Monday, April 27, 2015

B-U-T-T-E-R

Ahhh, butter. What could be better? What could be creamier, or richer, or more intoxicating? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Butter is the king of the kitchen. And to quote Paula Deen, "Butter makes everything better". I could not agree more. 

However, I feel like there is a huge difference between the "store" butter and "real" butter. What I mean when I say "store" butter is the butter you buy at the store that comes in a box & holds 4 sticks (1 pound). It's decent. Good even. But it's not real butter. Now, to be honest, I've only had the pleasure of experiencing real butter a handful of times in my life. But enough to know - and love - the difference. I'm talking about the butter that can't be bought at the grocery store. Or so I assumed until recently . . .

You see, I'm particular about milk too. It falls into the same category as butter, "store" or "real". Store milk - the kind that comes in the plastic jugs that are so familiar - really isn't that bad. BUT. There is this wonderful, creamy, delicious, hands-down best ever milk that one of the grocery chains carries around here. It comes in a glass bottle. It's hormone free. You can buy it whole, 2%, skim, chocolate . . . I think even strawberry (although why anyone in their right mind would want to drink strawberry milk is beyond me). It is - Homestead Creamery. A lovely local-ish establishment that produces the best milk EVER. I love this milk. I really do. I feel almost as strongly about milk as I do about butter. And in a day and age when everyone's drinking coconut milk and almond milk, I unashamedly chug the Homestead Creamery whole milk all the time. Yes, I buy whole milk. It's rich. It's creamy. You should try it. 

Anyway, I'm making a terribly long story out of this. Recently, I was at the store buying my 'special' milk when I happened to look up to the very highest shelf. I don't know why, that shelf is waaaay above my head and my milk is on the bottom shelf. But I looked up. It was meant to be. Because when I looked up I laid eyes on this: 


Just look at it. It's a beaut!



. . . And for one moment in time, my heart stopped. (Okay, I'm not that obsessed with butter, but it adds to the effect ;) ) I could not believe what I was seeing, nor could I believe that I had never known it was there! Needless to say, I purchased it with a big grin on my face. 

I really, truly am excited about trying this butter. And once I've tried it, I will give y'all my review of it. I'm not gonna lie, it was a wee bit on the pricey side. But I believe some things deserve a splurge. And this was one of those things. So, one day here soon, I'm going to make some biscuits to smother in this butter. In the meantime, feel free to let me know of any "real" brands of butter that you like in the comments below!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Scoop (Update)

Hello everyone! Long time no post. :) Spring is finally here & I must admit I've been quite occupied with spring things. I really haven't had much time to write a new post, although my blog & posts that I really have been wanting to write are on my mind constantly. Like every hour, constantly. So, since I haven't had the time/opportunity to post a recipe on here in over a month (!) I decided to give y'all 'the scoop' on what's up & some upcoming plans.

So, first, truth is I've tightened my grocery budget. My husband and I have some savings goals as well as some things we'd like to purchase for our yard/house (i.e. curtains, lamps for end tables, area rug, etc.) so we've tightened our budget to allow for those things. It's been a little hard for me because grocery shopping is to me what shoe shopping is to some women. ;) I have a hard time not overbuying because there are soooo many awesome and wonderful recipes out there that I am just dying to try. Alas, our meals have been rather ordinary lately.(But our budget has been on point!)Add to that the fact that both of us are - how do I want to say this? - improving upon our dietary habits, and basically I haven't been cooking anything particularly rich, or savory, or superbly indulgent. Normally, even on a tight budget I allow for one new, exciting, fatteningly delicious meal per grocery cycle but . . . not for now. *sigh*

On that note, while new recipes are on hiatus (it won't last much longer, I pinky promise) I'm thinking I will post some reviews of kitchen products that I have once a week. And in due time (hopefully no more than a month)I will have scores of new recipes for y'all. :)

Also, since spring is here, I've been working on starting a small garden! I'm going to gradually add more each year, but this year I'm just starting with tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce (possibly), & a variety of herbs. So y'all might be getting a post about that! Hey, it's stuff I'll be using in my kitchen! :)

Anyway, that's the scoop for now! I'll be back with a review next week. :)