Paying it Forward: Arte y Pico

I was recently surprised to have had the Arte y Pico award bestowed upon me (well not really upon me, but upon Peanut Butter and Julie) by the beautiful and talented Camilla from Enlightened Cooking.   Camilla is quite the renaissance woman: cookbook author, fitness instructor, mother, and reigning queen of recipe contests.  To say that I was honored to receive this pat on the back from her would be like saying that George Clooney is "decent" looking.  Thank you, Camilla.   

I'll admit that I felt a bit like Darren McGavin, the actor who played the father in A Christmas Story, as he opened up the mysterious box marked "FRAGILE" (pronounced fra-gee-lay), when I received this award.  Although ecstatic to have received "A major award," he didn't know what it was.  Fortunately, mine has nothing to do with an illuminated leg lamp.  After googling "Arte y pico," here is what I found:

The Arte y Pico award is given to those who are creative and have a penchant for art.  The responsibilities that go with this award are as follows:

• Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language. (See below)
• Each award needs to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog. (Again, see below)
• Each award winner (upon acceptance) should show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award. (Check)
• Each winner should show a link to the Arte y Pico blog, so that everyone will know the origin of this award.  (Check. Note: This blog is in Spanish)
• The rules of the Arte y Pico should be displayed. (Check)

So, after much thought, here are my selections (drum roll):

1. Lunch Bucket Bento: I love the concept of this blog.  As Lisa puts it, the concept is to "Jump on the bento bandwagon...and document your journey."  Each post features a new meal theme, packed neatly in colorful little bento boxes.  Lunchrooms will never be the same again!
2. My Sweet and Saucy: This site, containing photos that make you want to reach through your monitor and grab a cupcake, was started "in an attempt to inspire anyone and everyone who has a passion for desserts."  Well, if someone doesn't have a passion, they will after visiting Melody's site!
3. Cook Like Your Grandmother:  I recently discovered this site after the author, Drew, posted a comment on my "Bread and Butter Pickles" post.  First of all, I just love the name.  To quote Drew, this is a site where "You won't find the words lite, low, lean, free or skim anywhere. This is all real food, cooked the way Grandma would have done it."  And who doesn't love that???
4. The Average Cook: The author of this blog, Dani, is much too humble in her selection of titles.  Her recipes, while not overly complicated, are much better than average!  Her writing is witty, and her passion for cooking really comes through.  She is also from New Jersey, and since I spent part of my childhood there, I felt compelled to give a "shout out" (I can't believe I just wrote that.....).
5. Peanut Butter Boy: O.K., so there was no way that I could leave my PBB (peanut butter buddy) out, nor would I want to.  Nick's site, which is "powered by peanuts," is, you guessed it, all things peanut butter.  From good old peanut butter cookies to the not-so-common peanut butter corndog, this blog has it all.  Open up you Jif and take a look!

So congratulations to these five fantastic foodies.  I'm not posting a recipe today, so take a look at one of theirs.  Just promise that you'll be back tomorrow!!!

Comments

[Nick]

I am mucho obliged Julie! I shall post it soon.

[dani]

Thank you so much Julie! I'm humbled by your kind words!!

[My Sweet & Saucy]

Thanks so much for the award! I am so honored!