running with tweezers

Happy New Year!

It would be an understatement to say that 2006 was a challenging year for me. It was marked with loss and grief. Through it all, I have had the love and support of the people around me. Each of you are in my thoughts as we transition into a new year today. You all mean more to me than I can ever tell you.

In spite of it all, it was also a year of great friendships, great food, and beautiful images. This blog has been a sense of accomplishment and comfort for me this year...and has allowed me to stay connected to the worlds of food, photography, and writing when it would have been easy for me to fade away. Thank you to all of you out there in food blog land that stop in here to check things out. Also, thank you so much to all of the other immensely talented folks around the world that pour themselves into their blogs, as well. You're such an inspiration.

My wish for all of you - as well as myself - is a year full of safety, good health, personal growth...and of course lots of yummyness!

the holiday image above was styled by moi and taken by my dear friend tony clark.

Blogging Changes The World!

 

When I decided to take part in Menu For Hope, I was hoping that the campaign would raise double the amount it did last year, which was close to $18,000. Boy...was I off.

Menu For Hope III raised $58,256.70!!!!

I have to say thank you to all of those people who took part this year: Chez Pim for coming up with this amazing idea and bringing the food blogging world together for an amazing cause, Tony Clark for his beautiful photo of the prize I donated, Savor Foods for their donation to the gift basket, and all of you who bid on my prize and all of the other amazing prizes that were up for raffle.

I threw in some money on raffle tickets myself...and I can't wait until January 15th see both if I won something...and to see which part of the world my gourmet gift tray is headed to!

 

Hay Hay Hay!

In a shocking bit of blog news, I woke up this morning to find out that I had won Hay Hay It's Donna Day #8 - the risotto challenge, hosted by il cavoletto di bruxelles. You can visit the original post for my Smoked Mozzarella and Radicchio Risotto here.

There were so many great entries - both recipes and photos - that participated in the challenge that I'm, well, shocked. My vote went to The Laughing Gastronome's Pea and Fennel Risotto, which sounded divine.

Thanks to those people that voted for Running with Tweezers. We're the winner of a San Marzano goodie basket, which tickles me to no end.

This also means I'll be able to host the upcoming Hay Hay It's Donna Day, which will take place in the new year! In the meantime, I'll be coming up with a great theme to start of the new year of HHDD!

Menu For Hope III

In just FIVE days, Menu For Hope has raised $14,725 - and there's still 8 more days to go!

The world of food blogging continues to amaze me every day. Keep going folks!

I am reposting a much lovelier photo of the prize I have donated. Thanks to the oh-so-talented Tony Clark for taking such a beautiful photo. We had a great time shooting yesterday and I think this is *much* more representative of this prize than my quicky one-off photo was.

Please see my original post here for all of the details of the contents of the gift, as well as all of the instructions on bidding for this prize & all of the other amazing gifts that were donated!

The Super Souper Challenge Winner!

The time has come to announce the winner of the first annual (but probably not the last) Super Souper Challenge. Let me say this...

Maybe I am destined to only have one child someday. Maybe I'm destined to be a kindergarten teacher in my other life. I dunno...but picking a winner between all of these amazing entries has been GRUELING. What I really want to do is pat all of you on the head, give you a gold star and reward you ALL for a job well done.

Unfortunately,that's not how this works,when you appoint yourself judge and jury. Therefore, I have ended up with a first and second place. Next time I do this, you folks are voting!

When the entries started coming in, one caught my eye early on. This is someone whose blog I think is top notch all the time. The writing, the recipes *and* the cooking. I've seen their entries in several Hay Hay It's Donna Days and thought their photography was just great. I appreciate people who know that its most appetizing to get right into the food. I also loved this recipe because it embodied the spirit of the challenge and its dedication to my mom: a homey, loosey goosey recipe that was a home-kitchen favorite and wasn't straight from the pages of a cookbook.

Congratulations to Peabody from Seattle, Washington and her blog Culinary Concoctions By Peabody with the recipe for Roasted Onion and Gorgonzola Soup!

Peabody wins a copy of Simply Elegant Soups, which has GORGEOUS photos and amazing recipes in it. Also included is a trio of Dagoba candy bars (roseberry, lime, and lavender - the lime is one of my favorite chocolate flavors *ever*) because one cannot live on soup alone.

I was sure about my choice as the winner..but I kept coming back to another entry that I received close to the deadline. It was so unusual and tasty sounding...and photographed in a way that made me want to eat it. So light and refreshing and delicious...and an unexpected flavor combination. When I asked my friends to pick a soup they liked, this one came up time after time. I just COULDN'T let it go without some recognition.

In a TOTALLY unexpected second place is Priya of Arkansas's Sugar and Spice with her Mint Soup. The recipe was very unique and the photos - especially the ingredient shots - were just lovely. There was another cookbook that I wanted to give out as a prize...so I'm sending it to you!

Priya is the winner of a copy of "A Beautiful Bowl Of Soup - The Best Vegetarian Recipes". Congrats!

I want to thank *everyone* for entering this challenge. Since September, in one way or another, this blog has been so therapeutic and good for me. This blog event was an amazing tribute to my mom and the power of the network of food bloggers. Thank you again to everyone who took part!

The Super Souper Challenge - The Roundup!

Let me say this first: If you don't like soup, come back on Thursday. This is about to be a long-ass entry!

Wow, folks. No. Seriously. WOW.

I tried to count how many entries there were...and apparently I have some sort of impairment because I couldn't count that high! I so appreciate all of your entries to the Super Souper Challenge. This came about as a tribute to my mom...and the response was overwhelming! There are so many talented and creative food bloggers out there - many of whom I didn't even know about. There were entries from as close by as Augusta, Georgia...and as far away as Zimbabwe! What a great way to get to know each other. It's true what they say - food really *does* bring people together.

There were so many amazing entries to this challenge...so I am still deliberating the winner. Check back on Wednesday, December 13th to see who wins a special prize for being so souper!

Without further ado, let's start the show!

Anupama of the UK's Food-n-More starts us off light and easy with her Clear Veg Soup.

Austin, representing his blog RealThai all the way from Bangkok, shares his recipe for Tom Yam Kung. Nice action shots, Austin!

Freya of the UK's Writing At The Kitchen Table shares her loves of beets with an informative post and her Borscht recipe.

Germany's Ulrike at Kuchenlatein sent along a recipe her whole family enjoys: Pea and Pesto Soup with Fish Finger Croutons. I didn't know fish *had* fingers!

The host of the Monthly Mingle, Germany's Meeta of What's For Lunch Honey?, serves up an updated recipe for Pea Soup.

Elle over at Feeding My Enthusiasms in California sent in the first of several butternut squash soups with her Suave Butternut Squash Soup. I agree- everything is better when shared with friends.

Ceviz, whose lives in Australia but blogs about Only Turkish Food, shared a really interesting Turkish Wedding Soup.

Veronica of Veronica's Test Kitchen in Virginia submitted another delicious seasonal soup recipe with her Apple Rutabaga Soup.

Another California food blogger, Mythreyee of Try This Recipe, sent in her version of the classic and yummy Cream of Tomato soup.

Yet *another* California blogger, Jeanne of Mommy Cooks, cooked up a satisfying hearty Cream Turkey Rice Soup.

California representing! Anita from Married with Dinner contributed a delicious and unusual Blue Cheese and Cauliflower Soup.

Switzerland's own San from Dans la cuisine des Frangines got seasonal with her Butternut Soup with Orange Laquered Lamb.

Rinku of New York's Cooking in Westchester sent in a variation of a theme with a Sweet and Spicy Apple Butternut Squash Rasam

Phil of Phnomenon - all the way from Cambodia - submitted a great and informative post about Samlor Karko.

Eliza of Oregon's Notes from my Food Diary shared her beautifully-photographed classic with a twist: Creamy Potato Soup with Pancetta Croutons.

NYC's Stephanie, who blogs on Scrumptious Street, sent along a hearty and healthy Barley and Vegetable Soup with Lemon and Herbs.

Peabody of Seattle's Culinary Concoctions by Peabody got up close and personal with a gorgeous Roasted Onion and Gorgonzola Soup.

Helen of Beyond Salmon, who is eating for two in Boston, sent in two recipes: her recipe for the classic Borscht and a substantial Kale Bean Soup. Nice steam action, fyi!

Virginia's Amber of My Aim Is True thinks that soup-making is synonymous with fridge cleaning with her yummy chock full Warm Wintery Soup.

Lara, of Seattle's Cook and Eat, manages to take a gorgeous photo of a food that's so yummy but not necessarily the most photogenic - Chicken and Dumplings.

Representing Jackson, Mississippi is Claire from Cooking is Medicine who is checking in with a regional favorite, Louisiana Gumbo.

A Southern neighbor, Monisha from South Carolina, gets into the thick of her Minestrone Con Pesto on her blog, Coconut Chutney.

Mercedes, of New York's Desert Candy, channels Thomas Keller with her Best Yet Butternut Soup.

Jhianna of Colorado, whose blog wins for laugh-out-loud-ability with the name Queen of the Marginally Bright, recreates a Ming Tsai recipe with her Garlic, Beef, and Mushroom Stew.

Anna of Sydney, who worries about her lack of food styling ability on Morsels & Musings, more than makes up for it with taste in her Chorizo & Chickpea Soup.

Yet another Anne! This one, from Germany over at Anne In The Kitchen, makes a yummy soup with a mouthful of a name with Süße Kürbiscremesuppe or Sweet(ish) Pumpkin Soup.

It's nice to see the men joining the fray. Stu, who has so many blogs he has to name them Stuart Blog 2, served up some Asian flavor with his recipe for Tom Yam Gung.

Hamburg's Petra contributes a version of one of my favorite soups, Turnip Mulligatawny, over at FoodFreak.

Zsofi in Brussels, who heaps praise on yours truly (you're too kind!) on your blog Chili and Vanilia, shares a beautiful Hungarian Mushroom Soup with Sour Cream.

Smita of Rochester's Smita Serves You Right, brings in two recipes for vegetarians with her Veggie Sausage with Navy Beans and Spinach, as well as her Vegetarian Chili.

Australia's Barbara at Winos and Foodies, an originator of blog events herself, wings it with her Water Spinach and Zucchini Soup.

Checking in from Spain, Kochtopf's Zorra serves up a comforting Noodles-Chicken-Lemon Soup.

Habeas Brulee's Danielle, who blogs from Brooklyn NY (i was just there and *loved* it!), shares a fascinating and delicious sounding recipe for a Persian Pomegranate Soup - nice close ups!

Brandon of Virginia's eponymous Brandon Eats posted an informative and yummy post about Caldo Gallego - the accompanying tortilla looks delicious, as well!

Finally a fellow Georgian! Lynne from Cafe Lynnlu shares a beautifully garnished Green Pozole with Chicken.

Esther, who blogs from Paris with the adorable Boxcar Kitchen, wants to make sure we all get our vitamins with her Watercress Leek Soup.

A Hungarian living in Germany, Mamma at Dalla Cucina - lightens it up with a Cream of Carrot Soup with Coconut and Passionfruit.

An American in Germany, Mia of Nosh contributes her version of Pea Soup with Crispy Chorizo.

Blogging from Chicago (my favorite town *and* my hometown), Lakshmimmal of Cook Food, Serve Love gets lots of flavor with simple ingredients with her Spicy Red Potato Stew.

Briylnn of CANADA's Jumbo Empanadas gets the award for funniest post with her "bop it on the head" Bouillabaisse.

With one of the most unusual recipes, Sugar and Spice's Priya from Arkansas shares a refreshing (and beautifully photographed) Mint Soup.

Hearty without being heavy, Meena of Ontario's Hooked on Heat posted her Meatball Noodle Soup.

Last but not least...all the way from Zimbabwe! Carolyn from Field to Feast shares a scrumptious Ful Medamas or Fava Bean Stew.

A Menu For Hope III

It's that time of year again. No, I'm not just talking about feeding your face and drinking too much "punch". It's the third annual Menu For Hope, created by Chez Pim. Last year's campaign was a runaway success, raising over $17,000 for UNICEF. This year, the Menu For Hope will benefit the UN World Food Programme.

Last year at this time, I had just started blogging here at Running With Tweezers. While I was too late to get in on the donor action, I spent my fair share on raffle tickets to no avail.This year, it's just not enough for me to try to win something...

I am sponsoring a prize for Menu For Hope!

Editor's Note: This is not my most shining photographic moment. I guess that's what you get for hiring assistants with no thumbs:

This is a collection of yummy stuff that are currently my favorite gourmet goodies. This gift is a green leather two handled serving tray filled with the following:

• Graciously donated from Savor (my favorite foodie store in Atlanta), a divine bottle of Apple Cider Balsamic Vinegar and a bottle of Argentinian first press organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• Also, from Savor, a delicious tomato/onion/raisin accompaniment for cheese & a honey and gingerbread Dijon mustard.
• Three pestos and spreads made by Atlanta-based Bella Cucina: Roasted Eggplant (this stuff tastes so smokey and Mediterranean - divine!), Sweet Pumpkin Pesto, and Chestnut Honey Mustard.
• A sauce I just *love* on pork from Stonewall Kitchen - Vidalia Onion Fig Sauce
• A wonderful and original cookbook called Working The Plate - recipes that are accompanied by plating techniques and food styling tips from the chefs themselves.
• Last but not least...a bottle of chamomile-infused Grappa that I first tried on my trip to NYC. It was so spectacular - and unlike anything I had ever tasted - that I bought two bottles: one for you and one for me!

All told, this collection is worth around $170! It's a great way to get involved with such an amazing blog event. Now that you know the details of *my* contribution, go ahead and get started! To bid specifically on my gift, enter the code UC08.

Each region has their own collection of donations. To see everyone from the "Central" region, please visit Kalyn's Kitchen. To see all of the prizes that have been donated, remember that they can all be seen at Chez Pim's Menu For Hope III post. The campaign will run from December 11th through December 22nd. The results and winners will be chosen randomly through a nifty program written by a fellow food blogger and posted on January 15th, 2007.

If you have any other questions that I can help clear up after you read the instructions below, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Now...here's what you should do...

1.   Go to the donation page at First Giving:(http://www.firstgiving.com/menuforhopeIII)

2.   Make a donation, each $10 will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice.  Please specify which prize or prizes you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation.  Do tell us how many tickets per prize, and please use the prize code -for example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for UW01 and 3 for UW02. The code for Running With Tweezers' gift is UC08.

3.   If your company matches your charity donation, please remember to check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

4.   Please also check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.  Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

5.   Check back on Chez Pim on January 15 when we announce the result of the raffle.  (The drawing will be done electronically.  Our friend the code wizard Derrick at Obsession with Food is responsible for the wicked application that will do the job.)

Reminder! Get your soup on!

I'm back from New York and I'm full as a tick. Not even a MENTION of food around me - at least for a day or two. This is to remind those people who want to participate in the Super Souper Challenge to get those posts up by Friday, December 8th! I'll be posting the roundup and the winner shortly thereafter!

Gazpacho photo from the Tami and Tony Clark archive