Cosmic Alignment

I was munching on an apple while working on my (oh my) Apple computer last week. When I finished the apple, I set the core on a paint sample that I noticed was called "apple core."

Later that afternoon, I carried the apple core and paint samples downstairs to throw away, setting the items briefly on my dining room table which is covered with…(drumroll)…

apples.

foot fetish

I adore little kid feet in all the random shapes, sizes, and softness that come with them. These days my youngest can often be found playing in the kitchen sink after dragging a chair over to reach all those fun knives, bowls from breakfast, and wet dishcloths that await.

When that happens, I get to stare at cute little toes straining to enjoy the extra inch going tip-toe brings.

Doughboy

My husband was staff chef this weekend, specializing in all things bread. On Friday he made a pizza with the Mark Bittman crust recipe, on Saturday, he made cinnamon rolls (see cinna-man in the photo), and Sunday he made chili with cornbread.

Household favorites were in order of sweetness, with cinnamon rolls being the clear winner.

The Art of Cooking

My daughter was in the kitchen with me as I tried out one of my fun new kitchen tools. I was chopping some ingredients for a stew using my new hand-chopper (thanks, Mom!), and was struck by how photogenic the little squares were with colorful bits of veggie poking through. The light-dark (yes, the chiaroscuro, having recently read Despereaux), the symmetrical pattern of the squares, the unruly vegetables. 

I looked at it for a moment, and my daughter, reading my mind, said, "Mom, we should take a picture of that."

She then wanted to find some beauty of her own, with camera in hand. Here's a photo of some celery she found alluring. Isn't that green hue delicious this time of year?

I hereby dedicate myself to finding beauty in the kitchen this year. 

Two Takes on the Gingerbread Man

My daughter's gingy, with cute little Santa hat.

 99¢ kits at Trader Joe's. So fun! They're about 10 inches tall, so look substantial enough to hop off the pan and run away.

My son's gingy, with fangs.

Banned? Really?

I was delighted to come across a pint of Ben and Jerry's Limited Edition Schweddy Balls ice cream a couple weeks ago after reading about all the quaint folks who were protesting its existence in their supermarkets. Happily, my local grocery stop was not too Puritan for this product. It is funny. It is tasty. And for parents who need some adult humor in their lives while little kids who don't know about Saturday Night Live sleep softly in their beds, it's a nice late-night treat to share. Go get some Schweddy Balls to share with your loved one. Make it a date and watch the SNL outtake at Ben & Jerry's website.

Watch your step!

This just makes me happy. Downtown MPLS 10/11/11