Repertoire

On the umpteenth thumb-through of Cooking for Mr. Latte, I was seized with need to jot down my repertoire. Did I have one? I think I can say there is a list of recipes I consider favorites and have made each at least two times, most of them more often. The repertoire is a work in progress. I would like to pare it and beg more time for this. Besides, who has a repertoire of cookies??

Almond Coconut Granola
Orange Yogurt (Barefoot Contessa)
Banana Bread (The Silver Palate)
Cheddar Rolls (my mum)

Old-Fashioned Italian-American Lasagna with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce (The Dean and DeLuca Cookbook)
Oven-Simmered Beef Brisket (Sunset)
Cheese Soufflé (Sunset)
Tomato Bisque (Carla A)

Roasted Carrots (Barefoot Contessa)
Carrot Salad (France)
Tuscan Fennel Salad (Rachel B)

Katherine Hepburn's Brownies (Gourmet and Laurie Colwin)
Cherries Glacés (my mum)
Raspberry-Lemon Trifle (Gourmet)
Spiced Hot Chocolate (anonymous magazine at the gym)

Cookies:
World Peace Cookies (Dorie Greenspan)
Orange Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Chips (Gourmet)
Buckwheat Butter Cookies with Cocoa Nibs (Pure Dessert, Alice Medrich)
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies (Chocolate on the Brain, Kevin and Nancy Mills)

Walla Walla Washington to Kalamazoo

Here is a list of places I would like to visit next (and have never been) in somewhat of an order:

1. The Grand Canyon
2. Denmark including the Karen Blixen Museum
3. Montréal for French everything
4. British Columbia (a trip I'd like to take with my brother) and trips to islands.
5. Maine coast to look east to Europa, find sea glass, and haunt the shore towns. I would wear beautiful foreign silk scarves on my head when standing in the fierce wind on the bluffs. I would take a beakerful of sand and label it for display in my home.
6. Charleston and Savannah for local color and dunes

Casting Pearls

In case you're wondering if the Valrhona Les Perles are of note, they are. I bought this container of 0.45 lb dark chocolate pearls at Whole Foods in February and used some to decorate this birthday cake. I recommend both the cake and the pearls. The pearls have been sitting in my cupboard and I recently started eating them, one at a time. They are quite good and satisfying if you have nothing else that is chocolate or a fun sweet. They are small and nicely melty in the mouth. Tonight I channeled autumn and tossed a few in a mug of Mexican hot chocolate hoping they would float and look a charmed garnish. They sank like stones. I threw in a few more. By the time the mug was empty of all but froth, the pearls had gushed and let me bid a special farewell to the chocolate warmth. Please note the poached succulents and found shells in a mosaic bird bath, handmade.

Potato Salad: What is It Worth to You?

I'm sure you've heard the measure of a cook is pie crust. For this reason (and because I am no star in this arena), I don't make pies. A strange woman told me years ago the measure of a female is also her potato salad. I avoided it for years and became enthralled with vinaigrette-based potato salads because they are different enough the judgement would not apply. Then, I ran across this one (a combination of mayonnaise and vinegar) and have made it many times and love it to death. Please make it this summer.

Just this last week, we made a traditional version and it was quite good. But, I think that's what American potato salad is supposed to be. A good side for hamburgers and watermelon. I cut it some slack and it suprised me. My mother shredded the potatoes. I even ran to the store for sweet pickles and real mayonnaise. We used Idaho potatoes. There is a minimal amount of mayonnaise so it is not wet. All in all, quite pleasing and it is gone now, eaten for breakfast and other meals. We served it in an herb-decorated pasta bowl.

American-style Potato Salad with Eggs and Sweet Pickles
Serves 6 to 8

2 lbs Red Bliss or new potatoes, boiled, peeled if desired, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 T red wine vinegar
1 t kosher salt or 1/2 t table salt
1/2 t ground black pepper
3 boiled eggs, cut into small dice
2-3 scallions, sliced thin (about 1/2 cup)
1 small celery stalk, cut into small dice (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 C sweet pickle (not relish), cut into small dice
1/2 C mayonnaise
2 T Dijon-style mustard
1/4 C minced fresh parsley

Layer warm potato cubes in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with vinegar, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
Mix in remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Adjust seasonings and serve chilled.

From The Perfect Recipe by Pam Anderson

Healthy Fear

This is a list of some things that I avoid for no really good reason. I am not a picky person but each of these things throws up a internal orange flag and I need to stop the boat so I don't run over the skier. The fears are mostly ungrounded but nonetheless real. A few of the mentions are listed for good reason. Keep in mind, I don't mind YOU trying them and using them and loving them. Many will be happy to know I have overcome my fear of mint but not green food coloring in excess.

1. milk chocolate chips
2. pumpkin flavored cold food
3. wild rice (is it really all rice, or are there other plants/twigs? mind you, i eat it but do not cook with it.)
4. white cooked cellaphane-y asian noodles that are too thick and too soft. (they look like brains which i have eaten but did not love.)
5. tube pans
6. cheesecake (and most cream cheese-based dishes)
7. carrot cake that weighs over 12 lbs. (once i was made to lug a carrot sheet cake for an event and the orange flag was born that day.)
8. cookies from a mix (i embrace packaged cookies in general.)
9. vegetable oil (i would use any amount of butter any day.)
10. sugared nuts in salad (i roast and toast but do not sweeten the savory and perfect nut.)

Remember?

The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea and long miles of bluish-green waves breaking for ever and ever on the beach. And oh, the cry of the sea-gulls! Have you heard it? Can you remember?

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I don't know about you but it seems awfully summertime to me. My interest in seasonal food is renewed. Having come across tomato pie in a plethora of cookbooks, you can be sure I'll try it this summer. Also on the hotplate would be coleslaw with celery seed. I just found a nice recipe in The Junior League at Home, Carolina Coleslaw with Celery Seed Dressing. No mayo but the dressing is boiled. And, it calls for cider vinegar. As I am a sucker for marinated cabbage, the Mango-Cabbage Slaw is also a draw. Since we're talking salad, Virginia Bicentennial Chicken Salad is making me hungry. Soy sauce and water chestnuts are involved as are pineapple tidbits.

And, since we're talking cookbooks, I am under the influence of Dorie Greenspan's Paris Sweets. There is a very seasonal creation I plan to see to fruition. My days are filled with the question, "when?" It is a mite involved from crust to pastry cream to orange marshmallows to strawberries at their peak. My current radar is programmed to find potato starch to dust the marshmallow pans. Once found, I will be on my way.

Saffron, or Why You Should Take a Trip

My favorite freeway exit downtown is Washington Street. It housed the Pier 1 outlet which peaked for a short time, became mostly seconds, and then a place I never went. Years ago I purchased a headboard there. Recently it gave up the ghost and become a vacant building and canvas for graffiti art. I wonder about its rebirth.

The thing about Washington is you take a left turn and then a right onto India Street. The corner is gelato, Saffron is midway down, and Shakespeare's pub corners it off. You either turn left and go up the hill or you turn right into El Indio's parking lot. Might I suggest the lot? I have spent some quality time at El Indio especially when I first moved to this fair region and have Scout to thank for indoctrinating me. I recall with fondness the mini bean and cheese burrito, the paprika chips, the taquitos. We have enjoyed it to the fullest. I've been to the gelato place a couple times, and never to Shakespeare's pub. I heard it was so-so. Saffron was an unknown.

Katya introduced me to Saffron, and specifically the tofu salad rolls. The rolls are made in the morning. You walk into the baby pocket of a shop and order, calling out the sauce preference. I get peanut and a spicy sweet. The three salad rolls are wrapped in cool white parchment and stuffed with tofu, carrots, lettuce, mint, white noodles, and more. The sauce is potable. For under $5, one walks away with perfection.

I know I'm ignoring Old Town, and I'm turning a blind eye to Sassafrass, an exit I avoid for airport popularity. When I drive to the airport I get off at Washington and drive the rest of the way to the airport, turning right on Sassafrass and left onto the big street. It is my affection for Washington and India and my dislike of the road most travelled. A personal quest if you will. Every trip to the airport should include a stop on India Street for some homey vittels. It's hard to go wrong.

Of Cooking and Fanatics

Sometimes (on that rare occasion) I become enthused. A small number of these instances progresses off the chart. This is one of those times. For no reason, I read Cooking for Mr. Latte by Amanda Hesser a few months ago. I thought it was entertaining, fun, somewhat meaningful, and chock full of recipes (being something that I admit to treasuring). I may have recommended it to someone, or not. Then, I came across a copy of the book at the DM library sale and picked it up, remembering the recipes (I had photocopied some). I reviewed the book and shortly thereafter became possessed. Everyone must read this book. Ok, everyone is overstatement. I mean those who care for cooking which is a large number of my cohorts. Some of the recipes are listed here. Today I made two batches of Beans and Tomatoes with Vinaigrette. At Easter, I took Chocolate Chunk-Pecan-Coconut Cookies to dinner. See recipes below. My paperback copy is lent. Last week I visited the new Encinitas library and found a signed hard copy in the Friends of the Library store. I gasped and bought it. The cover is different; I prefer the pb cover. I admit to perusing this book a little every day. It is an illness. I am going to visit the familia and decided not to take any books with me. I needed a new start. As you may guess, I decided tonight to take Mr. Latte. Perhaps this phase will wane. But, in the meantime . . .

Beans and Tomatoes in Vinaigrette

Sea salt
1 pound green beans, trimmed
3 ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 T Dijon mustard
1 T red wine vinegar
Pinch of sugar (I accidentally left this out and did not miss it)
1/4 C best-quality olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Fill a medium saucepan with water. Season generously with salt. Bring to a rolling boil, and add the beans. Cook until tender on the edges but still quite crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Dry on a towel. Cut the beans in half, then combine in a large serving bowl with the tomatoes.
2. Whisk together the mustard and vinegar with a pinch of sugar and a pinch of sea salt (I forgot both pinches). Gradually whisk in the oil, letting it thicken and emulsify as you go. Pour the dressing over the beans and tomatoes and toss to mix. It's okay if the dressing pools in the bottom of the bowl. Someone can later mop it up with bread or spoon it over their potatoes or lamb. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper and toss once more. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Salad for 4.

Chocolate Chunk-Pecan-Coconut Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 C sugar
1 C packed light brown sugar
2 t vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 C all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
Pinch sea salt
24 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks, shreds and all
2 C toasted chopped pecans
1 C grated coconut

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease 2 large baking sheets. In a mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk, cream the butter with the sugar and light brown sugar until it's good and fluffy like a mousse. Add the vanilla and eggs and keep beating until it's smooth.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add it to the mixer in small portions, beating it on low until blended in before adding more. Once the dry ingredients are all in there, pour in the chocolate, pecans and coconut. Fold them in by hand, with a spatula—it is a bit of a workout, but the best way to coat the ingredients evenly.
3. My mother likes to chill the dough a little (30 minutes or so) before baking, which helps the cookies hold their shape better when baking. Then she uses an ice cream scoop to drop the dough onto the sheets. She flattens them lightly with her fingers, so they spread evenly. They should be about 1/2 inch thick and 2 inches around before baking. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned on the edges and cooked in the center. Cool on racks. Store in a cookie tin.
Two dozen large cookies.

A Claim and Honor: A Field of Books

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was published in 1952. In 1953, the Newbery Medal went to Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark. Honor (runners-up) books included Charlotte's Web, Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil, The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh, and Birthdays of Freedom, Vol. 1 by Genevieve Foster. White swimming respectfully in an honored sea of women. And what of the Andean secret? Do you know it?

As you are aware, the Newbery Medal "is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year." Named for the eighteenth century bookseller, John Newbery, who perhaps stocked an inordinate number of children's books or perchance fathered 16 children. In either case, it is the first children's book award in the world.

The 1922 Newbery stated aim is threefold:
To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children.
To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels.
To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children's reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field.

I find each point bracing in its humanity and shot with sadness. First, the chance to win a medal (i.e., fame, honor, possibly fortune) encourages creativity in books for children. Second, the committee of writers saw fit to publish a statement of human rights: Children's books deserve equality. And last, the interest of loyal librarians plays as cheerleaders in the hometown game. They can enourage good writing! You got to want it to win it and they want it more. I don't know what they are doing mixed up with authors and the creation of literature unless the Newbery people knew that reading would influence the rising generation to write. Charlotte's egg sac.

In Review: The Olives Table

My friend R presented me The Olives Table some years ago (2002 from the inscription). I immediately rejoiced. She was surprised and vaguely bored I had heard of it. R is often vaguely bored. Written by chef Todd English and food writer Sally Sampson, it is a repeated source of dream. In fact, I have not made much from it (just the Sweet Potato Soup), but have earmarked numerous pages, and for about the whole time I’ve had it, pined to make Green Apple Risotto with Cabbage and Bacon. The liquid is apple juice and water. This is a welcome change from most risotto. I have never made risotto, but when I do, it will be an event. This dish is an “interesting accompaniment to duck, chicken, or pork.”

Other recipes that need to be created: Carl’s Pagoda-Inspired Tomato Soup (in late summer or early fall), Roasted Cumin Carrots (roasted carrots are a staple here and this with cumin, cilantro, garlic, and feta send a whiff of pleasure), Apple Fennel Mashed Potatoes (includes rosemary, apple cider), mostly Tahini-Marinated Chicken with Honey, Yogurt, and Ginger Sauce (in Todd’s words, it is “simply luscious”), and the interesting Steamed Tagine of Halibut with Morrocan-Spiced Spaghetti Squash. More than one of these dishes boasts a yogurt sauce. This is appealing for the salt and herbs. Plain yogurt is my friend. A simple raita is heaven. If I went mad I would make the Gingersnap Risotto Pudding and serve with fresh blueberries. On a moment’s reflection, I would make this for RB if a visit were eminent. Some people love crystallized ginger.



I enjoy Todd English for his name, his dramatic hair, and his way of teaching. He is a man who often chews “on a stalk [of fennel] while [he is] working in the kitchen” because he finds the sweet anise-like flavor refreshing. We dined once at Olives in Las Vegas. I chiefly remember the flat bread with sweet (probably fig) jam and perhaps prosciutto. One day I hope to visit his Boston restaurant and work my way around an olive pit. For now, his book is inspired and highly useful to the home cook.

In Dream: Leave Everything Else Behind

Last night I dreamed my neighbor gave me two Sea-Doos. The intent was I could sell them for money. They were magnificent and in truth, one was a small boat. My neighbor is in her 90s and though sharper than most people's wit, she doesn't have Sea-Doos. I bet she has ridden on one to two. In the dream, I contemplated keeping the crafts and then talked myself out of it. Though fun, I only have fun rarely. The money was the correct choice.

I love water and watercraft but I've never planned to own Sea-Doos. I would choose to dream of being in a garden or a rain forest or meet an enchanting person.

As a child, I had the dream of dreams. It was the feeling that magnified its success. I woke euphoric. It was a library. The volumes were shades of pink, mostly hot pink like a Barbie library. It was tall like a library in Beauty and the Beast. I marveled.

My dad would have a recurring nightmare of a horse scratching him. Just lifting its hoof and reaching out to scratch him. For nightmare, I had shoreline scariness of water and sinking and sand. When I am stressed, I dream I'm falling. I hardly ever remember dreams. And, when I do, they are not normally important to my waking life.

I know the Lord speaks to people in dreams in scripture. I love that and have always wanted to experience it. Speaking to them in story or even in detail. I still wait. But, I do remember on my mission I had a dream that led to a visit of a family in the branch congregation. The husband told us later it saved them. We had no idea what was going on, but a small visit by two missionaries led them to make a right choice that kept their family together. I find a lot of spiritual experiences I have are for other people. For the most part, when I pray for others. But don't worry, both parties benefit from heaven's benevolence.

Mosaic

I wanted to exhibit a project recently completed for a friend's birthday. It is the continent of Africa in buttons, stretched on wood frames. The notion of button art came direct from T who made a Christmas present for A. A bird for each family member. And, sewed the branches and bird legs to boot.

I was happy to find a way to use this method and it is now on the wall.

The pearlized buttons shimmer like water.




The buttons are from my mum, Sue T, Scout, and a quilt shop in La Mesa, thanks to Susan's directive.

Wallpaper: A Note to Self

On my computer desktop at this moment I have 47 digital stickie notes. Forty-one of these stickie notes are recipes. The recipes remain in the stickie zone until they are proved and as stickies were perhaps intended, a reminder. There’s roasted curried cauliflower, sautéed tangerine shrimp, chile blanco, and salted fudge brownies. Spicy slaw, bolo de amêndoa, zucchini carpaccio salad, and lemony potato salad with olives, corn, and cashews. Citrus and avocado salad with honey vinaigrette and touch-of-grace biscuits.

What of establishment fare? Du-Par’s steak pot pie, traditional sunset salad from “21” Club, and Blue Chip chocolate chip cookies. My family breakfasted at Du-Par’s in Glendale under the tall bank tower. My father ordered two eggs any style (sunny side up) with hash browns, wheat toast, and decaf. Inevitably, he ordered bear claws to end the fast.

The eggplant ricotta bake I made in November is still listing on screen. I wasn’t wild about it the first day and will definitely drain the ricotta next time, but I thoroughly enjoyed doses of leftovers and have since repeatedly thought about its tomato-y goodness. The stickie note stays for now.

I can’t think of something I don’t love about a recipe—where it came from, when it was served, why it was created, what works with it and what doesn’t, family favorites. Handwriting, recipe card choice, the story.

Two recipes have been made to acclaim—fresh ginger and chocolate gingerbread and buckwheat butter cookies with cocoa nibs. From Dorie Greenspan and Alice Medrich, respectively. How to save them now? I prefer RB’s old-fashioned gingerbread recipe above this one, but this has chocolate icing and the real ginger is a draw. The buckwheat cookies have been made so often, I like having the recipe handy.

For dessert, gâteau au chocolat fondant de Nathalie, peanut ice cream, cardamom and lemon rice pudding made in a slow cooker, s’more brownies, chocolate candied orange peel. And from a stickie on the Taylor’s refrigerator door, Grandma’s coconut pecan frosting.

Home Movies

As I came home from Christmas, I added a DVD to the small private collection. I rarely buy movies. If I rent, I go to the library just down the street. They have a good selection and I can order from other county libraries if they don't have one I want to see. Just now, I have La Vie en Rose ordered. I thought I would post the movies here that I have. It is fun to see what people have and why. When someone asks your favorite movie, you may hedge and stumble and be rendered dumb. Overload. One of my favorite movies is Howards End. It has a lot going for it. It is like literature on screen. Here is the list of DVDs and videotapes respectively.

Marie Antoinette (Christmas gift)
Sense and Sensibility ($5 from Target)
Babette's Feast (gift)
To Catch a Thief (gift)
Cyrano de Bergerac
Finding Neverland
Chocolat
The Phantom of the Opera (gift)
Il Postino
The Birds (gift)
Wuthering Heights (gift)
Charade
Toy Story (gift)
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Jane Eyre (gift)
The Parent Trap (gift)
The Black Stallion
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Pearl

Little Women
Kate and Leopold
Howards End
Henry V
Cry, the Beloved Country
Out of Africa
The Way We Were
An Ideal Husband
The Age of Innocence
Emma
The Remains of the Day
Cinema Paradiso
My Mother’s Castle
My Father’s Glory
Au Revoir Les Enfants
Sabrina
Funny Face
My Fair Lady
Roman Holiday
Paris When It Sizzles
Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I gave up marking which are gifts and which are not. They are mostly gifts.

In the Beginning

Well, I can't wait any longer. PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE PREVIOUS POST. Like Harry Potter season, there are spoilers.

Here are the answers:

1. The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton
2. Smilla's Sense of Snow, Peter Høeg
3. Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man (The Early Years), Thomas Mann
4. Stones for Ibarra, Harriet Doerr
5. James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl
6. A Year in Provence, Peter Mayle
7. Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell

I'm sorry to say no one wins a prize for guessing (right or wrong) all of them. I don't blame you . . . really. Now you can redeem yourselves.

And now the challenge. Please write a fantastic first line to your book and post it here. I expect all of you to participate.

I'm working on mine.

First Lines

Here is an assortment of story beginnings. For the first who guesses (correct or incorrect) the book titles, there will be a special prize (not a hug, as my nephew offered to give me this week for guessing something incredible). The answers will be posted in several days. Knock yourselves out.

Here they are as found on my bookshelf:

1. On a January evening of the early seventies, Christine Nilsson was singing in Faust at the Academy of Music in New York.
2. It's freezing—an extraordinary 0 degrees Fahrenheit—and it's snowing, and in the language that is no longer mine, the snow is qanik—big, almost weightless crystals falling in clumps and covering the ground with a layer of pulverized white frost.
3. As I take up my pen at leisure and in complete retirement—in good health, furthermore, though tired, so tired that I shall only be able to proceed by short stages and with frequent pauses for rest—as I take up my pen, then, to commit my confessions to this patient paper in my own neat and attractive handwriting, I am assailed by a brief misgiving about the educational background I bring to an intellectual enterprise of this kind.
4. Here they are, two North Americans, a man and a woman just over and just under forty, come to spend their lives in Mexico and already lost as they travel cross-country over the central plateau.
5. Here is James Henry Trotter when he was about four years old.
6. The year began with lunch.
7. I remember the day the Aleut ship came to our island.

Jolly Holidays: We were Merry

My brother has recorded an event from our holiday season. Guesses as to what movie we saw?

Over the Christmas season we were pleased to reacquaint ourselves with relatives visiting from California. One evening midway through their visit, in front of a roaring fire, we watched a movie.

We would later pen the following list:

+ Top 5 Signs Your Party Guests May Dislike Your Movie +

1. "Is this a full-length movie?" (Expected answer: "No.")

2. "Is the whole movie like this?" (Feared answer: "Like what?")

3. Facial expressions of disbelief, pain, or despair when other viewers are laughing.

4. Upon movie's completion: "I could have spent this time ... (fill in the blank)."

5. A strong belief the movie was longer than its actual length: "It was only 84 minutes?!"

On Tap: Hearth and Home

If you know my brother, you know he is a hot chocolate enthusiast. The interesting thing is his chocolate of choice is Stephen's or Swiss Miss. He is a purist in this sense. He does pump on some whipped cream. This is his mug of choice.



It is a Harry Potter mug by Johnson Bros. There is a selection of about 6 HP mugs on the mug tree.

This is my favorite mug for hot c.



It is from Hawaii and I believe we received them (there are two) from my mother's mother. I am basically the only one who uses them which is just fine with me. Tonight I enjoyed Stephen's Cinnamon Chocolate or Chocolate Cinnamon. The cinnamon is very minor. Sometimes food or drink without strong taste can be described as friendly. I can't take rich chocolate ever since I suffered from a chocolate frozen drink at Chuao. To say it was potent is understatement. It was a wrenching experience and my stomach has not been the same.

2007 in Brief and 2008 in Dream

Two Thousand Seven

Made me gasp: harrowing rise in Kiehl's skin care pricing.
Highly enjoyable: the card swap group and pertaining card creations
Most memorable book: The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard
Poetry of interest: from Author Mary Oliver
New perfume: Miette pour Moi by L'Artisan Parfumeur Paris

Two Thousand Eight

Write a book of poetry or verse
Obtain authentic fleur de sel at any cost
Display favorite dishes in a glass fronted cabinet
Display LEGO magnets
Practice b/w photography

End of Year Spring Clean

Gone are the days of airing out the mattress ticking and beating the curtains in the prairie breeze. I feel a bit left out I have never slept on a hay filled mattress. Feathers is the closest I've come to nature. The season changes are a good time to let go and begin anew.

Our new year is also traditional. I have committed to deleting much of my email inbox before 2008 dawns. This may be my only nod at a fresh start. I do have several goals for the new year though which is good for me (obviously I need to make some changes . . . ). Often I have none, but possess a trace desire to improve this or that. I may improve on that record this year. What is in your book of tricks?