On the Like List

While I attempt to remember what I need to blog about, here is a list of some things that make me feel that kind of happiness that you feel all the way from your middle. 

Cookie Butter.  I have read about it, I have stalked it at Trader Joe's, for Cookie Butter is quite elusive. At last, I found it...and it was nothing like I thought it would be.  I assumed cookie butter would be like sugar cookie dough - sweet, granular, and buttery. Nope, nada, zilch.  It's better!  As I described it to Aaron, it is like they melted gingersnaps and molasses cookies and put it in a jar. It is spicy, smooth, and comforting. Uses I have found for it so far: on toast, on a pretzel stick, on pancakes, from a spoon.  Would be good on: celery, apples, a bigger spoon, English muffin, bagel...

Tupelo Honey Cafe Cookbook. I have a post or two in the delayed works referencing this book, but allow me to introduce you to my new favoritest cookbook not written by Alton Brown. Aaron and I ate here on our honeymoon, I drooled over their book at Barnes and Noble, and eventually got my paws on it for Christmas...or Valentine's Day...from Aaron?  In all honesty, everything kind of faded into the background upon me opening the gift. Since reading through every last recipe, I have made sandwiches (Fried Green Tomato with Grilled Portobello), chicken of the gods (to be written about soon I hope), and mac and cheese (yowza!). Julie may have cooked through Julia Child's book, but I this just may be the first cookbook I own from which every recipe gets its chance to impress me.

Little dish from Ginny. I love this dish; it is one of my favorite decorations in the home.  My Aunt Ginny went to Japan to help my cousin-in-law take care of her newest born for a bit and she brought this back with her for me. Not only is great for holding part of my button collection, but it has some history behind it.  It was made in Allied occupied Japan; it says so on the bottom.  How cool is that?! 

Bacon Salt. (Aaron is probably reading this with a shocked face.) Here is the story: Aaron likes adding random things to our grocery list.  A month or so ago, Aaron included on the grocery list things like hamdog pattycakes (imaginary) and bacon salt (real). Life was rough, so I thought I would look for bacon salt to bring home a little spot of happiness. No luck.  At a later shopping trip I mentioned to Aaron I looked for the salt but could not find it. Somewhere in aisle 7 communications were crossed and he thought I really wanted this bacon salt, not remembering he put it on the list. So, he did a very nice husband-y thing and bought it for me. It came, he teased, I saw...and reminded him it was he who wished for such a thing. Cue crestfallen Aaron-man. Using my awesome kitchen skills, I decided to use the bacon salt...on popcorn. Um...I may never eat popcorn any other way ever again. Smoky, not too overpowering, and also good on buttered toast, Aaron's invent-a-dinner (tortilla, pizza cheese, salsa, pepperoni, and bacon salt...yes, he lived to tell about it), and hopefully our baked potatoes tonight. 

On the not-like list:

Olives. Ick, yuck, grody! This was once again confirmed when Aaron bought olives at the store and their smell alone sent me running from the kitchen. Maybe it gives me flashbacks of working at Schlotzsky's and smelling the vinegar olive juice when the big cans of crushed olives were drained. Whatever the reason - disgusting!

Giving up on books.  Maybe this is a good thing; maybe I am maturing as a reader and discerning what I like. But I have thrown in the towel on a couple books lately, and it makes me sad...especially when I read some of the glowing reviews. Not finishing a book is hard, so hard in fact I usually read about 100 pages pages my interest expiration page. There are some books I am willing to slog through because I know it is good for me to read it (classics mainly), but I need to learn that books do not have feelings, and me not reading every book I begin is okay. I may need a recovery group, though.