Finally!

Boss B gave me a lovely gift card to Williams-Sonoma (yet more cooking gifts), so I decided to buy something I've been eyeing for the longest time. It's one of those things that I would never buy out of my own money because it's extravagant and it's not necessary to spend that much money on that type of item.

Here they are:


Yes, they're measuring cups and spoons, but they're not just any measuring cups/spoons. They're ALL-CLAD measuring cups/spoons! The cups look like miniature All-Clad pots! It's so incredibly cute and I'm figuring that these are the only measuring cups that could put a dent into an intruder's skull.

So I finally caved and got measuring cups. The spoons were a bonus, and I've now got 4 sets of measuring spoons. I guess I could toss the flimsy old metal ones as the increment impressions have worn away. My other set is the Williams-Sonoma narrow measuring spoons which fit into spice jars easily. They're awesome. I actually did not have dry measuring cups until I got this set. It's quite shocking, considering all the baking I do. I always figured that I was doing okay with the Pyrex measuring cups (which are really meant for liquids), and didn't have to buy dry measuring cups. I figured I'd register for them some day.

Thanks to Boss B, I don't have to wait for my unnecessarily fancy measuring cups! I've already used them for two recipes and they really do make the process a lot easier. I'm sure I'll be able to churn out 1000 cookies next Christmas, no problem!

From me to me

Every year, I buy a Christmas present for myself. This year, I bought two, because I'm weak and have no willpower.



On the left is a goldstone necklace I bought at the Union Square holiday fair. The picture doesn't do it justice, as the stone glitters in the light. And on the right is an example of my strange obsession with finding the perfect Mary Jane style shoe. Yes, there are a lot of shoes in this style, but oftentimes, they're embellished with funky accents and odd color schemes. I like my shoes classic, so I don't have to throw them away after one season. My favorite pair of Nine West MJ shoes are 5 years old and I still wear them. Anyways, the new shoes arrived today and I LOVE them, despite the front being a bit too short to cover up my toe cleavage. I understand that some people find toe cleavage arousing, but sorry, I'm not one of them. If I wear stockings, it's not noticeable. The shoes are also strangely comfortable. Yay!

Bakefest 2006

After last year's Bake-a-palooza, I realized I wanted to give even more cookie bags out atwork,stretching beyond my department and into different departments I deal with (like managing ed). This year, I made gingersnaps, rugelach (apricot and chocolate varieties), chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate-hazelnut cookies. I baked the gingersnaps and half of the chocolate-hazelnuts on Saturday (12/16) and the rest of the menu on Sunday (12/17). I didn't expect to bake the chocolate-hazelnuts twice, but Josh didn't give me the required number for his work gifts until after I finished my cookie ingredient math. If I hadn't gone back to make more chocolate-hazelnut cookies on Sunday, I wouldn't have stayed up until 1 a.m. packaging all of the gifts.


I baked almost 500 cookies last weekend. I made 47 cookie bags, 35 for me and 12 for Josh. I thought it was going to be a chaotic mess in my kitchen, but it was surprisingly organized. Things worked pretty well, thanks to my Christmas gift from Jennie and Julie, seen left. They got me the Williams-Sonoma set of three melamine mixing bowls. They are adorable and so very practical, with some rubber on the bottom, keeping them from sliding while in use. Thanks so much, Jennie and Julie!! I also had a system for putting cookies in the oven. You'd think that it would be better to have two trays going at once, but I found that the best way for me was to do one tray at a time. Using that method, I would have one tray in the oven, one cooling, and one being prepped with dough for the next batch. It made the whole experience much smoother.

In retrospect, I don't think I would've made the rugelach. It's a difficult cookie, especially when you're trying to make 12 dozen of them. I got a lot of compliments on them, which makes the effort worthwhile, and a bunch of people asked for the recipe too. It's fairly easy to make the dough; it's just a little complex to put the cookies together. Despite the availability of a decent rugelach recipe, I wonder why so many of the rugelach I eat are dry and bland.

Our department holiday party was on Tuesday, and I was really tired from baking so much over the weekend, so I said I wouldn't bring anything this year. I figured everything would be okay because I'd just given out so many cookie bags, but then a managing editor from an imprint I don't even work on was upset (jokingly, I'm sure) to find out that I hadn't provided cookies for her department.

Sigh. It appears I will be making 40 cookie bags for work next year.

Spicier!

I ran out of cinnamon a few weeks ago and bought some at the local grocery store. When I opened the jar, it smelled so weak and not very cinnamon-like. Shows what you get for buying cheapo spices. My last jar was from a gourmet market close to wear I used to live in Manhattan. I was planning on going back there, but remembered that there's a Penzey's Spices in Grand Central Market. I had gone to bed at 10:00 on Friday night, so I woke up bright and early at 8 a.m. on Saturday, getting me to the market just after it opened. I've walked through the Grand Central Market a couple times, but never actually shopped there. I was delighted to find a Murray's Cheese and Li-Lac Chocolates there as well. The Penzey's staff is very nice and the prices are great. I got a bottle of Chinese cassia for $3.29 (The cinnamon you see in stores is really cassia. Real cinnamon - ceylon cinnamon - is rarer and more pricey.)! If you buy nicer spices at the supermarket, they usually cost around $5. I am definitely a Penzey's convert.

I got a pleasant surprise on Friday. My awesome brother bought me the Le Creuset Buffet Casserole that I've been drooling over for the longest time. It's kiwi green and so darned cute! I used it for the first time on Saturday and made chicken curry. This holiday season has been so good, giving me an All-Clad roasting pan and a Le Creuset pot! I'm already thinking about how I can turn some of my recipes into one-pot meals, like my chicken stew with parsley biscuit topping. Is it odd for me to want cooking and baking equipment instead of jewelry and clothes? Yup, it's pretty weird, when you look at other women my age.

My obituary will say...

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

It's kind of creepy, since I like to bake so much. And I enjoy smirking.

A nice weekend

Yesterday, Josh and I finally saw Casino Royale. It was pretty good. Definitely an improvement over the past couple Pierce Brosnan movies. After that, we headed into Manhattan. We meant to run a few errands, but the lines in Petco and Trader Joe's were too long. And then while in front of Whole Foods, Josh decided to go to Williams-Sonoma. I never argue with a trip to Williams-Sonoma even when you have to walk a few avenues and blocks to get there on a cold and windy day.

While I was there, I saw all these things that I want, but really don't need. I'll just keep them in mind for the day I have to register for my wedding... if I ever get married. Josh bought me the All-Clad petite roti pan (everyday roasting pan) I've been drooling over for the longest time. I'm very excited to try it out, so I'll be roasting a chicken for dinner tonight over fennel, carrots, and onions.