Welcome...I'm trying this out...

On the plate:  Brisket, latkes, and apple cake with honey drizzle

Soundtrack to cook to:  Natalie Cole's Unforgettable with Love

I've been fortunate enough and blessed by such a supportive family, that I am able to take a leave of absence from work in order to spend a year taking care of my son and my family.  I've found that this year has inspired me to explore my interests and develop new hobbies.  I've always had a love of cooking and have found myself salivating over food blog after food blog.  From those food blogs, I've wanted to share my own creations (mostly adaptations of family recipes or direct translations from food blogs or the food network) as well as showcase beautiful pictures of food (because c'mon...who couldn't stare at delicious pictures of food all day?) and my family.

I love to play music while I'm cooking.  Normally it's something light-hearted like the soundtrack from the movie Something's Gotta Give or some Natalie Cole.  However, if my son is cranky, we may be listening to his music class CD.  The music selection tends to change based on my mood or nostalgia for a specific song.

I plan on using this blog as a vehicle to share my family's day-to-day experiences with our family all across the globe.  It's amazing how fast kids grow and I don't want anybody to miss a moment of my little man's progress....he's pretty amazing.

Tonight is Rosh Hashanah and I have been ambitious enough to make my own slow-cooked brisket (the house smells DELICIOUS!), latkes, and apple cake with honey drizzle.

This is our dachshund Oscar in all of his handsome glory.  He was anxiously sniffing the air all day yesterday.

Report:  Dinner was a HUGE success!  Who knew that ketchup, onion soup mix, and brisket could make for an absolutely delectable meal?  Thank YOU Pioneer Woman for this recipe:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/passover-brisket-i-think/  AND my sole inspiration for getting into reading food blogs and cooking out of my comfort zone - Smitten Kitchen for this delicious recipe for apple cake:  http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/09/moms-apple-cake/

Lil' Alexander

So, please bear with me as I figure out this whole new world of "blogging."

Love and kisses,  (Alexander would say, "buh-byyyyyy" and blow kisses)
Nikki