#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

VRC: Cinnamon Hits Sweetnicks

March 14, 2006 · Narrative

When Alysha from The Savory Notebook asked me to host a Virtual Recipe Club, I knew exactly what theme I would choose: Cinnamon. Back in November, my old Supper Club had a Something with Cinnamon theme, and I remember all the great dishes that came out of that night … tons of savory things that I never would have thought to make myself. I instantly knew what I was making for tonight, Cinnamon-Pancetta Carbonara. Now stop wrinkling your nose like that; I can even hear you saying, “ewwww…;” my mom did the same thing when I mentioned the dish to her today. I promise you it’s THAT good, definitely ranked as an OMG for us, and a perfect dish for company. You can taste a hint of cinnamon in the pasta, but it’s very subtle. The only thing I changed in the recipe was that I didn’t use fresh pasta. I just couldn’t bring myself to spend $10 for fresh pasta. If we were having company, maybe, but it was fine with the regular boxed stuff, never fear. As a side, I made Stuffed Garlic Bread. So not exactly a low-cal night here at the Sweetnicks’ house, but it’s not how we eat every day, of course. For Nicholas, I made Homemade Crispy Chicken Strips.

How gorgeously divine does this look?

I put all the recipes from yesterday onto my sidebar, Sweetnicks’ Fruit Salad, the No Peek Casserole, Grandma’s Secret Salad and lastly, Caramel Pound Cake.

OK, on with the round-up of Cinnamon Contributors…

Chef Michele kickstarts the round-up with something I know The Husband will love, her Cinnamon Rolls. We can’t go past a Cinnabon without him leaving with a few to take home. Can’t wait to try this one!

Our resident Veggie Evangelist, Alanna from A Veggie Venture shares Hearty Heart-Loving Muffins – they look great!

Next up is the VRC creator herself, Alysha from The Savory Notebook with her Cinnamon Rice She challenged herself to make a savory dish with cinnamon, and it looks like she picked a winner.

La Mia Cucina a brand spankin’, days-old blogger leaps into the food blogging event world with both feet, sharing her take on Martha Stewart’s Cinnamon Cookies, and then finishes us off with a batch of homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream. I keep debating about whether or not I need an ice cream machine; perhaps it’s time to put one on my birthday list. ;)

And that, folks, is it for tonight. If I accidentally overlooked someone, drop me a line and I’ll get you added. Don’t forget to send in your ARF/5-A-Day contribution to be included in tomorrow’s round-up. Until then…

A year ago today… it was Indian cooking.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sara says

    March 14, 2006 at 5:56 pm

    I love the picture of the pasta! It really sounds great.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    March 14, 2006 at 6:55 pm

    Is there a reason you avoid subscribing to these magazines? so much cheaper. just curious.

    Reply
  3. Alysha says

    March 14, 2006 at 9:38 pm

    Thanks for hosting! :)

    Reply
  4. Jill says

    March 14, 2006 at 11:00 pm

    I totally spaced this VRC. My husband and I did make a rice krispy treat variation over the weekend though. We used Kashi 7-grain puffed cereal, sprinkled it with cinnamon and toasted it in a 425° oven for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Then we made the marshamallow mixture like usual, but added some cinnamon, stirred in the cereal, pressed into a pan and voila! Not an exact “recipe” or anything, but it was cinnamon-y, tasty and easy to make in my kitchen that is still under construction!

    Reply
  5. Alicat says

    March 14, 2006 at 11:01 pm

    yummm I am so making that pasta soon! :)

    Reply
  6. Cate says

    March 15, 2006 at 12:53 am

    Sara – thanks! I hope you try it.

    Anonymous – LOL, I subscribe to 70+ magazines, so believe me, I’m not afraid of subscriptions. The imports are cheaper to buy in the store with a discount, as opposed to overseas shipping.

    Alysha – my pleasure. :)

    Jill – sounds like a nice twist. There’s always next time. ;)

    Ali – I hope you do, you won’t be disappointed. :)

    Reply
  7. Nerissa says

    March 15, 2006 at 2:04 am

    The pasta looks really great. I’d love to try it. I just can’t mention the cinnamon to the other half or he’d head for the hills screaming. Dang frog and his “sweet and savour do NOT go together” Ha!

    Reply
  8. Ana says

    March 15, 2006 at 2:30 am

    Hi Sweetnicks!
    How do I participate on your ARF-5 a day Tuesdays?
    Take a look at my post today, does that one counts?!
    Thanks!
    Ana

    Reply
  9. Cate says

    March 15, 2006 at 4:47 am

    Ana – you’re all set. I also left a comment on your site with more info.

    The Dining Dica – I was surprised that The Husband could pick out the cinnamon. I’d make it and not say a word and see what happens. Just call it Pancetta Carbonara. ;) Fingers crossed!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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