Retrospective 2009

Personally, I am rather elated that 2009 has come to an end. Things can only get better. It’s been a volatile year with a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. As I look forward to what the new year brings on, I reflect at what 2009 left us with.

Daring Bakers: Scandinavian Gingerbread House - Pepparkakstuga

 

It was all about Hansel and Gretel in Soeren’s class this December. They studied the story, the characters and the grand finale was going to the Weimar Theatre to watch the fairy tale as an opera. He’s enjoyed the project very much and therefore, it was inevitable that when I saw what the Daring Bakers’ challenge was to be this year that we incorporate the tale into it.

Merry Christmas!

Sending you all my warmest and merriest Christmas hugs! Hope you all enjoy a relaxed and delicious time with family, friends and good food!

Happy Holidays!

 

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All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2009 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

Cranberry Port Mincemeat Brioche Rolls

 

I braved it to the markets yesterday and survived! Waded myself through the now melting snow and fought the overcrowded aisles to get my provisions for Christmas. Every year – year for year it’s pretty much the same scenario.

Monthly Mingle Brunch Roundup

 

I know this roundup has taken a while to get posted. Golly we’re already looking forward to the next roundup. I’ve been pushing it back and finally I can present you with 74 grand Brunch creations from across the blog world.

Yellow Bell Pepper and Fava Bean Soup

It's snowing outside! The temperatures have dropped drastically to below zero Celsius. A thin white blanket hugs the rooftops, cars and trees and I really can say that at this time of year Weimar looks amazing in white. As the sun sets into the west skies, shades of pink, orange and purple take over the skyscape and the fields next to our house covered in white glory, sparkle as the rays dance off the frozen ice crystals.

Menu for Hope 6: Is Open For Bids!

 

The bidding is now open for Menu for Hope 2009. It’s time to get together and not only raise money for a grand cause but also get your hands on some exciting and great items.

Menu for Hope is an annual fundraising campaign which is the brainchild of Pim and takes place each December. For the past three years, Menu for Hope raised nearly a quarter of million dollars in support of the good work of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), helping to feed hungry people worldwide. I am proud to say that I have been a part of this fundraising event for the past three years. This year is no different.

My bidding package for this year was inspired by the Food Blogger Connect in London. We talked about many things that afternoon. Charity was one of them. How we as food bloggers can help?

With this in mind I decided to contribute to the UN World Food Programme in two ways. Not only with Menu for Hope but also by offering The BloggerAid Cook Book for my bidding item.

 Wait! There’s more.

We also talked a lot about photography in London that afternoon, a passion shared by many. I am hoping that a US$ 50 Gift Card from B & H Photo will bring you closer to getting you that lens, camera or a lighting set-up for your passion.

 

The BloggerAid Cook Book is a collection of international recipes illustrating that bloggers can work together and unite for a greater cause. The authors of this cookbook are food bloggers from around the world who have endeavored to make a difference by raising funds for the World Food Programme and encompassing their passion for "all things foodie" at the same time.

B & H Photo is a photographers paradise! One can find a large variety of items to pimp up your equipment. Whether it's a new lens, a camera or a lighting set-up this gift card hopefully will add a bit to the budget.

The Prize Package – Code UE32

You will be bidding for a package, which includes the BloggerAid Cook Book and a Gift Card from B & H Photo worth US$ 50.

For each $10 donated, you get one bid towards the item of your choosing.

Bidding will be open from December 14th until December 25, 2009. Once bidding has closed, winners will be chosen at random and announced on Chez Pim on January 18, 2010.

To purchase tickets register at the First Giving web site. The code number to quote for a bid on the BloggerAid Cook Book and a Gift Card from B & H Photo worth US$ 50 is UE32.

To Donate and Enter the Menu for Hope Raffle

1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list.
   
   
2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation.
   
   
3. Please specify which bid item you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code.
   Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 - 2xEU01, 3xEU02.
   
   
4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
   
   
5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

Pim has published all you need to know about the event over at Chez Pim. The main list for all Menu for Hope 6 bid items is available here, and a direct link to the donation site is here.

Let the bids begin!!

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All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2009 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

Christmas Time: Lebkuchen Spice Macarons with Quince Jam and Candied Ginger

 

You can tell that Christmas spirit has taken over, can’t you? Although the weather is not playing along and giving us dull, gray, rain and sludge instead of cold, crisp air with snow topped roofs and iced trees, at home we’ve hung up the straw stars, wooden carved figures, baubles and tinsel.  

Cooking School: Almond and Pink Praline Spekulatius

 

Coming down from the high of the Food Blogger Connect in London last weekend has been hard. It came and went so fast flashing past in an evanescent moment that all I have left are smiling, laughing pictures branded in my memory forever.

RAW 2010 – A Year in Food

  

It’s here! Like every year I am proud to present to you the latest addition to my Zazzle shop – a lovely food calendar to tantalize your senses.

Menu for Hope 6 - Call for Participation

 

As a food blogger I am always talking, thinking, discussing and working with food everyday. However, I now that this luxury is not by any means to be taken for granted. There are others who do not have this luxury. As food bloggers it therefore, becomes our duty to give some of this luxury we have to the needy. It’s time to join forces as food bloggers as this year’s Menu for Hope 6 kicks off.

Food Blogger Connect 2009: I came, I saw and They Conquered Me

 

And the euphoria reached it's final peak.

On Saturday 28th November as my flight circled for the third time over London, I felt queasy. Not because of the flight. Moreover because all the bundled elation and frenzy that had conglomerated over the past weeks, was going to burst right at that moment - over London!