Check it out!! :D If you’re visiting this page, you may have noticed the new design! And if you’re just reading this in the email, you HAVE to come check out the new blog redesign! :)

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for forever, and I’m so happy with the way it turned out! Take a look around, everything’s different! What do you think? Is it still easy to read/navigate? Tell me truly! I can take it. ;) The new comment section is pretty cool, so be sure and check it out and leave me your thoughts! :)

And if you run into any bugs or quirks, please do let me know. With any new page design there are always kinks to be worked out! I tested the page in Firefox and Internet Explorer 7, and it works in both of those browsers. *whew*! :) Now, if you’re still using Internet Explorer 6, you need to update your browser! :) The sidebar won’t show up on the right if you’re still using IE6. It’ll be down at the bottom of page. So if you want to get with the times, click on the “Get Firefox” link wayyy down at the very bottom of this page to update your browser. You’ll love it! *And* you’ll be supporting this site. Isn’t that neat?

And stay tuned… I’ve got new recipes and new fonts to post! ;) Coming soon…

Thanks for looking! :)

I know, I know, I go months at a time and you never hear from me and now 3 days in a row! Well, I promise this will be the last one… at least for a few days. ;) But, I seriously just got the coolest appliance ever and had to write and tell you about it! I never thought I’d be this infatuated with something that plugs in, but it has made me breakfast every day since owning, how can I not love it?? :D

It’s the Back to Basics Egg and Muffin toaster, and you can pick one of these babies up for less than $30 at Walmart or Target.

Put your mouse over the image to see a larger version

It’s a toaster AND an egg cooker, and yes, it really works! It does toast and bagels like a regular toaster, but it’s also got this nifty little sidecar attachment that cooks an egg (scrambled or poached style) and also heats up pre-cooked meat like sausage, bacon or ham. You can do just toast, just an egg, or best of all, toast AND an egg at the same time. And the coolest part is that it delays starting the toast until your egg and toast will be ready *at the same time*!!!! This thing is a better chef than I am!!! :confused:

All you do is pour in 2 tbsp water (it comes with the measuring thingy in the first picture), pour in a scrambled egg (it says to use Pam on the egg pan, but I don’t! the egg just slides right out anyway), add your meat (if you want it, you don’t have to cook any if you don’t want!), and cover. Then put in your toast, select “egg and toast”, then just like a regular toaster, press down the lever! :)

And in less than 5 mins you have a *very* hearty and delicious breakfast!!!! :D

But the absolute BEST part is…. THERE’S NO CLEANUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
The water you poured in at the beginning evaporates, and the egg just slides right out of the pan. See in the picture below? I didn’t even rinse the egg pan before taking the picture *blush*. The most you cleanup you’d have to do is to rinse everything off in the sink and run a wet washcloth over the toaster.

Oh, and did I mention you can use this thing to BOIL eggs as well?? Up to 4 at a time! I haven’t tested that out yet, even though Kevin loves boiled eggs, but we have been so preoccupied with making bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuits we haven’t even tried the boiling part yet. :p

Okay, my commercial is over. :D But I know I would’ve *definitely* wanted someone to tell me about this thing, as I had never even *dreamed* that they made something like this until someone told me about it last week– so I’m passing it on to you! :D Enjoy! :)

I get asked all the time- “What kind of camera do you use?” Currently I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with three lenses- a Canon 85mm f/1.8, a Canon 70-200mm f/4.0L , and a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. My favorite lens is the 85mm, but my most versatile lens is the Tamron. I hope to upgrade it soon. :)

With Christmas coming up, I know there are quite a few of you out there hoping to find an XTi under the tree. And if this is your first SLR, you’ll quickly find that it’s not called a point and shoot for a reason! :) I wrote up a very basic guide to hopefully help you better understand SLR photography and be able to get the most out of your new SLR camera so you don’t have to keep it in Auto mode all the time!

A Quick Guide to Using Your Canon Digital Rebel XTi

And now to the fun stuff. I added two new pics! :) Check them out by clicking below. :)

Thanks for looking! :)

The “What’s New?” section of kevinandamanda.com has a new look! Staying updated has never been easier. In addition to the new look on the web, the format of the update emails I send out will be different too. But you’ll still be able to stay updated and easily navigate everything that’s new on our webpage! Thanks for being a loyal subscriber to kevinandamanda.com… And if you haven’t signed up yet, go ahead and click “Subscribe” at the top right of this page. You’ll be glad you did! ;]