Latest Obsessions

*Austrian and Northern Italian Wines
(Blaufrankish, Zweigelt, Blauburgunder, Zamo Rosso)
(Cherry and bold fruit notes, generally light on the palate, some have
a spicy finish, great with food and without)

*Jalebi
(an Indian dessert treat that we got to try in Jackson Heights,
they are delicious!)

*Valentine's Day
(I need to figure out what cards I want to send)

*The Snoring Dormouse video
(I love animals that snore)

*Oh Happy Day blog
(really fun decorations and party ideas)

*The Chinese New Year Parade in Flushing
(we're going this Saturday and I'm so excited!)

Creature Feature

In case you didn't know, my otters were featured in a gift guide
on the Etsy Blogs!  Which led to 15 orders in the last 2 days, more than I've ever had
in such a short period of time.  I am extremely proud of this, as you can probably imagine.
It's definitely great motivation to keep making new things. (a boost that I very much needed)
















I feel like good things have been happening in the past few days, in addition to
the feature, my wedding dress came in, we celebrated the bf's birthday last weekend,
and I received my state tax refund today.  2012 is so exciting already!

Bridal Tidal Wave

So here we are.  278 days away from saying "I do"
and I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with all the progress that
we've made.  We have the venue, the photographer, the dress, I've picked out
the bridesmaids dress, we have the save the dates just about ready to go,  the
hotel that we will be staying at for the wedding, I've started to work on decorations,
and we have the florist and our day-of planner.  whew!

It's not so overwhelming if you take one thing at a time.  I had a mini meltdown
in October because it was so intense.  Once the venue was booked my body
decided to go back to normal, thankfully.  But everything has been going
smoothly so far.  We're trying to follow the basic timeline for booking things, just to
give us some structure.

The best advice that I can give for the initial planning is to make or find a
timeline that works for you and to take it one thing at a time, or have a list of
small things that you want to accomplish for the week.  The knot has a really good timeline
on their website, and most bridal magazines have them too.

It's also good to check out what other people are doing for their weddings
my favorite bridal blogs are:
Brooklyn Bride
Style Me Pretty
Ruffled
100 Layer Cake


Happy Planning!

Recipe of the Week

I'm thinking that this post should come with a warning.
Caution: this dish is highly addictive

Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper)
This pasta dish is ridiculously simple and completely satisfying.














source

I got the recipe from Bon Appetit, and I highly recommend trying it.
The bonus is that once you make it, you'll never need to look at the recipe again-
it's really that simple.  I've already made it twice in the past 2 weeks!

Kosher Salt
6oz Pasta (I used spaghetti but, bucatini is also recommended)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp freshly cracked pepper (or more if you like)
3/4c grated Grana Padano or Parmesan
1/3c finely grated pecorino

Bring water to a boil and season with salt.
Add pasta and cook until about 2 minutes before tender, reserve
3/4c of the pasta water and drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
Add pepper and cook, swirling pan,  about 1 minute until toasted.

Add 1/2c of the reserved pasta water to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
Add the pasta and remaining tbsp of butter. Reduce heat to low and add Parmesan,
stirring and tossing with tongs until melted. Remove pan from heat and add the pecorino,
again stirring and tossing until the cheese melts.  Plate and serve.

I topped it with extra pepper and a bit of pecorino.


Buon Appetito!

Latest Obsessions

*Are You Being Served-which I finally got on dvd
(favorite episode)

*New Season of Portlandia

*Switching from plastic containers to glass
(a slow process)

*The Pavilion Hotel in Phnom Penh
(possible honeymoon destination)

*Getting the horrible pet store in my neighborhood to close
(sign here)

*Fighting winter laziness, though it's not really working...
(I can feel myself falling into hibernation mode,
where I only want to sleep or watch 30 Rock on Netflix)

Goodbye 2011

I don't know how it got to be December 30th, I really don't.
This year has been, by far, the quickest year of my life.
An absolute whirlwind of trips, surprises, passings, arrivals,
 a proposal, planning-the list goes on.  All in all, it has been
a really great year. The only dark cloud was the loss of mon
petit ami, Serg.  He continues to be missed, and is still loved
as much as when he was here.

2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year, the wedding is only about
10 months away and we are jumping into the rest of our planning
in January.  As usual I have prepared a list of things that I want to
do/change/work on in the New Year.

*Get rid of the junk
(cleaning out our studio space and just purging the unnecessary)

*Learn to can
(Carmen's Mom bought me a canning book and I will learn this year)

 *Cut down on Facebook and wasting time online
(I need to be productive, and facebook is the most anti-productive creature ever)

*Tone up for the wedding
(I don't want to lose any pounds but I do want to feel healthy and un-puffed for when
I walk down the aisle)

*Always have homemade chicken stock in the fridge
(this is filed in my "why buy it when I can make it" pile)

*Eat more legumes
(health benefits)

*Have more patience and be more mellow
(will this really work? I don't know but, it's worth a shot)

*Get back into going to the greenmarket
(Now that our Sunnyside one is gone til June I'll have to get back to Union Sq.)

*Get back to dance class
(I miss ballet. I just wish that we could wear fancy costumes in class- that would be ideal)



I hope that everyone that reads this has a
very happy and safe new year!! xo

A Year in Photos

What can I say? 2011 Has been a whirlwind year for me.
And with the exception of losing Serg, it has been a really
great year.  Here are some of my favorite photos:















The morning after that ridiculous snowstorm

Playa del Carmen




















My favorite photo of Sergie and I

I had asked him to show me his teeth. This picture cracks me up.

At Carly and Rick's Wedding

Central Park on Memorial Day

Strawberries and Rhubarb. Summer Staples

Joelie and Uncle Carmen

My first trip to Carly's Cabin

Summer Pastries

City View from the Williamsburg Flea

Jellyfish from the Newport Aquarium

28th Birthday!

Love this photo of my parents

Perfect Summer Day, Rockaway Beach

Lounging on the boardwalk @ Rockaway

Backyard games and snacks

Kitty Friends

Vegas with the ladies

Sea Lion show, pre engagement

Celebratory poses, post engagement!

Pumpkin Carving Party

Beautiful Sunset in the West Village

Pittsburgh

Creepster Christmas

Cousins and Mom Mom

Will reading Santa Mouse to Joelie




I'll be posting my resolutions tomorrow.