Chattin' with The Gluten Free Gabber!

Talk to Me Tuesday is a Weekly feature where I chat up some of the coolest bloggers on the web!

Today I'm chatting with Michelle!

Hi, I'm Michelle, head chatter at the Gluten Free Gabber.  My blog is all about living a gluten free lifestyle.  I take everyday recipes, your family favorites and all those cookbook recipes you can't use any longer and convert them to delicious gluten free delights.  I have been blogging for about 2 years now and hope to continue to share my love of cooking/baking and blogging with all of you.

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D: Hi Michelle, I start off of these chats with three questions. Where are you? What are you wearings? and What are you drinking?

M: Well, I'm at home in my office/guest bedroom. I'm wearing some comfy lounge pants and I'm drinking hot tea, of course, because I'm under the weather. Otherwise, I'd probably be having a glass of wine. Oh, and I have a sweatshirt on too!

D:  Haha, darn! Well, we're going to talk about what Gluten-Free means, and basically I'm going to get educated because I'm not very familiar with what that entails!

M: Well I can educate you!

D: I guess my first question would be, why gluten-free?

M: For me being G-Free wasn't a choice. I have Celiac disease, so it's the only way I can control my disease. There is no cure and no pill you can take. Only eliminating gluten from your diet. For others they choose to do it because not eating processed foods (which contain gluten) makes them feel better.

D: So, would it be too presumptuous to ask about Celiac Disease? I've never heard of it until I met you.

M: No not at all. There are lots of people out there that don't know about it. Basically it's an auto-immune disease. So when I eat anything that contains gluten, my body fights itself. Gluten destroys the villi (small hairs) in your small intestine which absorb and distribute the nutrients throughout your body. So I'm basically malnourished. Gluten is a small protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. So ANY products that have that in it, I cannot have.

D: Ok, so what are some staples that contain Gluten that you have to avoid?

M: Bread, pasta, soy sauce, cheese (if they used bread mold to make it), bascially anything that has flour in it to start with is OUT. And no donuts, pizza or pasta; all of my once favorite foods. But with my blog I have learned to convert things with regular flour to gluten free so I can enjoy them and so can others.

D: Wow, that's a HUGE life adjustment! How old were you when you were diagnosed?

M:  I only found out in 2006 - I was I was 37. Back then gluten free was just being recognized so there wasn't a lot of food that I could eat.

D: How about now? Are there a lot of alternatives available?

M: There are a ton more than there were back then that's for sure. But they have a long way to go before a GF doughnut tastes like a doughnut I remember. But they are making strides everyday with the taste. Basically what I can eat now is corn, and rice flour. Which doesn't make a light and fluffy cake.

D: I see. Well what are some of your favorite Gluten-free recipes?

M: My most recent favorite is the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. Super rich and gooey, but so yummy. I also just love to cook with natural ingredients like tomatoes and basil and make simple pasta sauces for dinner. I'm famous though for making the GF Holiday Pumpkin Pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas, No one can tell that they are GF.

D: That's great! My sister makes great pumpkin cheesecake, but I'm guessing that's not GF.

So, it's the Holidays and parents are sending treats to school with their kids. Do you have any GF suggestions in case their classmates are sensitive?

M: I have a fun recipe for a GF Reindeer Treats made with an almond joy mini candy bar, but my suggestion would be to not make things with store bought cookies or cakes that aren't specifically labeled GF. Every person's sensitivity is different, so while someone may really react and be sick another my not show any signs. But what I think it comes down to is that people need to respect this problem as if it were a peanut allergy. It can be very serious for children (and adults).

D: It sounds like it, and by bringing GF and peanut free items parents can ensure that no student is left out.

M: Exactly, and everyone is safe and has fun!

D: Well, I have really enjoyed chatting with you about this. I've heard people talk about Gluten-Free but I never knew there was a medical reason for it. I always assumed it was simply part of eating clean.

M:  I have enjoyed it too. Thank you so much for letting me be part of this great networking opportunity.

I'd like to sincerely thank Michelle for this chat. I learned a lot and I'm hoping some of you did too!

Holiday Chatter with Myranda

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly feature where I chat with some of the coolest bloggers on the web!

Today I'm chatting with Myranda!

My name is Myranda and I blog over at Pretty Living PDX, I blog about the everyday life of being a momma to 3 beautiful little girls and wife to 1 amazing man. I am working on losing 60 pounds, and I hope to lose 10 by the end of November. 

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D: Ok Myranda, first three questions! Where are you? What are you wearing? and What are you drinking?

M:  I am sitting at my desk in my living room, I am drinking a Starbucks eggnog steamer, and I am wearing my hoodie, jeans and slippers!

D: Sounds cozy!

M: I am cozy, it's been a long day and it's not over yet!

D: True! So tell me about your Christmas Traditions!

M: Every Christmas Eve we go caroling around to our friends and family. We also all get Christmas PJ's on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning we eat sticky buns that spend all night rising. We wake up and they bake as we open gifts and see what Santa brought us.

D: That sounds so nice! Do you have any extended family gatherings on Christmas?

M: My grandma and uncle usually come over for dinner and we also go to my in-laws so my girls can see their grandparents and cousins, but none of my other extended family lives close by.

D: I'm from a small town so all of my family is nearby. I start making the rounds the night before Christmas Eve!

M: Wow that is crazy! You must be super busy during holidays, but it would be fun!

D: Yeah, it's crazy frantic, but it can be a lot of fun. Do you have any decorating traditions?

M: Hmmmm...well we don't ever do a themed Christmas tree, and it's not fancy. We love to go shopping the day after Christmas at Hallmark for ornaments, so we have an assortments of ornaments that are almost all characters or cute little animals. No colored balls here!

D:  That's fun! I started with colored balls but over the past 7 years I've collected a lot of ornaments. I actually started collecting them when I travel. It makes more sense to me than coffee mugs or shot glasses that clutter the cabinets!

M: That is a good idea, I have never bought an ornament from somewhere I traveled, I love it!

D: It's a great way to display the memories once a year and keep them packed away otherwise!

M:  I am going to copy your idea and start doing that. Do you do Elf on the Shelf?

D:  I don't have any kids, So no *grin*, but I hear a lot about it! Do you guys have an elf?

M:  I actually just ordered one, so we are going to this year. I am not sure how I feel about it yet, the face kind of creeps me out!

D:  It strikes a weird cord with me. Seems like it would be scary for a kid; creepy elf sneaking around? Reporting your every move to Santa? *laughs* Some stuff does look fun though. How old are your little ones?

M:  I know, the girls are excited but we will see... they are 5, 3 and 1.

D: Oh fun!

M:  Usually but on days like today? Kind of makes me want to pull my hair out! Let s just say I can't wait for bedtime *grin*

D:  I have a three year old cousin that is around a lot. She can be a lot of fun, but she can be a handful, I can't imagine having three!

M: Yes they can be a handful, but I really wouldn't have it any other way * smiles*

D:  I'm sure you wouldn't! Do you guys have anywhere to drive around looking at Christmas Lights?

M: Yes we have somewhere called Peacock Lane where every single house gets all decorated and it is super busy buy really fun to go look at each year. You can either drive or walk down the street. 

D: That's fun! There is a small zoo here that does a huge Christmas display; lights, petting zoo, the works. You can drive through and feed the reindeer. It's fun!

M: That would be fun, my girls would really love to see reindeer and truth be told so would I .

D: So what kind of traditions did you have growing up? Any that you've carried over with your kids?

M: When I was growing up we also did the Christmas PJ's and I still do that with my girls. It is funny because both my mom and my MIL do the Christmas Eve PJ's so my girls each get 3 pairs, there is no pajama shortage here! *laughs*

D: Wow, I might move one of those to Thanksgiving so they have a pair to wear all season :) I usually end up with a pair of Christmas PJs from somewhere, but not always the same place.

M:  I know I have considered not buying them a pair but my hubby vetoed that idea.

D: Tradition is tradition!

M: That is what he says!

D: Well Myranda, it's been nice chatting with you!

M: It has been nice chatting, thank you!

How about you? What are your Christmas Traditions?

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly feature where I chat up some of the coolest bloggers on the web!

Today I'm talking to Nichole!

Hi everyone. Happy Holidays! My name is Nichole Livengood (aka the Gap Creek Gourmet).  A real live paid writer (they exist!) by trade, I started blogging to share my on-the-town foodie adventures and what life is like living in the mountains of South Carolina. I’ve loved the incredible opportunities blogging has provided, including writing for USA Today (OMG!) and other blogs, checking out new restaurants, and attending food festivals and events.  It’s been a crazy ride full of foodie fun. I hope you’ll join in the conversation!

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D: Hi Nichole! First three questions! Where are you? What are you wearing? And What are you drinking?

N: I'm at my dining room table that I've currently taken over as my office. (My office floats around the house.) I'm sporting my festive Santa PJ pants and I'm drinking ginger ale and orange juice.

D: I wish I were in PJ pants right now! I've stayed cold this week. I just want to bundle up in front of a fire or something.

N: It's all cloudy outside. It would be a good day for a fire, wouldn't it? My tree is lit and my dogs are hanging close. It's cozy here today.

D: While I'm not a fan of the cold, that is my favorite part of the holidays, the coziness and of course, the baking! What are some of your holiday baking traditions?

N: My daughter and I always make a gingerbread house. That's a big day around here during the holidays, and I always make an icebox fruitcake.

When I was a kid, i used to go to my grandmother's house and help her make fruitcakes. She'd buy all of this candied fruit - cherries and pineapple in rd, green and yellow - and buy bulk nuts. She would take a graham cracker box and carefully cut around the edges so it opened like a cigar box. Then she'd wrap the outside edges with duct tape. I have no idea why she did this. Maybe because she wasn't rich and there wasn't a good container for it? I'm not sure, but she'd mix ground up graham crackers with the fruit, nuts and sweetened condensed milk with her hands and then cram it back down into the wax paper lined graham cracker box. she'd close the lid and then wrap up the entire thing in duct tape and throw it in the freezer. We still make it that way. That's the funny thing about traditions, we don't always know why they are family traditions. None of my aunts know why she started making it that way.

D: Isn't that true! I love the idea of making gingerbread houses. We have simple traditions. We don't go too far beyond chex mix, sausage balls and kiss cookies! Of course those were the things I did with my mom, I'm hoping to add to those one day when I have my own kids.

N: See's candy is a big thing in my house at Christmas too. My mom always got See's at Christmas when she was a kid in San Diego. We only can get it here at the mall at Christmas, so we always have a box or two on the counter during the holidays to pick at.

I had holiday traditions before I had my daughter, but now we're macked out with holiday traditions around here. I always wanted holidays to mean as to her, for her to have as many good memories as possible when it comes to Christmas so she can share traditions with her kids one day.

D: Well that's fun! So do you have any great baking stories?

N: One of my best friends always comes over for one day during the holidays for a bake day. We make a ton of cookies and stuff to give to our other friend and to take to holiday celebrations. Some of the cookie recipes are stuff I made with my step-mom when I was a kid. I also pour through Food Network Mag, Rachel ray Mag, and Martha Stewart Mags for new ones to try. I spend a lot of time in December baking. I make goodie bags for some of my husband's clients and I make goodie boxes for all of our friends. It's a good way to spread the holiday cheer, I think. And people look forward to Livengood Goodies.

D: I would be one of those people eagerly awaiting my treats. I have a crazy sweet tooth! 

N: I wish someone baked us treats! I think it's such a grand gesture when someone makes something for you, don't you?

D: I do, I love to make things and give things away. Sometimes I don't get to carve out time for everything, but I have a few plans this year that I hope to follow through with.

So are you a clean as you go person, or does your kitchen look like a disaster area when you are finished?

N: My kitchen looks like a tornado when through it after I finish! My husband says I aim to dirty every pot and pan in the house. I HATE doing dishes. But there is nothing more beautiful than a clean kitchen.

D: One year I decided to make this strawberry nut bread at the holidays. I wish I'd taken a picture of the aftermath. The entire six feet of my counters were covered with flour, pans, bowls, measuring cups, and in the middle of it all was the one small loaf of bread!

N: I totally understand!

D: So has pinterest added to your baking plans this year?

N: Not really, but it sure has added to my craft list! I'm in the throws of making sock snowmen for tons of people on my list. Lots of fun! I wish I knew how to sew, people would really be in trouble then! I keep thinking I'll take a class, but then I don't. Pinterest was awesome of gift ideas this year, too. I collected ideas all year. That was nice. It's so much more visual than just bookmarking webpages. I love it. total addict. I have a crazy amount of boards. I love looking through them like a magazine.

D: I'm the same way. it really helped me find some party ideas this year. I did a lot of Pinterest recipes at Halloween and I found my Apple Cider recipe that way.

N: I made a pumpkin cheesecake from Pinterest at Thanksgiving. Totally Yum.

D: My sister makes a pumpkin cheesecake. I haven't tried it before. I didn't develop a love for pumpkin until this year, so I'll try it at Christmas.

N: An eggnog cheesecake is on tap for Christmas, I think. i love Egg Nog!

D: Ooo, not me! I've only had eggnog once but I didn't care for it at all! It's a very specific taste. I think you either love it or hate it.

N: I love eggnog cookies and cake and cheesecake. I love it in my coffee with whipped cream on top! Yep. That makes for a healthy breakfast.

D: Christmas is full of exceptions!

N: Definitely not a time for dieting! I have been walking to try and ward off some of the extra pounds, but I HATE exercising.

D: I have a love/hate relationship with exercise. If I get started for a while, I love it, and even look forward to it. But once I get out of the habit, then I hate it again and dread picking it back up.

N: Me too! I was obsessed with Zumba for over a year and then got sick and quit for a while and I CAN NOT make myself go back! And I lost so much weight and felt so great while I was doing it. *Sigh* Why are we this way?

D: Eh, I blame hormones most of the time.

N: Good Call.

D: Well I have really enjoyed chatting with you, Nichole!

N: Me too! Happy Holidays!

D: Happy Holidays!

How about you? Do you have any big Christmas Baking Traditions?

Best Friends & A Video

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly feature where I chat up some of the coolest women on the web!

Today I'm chatting with Jennifer! 

Hi, I'm Jennifer and I blog at Just Add Glitter. I am a 28 year old aspiring party planner.  I love cooking, entertaining, sparkly things, my sweet puppy, handbags, my army man, and red wine. 

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Jennifer is my best friend. So we decided instead of chatting online, we would get a little more 'real' with you. We're talking about "friend dates" something that our little group is really good at. So I hope you find us mildly entertaining. My apologies for the bad lighting and the fact that the camera died and we were cut a little short.

So there you have it! Sorry you missed out on all the potentially embarrassing stories that may or may not have happened once the camera shut off. (I'm definitely not sorry)

We had way too much fun with this. I'm thinking it may happen again before too long. 

What do you think? Do you like watching videos of two wine-hos chatting it up? If so, what do you want us to talk about?

For the Love of Shoes!

Talk to Me Tuesday is a feature where I chat up some of the coolest bloggers on the web.

Today I'm chatting with Aubrey! Aubrey is a fellow Palmetto Blogger and one of my co-hosts in the Tacky Ornament Swap! (Today's the last day to sign-up!) She's also going to be a part of Wino Wednesday come January!

Hi, I'm Aubrey from High-Heeled Love. I'm a shoe-lover (obviously) but the blog isn't just about footwear.  It started as a wedding blog,  but it quickly turned into a collection of sharing my favorite stories and girly things.  Expect adventures in South Carolina with a healthy dose of coffee and wine!

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D: Ok, so the first three questions! Where are you? What are you wearing? and What are you drinking?

A: I'm in my office right now. It's Friday so I'm pretty casual; sweater, dressy jeans, and purple booties. I'm drinking water, but I'm thinking about heading to Starbucks for a coffee in a little bit.

D: Starbucks sounds yummy!

A: Yes, I'm loving that the red sups are back. Peppermint Mochas are my favorite drink in the world.

D: Oh my gosh, mine too! Though I tried their Cider and it's yummy too!
So, we're going to talk about Shoes! Your blog is High-Heeled Love, where did that come from?

A: Well, I have quite a love for shoes. My husband actually suggested that I start a blog back when I was wedding planning, but it quickly morphed into a blog about my girly interests since most of my girlfriends live across the country. When we do get together, shoe shopping and wine drinking tend to be frequent activities.
And now, I have my weekly party, Shoe Lust Saturday, to go along with the title of the blog.

D: Who says you can't do it all?! I love Shoe Lust Saturday by the way, and the button is perfect!
So you and I met through Palmetto Bloggers, but are you not originally from here? Or are these just college friends from all over?

A: I'm from Michigan originally, but I went to high school and college here in South Carolina. (Go Gamecocks!) My friends have scattered since college.

D: *Boo-Hiss* Go Tigers!!

A: *laughing* It's going to be a good game next weekend!

D: Yes it is! I can't wait!
So, what is the Holy Grail of Shoes for you? Is there anything you've 'lusted' over for years?

A: Oh, that would probably be a pair of "the shoes" from the Sex and the City movie. you know the pair that Carrie leaves in the closet at the dram apartment?

D: Ah yes, those were gorgeous!

A: I've lusted after those Dolces on eBay several times, but my husband would not be pleased if I spent the money. By the way, Carrie Bradshaw is probably responsible for my shoe problem.

D: I can see that. I was a big Sex and the City fan myself. I actually have the entire series on disk. It was my sister's but then she got the nice collector's set and I got it. *grin*

A: I have it, too! My Mister was very good to me a few years ago for Christmas.

D: Very Nice!

A: Now what about you? You posted a very cute pair of Anthropologie heels on Shoe Lust not long ago. Did you find them?

D: No I didn't! I took your advice and checked eBay but no luck!

A: Oh well, we'll keep our eyes open.

D: For me though? I good red shoe is what it's all about.

A: Yes ma'am! I'm dying for a pair of red cowboy boots!

D: I have two pair now. One is a pair of red patent peep toes, and the other is a red and black color block shoe I got just a few weeks ago. Now I'm on the hunt for some great red ankle booties!

A: You and I could have a lot of fun shoe shopping!

D: I'm sure we could! My wallet on the other hand is not usually a fan. I'm the world's worse impulse shopper. I got myself into a world of hurt about five years ago. I just can't say no sometimes!

A: I agree. In fact, I have a rule; one in, one out as far as the closet goes. Which means, I have to pick three pairs this weekend to donate.

D: That's a good rule!

A: It keeps my husband sane.

D: I just avoid shopping unless I'm spending cash and I can't go over what I have to spend. Then at least once a year I do a big clean out and donate to the thrift store here at work.

A: That's a great idea, I wear a size 10, so I wind up buying online a lot. But we're trying to move to a cash kind of budget as well.

D: So where is your favorite place to shop?

A: Hmm, that really depends on what I'm shopping for, but we'll stick with shoes here. We have a store at our mall called Cathy Jeans. They have a lot of great real leather shoes that are usually reasonably priced. Online I buy most of my footwear from Shoe Dazzle.

D: I'll have to check that out next time I'm in town. Sounds like there could be a shopping date in our future!

A: Yep, at the very least we should hit up the Steve Madden store when were in Charleston for the Palmetto Blogger Meet-up in January! I love some Steve Madden. I got my favorite pair of boots ever on clearance at one of his stores.

D: I have a pair of Steve Madden cowboy boots. That was my sister's impulse buy! She never realy wore them so I bought them off her at a steal! It's great to have siblings that wear the same size *grin*.

A: You are one lucky girl!
So moving on to another interest we have in common...

D: WINE!

A: Yes! What's your choice for gift-giving at the holidays? Do you have a local favorite that you choose? I know you like to support local businesses.

D: I usually find a good smooth blend and I establish whether they drink red or white. There is a win shop in town, Carriage House Wines, they have a great selection and Jennifer and I love to go there after work every now and then.
I do love to support local businesses. I'm all about buying local or handmade. I'm sure it's because I like it when people support my business and I like the attention to detail you get when working with small businesses.

A: That's true. There's a great local wine shop called Wine Down on Main that I will have to take you to the next time you visit Columbia.

D: Sounds like a plan!

A: Since you've already been to my other favorite place, 116 State.

D: Yes, and it was wonderful! I will say, that this past week I discovered an amazing Pinot Noir at Carriage House. It was Fog Head? I think I'd heard of it before but it was the first time I'd had it, and it was delicious!

A: Oooh! I'll have to look for it here. Pinot Noir is one of my favorite varieties, though I'm still very much a novice when it comes to wine.

D: It's my favorite these days, but I like a good Cabernet too. i'm not a fan of Merlot, and about the only white I like is Pinot Grigio.

A: I'm still working on developing my palette for whites...

D: I love trying new things though, and when I've been to formal tastings I try to choose varieties I don't normally care for, just to expand my horizons a bit.

A: I guess that's the only way to learn to appreciate new things. And it's especially fun when you can try them at a local vineyard or with someone who can really explain it to you so you know what to look for. Which should be another blogger meet-up sometime. There are great vineyards in the mountains and near the coast around here.

D: There really are. I have been to Victoria Valley and I really liked what they had to offer. There are a few near the coast I'd like to try sometime too. We'll have to look into that for a warmer weather meet-up!

A: Yep!

D: Sitting on a patio sipping wine? Sounds like heaven to me!

A: I concur.

D: Well, I have really enjoyed chatting with you!!

A: I've had a good time too!

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Talkin' Holiday Cheer!

Talk to Me Tuesday is a feature where I chat up some of the coolest bloggers on the web.

Today I'm chatting with Annabelle!

Hey Y'all! I'm Annabelle and I blog about everything country with a splash of sass over at The Carolina Country Girl! I've been blogging for two years and I never imagined the amount of support, friendships, and inspiration that I have gained from it! I share my experiences as being a parent, crafting, recipes, traveling, and much more! Come on over to my neck of the web for a breath of fresh air!

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Since both Annabelle and I are fighting the urge to decorate before Thanksgiving, we thought we'd talk about the Holidays!

D: So Annabelle, first three questions: Where are you? What are you wearing? and What are you drinking?

A: I am in my kitchen, sitting at the bar, just finished supper! I'm wearing jeans, an orange and white stripped shirt, and cowboy boots. I'm drinking sweet tea but I wish I was drinking a glass of red bull and Jager!

D: Love it! I'm watching OUAT and drinking hot tea!

A: I've never had hot tea before!

D: It's wonderful! So, the Holidays! What is your favorite part of the holidays?

A: My favorite part of the holidays is the parties and decorating! i love getting together with family and friends anytime! We have a Christmas party at our house every year with our friends. We always play Chinese Christmas. There is almost always a 'dirty gift' if you know what I mean!

D: Yeah, I do! I love gift swap games. They are so much fun! I usually have one at work and one with friends.

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

A: Thanksgiving is always a busy day for us. The Hubs and I both have big families. We usually go to my parent's house, then his mom's, and then his dad's. It's busy and it's too much food! I usually eat only one dessert at one of the places.

Do you have big plans?

D: My family all has lunch at my grandmother's, then I'll probably go to dinner at J's parents' house.

Do you do the Black Friday Shopping?

A: Oh Gosh! I haven't in a long time and then last year I braved it with my mom and a few of my aunts. I doubt I will do it this year. I can't stand how rude people can be during that time. It really makes me mad and then I get the urge to show my tail. *laughs*

D: I know! I'm the same way. I've never tried to get involved in it. I can't stand crowds like that. I worked retail some in/after college and I had to work some Black Fridays. It's crazy!

Are you an early shopper? Or do you put it off til closer to the holidays?

A: I am usually the one who has it planned out and most of it done by now, or at least half of it. This year, I haven't even started! I'm ashamed.

D: This is the first year I've been on the ball and gotten started early. I'm about 75% done already!

A: That's awesome! I'm so not ready!

D: Well, my grandmother has all of her shopping done and she's already started decorating! She likes to have it all done for Thanksgiving dinner. I normally wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to put up the tree.

A: I really want to decorate soon but I have tried to hold out until after Thanksgiving. It really gets skipped so easily. My mom has all her Christmas decor out and her tree up. My Dad started decorating outside today. That's just too early for me.

D: Oh yeah, me too! Outside definitely.

I make myself wait until after Thanksgiving to start listening to Christmas music too! I love it so much, but I don't want to get sick of it!

A: I know exactly what you mean! I participated in a craft fair over the weekend and it was hard for me to listen to Christmas music all day!

D: I bet! We tend to rush straight through November! One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving is watch the Macy's Parade. You?

A: Oh my goodness! it's not Thanksgiving without watching the Macy's Parade! oh and the Charlie Brown Special! I've watched both for as long as I can remember!

D: Yes! I can't miss Rudolph and Frosty once December rolls around either!

A:Yes, I love the classics. I've also started that same tradition with my son! He loves them all!

D: That's awesome. Are there any newer movies that you've made a part of your traditions?

A: Yes, The Santa Clause with Tim Allen! Well as new as I can think of! My brother and I always loved watching that movie!

D: that was a good one. I liked all three of the Tim Allen Santa Clause Movies. I really like some of the new ABC Family movies too, then there are the Lifetime Christmas Movies!

A: Oh my, I love the Lifetime Christmas movies too! Can you believe some have started already?

D: Really?! That's crazy!

So what are your big Christmas Traditions?

A: Every year for the last 25 years we have celebrated Christmas Eve at my Grandfather's house. We have dinner and play the Chinese Christmas game. That's probably the biggest this we always make sure we do.

D: That's fun, we do the same thing at my Grandmother's for lunch on Christmas Day. None of my sisters are married yet so we all still go to my parents and get up to exchange gifts Christmas Morning, it'll be bittersweet when we aren't doing that anymore.

A: That's awesome that ya'll can still do that! Yes, getting married and having children changes some traditions. We've encountered that ourselves a few times. Now we try to start our own.

D: I think that's wonderful. I look forward to that. Like I said, bittersweet!

A: It's been fun so far. We started last year with the Elf on the Shelf! That's challenging and fun for both the parents and the kids!

D: I've heard a lot about that. It sounds like fun!

A: Our elf's name is Eddie and my son Zane is already asking when he is coming back around!

D: Fun! Well Annabelle, I've really enjoyed chatting with you!

A: Yes, I have enjoyed this chat too! I hope that we get to meet up soon! Thanks for all the great things you've done in blogland!

D: Thank you for chatting with me!!

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Talkin' in the Kitchen

Talk to Me Tuesday is a feature where I chat up some of the coolest bloggers on the web.

This week I'm chatting with Nicole!

Hey there Sweet Southern fans! I'm Nicole, the Kentucky girl (married to a Texas boy) behind the blog, Three 31. I've been called the modern day Dr. Ruth for my appreciation of all things 50 Shadesand Christian Gray. When I'm not cooking, baking, or watching re-runs of The Real Housewives, I'm at church coordinating events and leading mission teams. In fact, I've recently returned from a second mission trip to Haiti. I'm an only child and chronic people-pleaser, which means I have issues. Lucky for me: my issues are cured with Mason jars filled with sweet tea. C'mon over to Three 31 and say hello, glad to meet you!

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Danielle: I start every chat with the same three questions. Where are you? What are you wearing? And what are you drinking?

Nicole: FUN! I am at home in our living room, sitting in my super-comfy leather chair. I am wearing a pair of shorts (originally sweatpants), a t-shirt, and pullover. It's chilly outside! And, of course, I'm drinking sweet tea out of my Kentucky Derby Tervis cup!!!!!

D: Fun times! I'm cozy in my PJs right now. It is getting chilly! Since we're talking about cooking, what is your favorite meal to cook during the cold weather?

N:  I don't necessarily change what I cook depending on the seasons and weather, but I prefer chili and beans/cornbread when the temps are cooler. In fact, before I left on a mission trip to Haiti two weeks ago, I made Husband a big pot of chili. Last Thursday, the weather got chilly quickly, and I made a big pot of pinto beans. Add cornbread in the iron skillet and you've got a delicious meal!

D:  I love cooking with cast iron. I don't have as much as I'd like. I love cooking soup in the winter, especially homemade chicken noodle or loaded baked potato soup! Do you find yourself doing more baking during the winter months?

N: My dream cookware is Le Creuset and I have a set picked out for anniversary #10 (that'll be March 31, 2017). Thinking about it, I don't prepare soups. Am I weird?! I tend to bake year-round. I have a mini-cupcake baker that I won from Love From The Oven (cutey-patootie blog!!!) and adore. I also like cookies and Husband's favorite is peanut butter pie. Instead of candy, I bake several dozen (SEVERAL!!!) mini-cupcakes and hand out at my church's trunk-or-treat. I'll be busy baking this Wednesday.

D: That's a lot of cupcakes!! I bet they love you! When it comes to baking I love cobblers, cookies, and pound cakes. 

N: One thing I should mention - sorry I forgot - is I have a severe food allergy to cow's milk. In all of my cooking, I use soy milk and soy-based margarine. For baking, I use butter-flavored Crisco.

D: Oh wow, that must take a lot of accomodationg!

N: It definitely is but I also like the challenge of adapting a recipe to suit my needs. It was difficult at first, I was diagnosed at 21, and I've enjoyed every delicious dairy-good known to man!!!!!!!

D: I bet that was hard! I think I'd go into a depression if someone told me I couldn't eat cheese anymore, I think all of my favorite meals involve cheese!

N:  I couldn't agree more. Thankfully, sheep's milk cheese (Manchego) is readily available at my grocery. I used it for everything: on top of salads, homemade pizza, and I even sprinkled some on my spaghetti tonight. When I'm having "a moment" I'll slice it and eat with crackers. At $8.00 a wedge, I have learned to use it sparingly but it's the only cheese that I can have AND relatively normal. *grins* Plus, it also melts like real cheese. That soy-based CRAP doesn't melt, not joking!!!!

D:  I've heard that from a few people!

N: There is also a company -- Turtle Mountain -- that makes ice cream with coconut milk. While I don't like coconut, the cookie dough ice cream is TO DIE FOR delicious. Every time I go to Whole Foods, I buy at least six pint-size cartons and they're gone in days. Totally admitted that, didn't I?!?!

D: Oh wow, I'll have to try that sometime! It sounds absolutely delicious! What is your favorite thing to cook? or bake, either one.

N: I'm a comfort food type of person. I mean, take one look at me and you can see that 1) I've never missed a meal and 2) I eat comfort food. Hand-breaded chicken strips and grilled pork tenderloin are among mine and Husband's favorites. Green bean casserole and skillet corn (beans and corn from my parent's garden in KY) are other favorites. I also make mashed potatoes that would make you smack your Mama. *grin* Husband would like to add: "She doesn't cook anything bad." Awww, isn't he sweet. As he sits in his chair with a belly-full of spaghetti!

D: Aww, that is sweet! That all sounds delicious! Do you incorporate baking into your holiday celebrations?

N: We tend to celebrate Thanksgiving at Husband's parent's house in East Texas and Christmas with my family in Kentucky. We're doing the same this year. With my allergy, I always take my own food to Thanksgiving just because I hate to be a "burden" on someone else who's preparing a big feast for a group of people. I usually take cookies and cupcakes along though. I think I'll do something similar at Christmas, even though I'll be in my mother's kitchen.

D: We always make sausage balls and 'kiss' cookies *grin* And of course, chex mix. We go through tons of it!

N: Mmm, sausage balls. Holy Moses I haven't had those in forever. I'm going to substitute the cheddar/jack cheese and use Manchego. It's totally your fault now! *laughs* I like buckeye balls (peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate) too.

D: I've had those before, they are delicious! All this talk of food has me hungry and I haven't eaten anything!

N: If you were here, you'd have spaghetti. I always tell people who come to my house, "If you leave here hungry, it's your own fault!" go get something to eat

D: I've enjoyed chatting with you!

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