this egg dish was excellent. I appreciated that the cooking method did not produce any of that gross runny snot that usually comes from cooking whole eggs and the flavors of the balsamic mushrooms, Dijon and goat cheese were superb together.

Toly's Baked Eggs were made with Bacon, Tomato and Cheese. Equally delicious, he proclaimed.

We also had a side Greek salad with romaine, beets, olives, capers, cucumber and tomatoes.

And ½ of a Honey Wheat English Muffin with laughing cow and cran chutney.

I just realized that this meal honors three different countries. France, Greece and England. How cultural!

Well friends, that's it for me tonight. I only have to get through one more day this week thank goodness because I ended up taking the day off on Friday. It's been such a terrible week and I am planning making a meal and spending some time with my friend with just lost her dad. The funeral will be sometime this weekend and I know it is going to be extremely difficult, so any chance I can get to help her through this I will take.

Thanks for all of your kind words! :)

Don't miss your chance to enter the beautiful Katharina's 101 Post Giveaway. She is fabulous and her blog is fabulous to make sure you mosey on over there sometime!

See you later!