A lucky number---7

Alex turned seven today. So there was cake.



There was also a party. At an aviation museum.



I'm pretty sure the kids had fun.



Happy birthday, pumpkin.

Ginger Cardamom Scones

Perfect for breakfast: tea & scones.

Reactions ranged from "Yumnumnum" to "This tastes really good" to "Mmm...".

Cajun Chicken & Andouille Skewers with Dirty Rice

For Mardi Gras, a day early because Tuesdays are dine-with-the-in-laws-days.

Chicken & Andouille sausage seasoned with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme & paprika, then grilled.

And an (Almost) Dirty Rice on the side.

Vegged up for the non-meat eaters by using faux sausages & chick'n as well as a substitute sausage for the rice.

Pan-Asian Chicken & Vegetable Lettuce Wraps

Pasta with Shredded Chicken & Fried Basil

Donna Hay recipe, from New Food Fast.

Pasta, tossed with olive oil in which basil is quickly fried, topped with shredded roasted chicken (or Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chick'n Strips) & crumbled feta; crisp & delicate fried basil leaves to finish.

365: Day 18

1930 Tiled Mantle

365: Day 17

Wishful thinking.

Your Last Meal

If Matt's going to die, at least he dies happy.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, with homemade crumpets.

365: Day 16

Yes, we do like tea. Why do you ask?

365: Day 15

Still baking for superheroes: a vanilla sponge cake soaked in lemon simple syrup, filled with lemon curd & coated in ganache; birthday cake for the fictional teenage clone of a superhero.

365: Day 14

Remains of the Day

365: Day 13

Could not be prouder of DC for releasing an 'action' figure of Amanda Waller. Talk about breaking the mold.

365: Day 12

Dancing Shoes. Ok, more like 'shifting-weight-from-one-foot-to-the-other-shoes'.

365: Day 11

No, they are not giant CDs...

365: Day 10

Huggable sushi

365: Day 9

I really do bake for superheroes! Booster Gold cupcakes.

365: Day 8

Go on...smile!

365: Day 7

This snowy scene brings the South to its collective knees.

365: Day 6

When the locals can't get it right, do it yourself.

365: Day 5

It's a good feeling, knowing you're loved.

Captains Courageous (& trusty sidekick)

Accidental matching hats. Very nifty.

You Know You're a Foodie When...

At the age of six & three-quarters years old, your grandparents give you pasta for Christmas.

365: Day 4

Hope

365: Day 3

Food as Art, or Art as Food?

365: Day 2

Everyone needs a snuggle buddy...

365: Day 1

Osric might have overdone the New Year's celebrations...

Presents for All

The puppies get gifts, too. Gingerbread-shaped rawhide treats. They were all very sweet & gentle, starting with Doolin.



Donegal shoved her way in next, such a lady.



Then Wicklow...




...followed by the big boy, Duke.



All except Fluffy...who for whatever reason, refuses to eat hard treats. He got teeny 'steaks'.

Looney Tunes for the Win

...how you know a gift is a hit.

From Our House to Yours

BBM: Pretty Things from India

There's always an awkward moment, during Blogging by Mail match-ups. It comes when I need to find someone to send me a package. Nothing like saying 'hey, give me stuff, ok?' to someone you don't know!

This time the task was given to Gauri, of Life Rules in India.




And what a lovely, & unexpected, package I got!!




A pretty holiday card.



A bag of tea. Because...in my house...few things are better than tea!



A wonderful hand-written note on very pretty paper.



And jewelry!! Gauri sent two kinds.



These gorgeous beaded necklaces & earrings, which she made herself (and just happened to 'know' purple & blue are among my favorite colors?).







And these amazing & so-delicate terra cotta pieces, as well!



Jewlery, for me, is definitely an indulgence. So thank you, Gauri...I get to feel pretty & special with my new accessories!!

They Tell You to Eat Three Square Meals a Day...

So, I'm only following orders.

Dinner of Gruyere waffles topped with peppery bacon (or Morningstar Farms faux bacon strips) & scrambled eggs. Seriously filling & perfect on a cold night.

File Under: "Shiny" & "Bright". Also, "On Sale".

You've seen me talk about New West Knifeworks; their Super Bread Knife as well as the Santoku & the Chopper.

And through Wednesday, their Fusionwood Steak Knife Set & their Damascus Steak Knife Set are on sale.

Yes, it's a bit more than you'd pay for a a set of knives from your local box store, & yes...they are worth every penny.

Two Days After Thanksgiving Dinner '09: Scenes From the Crime

Missing from photos: Coffin Meatloaf, Blood Soup with Eyeballs & Bugs (tomato soup, bocconcini with pimento & olives studded with chive antenna & rosemary legs).

Let's Call it 'Eclectic'

Pumpkin Seed Flatbread

Non-traditional Tday dinner with the in-laws.



Caprese



Tofu & Mushroom-Filled Yuba Bundles




Jicama, Red Cabbage & Carrot Salad





Cream of Pepper Soup



Wild Rice with Walnuts





Ginger Ice Cream