La vie, toujours, la vie

Aw, guys. I really want to thank you for sticking with me - I know I've been all over the place lately, and I'm so glad you're still here.

My mom was visiting for the last week and we had the loveliest time. We ate at Resto, shopped at Ann Taylor (I bought this sweater), and visited the High Line. We also tried to navigate the insanity of the TKTS booth in Times Square (result: an hour in line and NO tickets to Mary Poppins). Here's the view of the insanity inTimes Square (photo by Mom):

And my mom is on a restricted diet as of late so making up a menu was a challenge: limited dairy and animal protein, limited wine, no refined sugar, everything multi-grain and whole wheat. Here is one thing I made while she was visiting:

Food and Wine's Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cabbage and Pine Nuts, served with ricotta-topped grilled bread (I omitted the ricotta on my mom's plate).

I've also been busy working on my iTunes playlists. As you know (here and here, among others), playlists play an integral part in my kitchen and eating life. And with the new computer, I've had to work on reorganizing my 10,000+ tracks. A huge task but one I love, actually.

Also, those of you who have been reading awhile are familiar with the Soul Twin and her husband, My Other Husband. They've had a family tragedy recently that has left me feeling helpless and sad. Ugh. I'm just sick over the whole thing, and I don't know what to do. Cooking, hugs, love...sure, that's all great but it won't bring someone back who never should have left. Shit.  I just can't find words.

But I was going through the blog the other day and looking through past posts (from waaay back!) and thinking about things that I've done, what a full life I've had, and how much I've laughed.  And how much amazing food and drink I've had.  So if you'll indulge me, I'm sharing my trip down memory lane with you:

Back when I still blogged children's books, I went bowling during BEA with Chris, Jack, Scott Westerfeld, and David Levithan.

My first souffle!

Adam and Bug: one of my first photos with my new camera

Homemade calamari is so simple!

Relaxing at home while Adam was on a business trip (this was a Stratus Chardonnay).

A trip to Florida with the Soul Twin

My first taste of Cubanisimo's Rosado

My trip to Anguilla that I never did tell you guys all about, as I promised.

Mixing work and foodie pleasure with In-N-Out (thanks again to Liz Burns and Angie Manfredi for creating one of my favorite conference memories)

Golden Globes party with the Soul Twin 

Beer, sausages, and pretzels for breakfast

My first macarons at Bastille Day 2011!

Lastly, on a really high note, I have to share a video with you. I've been mum about it but now it's known worldwide that Dogfish Head Brewery and some Googlers collaborated on a beer together: Urkontinent. Guess who's Google-y husband spearheaded the project? Mine! Guess who's husband got to brew beer with Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head? Mine! I couldn't be prouder of Adam. The video is below. It's a little on the long side but I promise that it's entertaining and you'll learn some interesting stuff about the brewing process. Not to mention that there's a tall, cute blond guy for you all to look at. Enjoy!



Eat, drink, and let someone know today that you love them.

Happy Bastille Day!

Happy Bastille Day, friends!  We're on Day One of our annual family vacation to Oregon and California*, and I'm already feeling myself relax as we get further and further away from the hustle and bustle of NYC (which, consequently, I am addicted to).  But let's talk about Bastille Day...

Last Sunday, I finally had the chance to take part in the Bastille Day celebration on 60th Street, hosted by FIAF (French Institute: Alliance Francaise).  Adam, our friends Jen and Phil, and I spent a decadent day eating duck confit on a baguette (with cornichons tucked in)....

...wine-tasting...

 ...checking out French books (they didn't have it, but I'm dying to buy a copy of Ramona la Peste)...

...and buying jewelry, which Phil insisted wasn't really French...

But my favorite thing?  I FINALLY ATE MACARONS!!!!

Um, do you think I'm excited much in this photo? And check out the selection:

Thanks to The Culinary Librarian, I made a beeline for the MacarOn Cafe tent.  I decided to buy a pack of six, and I was able to choose any that I wanted.  Here's what I got:

From the bottom up, I chose Pistachio, Nutella, Creme Brulee, Dark Chocolate, Violette, and Rose.  The Violette was first - it just completely intrigued me, but Jen was worried it would "taste like perfume."

We both agreed it didn't.  I loved the crunch on the outside and the soft cake-y interior, and the violet flavor was subtle and delicate; the textures and flavors really came together perfectly and it was so well-balanced.  And for a gal like me who has a tiny little sweet tooth, it wasn't too sugary-syrupy sweet for me.

Next up was the Rose.  It was truly like eating a rose petal, which I couldn't decide if I liked or not.  Ultimately, it was unusual, interesting, and very fragrant; I think I liked it.  Jen...well...Jen said it tasted and smelled "like old lady."  See why I love her?

The other macarons were lovely, but didn't really compare to the Rose and Violette.  I enjoyed the Pistachio, in particular, as it had the same well-balanced deliciousness as the Violette.  It was all just so lovely.

Eat, drink, and vive la France!


* Previous posts on our West Coast adventures include: The Wild Pear, Oregon 2009, and California 2009.

Foods I Haven't Tried: Macarons

Several weeks ago, I came across this post at The Culinary Librarian about NYC Macaron Day.  First, I didn't even know there such a day in New York (March 20th).  Which is bad.  But then....here it comes...my big confession: I HAVE NEVER HAD A MACARON.

It's purely circumstantial. They weren't on my radar when I was 17 years old and staying in Paris - at the time, I only ate white foods (don't get me started...).  I don't have a sweet tooth.  No one in my circle of foodie friends introduced me to macarons.  I don't frequent bakeries.  If I'm going to have a macaron, I want it to be the right one.  Not to be crude...but when you have sex for the first time,  you want it to be right: lighting, emotions,timing.  That can be the same with food.  If I'm going to try a fresh oyster on the half-shell for the first time, I want it to be right.  I want quality, I want the sea, I want a glass of bubbly, I want the right person next to me.

Which is how I feel with this whole macaron issue.  I regularly shop at Eli's Manhattan, where they have macarons on display.  But are those the best?  Do I really want those macarons to be My First?  Probably not.  But I feel like I'm missing out.  Not to mention that now I feel like I've built macarons up so much in my mind that they can't really live up to my expectations.

Tell me I'm not alone in this, guys.  What haven't you tried?  Share!  Divulge!  And when do you plan on rectifying it?  Or when you finally did have that First Time, was it really as great as you had hoped?

Eat, drink, and have lots of Firsts.


Image from Macaron Day NYC website