When I grow up...

After years of practice and careful determination I have finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up... I want to be a FOOD CRITIC!  I know, I know... it takes a specific life course such as starting in a restaurant (working), becoming a journalist, trial and error, etc.  Well, I'm not anywhere near that course. 

My family life has always revolved around food.  In times of happiness we celebrate with extravagant meals and in times of heartache we morn by filling our bellies.  It never ends, and I LOVE IT! 

Growing up, both of my parents always pushed my little brother and I to try new things.  From calamari to escargot, we would order up some pricey meals at young ages.  These habits were not so great for our parents check book, but it taught us the delicacies that different foods have to offer.

I love food.  I love the taste, the smell, the looks of each specifically prepared plate.  I love the passion, the creativity, the blood, the sweat, and the tears of preparation.  To me, food is an art.  Each ingredient combines together to create a masterpiece.

Hopefully, I will be able to visit different restaurants around the Gwinnett area (and others when I venture out on my travels) and begin building my portfolio - filled with ravings and ramblings about the latest dish, the newest restaurant...

Ahhh, the life of a food critic!  :)  Got suggestions?  Send them my way: steph.d.wallace@gmail.com.

Food Critic: Oyster Bay Cafe

Directly across from the historic courthouse comfortably sits the county seat’s newest seafood spot - Oyster Bay Seafood Café. Boasting daily specials, to-go orders, delivery to local businesses and catering services, Oyster Bay serves old favorites such as “U Peel ‘Em Shrimp”, as well as exciting new dishes like the “Grouper Reuben Sandwich”.

Oyster Bay Seafood Café’s décor is inviting, making diners feel as if they have traveled hundreds of miles to the nearest beach-town. Nautical scenes and signs play off the dark wall to create a relaxing yet upbeat atmosphere welcoming to patrons of all ages.

For the rest of the review, visit TalkGwinnett.com by clicking here.

The Elephant Made Me Do It

Whew… it has been some time since my last real post - my bad readers. Life has been interesting lately – to say the least. The so-called “interesting” aspects have led to my non-posting. Not trying to make excuses, I’m being totally honest. If I had posted some of my hot topics, they would’ve been not so “PC”. So, in order to keep peace among the nations my anti-PC posts have remained swirling around in my head.

After tossing out my latest ideas for blog posts I started thinking about a recent series at church called “The Fine Family”. In a nutshell, the series was preaching on the “elephants” in family life that causes everyone involved to walk on eggshells. The series was geared towards family, but was very helpful in all situations that life seems to pitch our way.

You know what I’m talking about - the overwhelming feeling of tension that is always there, but no one talks about… yep, the elephant is in the house! I totally understand the ripple effect that elephants in the family and or at the workplace can cause. Lately, Brandon and I have felt the “elephant’s” affects on us. The unbelievable tension causes silly arguments that should never happen.

Here are my conclusions:
- Everyone has their own elephants. Some people tend to deal with their elephants differently than others and some ignore their elephants all together. The only problem with these elephants is that the more you ignore your mini elephant, the larger he gets! By pretending he isn’t there, he starts to grow!
- Everyone pretends that other peoples’ elephants are not that big. What I’m saying is that it is easy to think that your family or friends issues they are dealing with are not as major as you would like to accept. In some cases this is true, but sometimes it isn’t. As you learn to deal with your elephants, learn to deal with other peoples’ elephants too.
- Other peoples’ elephants can absolutely crush you. It happens all the time. When the person pretends that they have no elephant… BOOM… you are crushed. Trust me, elephants are heavy… I know, I’m a Bama fan!

After all those conclusions I still have these questions:
- If your elephants cause others to tread lightly around you how do you know?
- What can you do to fix them?
- Are some “elephants” not worth fixing?
- What if you are not sure that it is actually an “elephant”, then what do you do? Draw attention to the situation or problem? Or let it go?
- When is it time to step in and say something? Is there ever a right time?
- Who should say something about the “elephant”?
- How can you tell someone that his or her “elephant” is affecting your life?

These elephants are not a welcome site in any home – Bama fans or not! By creating unnecessary tension in your lives, the lives of your family members and friends, you are hurting the people who care about you most.

550 Trackside: A Bride-2-Be Report

I just posted my newest article at TalkGwinnett.com about the event space we are using for our wedding.  It is a simple look into a beautiful space.

Take a second to check it out by clicking here!

293 Days to Go!

Wedding update:

Website - The Knot

So I couldn't decide if I wanted a wedding blog or if I wanted to create a simple "Knot" website... after going back and forth I figured that The Knot site would be better (time wise) and that I could blog wedding junk here! 

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/StephanieWallace&BrandonHunt

Venue - 550 Trackside

We've set the date (September 19, 2010) and selected the venue...  Located in downtown Lawrenceville (Georgia), 550 Trackside was our first stop.  After walking in the doors we immediately fell in love with the site.  It's rustic decor, stone walls, and iron works were the details that sealed the deal.  Below are some pictures from their website and some I took while on our visit.

Registry - #1 Macys

Yesterday, Brandon and I ventured to Macys to begin "gunning" our items.  After speaking with the Bridal specialist and getting the checklist and scanner, we began roaming the store looking at all the items.  Talk about overwhelming!  It took us a little time before we actually picked our first item, but after a while we got the hang of it.  We are planning on registering at Bed, Bath & Beyond & Home Depot as well... but that will be later.  One step at a time here!  :) 

300 Days & Counting

Hello blogging buds! For those of you who don’t know, I’M GETTING MARRIED!! Brandon popped the question on Sunday (November 15, 2009) and I, of course said YES! Now the planning must begin.

My first day as a fiancée was a tiddy bit overwhelming – so much that I couldn’t even pick out a bridal book at Borders!  :(

A few days later, as I’m settling in to my “new title”, I’m getting pretty revved up for the next 10 months of planning and excitement we have in front of us. My first item for the checklist is the venue. As September is becoming extremely popular for weddings we must mark this completed ASAP… time to visit some hot spots!

In the coming months you will hear more about my wedding that you probably would ever care to, but enjoy as much as ya can!

Got advice for a bride-to-be? Please do share!!

Thanksgiving: A Fingertip Feast

It has been a while y'all... SO sorry.  Life is busy these days, but you know that.  Here is a blurb from my newest article at TalkGwinnett.com.  DELISH ideas for your next party.  Some are my creations, some are adapted from others, and the pumpkin dip is from my Momma!  Please excuse the bad photography...

To start, I made Turkey Stuffing Rolls. These rolls are oh so simple, and a sure family favorite. Your ingredients needed are turkey slices (ask the deli to slice a little thicker than lunch meat) and stuffing mix. Prep stuffing as directed on the box. Once complete, spread a heaping spoonful onto a turkey slice. Roll the slice with stuffing inside. Cut into ½ bites. To make these rolls even more special, set out with dipping sauces of gravy and cranberry sauce.

Next I made Green Bean Casserole Pastries. Just like Ma’s recipe, these bites are home cooking at it’s best. Your ingredients needed are two cans of green beans, one can of cream of celery soup, one small can of fried onions, two cans of croissant rolls, black pepper, Wooster & lemon juice to taste. Mix all ingredients, minus the croissant rolls of course, in large bowl. For best results, let mixture sit for hour or so while flavors mix. Open and cut croissant rolls into 2 triangles per roll. Scope spoonful of green bean mixture onto dough and pull corners of dough together. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 13 minutes. For best results, serve these warm.

Following the Green Bean Pastries I made Macaroni and Cheese Bites. The cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese in one little bite makes for the perfect addition. Your ingredients needed are three tablespoons of butter, four tablespoons of flour, one and a half cups of milk, three cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, one half cup of grated parmesan cheese, two large egg yolks, one half teaspoon of salt, one pound of elbow macaroni, cooked and drained. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes until thickened. Add cheeses and stir to melt. Remove from heat and still in egg yolks and salt. Stir in macaroni. In greased mini muffin pans, spoon rounded tablespoons of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle tops with extra parmesan cheese. Bake for 10 minutes, until golden and sizzling. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm for best results.

To finish the Fingertip Feast, I made my mom’s Pumpkin Pie Dip. No need for a real pie this season, this dip is a sweet lovers dream! Your ingredients needed are one 15 oz can pure pumpkin, two 8 oz blocks of cream cheese, two cups sifted powdered sugar, one tsp ground cinnamon, and one tsp ground ginger. Beat cream cheese and pumpkin in bowl until smooth. Add sugar, cinnamon, and ginger and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour. Serve chilled with gingersnap cookies for dipping.


Do you have any special Thanksgiving or fall recipes that are hits at your family gatherings and parties? Please share y’all!