{ ❤ again? }

I swear we were just sittin' at this very spot on the calendar, weren't we? Well, here's my Red Paper Crap Day tribute to myself :). I jest. Sorta.

Sparkling wine & berries

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

Elinor understands.

Purr

Broiled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter Sauce

I'm the hero of this story. I don't need to be saved.

I'm now going to go pour myself a glass of cab sav and leave you with the sage words of Lily Tomlin: "If love is the answer, could you please rephrase the question?"
Happy week.
xo

cheese boards

Saw these EcoStone cheeseboards on Etsy ... thought they were fun! I'm always looking for a unique way to serve cheese, and this super casual effort looks swell. Check out the wine corks on the bottom/base of the board--brilliant.

august 20 : : 'take your cheese to work' day

Yep, tomorrow's the day -- as if I needed any incentive to eat more cheese.

Bel Brands USA, a subsidiary of French cheese producer Fromageries Bel, has launched a promotion for its Mini Babybel cheese brand.

The company has named 20 August, 'take your cheese to work day', in a bid to encourage people to choose a "healthy snacking alternative" like Mini Babybel, the company said . . . .

Sure, it's a shameless marketing ploy, but I'm actually a big fan of Mini Babybel and Laughing Cow cheeses. I love eating them right out of the wrapper; however, they're equally wonderful for cooking. A few Laughing Cow recipes, from Hungry Girl:

• Mac & Cheese
• Egg Mug Classic (one of my favorites. I add Tobasco's Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce to mine)
• Fettuccine Alfredo (surprisingly awesome)
  
• Pizza bagels (another fave o' mine)
• Nacho cheese (haven't tried this yet)
• Rockin' casseroles (ditto)

If only I had this super chic lunch box from My Sparrow in which to take my cheese with me . . . .


And perhaps a mini bottle of Veuve Clicquot to go with my mini babybel?

the cheese chronicles

Knowing of my freakish and never-ending rapture for all things queso, one of my besties, Kayla, surprised me by sending this book yesterday! Woo hoo! It's always big fun to open the door to the strapping, brown-clad UPS guy -- particularly when you're not expecting him!

Here's what the book's publisher has to say:

"The Cheese Chronicles is an insider's look at the burgeoning world of American cheese from one lucky person who has seen more wedges and wheels, visited more cheesemakers, and tasted more delicious (and occasionally stinky) American cheese than anyone else."

I haven't started reading it yet, but I CAN'T WAIT to do so. Organized into nine chapters, author Liz Thorpe also provides a bunch of fantastic "sidebar" comments, such as:

• I'll See Your Piquancy and Raise You Peppery
• Tasting with Your Nose
• Why I Hate "Swiss" Cheese
• Why is Goat Cheese White?
  

Cheese, how I love you. Huge thanks, K ... mwah!

I leave you with some eye candy from Murray's Cheese in NYC, where Thorpe is second in command:

so damn cheesy

Um, anyone have plans August 7-8? The American Cheese Society (how am I not a lifetime member?) is holding its annual conference; and this year they're meeting right down the road in Austin. Unfortunately, you have to be a member (snobs) in order to attend their shindig. I'm seriously thinking about joining at the "Non-professional/Student/Enthusiast" level ($90), just to attend the Festival of Cheese (!!!) on that Saturday. Allow that to sink in for a minute: Festival of Cheese. I'm drooling and becoming more than a little weak, just thinking about it.

Experience the culmination of a week of celebrating the best of American cheese! The premiere cheese event in the United States showcases all of the cheeses entered in the Annual Judging & Competition. Described as, "the most outrageous display of cheeses ever experienced," you have to see it to believe it. Whole Foods Market invites you to join in this amazing celebration.

Here's the entire conference agenda; and it appears the Cheese Sale on Sunday is open to the public:

This sale gives attendees and locals a chance to buy fantastic cheese at head-turning prices.

I'll leave you with a little eye candy from Cheese + Champagne:

Roquefort

Red Wine with Manchego & Rosemary

Nancy's Hudson Valley Camembert

Fleur des Alpes