use real butter

Recipe: artichoke dip

you know what’s coming
We have a new president. A shiny, new, intelligent, thoughtful, gracious, handsome president. I was in good spirits this morning listening to my public radio feed flood the kitchen and great room with coverage of the inauguration. As I whipped meringue and ground almonds, I listened to Mr. Obama take the oath of office. And suddenly I stopped, stood there, and wept into my apron. Tears of joy. It means so many different things to so many people. I can’t even begin to list what it means to me. As tired as it may sound, I have hope. Not sure what hope may mean to you, but for me, hope coupled with realism and determination gets me through life. Well, I suppose I should say they helped me wade through the emotional and physical mess of cancer. I don’t get through life, I live it whole hog. But now I’m living it with a big ass smile on my face.

are you shittin’ me?
So I’m scanning my blog feeds this morning and I see that Susan of Wild Yeast is a finalist for the Well Fed Network Food Blog Awards in the Best Food Blog – Theme category. How awesome! I clicked on the link to see what other favorite blogs of mine made it to the finals. I always hope my favorites plaster the awards. I saw Jaden and Helen and Bea and Aran and Michelle and whoa! Use Real Butter?!?! In the Best Food Blog – Overall category?!

***Are you shittin’ me?!***

**Jump for more butter**

There is much to be happy about this weekend. First off, I am done with my baking and candy making hell. I gave all of the goodies out to folks on my distribution list. And most of all, my buddy is visiting from out of town! She just finished one hell of a semester (she is a young superstar professor), as did Jeremy – so we are celebrating by pampering the hell out of her.

i picked up some succulent scallops from whole foods

we had awesome sushi for lunch

**Jump for more butter**

Recipe: beef tenderloin wraps

It’s December and I am officially in what I call “shit pants” mode because there is an overwhelming amount of stuff to get done. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen and so far I’ve burned my hands twice in two days. I am on a roll, baby!

there’s the beef: tenderloin (salted)

Well, party season is here whether you like it or not. Hard for me to say if I like parties or sit down dinners better. I guess I like the intimacy of a sit down dinner because you can have a nice conversation with a few people versus the social butterfly flitting from one guest to the next – getting only 15 minutes tops with each guest. That said, I like parties because it’s a great excuse to make tons of little foods.

grilled rare

**Jump for more butter**