Happy Birthday to Susan Branch!

December 1993. I had announced I was moving to North Carolina. Leaving home for the first time, leaving my friends, family, and my job. I was packing it all up and heading to North Carolina. For love.

That Christmas my mother gave me a cookbook. I flipped through the pages and put it aside. I was 20, leaving home for the first time, what did I need a cookbook for? Cookbooks were not on my list of needs. My list contained items like, tell mover's to take the mom and dad's couch, steal some of dad's tools for hanging pictures and Mom won't miss that cabinet. The cookbook was tossed into the box of books with other random treasures. Little did I know that cookbook would become one of my treasures - one that I would still cherish 16 years later.

I finally arrived in North Carolina and found out that to survive you needed more than Taco Bell. I was copying some recipes my mom and dad made and they were okay. I had another cookbook that had very simple recipes in it and those were okay too, but none of the meals I was making were great or were something I wanted again.

One day I picked up my two tiny kittens, grabbed the cookbook my mom gave me, and laid on the couch.

As I read the first few pages I was very excited about great recipes it contained. I really enjoyed all the stories associated with them. I was eager to start cooking but each page had more and more stories, ideas and a real personal touch. I didn't want to stop reading. That day became a major pivot point in my life. A new turn that I didn't even realize would continue, but it has...everyday.

This cookbook was hand-written, hand-illustrated and created all by Susan Branch. I loved every page and still do.

Thank you Susan for showing me how to cook, how to serve family, how to laugh over foods, how to get through my first turkey and its NECK, how to enjoy life, make the best of leftovers in a refrigerator and most of all how to love while doing it all. I really appreciate everything you've taught me.

I could go on and on about how much you have influenced my life, how I enjoy tweeting with you, but my post was really a thank you and that I wish you a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Susan!

For those of you who don't know Susan Branch, you can learn all about her, her books and products on her website. Beyond designing cookbooks, Susan Branch has taken her art into scrapbook papers, stationary, stickers, quilting material, crafts, dishes, calendars, and more. It has been a real treasure to collect all her products because each piece has her art. I hope you find as much enjoyment as I do.

Sur la Table 2010

I love Las Vegas. I love Sur la Table. I have been trying to make it an annual event to go to Las Vegas and when I'm there I like to go to Sur la Table, in the Miracle Mile Shops, and buy all sorts of neat foodie items.

Welcome to my Sur la Table adventure for 2010. (Sur la Table 2009 is posted here.)

I took a long list this time. I read so many foodie magazines, my list of new tools is always growing. I also saw a well organized pantry in Real Simple magazine and that's why I bought a few of the OXO Good Grips storage containers. Those are going to be great!

Through the year, as I'm using my cooking items, I find what I love, what works well, improved handles, etc. For instance, the Sur la Table Organic Kitchen Towels probably make me sound snooty, but those towels are my favorite. They don't smear glasses, don't get crunchy after drying your hands, wash up well and always seem to be the towels I reach for. Downside, color choice is limited.

Le Creuset changed their heat-proof spatula handles about 2 years ago to a rounded handle versus a flat one. I bought some rounded handled versions last year and I definitely want all rounded handles now! Problem is, my Le Creuset spatulas are so durable that none of mine are dying. Darn spatulas. I only bought one rounded handle this trip. My spatula crock is um...a bit full :>).

Emile Henry dishes are good quality, I like the sizes and color options. I have found that buying portion sized plates are nice and make for easy clean-up. It's easier to prepare the dinner, place the dishes in the oven and finish baking. While the dinner is baking, the rest of the mess is easily cleaned-up and after dinner, just the two dishes remain. I bought two individual gratins - I say baked cheesy pasta coming soon.

Some of the coolest tools I find at Sur la Table are smaller items. Their Multi-Grater looks to be one great gadget. 5 pieces of varying lids with different grates, all grate down into a measuring bowl. One of the lids can be snapped to the bottom to prevent the bowl from scooting during the grating. There is also an airtight storage lid. Fine grating, shredding, parmesan, etc. I'm really excited about using this item.

It's probably hard to see in the picture but some of the items are smaller like the silver recipe holder on the right, cheesecloth, bottle pourers (I'm using for dishsoap), ladle, and heat proof tongs - a must for non-stick skillets.

The pot lid holder is great! I tried it on a pot at the store and it was perfect! Basically it clips to your pot and then you set the lid into the holder. Keeps you from having to lay your lid around your counter/stove and getting water drips everywhere. Can't wait to give that a try.

Various towels for lining cupboards...boring. Wine bottle foil cutter...ho-hum.

I'm excited about the little Cuisinart chopper. It's a 3 cup. Since I cook for two it can be hard to always use my big Cuisinart to make things like remoulades. I needed something smaller. This one looks perfect and came in "Pomegranate", which is actually red. Exclusive colors to Sur la Table. Many Cusinart items in these colors.

The cutting board just looked so cool to me. I seem to reach for my lighter weight cuttingboards over my Boos block. I love my Epicurean cutting board which I got in Vegas a few years back. This time I got a new one that is actually created from recycled plastics, made in the USA, and is the right size. Each board uses 60+ plastic containers to manufacture! Bonus: when done with the product, call for a pre-paid shipping label to recycle it again. I'm starting to sound like a green earth person with my organics and my cutting board. Ha.

Anyway, my Sur la Table adventure was a huge hit for me again. They make it so easy and ship everything for free to my home. I can't imagine trying to get on the plane with all my "souveneirs". Excuse me Sir, didn't mean to boink you on the head with my Cuisinart box.

I'm off to unpack, wash, and put all my new toys away.