use real butter

I went to pick up some lovely ring molds this afternoon in addition to a few truffle tools. Anyone can slop together things that taste good (well, maybe not anyone), but I think incorporating presentation with taste, texture, and structure is the most fun challenge of plating desserts. I picked up a hexagon mold too. I hope to make something striking, yet elegant. I have no idea what it will be other than chocolate.

After my small pastry equipment acquisition, I met with Jeremy and our friends at Brasserie 1010 (aka Brassiere 1010, Bra 1010, Lingerie 1010) for Happy Hour. The food here is pretty good and aside from the regular crew, we were joined by Dave and Fran – two incredibly nice and fun people. There was food, I had camera in tow – what would you expect of me?

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The weather hasn’t been too great for sailing since we’ve been here. That’s alright with me. I love to sail, but at the same time, I don’t need to sail the way my dad does. Funny thing, my dad was blaming everything on global warming: the weather, the fact that the local market didn’t have blue crabs today, that Jeremy got sick. We actually took the morning easy and spent time talking, watching a movie, eating (of course), checking the fishies, and selecting appropriate gifts for my parents to take to folks in China.

Drizzle came down steadily as we made our way into the fog on a familiar route. We were hiking Echo Mountain, the trail behind our old house in Altadena that we used to do twice a week. I know that trail better than any trail… every turn and hill and switchback and even where certain plants bloomed. We were supposed to go with Ro, but the poor thing has been exhausting herself working like a madwoman on research, wedding, moving, in addition to the daily stresses of being an OCD. She slept through her alarm and decided she needed to sleep. So after our hike, we met Ro at a local coffeehouse to chat and juice ourselves up. It’s important to get QT with your pals.

When we arrived at Melinda’s house, the door swung open with Kevin and Thomas shouting out of unison, “Jennifer! Germany!” Kevin gave me a big hug and Thomas played coy. Aaron was getting BBQ from the doctor (Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ). We enjoyed an energetic lunch and then moved to the backyard for Easter projects.

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