Lavender-Lime Soda | The Welcome Home Diner

Welcome to the TLC Book Tours stop for The Welcome Home Diner, the latest food-centric novel by author (and food blogger) Peggy Lampman! This is a novel for all of you foodies out there—it'll make your mouth water from page one with a melange of Polish and Southern-inspired food descriptions, as well as homegrown and locally sourced ingredients and creative recipe ideas.

Peach Iced Tea | The Innkeeper's Sister

Welcome to the TLC Book Tours stop for The Innkeeper's Sister by Linda Goodnight! This is book 3 in Goodnight's Honeyridge Novels series, but the first (and only so far) one that I've read. I actually didn't even realize it was a part of a series until I'd finished it, which means it definitely works as a stand-alone book. When I went to look back at the descriptions for the first 2 books, they are connected by location (Honey Ridge, Tennessee), but focus on different main characters. Those characters also play a part in this book, so I'm looking forward to going back and reading their stories.

Chocolate and Vanilla Egg Creams inspired by The Decent Proposal

What would you do if a private benefactor offered to give you $500,000 if, after 1  year's time, you've spent 2 hours a week for the entire year meeting and getting to know a person (of their choosing) that you'd never met before? That is the situation in which Richard and Elizabeth find themselves, two entirely different people with no obvious connection, in The Decent Proposal.

Richard is a handsome 29-year old producer dealing with the fact that the business he started with a buddy several years ago just isn't making any money. He's considering getting a job...anywhere...just to pay his bills.

Whisky Sour inspired by I Am Legend

It's time for another vampire book and a movie challenge, and this month Kimberly has chosen the book I Am Legend by Richard Matheson and the movie The Omega Man to discuss. Want to know the crazy thing? I didn't even realize that I Am Legend was about vampires. We own the newest movie interpretation (I Am Legend starring Will Smith), but for some reason...and I'm guessing it has a lot to do with the times...I equated it more with the zombie apocalypse. This is just one reason that I'm joining Kimberly on her venture—new perspective.

I also didn't realize that the movie was based on a book by the same name (apparently I was not paying attention to the credits) that was first published in 1954. There were actually two movies based on the book the pre-date the Will Smith version. The first being a 60's film starring Vincent Price called The Last Man on Earth (which I haven't seen yet) and the 70's film starring Charlton Heston called The Omega Man.

How to Make Basic Simple Syrup (and a bunch of variations)

Simple syrup is used to sweeten everything from coffee and tea to lemonade to cocktails. It's such a simple thing to make, and very handy to always have on hand. Today I wanted to share the basic recipe for making simple syrup with you, plus a couple of variations, using more or less sugar or a different sweetener all together.

Basic simple syrup is made using equal parts sugar and water, but sometimes you'll see a recipe that calls for a heavy (or rich) simple syrup, and from time to time, one that calls for a light simple syrup. Making either is only a matter of adjusting the sugar to water ratio.

While it doesn't get much simpler than dissolving sugar in water, sometimes you're looking for a little something different. Why not try using honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar? Plus, if you're looking to try some flavored simple syrups, I've got some suggestions for those, as well.

Frozen Pineapple Daiquiris inspired by About A Girl

I know I've mentioned this before, but in case this is your first time here or just weren't paying attention until now, I prefer reading fiction. When I sit down to read, I'm looking for a bit of escape. I want to be pulled in to another world, another time, another place for several hour blocks at a time. (Although I should note that a good memoir, especially one centered around a life in food, music, or celebrity can have the same effect.) About A Girl is exactly the type of book I'm talking about.

First of all, I laughed out loud many, many times while reading the story of Tess Brookes, a girl with a plan—a life plan—that goes belly up. It rivals the best chick flicks and rom-coms out there, but with a book, you get to hold on a bit longer. There's tons of pop culture references throughout the book, from Bridget Jones and Sex and the City to Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling. I don't want to overlook "accidental" identity theft (aka identity crisis), Hawaii, a couple of sexy men (because what would a chick flick be without choices), plenty of cocktails and good food, best girl friends and catty bitches, a fabulous gay friend, and a new outlook on life. Oh, and back to the laughs—plenty of Brit humor. It's escape at its finest.

As far as food goes, it's not necessarily a foodie novel, but it's not lacking for inspiration. First of all, there's fun British food references like Hovis, Dairy Milk, Dairylea Triangles, and Hobnobs (fun for me, being an inquisitive American food-lover and all), and some other food and beverage items like Pop Tarts, Cava, McChicken sandwich, strawberry milkshake, Mars bars, chocolate oranges, spaghetti rings, salad, carrots, moules frites, fried egg butty, sugary pastries, bread, fish, Cheetos, and White Lightning.

Gotta get my fix

I need...no, I mean NEED my morning coffee! Plus, I enjoy my morning coffee. I do not believe it is just a caffeine addiction...though I admit, I do not see the point of decaf. And while it is routine, I look at it as more of a ritual...soothing, comforting, necessary. Yup, greeting the morning... just me & my joe (although mexichef joins us if he's not working). Morning breezes, a fresh newspaper, time for brain to wake up. The only downside is when it turns really hot in the mornings. It's hard for me to drink hot coffee when I'm already sweating. So, I do what any coffee-lover does...turn to iced coffee!! This coffee was cool and refreshing...and it still got my motor running! Chilled Coffee-Mint Cooler from girlichef's kitchen Coffee Ice Cubes (pour your leftover coffee into ice cube molds & freeze...it won't water your coffee down!!) Minty Simple Syrup (recipe here) Cream or Half & Half Fresh Brewed Coffee Mint leaves for garnish Place coffee ice cubes about 3/4 of the way up your glass. Add minty simple syrup and some cream (these are both to your liking). Pour in freshly brewed coffee, leaving about 1/2" to top of glass. Stir. Add more coffee ice cubes to fill glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint. I am sending this over to Rebecca of Chow & Chatter for her Coffee Giveaway Contest!! ***p.s....don't forget to eat your greens (and then send me a link)!!