...but I'm still cooking and have tons of yummy things.

If you can deal with a little less commentary (and come to think of it, I'm probably the only person who reads it anyway), then I can provide more culinary amusement for you.

Meal planning last time was a complete and utter bust - I don't know what I was thinking, trying to do a meal planning post the week before thanksgiving. Holidays screw everything up - simply because there ends up being so much to do around the holiday that regular dinner plans go out the window!

Even better, I had an amazing dinner party menu all ready to do (and the food half made) when I came down with a rotten cold and had to cancel.

Oh well, at least hubs and I enjoyed the two pounds of parsnip fries and three dozen stuffed mushrooms I'd already prepared for the occasion, hehe.  read more »

I'll start with my bad news. This blog is going to go unillustrated for a little while. Saturday night was my 20-year high school reunion. There was much merriment and frolicking, fueled by an open bar. There was a need to joyfully greet each new/old face one saw, even if 20 years ago we were pretty sure we never wanted to see said faces again (the open bar probably helped lubricate those moments). So in the midst of the drinking and hugging and photo-snapping, I accidentally flung my camera from my hand and it hit the floor lens-down. It was turned on, so the lens was extended out, and the impact of the blow set it permanently askew, so it won't retract into the camera as it should. Although I can salvage the pictures I took prior to the accident, I can't take any more pictures with it. I'm on the hunt for a new camera.  read more »

Oh, I know that you might look at this and scratch your head, thinking: “ What is she thinking? ” Not very seasonal, non ? But wait! This is really a subjective topic, isn’t it? Comfort food should never be seasonal. Beside, even when it is hot and summery outside, I do not necessarily crave cold foods. I am like this. And not alone. Take countries like India or China: you soon realize that the idea ingrained in public belief that cold food helps to cool down is only a myth. Cold food in your stomach is never going to be as nicely digested as warm food. The Chinese believe in this, and I like this theory too — of course, you do not have to agree. It however works well for me even if, like everyone else, I can crave and eat cold foods too — I am still salivating at the thought of the cold leek parsnip vichyssoise eaten recently at lunch with P. But when I need comfort, then warm food are the buzz words! With leftovers of ground veal used to prepare stuffed zucchinis, I imagined making meatballs flavored with carrot — another good reason to get that juicer I told you about . I wanted to pair the sweetness of a carrot-flavored sauce and the softness in taste of veal . Did it work?  read more »

I'm probably letting myself in for more heartbreak by watching this show. What if I fall in love with someone and then they're yanked off the air prematurely...as can happen on these nitwitted reality shows? Ill give it a try.. We have seconds-long vignettes of each of the FN stars hopefuls. The only thing that interests me is their interaction with current Food Network Stars. I dont even like that title for these newcomers. Who knows if theyll be a star or not? Kelsey comes in first. Cute. In college, she had her own cooking show. Kevin wants to bring romance and fun back to the kitchen. What does that mean? He says almost as an aside that hes an author of a "coupla" cookbooks, he owns a "coupla" restaurants. If hes doing so well, WHAT is he doing here?  read more »