CMC 4

I had been looking forward to this year's cider mill crawl for weeks!  I couldn't wait to grab a group of ladies and go sample some delectable treats from a few mills that we have skipped over in the past.  Next year we will have to head east now that the northwest and southwest have been mostly covered.

Here are the posts for the previous 3 crawls:
CMC 1
CMC 2
CMC 3

We didn't luck out in the weather department like last year.  It was chilly and drizzled on and off (and I had a cold)... but we were troopers and nothing could keep us from a sugar rush! 

Cute little bags just waiting to take home the leftover goodies.

Table all set up.

Why no, those aren't the same graphics from last year.

At least the plates are different...

Glitter pumpkin.

Long Family Orchard, Farm and Cider Mill
Commerce, MI

Mmm, my first taste of cider this year.

Group shot, well, I am behind the camera.
L to R:  Raeyanna, Liz, Andrea, Stephanie, and Ann Marie

Why yes, we will wait in line for the donut door.

Nasty sprouts.

We were not cat calling at the cider press boys.

Creepy farm tools on the ceiling.

Big grins from super fresh, hot donuts.

Obstbaum Orchards
Salem, MI

Yes, I am the cider Vanna White.

Stephanie is loving on the hot cider.

Very happy group to be sitting inside this time.

Pro cider crawlers know to only eat a couple hunks of donut at each mill.

Erwin Orchards
South Lyon, MI

Cider baby.

Aerial donut cam.

Yes, only 2 pics at Erwin's... it had started raining.

Back to my house for the official tasting and judging.

Of course we continued the tasting after already tasting everything... and before we eat a protein packed dinner of chili.  That's how we roll.

A very happy, sleepy, carbed-up group.

And now, for the results!!!!

Overall Experience:
1st-  Long's
2nd- Obstbaum's
3rd-  Erwin's

Best Donut:
1st-   Long's
2nd-  Erwin's
3rd-  Obstbaum's

Best Cider:
1st-   Long's
2nd-  Erwin's
3rd-  Obstbaum's

OVERALL RANKING (150 points possible)

1st-  Long's with 115 points  WINNER!

2nd-  Erwin's with 98 points
3rd-  Obstbaum's with 83.5 points

Interesting pricing note:
We purchased 1 dozen donuts and 2 half gallons of cider from each mill.  The pricing varied considerably.
1st-  Obstbaum's at $14.50
2nd-  Long's at $18.25
3rd-  Erwin's at $24.50



Here are my thoughts:

Long's:  This was fun to go back to.   Last year, we were not able to fully appreciate this mill because the barn was closed and we could only eat cold donuts and cider from the roadside stand in the parking lot.  Huge difference.  This place smelled awesome, was really cute, and there was entertainment while waiting in line.  I am super happy this place is so close to my house.

Obstbaum's:  Quaint and off the beaten path.  Wasn't that busy despite only being open on the weekends.  It definitely had more of a country feel than some of the more commercial mills.  Good prices and the indoor seating was good.

Erwin's:  This one didn't get a fair shake in the experience voting because it had started raining and gotten colder, so we didn't explore much.  But it did feel very get 'em in, buy the stuff, get 'em out.  And it was expensive!  While it wasn't in the voting, they offered pumpkin donuts in addition to the classic apple spice donut.  There was a ton of covered seating but none inside.

Random Kitchen Things

So I have been a slacker with blogging lately because of the holidays.  I didn't have to take too many dishes to places and I ate meals that other people cooked.... then ate the leftovers =)  So there hasn't been much cooking going on lately besides a couple recipes I don't feel are worth sharing.

But I did want to post a couple of things that I have "discovered" recently and wondered why I ever cooked without them.

 
Kitchen Scale
I picked up a cheapie from Meijer and it makes things soooo much easier.  Especially pasta.  Totally worth it.  Pick one up for under $20.

Little bottles of wine
My husband and I don't really drink wine... but a lot of these fancy pants recipes call for it.  What to do....I have no idea why it didn't dawn on me to pick these little guys up.  Each bottle is a cup, which is perfect.

Cast Iron Grill Press
This puppy makes some deliciously crunchy grilled sandwiches and takes up way less space than like a panini press.

Squeeze bottle minced garlic
Don't laugh.  I am lazy and have zero desire to use fresh garlic and mince it all up.  This isn't as good as the 'real' thing, but it is way convenient and fast!  Try it out.

Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer
This isn't really new to me recently... but I love this thing almost as much as the apple crisp I make with it.  Totally worth it.


Yes I know none of these products is revolutionary but maybe you will discover something on this list that you haven't tried yet.  Happy cooking!

~*CONTEST!!*~

Simplicity Day of Coordination is having a contest!!!!  Check it out. 

~*Mod 4 Photographic*~

One of my favorite photographers has had two really awesome posts lately....

Murray was nominated for a super sweet contest, so vote for #3!!!
http://mod4.com/blog/2009/07/help-choose-the-winner-of-a-boutique-photo-handbag/

Also, they posted about Simplicity! How sweet is that? We are honored.
http://mod4.com/blog/2009/07/simplicity-day-of-coordinating-special/

It is an honor just to be nominated....

Friends and Family...

As you may or may not know, one of my many talents is wedding planning!! I am able to indulge this, well, obsession really, thru my very good friend's company Simplicity Day of Event Coordinating where I am an assistant DOC. Well Simplicity has been nominated for the best wedding planner in Detroit in the Click on Detroit's Vote 4 the Best contest! If you could take a minute of your time and vote for us, we would truly appreciate it!

Just click here to cast your vote... you can only vote once per email account.

http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/simplicity/biz/334808

THANK YOU!!!!!

P.S. I also support Kreativ Imaging for best photographer if you happen to wander over to that section of the voting =)

Plantain Chips

I was making one of our favorite semi-Cuban style sammiches
and I wanted something more fun that fries or tater tots to go with them. I have seen plantain chips on many cooking shows and decided to give them a try. Matt said "I would definitely eat these again" so I guess that means success! Please be advised... plantains are not the same thing as bananas... so buy the right thing and don't take a bite of one thinking it will taste the same.

Plantain Chips
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
-1 large plantain (should be kinda green still)

-Veggie oil
-salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper

1. In a small fry pan, heat up enough veggie oil so it covers the bottom of the pan about 1/4" deep. Medium high heat should work.

2. Peel the plantain (you will need a knife, cut off the end and carefully slice the length of the peel). Slice in very thin slices... thin as you can get without being like paper. Place the slices in the oil (carefully!) a few at a time. Fry for about 2-3 minutes and flip over and repeat. You want them to be browning but not blackened.

3. Drain on a paper towel and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to your tastes.

Hello my lovelies!!!!

I'm back... and married!!! Thank you for your patience over the last couple weeks. Hopefully I can get around to cooking and blogging more.... since ordering pizza doesn't really count. Let me know if you have any requests... I'll take new ideas any way I can get them. If you want to see some pretty sweet teaser pics from our fabulous photographer... go here.

Grilling Madness!

Alright so I know I haven't updated in awhile but I am coming back in style! Matt's parents, sister, and her husband all came down to our house to go to a Tiger's game on Saturday. We knew we didn't want a huge meal, but still wanted to grill and have some snacks. This is what I came up with (below). Then served it with a boxed pasta salad (our favorite.... Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad in "classic" flavor). It was delicious and easy. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. (By the way, the Tiger's won 5 to 3)

Thank you!

Well for a little while I was losing faith that anyone was even reading this thing.... but now several people have contacted me to say thank you for the recipe. It totally makes my day and I am very flattered that not only are you reading this, you are "borrowing" a recipe and enjoying it!



Woo hoo! Lovestonom is a success! I will try to keep it up. It is too darn hot in my kitchen to cook (no A/C) so I will do my best.



Thanks for reading =)

Welcome!

Hello. I have finally given in and started a blog. I suspect this will be mostly a food blog, but we shall see. Currently I have a ton of projects going on because I am getting married in September, so I am not sure how often this will be updated in the next couple months. But after the wedding I am sure I will need something new to occupy my time, so I will probably go back to cooking. Check back for updates, I will do my best. Thanks for visiting!

Disclaimer: I do not have the best digital camera in the world, so be patient until I can get a new one.