CherylWhite's Blog

A friend of mine has a thanksgiving tradition of asking everyone at the table for something they are thankful for.  The catch is that you can't say family or friends (cause that's a given).  It has to be something else. Like windshield wipers or paper towels.  Its a really fun way to get everyone involved.  While I am really thankful for 2-ply bathroom tissue, I can't help it, I have to say how thankful I am for my family and my friends and the fantastic people I work with.  And for all of you.  However you celebrate, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. 

Jack Bishop stopped by GDA this morning.  Jack is the guy who does the taste testing for Cooks Illustrated and Cooks Country, both the PBS shows and the books.  If you aren't familiar with either one and you love to cook, you are really missing out.  You are not only treated to some really great recipes and tips but the science behind them.  You'll learn why it is so important to do certain things in a certain order and why, great results, you'll want to use this or that.  Oh, and one of my favorite features is the comparison of cooking tools from pots to whisks and because they don't take any advertising, the results are truly based on performance.  Sometimes, the best isn't the most expensive!  You've gotta love that!

It is almost time for the "Heart Walk"!   Fox 5 is a sponsor and again we have a friendly rivalry going around here to raise all the money we can for the cause.   I have been crocheting like mad for the past 6 weeks making small items to sell.  All the proceeds go to the heart walk and so far I'm up to about $175.00.  I've made little stuffed animals and cat toys and dog toys and gift bags.  All for such a great cause!  Say, if you would like to join us day of the walk, which by the way is at Turner Field this year, you can still sign up.  We would love to have you walk with us.  It is Saturday, November 1st.  Think of it as the first step to walking off all those Halloween sweets!

On Thursday I had the opportunity to visit EcoManor, Atlanta's "greenest" home (environmentally speaking).  The occasion was a pre-view of a trunk show to be held on Friday. The home was beautiful!  I wish I had had more time to explore all the "green" features. But I did have the chance to meet and talk with some vendors who are really trying to make a positive environmental impact.  From VerdePaperie with recycled rag paper , earth-friendly inks and eye-popping designs to Freshens smoothies in eco-tainers (cups made to decompose quickly) to clothing made in a Kenyan Wildlife Refuge to gifts from Savvy Snoot, a consignment and gift shop.  The candles they sell are made with a vegetable base with long burning linen wicks in glass containers.  The scents are exclusive to Savvy Snoot and when the candle is gone, take the container back for a one dollar credit on your next candle.  Now that's a great idea!

Yesterday I spent the morning in Hoschton, GA getting the low down on the "Scarecrow Stampede" and it is really a great story of a communtiy getting jazzed about an idea and turning it into a world record breaker.  The city received publicity around the world and an economic boost from s'crow watchers.  Hoschton is in Jackson County and well worth the drive.

Here are some photos from our Good Day broadcast.

 ]

As I was watching the Ryder Cup this weekend, I wondered... If Sergio Garcia had a guardian angel, would that make it a "Serg-Protector"?

I had the pleasure of interviewing 3 authors this week.  3 authors, 2 books.  Iris and Roy Johansen (mother and son) wrote "Silent Thunder" together.  They are both so friendly and genuine.  I'm still not sure how two people can write a work of fiction together and not step on toes when you are both award winning authors but they worked it out and came up with a winner. If you haven't picked up your beach reading yet, this would be a good one!

Mary Alice Monroe also stopped by.  Her new book "Time is a River" has just recently been released. This novel combines the emotional recovery of a breast cancer survivor with fly fishing and amateur sleuthing.  Along the way we meet a super handsome fly fishing guide and flash back to the early 1900's.  Sound convoluted? Surprisingly, not at all!  Read this and you may find your self shopping for waders instead of stilettos!

Well, I'm not quite sure how I qualified as a judge for the Gwinnett County Firefighters Grill-Off at BJ's in Norcross Saturday but let me tell you, it was my pleasure to be there.I have so much respect for firefighters and when the folks at BJ's called with the invite, I was on board.

The weather was perfect and the food was delicious.  Firefighters can cook, no doubt about that!  Congratulations to all the teams and especially to the winners from Fire Station 11, who served up  “It’s a ‘TUFF’ rub but somebody’s gotta do it!” The dish was a pork tenderloin with an apple glaze. They got $500 BJ’s gift card and all 4 teams got to take their grills back to the station.  I have a feeling the competition for next year's Grill-Off is already underway!

Here is the winning recipe: 

Blackberries on cereal, yogurt, ice cream... fresh-picked blackberries, that is.  My backyard harvest continues.  No more than a handful each day but that is just exactly the right amount.

The cucumbers are about 4 inches long and I'm pretty sure I'll have to pick one soon. I actually can't believe I've waited this long!

My friend Anja was in town last week from Belgium and she wanted to visit the Georgia Aquarium.  I hadn't been since it opened so it was definately time for a return visit.

I have to say that my favorite exhibits before are still my favorites now.  The Belugas, the Coral Reef, and the giant sea spiders.  What are they going to do when those guys are full-grown?  The sign says they get as big as cars!!!

Hey, this is pretty exciting... for me anyway.  We have cucumbers!  Yep, little tiny cucumber nubs.  I haven't grown cucumbers before and I'm not sure about this but they seem to grow (a lot!) overnight.  They are only about an inch and a half long but they definitely look like baby cucumbers.  Here's the thing though, we have way too many squirrels, a few rabbits and assorted other veggie stealing creatures.  Do they like cucumbers?  What about zucchini and cantaloupe?