A-Z blogging challenge: E is for Eggs

Eggs were everywhere just two weeks ago, weren't they? Around Easter, they seem to grow on trees!

tree

Well, in my world, eggs are more than holiday fodder, they are a staple. While I've never set out to eat them every day, I enjoy them in various ways throughout the week, and as I was eating egg salad tonight (see "comfort food" below), my previous "E" thoughts were completely eclipsed by the egg. 

When I think of comfort food? Egg salad. (I have a couple of variations: curried, asparagus...)

When I think of breakfast? Eggs, in many forms. I eat them every weekend, for sure. You should see how many photos of eggy breakfasts I have on my phone!

When I think of picnics? Deviled eggs. (And potato salad with eggs, of course.)

How many other ways can eggs be whipped up? Let's see: poached, coddled, soft-boiled, scrambled, baked (you must check this recipe out), in omeletes, quiches, soup, eggnog, custards, frittatas, tamagoyaki, and a couple of lesser-known variations: the egg quesadilla (a favorite of mine!) and gribiche.

And that doesn't even begin to touch the number of dishes that rely on eggs for their scientific properties, which add to the binding, the leavening, and if you separate the eggs, the volume of a recipe, as well.

I had a friend, once upon a time, who developed a distaste for eggs. I can't think of another way to put it: she suddenly couldn't stand them in dishes--claimed she could taste them in baked goods--and the thought of a whole cooked (boiled) egg really repulsed her. The odd thing is, she is also the person who taught me to make egg gravy. I don't have the timing down--this is more than 20 years ago now--so I don't know which came first, the egg gravy or the distaste? Luckily, her lack of love for the egg did not stay with me as anything other than a memory.

Eggs have taken a bad health rap in the past, but it mostly appears those days are over and the high protein content outweighs the previously condemned high-fat and high-cholesterol nature, and so we're able to happily consume, guilt-free (ish).

I can't pick a favorite way to eat eggs, can you? Let me know!

What's this A-Z business about? Check out my kick-off post. And stay tuned for the random joy and nonsense I concoct during the month of April!

Friday night grateful moment

It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!


When thought of in the context as presented by Mr. Compolo, the rest of my gratitude contemplation is just gravy... good health, an open sliding door with spring sounds outside, a lovely week with my men, enough leftovers from the "pretend" Easter last weekend that I didn't have to cook much this week, everything green and blooms proliferating, friends to laugh and talk with, a comfortable bed in which to anticipate sweet sleep... gravy.

Wishing you a lovely Easter weekend with the hope that Sunday's coming!

Thursday 13: Projects for Easter consideration...

aster is a little later this year, but that's OK with me... lots of time to get ready. The nieces (and their parents) are coming, so that gives me incentive to get off my tush and get a little spring rolling on in... as I've been pondering the decorating/basket/menu, a few tidbits have popped up to share:

1. Yarn-wrapped eggs. Aren't these just so beautiful?

2. Fabric carrots. Clever! Might even fool a bunny or two.

3. Crocheted flowers--I saw these put into a garland, just lovely. And totally up my alley!

4. Crocheted egg garland.  Also well within my crochet obsession, though I might be a bit reluctant to put a ton of effort into something I haul out once a year... on the other hand, it doesn't really look like a lot of work. Hmmm...

5. Faux milk glass. A fun DIY--not necessarily Easter per se, but very springy, and lots of applications! I think I'll definitely do this one day, if not for Easter...

6. Peeps. Well, peeps on white-chocolate-covered-marshmallow-Rice Krispie treats. Oh yeah. Can you feel the sugar high?

7. Easter cake. Doesn't this just look like something I'd love? I was just saying today, "I'm in the mood for cake," like I expected someone to walk in with one. (That didn't happen.)

8. Fabric eggs. I love these! And I especially love that they're not absolutely "Easter" in color. I've never been especially pastel, but will tolerate it as needed for baby showers and springy events...

9. Wrapped wreath. So pretty and simple.

10. Another wreath option, a paper wreath. Probably wouldn't want to hang this one on the front door, especially given the spring we've been having!

11. Two ideas with eggshells from Martha Stewart: votives and centerpieces.

12. Bunny marshmallows, also from Martha. I also found a clever chocolate-covered marshmallow egg how-to that I might try out this year.

13. Spring chick cake pops. So cute!

So which ones should I do, absolutely? Let me know, even if you're not a niece! (But nieces get two votes, for sure!)

For more Thursday 13s, go here.

Bits of My Weekend: Volume 6

Left the peace of the ocean behind...

Got a little fuel for the road at Camp 18.

And hit the road home!

Jack doesn't let on, but he was very happy to see us!

Lots of new blooms out to greet our return.

And a peace of a different kind...

Easter morning, eggs and moss...

Bunny carrot or Carrot bunny? Who knows? Odd, and yet it still appeals to me...

Gerberas to celebrate.

My favorite child Peep!

A few took refuge among the cookbooks, but they weren't safe for long...

A lovely weekend, but now back to reality. School. Work. Chores. Errands. Life is good.

For more Bits of My Weekend, or to play along, go here.

Easter Better Basket Blog Hop

o, my dear friend Jen at Stuff Jen Says tagged me for an Easter Better Basket Blog Hop. She was tagged by her friend Jen at Mommablogsalot, who was tagged by another blogger, and so on and so on.

The sweet news here is that Hershey’s is donating $10 per blog to the Children’s Miracle Network for every blog that participates. Of course, I'll be tagging a few fellow bloggers, so keep an eye out below!

What would I put in virtual Easter baskets for my lovely bloggy compatriots? That's easy. I am going all Etsy. It's been that kind of week--I am more in love with Etsy than ever, after having a little time on my hands to browse while on vacation this week...

A sweet bunny pendant from Shizen Designs (spring break sale ends this weekend, just sayin').

A colorful print from Katie Daisy at The Wheatfield shop.

A sweet little bunny sculpture from Art Mind.

Some bright and cheery cupcake liners from Cupcake Social.

And just so they don't have to make all their own Easter treats, I'd throw in a few chocolate covered Oreos from Sweeties by Kim. Heavenly!

And because price is no concern when you're giving virtually, I would package it all in this amazing bag from FarragoBags. Now THAT's an Easter "basket." You can thank me later, ladies.

I'm tagging:
Anastasia at The Gift
Cha-Cha at noodleroux
Rachel at Randomness with Rachel
Michelle at Six in the City
Janet at Fond of Snape

Each of these ladies makes my online world a little brighter with their fun blogs and posts!

Here's how it works:
Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop Rules

* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
* This started as a meme of HERSHEY’S donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network up to $5,000 – but after so many bloggers participating, HERSHEY’S decided to donate a total of $7,000 honoring the kindness of blogger community.

Imagine all the happy kids at Children's Miracle Network! Thanks for playing along.

Power to the Peeps!

Most adults I know have an "issue" with Peeps. That makes sense... Peeps are, like any other candy, just spun sugar confections. But Peeps seem to come with the added downside of too many stabilizers and additives to really reassure you that this is "food," in any sense of the word (think: Twinkies!). But over the years I have been pulled down the path toward Peeps by Seth, who is a big fan. He likes the instant sugar rush, the strange discoloring-his-tongue dyes, and the idea of eating little bunnies and chicks? No worries. All good.

So I shared the Washington Post Peep contest on Friday night, and then promptly remembered some other Peep information I thought you'd either find curious or be grossed out by. Take your pick.



Peep lip balm. As someone who used to think the Orange Crush Bonne Belle Lipsmacker was cool, I can't very well throw too many stones at this product. But in the review on Serious Eats, they talked about it actually tasting good... Now that's just going too far. But, $3.99 will put either the strawberry marshmallow or the grape in your pocket.

Deep fried Peeps. This one I really couldn't bring myself to share a picture of. Just can't. You can click over and take a peep (couldn't resist) if you like, but don't say I didn't warn you. Ooozy drippy marshmallow with a crust? Hmmm. I suppose I could describe it more alluringly, but why? I know the craze to deep fry just about anything has been rampant for a few years, but this one is just a little out there. I can only imagine how many burnt mouths would take place biting into a molten Peep! Yikes.

Peep vidoes. Peeps have even inspired a wide variety of stop action videos on YouTube, with themes around everything from Project Peepway to Peep Floyd: The Wall, to Peep Jaws Shark Attack. I thought I'd spare you the drama (especially of the "how many Peeps can you flush down the toilet" video) and post a little dance of Peeps. Colorful, you know, the way I like it.



I'm pretty over the Peeps, as anything other than great fodder for a creative diorama or YouTube video. There are still a couple of packages hanging out in the kitchen for Seth, but he can rest assured that they will be there, waiting for him... after school, next weekend, whenever. There may be some candies (most?!) I will help myself to in his absence, but those little fluffoids are in no danger. Whatsoever.