More photos here on my Flickr page.

It’s no surprise that I am addicted to Tastespotting.com. The site serves as a great inspiration for when I’m stuck in a culinary rut or when I don’t know what to do with some leftover ingredients.

That’s where I found the recipe for this pepperoni bread. I had some leftover turkey pepperoni and cheese that needed to be used ASAP. The problem was that I didn’t feel like having pizza again. So I went over to Tastespotting, searched for “pepperoni” and found this recipe from BrownEyedBaker.com.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can mix the dough ahead of time and stick in the fridge for up to four days. This gives you a lot of flexibility, which isn’t something that always comes to mind when you think of baking bread. I made the dough on Monday and just baked half of it today (Wednesday).

As for the results? Well, I honestly can’t believe I made this! My bread baking experience is fairly limited; usually leaning towards quick-breads and No-Knead Bread. So I was really excited when I cut into the loaf and found the inside to be very soft in contrast with the crusty exterior. Absolutely perfect!

Since it was my first time tackling this type of bread, I will do a couple of things differently next time (and there will be a next time!). First, I’ll roll out my dough a bit thinner. Looking at how fat my spiral was compared to Brown Eyed Baker’s, I could definitely go thinner. Second, I will use more cheese and pepperoni. However, since I was only looking to finish off some leftovers, it seemed silly to go and buy more of what I was trying to use up. The bread is still delicious even without the extras, due to the onions mixed into the dough.

So if you have some leftover ingredients that need to be used, try your luck on Tastespotting. You might find your new favorite recipe!

Last month, I received a letter from the United States Equestrian Federation (the governing body for all U.S. equestrian sports). Apparently I had placed third in the region for the Horse of the Year Award. This news came as quite the surprise since I had only shown once in the region all year. However, the points I collected by competing in that one show were enough to earn my horse a third place. Pretty cool.

And since my horses are in Scottsdale, I was ranked in Region 7 which consists of Arizona, Nevada and Utah. In comparison, the first and second place winners were both local to Arizona and had shown several times during the year.

I can remember when I won first place in the same contest with my horse Summerfire. We showed like crazy that year and traveled all throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin (which is Region 11). Knowing what it takes to get first, I feel proud to have ended up third after competing in only one show.

And what a nice thing to break up the dreariness of winter.

I decided to bring over my fisheye and shoot a roll of film at the party.

Click over to my Flickr page for the full set.

Camera/Film Info:

This year, Eddie and I met with Hunka, Kendle et al. for drinks at Boltini. Then we walked over to Jim Gould’s for dinner and live jazz. The dinner was perfect, as always. I had a filet and Eddie had the Chicken Picata. At one point during the meal, Eddie pulls out a box from under the table and slides it over to me. I open it and find a beautiful bezel set diamond necklace! He had been hiding this from me all evening…very sneaky!

I wish we had pictures from our big night out, but in their absence, this collage will have to do. I received several compliments on my dress and clutch, so I figured I would post what I was wearing that night.

Clockwise from top left: Fully Fashioned French Heel Stockings, Onyx Stud Earrings (Tiffany’s), Silk Bouquet Clutch (Santi), Platform Heels (Kate Spade), Navy Blue Devoré Hearts Dress (Marc Jacobs), Rhinestone Hair Pin à la Natalie Wood, Bezel Set Diamond Necklace, Leather Gloves, Raccoon Collar Coat* (DKNY), 1940s Vintage Style Makeup and Hair

*Not exactly what mine looks like, but it’s the same style.

Note: I’m usually not the type of girl who is into heart motifs, but I was really drawn to this dress. The navy is so dark it’s almost black, which helps to tone down the hearts. It’s hard to tell, but the yoke is sheer like the illusion necklines I love. I really like the way it fits and it was feminine without being childish or cutesy.

Uncle Bob is having his last art show at the Cozy Dog Drive-In on old Route 66 in Springfield, IL. The event will be held on Sunday November 22nd from 2pm-6pm. Vegan finger food, including Bob’s favorite soy cheese Sheese, will be served. Come as you are, leave different.

Read more about Bob Waldmire in the:

• Springfield State Journal-Register
• Chicago Tribune
• Chicago Sun-Times

Click here for the full set of photos!