Merry, Merry, Y'all!!

It's the happiest time of the year!

I just love Christmas. And this particular post is about gratitude. It all started with him getting me this pretty tree.

"Is this the right one, sweet girl?"

And we decorated it into this...

Terrence the Tree!

The Boy is so, so good to me. I kind of feel like pinching myself sometimes, he's that sweet. He feeds me, literally - often, like daily at least once - but what he really does is feed my soul. He tells me how important I am to him - every day. He does what he says he will do. He remembers the tiniest details about me, my life, my family and friends. I swear I learn something new from him every time I see him or talk to him - today, it was the origin of Boxing Day (Dec. 26th), which somehow I'd not known. Yesterday, it was his capacity for surprising me and for generosity; I'd already known about the latter, but not as much about the former. That Boy can plan and pull off some surprises! I thought I got my Christmas gift Saturday when I found him setting up my new TV (! - mine died last week and, well, he knows how I like my movies . . .) and was overwhelmed yesterday when he beat me home and I discovered all these wrapped packages under my tree. Y'all. There was even a gift for Luke. *Swoon*

Meet our new friend, Tiny the Tiger!

I don't make that much right now but I tried my best for him (he seemed happy) - but it just makes me so happy to do things, big or small, for the important people in my life. I am so blessed to be buoyed and supported by his love, by my parents, by my dear friends. From new ones to old - two of my close friends have been going through a lot lately and one I've known since grade school, and the other only a few years - but I'm so glad to be there for them. I am a lucky girl this Christmas, and the rest of the year.

A very happy holiday to you and yours, whatever you celebrate. If you have a chance to make someone's life a little sweeter, or to thank someone for doing that for you, I hope you do.

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Just part of my presents - I am so spoiled!!

It's The Holidays, Y'all!! Let's Eat!

Well, I got to assist at my first Food Optimist holiday party (actually, any catered event) and  it was so fun! It was for the nicest couple and their lovely friends - Chef Natalie did their wedding food and has returned for Christmas festivities since.

From the stuffed mushrooms to the flatbread with prosciutto and fig jam, to the beef skewers . . . I was there to do a couple of things - assist with prep (not being the real chef and since Natalie and our newest team member Cat were handling that) I got to chop and clean and that kind of thing, and do one of the things I do best - "hostess." "Do you need a refill?" "Are you done with that plate?" (To self) "That tray needs more crostini. . ." It was so fun! and everyone loved the food, of course.

Prepping the crostini for the pimento cheese, bacon and chive topping!!

Next time you need a catered event (or if you want to consider personal cheffing . . . ) you need to contact us! We accommodate all dietary needs (low-sodium, vegetarian, GF, etc) and focus on providing you and your family with as clean and green food as possible!! It is indeed possible to eat well AND healthfully. Just try us - we'll prove it to you!

Happy Holidays to all!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Mushrooms stuffed with sausage and cheese- a big hit!
Check out http://www.foodoptimist.com or find us on FB or twitter at @FoodOptimist!

Holiday Lunch

The boy is too sweet. And funny. And random.

Today, we weren't going to have much time together but he wanted to see me. So he came by late-morning, with "treats" . . . A poinsettia, because "I was going to get you cut flowers, but we haven't gotten you a tree yet, and I thought - poinsettia! Flowers later."

And "a cheeseball, because you were talking about that one a lady brought to the hair salon the other day, that was so good you got the recipe for it! And biscuits - because you were craving them yesterday and enjoyed them so much. And some of that pasta salad from Whole Foods you like so much." The best part? When he said "I don't know exactly what kind of meal we can make with all this, but it just seemed right!" And, indeed, it was.

Martha Stewart's cheddar cheeseball recipe, much like the one we had today! See it here: 

http://www.marthastewart.com/351212/marthas-cheddar-cheese-ball?czone=entertaining/holiday-entertaining/holidaycenter-foods

A wreath's not bad, either!

A girl's gotta eat, and when your sweet man brings you treats, well, that's even better-tasting!

Happy Holidays, to all!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal