The Dish Featuring The Adventures of Artsy Nina

Welcome to Friday and another edition of The Dish! I hope everyone had a fabulous week. This week's featured blog is sure to end it with a smile. When I first visited The Adventures of Artsy Nina, I knew it was going to be a favorite. I'm sure you all know blogs like that. That capture your attention from the moment you arrive. For me, I think it was the Artsy Nina banner. The retro wife smiling over her shoulder at the retro husband, who's drying the dishes. She looks like she's up to something, like she's got a funny secret she's just dying to tell, and I instantly wanted to know her secret. 

Turns out, the secret was that The Adventures of Artsy Nina rocks, no foolin'. Nina, our blogger hostess, shares her "adventures" as a "1950's housewife, complete with apron and cloth diapers," hence the retro housewife banner. You'll fall in love, as I have, with her fun stories, her vintage style, and her yummy recipes. Oh, and did I mention she makes me laugh? Yep, she has that sarcastic, dry sense of humor I can't help but love (see: her post on Blog Overload). Do I have you convinced to visit yet? Well, just wait, it only gets better.

The House

I admire people who take on huge projects. I admire them, and I want to be them, but I'm unapologetically lazy, so chances are I'm not going to be them. Nina is one of those people I'll never be. She and her husband bought the 1884 house and have been busy updating/remodeling it ever since. Jeremy and I felt very accomplished when we stained our deck, but this couple, well, let's just say they're truly accomplished. 

I love when Nina posts something about the house. I love pouring through the before and after pictures, admiring they're hard work and perseverance, feeling jealous of their interactions with actual, real-life Turdologists. But most of all, I love that Nina and her husband are taking something old and long-neglected and restoring it to its former glory. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of living in a house like Nina's and remodeling it to perfection. Nina's living that dream now, and it's sure a great time seeing her progress on this charming and unique house and its transformation into a home. 


Crafty Cook

One of my favorite things about reading blogs is discovering great new recipes from around the country and the world. The Adventures of Artsy Nina takes recipe hunting to an entirely new level with the recipes she shares from vintage cookbooks. Ever tried making Fresh Orange Chewies (which look delicious, by the way, click "vintage cookbooks" for the recipe and pics!)? What about Barbecued Spare Ribs? And then there are the recipes that Nina writes and embellishes herself: Potunas, anyone? 

To see all of her recipes in one place, visit her Recipe Box. 

Nina's not only a good cook, she also happens to be a good crafter. As a woman lacking a single crafting bone in her entire body, I find this particular characteristic to be outrageously awesome. Which would explain why I'm outrageously jealous of it. :) She does fun things like making recycled soap and creating adorable magnets and wreaths. You know, she does the things that I would do...if I were even a smidgen crafty. 

Scrumptious Survey: Answered by Blogger

What’s your favorite dish/food?

I don't like to be pigeonholed.   How can I pick just one item? If you saw my thighs, you would understand that no food is discriminated against in this house.  I eat it all, too much, and too often.

What’s your favorite type of cuisine (Italian, French, etc.)?

  Mexican.  Hands down.   But not the Americanized Mexican restaurant type, with crappy margaritas and bland flavors.  I'm talking roadside stand, pork wrapped in soft corn tortillas, smothered in fresh cilantro and onions and lime, cooked in a dirty trailer Mexican.  And it's usually cheaper too!

What is unique about the cuisine in your part of the world? 

I think Minnesotans specialize in tatertot hotdish.  Or lutefisk and lefse.  Do I eat any of that? If it's around, ya sure you betchya!
Do I actually make any of that in my kitchen? HECK NO.

Sweet or salty?

I have been described as both.   Oh!   You're not asking about me.  Well, my palette usually prefers salty. And my husband says I use salt too much.   I have recently discovered the wonderfulness of sea salts and other fancy salts for seasoning. I won't be seeing that cute little Morton salt girl in my cupboard any more.

What food are you craving right now? 

I am in the mood for something really fresh and light.  Specifically a Greek salad.  Cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives, feta and a vinaigrette (EVOO, oregano, red wine vinegar).  Best Salad Ever.  Sadly, I am out of olives and feta.  *weeping*

Do you like to cook? If so, do you ever share recipes on your blog?  

I am a Domestic Goddess, and as everyone knows, a well-rounded Domestic Goddess likes to cook!  It helps that my husband is a human garbage disposal and will eat (and like) everything I cook.  Except that one dish (Coq Au Vin), as he often reminds me.  It's been a few weeks since I have posted a recipe, but you can find them sprinkled throughout my posts.  I also have a page dedicated to recipe links.

Where do you get the recipes you use? From cookbooks, blogs, online directories, etc?

I love using allrecipes.com to plug in random ingredients and find inspiration.  Next, I consult my trusty stash of vintage cookbooks.  Most are the church or community group style with simple recipes written by housewives past.  I also have been referencing The Good Houskeeping Illustrated Cookbook since I first moved out of my parents house back in 1998.  And of course, I read blogs!

What food-related word would you use to describe your blog? (i.e. salty, sweet, savory, delicious, yummy…) Get creative!

“A delight to the readers palette, served with grace and finesse.”
A small intimate blog which oozes passion. The entries were served with an exquisite attention to detail.
The writer was friendly and intimate and each dish was commensurate with the care and passion with which it was prepared.
I highly recommend this and hope you enjoy it too. 

OK, so I altered a fancy restaurant review to make it blog appropriate.  I can only hope my readers feel somewhat like this.  HA! (Editor's Note: LOVE it! Way to be inspired, Nina :))


The Adventures of Artsy Nina is where to go if you're on the lookout for inspiration or motivation or a nice laugh. This blog has an "old soul" feel to it that I love, and I know you'll love it, too, with all of its vintage charm and artsy appeal.  Oh, and before I leave you to do your own surfing of Artsy Nina, visit THIS PAGE for a look at one of the most beautiful rings ever, and yes, it's vintage. Next time my hubby proposes he's getting me a ring like that! Unique, vintage, and with a beautiful story behind it...a lot like Artsy Nina.

Linking Up!

 

The Dish Featuring My3littlebirds

Welcome to another edition of The Dish! This week is not brought to you by my dead laptop and is co-sponsored by the letter M, as in Mary Lauren and her magnificently mighty blog My3littlebirds. As I've put together each edition of The Dish, I've noticed one glaring similarity between every blog I've featured so far, and this week's featured blog is no different. These women can write, man! They all do an incredible job of weaving together posts that capture their readers' attention and keep people coming back for more. Mary Lauren of my3littlebirds perfectly embodies this shared characteristic of The Dish bloggers and their blogs.

My3littlebirds doesn't fit into any neat categories. It's not a mommy blog or a recipe blog or a writing blog, because any of those labels wouldn't give it the credit or justice it is due. To describe it best, I would say that M3LB is an addictive blog full of creativity and charisma, and each visit I take there leaves me wanting more of Mary Lauren's wit, insight, and beautifully woven tales of family and the memories that make life so precious and unique.




Delicious Design

What could be cuter than a yellow polka-dotted background? Not much! But three little birds woven into the title art are one thing that give the yellow polka-dots a run for their money. One of the first things that captured my attention about this blog would have to be the title and title artwork. The title itself reminds me of my absolute favorite song EVER "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley. Whenever I see M3LB pop up in the recently updated list on blogger, this song automatically starts playing in my head, and I love it. In actuality, and as I learned just tonight, the blog title is derived partially from the author's three adorable children, as well as from a beautiful and meaningful painting. While my3littlebirds certainly does not focus on the blogger's children solely, the stories she shares of her "three little birds" and her adventures as a mom are likely to keep you laughing your butt off each time you hear one...see The Bad Mom Chronicles. I'm still laughing over Part Two and the "Code Brown."

But back to the design of M3LB. Like so many of the blogs I love, my3littlebird's design is simple and minimalistic. No crazy sidebars full of worthless crap, just a nice, clean look with an adorable banner that allows the blogger's words to shine.

Oh, and I should mention her adorable design comes from Seven Thirty Three Custom Blog Designs, who obviously know what they're doing!

Appetizing Content

As I've already pointed out, my3littlebirds doesn't follow any kind of "typical" blog formula. Mary Lauren isn't bound by the limitations of a specific blog "genre" or topic. She writes about life, in a hilarious and usually thought-provoking way, and she shares her experiences and expertise on everything from stockbroking to Mom Hair. Regardless of the topic, every post she composes seems to either make me laugh or make me cry; I'm always affected in some way by her words...which is the mark of a true writer in my humble estimation.

My3littlebirds also hosts a linkup party each Monday called What's For Dinner, where she allows other blogger's to join the fun and linkup to their recent recipe posts. Through this linkup, I've already discovered some other great bloggers, which makes it a rousing success if you ask me! I urge any of you who regularly post recipes to join in on the fun every Monday at M3LB.





Probably my personal favorite of the posts that are shared on my3littlebirds would have to be the ones which showcase the blogger's incredible writing talent. She posts poems and has recently started participating in writing prompts, and I just love her writing style! I could go on all day, but checking her out for yourselves will sell her case better than I ever could.

Scrumptious Survey: Answered by blogger.

What’s your favorite dish/food?

If I'm eating at home, I love a simple roast chicken with vegetables. If I'm eating out, I often order seafood (scallops are a favorite of mine) since my family doesn't really eat it. And for date night at home, my husband and I love to share a bottle of wine and eat crusty bread with cheese (I love Danish Blue and he prefers very sharp cheddar).

What’s your favorite type of cuisine (Italian, French, etc.)?

Well, I love it all. But for me a perfect night out with friends would include a Spanish tapas-style meal with lots of yummy things to try. 

What is unique about the cuisine in your part of the world?

Our area is known for traditional southern style foods. Not the healthiest stuff in the world- that's for sure!

Sweet or salty?

Salty wins by a landslide.

What food are you craving right now?

I am looking for a great recipe for cinnamon raisin bread. My kids love it for breakfast and I can't seem to buy enough! Send me a message if you've got one, pretty please?

Do you like to cook? If so, do you ever share recipes on your blog?

I do like to cook. I do share recipes but they tend to be "this worked for my picky 3 year old" type meals, and not exactly gourmet. 

Where do you get the recipes you use? From cookbooks, blogs, online directories, etc?

Most of the recipes I use these days come from online directories and blogs. I love Simply Recipes, Our Best Bites, and of course The Pioneer Woman Cooks. But I also refer to my collection of cookbooks and food magazines.

What food-related word would you use to describe your blog? (i.e. salty, sweet, savory, delicious, yummy…) Get creative!

Sweet. For sure: )

As always, I hope you enjoyed this week's edition of The Dish, and I certainly hope that I was able to introduce you to a new blog to fall in love with. If you haven't already, be sure to visit my3littlebirds; it's sure to capture your heart instantly and make its way onto your must-read list.

The Dish featuring One Mixed Bag

This week's feature on The Dish is one of the first blogs I discovered after joining the For the Love of Blogs Community...which has been about a month ago now. I'm so grateful I joined this amazing community, because without it, I would have never made such great friends with such great blogs. While linking up for my very first Fab Friends Friday, one of the tiny buttons representing the other linked up blogs immediately caught my eye. 

It was such a beautiful image, such a perfect, strikingly gorgeous lady looking back imploringly at me. I couldn't help but click...it was like I was being drawn in by her pink rollers, flowery dress, and truly excellent purse. I couldn't have resisted her if I tried. Just take a look for yourself, at the fabulous button of the truly fabulous One Mixed Bag. I can't tell you how glad I am I was tempted by this siren's song. I now visit One Mixed Bag on a daily basis, and I'm never disappointed, and I can promise you won't be either.

Delicious Design

The design of One Mixed Bag matches its content perfectly: light-hearted and cute. And of course, when you first arrive, the beautiful lady with her beautiful bag is there to greet you. Bernie, the author of One Mixed Bag, has a love affair with purses, hence the name of her blog and all the cute purse details on her site. Even her cute little buttons are cute little purses. I love it!

Bernie's another one of those bloggers who doesn't busy-up her blog with lots on unnecessary stuff. She's got a clean, simple layout that lets you focus on her content and doesn't take forever to load. The blue and white colors compliment her banner and buttons well and just look dang pretty. I feel happy when I visit One Mixed Bag, but only part of that is because of her cute design.

Appetizing Content

Bernie's blog title says it all. You never really know what you're going to get with a visit to One Mixed Bag. Well, sometimes you'll know because she's got some regularly scheduled events. Like a hilarious and informative Wordless Wednesday feature with fun (and surprisingly personal and revealing!) vintage ads. My favorite so far has been one from Scott Tissues, which focuses on the "troubles caused by harsh toilet tissue." Umm...yeah. The vintage ads are always worthy of a good laugh.

One Mixed Bag also features some cute and crafty content, which I always love to admire from afar. Crafting is most definitely not my thing. I think I'm too uncoordinated for that. If I can't dance, how can I be expected to work scissors and cut actual paper at the same time? But Bernie makes crafting look fun and easy, especially with her cards. I absolutely adore the cards she made for her mom's birthday a couple of weeks ago. Her craftiness is due in part to a goal she set for herself for 2011, and she posts updates every Thursday relaying her progress towards her goal. I'd say she's already made it!

Even better than the awesome regular features on One Mixed Bag are the spontaneous and uncategorized posts. The first entry I read on this blog is probably one of the most memorable blog posts I've ever encountered. It definitely is one of my top three favorite blog posts, if its not number one. If you don't read any of the other posts I recommend to you today, please at least read "He Went For a Hair Cut and Came Home With a Note." I kid you not when I say this is probably one of the funniest things I've ever encountered, and this little story serves as a perfect example of Bernie's writing style. She's got the most conversational and friendly voice. As soon as you start reading, you feel included, as if you're one of her oldest and dearest friends, and she's just sharing another one of her quirky and humorous tales.

Oh, and how could I possibly forget Mr. Bernie? Mr. Bernie, who is Ms. Bernie's devoted, loving hubby and who often co-stars in One Mixed Bag. The posts co-starring Mr. Bernie usually keep me in stitches!

Scrumptious Survey: Questions answered by blog author, links added by me :). 

What’s your favorite dish/food? Pizza. I would assume that is everyone' favorite dish. If its not, it should be. My husbands pink and chocolate chip pancakes come in a close second.

What’s your favorite type of cuisine (Italian, French, etc.)? Chinese. I love a good Chinese buffet. The array of dishes are amazing. Chicken Lo Mein, rice, Sesame Chicken, Pot Stickers. I could go on, but I'm starting to drool on my keyboard just thinking about those dishes.

What is unique about the cuisine in your part of the world? In Montana they do quite a bit of Mexican cooking. That surprise me. Montana is not the Hispanic capital of the U.S. They like to use a lot of chili's and spices. I'm from Minnesota and we don't spice our food. Its rare to use salt or pepper!

Sweet or salty? Both. I enjoy butter salted popcorn with M and M's thrown in for good measure. Don't knock it until you have tired it. Lately, I have been trending towards salty pretzels. I'm sure by the middle of the month my chocoholic side will rear her ugly head.

What food are you craving right now? Other than pizza, Chinese and chocolate? *lol*

Do you like to cook? If so, do you ever share recipes on your blog? I do like to cook. My husband Mr. Bernie likes to be a "helper bee" when I'm cooking. It makes me nervous. I love to make hot-dishes, (that is a casserole for those of you anywhere else in the world) Wild Rice Hot-dish is my specialty. My folks bring us bags when they come to Montana to visit. I have more creamed soups and wild rice than most folks in Minnesota. I didn't really start cooking until I moved to Montana 7 years ago. I used to live on Ramen, popcorn and Mac and Cheese. Those were my three food groups. I make some mean bars, ones that will make you want to slap someone. (Most bars are like brownies.)

Where do you get the recipes you use? From cookbooks, blogs, online directories, etc? Cookbooks are my main source. My brother and his wife put together a cookbook for my wedding with all of their recipes. A church cookbook from my home church that has recipes from my Great Aunties and Grandma. I read Taste of Home Magazine. A Serbian cookbook is another one of my favorites. I'm famous for printing something off the internet and never being able to find it. My new pride and joy is a cookbook from my husband, "The Essential New York Times Cookbook". It covers recipes from the start of the Times recipe section. It offers suggestions for pairing different eras for meals. It might suggest a 1910 appetizer, a 1940 main course and a 1950 drink recipe. Have a I made anything out of it yet? Nope. Have I read it quite a bit. Yup.

What food-related word would you use to describe your blog? (i.e. salty, sweet, savory, delicious, yummy…) Get creative! My blog is salty if I'm feeling feisty. A bit cracked like crackle candy. Bitter if I get on a roll or something makes me mad. Add in a sprinkling of sweet when Mr. Bernie is being particularly sweet and adorable. My blog readers add the savory with all their wonderful comments.

Bernie at One Mixed Bag is one of those rare people you'll "meet," who has true wit and wisdom. She'll make you laugh guaranteed, and if she doesn't, then you just don't have any kind of sense of humor at all, ha! Seriously, pay Ms. Bernie a visit and treat yourself to some fun and a few (more like a lot of) laughs. 

Melodrama Mondays - The Sniffles

Disclaimer: This is a very snotty post, and I don't mean in the high-falutin rich person way.

Not all Mondays are bad. It would be foolish and cynical of me to pretend otherwise, and while I am both foolish and cynical, today was a not-so-bad day, even if it was a Monday and even with all the snot.

I may have mentioned that over the weekend I came down with a bit of a cold. Not a bad cold, just a cold. Sure, I had a trail of tissues all over the house marking where I'd been, but still no big deal. No big deal until I had to sit at the front desk at work and somehow keep my snotty, reddened, draining relentlessly runny nose to myself. Student after student came in. I would sniffle, snort, casually wipe it with a finger anything to keep the student from seeing that my nose had turned into a faucet for snot. Gross much? Yes, believe me, I grossed myself out plenty today.

There's really no subtle way to have a cold. The red-nose and the scraps of tissue in your pockets and desk drawers give you away pretty quickly to your co-workers. Not to mention the fact that you suddenly sound like a fourteen-year old boy with a retainer. With a cold, I swear I sound just like Urkel. Did I do that? I really, really wanted (and tried) to hide my affliction, because right now I know I'm just one of millions with sinus/allergy problems. Hell, the entire state of Georgia is yellow with pollen. But I didn't do a very good job. Co-worker after co-worked asked, "Do you have a cold, Katie?" What gave me away? The snot dripping from my nose or my sexy voice?

source

I'm sure everyone (co-workers and students included) would cringe every time I had to hand them something. Oh, great, snot girl just got her germs all over me. Woohoo! But it wasn't the kind of stay-at-home-from-work cold, and I couldn't really justify not going in for vanity sake. I can just see explaining to my boss that the reason I was out was that I didn't want to drip snot on anyone. Yeah, right. So, I bravely faced the day with wadded up tissue in hand! Tonight, I'm beginning to feel better, but there's still a pile of tissues on the seat beside me. I fear that tomorrow may be another snotty day...

In other news, I'm toying with idea of having a Featured Blog day at Chicken Noodle Gravy. I would create a questionnaire for bloggers to answer that relates to all things food. I kind of think it would be fun to find out what everyone loves to eat and what their region of the world considers a specialty. And of course, that person's blog would be featured as well with a write-up describing its flavor. I could create a button for people to use and everything. If I can fully flesh out the idea, look for a featured blog day to be popping up soon. And I may call on some of you to participate!

Happy Monday!