A Cake Sale of All Cake Sales!

So, some of you may know that I'm on the Crime Stoppers board here in town.  I'm the Vice President and the Secretary. 

I wear both hats proudly as I think it's a worthy endeavor and worth the time.  And every year we host the No Host Bazaar.  Yes, sounds strange to me too, hosting a No Host.

But, it's fun and there are always loads of vendors sharing their wares and it's at a perfect time to get some holiday gifts!

This year, we each took on our own personal fund raiser, to raise funds for operating our non-profit organization that works to give people an anonymous means through which to report crime.  And sometimes get a reward too!

So, my fundraiser was all about cooking.  Baking, more specifically.  You know me - party planned and COOKING is all I can think about!

Is it Too Late for Halloween?

Papa keeping all the Minions in line.

Easy to do when you've got
a knife in your hands!

OK.  I make plans.  I tend to follow through. 

Honest.  If I say I'm going to be there, I will be there.  Barring a horrible, unforeseen event. 

Or kids stuff.  I always put the kids first.

So, my intentions were to post our Halloween Pumpkins way-long ago. 

On Halloween, actually. 

But life kinda-sorta got away from me and it was not until today, when I downloaded my iPhone, that I realized that my photos from way-long ago were still on there.

Oops.  See - totally slipped my ever loving mind!

So, I'm sitting here now putting these photos on my blog and feeling a bit strange about it.

Halloween at nearly Christmas it is.

The Aftermath of the Bacon Explosion

So, life is about lessons.  Some are easy and some are hard.

This lesson was not particularly a HARD lesson, but a good one to share.

So if you follow my blog (or perhaps just happen upon it) you know that I love to experiment.  And the last experiment I posted about was the delicious Bacon Explosion.

It was a fun meal to prepare, made everyone drool as it cooked and pleased us all when it was time to eat!  That, was a good experiment.  What happened next was not nearly as good, slightly dangerous and (after the dust had settled) awkwardly funny!

Bacon Explosion (AKA Bacon Wrapped in Pork Wrapped in Bacon)

So. 

Where do I begin?? 

I guess the beginning is the best place!

Crispy Parmesan Chicken

So those that know me know I love to cook.  Not a surprise either.  Big or small, I love to cook meals for family, friends - even the odd stranger (although that doesn't happen much at all).

And, I love to watch cooking shows.  Of all sorts.  Hey, I work in cable.  The TV is always on in my office and since I HATE soap opera-ish shows....I might as well learn something from the Food Network.

And I have learned.  And been inspired to try new things.  And one of my favorite people to watch is Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa.  She's so easy to watch.  Her foods are simple enough that you don't feel like you need a degree in culinary arts AND they look great!

Chicken is a versatile dish in our house, and her recipe for Parmesan Chicken was certainly one I was temped to try.  I've tweaked it a bit, but it's still her inspiration that led me to make this dish that Mr. Hungry LOVES and I do too!