The Girl Behind The Camera

This week we are going wildly off subject. I am going to share some of my deep, dark secrets and what changed my perception of myself! I am sure you have noticed by now, that there aren't many pictures of me on my blog! For years, during my whole life I have hid from the camera. I have never really liked how I look in pictures. I look too pale, my eyes are too small for my face, fat, out of proportion to others, my head is too big when my hair is up, my hair is messy when its down, I don't have make-up on, etc... The reasons and excuses have been used up... and I am sick of hiding!

Lately I have found myself hiding behind the camera...you know if you are taking the pictures, you can't be in them too! It has worked really well for me, but for years now, there is nearly no record of me in family photos. But, sometime last year I decided to stop hiding and start sharing!

Bruschetta with Herbed Goat Cheese and Sweet Balsamic Syrup

So, what do you think of the new Calamity Kate's Kitchen? I am still in the process of organizing all of the recipes. Through this organization, I have found some wholes in my recipe collection. The main dish, sides, appetizers and breakfast categories are low on recipes compared to the desserts and cupcakes. So while I will still share cupcakes and desserts, I am going to try to add more main dish, appetizer, sides and breakfast recipes. So... on to my favorite appetizer that Dad and I ate for lunch on Wednesday and Aunt Nancy, Uncle Stewart and I ate for dinner the last night of my vacation!

Italian bruschetta (pronounced “brusketta”) is the perfect summer food. It brings together the best of summer tomatoes and fresh and fragrant basil. I love eating bruschetta all year long, but it isn't nearly as delicious as the fresh summer bruschetta.  I have already made bruschetta 3 times since the second week in May!  

Homemade Holiday: Chocolate-Covered Buttercream Cherries

This year I am/have been trying to save money for my upcoming move. In the last few years, my holiday presents have become more and more extravagant. So this year I plan on making some treats for my friends and my family. Although this won't save me too much, it is the thought that counts and these chocolate-covered buttercream cherries will absolutely count.  The cherries were so easy to make and  The test batch was perfect and disappeared so fast that I definitely need to make more. PS this is a family friendly recipe!

Bribe me with Brownies… Please

I spent the few days before my dad's surgery baking. I made cookies and these awesome brownies.  I knew we would all need to nosh (snack) while in the waiting room and the remainder of the treats would make a great gift/bribe for the nurses. As you guys have read, I have spent a lot of time in hospitals and to get an extra pudding its no problem but if you want extra hot blankets or a VCR (remember my references are from 1995) or a different meal a little gift to the nurses goes a long way. In this case all we needed the nurse to do was show us how to change the temperature in the room. But everyone loved these brownies.