Penny's Weekend Garnish

From left to right: Gaby from What's Gaby Cooking, Matt from Matt Bites, Rachael from La Fuji Mama, Judah and Me, Nancy from A Communal Table, Brooke from Food Woolf, Carrie from Deliciously Organic, Quyen from Kitchen Runway, and Melissa from The Fresh 20. (See story below)

This Week on Pennies on a Platter
This section highlights the recipes posted this week on Pennies on a Platter and other updates to the blog, if any.

Big and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies - Looking for an enormous cookie that will make your mouth smile?  This is it.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Bread - A hearty sandwich bread that you can slice up and keep in your freezer.

Lemonade Cheesecake - Such a simple dessert to whip together and your guests will be thanking you for making their hot day more refreshing.

Dug Out from the Archives
Let's dig into the archives and reconsider some of the older recipes on Pennies on a Platter that we ate this week. (Some of which I plan to re-post with new photos and better directions in the near future.)

Perfect Pizza Crust - We quickly chowed down on some pepperoni pizza before heading to the Angel's game Friday night.

Caught My Eye
I love reading other blogs and websites, and often bookmark their recipes, products or reviews. These are a few that top my list from the week.

10 Muffin Recipes to Wake Up To - This helpful list comes from Joelen's blog.  I made the decision to start trying smoothies in the morning for breakfast, but once in a while I just want to have a muffin.  By the time I decide that, it's too late to make any so I just resort to a boring bowl of cereal.  Joelen's list gives me a good variety of muffins I can make and stash in the freezer for that last minute craving.

My Life as a Pastor's Wife and Food Blogger
Want more insight into my life as a Pastor's wife, mom, friend, relative and food blogger? Then, read on! If not, ignore this section. 🙂 This is a place for me to write what's on my mind and journal some of the crowning moments of my week.

Last Saturday, Ben, Judah and I headed to Beverly Hills for the 2nd annual Food Blogger Bake Sale.  The proceeds for this sale went to Share Our Strength to help end childhood hunger.  I only heard about the event about 2 days prior, so I didn't contribute any baked goods.  But, I did buy a few things such as these Orange and Rosemary Chocolate Chip cookies from Sweet and Crumby.

When we were heading "down the hill" (a high desert phrase) to this event, I was truly excited because I knew at least two food bloggers I read regularly were going to be there, Gaby Dalkin from What's Gaby Cooking and Matt Armendariz from Matt Bites.  I was especially giddy to meet Matt, but my nerves got the best of me and the best I could do was ask Gaby for a photo.  Gaby thought I meant a photo of all of the food bloggers who participated and were there, so we got an amazing group shot!  I almost stopped her to say, "No, I just meant a pic with you and Matt," but extremely glad I didn't as now I am familiar with 6 more amazing foodies!

After we picked out our goodies, we walked down Beverly Blvd. to have lunch at a place I had heard of before and was dying to check out, Milk.

In order to save room for dessert (yes, even after a bake sale) we split the Herbed Roasted Chicken Breast sandwich, with fresh mozzarella, portabella mushrooms, fresh tomatoes and a pesto sauce.

Then, for dessert we both tried a treat from Milk's ice cream parlor.  Ben chose the Cookies 'n Cream ice cream sandwich and after much consideration, I finally settled on the Nutella ice cream bar...DELISH!

Finally, after lunch we headed to Pan Pacific Park to let Judah run around and expend some energy so he would nap well in the car on the ride home.  We met another couple there with a toddler about the same age and we were encouraged by their similar stories and experiences with their son.  I found myself wishing we lived near them!  🙂

It was a great Saturday afternoon with my family and I can't wait to do something similar again!