Good morning (or afternoon or evening), wherever you are. Thought I’d start your week with a sunrise from my recent mini-vacation. Take a moment to enjoy…….
Okay, back to business. (I know you’re busy — I am, too.)
First, hearty thanks to Mike at The Culinary Lens for “tagging” me. His website is a treasure — food, photos, travelogues, restaurant reviews, creative get-togethers, you name it! (Do yourself a favor and click on his links.) I feel honored to be among Mike’s “tag-ee’s” — thank you, friend!
Let the games begin… Since I’ve only been blogging a few months, it was difficult to select The Magnificent Seven. (Or at least that’s the idea behind this venture.) I’ll cut to the chase.
Note: For your viewing pleasure (and expediency), I’ve linked the photos to the respective posts, too. Click away!
Most Beautiful Post. Last Of The Magnolias (Flowergram III) ~ Fiction, flowers, and a few thoughts about aging gracefully.
Most Popular Post. Granita Parfait ~ The little champagne flute that could.
Most Controversial Post. Alright. I’ve posted everything from “Close Encounters” to “Cow Tipping,” so I had to think about this one for a moment. In the end, it boiled down to “credibility,” which my last post surely jeopardized… Who in their right mind would admit to eating __________? (Click the link if you must know.)
In my defense, I’ll answer that question with a question. Why do folks drool over Red Velvet Cake with more food coloring than my afore-hinted-at choice (not to mention 2 pounds of cream cheese and powdered sugar), or vinaigrette sweetened with sugar or honey liberally drizzled over a perfectly good plate of arugula? Because sometimes ya just gotta.
Food is supposed to make you smile, yes?
Most Helpful Post. I submit a recent post, with this summary: Don’t hurry, be happy.
Post Whose Success Surprised You. My very first post, Almost… (Thank you, friends, for your comments.) Any post that generates comments is a success to a novice blogger.
The Post That Didn’t Get The Attention It Deserved. A Tribute To Trees. “The Lightning Tree” is worth the look alone — probably the most dramatic photograph I’ve ever taken. So far.
The Post You’re Most Proud Of. Boy howdy, aren’t we proud of all of our posts? It’s why we blog, right? — to give others a glimpse of our corner of the planet? Or, at the very least, the inner workings of our __________minds? (Feel free to insert your own adjectives…)
I’m downright proud of Encouragement: The Ripple Effect (thanks, Isabelle!) — not only for the encouragement, but because you meet some of the nicest folks in that post (tee hee) — and Gumby, too.
Tag, you’re it!
1) Food Served With Love and Calories
2) An Italian Cooking In The Midwest
4) Running With The Devil(ed) Eggs
5) Welcome To Shirley’s Luxury Haven
Go! Play!!!
NOTE: Due to the length of this post, highlights from the mini-vacation will be coming soon to a blog near you. As for the title of this post… please disregard. I’m including the kitchen sink.
Kim’s Kitchen Sink Biscuits
2 c. flour
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cream of tartar
2 t. sugar
1/2 c. shortening (or butter, chilled and cut into small pieces)
2/3 c. whole milk
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
*4 strips of bacon, fried and crumbled
*1/4 c. green onions, sauteed in bacon drippings (drain on paper towels before adding)
*1/2 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Additional butter, melted
Garlic salt
Preheat oven to 425°. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in shortening (or butter) until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in garlic, bacon*, onions* and cheese* and stir gently to coat with flour. (*Measurements are approximate — it’s a Southern thang — use your judgment.) Add milk all at once; stir just until moistened.
Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. (I generally check them around 9 minutes; if the bottoms are browning too quickly, move them to the top rack to finish baking.) Remove biscuits to a cooling rack; brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt to taste. Serve warm.
Enjoying all things Southern, and tag, too!
~ Kim
Your photography is sensational – the lines, shadows are just perfect. You have a real talent. And as for those biscuits, I will definitely take them off your hands so you can do more photography of course :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hi Kimby, Thanks for tagging me!
I did my 7 link challenge just before leaving! You can check it out here: http://cookingitalianinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2011/08/seven-links-challenge.html
Pola, I’ve been hit or miss on my blog reading lately (obviously…) and will check your 7 links right after this! Looking forward to your trip re-cap when you get back!
~ Kim
Kim, I’m done with Play The 7 Links Challenge!! I’m going over to chk out all your links now. Sorry, I was tied-up d other day. Looking fwd to more sharing!
I really enjoyed your links, Shirley, and thank you for checking mine. This was a time consuming little challenge, wasn’t it? But a fun way to get to know each other!
~ Kim
Kim – you take AMAZING photos! Your first picture is absolutely incredible! I love your 7 links….and your controversial comments….LOL! I hate to admit it, but I also do not understand the appeal of red velvet cake! I’m SO glad we’ve “met”.
Hi, Ann! Thanks for stopping in — I appreciate your enthusiastic comments and I’m tickled to meet you, too!
~ Kim
Lovin’ that sunrise!
not to mention the biscuits . . .
All I can think of to say is, “You made me smile, Jenna!” Thanks!
~ Kim
Thank You so much Kim for tagging me…This is a whole different thing and a great one unlike the “blog awards”…;) I do follow your blog quite often but am very lazy to comment on ur every post….SORRY!! I am so lazy to even write a post on my blog….But it felt great that you considered my blog too….THANK YOU for the shout out & a BIG HUG!! ;)
Love
Rohini
My pleasure, Rohini! Don’t worry about not commenting every time — I’d be on the computer 24/7 if I did that on every blog I follow, but “real life” always gets in the way, lol. The most important thing is knowing that your friends appreciate what you do and that they know you appreciate them!
~ Kim
Thks so much for thinking of me, Kimby! Will chk out your 7 links soon & will work out mine too :)
It’ll be fun to see what you come up with, Shirley — you’ve been blogging a lot longer than I have and it took some time to pick “the 7.” I love your enthusiastic writing and bright, cheerful photos!
~ Kim
I must concur and say your photos are gorgeous! What a fun post! I think all your posts are fabulous :)
Thank you so much, Christy! I’m looking forward to catching up with you later this week — your posts keep me inspired!
Take care,
Kim
I always enjoy your pictures. SO serene and professional!
I love the biscuits. I could NEVER give up bread. Ever. OR pasta. Or wine…I could go on ;)
Great post. I follow all of the tagg-ees so I can attest to their greatness…and Mike’s as well :)
Have a great week and THANK YOU so much for being such a faithful reader. Sorry..I just saw your BlogFrog memo. I am not on there much if at all.
I loved your combined comments on my last post :) Great thinking!!
Sounds like we share a love of similar food groups, Heather. :) Thanks for taking the time to comment — I don’t get a chance to make my rounds as often as I’d like either these days, but anyone who blogs knows the constant juggle. Do whatcha can and enjoy what ya do! (The blogging community is a fun and understanding group of friends!)
~ Kim
OH and I LOVE all your posts… ;)
Thank ya kindly, ma’am! I have yours bookmarked to read at my leisure — whenever I get some!!! Lookin’ forward to it!
~ Kim
I LOVE biscuits….then again I am somewhat obsessed with the SOUTH :)
I do declare, Miss Isabelle, you can nibble on biscuits here with a Mint Julep (er, Chardonnay) anytime your little ol’ self desires. :)
~ Kim
Thank you for such a kind description of my blog..
I knew you could come up with I wonderful collection of links and you exceeded expectations LOL
Your opening sunrise is amazing.. Love it, you get up early on vacation. I suppose anything for art.
Actually, anything for coffee. :) We don’t get many glimpses of sunrise at the bottom of the hill where we live, so I really enjoyed that one. Many thanks again, Mike!
~ Kim
Your photography is beautiful, and biscuits intimidate me. To make, not to eat.
Thank you so much, Sid. Don’t let biscuits intimidate you. Very easy to make. Plus, they make great doorstops it they don’t turn out. Sorta like fruit cake. :)
~ Kim