Tuesday, September 20, 2011

My 7 Link Project - Living Life

We are Mad About Macaroons... One of my favorite photos.
The My 7 Links Project recently floating around the blogosphere has had me eagerly reading these posts from many of my favorite bloggers.  Many of the links I remember and some of them I've even made, while so many I had missed the first time around and I have been so happy to have a second chance.   Reeni of Cinnamon Girl, one of my all time favorite bloggers, nominated me to participate and I have to admit that I spent hours reminiscing on my own blog and reliving many of my posts.  I guess it's good to go back once in a while and enjoy what you wrote!

The 7 Links Project was created to "unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again".  One creates 7 links in the below categories and then nominates up to 5 bloggers to continue the links.  My nominations are:

Janet of This is Beige
Hester of The Chef Doc

My 7 Links

Most Beautiful

These bars were the hostess gift for a Holiday party we went to and garnered plenty of "oohs and ahhh's" from the guests.  Using Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's in the crust of these silky chocolate cheesecake bars brings the holiday to your table, and the crushed candy cane topping makes them simply beautiful.  These guys were featured on Food Porn Daily last year on Christmas Day!


Most Popular

By far, these cute little gems have been our most popular post.  They are indeed absolutely adorable and were a hit at our Super Bowl Party last February (though we need to pump up the tequila next time).  The popularity around the blogosphere has been astounding!



Most Controversial

Like Reeni stated, a food blog doesn't hold much controversy and there certainly is no controversy in that this stromboli is an all time favorite in our neighborhood.  However, our guest poster, Dan (Becky's husband), started in by telling my readers "Move over food internet divas with your stylish recipes … we’re talking about MAN-FOOD now!"  While his two daughters may take offense to the "man-food" comment, they don't hesitate to clean there plates anytime this stromboli is served!


Most Helpful

A quick trip to the Island of Oahu not only gave my husband and I a few days "away from it all", but me a chance to dine at Roy's in Waikiki along with Felice from All That's Left are the Crumbs.

This post gives restaurant reviews (Roy's, the Kona Brewing Company, and the Ocean House), Farmer's Market Tips (The KCC Market is still my all time fave!), and a trip to the Arizona Memorial.  When paired with the prior post in the series, Looking for Five-O, the two posts give a good place to start when planning your Oahu and Waikiki vacation.  Aloha!



A post with success that surprised me:
Custard Filled Cornbread

Who knew Marion Cunningham was such a superstar??  I didn't.  But this post from Ms. Cunningham's The Breakfast Book was a huge success.  Our neighbors brought this luscious cornbread for our Christmas dinner and the plate was cleaned in no time.  I've had more google searches on this title than I ever imagined, and will keep always keep this recipe as a standby.  Truly worth each and every calorie!



A post that didn't get the attention it deserved:
Cappuccino Fudge Cheesecake 

This cheesecake is truly one of the best recipes (savory or sweet) that I've ever made.  Not only is it a neighborhood favorite, but my "I don't really like desserts" husband asks for it by name for his birthday, father's day, Thanksgiving, Ground Hog Day and frankly any other holiday he can think of.  Its luscious, creamy texture combines with the coffee enhanced flavors layered with a Kahlua laced ganache and a crunchy chocolaty crust to produce a dessert worthy of any and all special occasions.  The stats on this post were extraordinarily low and neither Foodgawker or Tastespotting picked up the photo.  I will have to repost one of these days!


The post I'm most proud of:

While this pound cake is a delicious creation in and of itself, it was the story that went along with it that made me proud.  Our submission to Chef Dennis' Guest Post Friday feature had Liv excited to share a myth (Why Ants are so Little) that she had written in English.  From her myth we found our direction as to what recipe we would create for Dennis.  And the photos??  Why do they look so much better on his site than mine??!! ;)  Dennis, thank you again for allowing us to be a part of your blog!


Reeni, thanks so much for tagging me for this project!  I can't tell you how many hours I've spent reliving my posts (My husband will be so glad this post is finished!).  Liv joined me for some of them and we had such fun reminiscing about our photos and stories. 

21 comments:

  1. I love this 7 links project! I was "nominated" but I am super-horrible at categorizing things as the most or the best or whatever. I loved reading your picks!

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  2. What a great job with your challenge! thank you so much for choosing your guest post as the one you're most proudest of, I am truly honored.
    Thank Liv for me, and let her know that she has a standing invitation to guest post for me again!
    Am i going to get to see you at the foodbuzz festival?

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  3. It is so much looking at everybody's' picks and seeing all of the glorious food and pics, especially yours. Great Job Kim and Liv.

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  4. Ground Hog Day? I'd definitely make up a holiday in order to get this cheesecake. I don't remember seeing it.

    Personally, I like the pound cake the best because it doesn't have chocolate and Liv was thinking of ME with that choice. Hugs to you, Liv.

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  5. What a great seven links! I have seen and read most of them...but I'll be checking the ones that are new to me!

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  6. I loved this post - those Strawberry Jello thingys are so cool! Can't wait to read through more of your recipes now... THANKS for the nominations too...can't wait to do this! Thanks so much girl
    much love from Trinidad

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  7. Great roundup! Lots of awesome posts that happened before I found your blog. I am going back to read the Hawaii post (whoo hoo my home state) and I am drooling over that custard cornbread.

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  8. What great links! The Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Bars are calling my name, as is the poundcake and the cappucino fudge cheese cake...oh heck - everything looks fabulous!

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  9. Nice set of links and I can see why the cornbread is really a hit. I have copied that one to make soon. Thanks for sharing these.

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  10. Absolutely love those little jello shots. Also gave you and your mango granola a shout out today. http://eliotseats.com/?p=5690

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  11. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I don't know which is my favorite - from start to finish everything is so tempting and delicious looking! Thanks for being a part of it.

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  12. All of these posts look amazing! My favorites are probably the cheesecake bars, cappuccino cheesecake, and the lemon pound cake! Yum!

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  13. Being a new reader to your blog I am so glad you posted this post! All your 7 links look amazing. I look forward to going through them all!

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  14. I just realized I don't come here too often because I have not read any of these 7-links posts before! But thank goodness for this challenge, you've done a great job with your picks and I've really enjoyed going back and reading them. That surprisingly unappreciated cheesecake was for me the best of all, I love all the flavors in it!

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  15. Such amazing selections, Kim!!! So many delicious dishes have come out of your kitchen. I'm eying those cheesecake bars, though...perfect for the holidays.

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  16. What a great 7 links! I love looking back at everyone's sits and seeing these older posts. I can see why those margarita shots were most popular!

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  17. These were wonderful posts that you had shared with us, Kim. You always write wonderful musings and share sensational recipes! You've always got a winner :-)

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  18. Kim, what a great idea with the 7 links and thank you for tagging me with the project. Crumbs! It will be tough after seeing all of your absolute beauties. Every single one is just as fabulous as the other. Thank you also for choosing your lovely macarons as one of them - I am so proud that you love making them and have had fun with them, too. Just wonderful!

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  19. I've been trying to read everyone's 7 links because it was such a great idea. I still want to make each of these dishes, but I especially want to do some more macarons. I had never had one before I made them and now I'm hooked.
    -GIna-

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  20. I think of you guys every time I make that Stromboli!

    Such fun to look back on the posts! But yes!It sure is time-consuming!

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