I’m not here to impart my religious beliefs on you. This is about food and the occasional travel excursion.
But I have to tell you quickly, how very blessed I am. God throws me little rays of sunshine all the time. And I’m so undeserving.
This just happened today. My dear friend A, whom is also my personal banker, calls me and invites me out for lunch. We went to PF Chang’s. And he paid. He always does. A blessing in it of itself.
Yesterday, a client of his brought him an entire carrot cake from a very popular bakery here in Atlanta. So on the way back from lunch I stopped in his office to get a slither. But I made a quick pit stop.
When I finally get to the bank, he’s with a customer. I helped myself to the break room and indulged in my piece of cake. But I did need to handle something with my accounts so I sat in the waiting area while he helped the customer.
Within minutes of waiting, I hear the customer tell A he’s a truck driver and points to it outside. He proceeds to tell A that he transports cheese. ALL KINDS OF CHEESE. So I turn my head faster than a mosquito bite in Havana, and I ask “oh really.” “Yes ma’am, and not that sliced stuff either. The good stuff.” I’m like “great, I love brie, gouda and chevre”. “Yeah I have all that”.
I go back to my blackberry and he finishes his business with A. It’s a monsoon out there. We even experienced a quick power surge. About 5 minutes later the customer leaves and comes right back inside with 3 large boxes and says to me, “Enjoy and make sure to share with him”.
WHAT!? Did this stranger just give me some cheese?
(I gave some to the tellers so now there only 2 boxes!)
I opened the boxes and I am now owner of Ile de France brie, camembert and Forge Valley pepper jack. Just because I was waiting for A.
This may not seem like a big deal to any of you. But the beautiful thing is that just yesterday I was in Whole Foods tasting all their cheeses and decided at that very moment I want to become a cheese connoisseur.
This was confirmation.
God is good. I’m super blessed. Everyday. And because I am, I have to bless others. I want to.
One of you faithful readers of FE will get two pepper jack bars and one of each of brie and camembert! I will randomly pick a name in 10 DAYS, AUGUST 9TH, so get to it! All you have to do is LEAVE A COMMENT and in it tell me what I should pair my cheeses with (drink and otherwise). You have to make the suggestion though or it won’t count. Share the giveaway with a *NEW* reader of yours. And pass along a blessing when you receive one.
Pay it forward, regardless of your religious beliefs. Life is about the little things. Good cheese, too.
Mi nombre es Brenda. My friends call me B. And Bren is my stage and pen-name. I’m a single gal living alone in Atlanta for the time being. I’m a soulful chick. I have a passion for all things food. I sing and song-write on the side, but cooking is what pays my bills! I like to say I’m a pretty darn cook! I was raised in a very traditional Latin home, which meant everything happened(s) in the kitchen, literally! story-telling, crying, partying, fighting...oh yeah and cooking!
July 31st, 2008 at 5:46 pm
$h!t! and I don’t even cuss so sorry to dirty up your blog
You’ve got some good karma going on, huh? Well, I absolutely love brie on top of a toasted baguette with a thin slice of apple & candied walnut on top. Yum! I’d wash it down with my fav, sauvignon blanc. Ooh, getting hungry just thinking about it.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
With the Brie or Camebert I love to smear fig or apricot preserves on top , wrap in puff pastry, bake, and cut into all that gooey sweetness. Your one lucky woman!
August 1st, 2008 at 10:59 am
OMG it’s like winning the lotto! You lucky, lucky girl! A cheese fairy…I knew they existed.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Ahhh… I’m not a cheese/wine pair-er (I’m so out of the loop) but I have done the baked brie and oh my lord, it’s heaven.
Listen - paying it forward is the way to go. Karma smiles upon those who do good and Bren, girl, you are such a blessing, why wouldn’t karma give you a little somethin’ somethin’, right?
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Congratulations on your cheese! That camembert would be great wrapped up in buttered-up filo, then a grape leaf or two, pan seared just until the leaf is dry (and the cheese a little melted on the inside) and paired with a spicy peach or mango chutney. Drink something dark and peppery with this…
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Well aren’t you the incredibly lucky one!!! I fully believe in paying it forward!!!
With the brie or camembert I would use these delicious little crackers that I found when I was in Toronto last month. They went great with the brie that I had. They were fig and black pepper. If you can ever get your hands on some of those the fig flavor pairs incredibly well with the brie!!!
I just found your blog through Mr. Orph’s kitchen and love it!
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Sharon: it’s such a blessing! i’ll have to try ur suggstion for the brie. thanks so much!
Courtney: I love ur suggestion. I’m definitely trying this out. Thanks for it!
Noble Pig: Thanks Cathy!
Lys: Girl u just don’t stop. You’re so sweet and generous, really! U totally rock.
Nikki: I totally like this idea. Thanks so much.
Judy: i’m getting in figs right now so this will be a great fit. Thanks for finding me through Donald. He’s so cool!
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Oh pick me! Pick me! I am not prone to winning things much. I would like to say that brie tastes great with most anything. I often smear some on green apple slices or wrap in pastry with raspberries on top! This would be great with a crisp buttery chardonnay or sparkling wine.
The pepper jack is great with any grilled meat or Mexican style dishes. Make a delicious nacho bean and cheese dip and pair it with some great Cervesa. I like Negro Modelo!
August 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Yes!! I love giveaways and cheese! I think you should pair it with some fruit, with a tropical twist! Go for the ripe mangoes like you had in your awesome video! Everyone always pairs these soft cheeses with apples, pears, grapes and such. I say go for the wonderful world of tropical fruits!
Did I win?!!!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Oh WOW. That is awesome Bren!
Well, call me the unrefined one (no, really, you can hehe) but I am just dying for that pepper jack the most. I slice it up and put it on whole grain crisps, or melt it on a sandwich - oooh or even better, on a bison burger. YUM.
I think I need to try baking brie, just to try it.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Nicole: Great ideas, especially the pepper jack for nacho beans.
White on Rice: D, I lOVE ur idea. And you know mango is my favorite fruit. This is y your my friend!
Melissa: Hi! Glad you’re back. Your enthusiasm for PJ just might get you one!
Ted’s Montana Grill specializes in Bison burgers so this is such a great idea. Thanks!
August 10th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Hi, Bren!
Pepper jack makes the best quesadillas. Or stuffed shell pasta. Or lasagna. Ciao!
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