Spring Has Sprung In Newnan

Source: casabellabedbreakfast.blogspot.com via Patty on Pinterest

Our cooler spring temps are providing me with plenty of time to replant my herbs and enjoy a little creative time. Next up on the list: A Bed and Breakfast Bird Bath and a pretty farm table

It was a wonderfully busy day in Coweta and the rest of Georgia. We tried to get out and enjoy all the markets, festivals and even a few garage sales!

My main focus was the garage sales! I was anxious to score an item or two made of  wood to finally try my first can of Annie Sloan's French Chalk Paint.

I scored in a big way;  paying  a mere $2.25 for three architectural elements perfect for a new coat of Louis Blue chalk paint.

And, I couldn't resist a brand new "in the box" set of glass jars and lids!

I still got it!  And all for under $10!

Smoked Sardines

While I had the smoker at the perfect temperature I threw on a few marinated sardines. 

Lavished with a bit of olive oil laced with Vietnamese Salt and Pepper, fresh lemon in the form of zest and juice and a scant bit of sugar for balance my sardines were worth the effort!

The results yielded an excellent appetizer of fresh saltines (the filet pulls away from the teeny bones with the help of a butter knife) and freshly-mixed cocktail sauce!

Perfect Porchetta

I might be going a little overboard with the smoked meats but it's so irresistable when it's so easy! This classic market and festival favorite among Tuscans is easy to recreate at home in America!

Smoky Bacon-studded French Toast

Safely on their way home to Albany, Georgia, this weekend's contented guests enjoyed a peaceful anniversary weekend filled with shopping at Lenox Mall in Atlanta, dinner at a few local eateries and several movie dates!

After their leisurely departure we relaxed in the kitchen with a shared piece of French Toast-studded with crispy applewood smoked bacon and hand-blended syrup!  In another "lightbulb" moment I mentioned that it might be time to experiment with our pan-fried breadpudding and it's back to the "lab"!

What sets my French Toast apart from other recipes is the heavenly blend of toasted pecans, neufchatel cheese, caramel mousse, and a teaspoon of buttery caramel. 

Before grilling the crusty custard-soaked bread, I sprinkled both sides of my bread with cinnamon and brown sugar to create a nice crust!  A quenell of praline cream and four hand-blended syrups-topped with roasted pecans create a luxurious morning treat!

Savory, Sweet Smoked Chicken

Jacque Pepin's Chicken Liver Pate

Every silky-smooth bite of this pleasing chicken liver pate was worth the extra calories!  Created by my daughter-in-law's mother, Jill, the recipe captured everything I love about pate! A perfectly smooth pate enhanced by the addition of cognac.

The rich chicken livers pared deliciously with a dark berry compote made of strawberries, blackberries and fresh blueberries!

Recipe: Jacque Pepin's Chicken Liver Pâté

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD

1. 1/2 pound chicken livers, well-trimmed
2. 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
3. 1 small garlic clove, smashed and peeled
4. 1 bay leaf
5. 1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
6. Kosher salt
7. 1/2 cup water
8. 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
9. 2 teaspoons Cognac or Scotch whisky
10. Freshly ground pepper
11. Toasted baguette slices, for serving

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken livers, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the livers are barely pink inside, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
2. Discard the bay leaf. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the livers, onion and garlic to a food processor; process until coarsely pureed. With the machine on, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until incorporated. Add the Cognac, season with salt and pepper and process until completely smooth. Scrape the pâté into 2 or 3 large ramekins. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pâté and refrigerate until firm. Serve chilled.

Make Ahead

The pâté can be covered with a thin layer of melted butter, then wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months

Coca-Cola Cured Ham

This is a favorite Gironda family recipe for the holidays.

A Coca-Cola and apple juice brine penetrate a whole raw picnic ham-studded with juicy gloves of garlic for three days, before a gentle smoking in a new "gently-used" gas smoker!

8 hours at 190 degrees, and, finally, two hours in a slow oven with a baste of honey water.

Look out buttermilk biscuits, here we come!

Buttery Biscuits

I keep promising myself that I will learn a new biscuit recipe! One that imitates a favorite Louisiana chicken fast food restaurant's famous buttery recipe.

The truth, I haven't! Instead, I fall back on this "no-fail" recipe shared with me by my Aunt Eva. Why I ever think I need to find a better recipe is beyond me.

I bake this tasty version in a black iron skillet to create a crunchy, buttery crust with a tender delicate inside. Sturdy enough to hold up to thick preserves!

No BrideZilla Here!

Our weekend guests were a mature couple-both Clayton University professors who found love! 

Married at our city's gazebo-steps away from Casa Bella Bed and Breakfast-the bride and groom  toasted their new start with a sparkling Spanish Rose Cava, shared bites of chocolate and raspberry cake and a quick cup of my Home At Last! coffee before heading off to the Georgia Aquarium, dinner and a night at an Atlanta comedy club with friends!  No BRIDEZILLA here! Bravo!

The bride wore a lovely taupe gown and cream veil complimented by a fresh bouquet of red and peach roses!

Breakfast was a special preparation of French Toast made from a homemade Orange Brandy and served with a warm raspberry syrup prepared from the leftover Rose Cava and fresh oranges, raspberries and bananas!

Newnan-Coweta Humane Society

The Furr Ball takes place Saturday night at the Newnan Country Club and serves as a important fundraiser for these amazing volunteers; tireless in their efforts to adopt animals into safe, loving homes! 

Come One, Come All and Let's Have a Ball...
a Fur Ball That Is!!
Date: Saturday, November 12th
Location: Newnan Country Club
Cocktails and Silent Auction: 6:00 p.m.
Three Course Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

College-Temple District in Newnan

It's hard to believe that in a few nights we'll celebrate our eighteenth year of Trick or Treating in the historic neighborhood known as the College-Temple District in Newnan . . .one of the scariest neighborhoods for young treat-or-treaters" in all the land! Spooky!

Parents load up the kids on flatbeds, vans and pick-ups knowing that the kids will score "big time" and have plenty to share back at home.

We've seen more adults in the past few years-claiming their "begging" is for unseen children left behind in some imaginary location . . .uh-huh!

Fall Taste of Newnan

It's that perfect time of the year in historic downtown Newnan, GA. Join us Thursday, 5:00 pm until 8:30 pm for the Fall Taste of Newnan and Chili Cook-off.

Favorite Photos

These are all photos taken after taping an episode of Home At Last! Amazingly, I photgraphed these over fifteen years-in four different kitchens. 

10% Off Veggie Patch Mums



One of the prettiest places in Coweta during the Fall months is The Veggie Patch  of  Newnan!  Always decorated and filled with beautiful flowering plants, their skilled buyers select the prettiest mumms in the south metro area of Atlanta!  Print out this page and enjoy 10% Off seasonal mums!

What Would You Do If You Spotted A Ghost?

Elizabeth Beers, owner of Tour With Elizabeth will share some of her favorite spooky stories during the Halloween and "Trick-OR-Treating" season!

Downtown Newnan and Oak Hill Cemetery are few of her favorite haunts-but let's get real-what would we do if a ghost snuck up behind us, tapped us on the shoulder or just appeared suddenly as Elizabeth was sharing the grizzly details of some unlucky ghost's earthly demise?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid I know what I would do. . . I would beat myself silly, "re-kill" the ghost and/or possibly injure others around me.  Just sayin'!

My worst experience at a haunted house, EVER, happened in Clearwater, Florida about twenty-five years ago. One of the scariest I had ever experienced my body just shut down and refused to move in any direction. After an what seemed like an eternity a very kindly "ghost" or "monster" was forced by the organizers to come and escort my party and ME out of the black maze!

Fall Is In The Air

The 2011 Coweta County Fair presented by our county's Kiwanis clubs has officially opened and visitors are pouring in. Corn dogs, smoked Kielbasa, cotton candy, and even banana pudding were a few of the fairs foods I spotted or enjoyed! Crowds were light Saturday afternoon but the beautiful weather promised a spectacular night under the midway lights!

WestGAtv.com

Our new streaming site is offering logo and video services that are designed to drive traffic to websites and blogs!

$470 yearly fee includes a standalone page with unique address, up to three minutes of streaming video embedded on WestGAtv.com, WestGAtv.pegcentral.com and your personal or business website.

Check out our newest example at The Veggie Patch in Newnan.

Hard Peach Punch

Unfiltered and maybe an hour away from ready this last batch of peach syrup was screaming for some vodka and lemonade! I always test my syrups but this was a "taking one for the team" moment in our 90 degree heat!

The addition of the slightly-sweetened whipped cream made the "task" a enjoyable experience and I am excited to say that my peach syrup made from Indian Blood Peaches is a great success. A drop of raspberry essence was added to this experimental batch and greatly enhanced the natural raspberry-like flavors of the peach!

Animal Rescue Road

Dedicated, loving volunteers at the corners of Animal Rescue Rd and Boiled Peanut Pkwy continue their mission of saving lives by rescuing our area's throwaways and surrendered pets!

President LouAnn Nociforo Jones leads the pack in the fight and is seen here stirring a large vat of boiling peanuts.

Stop by PetSmart in Newnan any Sunday between 12:30 and 3:30 PM and meet your next furever friend!

President LouAnn Nociforo Jones NCHS.org

Friend, Kathy Ward and I caught up at a roadside garage sale during Powers' Festival weekend and encountered a new litter of kittens and their unneutered mother! Please help save these precious companions by spaying or neutering! Be responsible friends to your pets!

Kathy Ward

Georgia Ann's Happy Garden

Georgia Ann's Garden was a happy place to be. Bottle trees and ever-blooming varieties of drought-resistant varieties of colorful flowers-all fashioned from recycled cans.