grade A upgrade

perhaps one of the most important kitchen tools, as far as blogs go, is a camera. of course not nearly as important as a sharp knife, a good cast iron skillet, a reliable gas stove, or a kick ass food processor. though some would probably argue this point, preparing and especially EATING the food we make is far more important than blogging about it. documenting and finding clever things to say about our meals is fun and rewarding, but the cooking comes first.

however, since i do find myself in the casual business of publicly sharing the culinary part of my life with all who care to read and view, it's nice to feel like i'm doing it with some style. up until very recently, i felt severely limited in this respect by my pedestrian point-and- shoot digital camera. even the best lighting scenarios i could muster - even just nice daylight by the window sill - never seemed to do the food, or the labor i put into it, justice. what's the fun in reading about food without some visual evidence? i thank you all for bearing with some seriously less than stunning photography.

however, all this is about to change! tuesday was my 29th birthday, and bestowed upon me was an incredibly generous, thoughtful and totally out-of-the-blue gift from ryan and my mom:

hello, beautiful

this slick digi SLR beast is all mine, and it's just killer. i hate to brag, but i'm just so stoked on it and wanted to share with you all! i feel like i just graduated, or something. anyway, from this day forward, expect a serious upgrade from the VR photography. except maybe for photos taken outside of our house - i am still too nervous to bring my new camera out into the harsh world!

love,
emily

stocked & stoked

i don't know about ya'll, but to me, it is one of the best feelings there is to have a fully stocked kitchen, ready and waiting for whatever mood strikes. tacos? go for it! soup? we got soup stuff! a sandwich, perhaps?! SANDWICH YOUR FACE OFF!

i suspect it harkens back to some deep, pre-civilzed animal instincts - to hoard, to have, to feed ourselves and others, to feel safe knowing that at least one basic need is met. a first world privilege to be sure, but one whose pleasure i just can't deny.

last night, after way too long, i revved up the old band van and swung over to the shop rite on snyder ave. i love this place! maybe it's in my blood (my mom is a shop rite lifer), but i just have never enjoyed shopping more in a big grocery store. the sales, people - THE SALES! and so for about money as i could've spent buying a new springtime frock, i filled up the cart with edibles.

brought my haul home and unloaded by myself. i know some people hate the ritual of grocery shopping, but i deeply enjoy it. after schlepping all my bags inside, i turned a record up loud, cracked a beer, and put everything away. then, i stepped back, and took a good hard look at what i'd accomplished. ahhh...satisfaction.

what am i going to make for dinner tonight? the sky's the limit...but honestly, i'm kind of just in the mood for a salad. ooh, and maybe some crackers with roasted garlic. and maybe i'll start a batch of no-knead bread dough for tomorrow...

love,

emily

!! HALLELUJAH !!

lady birds and gentle worms, meet my new baby, given to me by my very own mother for my 27th birthday:

we are in appliance love...maybe more like lust. the VR kitchen is now one, gigantic step closer to unstoppable. hands down, one of the top five present of my whole life!

love,
emily

appliance desire - now in gunmetal gray

spotted in the kitchen section of target (why was i shopping there?! ryan had a gift certificate, seriously), this hunky, masculine piece of work, giving me the sexy eye. "come to me, darling," it purred. "use me, abuse me.":


alas, at $325, this is one appliance that is currently way out of my reach. but maybe one day i will hold it in my arms, and all of my baking fantasies will come true.

love,
emily