use real butter

I’ll first begin with the sweet. Yesterday, I picked up TWO packages from the post office. One was from Australia, so I immediately knew that was from Kell. The other… the other was - the long lost package that Amos and Louie sent over three months ago! I had even called the freaking Ned post office to inquire and they told me they had never seen it. When I got it yesterday, the postal worker (my favorite one, she’s quite nice) looked at the date and said, “March?! I’ve seen this thing in the back forever!” I think it might have remained in the back forever if Amos hadn’t called and raised a little hell.

Kell and Jerad sent me the sweetest card congratulating me on my defense, and a book that all of the foodies have been reading. Plus, a long handwritten letter from Kell, something that people just don’t seem to do as much of anymore. I cherished every last scribble. Amos and Louie had more official looking stuff in their package - US Marshall sportswear! So cool. Louie is what is right with federal law enforcement. They also included Louie’s favorite movie of all time: Anchorman. Jeremy wanted to watch it right away, but we had stuff to do. I loved Elf, so hopefully Anchorman will be just as funny.

loot from care packages: thanks kell, jerad, amos, and louie!

In an effort to use up egg yolks and to test a new recipe:

i made earl grey crème brûlée today

I check the weather conditions first thing every day as I sit up in bed. I look out the big windows from our bedroom and squint enough to determine if it’s snow, clouds, sun, dark. This morning I got excited because the hillsides were white!

looks like snow

But instead, it was a freezing fog that rolled in overnight. We had nothing on the ground so far. I got to work on various food prep and house cleaning things right away. It was pretty much non-stop. I tried a new recipe: roasted butternut squash soup.

halved and ready to bake

puréed squash with other ingredients

test serving… success!

Before I knew it, Jeremy was home and helping me in the kitchen. I was running about 30 minutes behind schedule. Fiona and Tony were supposed to arrive at 6:00 pm. When the doorbell rang at 5:40, I was freaking out. However, it wasn’t them, but a delivery guy. But, we already got our (twenty-)three day blinds delivery earlier today… It was a redEnvelope package from Amos and Louie!

teas for the chinese new year

There were actually two boxes and the other box had a set of heart-shaped measuring cups for valentine’s day. You can never have too many measuring cups. That was very sweet.

Luckily, Tony and Fiona arrived a little late (giving me enough time to wash my stinky self). We got to meet Sarah, their 3-month old little baby girl. Sarah is so mellow and well-behaved. Kaweah was a spaz, so we sequestered her in the office. For appetizers, I served crudités with spinach dip, and a plate of antipasto. To serve the soup, I dropped a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream in the center. Then I topped it with a few rehydrated dried cranberries, crumbled bacon, and a sprig of marjoram. The bacon makes it. The crusted beef rib-eye loin roast came out the best ever. I think using a soft french bread for the crust instead of the crusty french works better to adhere to the roast. Rounded out with roasted potatoes and a green salad with orange and jicama, it was satisfying but not overly starchy. Boca negra made an appearance for dessert and by then, we were all full.

new parents

a sweet baby

It was wonderful to see Fiona and Tony again. In many ways, I wish they hadn’t moved away because they are fun and thoughtful people. Fiona is my all time favorite dinner guest.

Andrew Bird is coming to Boulder!

I got a package from Ro! What a total sweetheart. She went to a lot of trouble to send us this certain special tea from the Huntington. Love her so much. It’s the best smelling tea ever. If it wasn’t meant for consumption, I’d scatter it about my house as potpourri. We’re sending a few tins to our parents because both sets seem to love it too. Jeremy brewed a pot tonight and now I’m wired beyond belief.

gold rush tea

If only blogs were scratch-n-sniff. This smells of peach and passion fruit, but is a lovely black tea with orange blossom and other dreamy ingredients. I wish I could give everyone a tin of this tea. If you live in Pasadena - run now to the Huntington! They only carry it in the rose garden tea room this month.