An inevitable food related turn

I'm developing a hateful relationship with dried spices. Sure, I've spent years honing my dried spice collection in my thrift-store wall rack. I've traveled to Penzey's Spices in Connecticut and another in Asheville. I've bought low-quality, high quality and questionable quality dried spices. But now that I've finally grown a few of my own herbs, it's hard to imagine a good homemade meal without fresh herbs. Why did I buy pesto all these years when I can easily make it (though it's just as expensive to make yourself if you use pine nuts)? And it's no wonder I spent years hating dill when I was never using fresh dill. And dried cilantro--I can't even talk about how gross that is. Freshness in herbs makes a difference in your cooking like using fresh butter; it's essential, and when you are using few ingredients you must splurge for the better quality. I know I'm sounding really food condescending right now, but basil, rosemary, cilantro, oregano, mint leaves, and dill (all easy to grow in spring-summer) just have to be fresh. it's decided. That isn't to say that a few dried spices come in handy every once in a while. Mace, for instance. Or celery seed. If you read this blog, despite my inconsistent updating, and you are on the verge of cooking a magnificent meal, please for your own happiness get some fresh herbs when you refill your grocery to-do list.

"I just don't know how anybody could enjoy anything," he says, "more than I enjoy... you know, getting up in the morning and having the cup of cold coffee that's been waiting for me all night, that's still there for me to drink in the morning, and no cockroach or fly has died in it overnight - I'm just so thrilled when I get up, and I see that coffee there, just the way I want it, I just can't imagine enjoying something else any more than that."

Cat Workouts

Click on the C for cat. Cat work out! If you have two cats like me, and you hate to exercise, use your cat.

You know you want it.

Dear all at Creative Circus--

http://www.lifeclever.com/a-coffee-mug-for-helvetica-lovers/

--now we can even drink type in the mornings too.

This sounds seriously fun, in a southern family kind of way that relaxes you. If only we were all un-busy enough. Not to mention the great invitation design.

http://www.cottage-industrialist.com/blog/2010/7/11/a-canning-party-free-printables-from-paper-crave.html

Self-Silouehette Portrait

I like black cats.

Frida is me, minus a lot of tragedy and minus the gift of painting.