Pinterest Button

My newest obsession is Pinterest. I could literally spend 12 hours a day on there looking at all the things I will never cook, wear or create. I am a great cook, but I suck at crafting. I've even been called a "craft klutz". I was not a bit offended, believe it or not--that's how bad I am. But a girl can dream!
I just installed the "Pinit" button on here and am trying to figure out how/where to install the "Follow Me on Pinterest" button in the HTML code. You will want to follow me because I pin some kick*** stuff!! I don't really want it coming out of The Diva's mouth or something equally hideous, so I will have to ask my trusty media analyst, Kalee "Rachel Rage" Wombacher.
This is a delicious dish I discovered on Pinterest. In the future I promise I will cite the page/source of the recipe-this person deserves some recognition!

Pesto Ranch Pasta

16 oz, penne pasta, cooked
1/2 C Ranch dressing
1/4 C prepared pesto sauce
16 oz. fresh asparagus (woody stem parts snapped off), cut into bite sized pieces
2 C mozzerella cheese, shredded and divided

Stir pasta, dressing, pesto sauce and 1/2 C mozzarella together and place in a greased
9" x 13" casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Turn oven to "Broil" and continue cooking 3-4 minutes (until the cheese is golden brown)

Enjoy!

'

The University of Kansas

 

Tonight, my beloved Jayhawks are playing for the National Championship. I feel such a strong attachment to that school, sometimes I feel as if no one on the planet could ever love the Jayhawks as much as I do. Then I remember there were thousands of people who graduated before and after me and I relent....a bit. I don't paint my face crimson and blue and believe it or not I have never owned a KU t-shirt (Hey-- they were hokey back in the 70's!), but ask my family, you will travel far and wide to find a more loyal fan. Especially when it comes to KU basketball. Why just the other night Calvin texted Amy telling her we were leaving the bar where we were watching the game, and she said "Why, is Mom getting too rowdy?" LOLOL!

 

I am a 3rd generation Jayhawk-my grandfather Bob was an SAE (I believe), my mom was a DG and I was a GDI :) (I pledged GPB @ WSU in '80) and when my daughter decided to attend, she became the 4th generation Jayhawk in our family. I have never been so proud of anything in my life.

 

I will never forget a fall day when I couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 years old, sitting by Potter's Lake with my family (my brother was a Figi) having a picnic and deciding right then and there I would go to college at KU. There was never ever any doubt in my mind I would go anywhere else.

Then in 1978, I packed all my stuff and headed up the highway with my parents and my (then)boyfriend-who btw cried the entire time--I knew that relationship was doomed. I was crying for different reasons. I knew I had always planned on going away, I just didn't know I was going to do it alone. Most of my friends were going to school elsewhere, and I was, for the first time in my life, going to be on my own. I was thrilled and scared beyond belief at the same time--emotions I had never experienced. And I was going to share a room with 3 strangers -shoot-- I'd never even had to really live with siblings!

When I arrived at Corbin Hall, unpacked, settled in and everyone had gone home, I stared out my window at all the girls moving in, wondering if anyone was feeling as lonely as I did. Then, of course, the hustle and bustle of dorm life kicked in and the 4 of us decided we needed to get out of that room and scout out our new surroundings.

For the first time in my life I was Nancy Bell. Not any one's daughter, or sister, or whatever. Not expected to act any certain way, or say the "right" thing, just me. It was a feeling of exhilaration that was new as well. (lot's of 1sts that day!) 

KU saved my life. For reasons only some of you know, I had to get away from Wichita and had it not been for college, who knows what might have happened to me. Lawrence became my home--I "visited" Wichita on breaks, glad to see my family and friends, but always eager to get back. 

I will be forever grateful to KU for helping me find Nancy Bell and for that reason alone, I will always believe I am the biggest fan ever. 

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK GO KU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I received a notification that I had  new follower....someone who's opinion/view I value....and I realized I hadn't posted anything since December.....Thanks Jennifer for inadvertently giving me that kick in the a** I needed!
What's been happening since December? <-----I mulled over that statement for 15 minutes and realized  my life desperately needs some za za zoo! let's see if i can recap:

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas--had a FABULOUS time!
Writing a new cookbook!! Will be out in October~~can't wait!
Son went to college--yeah!
Adjusting to "Empty Nest syndrome"--not so well
MIL passed away--:((

I am putting a reminder on my calendar to post once a week.....hopefully it will be more often, but if my life doesn't get any more interesting, I may have to assume my secret identity and stir up some real excitement!

TTFN

The last post from 2010

Allright I admit it-I am a bad blogger! My last post was November 9th~~I think I am hesitant to post more often because I foolishly believe I have to be fricking hilarious every time I write. I know, I know.....(banging head againt wall).....
Things will be different in 2011~My daughter and I are going to attempt to blaze a new trail for ourselves and I am going to blog about it .Can't reveal the all details quite yet....just suffice it to say there will be 2 ultra foxxxxy chicks in Doo-dah soon! AND Yes Virginia...there will be a Dish Diva 2 :)
Don't know details, theme or focus yet--but (hopefully) it will be out in time for the holidays next year.
I had a fabulous Christmas this year! My parents are ailing, and my siblings were sick, so it was mostly just us Ringers. This is the first time I can remember in my 50 years that we haven't gotten together with my parents for dinner. New traditions are in the making.
My hopes for 2011 are simple-continued good health and mental well-being.
My dream for 2011-a call from Paula Dean/Ina Garten/Ree Drummond --they've seen The Dish Diva and need an executive assistant!

I wish for all of you a Happy and Healthy 2011...xoxox

TTFN

Christmas Cookie Rules

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.


5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!


7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage


9. Any cookies consumed from someone elses plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!


I found this on a recipe site and thought is was HIGH-larious! It reminds me of my grandmother (the one who taught me how to cook) who always said: "Any food scraped out of a dish/bowl with your first two fingers doesn't count"...My mom said she could scrape about a fist full of food with those two fingers!
 
TTFN

FunkyTown is now without a Mayor!

The Mayor of Funkytown has resigned~I do not know what has been going on with me the past few weeks, but today it's O-fficial--I was so funked I didn't feel like baking cookies to sell at the Holy Cross Bazaar yesterday. And I will do almost anything for a buck !  :))
The bazaar was a great success~they had some competition from the Magdalen holiday market, but for only their second year in existence, it seemed to be well received. I sold lots of  cookbooks and saw some people I haven't seen for years. The vendors at these markets are always sooo nice and helpful...
I am making Chicken Chili for dinner tonight--let's hope it gets cold enough to eat it--we may have to go outside to get "chilly"!
This week I am going on a marketing spree for The Diva. I tried to get a couple of store in Buhler to carry it-Adrian's said she would, but her cookbook is coming out this fall and.....I totally understand. Then I went into a salon/gift shop that was cute and funky, but they said they weren't interested...Bah Humbug....but this will not get me down. Even if no other cities than Wichita and Winfield carry my book, I have conquered my biggest fear: Approaching strangers and trying to sell them something. Joke 'em if they can't take a _ _ _ _ (you fill in the lines)
Speaking of Buhler, my new bff Tara (a/k/a Louise--or Thelma depending on the day) and I went to this thriving metropolis on Friday and had a blast!! We ate at Lavonns and I'm telling you it was the best lunch I've had in a long time~veronikas with ham gravy (yummy!) , sausage (yummy!) ,bierock (yummy!) , party potatoes (yummy!) and 3...YES 3 kinds of pie (chocolate cream, coconut cream and berry) YUM YUM and YUM
I had to bring 3/4 of it home but it was divine!!! And as soon as we entered the restaurant, the cook started giving us attitude--it just added more spice to the meal. :) They were very gracious hosts and were delightful to talk to.
For the rest of the day we drove around Doodah looking for fabulous estate sales (there were none) and belting out disco tunes from Syrius radio. I said I would NEVER pay for radio, but Friday almost changed my mind. The tunes were amazing~

I'm off to tend the chili....oh how I love fall

TTFN

October mania

I cannot believe it's been over a month since I posted something! Alot has happened in a month~~I turned 50....No big whoop except had a kick ass party @ El Rodeo with alot of good friends(and the little short one didn't lick my neck!!--trust me that's good news:)
Well, maybe not so much has happened, but it seems like I've been busy.
Baking a sh*&load of Halloween cookies.......
Starting an exercise regime.....
Well crap--my life has been pretty boring these past few weeks.

Maybe I should rename this post "Yawn"

Hopefully my funk will pass and I will be inspired to write something clever/interesting soon.....

Sorry folks....that's 2 minutes you will never get back....:))

TTFN

Funky Town

8 days.....
8 Frickin days until I turn 50.....leading up to this (having a September birthday has had it's advantages and disadvantages--more on that in a bit) I have said to my friends who were approaching this milestone "Thirty was hard for me--Forty was great...I don't think fifty is going to bother me at all"....I am such a liar.
I am getting into such a fall funk it isn't even funny! Every fall, I get a little depressed, but I always snap out of it when my birthday is in sight. Or the weather turns cool..maybe that's it--the weather....I want crisp, cool weather to be here NOW--for Chrissakes (a famous Wally Balzrick line) it's September and i can't even bear to put on my regular shoes! These flip flops are getting pretty worn out--although this year I bought them at Walmart as opposed to Old Navy and I have to say the Wally world ones are wearing much better!
Ok back to my funk
The disadvantages of having a September birthday date back to when I was in high school and everyone was turning 18 before me and using their OWN ID"S to get into bars--I had to use a fake one of course until I went to KU--and then I didn't even turn 18 until about 6 weeks into the year! Same thing when I was almost 21....
But the advantages have far outweighed the disadvantages: (and I told everyone this when they were all flaunting their ID's in my face)--"Well, when you turn 30-40-50---I will only be 29-39-49!!" Ha
Like everything I shoot my mouth off about, it is biting me in the ass right now....LOL
I am going out to dinner with some girls (who are all 50 already, except for that bitch Teri...LOL) tonight to celebrate--should be a great time! Maybe this is the kick off I need~~
And I am going to have some cocktails.....shoot I don't have a job to "wake up' to--who cares if I'm a tad hungover???
come to the Candle Club tonight if you're in the area and have a drinkie with me....who knows? Maybe you'll be the one to snap me out of my funk! :)

TTFN

Apple Pie

My friend, Sarah Beck, owner of Beck's Farm (check it out www.becksfarm.com) gave me some apples fresh from the tree on Saturday with one caveat~~ here's how it went:
Sarah: "Nancy, if I give you some apples, will you make me a pie?"
Me: "Sure!"

Not clever bantering, but we got our points across. The recipe can be found in The Dish Diva cookbook--this is the pie that my friend Jim Lee called orgasmic...:) Macintosh apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter.....and <snifffff> it's fresh out of the oven~

Also whipped up an apple crisp (with crisp mix from Beck's Farm too) --pictures to follow--I haven't baked it yet!
AND am baking mini brownies to test out this cool pan I found at Big Lots for $7....it looks like an ice cube tray and make little brownies that ALL have crispy edges.....nom nom nom
I may find out soon enough why this marvelous contraption was $7--or I could've stumbled onto something WAY cool.....Will know in approx  11 min 35 sec....

TTFN

Indian Cooking Class

So sorry I've been gone for so long--I've been dreaming up new ways to get The Dish Diva to the masses and dealing with my parents....that would be a whole 'nother blog.....
Why did I foolishly think I would have some time in between the time my kids grew up and my parents would start requiring constant attention??? Lord it's like I've traded 2 teenagers for 2 toddlers--and these toddlers aren't sweet and cuddly EVER! yes I am blessed to have them in my life,,,,,and yes I will miss them terribly when they are gone.....but REALLY.....don't ask for my help if you aren't going to heed it and are literally going to bark at the workers who are trying to make you feel better....Note to my friends: if i EVER start to act like that, shoot me...ok?
Enought about that
I am going to a cooking class tonight that Tanya Tandoc is teaching--Indian cooking! I am excited! I dont cook Indian food--truth be told, I don't eat it either....so I am really stepping outside my box.
It's a Adriene Rathbun's house....she offers some way cool classes~~check out her website
http://findyourwingsocial.com/

Tonights menu is:
Tanya’s Spicy Indian


We all know Tanya’s got spice for life, so join us as she lights our taste buds on fire!

Chicken Tikka Masala
Saag Paneer
Prathas
Coconut Chutney
Tamarind Chutney
 
Being the foodie I am, I shouldn't admit this, but I have NO idea what half that stuff is.....:))
 
Wish me luck!!
 
TTFN

Book publishing world

Greetings!
I was going to title this "Frustration", but thought I'd better not start on a negative note. I am terribly frustrated as the small fish in this great big world of publishing. I don't have an agent, or a publisher or a publicist for that matter. They sure don't make it easy for us little guys.
Long story short:
I needed an ISBN# to distribute The Dish Diva on Amazon, B & N, etc....so I purchased one.
What "they" didn't tell me was I had to purchase a "special package" along with it so they would register said number with the proper authorities. Grrrrrr.....
Although if this is the worst thing that happens to me this week, I should consider myself lucky. I suppose it's the universes' way of saying "HEY-we're still watching. You didn't actually think you could skate for awhile, did you???"
Sigh
On a brighter note, my hair looks fabulous!

TTFN

A Little Slow on the Uptake

I know I promised to post pix of my pie last week.....I ended up not feeling so swell at this fabulous party....but being the consumate party goer, I perservered....
Better late than never! :))

My pie is at the top right in the pix. Here is the recipe:) Naturally it can be found in The Dish Diva Cookbook

French Silk Pie

1 9” pie shell, baked
¾ C butter, softened
1 C sugar
1 T vanilla
2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
3 eggs
1 C whipping cream
Shaved or curled chocolate for garnish


Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and chocolate. Beat in 1 egg at a time-beating each egg no less than 5 minutes each (no kidding). Pour into crust and chill at least 4 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls.


It was one of the first pies gone-besides Tanya's creations and that bean pie.....Dang that was good!
 

Gonna Make a Pie

Gonna make a pie, gonna make a pie...

It's the song from the movie "Waitress"-man I love that movie! For several reasons:
1. An ass** gets what he deserves in the end 
2. She concocts some of the most fabulous looking pies!
3. Andy Griffith is in it
4. Her little girl reminds me of Amy Lou when she was little
5. She has cool as hell girlfiriends-they are not perfect and are a little nutty, but they love her and are very loyal (Like my friends!!)

The only one I've found the recipe for is "I Can't Have No Affair Because It's Wrong and I Don't Want Earl to Kill Me" Pie. And it looks weird. I may have to watch that movie yet again and makeup my own recipes.
Anyhoo.....gonna make a pie, gonna make a pie
Tonya is having a pie party tomorrow and I am going to make my French Silk Pie. It is TO DIE FOR. Calvin will be pissed that I am taking this pie to a party he is not invited to.  I always tell him "Now honey, I can't take a pie/cake/etc....to a party with a slice missing!"  He still doesn't get it and looks at me longingly as I leave with my deliciousness. Secretly I kind of enjoy torturing him :)
And because I am in such a good mood (Pie always does that to me), I will take photos, post them to this blog along with the recipe. Tomorrow.

Baby don't ya cry-gonna make a pie
Gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle
Baby don't be blue
Gonna make for you
Gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle
Gonna be a pie from heaven above
Gonna be filled with strawberry love
Hold you forever in the middle of my heart

TTFN

My fan base

Yowza~I have TRIPLED my fan base in less than a week....there are now 17 blog followers!!! Woohoo!! It's incredible what you can get just by asking (a little bribery doesn't hurt either:) I am starting a process to create a new website-one that incorporates the cookbook, my cookies & sweets, and anything else I'd like to sell in the future (you never know what I will come up with!) Will let you all know first....

Am headed to the thriving metropolis of Derby in a few--

TTFN

The Dish Diva in Derby

Try saying that 5 times fast~The Dish Diva will soon (tomorrow) have a home @ Bitterweet in Derby! For those (my 5 followers) of you who've never been there--GO!! It's the cutest shop and has lots of chatzkes (sp?) for your home decor. I have to give props to my beautiful daughter for this score~I met Barb Royce (owner of Bittersweet) @ an antique show last winter, but never connected her with a retail shop. Then, Barb goes in to Beauty First to have expert hair stylist Amy do her hair~~well being my dot, (she just happens to have The Dish Diva sitting out on her station) she starts talking up her Mama :) She also throws in that I am The Cookie Diva and that my cookies are to die for....so I got a cookie order to boot for her open house! And there is a cookie store right next door to her~~SCORE!!!~~

OK let's see who is actually reading this--Followers (yes all 5 of you)--if you can get some of your friends to "follow" the Dish Diva blog, there's a free cookbook in it for you. Have them leave a comment after a post telling me who sent them
The lucky follower with the most friends who join at the end of next week gets a cookbook--signed! LOL

Game on

The F*&^ing Heat

I told myself I would keep this clean-those of you who know me can understand how hard this actually is. But My God it's hot ...and what's with that freakin "heat index"? I don't WANT to know how hot it ACTUALLY is...if it's 99 it's 99, not 115 with the heat index. When I hear news like that, (and I'm at a VERY hot time in my life right now) I feel a small balloon being popped in my head somehow and I want to just fall on the ground wherever I am. I'm tooling along, thinking "Wow it's pretty da*& hot, but I'm doing OK...." then some smarta** weatherman says (always too cheerfully) "Folks-it's a scorcher out there--temp gauge says 99, but with the heat index it feels like it's 115-"  *&^%
Thank you Lord Jesus for inventing Sonic Happy Hour from 2-4....

Recipe Contest

I received an email from Red Velvet Stephanie about a baking contest she is having. I am INTO contests these days. But I'm feeling like the red-headed step child lately--several 2nd and 3rd places, no blue ribbons as of late. The last time I won a contest was the B98FM Super Bowl Appetizer Contest a couple of years back. My competition was Millionaire Pie and Tater Tot Casserole. I pulled one of the judges aside (I know his mother) and told him if my Artichoke Cheesecake didn't win, to please let me know NOW so I could sneak out the back door...I mean really--tater tot casserole??? At a Super Bowl party??? I know those fans were pissed no matter what the outcome of the game was. But I digress.
I think I will enter one of my cheesecakes.
Do you all know I make over 50 different kinds of cheesecake? They are all yummy.
I am now off to peruse my collection.

Today my oldest child is moving into her own apartment. I have mixed feelings about this event-on the one hand, this is what I've groomed her for all her life. To support herself (which she can), care for herself (which she can) and live independently (which she has done well before)
On the OTHER hand....I will miss her terribly. BUT she is not moving out of town and I will still talk to her every day.
This is one of the hard parts of being a Mom......letting go.....what kills me is when I tell other parents this fact (especially older ones) most of them say "OH she WILL be back...you can bank on that"...well frankly I don't care what their stupid children do, I know my perfect child will NEVER be back because she is so wonderful and nothing adverse will EVER happen to her.....(I like my fantasy world--it is airconditioned and perfect!)
She just came upstairs and it is time to go......
I have my Kleenex.....

Birthday weekend

Greetings!
This week has been very busy with cookie orders, my successful trip to Winfield, a successful book signing at Beck's Peach Farm and my daughter and mothers birthday! Whew! Winfield was a gas-Laura and Matt have a treasure down there~and those Winfield peeps are a hoot! Thanks so much for your hospitality~~
And Beck's Peach Farm--WOW....48 varieties of peaches-5000 trees--Yes 5000--and she'll even give you a peach to sample upon arrival!
My daughter turned 23 this past Friday....(warning: cliche comment coming) Where the He** has the time gone? Just yesterday she was a cherub with curls and pink cheeks....now she's an angel with perfectly coifed hair and pink cheeks:) I do not know where I would be without her....and Michael....he's the one who keeps me grounded....as I sat in church thanking God for all my blessings, I asked God to lighten up with Michael a bit.....his trials are getting a little tiresome.... but I will endure.....
The more I write, the easier this becomes......not all entries will be witty and funny.....but I will guarantee they will all be heart felt:))

xoxox

Road trip to Winfield

Good morning!
Today I am headed to Winfield for a guest spot at Bradbury Kitchen & Home Cooking Classes. After a very busy week, I look forward to making new friends and hopefully selling a few books! I am anxious to see this business--Wichita hasn't had a decent kitchen store for a while. I am always looking for a reason to a. spend $$ & b. get the heck out of Dodge, so I foresee many trips to Winfield in my future :)

This "blog" thing is going to take some getting used to....the pressure of writing something  witty each time hangs over me like a zepplin....It's like when there's a pot luck event and Calvin doesn't understand the pressure I am under to take something fabulous. I hear them whisper as they're going through the line...."Which dish did she bring?" If it sucks, I am doomed (it never does, but please refer to the pressure anxiety) and if it's wonderful, I sit back and chuckle as people go through the line and stare at the empty dish, wondering what fabulousness they missed.

So please, friends, bear with me as I get the hang of this.