You're welcome.

You need to make this breakfast pizza.  The one I linked to in my last post.  The one over here at Smitten Kitchen.

I made a few modifications.  Instead of shallots, I used caramelized onions.  I didn't have chives, so they were left out and replaced with more of the parsley and scallions.  I also used turkey bacon instead of the real stuff.

One other note:  I used store-bought pizza dough instead of that which is indicated in the recipe.  Turns out, the recipe doesn't translate well to not using a stand mixer.  (Yes, we own a stand mixer.  No, we haven't figured out yet where in the kitchen it can live.  Yes, it's still in its original packaging in the basement.)

I might request this for my birthday instead of cake.  It's that good.

Oh don't you worry, we'll rock out.

Apparently I'm going to have to remind myself a couple more times in the next few months to just trust my/our instincts with all this wedding-type stuff, already. Seriously.

This time it isn't elegant flowers and sleek vases distracting me, it's music. Specifically, a dj. Specifically, this dj (scroll down, he's in the last photo). Not some guy with a computer and a bunch of mp3s and a microphone, but an artist who uses vinyl and turntables to create something that's greater than the sum of its individual-song parts. Click around through some of the dj mixes over there and just try not to bust out with some dance moves.

I'm not genuinely, deep-down-in-my-heart-of-hearts disappointed that we won't be hiring him (although I *am* disappointed not to have an opportunity to rock out to his tunes at some other event). We're compiling our own music, and -- as with the bottles and jars as vases -- I'm excited about it because it's very us. The Awesome Fiance and I are music people, and while Mr. Flashdance there clearly has excellent taste, I think it's safer if we keep complete control of the set list (mostly so we make sure to include all the must-haves, of which there are many).

I have no idea what Mr. Flashdance charges for a fee, but that's probably another good reason to stick with the plan. We surely shouldn't be able to afford him if his rates are in any way linked to his level of talent. Plus, there's the pesky matter of him being located in California. And the fact that if he played our wedding, I'd spend half the night at the table asking about the songs. I mean, honestly, how cool is it to watch him at work? I find live artistry and musicianship (this guy, a really good band, whatever) so fascinating, but for this particular event I intend to be fully immersed in dancing with the wonderful man I will have just married (and lots of other loved ones), so recorded music will do just fine.

Plus, we found that most elusive and important of items this afternoon: a suitably danceable Rage Against the Machine track, free of profanity. So, clearly, it's going to be ok.

Second-string Gratitude

Here's what I'm thankful for today (excluding, as always, the big and obvious items):

- cute argyle socks that go perfectly with my sensible Mary Janes
- first listen of a CD I received for my birthday (Attention all fans of good music: look up Sean Costello. I'd recommend starting with his cover of Al Green's "I'm a Ram." Talent, yo.)
- azalea bushes starting to bloom in our yard
- plans set up this weekend to spend time with one of my oldest and dearest friends
- pink grapefruit. yummy.

Whatcha got on your list today?

Maybe it *is* stranger than fiction

I've fluctuated a lot in the amount of non-required reading I do. I was a huge reader as a kid (not a big surprise, I was that kid who stayed inside with the books rather than refining any sense of hand-eye coordination), but since then I've sort of petered out with it. There was a short window of time in maybe 2003 when I was single and bored and felt like I *should* read lots of important literary works, but that phase died a spectacular death when I went to law school and spent several years avoiding any and every page of text I wasn't academically required to read.

I've been reading books again, though (the scars from law school have apparently healed), and I've been surprising myself by reading, and looking forward to reading, works of nonfiction.

Right now I'm reading One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding, by Rebecca Mead. It's timely for me, fascinating, and a wonderfully snarky reminder to not let myself get to the place where I would consider spending half of my annual salary on a one-day celebration.

Next on the list is a book I can't wait to read: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. I heard about it by chance when I was listening to NPR in my car and the author was interviewed on Fresh Air. She spoke with so much enthusiasm and emotion about the process of researching the book (over ten years!) and how strongly she felt she needed to communicate the story she found to the rest of the world, I was hooked. Apparently, a lot of NPR-listening, library-card-carrying folks in my town had the same thought. 15 people had beaten me to the punch in requesting the handful of available library copies. Enter Senor Stupendous to the rescue, though: he bought me a copy for Valentine's Day! I can start reading about medical ethics and socioeconomic injustice whenever I finish reading about the evolution of social norms surrounding nuptial spending!

He knows me very well, that man. If you'd asked me even a few months ago, I would've said I only read novels. Apparently he knows me better than I (used to) know myself.

I *heart* serendipity. Also spinach.

Though appearances of late might indicate otherwise, this is not a food blog. It's a things-I-like blog, and I happen to like food. In particular, I like tasty, healthy food made from fresh ingredients. And so, apparently, I blog about it quite a bit.

Yesterday evening, Sir Fantastic and I had decided to make homemade pizza. The dough for the crust was made by the time we realized we didn't have tomato sauce. White pizza it was, with an amalgamation of toppings decided on by rummaging through the fridge and grabbing whatever items even remotely made sense. And so, we ended up with the following pizza:

fresh spinach
mushrooms
carmelized onions (left over from an also-yummy dinner last week)
mozzarella
walnuts

A serendipitously delicious combination, to be sure, but my inability to properly keep track of cooking times led to another happy accident: by over-broiling the pizza, we managed to toast the walnuts to complexly-flavored perfection.

We'll definitely be having this for dinner on purpose in the future. Here's hoping we'll be able to recreate it in all its flavorful splendor.

I AM A COOL GIRL

Meg over at A Practical Wedding says so.

(Or said so, back in November, if you want to be particular about it. I've been holding off on sharing this so as not to be all-wedding-all-the-time. You're welcome.)

Anyway, even though it's presented in the context of weddings, everyone should go and read Meg's awesome diatribe on confidence and authenticity. It's a great reminder around here as we get into the real planning stage of the process (stumbling across the perfect dress and saying that we'll compile our own music at some point between now and September are not necessarily what I'd call "real planning") that whatever decisions we make will be the right ones simply by virtue of the fact that we made them.

And, to take it a step further, it's a great reminder to take pride in all aspects of your life that have been arrived at with joy and purpose. I'm not making any Resolutions-with-a-capital-R for this new year, but if you are and you'd like to use that one, go right ahead.

But yeah, Meg's more articulate than I am on the subject, so click on over there and read and get all fired up and empowered. (She's also a little more, shall we say, edgy with the language, so if you've got shy and retiring sensibilities -- or literate kiddos near the computer -- be careful.)

Excellent Timing

Just yesterday, SuperFiance and I realized we need to figure out the menu for our second annual Christmas Brunch, a festive and delicious opportunity for us to bring our families together and celebrate the holiday. Cue merriment and conviviality and carols and joyous togetherness.

Right, so we'll need food. And what should Google Reader send my way, but a headline that fits the bill almost precisely: How to Host Brunch (and still sleep in)." I prefer to read it in my head as "How to Host Brunch (and still have time for opening presents and frenetically cleaning one's house before guests arrive)," but the point remains that the advice is greatly appreciated this week.

I take issue with the formulation of a fruit salad (which should be be granny smiths, underripe bananas, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, and orange juice, thank you very much), but otherwise I think the brunch guide is spot on. Thank you, Smitten Kitchen Deb! I see chive-buttermilk biscuits in our future!

Networking and Good Karma

I'm hoping for -- and indeed, have been getting -- some awesome networking help in spreading the word about the house I'm selling and the open house I'm holding for it this Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon. (Information about the house here.)

In the hopes of gathering a little more good karma, and in appreciation for that which I've already received, I figured I'd let you fine folks know about some local small businesses who, I suspect, rely heavily on word of mouth recommendations.

If you're in need of a photographer, I'll direct you to the two final contenders Senor Wonderful and I found in our recent search (yes, we're taking the way-in-advance approach to wedding planning). Kate Baker and Clare Norton are both exceptionally talented, and lovely people to boot. They primarily photograph weddings, but I'm fairly certain they do family (and kiddo and pet) portraits as well.

If you don't need any fancy photos done but would like to be fancified all the same, check out KMS Jewelry Designs, offering quality, unique, handmade beauteousness.

For graphic design beauteousness, head on over to Brushfire Media. Logos and websites and production services, oh my!

Public Service Announcement

People, do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy store-bought, jarred hot fudge ever again. Seriously. Prince Charming and I ended a lovely New Year's Eve dinner (stayed in but got dressed up anyway) with sundaes, topped with the following Yummiest Sundae Sauce Ever:

(found through epicurious.com, originally appearing in Bon Appetit, December 2000)

Put a half a cup of water, a cup of sugar, and a half a cup of unsweeted cocoa powder in a small pot. Whisk constantly over medium-high heat until the consistency changes from liquid to slightly thicker than liquid, wherein bubbles formed from the heat of the oven move more slowly, and the whole thing more closely resembles molten goo. At this point, add 4 tablespoons of peanut butter (could probably get away with lower fat stuff, but probably not the natural, need-to-stir-it kind, though that would be good to try and even better if it works, from a wholesome foods, fewer chemicals standpoint) and keep whisking over medium heat for a couple more minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool enough so as not to burn the roof of your mouth. That's it. Simple and amazingly delicious.

Now that I've fulfilled my civic duty in spreading chocolately goodness throughout the land, I've also got a pictorial knitting update. First, proof that I've been working on Francis Revisited:


I've actually gotten very nearly to the bottom hem by now, but the pictures I took that captured the progress in its entirety didn't really do the yarn justice. This one's prettier.

I also finished a scarfy version of Clapotis this morning. It's destined to be gifted, even though it's pretty and silky soft and so lovely I've decided I'll need to make one for myself before long, my aversion to knitting non-sweaters notwithstanding. (I also made a miniature Clapotis to be gifted to a person who is age- and height-appropriate for it, but didn't take any pictures. If the recipient likes it and will stand still for more than two seconds in front of a camera, perhaps a photograph will be forthcoming.) Anyway, the adult-sized Clapotis, scarf-style (better color accuracy in the second photo):





Thermal hasn't been touched in weeks. I also knit up a fluffy-soft scarf in some random mohair blend, resulting in a piece that looks a lot more labor intensive than it really was. Will probably be given as a belated holiday gift. More sweater knitting is on tap for 2009, that's for sure. Right now, though, that sundae sauce is calling my name...