Happy Friday

… even if I’m not walking the red carpet this weekend. If you’re staying home like me, you should at least be thinking of something fabulous to eat or drink while watching the Oscars. At our place, I’m serving Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche, and Fennel Rillettes (thanks for the tip Mariangela!) in addition to our usual Sunday supper of roasted chicken. And, I’m sure my partner in plonk will mix a few lively spirits while I cross my fingers for Midnight in Paris. If you need some menu inspiration, I like Aida’s 1920′s French-Style Oscars Party. Love all the flavors and the cheese! Anyway, have a good weekend and I hope your favorites win.

{ Image from Quotables on Pinterest. }

Porchetta & Friends

Getting back to the porchetta dinner, here it is (or was) in all its glory. Honestly, I can still smell it. The porchetta was from our friend’s butchery course; the meat was stuffed with garlic, fennel, rosemary, and other herbs and marinated for a few weeks in their home. The porchetta was epic. The pork was tender and flavors were so well balanced, no one ingredient dominated which, for me, is perfect. Put this on a pedestal platter, add a candle, and you’ve made my birthday cake. You may be laughing (or gagging), but I’m serious.

The evening started with Corpse Reviver cocktails made with the fresh lemons from Conny’s Meyer Lemon tree. While sipping, I got a healthy whiff of something else quite wonderful cooking in the kitchen, black trumpet risotto. An astounding pairing, black trumpets & porchetta, don’t you think?

For dinner, we brought two bottles of 2003 Bordeaux from the Margaux appellation; two different winemakers to compare. However, we were quite satiated after just one, but I suspect we were just saving ourselves for the after dinner Gewürztraminer.

And, if porchetta wasn’t rich enough, Conny made Chocolate Bombes for dessert. The pastry sous chef felt raspberries would really put it over the top. Personally, I felt a ’94 Rolly Gassmann would, but to each his own.

Thank you Conny & Joe.

Happy Friday

Love the words of inspiration as seen on Where is the Cool? Enjoy the long weekend!

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee & Teacups

What better time to release the 100 Teacups project by, British artist, Joel Penkman than now. In just a few months,  June 5th to be exact, well wishers from all over will celebrate the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom. To me, Penkman’s work epitomizes British art & design at its best. If you love it, follow his work here.

“You Are Even Better Than Brownies”

The spelling is a bit off but my daughter’s sentiment came out loud and clear on her Valentine’s Day card. I feel so lucky that she favors me over chocolate!

My son gave me this card and wrote inside “You are the big cheese.” So cute… but is my cheese consumption that obvious?

And, of course, I gave this one to my better half. I did tell the truth. I do love him more than bacon.

This sweet hedgehog one is from my dear husband. I should point out that each of these cards were purchased individually. I guess hungry minds think alike.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Steal of the Day

Is it too early for stocking stuffers? How about birthday gifts for pop art-friendly shutterbugs? Fred Flare is offering their Warhol’esque color camera for $4.99 (normally $25.). The camera is tiny 4″x2.5″x1.5″ but what a fun toy for kids of all ages. Sale is today only so visit Fred Flare now while supplies last.

Friday Night Junk Food

What’s your weekend junk food? I like putting chunks of gorgonzola dolce on flatbread crackers. Yum!